Canopy cover and understory composition determine abundance of Vaccinium myrtillus L., a key plant for capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), in subalpine forests in the Pyrenees

Background: The dwarf shrub Vaccinium myrtillus – with high cover, height, and fruit production – benefits capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus).

Aims: Our aim was to quantify landscape (e.g. elevation, geographic location, and precipitation), site (e.g. overstorey cover and stoniness) and very fine scale factors (e.g. spatial associations in the understorey) that affect cover, height, and fruit production of V. myrtillus in subalpine forests in thePyrenees, with understorey usually dominated by Rhododendron ferrugineum.

Methods: We sampled 155 plots (0.5 m × 5 m) in six sites. For each plot, in the understorey layer, we assessed species cover, height for R. ferrugineum and V. myrtillus, number of total fruits in V. myrtillus, and spatial associations among V. myrtillus and the remaining cover types.

Results: Overstorey cover negatively influenced V. myrtillus cover, its height, and particularly, the number of fruits, which was also negatively influenced by R. ferrugineum cover. Associations between R. ferrugineum and V. myrtillus were site dependent, while V. myrtillus showed mostly positive associations with grasses and mosses.

Conclusions: Reducing overstorey and R. ferrugineum cover has the strongest positive effect on increasing V. myrtillus fruit production, but with additional positive effects on V. myrtillus cover and height. Increases in grass and moss coverage could favour V. myrtillus.     

Growth performance of two deciduous Vaccinium species in relation to nutrient status in a subalpine heath

Net primary production (NPP) of two Vaccinium species (V. myrtillus and V. uliginosum) was determined in three subalpine heath communities on the Northern Apennines (N. Italy). The main objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that two species sharing the same plant functional type (deciduous dwarf shrub) have similar growth performances along environmental gradients. The second objective was to assess whether, and to what extent, NPP of the two species was associated with functional and morphological traits, which can affect plant growth in relation to nutrient status. Total community NPP in the three communities was closely related to soil nutrient availability. NPP of V. uliginosum did not vary among communities, while that of V. myrtillus peaked in the most fertile habitat. The N:P ratio in the whole plant as well as in the leaves of the two shrubs exactly mirrored the among-community pattern in soil phosphate concentration. In particular, the foliar N:P ratio in both V. uliginosum and V. myrtillus was >16 in the poorer sites, which indicates P limitation. I concluded that the growth response of the two shrubs in relation to soil nutrient availability is individualistic. Growth of V. myrtillus is P-limited while that of V. uliginosum is not.     

Contexts,developing ideas and emerging issues in the conservation management of the RSPB Abernethy Forest Reserve

Summary

Native pinewoods are fragmentary in extent and floristic integrity. In maintaining and extending these remnants, managers should recognise the diversity of potential communities and the unique mix of species in their flora. At the RSPB Abernethy Forest Reserve management aims to develop a self sustaining forest of natural character over the potential woodland area. A present-natural forest provides one model for the attributes and processes, which this forest should contain. Habitat management experiments have recently commenced investigating ways of increasing blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus in forest areas, and increasing tree regeneration at the forest edge. The possible wider role of management intervention in pinewoods is discussed.     

Substitution of Vaccinium myrtillus L. for Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott in a commercial batch

Abstract

The fruits of Vaccinium myrtillus and Aronia melanocarpa are utilized in pharmaceutical and food preparations as rich sources of anthocyanoside pigments. However, these two drugs should not be considered equivalent because their chemical profiles are different. In this work, we report a case of substitution of V. myrtillus for A. melanocarpa in a commercial batch. The comparative morphological investigation of the two drugs is described.     

The influence of altitude on the distribution of subterranean organs and humus components in Vaccinium myrtillus carpets

Abstract. Humus profiles were sampled along an altitudinal gradient in the Macot‐La‐Plagne Forest (France, northern Alps) to investigate variation occurring under carpets of Vaccinium myrtillus present within Picea abies forests. The vertical distribution of subterranean organs of V. myrtillus was compared with (1) that of P. abies roots and other accompanying vegetation and (2) other components of humus profiles, in particular humified organic matter mainly consisting of animal faeces. It was shown that V. myrtillus roots were mostly concentrated in mineral horizons, while P. abies roots and V. myrtillus rhizomes occupied litter horizons. This was interpreted in terms of competition for nutrient capture between P. abies and V. myrtillus. The effects of altitude were (1) a change in the vegetation accompanying V. myrtillus in dense V. myrtillus carpets, bryophytes at the montane level being replaced by forbs at the sub‐alpine level and (2) a decrease in the thickness of ecto‐organic horizons. This was interpreted as a shift from a moder system characterized by recalcitrant litter (moss) processed by an active faunal community (stabilized in the form of animal faeces) to a mor system characterized by low animal abundance but with litter of better quality which is easily leached in the absence of prominent faunal activity.     

