scholarly journals Mangrove leaf and root traits and their relation to urbanization

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Branoff
Keyword(s):  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Percent Nitrogen

AbstractRoot and leaf traits are one means of understanding plant ecophysiological responses to environmental variation and disturbance. In mangroves, both chemical and morphological variations have been recorded in response to changes in inundation, salinity, and nutrient levels. Some have also been noted in urban environments, primarily in response to elevated nutrients and toxic substances. Yet these studies have not attempted to isolate the urban from the non-urban influences on both morphological and chemical traits. This study measured mangrove leaf and root chemical and morphological traits in herbarium samples and in field collected leaves and roots along a quantified urban gradient in three watersheds of Puerto Rico. It then correlated these traits with predictors of surrounding land cover, as well as with metrics of flooding and water chemistry. There were significant lines of evidence leading to an influence of urban sewage and roads on leaf and root traits. Leaf percent nitrogen increased with urbanization and with surface water nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, but its isotopic content decreased with increasing phosphorus, leading to the hypothesis that both nitrogen and phosphorus are fueling an otherwise co-limited community of mangroves and nitrogen fixing microbes. The most urban site harbored some of the highest metal concentrations, and there was evidence that elevated concentrations primarily influence fine roots. Other morphological traits are more likely explained by both water chemistry and leaf chemistry and should be considered when interpreting the influence of urban landscapes on mangroves. Percent nitrogen in herbarium samples increased at the least urban site, but remained unchanged at the most urban site, reflecting the relative levels of urbanization at the time of the first samples and their subsequent changes. Most metals from herbarium samples decreased or remained unchanged, suggesting regulation and infrastructure have helped to reduce the release of trace metals to the estuaries. Understanding the influence of urbanization in the context of water chemistry and flooding dynamics will aid in the management of these systems as global urbanization continues.

scholarly journals Leaf Nutrient Relations of Cycads in a Common Garden

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 194008292110365
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Marler ◽  
Anders J. Lindström
Keyword(s):  
Common Garden ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Representative Species ◽  
Nutrient Relations ◽  
Homogeneous Environment ◽  
Dry Combustion

Background and Aims Research required to clarify leaf nutrient relations of cycad species has been inadequate. Common garden studies are useful for determining the influence of genetics on leaf traits because of the homogeneous environment among experimental units. To date, there have been no common garden studies which included all ten genera of cycads. The full phylogenetic breadth has, therefore, not been included in this important area of study. Methods We examined macronutrient and micronutrient content of leaves from one representative species from each of the ten cycad genera at Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Thailand. Nitrogen content was determined by dry combustion, and the remaining nutrients were quantified by spectrometry. Results The least variable elements were nitrogen and phosphorus, and the most variable elements were boron and sodium. Nutrient content based on leaflet area was more variable than based on leaflet mass, reflecting species differences in specific leaf area. There were no universal macronutrient or micronutrient signals indicating clear phylogenetic distinctions. Implications for Conservation: Active management of threatened cycad taxa requires research to develop the knowledge to enable evidence-based decisions. This common garden study inclusive of all 10 cycad genera creates a foundation to determine leaf nutrient sufficiency ranges to inform management decisions.

scholarly journals Triple oxygen isotopes indicate urbanization affects sources of nitrate in wet and dry atmospheric deposition

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Nelson ◽  
Urumu Tsunogai ◽  
Ding Dong ◽  
Takuya Ohyama ◽  
Daisuke D. Komatsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Deposition ◽  
Wet Deposition ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Peroxy Radicals ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Wet And Dry Deposition ◽  
Atmospheric Nitrate ◽  
Nitrate Deposition

