Underground deserts below fertility islands? – Woody species desiccate lower soil layers in sandy drylands

AbstractWoody plants in water-limited ecosystems affect their environment on multiple scales: locally, natural stands can create islands of fertility for herb layer communities compared to open habitats, but afforestation has been shown to negatively affect regional water balance and productivity. Despite these contrasting observations, no coherent multiscale framework has been developed for the environmental effects of woody plants in water-limited ecosystems. To link local and regional effects of woody species in a spatially explicit model, we simultaneously measured site conditions (microclimate, nutrient availability and topsoil moisture) and conditions of regional relevance (deeper soil moisture), in forests with different canopy types (long, intermediate and short annual lifetime) and adjacent grasslands in sandy drylands. All types of forests ameliorated site conditions compared to adjacent grasslands, although natural stands did so more effectively than managed ones. At the same time, all forests desiccated deeper soil layers during the vegetation period, and the longer the canopy lifetime, the more severe the desiccation in summer and more delayed the recharge after the active period of the canopy. We conclude that the site-scale environmental amelioration brought about by woody species is bound to co-occur with the desiccation of deeper soil layers, leading to deficient ground water recharge. This means that the cost of creating islands of fertility for sensitive herb layer organisms is an inevitable negative impact on regional water balance. The canopy type or management intensity of the forests affects the magnitude but not the direction of these effects. The outlined framework of the effects of woody species should be considered for the conservation, restoration, or profit-oriented use of forests as well as in forest-based carbon sequestration and soil erosion control projects in water-limited ecosystems.

Download Full-text

Toward a Better Understanding of Metal Nanoparticles, a Novel Strategy from Eucalyptus Plants

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10050929 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 929

Author(s):

Hanadi Sawalha ◽

Rambod Abiri ◽

Ruzana Sanusi ◽

Noor Azmi Shaharuddin ◽

Aida Atiqah Mohd Noor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metal Nanoparticles ◽

Woody Plants ◽

Woody Species ◽

Forest Products ◽

Ideal Candidate ◽

Promising Tool ◽

Novel Strategy ◽

The Ideal

Nanotechnology is a promising tool that has opened the doors of improvement to the quality of human’s lives through its potential in numerous technological aspects. Green chemistry of nanoscale materials (1–100 nm) is as an effective and sustainable strategy to manufacture homogeneous nanoparticles (NPs) with unique properties, thus making the synthesis of green NPs, especially metal nanoparticles (MNPs), the scientist’s core theme. Researchers have tested different organisms to manufacture MNPs and the results of experiments confirmed that plants tend to be the ideal candidate amongst all entities and are suitable to synthesize a wide variety of MNPs. Natural and cultivated Eucalyptus forests are among woody plants used for landscape beautification and as forest products. The present review has been written to reflect the efficacious role of Eucalyptus in the synthesis of MNPs. To better understand this, the route of extracting MNPs from plants, in general, and Eucalyptus, in particular, are discussed. Furthermore, the crucial factors influencing the process of MNP synthesis from Eucalyptus as well as their characterization and recent applications are highlighted. Information gathered in this review is useful to build a basis for new prospective research ideas on how to exploit this woody species in the production of MNPs. Nevertheless, there is a necessity to feed the scientific field with further investigations on wider applications of Eucalyptus-derived MNPs.

Download Full-text

Regional Water Balance and Economic Assessment as Tools for Water Management in Coastal Lebanon

Water Resources Management ◽

10.1007/s11269-008-9385-y ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. 2361-2378 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Daniel El Chami ◽

Maroun El Moujabber ◽

Alessandra Scardigno

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Water Balance ◽

Economic Assessment ◽

Regional Water

Download Full-text

Water balance in developing leaves of four tropical savanna woody species

Oecologia ◽

10.1007/bf00379526 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 237-243 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Frederick Meinzer ◽

Virginia Seymour ◽

Guillermo Goldstein

Keyword(s):

Water Balance ◽

Woody Species ◽

Tropical Savanna

Download Full-text

Hydraulic conductivity, photosynthesis and leaf water balance in six evergreen woody species from fall to winter

