UV-B辐射对窄叶野豌豆生长繁殖的影响

采用增补和滤除掉部分自然UV-B辐射的模拟试验,研究了增强和近环境UV-B辐射对高寒草甸一年生牧草窄叶野豌豆生长和繁殖的影响.结果表明:增补UV-B辐射处理后,窄叶野豌豆的株高、生物量、分配向果实的生物量、总花数和种子百粒重均显著下降,花期延迟,开花集中度和繁殖成功率有所提高,而种子产量无显著变化.相对于减弱UV-B辐射处理,近环境UV-B辐射使窄叶野豌豆的株高先降后升,分配向果实的生物量减少,花期、花数和种子产量无显著变化,种子百粒重减小.增强和近环境UV-B辐射对窄叶野豌豆的生长和繁殖有一定的抑制作用,且增强UV-B辐射的影响更大.     

Linking species performance to community structure as affected by UV-B radiation: an attenuation experiment

Aims UV-B radiation is known to affect plant physiology and growth rate in ways that can influence community species composition and structure. Nevertheless, comparatively little is known about how UV-B radiation induced changes in the performance of individual species cascades to affect overall community properties. Because foliage leaves are primarily responsible for photosynthesis and carbon gain and are the major organ that senses and responds to UV-B radiation, we hypothesized that, under reduced UV-B radiation, species with larger leaf areas per plant would manifest higher growth rates and hence tend to improve their community status compared to species with smaller leaf areas per plant in herbaceous plant communities.Methods We tested this hypothesis by examining plant traits (leaf area per plant and plant height), plant growth rate (aboveground biomass per plant and plant biomass per area) and community status (species within-community relative biomass) for 19 common species in a two-year field experiment in an alpine meadow on Tibetan Plateau.Important findings Aboveground biomass per plant, as well as per area, progressively increased in a 39% reduced (relative to ambient) UV-B treatment during the experimental period. At the second year, 11 out of 19 species significantly or marginally significantly increased their plant height, leaf area per plant and aboveground biomass per plant. No species was negatively affected by reducing UV-B. As hypothesized, the increase in aboveground biomass per plant increased with increasing leaf area per plant, as indicated by cross-species regression analysis. Moreover, the change in species within-community status increased with increasing leaf area per plant. Our study demonstrates that UV-B radiation has differential effects on plant growth rate across species and hence significantly affects species composition and plant community structure. We suggest that UV-B radiation is an ecological factor structuring plant communities particularly in alpine and polar areas.     

Multifunctional bracts enhance plant fitness during flowering and seed development in Rheum nobile (Polygonaceae), a giant herb endemic to the high Himalayas

Specialized bracts are thought to be important for the successful reproduction of some plants and are regarded as adaptations to diverse driving forces. However, few empirical studies have quantified the adaptive significance of bracts within a cost–benefit framework. We explored the adaptive significance of large and showy bracts for reproduction in Rheum nobile, a giant herb endemic to the high Himalayas. We examined whether the bracts enhance reproductive success during flowering and seed development. Bracts increased flower and fruit temperature on sunny days, greatly decreased the intensity of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation reaching flowers and fruits, and prevented pollen grains being washed away by rain. Experiments indicated that high temperature could promote pollen germination, while pollen grains exposed to rain and UV-B radiation at ambient levels were seriously damaged. Furthermore, bract removal decreased the number of pollinators visiting flowers. When bracts were removed before or after flowering, fecundity and progeny quality were adversely affected, but seed predation by larvae of pollinators decreased. A cost–benefit analysis demonstrated that the cost of bracts, i.e., increased seed predation, is modest. Our results suggest that the bracts of R. nobile promote pollen germination, protect pollen grains from rain and intense UV-B radiation, enhance pollinator visitation during flowering, and facilitate the development of fertilized ovules during seed development. We conclude that multifunctional bracts of R. nobile are an effective adaptive strategy in alpine environments and might have been selected for because of abiotic environmental conditions as well as for enhancing pollination success.     

