scholarly journals Plant species selection by free-ranging cattle in southern Bolivian tropical montane forests

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 583-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svenja Marquardt ◽  
Stephan G. Beck ◽  
Felix D. Encinas ◽  
Humberto Alzérreca A. ◽  
Michael Kreuzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Groups ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Plant Selection ◽  
Montane Forests ◽  
Tropical Montane Forests ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract:The frequency of selection of functional groups and plant species by free-ranging cattle foraging in a diverse environment and its changes during the dry and the following prehumid seasons were investigated using direct observations and bite counting. The study was conducted at two sites in the Bolivian–Tucuman montane forests in southern Bolivia, by including datasets of a total of 16 animals. Across both study sites and the entire observation period (May to October/November), the cattle were found to select a broad spectrum of plant species from different functional groups. However, just a limited number of species made up a considerable contribution to overall plant selection. The functional group of the graminoids was selected most frequently, but their contribution to plant selection decreased significantly from 63.5% of total bites in May to 15.9% in September/October, in accordance with a decrease in availability. Selection of woody plants (shrubs and tree parts, the latter mainly in the form of leaf litter and fruits) increased with time, reaching its peak at the beginning of the prehumid season, while the herbs showed a curvilinear pattern of selection which was highest in August. Plant species belonging to the functional groups of ferns, climbers and epiphytes were also selected by the cattle, but generally at low relative proportions. Plant selection might be influenced by temporal differences in nutritional quality and availability of the preferred plant species and functional groups. Sampling behaviour seems to be the most likely reason for the inclusion of a broad range of plant species with overall low contribution to plant selection.

Deforested habitats lack seeds of late-successional and large-seeded plant species in tropical montane forests

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 603-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Saavedra ◽  
Isabell Hensen ◽  
Matthias Schleuning
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Montane Forests ◽  
Tropical Montane Forests

scholarly journals Cooling Performances on Rainless Days of Extensive Green Roofs Planted with Different Ornamental Species

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-474
Author(s):  
Yann-Jou Lin ◽  
Ai-Tsen Su ◽  
Bau-Show Lin
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Extensive Green Roofs ◽  
Selection Of

This study investigated the cooling performances of extensive green roofs (EGRs) planted with 12 ornamental plants on rainless days in a subtropical city for 1 year. Imitating the construction of an EGR, 48 modules were constructed and each module was planted as a monoculture with 100 plants each. Plant growth and greening performance were measured every 2 weeks. Temperatures, solar radiation intensities, and substrate water contents were measured continuously and recorded every 5 minutes. The analyzed results showed that both plant species selection and seasonal variation had a significant impact on the noontime cooling benefit. The modules planted with taller plants, more extensive plant cover, higher albedo, and greater canopy volume had a greater noontime cooling benefit. As the seasons changed, the albedo and canopy volume of the modules were primarily responsible for differences in the noontime cooling benefit provided by the different plant species. Over an entire year of observation, the results of this research could inform the selection of plant species by landscape designers for EGRs with the aim of providing greater cooling benefits and aesthetic quality overall four seasons.

Elevation, Topography, and Edge Effects Drive Functional Composition of Woody Plant Species in Tropical Montane Forests

Biotropica ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Apaza-Quevedo ◽  
Denis Lippok ◽  
Isabell Hensen ◽  
Matthias Schleuning ◽  
Sabine Both
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Edge Effects ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Functional Composition ◽  
Montane Forests ◽  
Woody Plant Species ◽  
Tropical Montane Forests

Research on the Plant Selection of Buffer Zone and Pollutants Removal Ability of Plants in Ashi River Basin

2014 ◽  
Vol 692 ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
Fan Yang ◽  
Zhi Yuan Yan ◽  
Ying Nan Liu ◽  
Hui Han ◽  
Wei Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Aquatic Plant ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Test Plant ◽  
Plant Selection ◽  
Pollutants Removal ◽  
Selection Of

Eight aquatic plant species commonly found in northern China were studied on their removal ability and enrichment ability of nitrogen and phosphor in root, stems and leaf through the pot experiments. The result shows that when the concentration of TP and TN in entering water is ranged from 0.29 to 0.46mg/L and 4.69 to 4.74mg/L respectively,Lythrumsalicaria,IrispseudacorusandTyphaangustifoliahave the higher removal rate of TP, which increased by 18.61%, 17.8% and 16.44%, respectively, compared with the blank;Typha orientalis Presl,Phragmitesaustralisand T.angustifoliahave the higher removal rate of TN, which increased by 21.10%, 21.81%, 21.64%, respectively, compared with the blank.L.salicariahas the best removal ability of TP, the removal rate of TP in root,stem and leaf arrived at 3.57%, 2.13% and 3.34% compared with control.T.orientalis Preslhas the best removal ability of TN. Among the test plant species,L.salicaria, T.orientalis Presl andT.angustifoliaare the best one for the water purification in Ashi River basin.

scholarly journals An objective-based prioritization approach to improve trophic complexity through ecological restoration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Ladouceur ◽  
Jennifer McGowan ◽  
Patrick Huber ◽  
Hugh Possingham ◽  
Davide Scridel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
List Type ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Random Draw ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractReassembling ecological communities and rebuilding habitats through active restoration treatments requires curating the selection of plant species to use in seeding and planting mixes. Ideally, these mixes should be assembled based on attributes that support ecosystem function and services, promote plant and animal species interactions and ecological networks in restoration while balancing project constraints. Despite these critical considerations, it is common for species mixes to be selected opportunistically. Reframing the selection of seed mixes for restoration around ecological objectives is essential for success but accessible methods and tools are needed to support this effort.We developed a framework to optimize species seed mixes based on prioritizing plant species attributes to best support different objectives for ecosystem functions, services, and trophic relationships such as pollination, seed dispersal, and herbivory. We compared results to approaches where plant species are selected to represent plant taxonomic richness, dominant species, and at random. We tested our framework for 176 plant species found in European alpine grasslands and identified 163 associated attributes affiliated to trophic relationships, ecosystem functions, and services.In all cases, trophic relationships, ecosystem functions, and services can be captured more efficiently through objective-based prioritization using the functional identity of plant species. Solutions (plant species lists) can be compared quantitatively, in terms of costs, species, or objectives. We confirm that a random draw of plant species from the regional plant species pool cannot be assumed to support other trophic groups and ecosystem functions and services.Synthesis and Applications. Our framework is presented as a proof of concept to help restoration practitioners better apply quantitative decision–support to plant species selection in order to meet ecological restoration outcomes. Our approach may be tailored to any restoration initiative and habitat where seeding or planting mixes will be applied in active treatments. As global priority and resources are increasingly placed into restoration, this approach could be advanced to help make efficient decisions for many stages of the restoration process.

Suitability of Natural Geomedia for Radwaste Storage

1982 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Fyfe
Keyword(s):  
Rock Properties ◽  
Fracture Flow ◽  
Time Prediction ◽  
Sedimentary Sequences ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Mining Disturbance ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACTSelection of the best rock types for radwaste disposal will depend on their having minimal permeability, maximal flow dispersion, minimal chance of forming new wide aperture fractures, maximal ion retention, and minimal thermal and mining disturbance. While no rock is perfect, thinly bedded complex sedimentary sequences may have good properties, either as repository rocks, or as cover to a repository.Long time prediction of such favorable properties of a rock at a given site may be best modelled from studies of in situ rock properties. Fracture flow, dispersion history, and geological stability can be derived from direct observations of rocks themselves, and can provide the parameters needed for convincing demonstration of repository security for appropriate times.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document