Tree Physiology ◽

10.1093/treephys/25.3.299 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 299-306 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

H. Taneda ◽

M. Tateno

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Water Balance ◽

Woody Species ◽

Leaf Water ◽

Leaf Water Balance

Download Full-text

Alien and native woody plants in scattered vegetation in agricultural landscape

Folia Oecologica ◽

10.2478/foecol-2020-0013 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 109-120

Author(s):

Ján Supuka ◽

Attila Tóth ◽

Mária Bihuňová ◽

Martina Verešová ◽

Karol Šinka

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Woody Plants ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Woody Plant ◽

Robinia Pseudoacacia ◽

Woody Species ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Lycium Barbarum ◽

Dominance Index ◽

Acer Campestre

AbstractThe woody plant species composition has been evaluated in three cadastral territories of southwestern Slovakia, together in 77 habitats of non-forest woody vegetation (NFWV). A total of 43 tree species have been identified; 8 of them were alien and 5 species were cultural fruit trees. In total 20 shrub species were identified, out of which 3 were alien. Three woody species are classified as invasive according to the law in Slovakia: Acer negundo L., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, and Lycium barbarum L. They occurred only in 2, maximum in 4 of the evaluated habitats. The most occurring alien tree species Robinia pseudoacacia L. was generally identified in 58 habitats and in 48 habitats, with an incidence over 40% and dominance index of 70.6. The second most occurring alien tree Populus × canadensis had a dominance index of 8.3. The dominant native trees in NFWV were Acer campestre L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Quercus robur L., Salix fragilis L. with the dominance index of 1–5 only.

Download Full-text

DYNAMICS OF GROWTH OF ALBIZIA ADIANTHIFOLIA AND ALBIZIA ZYGIA (TWO LOCAL LEGUMINOUS PLANTS WITH RAPID GROWTH) DURING THE REGENERATION OF THE POST-FARMING FALLOW AND DEGRADED SPACES

International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH ◽

10.29121/granthaalayah.v6.i9.2018.1249 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (9) ◽

pp. 364-372

Author(s):

Kouassi Kouadio Henri ◽

Kouassi Roland Hervé ◽

Amon Ano Denis-Esdras

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Rapid Growth ◽

Woody Plants ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Woody Species ◽

Significant Degree ◽

Leguminous Plants ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Albizia Adianthifolia

The threat which is on the forests and wooded spaces of Africa and particularly those of Côte d'Ivoire is accentuated over the years. The quoted leading causes are the land pressure related to demography, the anarchistic exploitation of the forest woody plants and itinerant agriculture. In many cases, the afforestation is the recommended palliative measure. But with which woody plants does one retimber in Côte d'Ivoire? Which assessment are previous initiatives made? On several occasions the exotic woody plants with rapid growth were used without success. The main objective of this study is to identify local woody plants with rapid growths of which the use will contribute to a significant degree to fast regeneration of our forests, degraded spaces and the post-farming fallow. Floristic inventories and measurements were carried out on the stems of Albizia adianthifolia and Albizia zygia in elementary plots of 400 m ² (20m X 20m). Two local arborescent Leguminous plants with rapid growth were identified for this purpose. They were: Albizia adianthifolia and Albizia zygia. The experiments showed that these species reach the maximas of their growth in height and thickness as from nine (9) years. The sowing of the fallow and/or spaces degraded by these woody species supports the fast regeneration of these degraded spaces.

Download Full-text

Urban Dendroflora of the Macedonia Park in the City of Skopje, North Macedonia

Glasilo Future ◽

10.32779/gf.2.3.2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 10-28

Author(s):

