Exhaust gas purification using immobilised monocultures (biocatalysts)

Summary The paper is concerned with the purification of exhaust gases using biocatalysts in a trickle bed reactor. Substance specific strains (monocultures) which were, for example, immobilised on activated carbon served as biocatalyst. Technically important solvents and substances such as aldehydes, methyl ethyl ketone and ethyl acetate were used as pollutants. Their concentration was about 5–40 ppm in the exhaust gas to be purified. The experiments show that with suitable bacterial, strains space velocities of about k ^*=1500 h^-1 can be obtained at a conversion of 90%. The mass transfer through the liquid film around the activated carbon grains seems to be rate determining.     

A quantitative review comparing the yield of switchgrass in monocultures and mixtures in relation to climate and management factors

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a US Department of Energy model species, is widely considered for US biomass energy production. While previous studies have demonstrated the effect of climate and management factors on biomass yield and chemical characteristics of switchgrass monocultures, information is lacking on the yield of switchgrass grown in combination with other species for biomass energy. Therefore, the objective of this quantitative review is to compare the effect of climate and management factors on the yield of switchgrass monocultures, as well as on mixtures of switchgrass, and other species. We examined all peer‐reviewed articles describing productivity of switchgrass and extracted dry matter yields, stand age, nitrogen fertilization (N), temperature (growing degree days), and precipitation/irrigation. Switchgrass yield was greater when grown in monocultures (10.9 t ha^?1, n=324) than when grown in mixtures (4.4 t ha^?1, n=85); yield in monocultures was also greater than the total yield of all species in the mixtures (6.9 t ha^?1, n=90). The presence of legume species in mixtures increased switchgrass yield from 3.1 t ha^?1 (n=65) to 8.9 t ha^?1 (n=20). Total yield of switchgrass‐dominated mixtures with legumes reached 9.9 t ha^?1 (n=25), which was not significantly different from the monoculture yield. The results demonstrated the potential of switchgrass for use as a biomass energy crop in both monocultures and mixtures across a wide geographic range. Monocultures, but not mixtures, showed a significant positive response to N and precipitation. The response to N for monocultures was consistent for newly established (stand age <3 years) and mature stands (stand age ≥3 years) and for lowland and upland ecotypes. In conclusion, these results suggest that fertilization with N will increase yield in monocultures, but not mixtures. For monocultures, N treatment need not be changed based on ecotype and stand age; and for mixtures, legumes should be included as an alternative N source.     

Relationships between plant photosynthesis,radial oxygen loss and nutrient removal in constructed wetland microcosms

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between root radial oxygen loss (ROL), photosynthesis, and nutrient removal, based on the hypothesis that ROL is primarily an active process which is affected positively by photosynthesis, and is correlated positively with nutrient removal. Four common wetland plants were studied in small-scale monoculture wetlands. Higher ROL coincided with faster growth among the four monocultures. Significant correlation between ROL and photosynthetic rate existed in Cyperus flabelliformis wetland (P < 0.01). Both ROL and photosynthesis represented close correlations with nutrient removal rates in all four monocultures. Significant differences in ROL, photosynthetic rate, removal rates of NH₄⁺, and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) were found among the four species. ROL and photosynthetic rates showed single-peak daily and seasonal patterns, with maximum daily values around noon, and with maximum yearly values in summer or autumn for the four monocultures. The results suggest that the ROL of wetland plants is related to active physiological processes. Both ROL and photosynthetic rate are indices which can be used to identify wetland plants with a higher nutrient removal capacity.     

Effects of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) on plant and soil nitrogen and soil organic matter in mixtures with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

To increase our insight into the above- and belowground N flows in grass and grass-clover swards relations between crop and soil parameters were studied in a cutting trial with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) monocultures and ryegrass–white clover (Trifolium repens) mixtures. The effects of clover cultivar on herbage yield, the amount of clover-derived nitrogen, apparent N transfer to companion grass, dynamics of N and organic matter in the soil were estimated.The grass monocultures had very low DM yields (<2.1 t ha^-1) and a low N concentration in the harvested herbage. During 1992–1995 the annual herbage DM yield in the mixtures ranged from 7.0 to 14.3 t ha^-1, the white clover DM yield from 2.4 to 11.2 t ha^-1 and the mean annual clover content in the herbage DM harvested from 34 to 78%. Mixtures with the large-leaved clover cv. Alice yielded significantly more herbage and clover DM and had a higher clover content than mixtures with small/medium-leaved cvs. Gwenda and Retor. Grass cultivar did not consistently affect yield, botanical composition or soil characteristics.The apparent N₂ fixation was very high, ranging from 150 to 545 kg N ha^-1 in the different mixtures. For each tonne of clover DM in the harvested herbage 49 to 63 kg N was harvested, while the apparent N transfer from clover to grass varied between 55 and 113 kg N ha^-1 year^-1.The net N mineralization rate was lower under monocultures than under mixtures. The C mineralization and the amounts of C and N in active soil organic matter fractions were similar for monocultures and mixtures, but the C:N ratio of the active soil organic matter fractions were higher under grass than under mixtures. This explains the lower N mineralization under grass.     

