The genetic history of the Southern Andes from present-day Mapuche ancestry

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The woodland vegetation of Inchcailloch,Loch Lomond

Summary

A systematic sample of 416 stands of vegetation was subjected to Indicator Species Analysis which classified the stands into sixteen Groups. For practical reasons these were amalgamated into ten Interpreted Groups which are described in terms of species representation and cover. The distribution of stands in the various Groups is described and is related where possible to environmental factors.     

Recalcitrant vulnerability curves: methods of analysis and the concept of fibre bridges for enhanced cavitation resistance

Vulnerability curves (VCs) generally can be fitted to the Weibull equation; however, a growing number of VCs appear to be recalcitrant, that is, deviate from a Weibull but seem to fit dual Weibull curves. We hypothesize that dual Weibull curves in Hippophae rhamnoides L. are due to different vessel diameter classes, inter‐vessel hydraulic connections or vessels versus fibre tracheids. We used dye staining techniques, hydraulic measurements and quantitative anatomy measurements to test these hypotheses. The fibres contribute 1.3% of the total stem conductivity, which eliminates the hypothesis that fibre tracheids account for the second Weibull curve. Nevertheless, the staining pattern of vessels and fibre tracheids suggested that fibres might function as a hydraulic bridge between adjacent vessels. We also argue that fibre bridges are safer than vessel‐to‐vessel pits and put forward the concept as a new paradigm. Hence, we tentatively propose that the first Weibull curve may be accounted by vessels connected to each other directly by pit fields, while the second Weibull curve is associated with vessels that are connected almost exclusively by fibre bridges. Further research is needed to test the concept of fibre bridge safety in species that have recalcitrant or normal Weibull curves.     

Distribution of hydraulic resistance in seedlings,sprouts and an adult tree ofPasania edulis Makino

Hydraulic resistance is an important factor in predicting water status. Hydraulic resistance of petiols, stems and branches, and roots was measured inPasania edulis Makino in order to compare the distribution of resistance between current seedlings, current stump sprouts and a 16 year old adult tree. Total resistance showed only minor variations despite large variations in plant size. This result is thought to be consistent with allometry between leaf mass and supportive organ mass, and with changes in permeability of conductive organs. Root resistance was low in sprouts and the adult tree due to their mature root systems. Current seedlings with undeveloped root systems had high root resistance. The proportion of petiol resistance in total resistance was high compared to the proportion of their conductive distance, and was thought to be a limiting factor of tree water status. The petiol resistance of the adult tree leaves was higher than for seedling and sprout leaves. From a comparison with the leaf water relation characteristics, the petiol resistance was thought to be provided as low values for intolerant leaves against water stress in order to compensate water inflow, and high values for tolerant leaves to regulate water inflow.     

Root hydraulic properties of spruce measured with the pressure probe

The root pressure probe was used for the first time to measure the hydraulic properties of entire root systems of youngPicea abies. Hydraulic conductance was measured by osmotic and hydrostatic pressure relaxation techniques. Osmotic experiments were conducted by changing the nutrient solution and hydrostatic experiments by causing flow across the root with the pressure probe and with external pressure applied to the root system or to the cut stem of the excised root system. Usually,Picea abies root systems did not develop appreciable root pressure (< 0.02 MPA) and could be induced to reach a root pressure of 0.07 MPa by treating with KNO₃. In general, hydraulic conductance of the root system was large, but it was much smaller in the osmotic than in the hydrostatic experiments. Both hydrostatic techniques gave similar results. The results were explainable by a composite transport model of the root.     

水分浸泡过夜对刺槐枝条最大水分导度测定的影响及年龄差异

枝条最大水分导度是植物水分生理学研究中的核心指标之一，冲洗法是当前用来测定该指标最常用的方法，但在实验测定之前首先必须要找到获得稳定的最大水分导度的可靠方法。本研究中，我们以刺槐（Robinia pseudoacacia L.）不同年龄枝条为实验材料，通过枝条采集后立即用于实验测定和枝条经超纯水中浸泡过夜后再用于实验这两种不同处理方式对不同年龄枝条最大水分导度测定的影响，检测两种处理方式中枝条最大水分导度随冲洗时间的延长是否保持恒定来判断最大水分导度测定值的可靠性，探讨提高枝条最大水分导度测定结果稳定性的有效方法。结果显示：①未浸泡过夜的当年生枝条，经150 kPa压力冲洗达到最大导水率后，继续延长冲洗时间枝条导水率会呈近线性下降，而经超纯水浸泡过夜的当年生枝条以同样实验方法达到最大导水率后，继续延长冲洗时间枝条的导水率基本保持稳定。②二年生枝条无论是否经超纯水浸泡过夜处理，经150 kPa压力冲洗达到最大导水率后枝条的导水率都基本保持稳定，但经超纯水浸泡过夜后，二年生枝条达到最大导水率所需的冲洗时间明显比未浸泡处理短。③根据茎横截面上木质部面积所占百分比和枝条木质密度判断，实验期间当年生枝条的木质化程度明显比二年生枝条低。我们推测未经浸泡过夜的当年生枝条出现木质部水分导度随冲洗时间延长而下降是由于枝条遭受机械性损伤后产生的分泌物在冲洗过程中被引入导管堵塞导管腔所致，而超纯水浸泡枝条过夜可有效降低分泌物被引入导管的可能性。因此，我们认为超纯水浸泡枝条过夜，可提高枝条最大水分导度测定结果的稳定性。     

Are Sclerophylls and Malacophylls Hydraulically Different?

This work tests the hypothesis that sclerophylls (i.e. hard-leaved species) would be less efficient than malacophylls (i.e. soft-leaved species) in terms of water transport through the stem as well as within the leaf blade. Mean leaf surface area (A_L), leaf specific mass (LSM) as well as shoot (K_WL), stem (K_SL) and leaf (K_LL) hydraulic conductances were measured in eight Mediterranean evergreen sclerophylls and eight temperate deciduous malacophylls. No difference was observed between the two groups in terms of K_LL and of the contribution of leaves to the overall shoot hydraulic resistance. Leaves represented in all cases 48 to 90 % of the shoot hydraulic resistance, suggesting that the sclerophyllous habitus does not per se lead to low efficiency in water transport within the leaf blade. A weak negative relationship (r² = 0.252) appeared to exist between K_SL and LSM. This might provide an explanation for the lower growth rates of sclerophylls with respect to malacophylls.     

Chromium and Nickel Control in Full- and Small-scale Subsuperficial Flow Constructed Wetlands

A four-year research program has been carried out to the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of Cr and Ni removal from secondary effluent. Tests were performed in small-scale (10 l/h) and full-scale (150 m³/d) sub-surface flow (SSF) constructed wetlands (cw_s). Metals removal was also assessed as a function of increased clogging conditions that occur in the cw_s. Cr and Ni content were evaluated in sediments at various points and in plant tissues by sampling phragmites australis roots, stems, and leaves. Clogging was evaluated by measuring hydraulic conductivity at the same sampling points at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Residence Time Distribution – RTD - curves were also assessed at the beginning and after 48 months by using lithium chloride as tracer. Plotted results showed an increased skewness in the RTD curves at the end of the experiment. Proportionality between increasing clogging conditions and sediment adsorption was observed, especially for nickel that was absorbed mainly in the roots.