Abstract. Atmospheric nitrate deposition resulting from anthropogenic activities negatively affects human and environmental health. Identifying deposited nitrate that is produced locally vs. that originating from long-distance transport would help inform efforts to mitigate such impacts. However, distinguishing the relative transport distances of atmospheric nitrate in urban areas remains a major challenge since it may be produced locally and/or come from upwind regions. To address this uncertainty we assessed spatiotemporal variation in monthly weighted-average Δ17O and δ15N values of wet and dry nitrate deposition during one year at urban and rural sites along the western coast of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, downwind of the East Asian continent. Δ17O values of nitrate in wet deposition at the urban site mirrored those of wet and dry deposition at the rural site, ranging between ~ +22 and +30 ‰ with higher values during winter and lower values in summer, which suggests greater relative importance of oxidation of NO2 by O3 during winter and OH during summer. In contrast, Δ17O values of nitrate in dry deposition at the urban site were lower (+19–+25 ‰) and displayed less distinct seasonal variation. Furthermore, the difference between δ15N values of nitrate in wet and dry nitrate deposition was, on average, 3 ‰ greater at the urban than rural site, and Δ17O and δ15N values were correlated for both forms of deposition at both sites with the exception of dry deposition at the urban site. These results suggest that, relative to nitrate in wet deposition in urban environments and wet and dry deposition in rural environments, nitrate in dry deposition in urban environments forms from relatively greater oxidation of NO by peroxy radicals and/or oxidation of NO2 by OH. Given greater concentrations of peroxy radicals and OH in cities, these results imply that dry nitrate deposition results from local NOx emissions more so than wet deposition, which is transported longer distances. These results illustrate the value of stable isotope data for distinguishing the transport distances and reaction pathways of atmospheric nitrate pollution.

scholarly journals Urban Ensembles: An integrated approach to design in steep, urban landscapes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Myren Burnett
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Landscape Architecture ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Urban Terrain

<p>Urban Ensembles explores the way in which landscape and architecture can be employed together within the design of a steep, urban site. Lyttelton is a small port town on the border of Christchurch, settled in the foothills of a harbour formed by a major volcanic eruption. This rugged setting, with steeply sloping urban terrain, presents an interesting challenge when designing an urban development. The site was badly damaged in a series of earthquakes in 2010-2011, and many of the town’s oldest buildings, heritage structures dating back to the colonial settlement era, were destroyed. This has left a void in the heart of Lyttelton, and caused the loss of much of the tourism business that the town relies upon for its income. This thesis takes a methodological approach to the design of landscape architecture on such a challenging site. A range of techniques are explored, drawing from both landscape and architecture to explore the roles that each discipline plays in the design of urban spaces. The frequent imbalance between disciplines is addressed both through the literature review and design method, as this landscape architecture thesis draws on architectural design as a tool for generating spaces which fall somewhere in between the two ideals of interior and exterior. The final design proposal is an alternative rebuild plan for the central business area to the south of London St, and also addresses the relationships between that site and the surrounding context, both urban and environmental. The aim of this design is to create a series of interconnected spaces which have a strong relationship to the surrounding harbour setting, and also to facilitate development of the pedestrian spaces throughout the block and encouraging the development of activity at the street level, through the interface between buildings and landscape.</p>

Dietary choices in a generalist herbivore, the eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus, in urban landscapes

Behaviour ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Mohammad A. Abu Baker ◽  
Sara E. Emerson ◽  
Jessica Gorman ◽  
Joel S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Sylvilagus Floridanus ◽  
Generalist Herbivore ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Dietary Choices ◽  
Midwestern Usa

Abstract We tested for dietary choices of foods varying in nutrient composition by cottontail rabbits on two college campuses in midwestern USA. We quantified choices among pellets of varying nutritional quality at artificial food patches. Dietary choices differed between seasons and locations. Spring giving-up densities (GUDs: food left behind) did not show differences in food choices and were lower than summer GUDs. In Appleton, the cottontails favoured both high protein and fibre pellets, whereas the medium protein and fibre pellets were favoured in Chicago. The cottontails maintained their choice of high protein, high fibre pellets at three spatial scales. The cottontails varied food intake to balance their protein, salt and fibre needs at different times and locations. Studying dietary choices and the effect of resource quality on foraging responses by urban wildlife provides a useful tool to study ecological interactions and can help minimize damage in urban environments such as parks.

