Dionaea muscipula (Venus Flytrap) Establishment, Release, and Response of Associated Species in Mowed Patches on the Rims of Carolina Bays

Carolina bays are depression wetlands of high conservation value that occur across the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States. Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one rare carnivorous plant that grows in open habitats on the rims of Carolina bays. Without frequent burning, vegetation on bay rims becomes dominated by evergreen shrubs and Venus flytrap populations decline. This project examined the utility of mechanical mowing, soil clearing, transplanting, and seeding as an approach to restoring populations of Venus flytraps when fire is precluded. Mowing of patches on bay rims produced open sites with little ground‐layer vegetation. After two growing seasons, adult Venus flytraps transplanted to mowed patches showed high survivorship and relatively high leaf number/plant. Suppressed Venus flytraps existing on‐site quickly initiated growth in response to mowing. These volunteers and the transplants had higher flowering percentages than plants in reference populations. Seeds of Venus flytraps were scattered in mowed and cleared plots. Seedling establishment was low, but seedlings persisted into the second growing season. Mowing created suitable habitat for growth and flowering of adult Venus flytraps and facilitated establishment of two other carnivorous species, Sundew (Drosera capillaris) and Bladderwort (Utricularia subulata). But, mowing and clearing also facilitated invasion by four species of grasses and rushes; evergreen shrubs resprouted quickly after mowing. Maintaining persistent openings by mowing the rims of Carolina bays will be an ongoing challenge due to availability of potential invaders and rapid regrowth of shrubs.     

Comparison of invertebrate herbivores on native and non‐native Senecio species: Implications for the enemy release hypothesis

The enemy release hypothesis posits that non‐native plant species may gain a competitive advantage over their native counterparts because they are liberated from co‐evolved natural enemies from their native area. The phylogenetic relationship between a non‐native plant and the native community may be important for understanding the success of some non‐native plants, because host switching by insect herbivores is more likely to occur between closely related species. We tested the enemy release hypothesis by comparing leaf damage and herbivorous insect assemblages on the invasive species Senecio madagascariensis Poir. to that on nine congeneric species, of which five are native to the study area, and four are non‐native but considered non‐invasive. Non‐native species had less leaf damage than natives overall, but we found no significant differences in the abundance, richness and Shannon diversity of herbivores between native and non‐native Senecio L. species. The herbivore assemblage and percentage abundance of herbivore guilds differed among all Senecio species, but patterns were not related to whether the species was native or not. Species‐level differences indicate that S. madagascariensis may have a greater proportion of generalist insect damage (represented by phytophagous leaf chewers) than the other Senecio species. Within a plant genus, escape from natural enemies may not be a sufficient explanation for why some non‐native species become more invasive than others.     

Effects of land use and environment on alien and native macrophytes: lessons from a large‐scale survey of Australian rivers

Aim We sampled riverine macrophyte communities and environmental conditions to compare drivers of alien and native abundance and to provide a general set of environmental correlates of invasion by aquatic macrophytes. Location Streams adjacent to three land‐use types (intensive, agricultural and natural) across a large latitudinal gradient (approximately 27° S–43° S) in Australia. Sites were located near Brisbane (Queensland), Sydney (New South Wales), Canberra (Australian Capital Territory), Melbourne (Victoria) and Hobart (Tasmania). Methods Alien and native aquatic plant species cover, water quality, forest canopy and adjacent land use were measured in three catchment locations (low‐, mid‐ and upper‐catchment) in all cities. Mean richness and cover of native and alien macrophytes were compared in the five cities, three catchment locations, and three land‐use types. Correlation tests examined relationships between alien and native richness at transect, site and city scales. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) determined the effects of environment on cover and richness of native and alien plant groups (emergents, floating, forbs/other, graminoids and submerged). Results Variation existed in the aquatic plant community at all scales, but strong patterns emerged with respect to land use and environmental gradients. Alien abundance was more responsive to anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. greater in intensive and agricultural land‐use types, and greater where dissolved nutrients and conductivity were high) than natives, which were unaffected by land‐use type and less responsive overall to environmental gradients. Native and alien richness were uncorrelated at all scales. Main conclusions Natives and aliens of the same life form did not respond similarly to the environment, suggesting inherent differences in their ability to capitalize on anthropogenic disturbance. Our results suggest invasion‐susceptible habitats are those that receive nutrient pollutants and that occur in urban and agricultural areas low in the catchment. Our confidence in these patterns is strengthened by their consistency across a large latitudinal gradient.     

