The ectoparasitization of Coleophora alticolella (Lepidoptera) in relation to its aititudinal distribution

Abstract. 1. The parasitization of the larvae of Coleophora alticolella . feeding on Juncus squarrosus , was investigated at a series of altitudes from 15 to 520m above sea-level in northern England during 1977 and 1978.
2. Six species of primary parasitoid and one hyperparasitoid were reared from this host. Five of the primary parasitoids were ectophagous; only two specimens of the endoparasitoid, Gonotypus melanostoma , were reared.
3. All of the parasitoid species were recorded at 15 m but fewer at sites of higher altitude. Only one species, Scambus brevicomis , was recorded above 305 m, and none above 395 m. The hyperparasitoid, Tetrastichus endemus, was present only at 15 m.
4. Percentage parasitization was highest at 15 m; it was reduced from 51% to only 2% between 215 and 305 m in 1978. There was an increase in host density over this altitudinal range.
5. Three species, Scambus brevicomis. Elachertus olivaceus and Euderus viridis , accounted for most of the parasitization, but their relative proportions vaned at different altitudes.
6. The sex-ratios of the parasitoids reared from Coleophora alticolella ranged from 3.2% females for Scambus brevicomis , which is considered to also use larger hosts, to 99.4% females for Elachertus olivaceus , which develops by thelytokous parthenogenesis.
7. Euderus viridis and Scambus brevicomis started to attack the Coleophora alticolella larvae at a later date at 245 m than at 15 m, but attack by Elachertus olivacats was not delayed at the higher site.     

Impact of grazing on vegetation dynamics in former ricefields

Abstract. In the Rhône delta, Juncus gerardi and Scirpus maritimus are often the dominant species in abandoned rice fields which are artificially flooded in early spring to improve forage production. Under these conditions they occur either in mixed communities, or form monospecific stands. Monitoring the vegetation dynamics in quadrats located in six abandoned rice fields artificially flooded from November to April confirmed the important role of grazing. In ungrazed plots, communities dominated by Scirpus maritimus mixed with Juncus gerardi developed fast. After 42 months of management Scirpus maritimus had established in nearly all quadrats and continued to expand, whereas Juncus gerardi had started to decline. In grazed plots Juncus gerardi alone dominated and continued to increase in cover up to the 42nd month. Scirpus maritimus established at low densities mainly in quadrats where Juncus gerardi was initially absent. Introduction of seeds of Scirpus maritimus in communities of Juncus gerardi under controlled conditions demonstrated the existence of the phenomenon of preemption. The increase in cover of Juncus gerardi suggests that the preemption of Juncus gerardi over Scirpus maritimus plays a more pronounced role in the field in the presence of grazing.     

Quantifying the recent expansion of native invasive rush species in a UK upland environment

Rushes, such as soft rush (Juncus effusus L.), hard rush (Juncus inflexus L.), and compact rush (Juncus conglomeratus L.) have become problem species within upland grasslands across the United Kingdom and the coastal grasslands of western Norway. Indeed, being largely unpalatable to livestock and having a vigorous reproductive ecology means that they can rapidly come to dominate swards. However, rush dominance results in a reduction in grassland biodiversity and farm productivity. Anecdotal evidence from the United Kingdom suggests that rush cover within marginal upland grasslands has increased considerably in recent decades. Yet, there is currently no published evidence to support this observation. Here, we use recent and historical Google Earth imagery to measure changes in rush frequency over a 13-year period within four survey years: 2005, 2009, 2015, and 2018. During each survey year, we quantified rush presence or absence using a series of quadrats located within 300 upland grassland plots in the West Pennine Moors, United Kingdom. Data were analysed in two stages, first, by calculating mean rush frequencies per sample year using all the available plot-year combinations (the full dataset), and second by examining differences in rush frequency using only the plots for which rush frequency data were available in every sample year (the continuous dataset). The full dataset indicated that rush frequency has increased by 82% between 2005 and 2018. Similarly, the continuous dataset suggested that rush frequency has increased by 174% over the same period, with the increases in frequency being statistically significant (p < .05) between 2005–2018 and 2009–2018. We discuss the potential drivers of rush expansion in the West Pennine Moors, the ecological and agronomic implications of grassland rush infestations, and priorities for future research.     