The ecological and evolutionary consequences of systemic racism in urban environments

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 369 (6510) ◽  
pp. eaay4497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Schell ◽  
Karen Dyson ◽  
Tracy L. Fuentes ◽  
Simone Des Roches ◽  
Nyeema C. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Ecology ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Systemic Racism ◽  
Emergent Structure ◽  
Patterns And Processes ◽  
Social Components ◽  
Evolutionary Consequences

Urban areas are dynamic ecological systems defined by interdependent biological, physical, and social components. The emergent structure and heterogeneity of urban landscapes drives biotic outcomes in these areas, and such spatial patterns are often attributed to the unequal stratification of wealth and power in human societies. Despite these patterns, few studies have effectively considered structural inequalities as drivers of ecological and evolutionary outcomes and have instead focused on indicator variables such as neighborhood wealth. In this analysis, we explicitly integrate ecology, evolution, and social processes to emphasize the relationships that bind social inequities—specifically racism—and biological change in urbanized landscapes. We draw on existing research to link racist practices, including residential segregation, to the heterogeneous patterns of flora and fauna observed by urban ecologists. In the future, urban ecology and evolution researchers must consider how systems of racial oppression affect the environmental factors that drive biological change in cities. Conceptual integration of the social and ecological sciences has amassed considerable scholarship in urban ecology over the past few decades, providing a solid foundation for incorporating environmental justice scholarship into urban ecological and evolutionary research. Such an undertaking is necessary to deconstruct urbanization’s biophysical patterns and processes, inform equitable and anti-racist initiatives promoting justice in urban conservation, and strengthen community resilience to global environmental change.

scholarly journals Can a one-sampling campaign produce robust results for water quality monitoring? A case of study in Itupararanga reservoir, SP, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederico Guilherme de Souza Beghelli ◽  
Marcelo Luiz Martins Pompêo ◽  
Mônica Páscoli ◽  
Vivian Silva Lira ◽  
Renata de Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Macroinvertebrates ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Biological Variables ◽  
Sampling Campaign ◽  
Sampling Points ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to conduct a rapid and comprehensive analysis of the reservoir using physical, chemical and biological variables comprising water and sediment as also to verify if a one-sampling campaign can produce information that is robust enough for monitoring purposes. Methods One-sampling campaign was performed along the central body of Itupararanga reservoir comprising five sampling points. The following physico-chemical and biological variables were measured in each of them from water samples: temperature, pH, concentration of dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, suspended matter, total nitrogen and phosphorus and fecal coliforms. A genotoxicity assay with Allium cepa was also performed with water from each one of the five sampling points. As a complement, the phytoplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates communities were also analyzed in the two most distant sampling points (P1 and P5). Results Results indicate a scenario with eutrophication and toxicity. High concentrations of fecal coliforms were recorded and there is a worrying prevalence of cyanobacteria - potential toxin producers - in phytoplankton community. Benthic macroinvertebrates analysis suggests poor quality of the water and sediments. Genotoxicity tests suggest the presence of toxic substances along the waterbody. Conclusions It is concluded that Itupararanga reservoir has water with poor quality that could be related to the land uses around the reservoir. The comprehensive approach performed here - where distinct sources of monitoring variables was considered - despite the rapid protocol (one campaign), was enough to respond to the distinct anthropic impacts received by the reservoir. Considering it, this approach is recommended as a rapid diagnostic tool.

scholarly journals Relative importance of transpiration rate and leaf morphological traits for the regulation of leaf temperature

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madalena Vaz Monteiro ◽  
Tijana Blanuša ◽  
Anne Verhoef ◽  
Paul Hadley ◽  
Ross W. F. Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Water Loss ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Leaf Temperature ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Plant Structure ◽  
Leaf Colour

