COMPARISON OF DUNE HABITATS OF NORTH MEDITERRANEAN COASTS - TUSCANY (IT) WITH THOSE OF BLACK SEA COASTS -DOBROGEA (RO, BG): SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Data related to the floristic and phytocoenotic features of dune areas located in two European coastal areas are reported. These areas are very different by the biogeographical point of view: the coast of Tuscany (Italy, Mediterranean Region, Italo-Thyrrenian province), and the coast of Dobrogea, a cross-border coastal strip between Romania and Bulgaria on the Black Sea (Eurosiberian Region, Escitian province). Both coasts are about 300 km long, and include main habitats (sensu Directive 92/43/EEC) of European coastal dune environments (habitats 1210, 2110, 2120, 2130, 2160, 2210, 2230, 2240, 2250) (Tab. 1). Some habitats have been identified exclusively in a specific geographical area (H2210, H2230, H2240, H2250 only in Tuscan coast (T), H2130, H2160 only in Dobrogea (D), some common to both (H1210, H2110, H2120) (Fig.1) (1, 2). A gradual increase of stenomediterranean species (Tuscany) or eurimediterranean species (Dobrogea) proceeding from north to south was found; as well as a high floristic diversity between the two compared bioregions even within the same habitats. Finally the floristic difference tends to increase from foredune habitats to fixed dunes. This is related mainly to phytoclimatic, phytogeographical, ecological and geomorphological factors. In both study areas a discontinue presence of some foredune habitats (eg. H1210, H2110, H2120) due to anthropic alterations was found

BIOMETRIC AND MORHOLOGIC OBSERVATIONS ON SALIX FRAGILIS (SALICACEAE) LEAVES

The paper discloses a research model of leaf investigation, based on biometric measurements and morphologic observations. There are only a few examples of this type of biometric investigation model applied on spontaneous plants leaves in literature. The article comprises biometrical and morphologic investigations on 40 leaves of Salix fragilis L. The measurements and observations were performed on 40 mature leaves collected from the apex, middle and base of the crown, including linear measurements, percentage ratio, angular measurements and other measurements such as the number semi-sum of secondary pairs of veins (Np), the teeth number/cm and the lamina surface as well. The biometric measurements were the basis of a mathematical calculation of the average values on the studied species leaves

PSAMMOPHILOUS PLANT ASSOCIATIONS FROM THE COASTAL AREA OF THE BLACK SEABETWEEN PERIBOINA AND PERITEAŞCA (DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE)

The coastal area between Periboina and Periteaşca channel is a narrow littoral belt which separates the Black Sea and the Razelm-Sinoe lagoon complex.On the sandy belt, less tall sand dunes(1-2 m) occur, bordered to the west by puddles and swamps more or less salted. There are four psammophilous plant communities on the embryonic sand dunes of the littoral belt and on the low surfaces of the dunes, in the frame of the habitats 2110 and 1210: Elymetum gigantei and Secali sylvestris-Brometum tectorum, respectively Cakilo euxinae-Salsoletum ruthenicae and Lactuco tataricae-Glaucietum flavae. A detailed description of these plant communities, inclusively of a new subassociation (Elymetum gigantei Morariu 1957 subass. crambetosum maritimae subass. nova) have been made in the paper. Information regarding the rare species from the psammophilous plant communities, conservation status of the habitats, anthropogenic pressures, risk factors as well as evolution tendencies of the dune habitats will be alsogiven in the paper

Fit to Perform: A Profile of Higher Education Music Students’ Physical Fitness

Musicians are often called athletes of the upper body, but knowledge of their physical and fitness profiles is nonetheless limited, especially those of advanced music students who are training to enter music’s competitive professional landscape. To gain insight into how physical fitness is associated with music making, this study investigated music students’ fitness levels on several standardized indicators. 483 students took part in a fitness screening protocol that included measurements of lung function, flexibility (hypermobility, shoulder range of motion, sit and reach), strength and endurance (hand grip, plank, press-up), and sub-maximal cardiovascular fitness (3-min step test), as well as self-reported physical activity (IPAQ-SF). Participants scored within ranges appropriate for their age on lung function, shoulder range of motion, grip strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Their results for the plank, press up, and sit and reach were poor by comparison. Reported difficulty (22%) and pain (17%) in internal rotation of the right shoulder were also found. Differences between instrument groups and levels of study were observed on some measures. In particular, brass players showed greater lung function and grip strength compared with other groups, and postgraduate students on the whole were able to maintain the plank for longer but also demonstrated higher hypermobility and lower lung function (FEV1) and cardiovascular fitness than undergraduates. 79% of participants exceeded the minimum recommended weekly amount of physical activity, with singers the most physically active group and keyboard players, composers, and conductors the least active. IPAQ-SF scores correlated positively with lung function, sit and reach, press-up and cardiovascular fitness suggesting that, in the absence of time and resources to carry out comprehensive physical assessments with musicians, this one measure alone can provide useful insights. The findings indicate that music students have adequate levels of general health-related fitness, and we discuss whether adequate fitness is enough for people undertaking physically and mentally demanding activities such as making music. We argue that musicians could benefit from strengthening their supportive musculature and enhancing their awareness of strength imbalances

