Seasonal changes of pinosylvin distribution in the sapwood/heartwood boundary of Pinus sylvestris

Changes in pinosylvin concentration and distribution across the sapwood/heartwood boundary were studied on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) tree stems to detect seasonal activity in heartwood formation. Pinosylvin concentrations were measured with FT-(NIR) Raman spectroscopy for a total of 96 trees equally distributed on 16 different sampling occasions. In another experiment, cores were sampled every month from six individual Scots pine trees from June to October and analysed for pinosylvin. There was a great between-tree variation in concentration and spatial distribution of pinosylvin. No seasonal trend in the distribution pattern or concentration of pinosylvin was found. Therefore, the results indicate that there is no specific period during the year when heartwood is formed. Received: 12 February 1998 / Accepted: 3 May 1999     

Seasonal changes in the content of photosynthetic pigments in perennial grasses of cryolithic zone

Seasonal changes in the content of photosynthetic pigments and their ratio were studied in perennial gramineous (Psathyrostachys juncea Tzvel., Elymus sibiricus L., Bromopsis inermis Leys) and equisetaceous (Equisetum variegatum Schleich. ex Web., E. scirpoides Michx.) plants grown under conditions of cryolithic zone in Central and North-East Yakutia (the Pole of Cold). Simultaneously with growth in chlorophyll (Chl) content in all the studied species of perennial grasses of Central Yakutia, a considerable increase in the content of carotenoids (Car) of the xanthophyll cycle (XC) pigments was observed with the beginning of autumn temperature fall. Similar dependence was found in horsetails of the Pole of Cold region: the content of Car was increased by 1.2–3.0 times comparing to the summer values, whereas at the same time the concentration of oxygen-containing forms increased and the ratio of Chl to xanthophylls and Car decreased. In general, horsetails had typically a lower content of Chl and Car, which was determined not only by extremely harsh climatic conditions of the region but also by specific characteristics of Equisetaceae plants. Closer to winter time, the formation of secondary Car, rhodoxanthin, was also observed in the studied horsetail species. In this case, rhodoxanthin presumably plays more important antioxidant role than XC, which can not operate at constantly low temperatures. The obtained data suggest that one of the characteristics of cold hardening of perennial grasses under conditions of cryolithic zone of Yakutia is, presumably, the high level of primary, as well as secondary, Car with most profound antioxidant properties.     

Seasonal structural and functional changes in the photosynthetic apparatus of evergreen conifers

We conducted a detail study of the photosynthetic apparatus in assimilating organs of three introduced evergreen conifer species: Taxus cuspidate S. et Z. ex E. (Far-Eastern yew), Thuja occidentalis L. (arbovitae “green”), and Th. occidentalis f. “Reingold” (arbovitae “yellow”) at various times in their life cycle. We studied the potential photosynthesis rate; composition and ratios of pigments, including primary carotenoids; the violaxanthin cycle (VC) activity, the synthesis of a secondary carotenoid, rhodoxanthin; and chloroplast ultrastructure. In winter and spring, β-carotene and lutein (primary carotenoids) contents were relatively constant in yew and arbovitae “yellow”. In December, the VC in yew was balanced and in arbovitae “yellow” unbalanced. In arbovitae “yellow”, the zeaxanthin pool was heterogeneous, and only part of it took part in the VC. It can be assumed that the other part of the pool can be oxidized to form a secondary carotenoid, rhodoxanthin. This secondary carotenoid was also accumulated in arbovitae “green”; its synthesis took place during the season, when the photosynthesis rate of plants was the lowest, and a significant chloroplast reorganization occurred (the number of thylakoids in grana decreased and plastoglobules appeared). We suppose that rhodoxanthin forms a filter for the light under the conditions of high insolation in winter. Thus, the evergreen conifer plants studied, which are adapted to growing at high latitudes where temperature is low and insolation is high in winter and spring, have a system for protecting the photosynthetic apparatus against photodestruction. In the basis of this system, the primary and secondary carotenoids lie, whose content changes during the year.     