Numerical phytosociology of the subalpine belt of the Kazbegi region,Caucasus, USSR

A vegetational transect across a glacial valley was investigated. Structure and species composition, as well as influence of disturbance by biotic factors (grazing of sheep and cattle) and abiotic factors (topography, wind, water) are discussed.According to species composition and community structure, 4 main vegetation types were distinguished by comparing field data from phytosociological relevés with results of numerical treatments (3 methods of numerical classification and DCA ordination): 1) Chamaesciadium acaule-Polygonum viviparum, 2) Festuca cf. woronowii-Carex tristis, 3) Veratrum lobelianum-Taraxacum stevenii and 4) Rhododendron caucasicum-Vaccinium myrtillus communities.Species diversity (evenness, and number of species) was low in the ungrazed dwarf-shrub alpine communities, which were dominated by Rhododendron caucasicum, in comparison with the grazed meadow. The highest values of these characteristics were found in the transitions among the types.     

Studies on the paradox of seedling rarity in Vaccinium myrtillus L. in NE Scotland

Summary

On the moors studied Vaccinium myrtillus produced many berries containing highly viable seed, yet seedlings were rare. Offtake of berries by birds or mammalian herbivores was apparently minor, most berries simply falling from the bushes when ripe. Fallen berries quickly disappeared, probably being removed by small rodents. Berries were fed experimentally to captive field voles and capercaillies, and it was found that only c. 1% of the seeds survived. For the voles, most of these viable seeds probably resulted from contamination of the droppings with partially-eaten berries or discarded extracted seeds, processes which must contribute to dispersal in the wild. The soil seed-bank was shown to be small, and the viability of buried seed declined from c. 90% to c. 20% in 3 years, due to decay in the soil H horizon and premature germination in the litter layer. Fewer seedlings established from experimental sowings on grass and Vaccinium myrtillus turf than on bare peat. We conclude that Vaccinium myrtillus has a seed-dispersal strategy which secures some long-distance movement by frugivores at the expense of much lost seed, and that the small seed-bank and low numbers of seedlings result from poor defence of the seeds and weak competitive ability of the seedlings; other attributes of Vaccinium myrtillus, e.g. efficient vegetative reproduction, compensate for these losses and enable it to be a successful species.     

Impacts of winter icing events on the growth,phenology and physiology of sub‐arctic dwarf shrubs

The Arctic is experiencing the greatest climate change in winter, including increases in freeze–thaw cycles that can result in ice encasement of vegetation. Ice encasement can expose plants to hypoxia and greater temperature extremes, but currently the impacts of icing on plants in the field remain little understood. With this in mind, a unique field manipulation experiment was established in heathland in northern Sweden with ice encasement simulated in early March 2008, 2009 and 2010 until natural thaw each spring. In the following summers we assessed the impacts on flowering, bud phenology, shoot growth and mortality and leaf damage (measured by chlorophyll fluorescence and electrolyte leakage) of the three dominant dwarf shrub species Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea (both evergreen) and Vaccinium myrtillus (deciduous). Two consecutive winters of icing decreased V. vitis‐idaea flowering by 57%, while flowering of V. myrtillus and E. nigrum remained unaffected. Vaccinium myrtillus showed earlier budburst but shoot growth for all species was unchanged. Shoot mortality of V. myrtillus and V. vitis‐idaea increased after the first year (by 70 and 165%, respectively) and again for V. myrtillus following the third year (by 67%), while E. nigrum shoot mortality remained unaffected, as were chlorophyll fluorescence and electrolyte leakage in all species. Overall, the sub‐arctic heathland was relatively tolerant to icing, but the considerable shoot mortality of V. myrtillus contrasting with the general tolerance of E. nigrum suggests plant community structure in the longer term could change if winters continue to see a greater frequency of icing events.     

Residui di vegetazione spontanea in Roma

Summary

The A. describes a large remainder of natural vegetation at the periphery of Rome on the «Monti Parioli». Mainly it is Quercus Ilex macchia — evergreen wood, which becomes on the septentrional declivities Quercus Ilex — Quercus lanuguinosa mixed wood; here among the shrubs some not typical mediterranean elements are contained.     

