Summer biomass of a population of Iridaea cordata (Gigartinaceae,Rhodophyta) from Antarctica

Results of a seasonal study on biomass in an infralittoral population of Iridaea cordata from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) are reported. Thalli were collected during the IX Italian Antarctic Expedition (austral summer 1993–94). The population studied is that living at depths of 4 to 6 m, where the highest density of plants occurred. The highest value of biomass (wet weight 3440 g m^–2) was found at the beginning of summer. In that period 72.5% of biomass was from 128 specimens belonging to weight classes 8 (>16 to 32 g) to 10 (>64 g), corresponding to 13.4% of the population in numbers. Small (<1 g) and medium (1 to 8 g) specimens provided the remaining biomass of 5% and 22.5%, respectively. During the month of January, the number of heavy specimens decreased. At the end of that month biomass reached a minimum of 2225 g m^–2. In February the biomass increased to 3169 g m ^–2, 72% of which was from 120 specimens belonging to weight classes 7 (>8 to 16 g) to 9 (>32 to 64 g), which numerically represented 18.5% of the population. Data showed that biomass depended mainly on the presence of large heavy specimens, even though they were always few in number. Moreover, the occurrence of such large thalli at the beginning of summer suggests that Iridaea cordata continues to grow during the long antarctic winter.     

Preliminary Estimation of the Factors Influencing the Distribution of the Midlittoral Crab Portumnus lysianassa (Herbst, 1796)

In order to acquire information on the factors influencing the distribution of the Mediterranean endemic species Portumnus lysianassa (Herbst, 1796), which lives in the soft substratum midlittoral zone, 83 stations were selected along almost the entire Greek coast. In each sampling station, dredging was carried out, just above the rise of the surf zone, and sediment samples were taken with a core sampler. Two faunal samples were also taken by means of a quadrat from the lower midlittoral zone. The preliminary results of this study show that: P. lysianassa prefers to burrow in the rise of the surf zone; wherever the sediment becomes very coarse or very fine the crab populations decline; there is a correlation between the population abundance of the midlittoral bivalve Donacilla cornea (Poli, 1795) and P. lysianassa, and, moreover, this crab species is related to the composition of the midlittoral assemblage; also, P. lysianassa abundance is negatively correlated with the organic matter content of the sediment; in very exposed areas, D. cornea can be replaced or co-exist with the infralittoral species Donax trunculus (Linnaeus, 1758), and, in these cases, P. lysianassa can be replaced by the closely related infralittoral species Portumnus latipes (Pennant, 1777); when low temperatures or intensive wave action, as well as disturbance caused by swimmers in summer prevail, the population of this crab descends in the upper infralittoral zone.     

Two new species of Pourouma (Cecropiaceae) from South America

Two new species ofPourouma are described, illustrated, and keyed out;P. cordata from Peru and Brazil, andP. montana from Peru.     

Studio preliminare sulla tipologia della vegetazione sommersa del Canale di Sicilia e isole vicine

Abstract

Preliminary studies on the marine phythobenthic communities in the Straits of Sicily and adjacent islands. — The results of algological researches carried out by the Gruppo di Algologia of the S.B.I. in the Straits of Sicily and adjacent islands are reported. 288 species have been collected, 275 of which have been identified: 160 were Rhodophyta, 62 Phaeophyta, 32 Chlorophyta, 16 Cyanophyta and 2 Angiospermae. The vegetational research leads to the following conclusions: 1 - the harbour areas (Pantelleria, Malta: loc. 1 and 11) show a nitrophile vegetation, particulary near La Valletta where an almost pure population of Pterocladia pinnata is found; 2 - there are important biogeographical differences between Pelagie islands (Lampedusa, Linosa) and Pantelleria. In fact the former ones have an algal flora composed mostly of eastern mediterranean species, whilst the latter shows strong affinities with the north-african basin, as is demonstrated by the rich well developed belt of Cystoseira sedoides; 3 - several species of atlantic origin, such as Callophyllis laciniata, Peyssonnelia coriacea, P. inamoena and Castagnea chordariaeformis, have been found on the banks (loc. 3, 6, 7).     

The infralittoral marine algae of Sullom Voe,Shetland

Summary

The infralittoral marine flora of Sullom Voe was investigated during July and August 1973. Horizontal and vertical algal distributions and floristic differences between the inner and outer parts of the Voe are outlined. Plant communities of both areas are described in relation to exposure and substrate factors. The possible changes in the marine flora as a result of the large-scale industrialisation of Sullom Voe are also discussed.     

