Vulnerability to embolism differs in roots and shoots and among three Mediterranean conifers: consequences for stomatal regulation of water loss?

We investigated the potential links between stomatal control of transpiration and the risk of embolism in root and shoot xylem of seedlings of three Mediterranean conifers (Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus halepensis and P. nigra) grown in a greenhouse under semi-controlled conditions. We measured the intrinsic vulnerability to embolism in roots and current year shoots by the air injection method. Root and shoot segments were subjected to increasing pressures, and the induced loss of hydraulic conductivity recorded. The three species displayed very different vulnerabilities in shoots, with P. nigra being much more vulnerable than P. halepensis and C. sempervirens. Roots were distinctly more vulnerable than shoots in C. sempervirens and P. halepensis (50% loss of conductivity induced at 3.0 MPa and 1.7 MPa higher xylem water potential in roots vs shoots). In P. nigra, no significant difference of vulnerability between shoots and roots was found. Seedlings were subjected to soil drought, and stomatal conductance, twig hydraulic conductivity and needle water potential were measured. The water potential resulting in almost complete stomatal closure (90%) was very close to the threshold water potential inducing loss of conductivity (10%) in twigs in P nigra, resulting in a very narrow safety margin between stomatal closure and embolism induction. The safety margin was larger in P. halepensis and greatest in C. sempervirens. Unexpectedly, this water potential threshold produced a 30–50% loss of conductivity in 3–5 mm diameter roots, depending on the species. The implications of this finding are discussed.     

紫翅猪毛菜、钠猪毛菜不同个体大小繁殖分配差异及随海拔的变化

以新疆准噶尔盆地藜科猪毛菜属植物紫翅猪毛菜(Salsola affinis C.A.Mey)、钠猪毛菜(Salsola nitraria Pall)为研究对象,用繁殖分配比例的方法对比分析了两种猪毛菜不同海拔同一种群内不同个体大小繁殖分配的特点,并用异速生长模型分析了不同海拔繁殖生物量与营养生物量之间分配与个体大小的依赖关系。结果发现:1)不同海拔繁殖生物量(R)与营养生物量(V)呈不同程度的异速生长。紫翅猪毛菜随海拔的升高R-V的异速生长斜率显著升高,截距随海拔的升高没有显著增加;而钠猪毛菜的斜率随海拔升高显著降低,截距则显著升高。2)紫翅猪毛菜在较低海拔个体大小与繁殖分配呈负相关,在较高海拔呈正相关;钠猪毛菜在较低海拔个体大小与繁殖分配呈正相关,在较高海拔呈负相关;两种猪毛菜繁殖分配的适应对策相反。3)将同一种群个体大小分成大、中、小3种类型,多重比较发现紫翅猪毛菜在较低海拔,中小个体的繁殖分配显著高于大个体的繁殖分配;在较高海拔,大个体的繁殖分配显著高于中小个体的繁殖分配。钠猪毛菜在较低海拔,大个体的繁殖分配显著高于中、小个体的繁殖分配;在较高海拔,小个体的繁殖分配显著高于大、中个体的繁殖分配。综合分析认为:两个物种随海拔变化产生不同的繁殖分配策略,除遗传效应外,环境和个体大小对钠猪毛菜繁殖分配的变化均产生重要影响,而紫翅猪毛菜繁殖分配的变化主要由海拔差异导致。由于微生境对同一种群的个体大小产生影响,进而产生不同的繁殖分配模式,所以在干旱区更应重视个体大小对繁殖分配的影响。     

Effects of trait plasticity on aboveground biomass production depend on species identity in experimental grasslands