Elevated carbon dioxide and irrigation effects on water stable aggregates in a Sorghum field: a possible role for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

While soil biota and processes are becoming increasingly appreciated as important parameters for consideration in global change studies, the fundamental characteristic of soil structure is a neglected area of research. In a sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] field experiment in which CO₂[supplied using free‐air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) technology] was crossed factorially with an irrigation treatment, soil aggregate (1–2 mm) water stability increased in response to elevated CO₂. Aggregate water stability was increased by 40% and 20% in response to CO₂, at ample and limited water supply treatments, respectively. Soil hyphal lengths of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increased strongly (with a threefold increase in the dry treatment) in response to CO₂, and the concentrations of one fraction (easily extractable glomalin, EEG) of the AMF‐produced protein glomalin were also increased. Two fractions of glomalin, and AMF hyphal lengths were all positively correlated with soil aggregate water stability. The present results further support the hypothesis that AMF can become important in global change scenarios. Although in this field study a causal relationship between hyphal length, glomalin and aggregate stability cannot be demonstrated, the present data do suggest that AMF could mediate changes in soil structure under elevated CO₂. This could be of great importance in agricultural systems threatened by erosional soil loss.     

Comparing naturalized alien plants and recipient habitats across an east–west gradient in the Mediterranean Basin

Aim To investigate alien plant species invasion levels in different habitats and alien species traits by comparing the naturalized flora in different areas of the same biogeographical region. Location Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. Methods Comparison of floristic composition, species traits and recipient habitats of naturalized alien neophytes across an east–west gradient comprising four countries in the European Mediterranean basin. Results A total of 782 naturalized neophytes were recorded; only 30 species were present in all four countries. Although floristic similarity is low, the four alien floras share the same patterns of growth form (mostly herbs), life cycle (mostly perennials) and life form (mostly therophytes, hemicryptophytes and phanerophytes). The majority of the recipient habitats were artificial. Wetlands were the natural habitats, with the highest numbers of naturalized species. Floristic similarity analyses revealed: (1) the highest floristic similarity between Italy and Spain, both of which were more similar to Greece than to Cyprus; (2) two groups of floristic similarity between habitat categories in each country (Greece–Cyprus and Italy–Spain); (3) a higher degree of homogenization in the plant assemblages in different habitats in Greece and Cyprus and a lower degree of homogenization in those in Italy and Spain; and (4) a higher degree of homogenization in artificial and natural fresh‐water habitats than in the other natural habitats. Main conclusions The floristic similarity of naturalized neophytes between the four countries is low, although the overall analysis indicates that the western group (Italy–Spain) is separated from the eastern group (Greece–Cyprus). Similar patterns emerged regarding the life‐history traits and recipient habitats. The artificial habitats and the natural wet habitats are those that are invaded most and display the greatest homogenization in all four countries. Coastal habitats display a lower degree of homogenization but a high frequency of aliens. Dry shrubs and rocky habitats display a lower degree of homogenization and a low frequency of aliens.     

