scholarly journals Mediterranean developed coasts: what future for the foredune restoration?

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Della Bella ◽  
E. Fantinato ◽  
F. Scarton ◽  
G. Buffa
Keyword(s):  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Ecosystem Engineer ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Soft Engineering ◽  
Beach Access ◽  
Different Response ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe feasibility and efficacy of soft engineering foredune restoration approaches still lack insight from research and monitoring activities, especially in areas where dunes are under persisting human disturbance. We evaluated the efficacy of Mediterranean foredune restoration in dune areas freely accessible to tourists. Foredunes were reconstructed using only sand already available at nearby places and consolidated through the plantation of seedlings of native ecosystem engineer species and foredune focal species. We monitored transplanted and spontaneous seedlings for one year to assess their mortality and growth in relation to the distance from the closest beach access, either formal or informal, as proxy of human disturbance. We also tested whether species differing in their ecology (i.e., affinity to a given habitat) and growth form showed different response to human disturbance. The relationship between seedling mortality and growth and the distance from the closest beach access was tested through Generalized Linear Mixed Models. We found a clear spatial pattern of seedling survival and growth, which decreased as the proximity to the closest beach access increased. Only invasive alien plants and erect leafy species showed to better perform at lower distances from beach accesses. In dune areas with a strong tourist vocation, foredune restoration should be coupled with the implementation of integrated management plans aiming at optimising the relationship between protection and use. Management plans should not only rely on passive conservation measures; rather they should include educational activities to stimulate a pro-environmental behaviour, increase the acceptance of behaviour rules and no entry zones, and actively engage stakeholders in long-term conservation.

scholarly journals Myxospermous seed-mucilage quantity correlates with environmental gradients indicative of water-deficit stress: Plantago species as a model

2019 ◽  
Vol 446 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 343-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
António Teixeira ◽  
Pietro Iannetta ◽  
Kirsty Binnie ◽  
Tracy A. Valentine ◽  
Peter Toorop
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Water Deficit Stress ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Seed Mucilage

Abstract Aims Myxospermous seed mucilage is multifunctional and is often found in seeds (or achenes) of species occupying arid environments where the trait may influence seed-dispersal and -germination of seeds. The seed mucilage may also enhance soil-water retention, −hydraulic conductivity and -stability. However, the relationship between seed mucilage quantity, seed germination and seedling traits across environmental gradients which determine water-deficit stress has not yet been ascertained. Methods Therefore, we characterised and tested the relationship between seed mucilage quantity, water-deficit stress responses of seeds and seedlings of 36 accessions of four different Plantago species (P. albicans L., P. coronopus L., P. lagopus L. and P. anceolata L.). These were gathered from six regions across Europe, which presented environmental gradients (of rainfall and temperature), and varying soil qualities. Results Seed mucilage was significantly greater in seeds of accessions experiencing: highest summer temperatures; lowest summer precipitation; soils of the same warm dry regions which had greater capacity to retain water within narrow pore spaces. Under water-deficit stress, seeds with most mucilage exhibited a lower base water potential for germination, suffered least seedling mortality and exhibited the most successful seedling development. Conclusions The findings indicate that seed mucilage quantity appeared as an ‘adaptive’ trait and there is a relationship between seed-mucilage quantity, seed germination plus seedling survival and development under environmental conditions of highest water-deficit stress.

Effects of acorn size on seedling survival and growth in Quercus rubra following simulated spring freeze

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo A. Aizen ◽  
Hilary Woodcock
Keyword(s):  
Quercus Rubra ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Phenotypic Trait ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Seedling Size ◽  
Acorn Size ◽  
Overwintering Mortality ◽  
Spring Frosts ◽  
The Relationship

Seed size is an important phenotypic trait commonly associated with the fitness of young seedlings exposed to environmental stress. Spring frosts can cause leaf necrosis and seedling mortality in young oak seedlings, and seedling mortality following spring freeze events is a factor limiting the northern range limits of Quercus gambelii (Nutt.). We examined the relationship between acorn size and seedling survival following spring freeze by exposing 1-month-old Quercus rubra (L.) seedlings from two sites in Massachusetts to −3 °C for 8 h. Mortality of 1-month-old frost-exposed seedlings (20–25%) was 10 times higher than control mortality, with survival directly related to acorn size. Seedling size at the end of the first growing season was negatively affected by frost exposure and positively associated with acorn size. Overwintering mortality (<5%) was negatively associated with seedling size. The production of large acorns should confer a selective advantage in habitats susceptible to spring frosts through a positive effect on seedling establishment success under stress. Keywords: red oak, acorn size, frost, seedling survival.

scholarly journals Fire suppression and seed dispersal play critical roles in the establishment of tropical forest tree species in southeastern Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Fire Suppression ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Forest Tree Species ◽  
Seed Deposition ◽  
Syzygium Guineense