Increasing vole numbers cause more lethal damage to saplings in tree monocultures than in mixed stands

Overall, mammalian herbivores are more harmful in mixed plantations than in monocultures, but the effect of herbivore abundance has not been experimentally tested in this context. It has been proposed that there is a critical threshold density where herbivore pressure spreads from preferred plants to everything edible, leading to non-linear density effects on low-quality plants. We experimentally investigated whether survival of an unpalatable plant is similarly related to herbivore density in both monocultures and mixed stands. This we did by establishing monocultures of unpalatable black alder (Alnus glutinosa) and mixed stands of black alder and five more palatable tree species in enclosures, where Microtus voles were introduced and their abundances monitored.The effect of stand diversity tended to depend on vole abundance. Vole damage of tree saplings did not differ between monocultures and mixed stands, but at higher vole abundances attacks had a stronger effect on sapling survival in the monocultures. Sapling survival showed a significant drop in the monocultures at peak abundance of approximately 300 voles ha^?1. In monocultures herbivores do not have alternatives and therefore are forced to become deadlier consumers.     

Switchgrass, Big Bluestem, and Indiangrass Monocultures and Their Two- and Three-Way Mixtures for Bioenergy in the Northern Great Plains

High yielding, native warm-season grasses could be used as renewable bioenergy feedstocks. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of warm season grass monocultures and mixtures on yield and chemical characteristics of harvested biomass and to evaluate the effect of initial seeding mixture on botanical composition over time. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash], and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) were planted as monocultures and in all possible two- and three-way mixtures at three USA locations (Brookings and Pierre, SD and Morris, MN) during May 2002. Biomass at each location was harvested after a killing frost once annually from 2003 to 2005. Total biomass yield significantly increased with year at all locations. Switchgrass monocultures or mixtures containing switchgrass generally out-yielded big bluestem or indiangrass in monocultures or the binary mixture. Cellulose and hemicellulose concentrations were higher in 2004 and 2005 compared with 2003. Switchgrass or mixtures containing switchgrass tended to have less cellulose than either big bluestem or indiangrass. Results were more variable for total N, lignin, and ash. Switchgrass was the dominant component of all mixtures in which it was present while big bluestem was dominant when mixed with indiangrass. Indiangrass was maintained only in monocultures and declined over years when grown in mixtures at all locations. Our results indicated if biomass yield in the northern Great Plains is a primary objective, switchgrass should be a component of binary or tertiary mixtures that also contain big bluestem and/or indiangrass.     

Varietal differences in uptake of 32P labelled phosphate in clover plus ryegrass swards and monocultures

Lolium perenne cv. S.23, L. multiflorum cv. RvP, and Trifolium repens cvs S.184 and Olwen, were grown in mixed sward and monoculture during 1979. Whereas in mixtures grass roots absorbed more ³²P than clover roots, in monoculture clover generally absorbed more ³²P than grass roots. This showed that grass was a very strong competitor for uptake in mixed swards. Clover and grass monocultures absorbed most ³²P from 10 or 15 cm depth in the soil, while grass in mixtures absorbed most ³²P at 22.5 cm depth. Comparing varieties, in monocultures in June, Olwen was most active in absorbing ³²P at 15 cm. In August, Olwen absorbed more at 15 cm and 22.5 cm than S.184 or the grass varieties. Differences in absorption depth between varieties were less in mixtures than in monocultures. S.23 absorbed more ³²P in the late season than RvP, both in monoculture and in mixtures. Thus Olwen differed from S. 184 in depth and timing of uptake, whilst S.23 differed from RvP in time of uptake. Such varietal differences could be exploited by manipulation of depth and timing of fertiliser application to increase the precision of sward management.     

