scholarly journals Catchment properties and the photosynthetic trait composition of freshwater plant communities

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 366 (6467) ◽  
pp. 878-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Iversen ◽  
A. Winkel ◽  
L. Baastrup-Spohr ◽  
A. B. Hinke ◽  
J. Alahuhta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Aquatic Plants ◽  
Land Plants ◽  
Carbon Limitation ◽  
Bicarbonate Concentration ◽  
Anthropogenic Changes ◽  
Freshwater Plants

Unlike in land plants, photosynthesis in many aquatic plants relies on bicarbonate in addition to carbon dioxide (CO2) to compensate for the low diffusivity and potential depletion of CO2 in water. Concentrations of bicarbonate and CO2 vary greatly with catchment geology. In this study, we investigate whether there is a link between these concentrations and the frequency of freshwater plants possessing the bicarbonate use trait. We show, globally, that the frequency of plant species with this trait increases with bicarbonate concentration. Regionally, however, the frequency of bicarbonate use is reduced at sites where the CO2 concentration is substantially above the air equilibrium, consistent with this trait being an adaptation to carbon limitation. Future anthropogenic changes of bicarbonate and CO2 concentrations may alter the species compositions of freshwater plant communities.

scholarly journals Terrestrial Morphotypes of Aquatic Plants Display Improved Seed Germination to Deal with Dry or Low-Rainfall Periods

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 741
Author(s):  
Rocío Fernández-Zamudio ◽  
Pablo García-Murillo ◽  
Carmen Díaz-Paniagua
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Aquatic Plants ◽  
Aquatic Plant ◽  
Population Persistence ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Percent Germination ◽  
Plant Assemblages ◽  
Viable Seeds

In temporary ponds, seed germination largely determines how well aquatic plant assemblages recover after dry periods. Some aquatic plants have terrestrial morphotypes that can produce seeds even in dry years. Here, we performed an experiment to compare germination patterns for seeds produced by aquatic and terrestrial morphotypes of Ranunculus peltatus subsp. saniculifolius over the course of five inundation events. During the first inundation event, percent germination was higher for terrestrial morphotype seeds (36.1%) than for aquatic morphotype seeds (6.1%). Seed germination peaked for both groups during the second inundation event (terrestrial morphotype: 47%; aquatic morphotype: 34%). Even after all five events, some viable seeds had not yet germinated (terrestrial morphotype: 0.6%; aquatic morphotype: 5%). We also compared germination patterns for the two morphotypes in Callitriche brutia: the percent germination was higher for terrestrial morphotype seeds (79.5%) than for aquatic morphotype seeds (41.9%). Both aquatic plant species use two complementary strategies to ensure population persistence despite the unpredictable conditions of temporary ponds. First, plants can produce seeds with different dormancy periods that germinate during different inundation periods. Second, plants can produce terrestrial morphotypes, which generate more seeds during dry periods, allowing for re-establishment when conditions are once again favorable.

scholarly journals A matter of time: Recovery of plant species diversity in wild plant communities at declining nitrogen deposition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Berendse ◽  
Rob H. E. M. Geerts ◽  
Wim Th. Elberse ◽  
Thiemo Martijn Bezemer ◽  
Paul W. Goedhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Nitrogen Deposition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Plant Species Diversity ◽  
Wild Plant

INFLUENCE OF HERACLEUM SOSNOWSKYI MANDEN. ON BIODIVERSITY OF VASCULAR PLANTS OF THE PROTECTED AREA «LIPOVAYA GORA» (PERM)

2020 ◽  
pp. 272-279
Author(s):  
D. N. Tiunov ◽  
◽  
E. G. Efimik ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Projective Cover ◽  
Seed Productivity ◽  
Heracleum Sosnowskyi ◽  
Rapid Spread

The problem of invasion of Sosnowsky hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.) In the Lipovaya Gora SPNA in Perm is considered. A map of distribution of hogweed cenopopulations in the protected area is presented. The results of the influence of the invasion of Sosnovsky hogweed on the biodiversity of vascu-lar plants of some plant communities are presented. It was revealed that the invasion of hogweed into phytocenoses of the Lipovaya Gora protected area leads to a decrease in the biodiversity of vascular plants by about 26.4% (up to 12 plant species). The ways of introduction of cow parsnip into the communities of the protected area are considered. High seed productivity, high projective cover, reaching in some cases 100%, high phytomass, the presence of dormant seeds, rapid development in spring, and high anthropo-genic load on the territory determine the rapid spread of H. sosnowskyi.

scholarly journals Phytosociological surveys: tools for weed science?