Global warming reduces plant reproductive output for temperate multi-inflorescence species on the Tibetan plateau

? Temperature is projected to increase more during the winter than during the summer in cold regions. The effects of winter warming on reproductive effort have not been examined for temperate plant species. ? Here, we report the results of experimentally induced seasonal winter warming (0.4 and 2.4°C increases in growing and nongrowing seasons, respectively, using warmed and ambient open-top chambers in a Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow) for nine indeterminate-growing species producing multiple (single-flowered or multi-flowered) inflorescences and three determinate-growing species producing single inflorescences after a 3-yr period of warming. ? Warming reduced significantly flower number and seed production per plant for all nine multi-inflorescence species, but not for the three single-inflorescence species. Warming had an insignificant effect on the fruit to flower number ratio, seed size and seed number per fruit among species. The reduction in seed production was largely attributable to the decline in flower number per plant. The flowering onset time was unaffected for nine of the 12 species. Therefore, the decline in flower production and seed production in response to winter warming probably reflects a physiological response (e.g. metabolic changes associated with flower production). ? Collectively, the data indicate that global warming may reduce flower and seed production for temperate herbaceous species and will probably have a differential effect on single- vs multi-inflorescence species.     

Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation and nitrogen deposition on the growth of invasive plant Triadica sebifera

Aims Exotic plant invasions are important components of global change, threatening both the stability and function of invaded ecosystems. Shifts in competitive ability of invasive plants versus their native congeners have been documented. Enhanced UV-B radiation and nitrogen (N) deposition might interact with soil biota communities impacting the invasion process of exotic plant species. To understand the potential effects by UV-B and N with soil biota on plant growth would enhance our understanding of the mechanisms in plant invasions in the context of global change.
Methods We conducted a full-factorial pot experiment in the native range (China) of Triadica sebifera invading US to investigate how UV-B radiation, N and soil biota together determined their seedling growth.
Important findings The results showed that UV-B radiation, N and soil sterilization together impacted the growth of T. sebifera seedlings. UV-B radiation induced changes in biomass allocation with larger leaf biomass observed in response to UV-B radiation. In addition, N increased aboveground biomass and decreased root biomass simultaneously. Soil biota imposed positive effects on growth of T. sebifera, and the addition of N amplified these positive effects. The negative effects by UV-B radiation on growth of T. sebifera showed no response to N addition. Plant height, leaf biomass and total biomass of the invasive T. sebifera populations out- performed those of the native ones. In addition, invasive T. sebifera populations weakened the dependence of root/shoot ratio and root biomass on local soil microorganisms than native populations, but enhanced that of leaf area ratio.     

COMPARATIVE REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF ALPINE BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL GENTIANS (GENTIANA: GENTIANACEAE) IN CALIFORNIA

Reproductive characteristics of three sympatric species of Gentiana exhibiting perennial and non-perennial life histories were studied in alpine meadows of the White Mountains of California during three consecutive years. High fruit and seed set and the production of a relatively large number of seeds characterized the alpine biennials, Gentiana tenella and G. prostrata. In contrast, fruit and seed set were considerably reduced and yearly seed production was relatively low in the alpine perennial, G. newberryi. Successful seed production in the biennial species was a result of low rates of flower predation, self-pollination, and the allocation of a comparatively high proportion of biomass to reproductive structures. Seed production in the perennial species was limited by high rates of flower predation, insufficient amounts of pollen reaching stigmas, an unusually late flowering period, and by the relatively small proportion of biomass allocated to reproduction.     

Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on the hormonal content of vegetative and reproductive tissues of two tomato cultivars and their relationships with reproductive characteristics

The effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on hormone changes in vegetative and reproductive tissues of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and their relationships with reproductive characteristics were studied. Two cultivars, TongHui (TH) and XiaGuang (XG), were grown in the field for one growing season under ambient (Control), ambient plus 2.54 kJ m^–2 d^–1 (T1) or ambient plus 4.25 kJ m^–2 d^–1 (T2) of supplemental ultraviolet-B (280–320 nm). The number of open flowers increased significantly in the TH cultivar under T2 while it declined in the XG cultivar under T1. Although pollen germination from both cultivars was inhibited by UV-B treatment, fruit number was enhanced in the TH cultivar at both UV-B doses and in the XG cultivar at the low dose. On the other hand, seed size (dry weight) was reduced in the XG cultivar by both UV-B doses and in the TH cultivar at the low UV-B dose. The final germination rates of seeds from control and UV-B treated plants of both cultivars showed no significant differences (p > 0.05), while germination was delayed in the TH cultivar at both doses of UV-B and in the XG cultivar only for T2. To determine the mechanism of UV-B's effects on developmental processes, hormone concentrations in leaves, pistils and seeds were analyzed using ELISA on partially purified extracts. The results suggested that enhanced UV-B radiation induced hormone changes in both vegetative and reproductive tissues. The alteration of flower number may be associated with the changes of ZR in leaves under enhanced UV-B radiation and the delayed germination may due to the changes in seed ABA and GAs.     