The impacts of UV-B radiation on the regeneration of a sub-arctic heath community

The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on regeneration after disturbance of a natural sub-arctic heathland have been investigated. Areas of pristine dwarf shrub heath were denuded of all above ground biomass in 1992 and exposed to enhanced UV-B (simulating a 15% depletion of the ozone layer). The resulting regenerated stem and leaf growth parameters were measured after four years on three dwarf shrubs, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum and V. vitis-idaea and the grass Calamagrostis lapponica; leaves of the three dwarf shrubs were also analysed for UV-absorbing compounds and carbohydrates. Regeneration irrespective of treatment was slow, with Empetrum hermaphroditum failing to regenerate at all. Vaccinium myrtillus showed the most rapid regeneration attaining much of its original biomass in four years. There was a significant interaction between UV-B and year of regeneration in V. myrtillus; annual stem length increment showed an initial stimulation of 75% under enhanced UV-B in the first year of regeneration while a reduction of 16% was observed in the fourth year. Both V. uliginosum and V. vitis-idaea showed a reduction in annual stem length increment as regeneration progressed with a greater than 50% reduction in stem increment in the fourth year of regeneration compared to the first. Vaccinium uliginosum also showed an initial reduction in stem length increment of 40% under enhanced UV-B. None of the species were affected by enhanced UV-B in terms of total regenerated stem and leaf biomass or UV-absorbing compounds in regenerated leaf tissue. Total leaf carbohydrate and the ethanol/water soluble fraction in V. uliginosum were significantly increased by 29% and 31% respectively under enhanced UV-B. This suggests either a stimulation of photosynthesis or a reduction in sink size for photo-assimilates. Results are discussed in the context of the extremely slow regeneration of sub-arctic heath communities and the implications of contrasting UV-B effects on the regenerative ability of different species.     

Biomass distribution of two subalpine dwarf‐shrubs in relation to soil moisture and nutrient content

Question: Do soil water content and/or soil nitrogen (N) content and/or soil phosphorus (P) content affect the biomass of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis‐idaea in a sub‐alpine heath? Location: Dolomites, northern Italy, 1800 m a.s.l. Methods: We determined above‐ground and below‐ground biomass of the shrubs at three sites, each on a different substrate type. At each site, we determined soil N‐ and P‐contents. We also determined leaf water potential (Psi;₁), N‐ and P‐concentrations in plant tissues and litter, as well as δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in mature leaves. Results: V. myrtillus biomass was highest at the silicate site, V. vitis‐idaea biomass was highest at the carbonate site. Both shrubs had low biomass at the peat site, possibly due to a toxic effect of waterlogging in wet soils. For both species, pre‐dawn Psi;₁ indicated optimal hydration and midday Psi;₁ did not show any sign of water stress. Water use efficiency (WUE) did not differ among sites for any species. Whole‐plant nutrient concentrations showed that, with increasing biomass, N was diluted in V. myrtillus tissues while P was diluted in V. vitis‐idaea tissues. Foliar N‐concentration was higher overall for V. myrtillus. Foliar P‐concentration in V. myrtillus peaked at the silicate site. Foliar N : P ratios suggested that V. myrtillus was primarily P‐limited and V. vitis‐idaea primarily N‐limited. Conclusions: Water content affected the distribution of the two shrubs in a similar way, higher P‐availability in the soil enhanced V. myrtillus rather than V. vitis‐idaea.     

Vegetazione e ambiente delle Marche e relativi problemi di salvaguardia

Abstract

Vegetation and environment in the Marche and related problems of protection. – The « Marche » region is situated in central Italy and corresponds with the natural region east of the Appennine ridge and spreading as far as the coast which is washed by the Adriatic Sea.

As to the climate, we may distinguish a coastal strip with Mesomediterranean climate with dry season, corresponding to the distribution area of Quercus ilex; a hilly strip with Submediterranean climate, corresponding to the distribution area of Quercus pubescens; a mountain strip with temperate axeric climate with sub-dry period, corresponding to the distribution area of Fagus silvatica and finally a high mountain strip with cold axeric climate, corresponding to altitude pastures. The Marche vegetation is shown in the vegetation map of Fabriano sheet (scale 1:50,000) plotted according Ozenda's vegetational series.

The following vegetation series have been plotted: submediterranean series of Quercus ilex; series of thermophilic oak wood with priority of Quercus pubescens or Quercus cerris; series of Ostrya carpinifolia; series of Quercus petraea and series of Fagus silvatica.