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Concenço ◽  
M. Tomazi ◽  
I.V.T. Correia ◽  
S.A. Santos ◽  
L. Galon
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Distinct Group ◽  
Weed Science ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Ecological Evaluation ◽  
Natural Plant ◽  
Ecological Basis

In simple terms, a phytosociological survey is a group of ecological evaluation methods whose aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of both the composition and distribution of plant species in a given plant community. To understand the applicability of phytosociological surveys for weed science, as well as their validity, their ecological basis should be understood and the most suitable ones need to be chosen, because cultivated fields present a relatively distinct group of selecting factors when compared to natural plant communities. For weed science, the following sequence of steps is proposed as the most suitable: (1) overall infestation; (2) phytosociological tables/graphs; (3) intra-characterization by diversity; (4) inter-characterization and grouping by cluster analysis. A summary of methods is established in order to assist Weed Science researchers through their steps into the realm of phytosociology.

An ecological look at saline wetlands

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
M. Shokri ◽  
N. Safaian ◽  
M. Z. Ahmadi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Salicornia Europaea ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
Aeluropus Littoralis ◽  
Natural Equilibrium

Due to the occurrence of considerable areas of wetlands in the world, the wise, sustainable use of these lands is one of major importance for ecologists and agriculturists. As the presence of indicator species and plant communities can be a measure of the compatibility between plants and edaphic conditions in these regions, the ecological niches of plant species in part of the southern coastal areas of the Caspian Sea have been studied to show the correlation of each species with its own habitat. The plant communities were separated with Ward's cluster analysis. The correlation of these communities and plant species with environmental factors was investigated with the CCA method, using PC-Ordination-4 software. The results showed that the soil EC, water table, soil pH, SAR and ESP were 14-157 dS/m, 0-240 cm, 6.5-8.5, 13.4-84.8 and 2-55%, respectively. This range of values, in addition to creating ecological niches for species with different ecological roles, was also effective in the formation of plant communities. The analysis of vegetation and soil data with the CCA method showed the relationships between soil factors and vegetation. In spite of the dominance of the species Halocnemum strobilaceum in all the plant communities, the correlation of this species with plant species such as Aeluropus littoralis, Salicornia europaea, Aeluropus lagopoides,Salsola aurantia and Puccinella distans in relation to changes in EC, water table, pH, SAR and ESP, is important from the point of view of sustaining the physical environment and ecological function. The simplification of these ecosystems (by drainage, agriculture, etc.) may disturb the natural equilibrium. As these ecosystems are susceptible and changes in their use are costly from the ecological and economic points of view, the wise use of ecosystems in their natural forms (rangelands and habitats) is recommended to prevent the spread of salinity and to protect habitats and biodiversity.

scholarly journals Functional Ecology of Iceplant Taxa and Their Role in Eco-restoration of New Zealand Sand Dunes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Guyo Duba Gufu
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Intergeneric Hybrid ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
Natural Plant ◽  
Carpobrotus Edulis

<p>Biological invasion by non-native plant species has often been cited as a cause of native biodiversity loss. While the outcome of species invasions depends on interactions between exotic and resident native species, most studies of biological invasions have focused solely on the direct negative impacts of non-indigenous species on native biota. Although investigations of the role of competition in shaping natural plant communities were dominant in the previous generations and are still popular, more recent experimental research has uncovered the striking influence of facilitation on community dynamics. This thesis aims to investigate competitive and facilitative influence of the invasive South African iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis) on Spinifex sericeus, a native foredune grass species, with particular reference to implications of these interactions for dune restoration in New Zealand. It further explores the growth rates, substrate preferences and mating systems of the exotic and native iceplant taxa found in New Zealand. I begin by briefly outlining the influence of competition and facilitation on natural plant communities with reference to the role of facilitation in eco-restoration. I also give a few examples where exotic species have been found to facilitate native ones. Secondly, a neighbour removal experiment was conducted on coastal sand dunes with the main aim of studying the effects of Carpobrotus edulis on establishment of Spinifex sericeus at the foredune region. Finally, I compared the growth rates of the most widely distributed iceplant taxa in New Zealand in different substrates and the breeding systems of the exotic Carpobrotus.  Examples abound in literature of exotic plant species facilitating native ones especially in forestry. In the neighbour removal study, Carpobrotus edulis protected Spinifex seedlings against storm erosion, sandblasting and salt sprays while at the same time suppressing its leaf production. Suppression of Spinifex leaf production was more pronounced at top of the dune where stress elements is presumably more benign. There was no evidence of allelopathic suppression of Spinifex by C. edulis. Only Carpobrotus chilensis displayed some level of substrate preference by putting on relatively lower biomass in gravel. The exotic Carpobrotus spp. put on greater dry matter content than the native Disphyma australe and the Carpobrotus-x-Disphyma hybrid. The hybrid displayed a faster vegetative growth rate whereas D. australe allocated relatively more biomass to the roots than the shoot. Both Carpobrotus spp. are self compatible and highly capable of intrageneric and intergeneric hybridisation. Mass removal of the existing exotic iceplant stands from foredunes along high energy coasts is not advisable as they serve as useful stabilisers. The intergeneric hybrid is sexually sterile with sparsely spread stolons that could allow co-occurrence with other species and therefore is more suitable for foredune stabilisation. However, more research needs to be conducted on the ecology of the intergeneric hybrid.</p>

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