成都平原不同种植方式折耳根表面附生细菌群落结构与抗生素抗性基因分析

【目的】分析有机、化肥和野生折耳根表面的附生细菌群落结构和抗生素抗性基因(ARGs),揭示细菌群落结构与ARGs相互关系。【方法】高通量测定16SrRNAV3-V4可变区序列分析样品表面附生细菌群落结构;PCR和qPCR扩增29种ARGs基因分析样品表面ARGs污染情况;冗余分析(RDA)探讨细菌群落结构与ARGs的相互关系。【结果】折耳根表面检测到35个属的细菌,其中有机折耳根表面附生细菌多样性低于化肥和野生折耳根(P0.05);29种被检的ARGs中,有14种在折耳根中被检出,其中有机折耳根含有全部被检出的ARGs,化肥和野生折耳根则含有部分被检出的ARGs。折耳根表面ARGs污染的多样性和丰度显著受到样品表面的菌群结构影响,其中Lactococcus、 Escherichia、Fluviicola、Enterococcus、Sanguibacter和Acidovorax是影响ARGs最主要的菌群。【结论】有机种植极大地改变了折耳根表面附生细菌的群落结构,增加了ARGs的多样性和丰度,对有机折耳根的食品安全带来了潜在威胁。因此,有必要将ARGs污染监测纳入到有机折耳根的食品安全考核范围内。     

不同水淹深度对鄱阳湖洲滩湿地植物生长及营养繁殖的影响

水淹深度是影响湿地植物生长和繁殖的关键因子,不同湿地植物对淹水深度存在着不同响应。然而,在水情不断变化的背景下,鄱阳湖洲滩湿地植物种群和群落如何变化还不清楚。为了探究淹水深度对湿地植物生长的影响,并预测鄱阳湖洲滩湿地植被分布的趋势,采用控制实验模拟了不同水淹深度(0、0.5、1 m和2 m)下鄱阳湖湿地3种优势植物(灰化薹草(Carex cinerascens)、南荻(Miscanthus lutarioriparius)和虉草(Phalaris arundinacea))的生长和繁殖情况。实验结果表明:1)水淹对灰化薹草总生物量的影响最显著。遭受水淹时,灰化薹草把大部分的生物量集中在地下部分;随着水淹深度逐渐增加,南荻的生物量逐渐减少;不同深度水淹对虉草生物量没有产生显著影响(P0.05)。就生物量而言,虉草对水淹的适应性强于其他两种植物。2)不同水淹深度下,灰化薹草的株高都显著降低;而南荻只在2 m水淹梯度下株高才显著降低。在枯水年时,下降的水位有利于南荻向较低高程迁移。3)不同深度水淹对灰化薹草的分株没有产生显著影响(P0.05);而虉草在经过2 m水淹后分株数显著高于其他水淹深度。在丰水年时,相比于灰化薹草和南荻,升高的水位对虉草的繁殖影响较小。在一个水位周期性变化的湿地生态系统中,不同深度的水淹对植物的生长及退水后的繁殖产生了严重影响,研究结果为预测水文变化对湿地植被的生存和分布提供了重要的依据。     

Flora e Vegetazione Dell'Isola Di Pianosa (Isole Tremiti)

Abstract

Flora and vegetation of the Isle of Pianosa (Isles Tremiti). – The flora and vegetation of the Isle of Pianosa are here described. The flora is composed of common mediterranean species with some adriatic endemics. The vegetation has a halophilous-nitrophilous character. The plant formations identified on this isle are shown in the map (fig. 1).     

Adjustment of foliage structure and function to a canopy light gradient in two co-existing deciduous trees. Variability in leaf inclination angles in relation to petiole morphology

 Foliar inclination angles, petiole morphology and dry matter partitioning between assimilative and support biomass were studied in shade-intolerant Populus tremula L. and shade-tolerant Tilia cordata Mill. along a natural light gradient across the canopy. The leaves of sub-canopy species T. cordata were on average exposed to lower irradiances, and they were also more horizontal with greater blade inclination angles (ϕ_B, defined as the angle between the leaf fall-line and the horizon; ϕ_B was positive for the leaves inclined upwards, and negative for the leaves inclined downwards) than those in P. tremula. Seasonal average daily integrated quantum flux density (Q _int, mol m^–2 day^–1) and ϕ_B were not related in T. cordata, and only a weak negative effect of Q _int on ϕ_B was detected in P. tremula. Nevertheless, when both species were pooled, there was a strong negative relationship between Q _int and ϕ_B, implying that the leaves became progressively vertical with increasing height in the canopy. Interspecific differences in foliage inclination were mainly related to petiole morphology, in particular to petiole length, rather than to contrasting biomass investment patterns between assimilative and support tissues within the leaf. It was suggested that more horizontal leaves, resulting from the species-specific structure of petioles, partly explain the superior performance of shade-tolerant T. cordata in the understory and the sub-canopy. Received: 13 November 1997 / Accepted: 6 March 1998     