EMBRYONIC SHIFTING DUNES ON THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA COAST

Embryonic shifting dunes are a type of habitat of Community interest specified in the Habitat Directive with the Corine code 16.211 and with the Nature 2000 code 2110. This habitat consists of mobile sand dunes, partially fixed by psammophilous vegetation. The habitat 2110 is present mainly on the northern Black Sea coast, on the sandy beaches of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.On the southern coast of Romania, this habitat type has been mostly destroyed through the building and extension of some touristic resorts and it remained only in small scattered fragments between resorts. The sand dunesare well preserved on the southern coast of the Black Sea only in the natural reserve Marine Sand Dunes of Agigea.Conservation status of the habitat 2110 is generally favorable on the northern coast of Romania, excepting the beaches of Sulina, Chituc sandbank andPortiţa where it is threatened by grazing, arrangement works of the beaches, extension of some touristic facilities or by invasive plants. On the southern coast of Romania, the embryonic shifting dunes have an unfavorable conservation status, this segment of Romanian littoral being serious affected by tourism and economic activities, in area of the harbours, inresorts and coastal localities. A summary description of the plant communities specific to the habitat 2110 and also other information about the conservation status, vulnerabilities and evolution trend of the habitat 2110 are given in the paper

BIOMETRIC OBSERVATIONS ON IPOMOEA PURPUREA (L.) ROTH (CONVOLVULACEAE) LEAVES

The paper discloses a research model of leaf investigation, based on biometrical measurements and morphological observations. There are only a few examples of this type of biometrical investigation and analysis model applied on spontaneous plants leaves in literature. The article comprises biometrical investigations on Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth leaves. The measurements and observations were performed on 40 mature leaves of the studied genotype, including linear measurements, percentage ratio, angular measurements and the leaf surface as well. The biometric measurements were the basis of a mathematical calculation of the average values on the studied species

SEVERAL ISSUES REGARDING THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE PSAMMOPHYLOUS SPECIES POLYGONUM MARITIMUML. AND SILENE THYMIFOLIASIBTH. ET SM. AT THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA COAST

The phenomenon of vegetation dynamics and the fragile balance of the coastalecosystems and also the large number of endangered plant species from these areas represent a permanent challenge to which many specialists have to respond. In this paper we present some issues regarding the ecology, chorology, current conservation status of the species populations within their specific habitats related to the main factors of anthropic and natural impact that affect the populations of the studied plant species and identification and description of measures that can betaken for their conservation and protection. By means of the results obtain through out this study, we present the current status of Polygonum maritimum and Silene thymifolia, as well as their habitats, specific to the Romanian Black Sea coastal area

THE GRASSLAND NATURA 2000 HABITATS FOUND IN BĂIŢA-CRĂCIUNEŞTI QUARRY AND THE SURROUNDINGS, HUNEDOARA COUNTY

Following field research conducted in Baita-Craciuneşti quarry and neighborning, the presence of an extremely interesting vegetation cover was discovered, characterized by a very large biodiversity, with a quite good state of preservation due to the influence of anthropo-zoogen factors in this area. Herbaceous vegetation is the vegetation of grasslands, ruderal vegetation and saxicole vegetation, weeds vegetation and ruderal vegetation (present around households, buildings, shelters, warehouses, along the roads and trails or quarry trash pit). The most importants grassland habitats are: 6520 - Mountain hay meadows; CLAS. PAL.: 38.31., 6440 - Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii; CLAS. PAL.: 37. and 6240* - Sub-pannonic steppic grasslands; CLAS. PAL.: 34.315. These habitats are highly significant for the ecological rehabilitation here