Seed size, shape and persistence in soil: a test on Italian flora from Alps to Mediterranean coasts

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Cerabolini ◽  
Roberta M. Ceriani ◽  
Marco Caccianiga ◽  
Rossella De Andreis ◽  
Barbara Raimondi

AbstractSeed size is a good predictor of seed persistence in soil for British, Argentinean, Iranian and – to some extent – New Zealand species. It has been suggested that seed shape should also be linked to the ease of burial and, thus, to seed persistence, even if some studies failed to show this. The relationship between seed size and shape and persistence in soil was analysed for 259 species of the Italian flora, belonging to a wide range of habitats, from alpine pasture to limestone prairies and meadows of the Prealps, and from woodlands to Mediterranean maquis and garigues. Seed size was related to persistence in soil in the same way as in most other floras examined. Furthermore, seed shape was highly related to persistence in soil among the species analysed, when considered both altogether and divided among the different habitats. Our results suggest that not only seed size, but also seed shape, are key factors in determining seed fate and seed persistence in soil.

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
Nigel Isaacs

Although it is often thought that the 3 February 1931 Napier earthquake led to the first New Zealand building codes, they have a far longer history. Often developed by the local town, city or borough engineer, these codes or by-laws covered a wide range of topics, not just structural safety. Two surveys of local government building bylaws undertaken to support the development of national building controls, have created digests of details from a number of these codes. The 1924 survey of 37 municipalities supported the development of the first national code for timber buildings, while the 1938 survey of 84 municipalities was used to develop NZSS 95 Model Building By-law during the 1930s and early 1940s. The digests provide an opportunity to explore the 1930s development of building by-laws by geographical and topic coverage, as well as the impact on building controls since that time.These local building bylaws often included requirements that affected the interior architecture of buildings, such as the requirement for minimum dwelling or bedroom room heights. In 1924 these minima ranged from 8 ft to 10 ft (2.4 m to 3.0 m) for either a dwelling or an attic room. However, by 1938 while the height range for dwelling rooms was unchanged for attic rooms the range was reduced by 1 foot (0.3 m) to 7 ft to 9 ft (2.1 to 2.9 m). Although the 1992 New Zealand Building Code does not specify minimum habitable room heights, the House Improvement Regulations 1947 are still in force. These initially set the habitable room height requirement to 2.1 m, increasing in 1975 to 2.4 m.The paper explores the development of minimum dwelling height requirements in New Zealand using these two surveys with analysis of Wellington and Dunedin City Councils from the 1870s to the 1930s. These requirements will be compared to UK codes, exploring both the international evolution of room height requirements and the relationship to New Zealand.


2015 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.F. Chapman ◽  
P.D. Muir ◽  
M.J. Faville

Persistence of herbage yield is an important productivity trait of grass species and cultivars in New Zealand pastures. However, relatively little is known about genetic variation in this trait, principally because few studies comparing yield have continued beyond 3 years. This paper reports results from a comparison of 25 perennial ryegrass cultivars representing a wide range of functional types and genetic backgrounds conducted under sheep grazing in a summer-dry environment. Dry matter (DM) yield was measured for the first 3 years after sowing, then again in years seven and eight post-sowing, and in year ten post-sowing. Endophyte DNA fingerprinting conducted mid-way through year seven confirmed that, with one exception, ryegrass populations remained true-to-type in the cultivars sown with novel endophyte strains. The cultivar effect on DM yield was statistically significant in all measurement periods. Differences in yields among cultivars in years seven and eight were significantly and positively correlated with yield differences in years one to three (r=0.685 to 0.831 depending on which year contrasts were used). Thus, high-performing cultivars in the early years of the trial were also generally highperforming cultivars in years seven and eight, and vice-versa, indicating a high degree of yield stability in perennial ryegrass cultivars. Yield differences did not appear to be related to differences in cultivar heading date, ploidy, endophyte status, or genetic background. The relationship between yield in year ten and yields in years one to three was much weaker (r=0.392) than the relationship in years seven and eight. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Keywords: Perennial ryegrass; traits; persistence


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 246-247
Author(s):  
Tianjian Shi

Tong addresses one of the most important issues in compar- ative politics: What are the key factors that determine the courses and outcomes of transitions from state socialism? The book makes three contributions to this field of study. First, it reminds us that the relationship between state and society with regard to either power or objectives may not be zero-sum, as widely accepted by students of politics. The author argues that state and society may share a wide range of objectives, laying the groundwork for a cooperative rela- tionship. This helps explain why the regime and a society may compromise in the transition process.