Enhanced UV-B radiation increases the reproductive effort in the Mediterranean shrub Cistus creticus under field conditions

Seedlings of the Mediterranean shrub Cistus creticus L. were grown in the field under ambient or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation (simulating a 15% ozone depletion over Patras, 38.3°W, 29.1°E) for 20 months. During this period, measurements of photosynthetic capacity, photochemical efficiency of PS II, chlorophylls and carotenoids were performed once per season. Supplemental UV-B radiation had no significant effect on these parameters nor on the total, above ground biomass accumulation, plant height and leaf specific mass measured at plant harvest. It was observed, however, that UV-B supplementation increased the number of seeds per fruit as well as mean individual seed mass. As a result, seed number and total seed mass per plant were considerably increased. Germination rates of produced seeds were not affected. We may conclude that C. creticus is a UV-B resistant plant whose competitive ability may be improved by enhanced UV-B radiation through an increase in its reproductive effort and a higher contribution to the seed bank.     

Mast fruiting in a hawkmoth-pollinated orchid Habenaria glaucifolia: an 8-year survey

Aims The hypothesis of predator satiation has been proposed to explain mast fruiting in various flowering plants. It considers that the simultaneous production of large numbers of seeds by a plant population reduces the risk of seed predation for each individual. Orchids produce huge numbers of seeds per fruit and rarely experience seed predation. It remains unclear which factors may affect fluctuating fruit production in orchids, which generally suffer a widespread pollen limitation. To explore the temporal pattern of fruiting and potential factors related to fluctuation in fruit production, we investigated reproductive success of a long-spurred orchid (Habenaria glaucifolia) in an alpine meadow with thousands of individuals over 8 years.Methods To estimate reproductive success, pollinator observation was conducted by day and at night, and pollinia removal and receipt were recorded in the field population for 8 years. To examine whether fruit set and seed set are pollen limited, we conducted supplementary pollination experiments and compared fruit set, seed set and pollinia movement of open-pollinated flowers from 2011 to 2013. We measured lengths of spurs and pollinator proboscises, and nectar volume and concentration, to identify potential pollinators.Important findings Hawkmoths were seen to be effective pollinators for H. glaucifolia in 3 years, whereas in the remaining 5 years no pollinators were observed, and consequently pollinia were rarely transferred. Numerous pollinia movements were observed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (pollinia removal: 48, 59 and 85%; pollinia receipt 51, 70 and 80%), and correspondingly fruit set was significantly higher in 2012 and 2013 (59 and 46%) than in 2011 (25%). It was fruit set, rather than seed set, that was pollen limited in this orchid in the 3 years, in that supplementary pollination increased fruit set but did not increase seed set per fruit compared to natural. Three species of hawkmoths had proboscis lengths that matched the spur length of H. glaucifolia. Fruit set in this long spurred orchid depends on the activity of long-tongued hawkmoths, resulting in significant temporal variation in fruit production. Mast fruiting in this alpine orchid could be attributed to a 'sit and wait' strategy, awaiting an abundance of effective pollinators.     

Nonlinear responses of productivity and diversity of alpine meadow communities to degradation北大核心CSCD

Aims The alpine meadow degradation could have profound effects on the grassland productivity. The aim of our study is to clarify the dynamic response of community productivity and species diversity in the process of alpine meadow degradation. Methods In the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northern Tibetan Grassland Ecosystem Research Station (Nagqu station), we conducted stages experiments with multiple degradation levels: control, mild degraded meadow, moderate degraded meadow, severe degraded meadow and serious sandy meadow. Important findings The response of aboveground biomass to alpine meadow degradation showed a linear or nonlinear increased response patterns, but the belowground biomass and total biomass decreased nonlinearly. As observed in measurement of aboveground biomass, Margalef index, Simpson index, Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou evenness index also exhibit a nonlinear increased response to degradation. The results of structural equation models showed that belowground biomass has a positive relationship with soil carbon content (p < 0.05) and volume water content (p < 0.1). However, soil nutrient and soil physical properties had no significant impact on aboveground biomass (p < 0.1). Compared with soil physical properties, soil nutrition is an important factor influencing the diversity index. In our study, the nonlinear responses of productivity and diversity of alpine meadow were described by using the multiple levels of degradation in space. The results suggested that aboveground productivity cannot interpret the degree of degradation of alpine meadow, and by contrast, alpine meadow degradation should be measured by the change of plant functional groups, such as edible grasses and poisonous forbs. © 2018 Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology. All rights reserved.     