Seasonal changes in carbohydrates of perennial root nodules of beach pea

Seasonal changes in amyloplast, starch, total soluble sugars, non-reducing sugars and reducing sugars of perennial root nodules of beach pea (Lathyrus maritimus) were studied. Ultrastructural changes in nodule cells of beach pea indicated an accumulation of large amounts of amyloplasts with multiple starch grains in summer months. As the winter season sets in, degradation of amyloplasts and starch grains was detected. The membranes of amyloplasts faded out in winter and the structure of the amyloplasts was lost. The degradation of starch grains showed some electron-dense fiber-like material and amorphous structures. Quantitative data revealed an increase in starch reserves during the summer and depletion during the winter. Total soluble sugar and non-reducing sugar concentrations peaked in the middle of the winter, whereas reducing sugar concentrations showed an increase in the fall. These results indicate that elevated levels of various sugars most likely help to maintain high osmolarity of cells so that the dormant nodules do not freeze during the prolonged periods of cold in the winter.     

Seasonal and spatial distribution of ciliates in the sandy hyporheic zone of a lowland stream

The seasonal and spatial distribution of abundance and biomass as well as the taxonomic composition of ciliates inhabiting the sandy hyporheic zone of a lowland stream were studied. The mean abundances varied between 0 and 895 cells ml⁻¹ sediment, and the mean ciliate biomass ranged between 0 and 5.3 μg C ml⁻¹ sediment. Ciliate numbers and biomasses were greatest at the sediment surface and declined significantly with increasing sample depth. Abundance and biomass varied seasonally, with maximum values in late autumn and early winter and minimum values in early summer. The community was dominated by small representatives of the Hymenostomatia and Peritrichia. Ciliate community composition changed with depth from a very diverse community at the sediment surface to a less diverse one at greater sediment depths. Ciliate abundance and biomass were two orders of magnitude lower in the channel water than in the hyporheic zone. Although representatives of all sediment taxa could also be found in the channel water, the greatest concentrations of Peritrichia and Suctoria were in the hyporheic zone. The species of the sandy Ladberger Mühlenbach sediment were ubiquitous; there was no single ciliate fauna that proved to be typical for this kind of freshwater biotope.     

Seasonal changes in the water metabolism of woodrats

Summary Dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) and desert woodrats (N. lepida) experience pronounced seasonal variations in the aridity of their habitats. The effects of seasonal aridity upon the water conserving abilities of these species were assessed through measurements of water conserving abilities and kidney structure of animals captured in summer and winter, and through measurements of animals' abilities to acclimate to differing water availabilities in the laboratory.Urine concentrating ability was the water conserving mechanism most responsive to changes in the availability of water. Summer and summeracclimated N. fuscipes (431.7 and 459.4 mEqCl^-/1) demonstrated urine Cl^- concentrating abilities substantially greater than those of winter and winter-acclimated N. fuscipes (245.7 and 337.4 mEqCl^-/1). Summer, winter-acclimated, and winter N. lepida exhibited urine Cl^- concentrations equivalent to those of winter N. fuscipes; summer-acclimated N. lepida exhibited markedly greater values (466.7 mEqCl^-/l) equivalent to those of summer and summer-acclimated N. fuscipes.Measurements of relative thicknesses of renal cortex and medulla yielded no significant differences among the experimental groups of N. fuscipes and N. lepida, thus suggesting that both species possess equal abilities to concentrate urine. These data are confirmed by urine concentrations of summer-acclimated animals of both species.Water conserving abilities of both species correlate well with climatic and dietary plant water content data. Thus, during the dry, warm summer months (when plant moisture is reduced) N. fuscipes conserves water mainly through increased urine concentration. The laboratory acclimation data and differences between summer and winter animals strongly suggest that N. fuscipes undergoes an acclimatization to the seasonal aridity which increases gradually during spring and peaks in late summer, thus enabling this water-dependent species to exist on reduced water requirements. The uniformly low water conserving abilities of winter-acclimated, winter, and summer N. lepida physiologically verify the previous reports that this species satisfies its water requirements through utilization of succulent cactus, thereby avoiding the stress of summer aridity in its habitat.The fact that both species exhibit equal capacities to conserve water indicates that the much greater geographic distribution of N. lepida is not the result of differences in physiological water conserving abilities, but instead may be the result of specific physiological adaptation by N. lepida to utilization of cactus and other plants containing noxious or toxic compounds.     

Seasonal and diurnal changes of chlorophyll in a tropical fresh water impoundment

The phytoplankton biomass was estimated in terms of chlorophyll in Sathiar reservoir. The chlorophyll values were high during the low water phase in the reservoir which was also the period of summer. Following the rains and increase in water depth phytoplankton biomass decreases on account of (a) dilution, (b) loss from the reservoir through the outlets and (c) settling to the bottom along with silt. The diel variations of chlorophyll showed that the peak value was reached mostly at 12 noon due to the migration of phytoplankton to the surface.     

