Taxonomic records of the genus Cyathus in Brazil are revisited, and the description of the species was re-evaluated. In total, 145 samples from Brazilian fungal collections were analyzed and compared with the descriptions present in the literature and type collections, totaling 31 species. New records and new identifications of the collections are presented. Updated descriptions, photo plates, and an identification key for the Cyathus species occurring in Brazil until the present moment are provided.

Triplaris (Polygonaceae) is a genus of 18 species of fast-growing dioecious trees. Triplaris is widely distributed in the Neotropics, with a center of diversity in the western portion of the Amazon basin. The most recent revision of the genus was one of consolidation, lumping a large number of names into a small number of species concepts. One species in particular, T. americana, is presently an amalgamation of 15 historical taxonomic concepts. Moreover, as currently circumscribed, T. americana is morphologically variable and ranges over the whole of the Neotropics despite the fact that most species in the genus have restricted geographic ranges. Given the recent taxonomic history of Triplaris, the infraspecific variation observed in T. americana, and the narrow endemism observed in most species of Triplaris, it is reasonable to question whether T. americana, as it is currently circumscribed, in fact constitutes a single species. This study examined the circumscription of T. americana using a morphological species concept, morphometrics, and hierarchical clustering. Hierarchical clustering revealed that the morphological variation present in 136 specimens of T. americana could be explained by dividing those specimens into two groups of plants. These groups, however, could not be reliably distinguished morphologically. The distribution of values and morphologies among the various groups always overlapped. As a result, this work supports retaining T. americana as a single, widespread, and morphologically variable species.

Lichens are known to be sensitive to changes in air quality. The recent closure of a coal-fired electric generating plant in New Jersey has set up a natural experiment to study the potential rebound of nearby lichen communities. The study area is the Abbott Marshlands, an ecologically important freshwater tidal wetland along the Delaware River, much of which is protected open space. To establish a baseline for future study, a biodiversity inventory of lichens and allied fungi was undertaken in the Abbott Marshlands, yielding 57 species.

Forest structure, composition, and understory light patterns were measured at Allee Memorial Woods (AMW) near the forest–prairie ecoregional boundary in west-central Indiana to determine (1) compositional trends over five decades, (2) how different disturbance histories may have affected the dynamics, (3) current understory light regimes and their relationship to sapling densities, and (4) implications for the future of the forest preserve. Permanent sampling grids were re-established during 2011–12 in an uncut stand and two others that were selectively or heavily cut during 1890–1920. All trees > 1 m tall were censused, and those > 7.5 cm in diameter were mapped and measured, to compare structure (density, mean diameter, basal area) and species composition (richness, diversity, similarity) within and across size classes. Photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) was measured in three ways and correlated with sapling densities. Substantial compositional changes occurred in both the uncut and selectively cut stands during 1959–60 to 2011. They have declined in species richness and diversity, especially in smaller size classes, and the relative densities of Acer saccharum L., Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., or both have increased in sapling (1 m tall to 7.5 cm diameter) and mid-sized (7.6–50.7 cm) strata while the overstory (> 50.7 cm) has become more heavily dominated by Quercus spp. and Liriodendron tulipifera L. Light levels under intact canopy are very low in general and sapling densities are correlated with light, especially with longer-term direct PPF measurements at 0.5 m. All three stands show patterns consistent with widespread understory shade tolerance shifts in eastern North America, and the uncut and selectively cut stands have converged in overall size class structure and composition through different pathways related to their disturbance histories. Increased dominance of the overstory by Acer and Fagus, further declines in tree species diversity, and inhibition of regeneration by less shade-tolerant species are predicted for AMW unless there are substantial changes in climate and/or disturbance.

This study compares the lichen, moss, and vascular plant species found on the abandoned High Line rail line in 2002 with those found on a three-block remnant of the High Line between 30th and 33rd Streets and 12th Avenue in 2019. One hundred fifty-five species were identified in 125 genera belonging to 47 families in the 2002 study. The 2019 study identified 79 species within 68 genera belonging to 32 families. Ten lichens were identified in 2019; four were identified in 2002. The number of mosses found in 2019 remained the same (six species); four species were new to the study area, and four species found in 2002 were not relocated. The loss of vascular plant species on the old High Line in 2019 is a function of its reduced size, a three-block remnant of the original site. The increase in lichen diversity might reflect improved air quality and continued lack of disturbance to suitable substrates at the remnant site.