UV-B辐射对8个大豆品种种子萌发率和 幼苗生长的影响

在生长房5种(暗处、可见光、低、中、高强度紫外线-B)处理下,研究了8个大豆品种的种子萌发率和萌发后幼苗的生长状况。结果表明,暗处种子萌发率高于自然光和UV-B辐射的种子。UV-B辐射增强对大豆种子的萌发率没有显著影响,仅使部分品种的最大萌发率降低和导致部分品种达到最大萌发率的时间延长。幼苗的生长对增强的UV-B辐射非常敏感。使大部分品种的胚根变短增粗,这可能是植物激素作用的结果。大豆的叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量明显受到UV-B辐射的抑制。UV-B作用能促进类黄酮在幼苗中的积累,紫外吸收色素的增设有利于提高对UV-B的抵抗力。UV-B辐射的这种效应及大豆品种间的差异在自然情况下会产生深远的生物学和生态学意义     

高寒草甸放牧扰动与两种植物的反应研究

对不同放牧强度下矮嵩草草甸植物垂穗披碱草和鹅绒委陵菜的生长和繁殖特性进行了5年研究。结果表明,垂穗披碱草株高、分蘖数、地上物量、地下生物量、有性繁殖效力在不放牧或轻度放牧下最大,营养生长效力在重度放牧中最大,而贮藏效力在重度放牧中最小。鹅绒委陵菜叶数、匍匐茎长度、地上生物量、匍匐茎生物量、开花数、生殖生物量、有性繁殖效力及营养繁殖效力在放牧区显著高于不放牧的对照区。说明适当的放牧干扰有利于垂穗披碱草营养生长,但放牧过重会抑制其有性繁殖;由于放牧采食减少了种间竞争影响,从而提高了鹅绒委陵菜营养,生长效力和有性繁殖效力。两物种地下贮藏物的比例随着放牧强度增加显著减少。放牧强度对高寒草甸的群落演替方向有显著影响。     

云杉种子萌发和幼苗生长对气候变暖与UV B辐射增强的响应

采用开顶式有机玻璃罩(OTCs)及紫外灯分别模拟气候变暖和UV-B增强,对位于气候变暖和UV-B增强突出的青藏高原东缘的高山峡谷地云杉种子萌发、幼苗生长和光合色素含量的变化进行测定分析,探讨云杉对气候变暖和UV-B增强的响应机理。结果显示:(1)UV-B辐射增强对云杉种子萌发无显著影响,但显著抑制萌发幼苗的生长、降低其针叶叶绿素含量,并造成幼苗大量死亡(P<0.05)。(2)气候变暖使云杉种子提前萌发,并提高了发芽势、发芽率和发芽指数,促进幼苗生长和叶绿素的积累,显著降低幼苗死亡率(P<0.05)。(3)气候变暖缓解了UV-B增强对云杉萌发幼苗生长和叶绿素含量的抑制作用,并降低了UV-B胁迫下幼苗的死亡率。研究表明,在未来气候变暖和UV-B辐射增强同时存在时,气候变暖能够在一定程度上缓解UV-B增强对云杉林早期更新带来的抑制作用。     

Linking flowering and reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition in an alpine meadow

Aims Plants can change in phenology and biomass allocation in response to environmental change. It has been demonstrated that nitrogen is the most limiting resource for plants in many terrestrial ecosystems. Previous studies have usually focused on either flowering phenology or biomass allocation of plants in response to nitrogen addition; however, attempts to link flowering phenology and biomass allocation are still rare. In this study, we tested the effects of nitrogen addition on both flowering phenology and reproductive allocation in 34 common species. We also examined the potential linkage between flowering time and reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition.Methods We conducted a 3-year nitrogen addition experiment in Tibetan alpine meadow. We measured first flowering date and the reproductive allocation for 34 common plant species in control, low and high nitrogen added plots, respectively. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine differences of first flowering date and reproductive allocation among treatments. The relationships between the change in species first flowering date and change in reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition were examined by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients.Important findings For most species, both first flowering date and reproductive allocation significantly responded to nitrogen addition. Nitrogen addition significantly delayed the first flowering date and reduced the reproductive allocation for all graminoid species, but accelerated flowering and increased reproductive allocation for most forb species. We found that changes in first flowering date significantly negatively correlated with the changes in reproductive allocation over species in response to nitrogen, which indicated a positive relationship between flowering response and plant performance in reproductive allocation. Species that advanced their flowering time with nitrogen addition increased their reproductive allocation, whereas those that delayed flowering time tended to decline in reproductive allocation with nitrogen addition. Our results suggest that species-specific switch from vegetative growth to reproductive growth could influence species performance.     