Seasonal changes in oleosomic lipids and fatty acids of perennial root nodules of beach pea

Seasonal changes in the fatty acid composition of phospholipids (PL), monoglycerides (MG), diglycerides (DG), free fatty acids (FA) and triglycerides (TG) separated from oleosomes (lipid bodies) of perennial root nodules of beach pea (Lathyrus maritimus) were analysed. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed that PL and MG are the major lipids in nodule oleosomes. The fatty acid profile and overall double bond index (DBI) varied among lipid classes depending upon the season. High DBI in PL and MG found during late winter and early spring indicated that they may play a major role in winter survival and regeneration of perennial nodules. The DBI of DG was high at the end of the fall season and the DBI of FA and TG was high in summer months. The dominant fatty acids are C16:0 followed by C18:0 and C18:1. The levels of many unsaturated fatty acids such as C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 increased while saturated fatty acid C18:0 decreased during winter. These unsaturated fatty acids possibly play an important role in the protection of nodule cells from cold stress. Nodules seem to retain some fatty acids and selectively utilize specific fatty acids to survive the winter and regenerate in spring.     

Seasonal changes in sediment and water chemistry of a subtropical shallow eutrophic lake

A field study was conducted (May 1981 to June 1982) to develop a data-base on seasonal changes of water and sediment chemistry of Lake Monroe (4 000 ha surface and ca. 2 m deep) located in central Florida, USA. This shallow eutrophic lake is a part of the St. Johns River. Quantitative samples of lake water and sediments were collected on a monthly basis from 16 stations and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters. Relatively high levels of dissolved solids (mean electrical conductivity (EC) = 1832 µS cm¹) prevailed in the lake water, and seasonal changes in EC were probably associated with hydrologic flushing from external sources, such as incoming water from upstream as well as precipitation. Average monthly levels of total N and P during the study period were 1.82 and 0.21 mg l^–1, respectively. Nutrient concentrations in the water did not show any strong seasonal trends. Organic matter content of lake sediments ranged from 1 to 182 g C kg^–1 of dry sediment, reflecting considerable spatial variability. All nutrient elements in the sediments showed highly significant (P < 0.01) correlations with sediment organic C, though little or no significant relationship appeared at any sampling period between water and sediment chemistry of the lake. Temporal trends in water and sediment chemical parameters may have been concealed by periodic hydrologic flushing of the St. Johns River into Lake Monroe.Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series No. 7836.     

Seasonal changes of the at-sea distribution and food provisioning in rhinoceros auklets

Central-place foraging seabirds increase food-loads and decrease meal frequency when they forage in areas that are distant from the breeding colony. In 2001–2002, we studied the seasonal changes in at-sea distribution, food-load mass, meal frequency, and fledging mass in rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata), which forage in coastal waters during the day and feed their chicks at night. In both years, greater numbers of auklets were observed flying in northern waters that are more distant from the colony in June (65 km) and July (65–66 km) than in May (38–47 km). In July of both years, many auklets flew northward across the transect set 65–120 km north of the colony at sunrise; the birds returned south again at sunset, indicating that they foraged in waters outside the study area. This seasonal northward movement of the foraging area may reflect the migration of their main prey item, the Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus), which move with the Tsushima Warm Current flowing from the southern Sea of Japan. Food-load mass did not increase seasonally. In both years, the estimated daily meal frequency was lower in July than in May or June, partly because of the increased foraging distance in July. Late-hatched chicks also displayed lighter fledging masses than early chicks in both years. We suggest that late breeders are required to forage at great distances for longer periods, which may result in decreased meal frequency and lighter fledging mass of their chicks.     

Explaining the distribution of breeding and dispersal syndromes in conifers

The evolution of plants exhibiting different sexes, or dioecy, is correlated with a number of ecological and life-history traits such as woody growth form and animal-dispersed seeds, but the underlying causes of these associations are unclear. Previous work in seed plants has suggested that the evolution of fleshy cones or seeds may favour dioecy. In this study, we use a well-sampled molecular phylogeny of conifers to show that although dioecy and fleshiness strongly co-occur at the species level, this relationship has not resulted from numerous separate origins of this trait combination or from differential rates of diversification. Instead, we suggest that two character combinations—the ancestral dry-monoecious condition and the derived fleshy-dioecious condition—have persisted in conifers longer than other combinations over evolutionary time. The persistence of these trait combinations appears to reflect differences in the rate of successful transition into and out of these character states over time, as well as the geographical restriction of species with rare combinations and their consequent vulnerability to extinction. In general, we argue that such persistence explanations should be considered alongside ‘key innovation’ hypotheses in explaining the phylogenetic distribution of traits.     