Experimental studies with grassland species found a positive relationship between species richness and community biomass production, however the response of individual species was highly variable. The mechanisms behind these patterns are poorly understood. Here we studied aboveground biomass production and plasticity of growth characteristics of four legumes with similar morphology (Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Onobrychis viciifolia, Trifolium hybridum) in experimental grasslands varying in species richness (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 60) and composition. We identified O. viciifolia and T. hybridum as species that reached higher biomass production in mixtures than expected from monoculture yields, while L. corniculatus and M. lupulina mostly had lower yields than expected. Variation of morphological traits across the species-richness gradient was lowest in the highly competitive O. viciifolia, but increased in the smaller species. The tall-growing O. viciifolia achieved higher biomass production by both, a higher number of plant individuals and an increase in mean mass per individual. Mean shoot number per individual remained constant, but individuals produced heavier shoots. The medium-sized T. hybridum also increased the number of plant individuals, but mean mass per individual did not respond to community species richness. The average mass per shoot was increased in mixtures, but the species developed less shoots per individual. Shoot length and stem weight ratio of T. hybridum increased with community species richness. Morphological changes in the less successful L. corniculatus and M. lupulina with a smaller growth stature were similarly directed as those of T. hybridum. The observed morphological changes are known as typical shade-avoidance mechanisms in dense vegetation. Our study shows that stress responses to changes in resource availability may be a mechanism to enforce higher aboveground biomass production of individual species in mixtures, but it depends on species identity whether trait plasticity is large enough to exceed stress-induced growth limitations.     

巨桉连栽对土壤微生物生物量和数量的影响

为探讨巨桉连栽对土壤微生物生物量和数量的影响,采用时空互换法,研究了马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林和不同连栽代次的巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)人工林的微生物生物量、数量与土壤理化性质的关系。结果表明,巨桉一代林的土壤微生物生物量碳、生物量氮和土壤真菌、细菌数量与马尾松林的差异不显著,放线菌数量则显著增加。随巨桉连栽代次增加,土壤微生物生物量碳、生物量氮和土壤细菌、放线菌、真菌数量均递减。回归分析表明,土壤全磷能独立解释微生物生物量氮、细菌和真菌数量71.7%、86.1%和63.0%的变异,与总孔隙度共同解释微生物生物量碳87.9%的变异,与全氮共同解释放线菌数量89.6%的变异。可见,土壤全磷较大程度解释了微生物的变化。     

Resprouting after disturbance in the short-lived herb Rorippa palustris (Brassicaceae): an experiment with juveniles

The impact of plant age, severity of injury and nutrient levels on the ability to resprout from roots was experimentally assessed in juveniles of the short-lived herb Rorippa palustris (L.) Besser. In a chamber experiment, six cohorts of young plants (1–6 week old) were injured to obtain data on the threshold age for the ability to resprout from roots. We found that plant age was an important factor influencing resprouting ability: injured individuals older than 5 weeks were able to resprout, but not plants younger than 3 weeks. The impact of injury severity (defoliation and removal of axillary buds) and nutrient levels on resprouting ability was assessed on juveniles in a greenhouse experiment. Injury induced growth of new shoots from root buds, while the number of adventitious buds on roots was not influenced by injury. Both injury treatments had a similar effect in this respect, and the amount of regenerated biomass and the extent of regeneration were not different among injury treatments. The number of new shoots produced after injury was higher at the high nutrient level, but the number of formed adventitious buds on roots was not influenced by nutrient level. Nutrient level also influenced the amount of regenerated biomass, but the extent of regeneration (regenerated/removed biomass) was not influenced. The short-lived monocarpic species R. palustris is able to resprout from roots relatively easily. This ability seems to be advantageous in disturbed habitats and this idea is discussed throughout the paper.     

Production of Perennial Vegetation in an Oasis-desert Transition Zone in NW China - Allometric Estimation,and Assessment of Flooding and Use Effects