As far as the problems to safegard environment are concerned, a plan is given providing for the institution of 4 complete nature reserves, 34 nature reserves, and 9 regional nature parks among which those of Monte Conero, of Monti Sibillini and Monti della Laga.     

Ranunculus giordanoi sp. nov. from the R. auricomus complex (Ranunculaceae), central Apennines (Italy)

A new species, Ranunculus giordanoi, belonging to the R. auricomus complex is described from Latium, central Apennines (Italy). It grows in damp meadows on Monti della Laga (National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga), the largest sandstone massif of central Italy. The new species differs from the closely related R. silanus, endemic to Sila (Calabria, southern Apennines), by leaf aperture, shape of the basal leaves, entire or sometimes deeply lobed cauline leaves, gynoclinium without intervallum and longer carpellophores.     

Response patterns of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea along nutrient gradients in boreal forest

Abstract. The relationships between biomass of dwarf shrub species and nutrient gradients of forest soils was studied under field conditions in boreal forests. The biomass-response curves of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea were fitted against soil nutrient gradients using Generalized Linear Models (GLM). Ecological niches of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea were evaluated, and effects of nitrogen addition (manipulation of the nutrient gradient) on response function were tested. The Vaccinium species showed statistically significant Gaussian responses along soil nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium gradients, but not along other gradients (K and Mg). Furthermore, manipulation of the nitrogen gradient seemed to have a minor effect on response functions, i.e. addition of nitrogen did not change ecological niches of these species. Ecological optima of V. myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea on the nutrient gradients were about the same. This study suggests that differences in dominance between Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea in boreal forest is not determined by nutrient gradients, but may rather be explained by light conditions and/or moisture availability.     

镉胁迫对2种油菜土壤真菌群落的影响

[背景] 人类活动引起的农田重金属污染已成为严重的环境问题。镉（Cd）是最具毒性的重金属之一,能对人体和生态系统构成威胁。[目的] 研究不同浓度镉处理对2种油菜（甘蓝型油菜和芥菜型油菜）的土壤（根际和非根际）真菌群落的影响,为镉的生物修复和健康风险评估提供理论基础。[方法] 对2种油菜土壤（根际和非根际）真菌转录间隔区（Internal Transcribed Spacer,ITS）进行高通量测序,分析镉对根际和非根际土壤真菌群落的影响。[结果] 镉胁迫改变了土壤真菌群落的组成和结构,但对2种油菜土壤真菌群落的α多样性几乎无显著影响。土壤镉浓度和生物量与2种油菜根际土壤真菌群落显著相关,芥菜型油菜非根际土壤真菌群落也与镉污染浓度显著相关。土壤真菌分子生态网络也受到镉污染的影响,甘蓝型油菜根际土壤网络稳定性降低,共生关系减少。甘蓝型油菜非根际土壤网络稳定性升高,但共生关系减少。芥菜型油菜的根际和非根际土壤的网络稳定性升高,而且共生关系增多。[结论] 镉污染会影响土壤系统中的本土真菌群落,从而可能进一步改变土壤的生态系统功能。     

Structure of the Microbial Communities in Coniferous Forest Soils in Relation to Site Fertility and Stand Development Stage

Abstract The structure, biomass, and activity of the microbial community in the humus layer of boreal coniferous forest stands of different fertility were studied. The Scots pine dominated CT (Calluna vulgaris type) represented the lowest fertility, while VT (Vaccinium vitis-idaéa type), MT (Vaccinium myrtillus type), and OMT (Oxalis acetocella–Vaccinium myrtillus type) following this order, were more fertile types. The microbial community was studied more closely by sampling a succession gradient (from a treeless area to a 180-years-old Norway spruce stand) at the MT type site. The phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis revealed a gradual shift in the structure of the microbial community along the fertility gradient even though the total microbial biomass and respiration rate remained unchanged. The relative abundance of fungi decreased and that of bacteria increased with increasing fertility. The structure of the bacterial community also changed along the fertility gradient. Irrespective of a decrease in fungal biomass and change in bacterial community structure after clear-cutting, the PLFA analysis did not show strong differences in the microbial communities in the stands of different age growing on the MT type site. The spatial variation in the structure of the microbial community was studied at a MT type site. Semivariograms indicated that the bacterial biomass, the ratio between the fungal and bacterial biomasses, and the relative amount of PLFA 16:1ω5 were spatially autocorrelated within distances around 3 to 4 m. The total microbial and fungal biomasses were autocorrelated only up to 1 m. The spatial distribution of the humus microbial community was correlated mainly with the location of the trees, and consequently, with the forest floor vegetation. Received: 9 November 1998; Accepted: 26 April 1999     

Report of the Annual Conference of the Cryptogamic Section, 1948

Background: Trait-based assembly rules are a powerful tool in community ecology, used to explore the pattern and process of community structure (richness and composition).