Seasonal changes in the abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation in a highly managed coastal lagoon

The inflow of fresh water into coastal lagoons is a key factor influencing the structure and function of these ecosystems. Biscayne Bay, a coastal lagoon adjacent to the city of Miami, is located downstream of the Everglades ecosystem where the extensive water management system now in place has modified the historical hydrology, replacing groundwater and overland flows with pulsed releases from canals. In areas where canals discharge directly into littoral habitats, an environment with low-mean salinity and high-salinity variability is created. In this study, we characterize the salinity patterns of nearshore habitats (<500 m from shore) and document patterns of seasonal abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) to evaluate the impacts of water management practices. Seagrasses were the principal component of the SAV community during the 2005 dry season (mean cover = 25.5%), while macroalgae dominated during the wet season (mean cover = 33.4%). The distribution and abundance of SAV were directly related to the tolerance of each taxon to salinity patterns. Seagrass species with high tolerance to low and variable salinity such as Halodule wrightii and Ruppia maritima were found only in canal-influenced areas and increased in abundance and spatial distribution in the wet season when freshwater inflow is highest. The dominance of rhizophytic macroalgae during the wet season was determined by the appearance and high abundance of Chara, a taxon commonly associated with freshwater environments. Thalassia testudinum, the most abundant seagrass species, was found throughout the study region, but decreased in abundance in the canal-influenced areas during the wet season when lower, more variable salinity resulted in lowered productivity. The data presented here showed a significant relationship between salinity patterns and the seasonal abundance and distribution of SAV. These findings support the use of SAV as appropriate indicators of changes in water quality resulting from future restoration projects associated with the Everglades Restoration Plan, which will once again modify the delivery of fresh water into littoral habitats with unknown ecological consequences. Handling editor: S. M. Thomaz     

Physiological control of water flux in conifers

Summary Pre-hatching developmental times for prosobranch gastropods are greatly influenced by temperature and taxonomic affinity. If the data used here (including all available data from the Muricacea) are a representative sample, then reasonably accurate estimates of developmental time can be obtained for most prosobranchs knowing only temperature and taxon. Times are also significantly affected by egg or hatching size. Correlations between developmental time and hatching form are probably accounted for by egg size. Prehatching periods are little, if at all, longer for metamorphosed hatchlings than for swimming hatchlings; in any event, differences are small relative to typical free swimming periods. Therefore, the planktonic period is a substantial addition to the total pre-juvenile period. Many embryos die before hatching. More would survive if development were faster; development is, therefore, prolonged at a measurable selective cost. Factors promoting extended developmental periods should be evaluated with these costs in mind. For example, providing much of the yolk as nurse-eggs may allow a species to have a large hatching size and at the same time a relatively brief developmental time.     

Seasonal variation of neutral lipids in Pinus sylvestris L. sapwood and heartwood

Summary The lipid levels and fatty acid composition of three fractions (free fatty acids, triacylglycerols and sterol/triterpenoid esters) extracted from the sapwood and heartwood of three stems of Pinus sylvestris were determined to investigate both seasonal changes in sapwood and possible metabolic changes related to heartwood formation. Seasonal changes were observed only in the amount of the free fatty acids in the sapwood: the level of free fatty acids was greatest at the beginning and end of the growing season. In the January and March samples the amount of the free fatty acid fraction in the sapwood was very small. The amount of the other fractions remained at the same level throughout the study. Marked seasonal changes in the fatty acid composition occurred only in the free fatty acid fraction of the sapwood: the saturation grade increased during the winter.     

Mitochondrial genome recombination in the zone of contact between two hybridizing conifers

Variation in mitochondrial DNA was surveyed at four gene loci in and around the zone of contact between two naturally hybridizing conifers, black spruce (Picea mariana) and red spruce (P. rubens) in northeastern North America. Most of the mtDNA diversity of these species was found in populations next to or into the zone of contact, where some individuals bore rare mitotypes intermediate between the common mitotypes observed in the allopatric areas of each species. Sequence analysis and tests for mtDNA recombination point to this phenomenon, rather than to recurrent mutation, as the most tenable hypothesis for the origin of these rare mitotypes. From the 10 mitotypes observed, at least 4 would be the product of recombination between 4 of the 5 putative ancestral mitotypes. Tests for cytonuclear disequilibrium and geographical structure of the putative recombinant mitotypes suggest that mtDNA recombination is not frequent and relatively recent on the geological time scale. mtDNA recombination would have been promoted by transient heteroplasmy due to leakage of paternal mtDNA since the Holocene secondary contact between the two species.     

