Leaf phenology mediates provenance differences in herbivore populations on valley oaks in a common garden

1. Plants from different populations often display a variation in herbivore resistance. However, it is rarely understood what plant traits mediate such differences. 2. It was tested how leaf phenology affects herbivore populations in a 15‐year‐old common garden of valley oaks (Quercus lobata Née) with different populations and maternal parents from throughout the Q. lobata range. 3. The abundance of leaf miners (Stigmella sp. Shrank) and leaf phenology of oaks in the common garden was measured. 4. Leaf miner abundance varied among provenance locations (population), but not among maternal parents within populations. Leaf phenology varied by provenance location and maternal parent, and trees that leafed out earlier accrued higher leaf‐miner abundance. Path analysis indicated that leaf phenology was the likely driver of provenance and parental differences in resistance to leaf miners. 5. Understanding population differences is particularly important when considering transport of genotypes for ornamental or restoration purposes. The present study suggests that similarity in leaf phenology may be one factor that could be used to find genotypes with a similar herbivore resistance to local genotypes.     

How Many Seed Transfer Zones Are Necessary for the Preservation of the Genetic Identity of Austrocedrus chilensis Natural Populations in Argentina?

Two different studies based on isozymes that include genetic structure analysis have arrived at contrasting conclusions regarding the minimum number of seed transfer zones for Patagonian cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis) in Argentina that are required in order to avoid genetic contamination in restoration programs. Unfortunately, the more recent article lacks discussion on these controversial results, which is, therefore, the purpose of this article. The reliability of the markers used and the sampling performed in these studies are evaluated comparatively. The later study found higher levels of diversity and differentiation but paradoxically suggested that only two seed transfer zones would be enough to preserve the genetic identity of the natural populations of the species, whereas the earlier study concluded that at least five are necessary. Arguments are presented here for the case that definition of fewer than five genetically homogeneous groups is absolutely inappropriate and implies a probable risk of genetic contamination and maladaptation.     

The Restoration of Degraded Mountain Woodlands: Effects of Seed Provenance and Microsite Characteristics on Polylepis australis Seedling Survival and Growth in Central Argentina

South American high‐mountain ecosystems are greatly influenced by human disturbance. In the mountains of Córdoba, Argentina, Polylepis australis (Rosaceae) woodlands are currently highly fragmented and subject to extensive burning and livestock grazing, resulting in severe changes of habitat characteristics, which hamper natural regeneration. In order to find out how to achieve successful reforestation, we compared P. australis seedling survival and growth and the development of a shrubby habit for two seed provenances and different planting microsites. Survival of planted seedlings after 5 years was 70%, with most deaths (19%) in the first year and declining mortality with ongoing establishment. Survival did not show any relationship with seed provenance or microsite characteristics. Height growth averaged 34.6 ± 1.2 cm in 5 years. Seedlings produced from seeds collected in a well‐preserved woodland grew taller and showed a higher tendency for development of shrubby habit than those produced from seeds collected in a degraded woodland. Seedlings planted in more degraded microsites with exposed soil or rock due to past grazing pressure grew less and developed a more shrubby habit than those planted in better preserved microsites. Our results show that restoration of degraded areas with P. australis is possible and that there is potential to improve restoration success with a careful selection of seed provenance and planting microsites.     

香椿不同种源和优良单株的种子品质差异性分析

对13个省份14个产地香椿(Toona sinensisRoem.)种子的播种品质和营养成分含量差异进行分析,发现14个种源香椿种子的长度(6.07~8.22 mm)、宽度(3.68~4.65 mm)、千粒重(7.86~15.37 g)和发芽率(36.00%~96.00%)均存在显著差异,不同单株之间也存在一定的差异。播种品质与场圃发芽率较好的种源为河北邢台、江西崇义、江西九连山和湖南洞口;江西九连山种源的5个单株中,种子品质最好的为5号单株。各种源香椿种子的蛋白质含量为12.514~97.150 mg.g-1,可溶性糖含量为0.048~0.084 mg.g-1,淀粉含量为0.576%~1.410%,游离氨基酸含量为1.545~3.226 mg.g-1,粗脂肪含量为26.407%~38.158%,表明不同种源香椿种子的营养成分有显著差异。     

Modeling mate-finding behavior of the swarming polychaete,Nereis succinea,with TangoInSilico,a scientific orkflow-based simulation system for sexual searching

Summary

Pheromones can be used as attractants for the opposite sex in many environments; however, little is known about the search strategies employed in responding to pheromones in the marine environment. The spawning behavior of males of the polychaete Nereis succinea is known to be triggered at close range by a high concentration (>～10^?7 M) of pheromone, cysteine glutathione disulfide (CSSG), released by females. Since CSSG also causes acceleration of swimming and increased turning, in addition to eliciting ejaculation, we proposed the hypothesis that these behaviors elicited by low concentrations of pheromone can be used by males to find females. The current study develops a computer simulation model of male and female N. succinea behavior for testing whether male responses to low concentrations of CSSG can facilitate finding females. Video recording of female swimming behavior in the field showed spontaneous loops, spirals, and circles that have been incorporated into the model. The scientific workflow paradigm within which the computer model has been developed also incorporates a data provenance system to enable systematic replay and testing of responses to individual parameters. Output of the model shows complex turning behavior leading to successful mating encounters at concentrations as low as 3×10^?9 M CSSG. Behavior resembling the output of the model was recorded in field observations. Application of the model in the future will be used to determine what pheromone concentrations produce significant increases in the probability of mating encounters.     