高山植物美丽风毛菊PSII光化学效率和光合色素对短期增补UV-B辐射的响应

在中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统实验站的综合观测场, 于植物生长季的不同月份进行短期增补UV-B辐射的模拟试验, 研究了高山植物美丽风毛菊(Saussurea superba)的PSII光化学效率、光合色素和UV-B吸收物质对增强UV-B辐射的响应。结果表明, 尽管差异不显著, 暗适应3 min的PSII最大光化学量子效率在不同月份均有降低的趋势, 说明增强UV-B辐射能加剧光合机构的光抑制。不同月份短期增补UV-B辐射均引起光下PSII实际光化学量子效率和光化学猝灭系数的降低, 以及非光化学猝灭系数的增高, 表明增强UV-B辐射能降低叶片的光能捕获效率, 促进非光化学能量耗散过程。增补UV-B辐射后, 叶片光合色素的含量略有降低趋势, 可能与短时间内光合色素形成过程受抑制和光氧化程度的加剧, 以及叶片厚度的略微降低有关。UV-B吸收物质的含量在不同月份没有一致和较为显著的变化, 说明高原强UV-B环境下生存的美丽风毛菊叶表皮层中由类黄酮和衍生多酚类组成的内部紫外屏蔽物质相对稳定, 倾向于较少受增补UV-B辐射的影响。     

Improvement of Biomass Partitioning, Flowering and Yield by Triadimefon in UV-B Stressed Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

Elevated UV-B radiation (12.2 kJ m^–2 d^–1) as against the ambient level of 10 kJ m^–2 d^–1 affected flowering, productivity and biomass partitioning of green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek cv. KM-2]. UV-B stress delayed flowering initiation and achievement of 50 % flowering, reduced flower retention by 25 %, potential yield by 18 % and all yield attributes such as pod number (25 %), pod mass (41 %), seed number (32 %) and seed mass (45 %). Harvest index and shelling percentage were also reduced by 31 and 7 %, respectively. Application of triadimefon (20 mg dm^–3) to unstressed plants accelerated flowering and enhanced flower retention (21 %), potential yield (15 %) and yield attributes (7 to 44 %). The partitioning of biomass between plant parts also showed improvement over the control plants. In UV-B-stressed plants, triadimefon treatment compensated the inhibitions to varying extents.     

The role of shrub (Potentilla fruticosa) on ecosystem CO2 fluxes in an alpine shrub meadow

Aims Recent studies have shown that alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau act as significant CO₂ sinks. On the plateau, alpine shrub meadow is one of typical grassland ecosystems. The major alpine shrub on the plateau is Potentilla fruticosa L. (Rosaceae), which is distributed widely from 3 200 to 4 000 m. Shrub species play an important role on carbon sequestration in grassland ecosystems. In addition, alpine shrubs are sensitive to climate change such as global warming. Considering global warming, the biomass and productivity of P. fruticosa will increase on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Thus, understanding the carbon dynamics in alpine shrub meadow and the role of shrubs around the upper distribution limit at present is essential to predict the change in carbon sequestration on the plateau. However, the role of shrubs on the carbon dynamics in alpine shrub meadow remains unclear. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the magnitude of CO₂ exchange of P. fruticosa shrub patches around the upper distribution limit and to elucidate the role of P. fruticosa on ecosystem CO₂ fluxes in an alpine meadow.Methods We used the static acrylic chamber technique to measure and estimate the net ecosystem productivity (NEP), ecosystem respiration (R e), and gross primary productivity (GPP) of P. fruticosa shrub patches at three elevations around the species' upper distribution limit. Ecosystem CO₂ fluxes and environmental factors were measured from 17 to 20 July 2008 at 3 400, 3 600, and 3 800 m a.s.l. We examined the maximum GPP at infinite light (GPP max) and maximum R e (R emax) during the experimental time at each elevation in relation to aboveground biomass and environmental factors, including air and soil temperature, and soil water content.Important findings Patches of P. fruticosa around the species' upper distribution limit absorbed CO₂, at least during the daytime. Maximum NEP at infinite light (NEP max) and GPP max of shrub patches in the alpine meadow varied among the three elevations, with the highest values at 3 400 m and the lowest at 3 800 m. GPP max was positively correlated with the green biomass of P. fruticosa more strongly than with total green biomass, suggesting that P. fruticosa is the major contributor to CO₂ uptake in the alpine shrub meadow. Air temperature influenced the potential GPP at the shrub-patch scale. R emax was correlated with aboveground biomass and R emax normalized by aboveground biomass was influenced by soil water content. Potentilla fruticosa height (biomass) and frequency increased clearly as elevation decreased, which promotes the large-scale spatial variation of carbon uptake and the strength of the carbon sink at lower elevations.     