Further reading in geomicrobiology

In the wetland rhizosphere, high densities of lithotrophic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) and a favorable environment (i.e., high Fe(II) availability and microaerobic conditions) suggest that these organisms are actively contributing to the formation of Fe plaque on plant roots. We manipulated the presence/absence of an Fe(II)-oxidizing bacterium (Sideroxydans paludicola, strain BrT) in axenic hydroponic microcosms containing the roots of intact Juncus effusus (soft rush) plants to determine if FeOB affected total rates of rhizosphere Fe(II) oxidation and Fe plaque accumulation. Our experimental data highlight the importance of both FeOB and plants in influencing short-term rates of rhizosphere Fe oxidation. Over time scales ca. 1 wk, the FeOB increased Fe(II) oxidation rates by 1.3 to 1.7 times relative to FeOB-free microcosms. Across multiple experimental trials, Fe(II) oxidation rates were significantly correlated with root biomass, reflecting the importance of radial O ₂ loss in supporting rhizosphere Fe(II) oxidation. Rates of root Fe(III) plaque accumulation (time scales: 3 to 6 wk) were ～ 70 to 83% lower than expected based on the short-term Fe(II) oxidation rates and were unaffected by the presence/absence of FeOB. Decreasing rates of Fe(II) oxidation and Fe(III) plaque accumulation with increasing time scales indicate changes in rates of Fe(II) diffusion and radial O ₂ loss, shifts in the location of Fe oxide accumulation, or temporal changes in the microbial community within the microcosms. The microcosms used herein replicated many of the environmental characteristics of wetland systems and allowed us to demonstrate that FeOB can stimulate rates of Fe(II) oxidation in the wetland rhizosphere, a finding that has implications for the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, metals, and nutrients in wetland ecosystems.     

Age and growth,reproduction and diet of a sublittoral population of the rock goby Gobius paganellus (Teleostei,Gobiidae)

Colonisation of extremely acidic waters (pH 3) by aquatic angiosperms occurs widely, but is poorly documented. Unlike acid rain affected and other naturally acidic aquatic ecosystems, waters with pH 3 usually have a high conductivity, with high concentrations of SO₄ ^2- and often high concentrations of Fe³⁺, other heavy metal ions and Al³⁺. Where Fe³⁺ concentration is high, as in many mine waters, it provides a strong buffering system. In such waters, the biogeochemical Fe cycle exerts over water chemistry and the availability of nutrients and carbon for organisms. Biological activity is limited by low concentrations of phosphorus and inorganic carbon (DIC), which in this pH range is essentially all in the form of dissolved CO₂. A number of angiosperms grow in such waters including Phragmites australis, Typha spp. and Juncus bulbosus, though the last is the only one reported to grow totally submerged in waters with pH 3 . J. bulbosus occurs in many lignite mining lakes in Lusatia (north eastern Germany) with pH 3. The characteristics and possible survival strategies for this and other species are discussed.     

Decomposition of standing litter of the freshwater emergent macrophyte Juncus effusus

1. Standing dead plant litter of emergent macrophytes frequently constitutes a significant fraction of the detrital mass in many freshwater wetland and littoral habitats. Rates of leaf senescence and decomposition of the emergent macrophyte Juncus effusus were examined in a small freshwater wetland in central Alabama, U.S.A. Juncus effusus leaves in the initial stages of senescence were tagged in random plant tussocks and monitored periodically to determine in situ rates of leaf senescence and death. Fully senescent leaves were collected, placed in litter bags, and suspended above the sediments to simulate standing dead decay conditions. Litter bags were periodically retrieved over 2 years and analysed for weight loss, litter nutrient contents (N, P), associated fungal biomass and fungal taxa. 2. Senescence and death of J. effusus leaves proceeds from the leaf tip to the base at an exponential rate. The rate of senescence and death of leaf tissue increased with increasing temperatures. Plant litter decomposition was slow (k = 0.40 yr^–1), with 49% weight loss observed in 2 years. Both the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentration (%) of litter increased during decomposition. However, the total amount of nitrogen (mg) in litter bags remained stable and phosphorus increased slightly during the study period. 3. Fungal biomass associated with plant litter, as measured by ergosterol concentrations, varied between 3 and 8% of the total detrital weight. Values were not significantly different among sampling dates (P > 0.05, ANOVA, Tukey). Fungi frequently identified on decaying litter were Drechslera sp., Conioscypha lignicola (Hyphomycetes), Phoma spp. (Coelomycetes), Panellus copelandii and Marasmiellus sp. (Basidiomycota). 4. These results support previous findings that plant litter of emergent macrophytes does not require submergence or collapse to the sediment surface to initiate microbial colonization and litter decomposition.     