Seasonal variations of vegetation patterns and biomass constituents in the rocky eulittoral of Helgoland

Seasonal changes in vegetation patterns and biomass of benthic algae were recorded over a 14-month period in the rocky eulittoral of the North Sea island of Helgoland. The area is characterized by the dominance ofFucus serratus throughout most of the eulittoral and this is reflected in higher biomass ofF. serratus ranged seasonally from 4.3 kg to 15 kg m^–2 in the center of its extensive distribution. Biomass was also recorded monthly, when the plants were present, forBlidingia spp.,Enteromorpha spp.,Ulva lactuca, Fucus spiralis, F. vesiculosus, Porphyra linearis, P. umbilicalis, Chondrus crispus, Corallina officinalis, Dumontia incrassata, Petalonia fascia, P. zosterifolia andScytosiphon lomentaria. New generations of several species which reappeared after a destructive winter storm showed a higher protein content than in the previous year. The winter and early spring flora of Helgoland shows several resemblances in species composition to the summer flora of Scandinavia.     

Effects of herbivory on the growth and reproduction of Picris hieracioides in the Mediterranean region

Abstract. The impact of herbivorous insects on the growth and reproduction of Picris hieracioides (Compositae) was followed in three consecutive years by comparing plants treated with an insecticide and untreated plants in an old-field population abandoned for 15 yr (P15). In the third year the interactions between herbivory and competition were analysed as well. Pre-dispersal seed predation of seed heads was investigated in three adjacent old-fields abandoned for one (P1), 15 (P15) and 40 yr (P40) in the region of Montpellier, France. Fields differed in vegetation cover and floristic composition and also in density and above-ground biomass of Picris hieracioides plants (from 246 g per plant in P1, 13.3 g in P15, down to 3.3 g in P40, for the first year of study). The cumulative rainfall between January and July, the period of Picris growth, decreased from 1992 to 1994. Moreover, in 1992, three times as much rainfall occurred in May and June – the period of stem elongation – as in 1993 and 1994. As a consequence, environmental stress increased during the study period. Herbivorous invertebrates had a negative effect on the growth and reproduction of individual plants of Picris hieracioides in P15. The effect was not constant with time, being apparent in only two years out of three. These two years (1992 and 1994) had contrasting climatic characteristics, whereas the year with no apparent effect (1993) was climatically intermediate. When herbivory had effects on growth, the insecticide-treated plants had a significantly higher above-ground biomass and produced twice as many seed heads as the control plants. There was no interaction between herbivory and competition. The percentage of damaged seed heads was significantly lower in the P1-field than in the P40-field. The P15-field had intermediate levels of predation. Predation on seed heads increased whereas biomass and reproductive output decreased between 1992 and 1994 in the three old-fields. Therefore, the results on seed predation (but not for above-ground biomass and reproduction) tend to confirm‘the environmental stress hypothesis’ of Mattson & Haack (1987) that states that plants under stress are more liable to be attacked by grazers.     

Intertidal benthic communities associated with the macroalgae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Iridaea cordata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adenocystis utricularis</Emphasis> in King George Island,Antarctica

Antarctic benthos has been a main target in Antarctic research, but very few quantitative studies have been carried out in the littoral zone, which may be seasonally covered by macroalgae. In this work, we studied (1) cover and biomass of the macroalgae Iridaea cordata and Adenocystis utricularis, and (2) composition of macrobenthic assemblage associated with these macroalgal species at three locations at King George Island: Mareograph Beach (1 M), Tank’s Bay (2R) and Ardley Bay (3R). Iridaea cordata was collected by completely detaching the algae from the substrate, while A. utricularis was scraped. Adenocystis utricularis covered more than 80 % of the substrate at all locations, while coverage of Iridaea cordata was below 53 % or absent (3R). Fresh biomass of I. cordata was 0.8–61.4 g/individual and 4.7–93.0 g/100 cm² for A. utricularis. The assemblage associated with both macroalgae differed significantly between sites. The studied fauna was composed mainly of amphipods, gastropods and bivalves. Species diversity was higher in the community associated with A. utricularis. A total of ~27 ind/g DW were found associated with I. cordata, while ~112 ind/g DW were found associated with A. utricularis. The most abundant groups associated with I. cordata were amphipods at 1 M (57 %) and gastropods at 2R (46 %). Both groups were responsible for the dissimilarity between localities (62.50 %). The most abundant groups associated with A. utricularis were the gastropods at all localities reaching up to 82 % at 1 M. This study provides a first baseline on the diversity and abundance of benthic assemblages associated with intertidal macroalgae in the southwest of King George Island.     