Bisphosphonates induce the osteogenic gene expression in co‐cultured human endothelial and mesenchymal stem cells

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are known to affect bone homeostasis and also to have anti-angiogenic properties. Because of the intimate relationship between angiogenesis and osteogenesis, this study analysed the effects of Alendronate (AL) and Zoledronate (ZL) in the expression of endothelial and osteogenic genes on interacting endothelial and mesenchymal stem cells, an issue that was not previously addressed. Alendronate and ZL, 10⁻¹²–10⁻⁶ M, were evaluated in a direct co-culture system of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HMSC), over a period of 14 days. Experiments with the respective monocultures were run in parallel. Alendronate and ZL caused an initial dose-dependent stimulation in the cell proliferation in the monocultures and co-cultures, and did not interfere with their cellular organization. In HDMEC monocultures, the expression of the endothelial genes CD31, VE-cadherin and VEGFR2 was down-regulated by AL and ZL. In HMSC monocultures, the BPs inhibited VEGF expression, but up-regulated the expression of the osteogenic genes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) and osteocalcin (OC) and, to a greater extent, osteoprotegerin (OPG), a negative regulator of the osteoclastic differentiation, and increased ALP activity. In co-cultured HDMEC/HMSC, AL and ZL decreased the expression of endothelial genes but elicited an earlier and sustained overexpression of ALP, BMP-2, OC and OPG, compared with the monocultured cells; they also induced ALP activity. This study showed for the first time that AL and ZL greatly induced the osteogenic gene expression on interacting endothelial and mesenchymal stem cells.     

Exhaust gas purification using biocatalysts (fixed bacteria monocultures) — the influence of biofilm diffusion rate (O2) on the overall reaction rate

Summary This paper presents results of experiments on the influence of O₂ and substrate (pollutant) concentration on the overall reaction rate of a trickle-bed reactor used for biological waste gas purification. The biocatalyst was a pollutant-specific bacterial monoculture fixed on porous glass carriers. The conversion of acetone and propionaldehyde, as model pollutants that are easily soluble in water, was measured. Under constant hydrodynamic conditions (gas and liquid flow rates) the inlet pollutant concentration was varied. The O₂ partial pressure in the model gas was increased to investigate the influence of O₂ supply on pollutant conversion. At higher pollutant concentrations (>117 mg acetone.m^-3 gas and > 150 mg propionaldehyde.m^-3 gas) higher concentrations of dissolved O₂ led to a significant rise in the maximum degradation capacity of the reactor. This maximum reaction rate was independent of the pollutant mass flow. It seems that the diffusion of O₂ in the biofilm is rate-determining. The reaction rate at lower inlet concentrations was not affected by the improved O₂ supply. Here the external mass transfer through the liquid film limits the reaction rate and the maximum separation efficiency of about 80% at a residence time of 1.2s (space velocity 3000h^-1) is achieved.     

Microorganisms immobilized by membrane inclusion: kinetic measurements in a fixed bed bioreactor and oxygen consumption calculations

Cells living in the pores of macroporous carriers can be immobilized by coating the carriers with a porous membrane. To evaluate the performance of cells immobilized with such a technique, a fixed bed bioreactor was used to study the oxidation of D-sorbitol to L-sorbose by Acetobacter suboxydans. Comparisons were made of immobilized cells to cells living in the pores of a non-coated carrier and to cells living in the absence of a carrier (“submerged cells”). Productivity was similar in all three cultures (4.6–6.3?g sorbose?l^?1?h^?1). Biomass concentration at the outlet was highest for submerged cells (1.3?·?10⁹?cells?ml^?1) but was equal for coated and non-coated carriers (0.4?·?10⁹?cells?ml^?1). Examination of the coated carriers under the electron microscope revealed that only a thin layer near the surface was actually colonized by bacteria. Interestingly, when normalized on the basis of volume, sorbitol oxidation in the colonized layer appeared to be about 100-fold faster than in the bulk medium. A model was derived for oxygen relations inside the coated carriers. This model implicates that the inner parts of the carrier are not colonized by bacteria due to oxygen limitation. The findings indicate that coated carriers have potential to catalyze biotransformations at very high rates, and identify oxygen supply and confinement of cells to the carriers as issues that need further attention. The mathematical model for oxygen concentration profiles inside the coated carriers will be useful for designing improved carriers.     