Eutrophication and mussel culture in the western Dutch Wadden Sea: Impact on the benthic ecosystem; a hypothesis

Since 1950, two large-scale changes have taken place in the western Dutch Wadden Sea, namely the eutrophication of the area and the introduction of an extensive mussel culture. Although eutrophication in the fresh waters started already around 1950, nutrient concentrations in the western Wadden Sea remained fairly constant until about 1970, due to the retention of nutrients in Lake IJssel, the main source. From 1970–1980 concentrations increased strongly, and during the last years the situation has stabilized. Mussel culture was introduced in 1950 and expanded during the next decade to an area of 70 km², all situated in the sublittoral area. From 1960 the area of mussel culture remained about constant with fluctuating yields of between 35 and 120 millions of kg fresh weight. Due to a lack of data for the period until 1970 the impact of eutrophication and mussel culture on the ecosystem cannot be assessed. From 1970 onwards an increased biomass and production of the macrofauna in the intertidal zone has been observed, which is attributed to eutrophication. The hypothesis is postulated that the introduction of mussel culture between 1950 and 1960 has resulted in an increased food competition in the area, leading to a decreased stock of the macrofauna in the intertidal. Eutrophication from about 1970 onwards has improved the food conditions and as a result both the macrofauna in the intertidal and the mussel in the sublittoral area would have increased in biomass, allowing higher maximum yields of the mussel culture. The importance of monitoring programs is stressed to follow these trends in the near future and to check the above hypothesis in areas where it is decided to introduce or intensify mussel culture. Presented at the VI International Wadden Sea Symposium (Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Wattenmeerstation Sylt, D-2282 List, FRG, 1–4 November 1988) Publication No. 30 of the project “Ecological Research of the North Sea and Wadden Sea” (EON)     

干旱半干旱区坡面覆被格局的水土流失效应研究进展

植被恢复与建设是控制水土流失的重要措施.在干旱半干旱地区,植被在空间上的分布呈现离散特征,在坡面上形成的裸地-植被镶嵌和植被条带分布等覆被格局对水土流失过程具有重要影响.覆被格局与水土流失关系研究是景观生态学格局与过程研究的重要内容.从植被斑块、坡面覆被格局对水土流失的影响与耦合覆被格局与水土流失的手段和方法三个方面对国内外相关研究进行总结分析.从中发现,植被类型、层次结构和形态特征是植被斑块尺度上影响径流泥沙的关键因素;不同覆被类型的产流产沙特征与覆被格局的准确描述是研究覆被格局水土流失效应的重要基础;坡面覆被格局对水土流失的影响关键在于其改变了径流泥沙运移和汇集的连续性,应重点关注径流泥沙源汇区的连通性和空间分布在水土流失中的作用;以坡面的精确覆被制图为基础,建立基于水土流失过程的覆被格局指数和耦合格局信息的径流与侵蚀模型是定量研究覆被格局影响的有效手段.今后应加强以下研究:以动态系统的观点研究覆被格局的变化对水土流失的影响,系统理解覆被格局与水土流失之间的相互联系与反馈机制,探讨两者间动态关系随尺度变化的规律性并发展尺度上推方法;构建过程意义明确且简单实用的格局指数,将覆被格局与水土流失过程有机联系起来;发展覆被格局的动态信息与产流产沙过程相结合的水文模型,加强对格局与径流泥沙反馈系统的耦合,建立真正意义上的覆被格局-水土流失过程耦合模型.     

Time to abandon the loss of dispersal ability hypothesis in island plants: A comment on García‐Verdugo,Mairal, Monroy,Sajeva and Caujapé‐Castells (2017)

García‐Verdugo et al. (2017) recently tested the loss of dispersal ability hypothesis in a wind‐dispersed shrub from Southern Europe. Although the hypothesis has guided research for over 150 years, García‐Verdugo et al. (2017) results failed to substantiate its central prediction—the loss of seed dispersal potential in island populations. Here, I highlight several additional limitations of the hypothesis. First, García‐Verdugo et al. (2017) results are not unusual. Empirical support for the hypothesis is equivocal. Second, when reduced dispersal potential is documented, it may often evolve as a passive by‐product of selection for large seeds, for reasons that are wholly unrelated to their dispersal. Third, the hypothesis does not readily apply to all plant dispersal modes, particularly plants that produce fleshy fruits. These issues advocate a fresh approach to the study of how selection shapes the evolution of dispersal potential on islands.     