River oases at the southern fringe of the Taklamakan desert in NW China are surrounded by belts of spontaneous vegetation that protect the oases from sand drift. As an important source of forage, fuel and construction wood, this foreland vegetation is also a component part of the agricultural system of the oases but has been, and still is, destroyed through overuse. Within a broader study that aimed to provide a basis for a sustainable management of this foreland vegetation, biomass and production were studied in four vegetation types dominated either by Alhagi sparsifolia, Calligonum caput-medusae, Populus euphratica, or Tamarix ramosissima that were thought to occur under different regimes of natural flooding in the foreland of Qira (Cele) oasis, Xinjiang, NW China. Shoot biomass components were closely correlated to basal area (Calligonum, Populus, Tamarix) or shrub volume and projection area (Alhagi), enabling non-destructive estimation of stand biomass from shoot diameters or shrub dimensions with sufficient precision using allometric regression equations. Relationships between shoot basal area and biomass of the woody species (Calligonum, Populus and Tamarix) agreed with predictions by a theoretical model of plant vascular systems, suggesting that they are determined by hydraulic and mechanical requirements for shoot architecture. Average aboveground biomass densities of typical stands in late summer were 2.97 Mg/ha in Alhagi, 3.6 Mg/ha in a row plantation and 10.9 Mg/ha in homogenous stands of Calligonum, 22–29 Mg/ha in 22 year-old Populus forests and 1.9–3.1 Mg/ha in Tamarix-dominated vegetation. Annual aboveground production including wood and assimilation organs ranged from 2.11 to 11.3 Mg/ha in plantations of Calligonum, 3.17 to 6.12 Mg/ha in Populus, and 1.55 to 1.74 Mg/ha (based on total ground area) or 3.10 to 7.15 Mg/ha (in homogenous stands) in Tamarix. Production of Alhagi is equal to peak biomass. A thinning treatment simulating use by the local population enhanced productivity of Calligonum, Populus and Tamarix. A complete harvest of Alhagi in late August decreased production in the following year. An artificial flood irrigation treatment did not sufficiently increase soil water content except in the uppermost layer and had no clear beneficial effect on growth of the four species and even a negative effect on Alhagi, which was due to increased competition from annual species. As biomass and production with or without artificial irrigation were much higher than values expected for rain-fed desert vegetation at a mean annual precipitation of 35 mm, it is concluded that the existence of all vegetation types studied is probably based on permanent access to groundwater and that natural floods or precipitation do not contribute to their water supply. The effects of agricultural groundwater use in the oasis on groundwater in the foreland of the oasis need further study. Sustainable use of this productive vegetation is possible but requires proper management.     

国产毛茛科驴蹄草属两种植物的细胞学研究

为探讨国产毛茛科(Ranunculaceae)驴蹄草属(Caltha L.)植物的细胞学特征,对驴蹄草(C.palustris L.)3个居群和花葶驴蹄草(C.scaposa Hook.f.&Thoms.)5个居群进行了细胞学研究。驴蹄草贵州纳雍居群的染色体数目为2n=32(四倍体),两个云南中甸居群的染色体数目均为2n=64(八倍体)。花葶驴蹄草四川红原、康定、石渠居群的染色体数目均为2n=32(四倍体),该数目为首次报道;西藏林芝和云南德钦居群的染色体数目均为2n=64(八倍体)。驴蹄草的染色体比花葶驴蹄草大。这两种植物的32或64条染色体分别以4条或8条为单位大致能够排列为8组同源染色体,但同一组内的染色体经常具有明显的异形性(heteromorphy),不同居群的核型组成多少具有差异。同时,还分析了驴蹄草和花葶驴蹄草的不同倍性细胞型在我国的地理分布式样。     

水体溶氧影响陆生植物喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)和牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)对完全水淹的耐受力

溶氧是水环境中一个重要的环境因子,为了探讨水中的溶氧含量水平是否会对陆生植物的耐淹能力造成影响,研究了陆生植物喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)和牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)在遭受不同溶氧含量水体完全淹没后的生长表现、存活情况和非结构碳水化合物的变化。实验结果表明:(1)水体中的溶氧含量显著影响了处于完全水淹环境中的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的存活。受高溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草主茎的完好程度和存活叶的数量均显著高于遭受低溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草,喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草在高溶氧水体完全水淹后的生物量比低溶氧水体完全水淹后要高;(2)水体中的溶氧含量显著影响了处于完全水淹环境中的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的生长,受高溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草主茎伸长生长和不定根生长显著强于受低溶氧水体完全水淹的喜旱莲子草,在不定根的生长上牛鞭草也具有同样的表现。(3)高溶氧水环境有利于减小被完全淹没的喜旱莲子草和牛鞭草的碳水化合物消耗,两种植物在受高溶氧完全水淹后体内具有的非结构性碳水化合物含量均比受低溶氧完全水淹后高。(4)喜旱莲子草比牛鞭草能更好地耐受完全水淹,当处于低溶氧完全水淹时表现得更为明显,本研究表明入侵物种喜旱莲子草比本地物种牛鞭草具有更强的环境适应能力和水淹耐受能力。     