Comparative biotransformation of pentachlorophenol in soils by solid substrate cultures of Lentinula edodes

Sterilised and non-sterilised soils contaminated with pentachlorophenol (PCP) were inoculated with solid substrate cultures of Lentinula edodes LE2 (“shiitake” mushroom) to simulate monoculture bioremediation treatments and treatments in which the fungus competes with natural microflora. With monocultures of L. edodes, rates of PCP depletion were rapid for the initial 4 weeks and, although thereafter the rate decreased, 99% biotransformation was obtained in 10 weeks. In mixed culture, PCP biotransformation by L.␣edodes was markedly slower and only 42% of the PCP was depleted after 10 weeks. Maximal rates of PCP transformation, biomass (ergosterol) accumulation and oxidative enzymes (phenol oxidase and manganese-peroxidase) production were observed after 2 weeks of incubation. In monocultures, phenol oxidase activity was 195.5 U g⁻¹ and Mn-peroxidase 138.4 U g⁻¹. In mixed cultures, fungal enzyme activities were markedly lower: 70.33 U g⁻¹ for phenol oxidase and 85.0 g⁻¹ for Mn-peroxidase. Analyses of soil metabolites after 10 weeks revealed that monocultures of L.edodes had eliminated both PCP and pentachloroanisole. Pentachloroanisole, however, was detected in soils with the mixed microflora. Both dechlorination and mineralisation of the xenobiotic compound were effected by L. edodes LE2. Received: 7 April 1997 / Accepted: 14 June 1997     

Increased Plant Carbon Translocation Linked to Overyielding in Grassland Species Mixtures

Plant species richness and productivity often show a positive relationship, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, especially at the plant species level. We examined how growing plants in species mixture influences intraspecific rates of short-term carbon (C-) translocation, and determined whether such short-term responses are reflected in biomass yields. We grew monocultures and mixtures of six common C3 grassland plant species in outdoor mesocosms, applied a ¹³C-CO₂ pulse in situ to trace assimilated C through plants, into the soil, and back to the atmosphere, and quantified species-specific biomass. Pulse derived ¹³C enrichment was highest in the legumes Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium repens, and relocation (i.e. transport from the leaves to other plant parts) of the recently assimilated ¹³C was most rapid in T. repens grown in 6-species mixtures. The grass Anthoxanthum odoratum also showed high levels of ¹³C enrichment in 6-species mixtures, while ¹³C enrichment was low in Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata and Achillea millefolium. Rates of C loss through respiration were highest in monocultures of T. repens and relatively low in species mixtures, while the proportion of ¹³C in the respired CO₂ was similar in monocultures and mixtures. The grass A. odoratum and legume T. repens were most promoted in 6-species mixtures, and together with L. corniculatus, caused the net biomass increase in 6-species mixtures. These plant species also had highest rates of ¹³C-label translocation, and for A. odoratum and T. repens this effect was greatest in plant individuals grown in species mixtures. Our study reveals that short-term plant C translocation can be accelerated in plant individuals of legume and C3 grass species when grown in mixtures, and that this is strongly positively related to overyielding. These results demonstrate a mechanistic coupling between changes in intraspecific plant carbon physiology and increased community level productivity in grassland systems.     

Production of lipid from starch by a nitrogen-controlled mixed culture of Saccharomycopsis fibuliger and Rhodosporidium toruloides

Summary Production of lipid from starch in a two-component mixed culture in a fed batch process was studied. Saccharomycopsis fibuliger was used as the amylolytic microorganism and Rhodosporidium toruloides, which does not grow on starch, as the lipid producer. The concentration of nitrogen can be used as an external regulator of growth and competition in this process. The total biomass concentration decreased and the relative amount of Rh. toruloides increased with decreasing initial concentration of nitrogen in the medium. The highest lipid concentration (9.7 g·l^-1), highest overall lipid production rate (0.15 g·l^-1·h^-1) and highest concentration of lipid in biomass (36.5%) were obtained in cultures with an initial nitrogen concentration of 0.5 g·l^-1. Compared to monocultures of Lipomyces starkeyi and Aspergillus oryzae on starch, the mixed culture showed slightly lower conversion of starch to lipid but was superior in the final lipid concentration and the overall lipid production rate.     