AbstractThis study examined the mechanisms of facilitation and importance of seed dispersal during establishment of forest tree species in an Afrotropical woodland. Seedling survival of Syzygium guineense ssp. afromontanum was monitored for 2.5 years at four different microsites in savannah woodland in Malawi (southeastern Africa) under Ficus natalensis (a potential nurse plant), Brachystegia floribunda (a woodland tree), Uapaca kirkiana (a woodland tree), and at a treeless site. The number of naturally established forest tree seedlings in the woodland was also counted. Additionally, S. guineense ssp. afromontanum seed deposition was monitored at the four microsites. Insect damage (9% of the total cause of mortality) and trampling by ungulates (1%) had limited impact on seedling survival in this area. Fire (43%) was found to be the most important cause of seedling mortality and fire induced mortality was especially high under U. kirkiana (74%) and at treeless site (51%). The rate was comparatively low under F. natalensis (4%) and B. floribunda (23%), where fire is thought to be inhibited due to the lack of light-demanding C4 grasses. Consequently, seedling survival under F. natalensis and B. floribunda was higher compared with the other two microsites. The seedling survival rate was similar under F. natalensis (57%) and B. floribunda (59%). However, only a few S. guineense ssp. afromontanum seedlings naturally established under B. floribunda (25/285) whereas many seedlings established under F. natalensis (146/285). These findings indicate that the facilitative mechanism of fire suppression is not the only factor affecting establishment. The seed deposition investigation revealed that most of the seeds (85%) were deposited under F. natalensis. As such, these findings suggest that in addition to fire suppression, dispersal limitations also play a role in forest-savannah dynamics in this region, especially at the community level.

scholarly journals Vers une gestion intégrée des pâturages boisés – carte de visite du paysage jurassien | Towards an integrated management of the wooded pastures – typical of the Jura landscape

2011 ◽  
Vol 162 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Renaud Baumgartner
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Management System ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Integrated Management System ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Gestion Intégrée ◽  
The Creation

The wooded pastures arose from the colonisation of the valleys and high plateaux of the Jurassic Arc. They are the product of a mixed exploitation combining agricultural and silvicultural elements, and are dependent for their conservation on a form of management where a balance between cattle grazing and wood cutting is maintained. The abandon of farmland and fewer cattle at pasture in summer, the small returns from logging and the introduction of grants based on surface area of agriculturally used land (SAU) have together completely disturbed this balance. The necessity of an integrated management system which takes into account the interests of agriculture, silviculture, nature, landscape and leisure activities has led to the creation of interdisciplinary commissions on wooded pastures of the Bernese Jura and the Jurassic Arc. An Interreg IIIA project France-Switzerland has enabled the creation of a model integrated management plan. Due to the lack of funds from the Federal Office of Agriculture, the cantonal services promote the development of integrated management plans.

Pattern and impact of hornbill seed dispersal at nest trees in a moist evergreen forest in Thailand

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 545-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shumpei Kitamura ◽  
Takakazu Yumoto ◽  
Pilai Poonswad ◽  
Naohiko Noma ◽  
Phitaya Chuailua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Entire Process ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Seed Deposition ◽  
Number Of Seeds

Following the entire process of frugivore seed dispersal, from intake of seeds to seed deposition, is a difficult task. One alternative is to monitor areas of heavy seed rain deposited by animals. We quantified the number of seeds deposited by hornbills and followed the fates of these seedlings for 3 y to evaluate the effectiveness of hornbill seed dispersal at nest trees, on the basis of seedling survival. For 14 mo, fallen fruits and seeds were collected in traps established around four nest trees of each of two hornbill species (Aceros undulatus and Anthracoceros albirostris) and the seedlings were monitored in adjacent quadrats. Seedfall and seedlings of species represented in hornbill diets occurred at significantly higher densities in the traps/quadrats in front of nest cavities than in other traps/quadrats. Fewer seedling species and individuals germinated under nest trees than expected from the composition of the seedfall. Our results suggest that the quality of hornbill seed dispersal might be poor at nest trees due to the highly concentrated seedfall, which results in high seed and seedling mortality. Although seed deposition at nest trees is a useful guide to hornbill diet during the breeding season, it is clearly not of benefit to the plants involved. However, the pattern and consequences of hornbill seed dispersal at nest sites is likely very different from that during the non-breeding season.

Germination, survival, and early growth of red alder seedlings in the central Coast Range of Oregon

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1639-1651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sybille Haeussler ◽  
John C. Tappeiner II ◽  
Brian J. Greber
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Coast Range ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Central Coast ◽  
Red Alder

Effects of forest disturbance and soil moisture levels on establishment of red alder (Alnusrubra Bong.) seedlings were studied at four sites representing a climatic moisture gradient within the central Coast Range of Oregon. On average, there was no difference in seedling emergence between recent clearcuts and second-growth forests, but emergence was much higher on mineral soil than on organic seedbeds. Emergence, on both types of seedbed, was positively correlated with spring soil moisture conditions (R2 = 0.60). Seedling survival, on the other hand, differed greatly between clearcut and forest. In clearcuts, heat and drought injuries were the primary causes of seedling mortality. In the forest, seedlings had poor vigour and quickly succumbed to pathogens, herbivores, and rain splash. First-year survival rates were strongly correlated with minimum summer soil moisture levels (R2 = 0.71). Height growth of seedlings on clearcuts (2–5 cm after 1 year; 8–23 cm after 2 years) was much slower than rates typically described for red alder. Best establishment occurred on skid trails and landings, suggesting that young seedlings may suffer less from heat or moisture stress on these heavily disturbed microenvironments.