兴安落叶松针叶解剖结构变化及其光合能力对气候变化的适应性

叶片易受环境因子影响,其形态解剖结构特征不但与叶片的生理功能密切相关,而且反映树木对环境变化的响应和适应。叶片结构的改变势必会改变树木的生理功能。同一树种长期生长在异质环境条件下,经过自然选择和适应,会在形态和生理特性等方面产生变异,形成特定的地理种群。另外,母体所经受的环境胁迫也会影响到其子代的生长、发育和生理等特征。因此,了解植物叶片形态结构对环境变化的响应与适应是探索植物对环境变化的响应适应机制的基础。兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii Rupr.)是我国北方森林的优势树种,主要分布在我国东北地区,但日益加剧的气候变化可能会改变其现有的分布区。为了区分叶片对气候变化的可塑性和适应性,本研究采用同质园法比较测定了6个不同气候条件下的兴安落叶松种源的32年生树木的针叶解剖结构和光合生理相关因子,利用石蜡切片方法分析了针叶的解剖结构特征、光合能力（Pmax-a）、水分利用效率（WUE）之间的关系及其对气候变化的适应性。结果表明：表皮细胞厚度、叶肉细胞厚度、传输组织厚度、维管束厚度、内皮层厚度以及叶片总厚度均存在显著的种源间差异（P < 0.05）。叶肉细胞厚度与Pmax-a、气孔导度和WUE之间均存在显著的正相关关系（P < 0.05）。叶肉细胞厚度、表皮细胞厚度、叶片总厚度以及叶肉细胞厚度和表皮细胞厚度在叶片总厚度中所占比例均与种源地的干燥度指数（即年蒸发量与年降水量之比）呈正线性关系。这些结果说明：不同种源兴安落叶松针叶解剖结构因对种源原地气候条件的长期适应而产生显著的差异,从而引起其针叶光合作用、水分利用等生理功能发生相应的变化,从而有利于该树种在气候变化的情景下得以生存和繁衍。     

施氮对木荷3个种源幼苗根系发育和氮磷效率的影响

以浙北、闽北和赣南3个木荷有代表性的种源作为试验材料,通过人工控制施氮来研究氮沉降对林地贫瘠土壤上木荷幼苗生长和氮磷效率的影响.实验分为4个处理组,分别人工喷施NH4NO3溶液0、50、100和200 kg N hm-2·a-1.结果表明:氮沉降对木荷幼苗生长产生了不同程度的促进作用.木荷幼苗根系干物质重、总长、平均直径、根总表面积和总体积增加了33％-73％,其中＞0.5mm直径的根系生长最为显著,根系呈粗壮舒张型.随氮水平的提高,氮磷吸收效率与根系总长、根系体积、根系平均直径和总表面积相关性增强.在中氮水平下,木荷幼苗根系氮吸收效率受＞0.5mm根长的作用显著,而磷吸收效率与≤0.5mm,0.5-1.0mm和≥1.0mm 3种直径根系根长均显著相关.木荷种源间差异显著,福建建瓯种源根系发达,氮磷的利用效率更高,低氮水平对其根系生长促进作用显著;浙江杭州种源在低氮水平下,地上部分生长促进作用显著,苗高和地径较对照分别增长34％和26％,而根系生长发育迟缓,对氮素响应迟钝;低氮促进江西信丰种源整体增长,但随氮水平提高,地下部生长抑制加强.     

A genetic assessment of a successful seagrass meadow (Posidonia australis) restoration trial

Seagrass meadows are in decline globally. Although numerous experimental methods have been implemented to restore meadows, few have been successful in the long term. Poor decisions on the sourcing of transplants from donor sites, including poor genetic integration and/or low genetic diversity, may impact on restoration success. However, despite evidence to suggest a positive association between genetic diversity and ecological resilience, there is usually little or no input from genetic data to inform on the genetic management of ecological restoration. Cockburn Sound has seen a 77% decline in seagrass cover since 1967. A transplant trial was conducted between 2004 and 2008 with sprigs of Posidonia australis being planted into a bare sand area. Survival was monitored annually, and in 2012, we compared genetic diversity in this transplant area with the original donor site. Genetic diversity in the restored meadow was very high and comparable to the donor site, with no genetic differentiation detected. The high level of genetic diversity and choice of site may have played an important role in the success of this restoration trial. The observed natural recruits around the site after establishment of transplants suggest that local restoration efforts may improve seafloor habitat and facilitate natural expansion of the meadow.     

Seed provenance determines germination responses of Rumex crispus (L.) under water stress and nutrient availability

Aims Seeds ofRumex crispusfrom six provenances were studied in relation to their germination under drought and presence of nitrogen in the germination and emergence media. We also investigated whether adaptation to soil increases the ability of the species to colonize and establish in contrasting environments along a longitudinal gradient in western Spain by means of a reciprocal transplantation experiment.     

大连市6种园林树种的光合固碳释氧特性

以大连市园林6种常用园林树种为研究材料,利用LI-6400便携式光合测定仪测定树木的光合生理生态指标,对6种树种的光合固碳释氧能力、光响应参数以及光合速率影响因子进行分析。结果表明:在不同季节同种植物的单位叶面积固碳释氧能力表现为夏季最强。日均单位叶面积固碳释氧能力由强到弱为龙爪槐(Sophora japonica var.pendula)合欢(Albizia julibrissin)光叶榉(Zelkova serrata)槲树(Quercus dentata)悬铃木(Platanus acerifolia)枫杨(Pterocarya stenoptera);日均单株固碳释氧能力由强到弱为悬铃木槲树合欢光叶榉枫杨龙爪槐。气孔导度、蒸腾速率、光合有效辐射和大气CO2浓度是影响光合速率的主要因子。悬铃木、合欢对环境的适应能力较强。根据树种的固碳释氧能力及生理特性,建议在大连地区进行绿化时优选悬铃木、合欢,槲树、龙爪槐也可作为高固碳树种推广。