Growth in length of Mytilus edulis L. fed on different algal diets

Mytilus edulis L. was fed on different algal diets and the increase in shell length was measured every 12–24 h. The mussels respond within 12 h to major changes in the diet. When pre-starved mussels were fed every 24 h with monocultures of Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch, there was a pronounced lag period followed by a linear increase in shell growth rate. When both pre-starved and pre-fed mussels were fed on equal rations of T. suecica with concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 10.0 × 10⁷ cells · 1^?1, the growth rate levelled off at about the same rate. Within the same range of concentrations there was a linear correlation between final growth rates and algal cell concentration. Feeding with monocultures of Isochrysis galbana (Parke) or Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle et Heimdal (Hustedt) gave approximately the same shell growth as with Tetraselmis suecica alone, while combinations of these three algal species produced significant synergistic effects. When filtrate only from T. suecica cultures was supplied to the mussels there was a rapid initial stimulation of the shell growth. Centrifugated cells of T. suecica which were resuspended in filtered sea water, homogenized and sonicated to rupture the cells, gave 13% less growth than with untreated cells (P < 0.05). The use of the accurate laser diffraction method for length growth measurements may greatly reduce the time and effort involved in growth experiments.     

Culture of 293 cells in different culture systems: Cell growth and recombinant adenovirus production

Growth of 293 cells (human embryonic kidney) was compared in various cell culture systems including static flasks, cell aggregates and a variety of porous microcarriers. The best results were achieved with Fibra-Cel carriers and cell aggregates (1.1–1.4 × 10⁶ cells/ml). Virus production was compared using a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus as a model. Virus yields of lysates from cells grown on Fibra-Cel carriers, as cell aggregates and in static flasks were comparable (1.7–1.9 × 10⁸ pfu/ml).     

Nitrous oxide emissions during establishment of eight alternative cellulosic bioenergy cropping systems in the North Central United States

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soils are a key sustainability metric of cropping systems. During crop establishment, disruptive land‐use change is known to be a critical, but under reported period, for determining GHG emissions. We measured soil N₂O emissions and potential environmental drivers of these fluxes from a three‐year establishment‐phase bioenergy cropping systems experiment replicated in southcentral Wisconsin (ARL) and southwestern Michigan (KBS). Cropping systems treatments were annual monocultures (continuous corn, corn–soybean–canola rotation), perennial monocultures (switchgrass, miscanthus, and poplar), and perennial polycultures (native grass mixture, early successional community, and restored prairie) all grown using best management practices specific to the system. Cumulative three‐year N₂O emissions from annuals were 142% higher than from perennials, with fertilized perennials 190% higher than unfertilized perennials. Emissions ranged from 3.1 to 19.1 kg N₂O‐N ha^?1 yr^?1 for the annuals with continuous corn > corn–soybean–canola rotation and 1.1 to 6.3 kg N₂O‐N ha^?1 yr^?1 for perennials. Nitrous oxide peak fluxes typically were associated with precipitation events that closely followed fertilization. Bayesian modeling of N₂O fluxes based on measured environmental factors explained 33% of variability across all systems. Models trained on single systems performed well in most monocultures (e.g., R² = 0.52 for poplar) but notably worse in polycultures (e.g., R² = 0.17 for early successional, R² = 0.06 for restored prairie), indicating that simulation models that include N₂O emissions should be parameterized specific to particular plant communities. Our results indicate that perennial bioenergy crops in their establishment phase emit less N₂O than annual crops, especially when not fertilized. These findings should be considered further alongside yield and other metrics contributing to important ecosystem services.     

Evaluation of 4-bromophenol biodegradation in mixed pollutants system by Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6 in an upflow packed bed reactor

Bromophenol is listed as priority pollutant by U.S. EPA, however, there is no report so far on its removal in mixed pollutants system by any biological reactor operated in continuous mode. Furthermore, bromophenol along with chlorophenol and nitrophenol are usually the major constituents of paper pulp and pesticide industrial effluent. The present study investigated simultaneous biodegradation of these three pollutants with specially emphasis on substrate competition and crossed inhibition by Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6 in an upflow packed bed reactor (UPBR). A 2³ full factorial design was employed with these pollutants at two different levels by varying their influent concentration in the range of 250–450 mg l^?1. Almost complete removal of all these pollutants and 97 % effluent toxicity removal were achieved in the UPBR at a pollutant loading rate of 1707 mg l^?1 day^?1 or lesser. However, at higher loading rates, the reactor performance deteriorated due to transient accumulation of toxic intermediates. Statistical analysis of the results revealed a strong negative interaction of 4-CP on 4-NP biodegradation. On the other hand, interaction effect between 4-CP and 4-BP was found to be insignificant. Among these three pollutants 4-NP preferentially degraded, however, 4-CP exerted more inhibitory effect on 4-NP biodegradation. This study demonstrated the potential of A. chlorophenolicus A6 for biodegradation of 4-BP in mixed pollutants system by a flow through UPBR system.     