Fertility of Vriesea gigantea Gaud. (Bromeliaceae) in southern Brazil

Plant fertility is a central subject of many questions in plant evolutionary and conservation biology. Pollen availability, abiotic resources, and flowering pattern can limit fruit and seed production. Open pollination and pollen supplementation studies are used to estimate any pollen limitation in natural populations. To study the impact of these factors on the reproductive success of Vriesea gigantea, an epiphytic bromeliad in the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil, its fertility in four natural populations in Itapu? State Park was assessed by considering plant and inflorescence size, flower production, fruit and seed set, flower and fruit set pattern, and seed viability and germination rate. Supplemental pollination in adult plants was used to determine whether fruit production in V. gigantea is limited by reception of pollen. The results showed that V. gigantea has a high production of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Seeds are highly viable in all populations, presenting an average germination rate of 94% (SE ± 3.5). Plants of V. gigantea from Itapu? State Park are highly fertile. The high proportion of fruit and seed set after manual hand pollination indicates that the species is self-compatible. Pollination treatments showed evidence of pollinator limitation in the Itapu? State Park population.     

Temporal variation in the female components of reproductive success over the extended flowering season of a Mediterranean perennial herb

We examined the reproductive success of the perennial herb Lobularia maritima during its extended flowering and fruiting season. The within- and between-year variability of the female components of reproductive success (from flower, fruit and seed production to seed survival, seed germination and seedling establishment) were analysed during four flowering seasons. All the components of reproductive success studied showed a significant within- and between-year variation. September was the period of the year with the maximum values of flower and fruit production, and the highest germination and establishment rates. Nevertheless, seed losses due to both predispersal and postdispersal seed predation during this period were also the highest, seriously reducing seed output in this period. On the other hand, in those periods in which seed production was low, i.e. January and May, the percentage of seeds lost to seed predators was the lowest. Reproductive success in each period of the flowering season was estimated using a simple demographic model, in which the information concerning all the components already calculated was integrated. The two variables used to estimate reproductive success in each period, i.e. the number of new individuals produced per plant and the probability of a seed becoming an adult plant, showed relatively small differences over the year. These results suggest a counter-balance of the different components of reproductive success in this species, with favourable and unfavourable periods for the different components being compensated during its extended flowering season.     

The effect of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation on germination and seedling development of plant species occurring in a dune grassland ecosystem

The germination of seeds of seven plant species occurring in a dune grassland vegetation of the Netherlands, was studied at four levels of UV-B radiation simulating unto 45% stratospheric ozone reduction during April. With the exception of seeds of Senecio jacobaea, germination of the dune grassland species was not affected by enhanced UV-B irradiance. Although a clear UV-B fluence-response relationship was not observed, the germination rate of S. jacobaea seeds and maximal germination percentage were reduced at enhanced UV-B. Germination rate in the dark was higher than germination in the light for Oenothera biennis, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex obtusifolius and S. jacobaea. Total dry biomass accumulation of seedlings was not affected by increased UV-B radiation in any of the species tested. Clear-cut differences in UV-absorbance of methanolic extracts were observed between species. Enhanced UV-B irradiance stimulated UV-absorbance of seedling extracts of Holcus lanatus and Verbascum thapsus. A clear UV-B fluence-response relationship was observed for both species. The results indicate that germination of the studied plant species probably will not be adversely affected by the expected stratospheric ozone reduction in The Netherlands.