Seasonal changes in the spatial distribution of phytoplankton in small, temperate-zone lakes

Seasonal sampling across two small lakes shows that phytoplanktonpatchiness is greatly enhanced during winter ice-cover relativeto the open-water seasons of exposure to wind stress and rapidturbulent mixing.     

Seasonal water potential changes and proline accumulation in mediterranean shrubland species

We studied the water relations of 6 shrub and 3 tree species typical of the mediterranean climate region of central Spain to identify differential responses to water stress between and within species, and to determine if free proline concentration in leaves could be used as a water stress indicator. Predawn and midday water potentials (w) on a seasonal basis, relative water content (RWC), leaf mass per area, foliar nitrogen and free proline concentrations were measured. The lowest water potentials were observed at the end of the summer, with recovery to higher water potentials in the fall and winter seasons. Species differed regarding the annual w fluctuation. Thymus zygis, Halimium viscosum, Genista hirsuta and Juniperus oxycedrus exhibited the most negative midday and predawn w (both less than -6 MPa) with a large magnitude of response to changing conditions in soil moisture of the upper horizon of the soil. Lavandula pedunculata and Cistus ladanifer showed a moderate response. Quercus rotundifolia, Quercus faginea and Retama sphaerocarpa showed a modest response. The w of different size individuals of Quercus rotundifolia and Cistus ladanifer were compared. The annual w fluctuation was greater in small individuals as compared to large individuals. In every species, there was an increase in proline concentration of bulk leaf tissues when predawn w dropped below -5 MPa. Small plants of Cistus ladanifer reached lower water potentials and also higher concentration of proline than bigger plants. Proline could possibly be used as a drought stress indicator in every species except Q. rotundifolia. It is suggested that in addition to water stress avoidance due to deep root systems, some mechanisms of water stress tolerance may operate among shrub and tree species of central Spain.     

Characteristics of morphogenesis and growth processes of conifers in the Chernobyl nuclear accident zone

In the article we present data on the study of morphogenesis and of growth processes of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and of Norwey spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) vegetative organs after radiation exposure in the Chernobyl nuclear accident zone. The anomalies in morphogenesis processes at different absorbed doses are described in detail. It is established that the death of pine forest began under absorbed dose 80-100 Gy and more, mass yellowing of needles at 50-60 Gy, and maximal morphosis at 8-12 Gy. Inhibition phenomenon of growth processes under acute irradiation and giantism under durable chronic irradiation were also put under investigation. Features of radiation exposure on pine and fir growth processes at different ontogeny phases were characterized. High radio-sensitivity of Norwey spruce is established.     

高寒山区植物根抗氧化酶系统的季节变化与抗冷冻关系

在高寒山区（海拔2900m）和选取4种多年生草本植物,即无芒雀麦（Bromus inermis）、草地早熟禾（Poa sphyondylodes）、花誉麦（Bromus sinensis）和垂重申披碱草（Elymus nutans）,测定了秋末、冬初、冬季、春季气温变化过程中其根中丙二醛（MDA）含量和抗氧酶活力（过氧化氢酶（CAT）、过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧物歧化酶（SOD））和抗坏血酸氧化酶（APX）变化,分析了抗氧酶系统在根抗冷适应中的作用,结果表明,随秋末降温植物根中MDA含量增加,尔后下降,在冬季和翌年春季保持相对稳定。从9月初到10月下旬,4种植物根中SOD、CAT、POD活力平均增加170％、130％和56％。在冬季下降,但仍远高于9月,在春季气温上升过程中酶活力上升。根能在组织结冰状况下生存与其具备完善的保护酶系统,能及时清除氧自由基抑制膜脂过氧化维持膜完整性有关,据降温过程中MDA含量和抗氧酶活力变化,可将根冷适应分为两个阶段,即第1阶段平均气温在0℃以上,抗氧酶活力增强,MDA增加阶段,第2阶段平均气温降至0℃以下,最低气温降到－15℃以下,抗氧酶活力下降,MDA无明显变化阶段。