Urban greening solutions such as green roofs help improve residents’ thermal comfort and building insulation. However, not all plants provide the same level of cooling. This is partially due to differences in plant structure and function, including different mechanisms that plants employ to regulate leaf temperature. Ranking of multiple leaf and plant traits involved in the regulation of leaf temperature (and, consequently, plants’ cooling ‘service’) is not well understood. We, therefore, investigated the relative importance of water loss, leaf colour, thickness and extent of pubescence for the regulation of leaf temperature, in the context of species for semi-extensive green roofs. Leaf temperature was measured with an infrared imaging camera in a range of contrasting genotypes within three plant genera (Heuchera, Salvia and Sempervivum). In three glasshouse experiments (each evaluating three or four genotypes of each genus), we varied water availability to the plants and assessed how leaf temperature altered depending on water loss and specific leaf traits. Greatest reductions in leaf temperature were closely associated with higher water loss. Additionally, in non-succulents (Heuchera, Salvia), lighter leaf colour and longer hair length (on pubescent leaves) both contributed to reduced leaf temperature. However, in succulent Sempervivum, colour and pubescence made no significant contribution; leaf thickness and rate of water loss were the key regulating factors. We propose that this can lead to different plant types having significantly different potentials for cooling. We suggest that maintaining transpirational water loss by sustainable irrigation and selecting urban plants with favourable morphological traits are the key to maximising thermal benefits provided by applications such as green roofs.

scholarly journals Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Urban Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 4964
Author(s):  
Ingo Kowarik ◽  
Leonie K. Fischer ◽  
Dave Kendal
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Sustainable Urban Development ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Sustainable Cities ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Conservation Policies

Urbanization is a major driver of environmental change and is closely linked to the future of biodiversity. Cities can host a high richness of plants and animals, and this urban biodiversity supports multiple regulating, provisioning and cultural ecosystem services. Developing biodiversity-friendly cities is thus inextricably linked to sustainable urban development and human wellbeing. The contributions to this Special Issue on “Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Urban Development” in the journal Sustainability illustrate the role of urban environments as pressures on biodiversity, and envision pathways towards developing more biodiverse urban environments that are accepted and supported by people. Contributions reveal promising opportunities for conserving biodiversity within many urban landscapes. The insights from this Special Issue can support urban conservation policies and their implementation in the development of sustainable cities.

Association mapping of leaf traits, flowering time, and phytate content in Brassica rapa

Genome ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 963-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianjun Zhao ◽  
Maria-João Paulo ◽  
Diaan Jamar ◽  
Ping Lou ◽  
Fred van Eeuwijk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Qtl Mapping ◽  
Association Mapping ◽  
Brassica Rapa ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Structure Association ◽  
Phytate Content ◽  
Trait Associations

Association mapping was used to investigate the genetic basis of variation within Brassica rapa , which is an important vegetable and oil crop. We analyzed the variation of phytate and phosphate levels in seeds and leaves and additional developmental and morphological traits in a set of diverse B. rapa accessions and tested association of these traits with AFLP markers. The analysis of population structure revealed four subgroups in the population. Trait values differed between these subgroups, thus defining associations between population structure and trait values, even for traits such as phytate and phosphate levels. Marker–trait associations were investigated both with and without taking population structure into account. One hundred and seventy markers were found to be associated with the observed traits without correction for population structure. Association analysis with correction for population structure led to the identification of 27 markers, 6 of which had known map positions; 3 of these were confirmed in additional QTL mapping studies.

scholarly journals Effect of Chemical Manipulation on Growth, Yield and Fiber Traits of Compact Cotton

2020 ◽  
pp. 61-69
Author(s):  
B. Rakavi ◽  
C. N. Chandrasekhar ◽  
M. Kumar ◽  
L. Arul ◽  
N. Manikanda Boopathi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foliar Application ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Growth Hormones ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Growth Retardants ◽  
Flowering Stage ◽  
Mepiquat Chloride

Crop management is one of the most important factors in modern agricultural activity. Studying the balance of growth stages and supplying optimal quantities of mineral nutrients and hormones to growing plants is essential to improve yield in short duration cotton varieties. In recent years, several approaches have been tried to break this yield plateau. The present investigation was intended to study and improve the yield of newly released variety Co 17 (compact cotton) by foliar application of nutrients, growth hormones, growth retardants and nutrient consortium. The treatments are mepiquat chloride (0.015%), potassium silicate (0.5%), Potassium schoenite (0.5%), borax (0.3%), salicylic acid (0.01%), calcium silicate (0.5%) and TNAU cotton plus (1.25%). Foliar application of different treatments at peak vegetative and flowering stage significantly influenced the leaf traits, root traits, and yield. Nutrient consortium (TNAU cotton plus – 53% over control) and growth retardant (mepiquat chloride- 42% over control) increased the seed cotton yield.

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