scholarly journals Restructuring Integrated Watershed Management Models for the Federal Democratic Regime of Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
Shambhu Paudel ◽  
Prabhat Pal ◽  
Harish Singh Dhami
Keyword(s):  
Watershed Management ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
The United States ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Federal States ◽  
Management Models ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Administrative Units ◽  
Public Service Agencies

Recent political envision has redesigned the administrative units of Nepal into federal states with the aim of decentralizing the power to ensure the process of rapid sustainable development. As a consequence, all the public service agencies need to restructure their delivery units for achieving goals targeted by the newly adopted administrative regime plan. With the aim of recommending the best watershed management models for this changing context, this paper aims to review existing watershed management models applied in different continents like European union, African union and the United States where they have already adopted this watershed management plans into their federal states or countries union successfully. Although they are geographically distinct and economically advanced, the major approach adopted is a river basin approach with the clear legislative framework. This approach is highly succeeded between interstate (or between member countries) because of political or interstate commitments for the common pool resource water. Clear policies and commitments between member countries or interstate greatly improved the function of this mechanism. With the light of those experiences in the field of watershed management plan adopted in federal or union countries, river based integrated management plan balancing efforts between interstates seems best models in the world, and is also proposed for the new federal republic of Nepal.

scholarly journals Uncertainty in Irrigation Return Flow Estimation: Comparing Conceptual and Physically-Based Parameterization Approaches

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1125
Author(s):  
Jung-Hun Song ◽  
Younggu Her ◽  
Soonho Hwang ◽  
Moon-Seong Kang
Keyword(s):  
Water Cycle ◽  
Agricultural Watershed ◽  
Return Flow ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Flow Estimation ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Irrigation Return Flow ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Improve Reliability

Irrigation return flow (RF) is a critical component of the water cycle in an agricultural watershed, influencing the flow regime of downstream river. As such, it should be accurately quantified when developing water resources management plans and practices. Although many studies have proposed ways to quantify RF, uncertainty in RF estimates has not been determined to improve reliability and credibility. This study examines how conceptual (CON) and physically-based (PHY) parameterization approaches affect RF uncertainty. Results showed that PHY had a smaller amount of RF uncertainty compared to CON, as parameters of the PHY approach could be regulated based on their physical meanings. This study also found that the application of constraints created based on the relationship between the conceptual parameter and physical characteristics of irrigated plots could effectively reduce RF uncertainty made using the CON approach. This study demonstrates the benefits of the physically-based parameterization approach and the application of constraints on conceptual parameters to RF estimation.

Preemergence Control of Spotted Spurge (Chamaesyce maculata) with Flumioxazin as Influenced by Formulation and Activation Moisture

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Wehtje ◽  
Q. Yang ◽  
Charles H. Gilliam ◽  
Anna-Marie Murphy ◽  
Jason Fausey
Keyword(s):  
Survival Data ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Separation Distance ◽  
Irrigation Level ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Nursery Production ◽  
Excellent Control ◽  
Substrate Moisture ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Maximum Separation

Flumioxazin is commonly used in nursery production for PRE weed control. Container nursery producers are of the opinion that the granular formulation is less effective than the sprayable formulation. Under the hypothesis that the granular formulation may require more water for activation, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the interaction of flumioxazin formulation, rate, and activation moisture for PRE control of spotted spurge in a pine-bark substrate. Experiment consisted of a factorial arrangement of four experimental variables; flumioxazin formulation (granular and spray), and flumioxazin rate (0.28 and 0.42 kg ai ha−1), substrate moisture level at the time of application (dry, medium, and wet), and after-application irrigation level (a single irrigation at 0.6, 1.3, 2.5, and 5.1 cm). Treated pots were seeded with spotted spurge 2 d after the herbicide application, which was 1 d after the first irrigation. Control as indicated by spotted spurge counts and fresh weight was influenced only by flumioxazin rate and formulation. The sprayable formulation provided excellent control regardless of rate. Granular formulation was generally less effective, and additional activation moisture did not improve efficacy. Further studies were conducted with the granular formulation to determine the maximum separation distance between the spotted spurge seed and herbicide prills at which control is possible. Individual prills and spotted spurge seeds were placed on media surface at progressively increasing separation distances. Nonlinear regression of seedling survival data revealed that ≥99% control required a prill–seed separation of ≤5.2 mm. This prill–seed separation requirement is only marginally obtained with the current registered rate, i.e., 0.42 kg ai ha−1 or 168 kg product ha−1. The relationship between control and prill–seed separation distance cannot be manipulated by additional activation moisture. Inadequate contact between the spotted spurge seeds and the flumoioxazin-containing prills is likely the sole cause of inadequate control.

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