Author(s):  
Grant Andrews ◽  
Brett Lineham

Raising New Zealand’s growth in productivity (ie output per person employed or hour worked) has become a topic of increasing political and academic debate. This has been driven by recognition that the relative decline in our incomes (compared to those of other developed nations) is a direct consequence of our inability to raise our productivity at a comparable rate. In this paper, we examine issues relating to achievement of productivity growth within organisations. We firstly contextualise this by providing a general overview of productivity trends, including the connection between firm­level and wider productivity. We then outline a framework for considering business practices and how these might affect workplace productivity; review New Zealand research findings about the relationship between workplace practices and firm­level productivity growth; and discuss the results of recent studies (done or funded by the Department of Labour) of change processes within organisations. From this, we conclude that there is a wide range of business improvement options, depending on the needs of the individual organisation; that significant improvements in workplace practices can be achieved; and that these contribute to a range of better operational outcomes. Ultimate benefits in productivity can be expected but are harder to attribute. However, the experience of the organisations studied highlights the challenges inherent in these processes, which require sustained commitment, and buy­in from people at all levels. There were significant differences in outcomes between those organisations that began with positive internal relationships and culture, and management leadership, and those where these conditions were absent.


2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaya Guo ◽  
Weihua Lu ◽  
Zhaobi Che ◽  
Jiamin Cao ◽  
Hanjun Yang ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 7-19
Author(s):  
Michael Findlay

Amyas Connell (1901-80) was a New Zealand architect and a leading figure in British modernism. His first commission, High and Over (1929-31) for the archaeologist and classical scholar Bernard Ashmole was described as the first fully worked out modernist house built in England. The project drew attention from a wide range of architectural critics including Howard Robertson and the Country Life writer Christopher Hussey. A short film entitled The House of a Dream made by British Pathé ensured the house was seen by the large cinema audience in 1931. High and Over became more contentious over time when Connell's intention to combine classical and modern design tendencies was criticised by more doctrinaire modernists. High and Over occupies a place where the traditions of classicism and the emergent features of modernism intersect. Connell's path, if taken, may have produced a distinctively British form of classical modernism. [NEW PARAGRAPH] This paper seeks to establish the context for High and Over from a New Zealand perspective and through comparison with other projects by colonial architects in Britain. Connell's critical profile has been shaped by the notion that British modernism was in the hands of "Wild Colonial Boys," a soubriquet used to frame Connell's work in the 1930s by the British writer Dennis Sharp. In this interpretation, the depth of Connell's experience prior to High and Over is overlooked. Connell's partnership with the Australian-born Stewart Lloyd Thomson (1902-90) has not been covered in any previous study of the Connell, Ward and Lucas practice. The High and Over project included a number of related structures set in a landscape plan not usually included in analysis of the complex whole. The relationship between the garden plan and the designs of the Armenian architect Gabriel Guévrékian seen at the Paris Exposition and the Villa Noailles at Hyéres (1927) has also not been traversed.


2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Begoña Peco ◽  
Juan Traba ◽  
Catherine Levassor ◽  
Ana M. Sánchez ◽  
Francisco M. Azcárate

AbstractSeed size and shape, measured as the variance of the three main dimensions, have been proposed as good indicators for predicting seed persistence. We tested whether these variables were robust predictors of seed persistence in the soil for 58 abundant herbaceous species, primarily annuals, in grass and scrubland of central Spain. Seed persistence was estimated from data on germinable seed banks, while seed weight and shape were measured using fresh seeds collected in the study area. There was a significant tendency for species with persistent seeds to have smaller seeds than species with transient seeds. Seed shape was not, however, related to persistence and we did not find any clear seed weight/shape threshold for predicting persistence. The binary logistic model of seed bank type as a function of seed weight was significant and explained 67% of total variability. Supplementary information about dormancy, environmental conditions of habitat, predation and attack by pathogens has to be used to elaborate more accurate general predictive models of seed persistence.


2008 ◽  
pp. 61-76
Author(s):  
A. Porshakov ◽  
A. Ponomarenko

The role of monetary factor in generating inflationary processes in Russia has stimulated various debates in social and scientific circles for a relatively long time. The authors show that identification of the specificity of relationship between money and inflation requires a complex approach based on statistical modeling and involving a wide range of indicators relevant for the price changes in the economy. As a result a model of inflation for Russia implying the decomposition of inflation dynamics into demand-side and supply-side factors is suggested. The main conclusion drawn is that during the recent years the volume of inflationary pressures in the Russian economy has been determined by the deviation of money supply from money demand, rather than by money supply alone. At the same time, monetary factor has a long-run spread over time impact on inflation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 362-367
Author(s):  
H.M. Harman ◽  
N.W. Waipara ◽  
C.J. Winks ◽  
L.A. Smith ◽  
P.G. Peterson ◽  
...  

Bridal creeper is a weed of natural and productive areas in the northern North Island of New Zealand A classical biocontrol programme was initiated in 20052007 with a survey of invertebrate fauna and pathogens associated with the weed in New Zealand Although bridal creeper was attacked by a wide range of generalist invertebrates their overall damage affected


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