不同水淹深度对鄱阳湖洲滩湿地植物生长及营养繁殖的影响

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

Maternal body size as a morphological constraint on egg size and fecundity in butterflies

It is a widespread notion that in arthropods female reproductive output is strongly affected by female size. In butterflies egg size scales positively with female size across species, suggesting a constraint imposed by maternal size. However, in intraspecific comparisons body size often explains only a minor part of the variation in progeny size. We here include representatives of various butterfly families to test the generality of this phenomenon across butterflies. Phenotypic correlations between egg and maternal body size were inconsistent across species: correlations were non-significant for Pararge aegeria and Lycaena tityrus, significantly positive for Papilio machaon, significantly negative for Araschnia levana, and contradictory for Pieris napi. Thus, there was no general pattern linking egg size to maternal size, e.g., caused by an allometric relationship. Consequently, there was at best limited evidence for maternal size acting as a morphological constraint on egg size within butterfly species. Realized fecundity depended on maternal size in P. napi and A. levana, but not in P. aegeria, suggesting that maternal size may affect egg number more strongly than egg size. Yet, variation in fecundity was primarily explained by variation in longevity as is expected for income breeders. Heritability estimates across species were rather similar for pupal mass (ranging between 0.14 and 0.19), but more variable for egg size (0.17–0.31).     

Assessment of a Multi‐Species Planting Approach for Restoring Thick‐Mat Floating Marsh,Louisiana, U.S.A.

Planting multiple species in wetland restoration sites could potentially accelerate ecological succession while enhancing ecological services. Our study of thick‐mat floating marsh demonstrated that two species performed better than monocultures for developing a more structurally sound root mat. Although Panicum hemitomon is the typical dominant and focal species of all restoration efforts of this habitat type, we evaluated the effects of additional species, including Sagittaria lancifolia, a ubiquitous floating marsh constituent, and three laterally growing specialists (Alternanthera philoxeroides, Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, and Ludwigia peploides). In a mesocosm experiment, we found greater P. hemitomon biomass in monocultures but greater vegetative cover and total mat biomass with P. hemitomon plus L. peploides, but not greater biomass in the most species‐rich treatment or treatment with the greatest initial planting density. We conclude that L. peploides aids restoration of thick‐mat floating marsh by increasing mat buoyancy, enhancing lateral growth, and providing greater root mat structural integrity. This type of laterally growing specialist should accelerate coalescence of neighboring constructed and naturally formed mats. Planting species that occupy complementary niches should also minimize competition for key resources.     

Spread of plant pathogens and insect vectors at the northern range margin of cypress in Italy

The Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is a multi-purpose tree widely used in the Mediterranean region. An anthropogenic range expansion of cypress has taken place at the northern margin of the range in Italy in recent decades, driven by ornamental planting in spite of climatic constraints imposed by low winter temperature. The expansion has created new habitats for pathogens and pests, which strongly limit tree survival in the historical (core) part of the range. Based on the enemy release hypothesis, we predicted that damage should be lower in the expansion area. By comparing tree and seed cone damage by pathogens and pests in core and expansion areas of Trentino, a district in the southern Alps, we showed that tree damage was significantly higher in the core area. Seed cones of C. sempervirens are intensively colonized by an aggressive and specific pathogen (the canker fungus Seiridium cardinale, Coelomycetes), associated with seed insect vectors Megastigmus wachtli (Hymenoptera Torymidae) and Orsillus maculatus (Heteroptera Lygaeidae). In contrast, we observed lower tree damage in the expansion area, where a non-aggressive fungus (Pestalotiopsis funerea, Coelomycetes) was more frequently associated with the same insect vectors. Our results indicate that both insect species have a great potential to reach the range margin, representing a continuous threat of the arrival of fungal pathogens to trees planted at extreme sites. Global warming may accelerate this process since both insects and fungi profit from increased temperature. In the future, cypress planted at the range margin may then face similar pest and pathogen threats as in the historical range.     