In vitro characterization bioassays of the nematophagous fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum: Evaluation on growth,extracellular enzymes,mycotoxins and survival in the surrounding agroecosystem of tomato

The effects of water stress and temperature on in vitro growth and enzymatic activity of Purpureocillium lilacinum (Sordariomycetes, Hypocreales, Ophiocordycipitaceae) isolates with demonstrated capacity to control Nacobbus aberrans (Secernentea, Tylenchida, Pratylenchidae) were evaluated in this study. Also, saprophytic and endophytic colonization in tomato plants were determined. P. lilacinum was able to grow under the evaluated levels of osmotic and matric stress, but the increase in water stress caused reductions in radial growth rates. Moreover, the fungal isolates produced chitinases, proteases, and leucinostatins under inductive conditions. The nematophagous fungi were able to develop saprophytically (10⁴ CFU g^?1 of soil). Meanwhile, only P. lilacinum SR38 demonstrated endophytic capacity. The results suggest that P. lilacinum can be effectively applied as biocontrol agents of phytoparasitic nematodes in tomatoes under variable agroecological conditions.     

The influence of sublethal deposits of agricultural mineral oil on the functional and numerical responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytoseiulus persimilis</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to its prey, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis> (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Occasional pesticide application in integrated pest management to at least part of a crop requires that any biological control agents must re-invade previously sprayed areas in order that resurgent pests can be constrained. The ability of the phytoseiid predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis to feed on adult two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae on excised leaf discs in both control conditions and in a treatment with a sub lethal residue of agricultural mineral oil (AMO) was assessed. The predator exhibited a Type II functional response with the asymptote significantly higher in the AMO conditions due to the fact that the prey grew slower and reached a smaller size in this treatment. In terms of prey volume eaten, the satiation level of the predator was unchanged by the AMO deposits. The numbers of eggs produced by adult P. persimilis females at densities of 4, 8 and 16 TSSM adult females/disc in the control were significantly higher than those in the AMO treatment, but were similar for the higher density levels, 32 and 64 prey per disc. Thus the functional response in terms of volume of prey eaten explained the numerical response in terms of predator eggs produced. The presence of AMO deposits when the prey were at high density had no effect on predator efficiency (volume eaten) but resulted in a lower intake than that in control conditions when there was a greater distance between prey.     

Impact of avian frugivores on dispersal and recruitment of the invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus serotina</Emphasis> in an agricultural landscape

Although seed dispersal is considered to be a key process determining the spatial structure and spread of non-native plant populations, few studies have explicitly addressed the link between dispersal vector behaviour, seed distribution and seedling recruitment to gain insight into the process of exotic species invasion within a fragmented landscape context. The present study analyses the relationship between avian frugivory and spatial patterns of seed deposition and seedling recruitment for an expanding population of the invasive Prunus serotina in a hedgerow network landscape in Flanders, Belgium. We quantified fruit production, observed frugivores, and determined the spatial distribution of bird droppings and P. serotina seedlings. A relatively diverse assemblage of frugivores visited P. serotina seed trees, with Columba palumbus and Turdus merula being by far the most important dispersers. Landscape structure strongly affected dispersal vector behaviour and the spatial distribution of perching birds, droppings and seedlings. Frugivorous birds non-randomly dispersed seeds to perching sites and an association between perching birds, seed deposition and seedling recruitment was found. Results indicate that landscape structure contributes to non-random seed deposition of P. serotina by common local frugivores. Cutting the larger seed trees is proposed as the most feasible measure to slow down the invasion rate.     