Plant regeneration and multiplication of the emergent wetland monocot Juncus accuminatus

A reliable callus regeneration and shoot multiplication system for wetland monocot Juncus accuminatus has been established. Callus was induced from 6-day-old seedlings on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 5 mg/l picloram. The callus differentiated into shoots upon transfer to 5 mg/l benzyladenine (BA)-supplemented medium. Effects of medium pH (3.8–7.8) and source of callus (grown in the dark or continuous light) on regeneration were determined. Both parameters significantly influenced regeneration. Regenerated shoots were multiplied by subculturing shoots onto 5 mg/l BA medium at 4-week intervals. The regenerated shoots were rooted on 0.1 mg/l naphthaleneacetic-acid-supplemented medium. The rooted plants were transferred to pots containing a commercial potting mix and established in the greenhouse. Plants covered with plastic grew faster and flowered earlier than uncovered plants. All plants set viable seeds. Received: 21 July 1997 / Revision received: 23 December 1997 / Accepted: 19 January 1998     

Fifteen Years of Vegetation and Soil Development after Brackish-Water Marsh Creation

Aboveground biomass, macro‐organic matter (MOM), and wetland soil characteristics were measured periodically between 1983 and 1998 in a created brackish‐water marsh and a nearby natural marsh along the Pamlico River estuary, North Carolina to evaluate the development of wetland vegetation and soil dependent functions after marsh creation. Development of aboveground biomass and MOM was dependent on elevation and frequency of tidal inundation. Aboveground biomass of Spartina alterniflora, which occupied low elevations along tidal creeks and was inundated frequently, developed to levels similar to the natural marsh (750 to 1,300 g/m²) within three years after creation. Spartina cynosuroides, which dominated interior areas of the marsh and was flooded less frequently, required 9 years to consistently achieve aboveground biomass equivalent to the natural marsh (600 to 1,560 g/m²). Aboveground biomass of Spartina patens, which was planted at the highest elevations along the terrestrial margin and seldom flooded, never consistently developed aboveground biomass comparable with the natural marsh during the 15 years after marsh creation. MOM (0 to 10 cm) generally developed at the same rate as aboveground biomass. Between 1988 and 1998, soil bulk density decreased and porosity and organic C and N pools increased in the created marsh. Like vegetation, wetland soil development proceeded faster in response to increased inundation, especially in the streamside zone dominated by S. alterniflora. We estimated that in the streamside and interior zones, an additional 30 years (nitrogen) to 90 years (organic C, porosity) are needed for the upper 30 cm of created marsh soil to become equivalent to the natural marsh. Wetland soil characteristics of the S. patens community along upland fringe will take longer to develop, more than 200 years. Development of the benthic invertebrate‐based food web, which depends on organic matter enrichment of the upper 5 to 10 cm of soil, is expected to take less time. Wetland soil characteristics and functions of created irregularly flooded brackish marshes require longer to develop compared with regularly flooded salt marshes because reduced tidal inundation slows wetland vegetation and soil development. The hydrologic regime (regularly vs. irregularly flooded) of the “target” wetland should be considered when setting realistic expectations for success criteria of created and restored wetlands.     

Nitrate induced iron deficiency chlorosis in Juncus acutiflorus

Chlorosis caused by iron deficiency is commonly associated with high bicarbonate levels in the soil. However, in rare cases such chlorosis has been observed in soils with high nitrate levels. In a dutch rich-fen, chlorosis has been noted in stands of Juncus acutiflorus at locations where groundwater containing high levels of nitrate reached the surface. Experiments revealed that the chlorosis could be attributed to iron deficiency although iron levels in the shoots were well above the known physiological threshold values for iron deficiency. It is postulated that increased nitrate assimilation leads to an increased apoplastic pH and to a concomitant immobilisation of iron and/or lower iron (III) reduction. Moreover free amino acid levels were markedly higher in the iron deficient plants in the field. It was found, however, that the percentage of nitrogen present as free amino acids was not influenced directly by low iron levels but mainly by the C/N ratios in the shoots. Nowadays, nitrate concentrations in ground water as high 1000 µM are no longer an exception in the Netherlands. We propose that strongly increased nitrate inputs may cause iron stress in natural vegetations, especially in wet habitats.