不同水分处理对狗牙根种内相互作用的影响

以狗牙根当年生扦插苗为试验材料,根据库区河岸带水分特征设置4种水分处理方式:水分对照组(CK)、水淹与干旱交替组(FD)、土壤水分饱和组(LF)和全淹组(FL),4种密度方式:对照(1株/盆)、低密度(2株/盆)、中密度(4株/盆)及高密度(12株/盆),探究狗牙根生长及形态响应,并验证胁迫梯度假说。结果表明:(1)狗牙根各生物量随水分胁迫强度的增加显著下降(P0.001);密度处理和二者交互作用显著影响狗牙根叶干重、茎干重、根干重、地上生物量和总生物量(P0.001)。(2)水分处理显著影响狗牙根各形态指标(P0.001);密度和二者交互作用显著影响狗牙根分枝数、总茎长和节间长(P0.001)。(3)CK组和LF组狗牙根生物量相对邻体效应(RNE)均为负值,表明其种内关系为竞争关系。FL组各密度组生物量RNE值均为正值,其种内关系转化为促进关系。(4)中高密度组总茎长RNE值随水分胁迫增加而增大。研究表明:(1)狗牙根对不同的水分胁迫均表现出积极响应,可考虑将狗牙根用于库区河岸带植被重建。(2)随种植密度的增大,狗牙根生长及形态均表现出一定的负面效应。(3)本试验在一定程度上支持胁迫梯度假说,但尚需更多概念模型将其改进完善。     

Light, nutrients and the growth of herbaceous forest species

The herb layer of forests planted on former agricultural land often differs from that of old-growth forest. This study investigates if the expected increased nutrient availability in the shaded conditions of newly planted forests and the plasticity of the species to adjust their biomass allocation to different levels of light and nutrients help to explain these differences in the herb layers of the two forest types. In a greenhouse experiment biomass distribution and production of two species characteristic for the highly shaded forest floor, Circaea lutetiana and Mercurialis perennis, and two species more common in the forest-edge, Aegopodium podagraria and Impatiens parviflora were studied at different levels of light (2%, 8% and 66% of the full light level) and nutrients (30 and 300 kg N ha^–1 per year). The main factor affecting allocation and biomass production was light availability. Nutrient supply only had a significant effect at the higher light levels. Species were mainly plastic to changes in light and the two species from the forest floor showed to be more rigid in allocation pattern than the species from the forest-edge. So, although the species from the forest-edge were more plastic, they did not profit from the increased nutrient supply because the main factor affecting biomass distribution and production was light availability.     

Assessing determinants of community biomass composition in two-species plant competition studies

A method is proposed for assessing the relative importance of species identity, neighbour species influence and environment as determinants of change in community biomass composition in two-species short-term competition experiments. The method is based on modelling the differences in relative growth rates (RGR) of species (hence called the RGRD method). Using a multiple regression approach it quantifies the effects of initial species abundance, species identity and environment on RGRD and hence on change in community biomass composition. The RGRD approach is relatively simple to use and deals readily with statistical difficulties associated with correlated responses between species from the same stand. It can be easily adapted to analyse sequential harvest data. An example based on data from two-species mixtures of the annual species Stellaria media and Poa annua is used to illustrate the method. The main determinant of change in community biomass composition was species identity, reflected in the difference in growth rates between the species. Change in community composition was not, in general, significantly affected by the influence of neighbours or fertiliser level. The unimportance of the influence of neighbours in affecting the composition of these communities contrasts with the strong role of intra- and interspecific competition in determining the size of individuals of both species (Connolly et al. in Oecologia 82:513–526, 1990).     