Establishment and dispersal of the biological control weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes on mile-a-minute weed, Persicaria perfoliata

Mile-a-minute weed, Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross (Polygonaceae), is an annual vine from Asia that has invaded the eastern US where it can form dense monocultures and outcompete other vegetation in a variety of habitats. The host-specific Asian weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was first released in the US in 2004 as part of a classical biological control program. The weevil was intensively monitored in three release arrays over 4 years, and field cages at each site were used to determine the number of generations produced. The weevil established at all three sites and produced three to four generations before entering a reproductive diapause in late summer. Weevils dispersed at an average rate of 1.5–2.9 m wk⁻¹ through the 50 m diameter arrays, which had fairly contiguous mile-a-minute cover. Weevils dispersing in the broader, more variable landscape located both large monocultures and small isolated patches of mile-a-minute 600–760 m from the release within 14 months. Weevil density ranged from fewer than 10 to nearly 200 weevils m⁻² mile-a-minute weed. Mile-a-minute cover decreased at the site with the highest weevil density. The production of P. perfoliata seed clusters decreased with increasing weevil populations at two sites, and seedling production declined over time at two sites by 75% and 87%. The ability of the weevil to establish, produce multiple generations per season, disperse to new patches, and likelihood of having an impact on plants in the field suggests that R. latipes has the potential to be a successful biological control agent.     

The effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on the amount and depth distribution of plant water uptake in a California annual grassland

Soil moisture profiles can affect species composition and ecosystem processes, but the effects of increased concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO₂]) on the vertical distribution of plant water uptake have not been studied. Because plant species composition affects soil moisture profiles, and is likely to shift under elevated [CO₂], it is also important to test whether the indirect effects of [CO₂] on soil water content may depend on species composition. We examined the effects of elevated [CO₂] and species composition on soil moisture profiles in an annual grassland of California. We grew monocultures and a mixture of Avena barbata and Hemizonia congesta– the dominant species of two phenological groups – in microcosms exposed to ambient (～370 μmol mol^?1) and elevated (～700 μmol mol^?1) [CO₂]. Both species increased intrinsic and yield‐based water use efficiency under elevated [CO₂], but soil moisture increased only in communities with A. barbata, the dominant early‐season annual grass. In A. barbata monocultures, the [CO₂] treatment did not affect the depth distribution of soil water loss. In contrast to communities with A. barbata, monocultures of H. congesta, a late‐season annual forb, did not conserve water under elevated [CO₂], reflecting the increased growth of these plants. In late spring, elevated [CO₂] also increased the efficiency of deep roots in H. congesta monocultures. Under ambient [CO₂], roots below 60 cm accounted for 22% of total root biomass and were associated with 9% of total water loss, whereas in elevated [CO₂], 16% of total belowground biomass was associated with 34% of total water loss. Both soil moisture and isotope data showed that H. congesta monocultures grown under elevated [CO₂] began extracting water from deep soils 2 weeks earlier than plants in ambient [CO₂].     

Density effects in a colonial monoculture: experimental studies with a marine bryozoan (Membranipora membranacea L.)

Summary Naturally occurring monocultures of plants and animals are not common, despite recent emphasis on the analysis of density effects in artificial plant monocultures. In natural populations, Membranipora membranacea, an encrusting marine bryozoan, usually forms monospecific, nearly even-aged stands on kelp blades. We experimentally manipulated the density of M. membranacea colonies and monitored the responses of individual colonies on settling panels. Colonies undergo a sub-annual cycle of growth, stasis and reproduction, shrinkage, and death. However, crowding by conspecifics accelerates the transition to stasis, triggers early onset of reproduction, and results in increased stage-specific mortality. Unlike many interactions involving colonial invertebrates, overgrowth rarely occurs at boundaries of M. membranacea colonies. Instead, colonies stop growing when they contact conspecifics; therefore more dense assemblages are populated with smaller individual colonies. At the peak in colony size during August, the mean size among colonies grown at high population densities was 300 mm² less than colonies grown at low densities or approximately 62% smaller. Mortality was concentrated in small size classes; at the end of the season colonies gradually shrank to the smallest size classes and then died. We summarized the demography of M. membranacea colonies on low- and high-density panels using size-classified transition matrices and used loglinear analysis to examine the effects of density and time on the transition patterns. As the amount of free space on panels declined, so did the frequency of upward size-class transitions. Our analysis revealed that free space declined more rapidly on panels in the high density treatment and that the transitional probabilities were sensitive to density of conspecifics and seasonal change, but only for some size classes and during some time periods.