Aims: A preliminary test for the utility of trait-based assembly rules in explaining cryptogamic epiphyte communities (lichens and bryophytes).

Methods: We sampled epiphytes from three different tree species (aspen, birch and pine), and from trees of contrasting age. The community composition of epiphyte species (taxon analysis) and functional groups (trait analysis) was summarised using multivariate ordination (nonmetric multidimensional scaling, NMDS).

Results: Ordination documented a widely observed pattern in which different tree species have taxonomically different epiphyte communities. However, NMDS sample scores were correlated to tree age in the trait-based analysis, but not in the taxon analysis.

Conclusions: Our results point to the existence of a common pattern in community traits during succession (on trees of different age) when measured for epiphyte communities with contrasting taxonomic composition. This pattern is evidenced by consistent trends in lichen growth form and reproductive strategy (sexual vs. asexual).     

The effect of forest management operations on population performance of Vaccinium myrtillus on a landscape-scale

We have studied the variation in average performance of Vaccinium myrtillus L. among local populations within an intensively managed boreal forest landscape in southeast Norway. Our aim was to identify whether forest disturbance history was an important factor controlling the variation in average plant performance. We used three measures of forest maturity (maturity class, tree biomass and number of trees) as variables reflecting disturbance history. These variables were used in our analysis together with measured environmental conditions (soil moisture, pH, nitrogen, and elevation) a priori known to affect plant performance. To quantify plant performance, we used multiple measures of the local V. myrtillus populations, including percentage cover, average ramet age, height, diameter, biomass, growth, and sexual reproduction (number of fruits and number of mature seeds per fruit). Most of the explained variation in our performance variables could be related to our environmental variables, but disturbance history was also an important determinant of the performance of V. myrtillus. All performance variables were higher in younger, less mature stands, except ramet age, which was highest in mature stands. The increase in performance after clear cutting indicates that this period is of high importance for the population dynamics and persistence of V. myrtillus in intensively managed boreal forest landscapes.     

The Effects of Vaccinium myrtillus Extract on Hamster Pial Microcirculation during Hypoperfusion-Reperfusion Injury

IntroductionThe present study was aimed to assess the in vivo hamster pial microvessel alterations due to 30 min transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) and reperfusion (60 min); moreover, the neuroprotective effects of Vaccinium myrtillus extract, containing 34.7% of anthocyanins, were investigated.ResultsIn age-matched control diet-fed hamsters, BCCAO caused a decrease in diameter of all arterioles. At the end of reperfusion, the reduction of diameter in order 3 arterioles was by 8.4 ± 3.1%, 10.8 ± 2.3% and 12.1 ± 1.1% of baseline in the 2, 4 and 6 month control diet-fed hamsters, respectively. Microvascular permeability and leukocyte adhesion were markedly enhanced, while perfused capillary length (PCL) decreased. The response to acetylcholine and papaverine topical application was impaired; 2’-7’-dichlorofluoresceine-diacetate assay demonstrated a significant ROS production. At the end of BCCAO, in age-matched Vaccinium myrtillussupplemented diet-fed hamsters, the arteriolar diameter did not significantly change compared to baseline. After 60 min reperfusion, order 3 arterioles dilated by 9.3 ± 2.4%, 10.6 ± 3.1% and 11.8 ± 2.7% of baseline in the 2, 4 and 6 month Vaccinium myrtillus supplemented diet-fed hamsters, respectively. Microvascular leakage and leukocyte adhesion were significantly reduced in all groups according to the time-dependent treatment, when compared with the age-matched control diet-fed hamsters. Similarly, the reduction in PCL was progressively prevented. Finally, the response to acetylcholine and papaverine topical application was preserved and there was no significant increase in ROS production in all groups.ConclusionsIn conclusion, Vaccinium myrtillusextract protected pial microcirculation during hypoperfusion-reperfusion, preventing vasoconstriction, microvascular permeability, leukocyte adhesion, reduction in PCL and preserving the endothelium function.