Proteomic analysis of β-aminobutyric acid priming and abscisic acid – induction of drought resistance in crabapple (Malus pumila): effect on general metabolism, the phenylpropanoid pathway and cell wall enzymes

In a variety of herbaceous, model and crop plants, DL- β -aminobutyric acid (BABA), has been shown to enhance both biotic and abiotic stress resistance by potentiating rather than inducing resistance responses but studies in woody plants are lacking. In the present study, two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE) was used to quantify differences in protein abundance in leaf tissue from BABA-treated, abscisic acid (ABA)-treated and untreated (control) plants during a 10 d drought stress. ABA-treated seedlings were most resistant to water loss followed by BABA-treated seedlings and then untreated seedlings. Although some similarity was observed in the proteome of ABA- and BABA-treated seedlings, a dramatic shift in the proteome occurred earlier in ABA-treated seedlings. Some proteins showed almost identical patterns of increase or decrease in abundance in both BABA- and ABA-treated seedlings, supporting the concept that BABA-induced abiotic stress resistance in plants is achieved by potentiating an ABA-regulated pathway. Some proteins, however, were induced or suppressed only in BABA-primed plants, indicating that BABA may also mediate resistance via some ABA-independent pathways. Based on the putative function of the identified proteins, we propose that changes in cell wall enzymes and a suppression of lignin biosynthesis may play a specific role in BABA-primed drought resistance.     

Effects of vegetation state on biodiversity and nitrogen retention in created wetlands: a test of the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning hypothesis

1. Nitrogen retention in wetlands provides an example of an ecosystem function that is desired by human society, and is a rationale for the creation of wetlands to decrease nitrogen fluxes from nitrate‐loaded river catchments to coastal waters. 2. Here, we tested the impact of different vegetation states on species diversity and nitrogen retention during 4 years in surface‐flow wetlands receiving nitrate‐rich water. Tall emergent vegetation or submerged vegetation was introduced to six experimental wetlands each and six wetlands were left as unplanted controls for free development of vegetation. This resulted in three vegetation states dominated by emergent vegetation, by a mixture of submerged vegetation and filamentous green algae or by filamentous green algae. 3. Species diversity (species richness and Shannon diversity) of plants was initially lowest in free development wetlands, but during the study became lower in the emergent vegetation wetlands than in the other wetlands. Diversity of macroinvertebrates was initially lower in the submerged vegetation wetlands than in the other wetlands, but this difference disappeared during the study. Nitrogen retention was consistently higher in emergent vegetation wetlands than in the other wetlands throughout the study. 4. We conclude that plant diversity in wetlands dominated by tall emergent vegetation gradually became lower than in other wetlands, due to dominant species competitively excluding other plants. However, these wetlands were more efficient at removing nitrogen than those dominated by filamentous algae or submerged macrophytes. 5. Management of wetlands often aims to decrease the dominance of tall emergent vegetation for the benefit of plant species diversity and habitat heterogeneity. Our results demonstrate a biodiversity benefit, but also show that this strategy may decrease the ability of wetlands to remove nitrogen. In this case, there is no support for the hypothesis that biodiversity enhances ecosystem function.     

Expression of the insecticidal lectin from snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; GNA) in transgenic wheat plants: effects on predation by the grain aphid Sitobion avenae

Transgenic wheat plants containing the gene encoding snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; GNA) under the control of constitutive and phloem-specific promoters were generated through the particle bombardment method. Thirty-two independently derived plants were subjected to molecular and biochemical analyses. Transgene integration varied from one to twelve estimated copies per haploid genome, and levels of GNA expression from 0 to ca. 0.2% of total soluble protein were observed in different transgenic plants. Seven transgenic plants were selected for further study. Progeny plants from these parental transformants were selected for transgene expression, and tested for enhanced resistance to the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) by exposing the plants to nymphal insects under glasshouse conditions. Bioassay results show that transgenic wheat plants from lines expressing GNA at levels greater than ca. 0.04% of total soluble protein decrease the fecundity, but not the survival, of grain aphids. We propose that transgenic approaches using insecticidal genes such as gna in combination with integrated pest management present promising opportunities for the control of damaging wheat pests.