Flood events overrule fertiliser effects on biomass production and species richness in riverine grasslands

Question: Do severe winter flood events lift the nutrient limitation of biomass production in a river floodplain? How does this affect plant species richness? How long do the effects last? Location: Floodplain grassland on calcareous sandy loam near river Rhine in The Netherlands. Methods: Plots were fertilised with four treatments (control, N, P, N+P) for 21 years; plant species composition, vegetation biomass and tissue nutrient concentrations were determined every year between 1985 and 2005. Results: Fertilisation with N generally increased biomass production and reduced species richness, but these effects varied over time. During the first four years of the experiment, biomass production appeared to be co‐limited by N and P, while N fertilisation dramatically reduced plant species richness; these effects became weaker subsequently. Following two extreme winter floods in 1993–94 and 1994–95 and a drought in spring 1996, the effects of fertilisation disappeared between 1998 and 2001 and then appeared again. Flooding caused an overall reduction in species richness (from c. 24 to 15 species m^‐2) and an increase in biomass production, which were only partly reversed after ten years. Conclusions: Long time series are necessary to understand vegetation dynamics and nutrient limitation in river floodplains, since they are influenced by occasional flood and drought events, whose effects may persist for more than ten years. A future increase in flooding frequency might be detrimental to species richness in floodplain grasslands.     

Breeding status of Merlins Falco columbarius in the UK in 2008

Capsule The third national Merlin survey estimated a UK population of 1162 breeding pairs (95% CI: 891–1462).

Aims To estimate the number of breeding Merlins (with associated 95% confidence intervals) in the UK and the four countries (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland), and to compare these with the relevant estimates from the 1993–94 Merlin survey. In addition, to calculate estimates of change for several regional populations with complete survey coverage during both national surveys.

Methods A subset of 10-km squares (Raptor Study Group squares and randomly sampled squares) was surveyed across the breeding distribution of Merlins in the UK using standardised methods devised during the 1993–94 national survey.

Results The population estimate for Merlins in the UK was 1162 breeding pairs, and in Britain was 1128 pairs (95% CI: 849–1427), which although 13% lower, was not significantly different from the British estimate of the 1993–94 survey. Scotland held the bulk (733 pairs) of the UK Merlin population, and smaller numbers of 301 pairs, 94 pairs and 32 pairs were estimated for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively. The population estimate for Wales may have been biased upwards by low coverage in the south of the country. Marked declines were noted in several regional Merlin populations, particularly in areas of northern England.

Conclusions The 2008 Merlin survey suggests that the population in Britain has remained relatively stable since 1993–94, but with local declines, particularly in northern England. Currently, little is known about important drivers of regional population change in Merlins, but changes in land-use, prey populations and climate are likely to be important factors.     

Growth responses and N and P use efficiency of three Alnus species as affected by arbuscular-mycorrhizal colonisation

In this study it was determined how different species ofAlnus (A. cordata, A. incana and A. glutinosa) responded tocolonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomusmosseae or Glomus intraradices) with regard togrowth and their ability to acquire and utilise nitrogen and phosphorus.Non-mycorrhizal plants but with phosphorus added, were used as control. InA. glutinosa the application of 75 ppm P hadsimilar effect on growth and P acquisition as did AM. Nevertheless,A.cordata and A. incana grew poorly when suppliedwith 75 ppm of P and required AM symbiosis for optimum growth andNand P uptake. The percentage increases in shoot dry biomass in AM colonised ascompared with P-fertilised plants were 441 (A. cordata)and644 (A. incana) whilst AM-colonised A.glutinosa matched P-fertilised plants. Plant shoot N/P ratioincreased in response to AM-colonisation indicating that mycorrhizal effects onN uptake are greater than on P uptake. Information concerning the directinfluence of AM on N acquisition and nutrient use efficiency byAlnus species is important. AM-colonisation provides anexcellent biological mechanism by which Alnus plantsbecamemore efficient P-users. That Alnus sp. are highlymycorrhizal-dependent plants was apparent because AM-colonisation was criticalfor growth of A. incana and A.cordata. In this respect, for maximizing the efficient uptake anduseof N and P, under the growth conditions provided, Alnusplants need to be mycorrhizal. AM symbiosis seems decisive for the successfulestablishment of Alnus sp. in revegetation strategies. Thelow N and P availability in soils where Alnus species areuseful candidates in any recolonisation and reclamation process emphasises theneed to investigate systems by which N and P uptake byAlnus plants can be enhanced.     