Martina Shotaroska ◽

Bojan Simovski ◽

Tomcho Nikolovski ◽

Katerina Chonevska ◽

Ivan Minčev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Woody Plants ◽

Field Research ◽

Woody Species ◽

Pinus Nigra ◽

Capital City ◽

Cupressus Sempervirens ◽

Hedera Helix ◽

Platycladus Orientalis ◽

Ecological Features ◽

Juniperus Scopulorum

Subject of research in this article is the urban dendroflora of the Macedonia Park, situated on about 50,000 m2 in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje, i.e., identification and presence of the recent woody plants. Thus, observed are morphological and ecological features of the woody plants and their current state in this urban environment. The investigation relates to a seven-year period (since the establishment of the Park in 2012 up to late 2019). After the field research and the inventorisation of the woody plants in the Park, 82 taxa were identified, represented in 1,318 individuals. Most represented tree species is the hybrid Platanus × hispanica Mill. ex Münchh. with 103 individuals (7.81% of the overall urban dendroflora). Most frequent tree including infraspecific taxa is Fraxinus excelsior L. (including F. e. ‘Globosa’, F. e. ‘Jaspidea’, and F. e. ‘Pendula’) with a total number of 146 individuals (11.08%). Concerning other growth form, the mini and small tree roses of hybrid Rosa Floribunda Group outnumber all ornamental woody species with 225 bushes (17.07%). Climbers are represented with 3 taxa (3.66% of identified taxa) in pergolas (Wisteria sinensis /Sims/ Sweet, Parthenocissus quinquefolia /L./ Planch.), and wire cage topiary (Hedera helix L.). Likewise, 87 individuals (6.60%) of 10 species (12.19%) occur as remnants of the greening in the past of which 3 species are used as a green core of a small sacral architecture: Cupressus sempervirens var. horizontalis (Mill.) Loudon (with 10 trees), Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (3), and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold (1). In general, the urban dendroflora is properly selected and used for greening, although certain species and individuals are withering (e.g. Betula pendula ‘Youngii’, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’, F. e. ‘Jaspidea’) or unsuitably used for avenue and in small alpine-like garden.

Download Full-text

PEMETAAN DATA RECHARGE AIR TANAH DI KABUPATEN SLEMAN BERDASARKAN DATA CURAH HUJAN

Telematika ◽

10.31315/telematika.v13i2.1725 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 93

Author(s):

Bambang Yuwono ◽

Awang Hendrianto Pratomo ◽

Heru Cahya Rustamaji ◽

Puji Pratiknyo ◽

Mochammad Assofa Indera Jati

Keyword(s):

Water Balance ◽

Ground Water ◽

Groundwater Recharge ◽

Daily Rainfall ◽

High Water ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Living Things ◽

Run Off ◽

Ground Water Recharge ◽

Water Recharge

Water is a basic need for humans and other living things. Various sources of water on this earth has formed a system of close interaction with the components of living things in it. Over the years, water resources have changed in terms of both quality and quantity. This can be due to population growth in addition to the natural changes in nature. The more narrow field of water absorption followed by high water consumption causes the supply of ground water reserves can be threatened. So, we need a mapping and ground water recharge calculations to assist in the monitoring of groundwater reserves.The method used in this research is the Water Balance (keseimbangan air)method. This method is based on any incoming rain water will be equal to the output evapotranspiration and runoff hereinafter this method is applied in the application. Factors affecting groundwater recharge the water balance method is precipitation, evapotranspiration and run off. Information og groundwater recharge is also displayed on the map using Google Map function are related to the database system to produce informative mapsCalculation of groundwater recharge is applied to the daily rainfall data input into the application which then included in the water balance equation method so it can be easy to determine the value of groundwater recharge. Groundwater recharge information can be displayed in the form of mapping, making them easier to understand visually.Based on testing, the highest recharge results of this research on the Kemput station is 1119,5 mm/year with rainfall of 2750 mm/year. Seyegan and Bronggang station is 1026,25 mm/year with rainfall of 2625 mm/year. Angin-angin and Prumpung station is 933 mm/year with rainfall of 2500 mm/year. Beran and Gemawang station is 839.5 mm/year with rainfall of 2375 mm/year. Plataran station is 808.42 mm/year with rainfall of 2333 mm/year. Godean station is 699.5 mm/year with rainfall of 2187 mm/year and the lowest at Tirto Tanjungand Santan stastion 560 mm / year with rainfall of 2000 mm / year.

Download Full-text