不同土壤水盐条件下多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)对胡杨(Populus euphratica)幼苗的影响

目前胡杨更新困难,种群处于退化阶段,而与其生态位高度重叠的多枝柽柳却在扩张。为探讨多枝柽柳对胡杨生长的影响,本研究设置了3个水平的水分、盐分梯度,对胡杨进行了单种和混种的盆栽控制实验,通过测定胡杨幼苗的生长和存活状况,分析不同水、盐梯度下多枝柽柳如何影响胡杨生长。结果表明：（1）多枝柽柳伴生降低当年生胡杨幼苗的存活率,随着水分条件改善,胡杨存活率提高,而盐分对存活率没有显著的影响。（2）水分、盐分和伴生模式几个因子对胡杨的生长特征的影响存在显著的交互作用（P<0.05）。各水盐条件下,多枝柽柳会不同程度降低胡杨幼苗的株高、主根长和地上地下生物量,而根冠比增大。混种条件下,胡杨幼苗对水盐的响应更为敏感。（3）相对竞争强度对水盐环境有明显的响应（P<0.05）,随水分条件改善,地上、地下相对竞争强度降低。多枝柽柳对胡杨的生长产生不良影响的机制是通过快速消耗土壤的水分,从而导致胡杨幼苗水分亏缺。土壤水分条件是胡杨和多枝柽柳幼苗共存的关键因素,在水分供给不足的情况下,对水分偏好的差异导致胡杨无法通过实生苗进行有效的更新从而加剧胡杨种群的衰退,而多枝柽柳更为耐旱的特性使其逐步占据河岸的生境。我们的研究结果强调了两个树种对环境因子的适应性差异决定了河岸带植被发育过程中植物-土壤的相互作用导致胡杨在演替过程中表现出的衰退现象。     

Invasive Plants can Inhibit Native Tree Seedlings: Testing Potential Allelopathic Mechanisms

The mechanisms by which invasive species affect native communities are not well resolved. For example, invasive plants may influence other species through competition, altered ecosystem processes, or other pathways. We investigated one potential mechanism by which invasive plants may harm native species, allelopathy. Specifically, we explored whether native tree species respond differently to potential allelopathic effects of two invasive plant species. We assessed the separate effects of Lolium arundinaceam (tall fescue) and Elaeagnus umbellata (autumn olive) on three common successional tree species: Acer saccharinum (silver maple), Populus deltoides (eastern cottonwood), and Platanus occidentalis (sycamore). Tall fescue and autumn olive are widely planted and highly invasive or persistent throughout North America where they often grow in forest edges, old fields, and other sites colonized by pioneering tree species. In an exploratory greenhouse experiment, we applied aqueous extracts derived from soil, leaf litter, or live leaves to native trees. We compared these treatments to a sterile water control and also to minced leaves leached in water, a common, but potentially less realistic method of testing for allelopathy. For all tree species, minced leaves from tall fescue reduced the probability that seedlings emerged, and minced leaves of autumn olive reduced the number of days to emergence. During other demographic stages, the three native tree species diverged in their responses to the invasive plants. Platanus occidentalis exhibited the widest range of responses, with reduced root biomass due to minced tissue from both invasive species, reduced days to emergence and marginally reduced survival from minced tall fescue, and reduced leaf biomass from tall fescue leaf litter. Populus deltoides appeared insensitive to most extracts, although survival was marginally increased with application of minced or fresh leaf extracts from autumn olive. In addition, minced tall fescue shortened the time to seedling emergence for Acer saccharinum, potentially a positive effect. Overall, results suggest that allelopathy may be one mechanism underlying the negative impacts of tall fescue and autumn olive on other plant species, but that effects can depend strongly upon the source of allelochemicals and the tree species examined.     