Biology and host preference of the planthopper Taosa longula (Hemiptera: Dictyopharidae), a candidate for biocontrol of water hyacinth

Taosa longula Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Dictyopharidae) is a planthopper from the South American tropics that feeds on water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae). The biology of T. longula was studied in the laboratory and field to evaluate it as a potential biological control agent for this widespread aquatic weed. The developmental time of nymphs was recorded at different temperatures (15, 19, 23, 25, 27 and 30 °C), and developmental threshold temperatures were obtained for the different instars. The host range was evaluated in terms of development and feeding preference. Development from instar I to adult was recorded in two no-choice trials, one with cut leaves of Pontederiaceae, and a second with growing whole plants. In the cut-leaf tests, adults were obtained from Pontederia cordata var. cordata, P. rotundifolia and water hyacinth. In the whole plant test, T. longula adults were obtained only from water hyacinth. Feeding preference was evaluated by means of a paired-choice test with 10 T. longula first instars on whole plants of P. c. cordata, P. rotundifolia and water hyacinth. The number of insects that fed on water hyacinth was significantly higher than on P. c. cordata and P. rotundifolia. Taosa longula showed a clear preference for water hyacinth and exhibited warm climate requirements, making it an attractive candidate for water hyacinth biological control in tropical and subtropical areas.     

Enquêtes sur l'archipel de la Maddalena (Sardaigne NE): la flore et le paysage végétal de l'[icaron]le des Bisce

Abstract

Presented herevin are the results of research on the flora and vegetable landscape of the isola delle Bisce (NE Sardinia). The flora was found to be composed of 230 entities (1 Gymnospermae, 229 Angiospermae) belonging to 47 families and included in 156 genera. Failure to find numerous species is underscored and an overview of the vegetation landscape based on aerial photography is presented, with the identification of the vegetation formations and sites on the islands most sensitive to anthropic impact.     

Changes in biomass and spatial distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elodea nuttallii</Emphasis> (Planch.) St. John,an invasive submerged plant,in oligomesotrophic Lake Kizaki from 1999 to 2002

Distribution of pure Elodea nuttallii vegetation was surveyed from 1999 to 2002, immediately after the most recent expansion of the species in Lake Kizaki, Japan. During 2001 and 2002, areas of E. nuttallii vegetation rapidly diminished and the summer plant height decreased wherever the vegetation remained. The organic matter content, total phosphorus, and extracted P of the sediment from the vegetation bed were measured. A linear relationship was observed between the extracted P in the sediment and the biomass. The extracted P significantly decreased in the shallow littoral vegetation bed, where the biomass clearly diminished. A fertilization experiment using the shallow littoral sediment collected in the vegetation bed was conducted in 2001. In this experiment, apical shoots of E. nuttallii were planted in pots with fertilized sediment (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium additions). The growth of E. nuttallii shoots was significantly enhanced by enrichment with phosphorus alone. The ecological implication of sediment phosphorus limitation is discussed in relation to the cause of decline in the E. nuttallii population in Lake Kizaki.     

Assessing the risk of Eccritotarsus eichhorniae to pickerelweed,Pontederia cordata in North America

The mirid Eccritotarsus eichhorniae is a newly described species with potential as a biological control agent for water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, in North America. A series of quarantine-based studies quantified E. eichhorniae usage of Pontederia cordata with no-choice, adult choice, nymph choice, multi-generation, and impact tests. Although greater numbers of E. eichhorniae adults developed on E. crassipes in two separate no-choice trials, some E. eichhorniae were able to complete development on P. cordata in both trials. Adults showed a clear oviposition preference for E. crassipes and F₁ progeny reduced the mean relative growth rate of E. crassipes but not P. cordata. Naïve nymphs were more likely to leave P. cordata for E. crassipes but not all nymphs left P. cordata when given a choice. Both multi-generation trials showed a rapid increase in the density of adults and nymphs on E. crassipes over four to five generations while population densities on P. cordata did not change, indicating that this insect can maintain populations on this plant. The modest damage inflicted by a sibling species on E. crassipes, coupled with the ability of E. eichhorniae to persist on P. cordata, may pose an interpretation challenge to U.S. regulatory agencies concerned with non-target impacts by biological control agents. Another option for the continuing efforts to increase the biological control of E. crassipes is to prioritise the evaluation of other potential agents like Taosa longula Remes Lenicov (Homoptera: Dictopharidae) or Thrypticus truncatus Bickel and Hernández (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) over E. eichhorniae.