Epibiota communities of the introduced and indigenous macroalgal relatives<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Sargassum muticum</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Halidrys siliquosa</Emphasis> in Limfjorden (Denmark)

Sargassum muticum (Phaeophyceae, Fucales) has recently been introduced to Limfjorden (Denmark) where its closest relative is the indigenous Halidrys siliquosa. Previous studies have demonstrated large quantitative (canopy biomass) and qualitative (canopy persistence) differences in the habitat available to epibiota within the canopies of these two macroalgae. We therefore hypothesised that these algae would support different epibiota communities and tested this by sampling the epibiota of S. muticum and H. siliquosa on seven occasions throughout 1997 by enclosing entire thalli in mesh bags. We found 53 epibiota taxa and, with only one exception, they were all recorded on both host species. Species richness and abundance of epibiota exhibited clear seasonal variation on both host species, although epibiota biomass was seasonally constant on H. siliquosa but not on S. muticum. These patterns were consistent with the different life histories of the host species. There was a weakly negative correlation between thallus size and epibiota biomass for both host species. When taking species-specific seasonal variation in thallus size into consideration, S. muticum and H. siliquosa were found to support significantly different epibiota biomasses. Multivariate analyses showed that epibiota community structure was different, although highly overlapping, between the two species, whereas there was an almost parallel temporal development in epibiota community structure. We conclude that it is unlikely that the introduction of S. muticum to Limfjorden has caused major changes in local epibiota community structure. However, the standing stock of epibiota is likely to have increased.Communicated by H.-D. Franke     

A Field Experiment to Assess the Transplant Success of Salt Marsh Plants into Tidal Wetlands

Field plots were used to assess the restoration potential of three salt marsh species, Juncus maritimus, Leptocarpus similis and Schoenoplectus pungens, within an established salt marsh near Christchurch, New Zealand. A split-block design was used to asses the effects of soil type, (soil from a proposed marsh construction site or estuarine mud from a natural salt marsh), species and plant source (commercial nursery stocks or natural marsh stock). In December, after 9 months, there was no mortality in L. similis and a significant increase in the biomass compared with J. maritimus. S. pungens failed to regenerate following seasonal die-back. Plant biomass was unaffected by soil type, despite occasional higher salinities recorded in the reclamation soil. Natural stocks had significantly higher biomass than nursery stocks (p < 0.01). These results suggest that both L. similis and J. maritimus are appropriate species for transplanting in the Canterbury region and that the soil from the proposed area is suitable for the restoration and construction of tidal wetlands. The success of the transplants could be enhanced by sourcing hardy stock and management regimes may be necessary to reduce salinity extremes and herbivory by rabbits.     

Competition between two grass species with and without grazing over a productivity gradient

Soil nutrient-level and herbivory are predicted to have opposing effects on the allocation pattern of the competitive dominant plant species. Lower stem and higher leaf allocation are favoured when plants are grazed, whereas a higher stem allocation is favoured at high nutrient levels. Grazing by hares and geese can prevent invasion of the tall Elymus athericus, into short vegetation of Festuca rubra, at unproductive stages of salt-marsh succession but not at more productive stages. We hypothesise that the negative effect of herbivory on Elymus decreases due to increasing soil nitrogen levels and shifts the competitive balance towards this species. We tested how simulated grazing and nitrogen availability affected the competitive balance between adult plants of both grass species in a greenhouse experiment. Elymus had a higher above-ground biomass production, invested relatively more in stem and root tissue and had a larger shoot length than Festuca. The above-ground relative yield of Elymus in mixtures of both species increased with increasing nitrogen levels. This indicates that Elymus was the superior competitor at high soil fertility. Although clipping removed relatively more biomass from Elymus than from Festuca and exceeded the observed biomass removal in field conditions, it did not change the competitive balance between both species. Decreasing effects of herbivory due to increasing nitrogen levels are not a likely explanation for the invasion of Elymus in productive marshes. The results suggest that once Elymus has established it can easily invade vegetation dominated by Festuca irrespective of grazing by herbivores such as hares and geese. Herbivory by small herbivores may mainly retard the invasion of this plant by influencing establishment itself.