Bryophyte species and communities on various roofing materials, Estonia

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elle Rajandu ◽  
Tiina Elvisto ◽  
Hanna-Liisa Kappel ◽  
Marko Kaasik
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Roofing Material ◽  
Species Characteristics ◽  
Fibre Cement ◽  
Roofing Materials

Considering the recent growth of interest in using mosses in creating vegetated green roofs, we set the aim of our study to get an overview of the variety of moss and liverwort species and communities growing spontaneously on roofs. Data were collected from 67 roofs of five different types of materials: fibre cement, bitumen, stone, thatched and steel from Tallinn and rural areas on Hiiumaa Island and in South Estonia. Indicator species analysis, MRPP, cluster analysis and ordination methods (DCA, CCA) were used for data analysis. As a result of this research, generalist bryophytes occurring on all types of roofing materials were studied and bryophyte species characteristics for certain material types were identified. The thatched roofs differed most clearly from the other roof types in their species composition and had the highest species diversity. Stone and fibre cement roofs had similar species composition. The results revealed significant dependence of the composition of the bryophyte flora on roofs on the density of the bryophyte carpet formed over time on the roof and the presence of a tree canopy above the roof. Other important factors were roof relief, the height of the roof from the ground and the indicator of environmental pollution NOx. However, the studied roofs in Tallinn and rural areas did not show significant differences in the species composition of bryophytes. Five communities were delimited: (1) Syntrichia ruralis – Schistidium apocarpum; (2) Orthotrichum speciosum – Bryum argenteum; (3) Brachythecium rutabulum – Hypnum cupressiforme; (4) Ceratodon purpureus – Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus; and (5) Pleurozium schreberi – Dicranum scoparium. The mentioned communities inhabited locations that differed in environmental conditions. The findings of this research can help choose the roofing material and species suitable for a certain location in creating moss greenery on roofs.

scholarly journals Thermal efficiency of individual shelters for girolando calves in brazilian semi-arid regions

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23
Author(s):  
Gledson L. P. de Almeida ◽  
Héliton Pandorfi ◽  
Fátima Baptista ◽  
Cristiane Guiselini ◽  
Janice M. C Barnabé
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Equilibrium ◽  
Thermal Load ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Roofing Material ◽  
Fibre Cement ◽  
Roofing Materials ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Milk Feeding

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate the thermal efficiency of roofs used on individual shelters during milk-feeding stage of Girolando calves. The research was conducted at a farm located in a dry region of Pernambuco state, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 27 Holstein × Gir dairy crossbred calves housed in shelters with three roofing materials (fibre cement tile, recycled tile, and thatched roofs). The recycled tiles and thatched roofs provided reductions of 18.7 and 14.6% in radiant thermal load, respectively. Regardless the roofing material, all animals increased their respiratory rate to maintain thermal equilibrium.

scholarly journals Confirmation of Utricularia australis occurrence in Lithuania

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofija Sinkevičienė
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
As Species ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Utricularia Vulgaris

Abstract Sinkevičienė Z., 2013: Confirmation of Utricularia australis occurrence in Lithuania [Utricularia australis auga ir Lietuvoje]. - Bot. Lith., 19(2): 161-164. Occurrence of Utricularia australis R. Br. on the territory of Lithuania was confirmed by finding it in Lake Kampinis, Varėna district municipality. Morphological differences between similar species U. australis and Utricularia vulgaris as well as species composition of the association Utricularietum australis and accompanying communities are presented and discussed.

The effect of drainage height on plant-species composition on a semi-arid green roof system

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 149-155
Author(s):  
Har'el Agra ◽  
Hadar Shalom ◽  
Omar Bawab ◽  
Gyongyver J. Kadas ◽  
Leon Blaustein
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Green Roof ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Roof System ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract Green roofs are expected to contribute to higher biodiversity in urban surroundings. Typically, green roofs have been designed with low plant diversity. However, plant diversity can be enhanced by controlling resource availability and creating distinct niches. Here we hypothesize that by using different drainage heights during the short plant-growing season in a semi-arid green roof system we can create distinct niches and plant communities. Our experiment took place at the University of Haifa, north Israel. We tested three different heights of drainage outlet: 10 cm under the surface of the substrate (Low), 1 cm under the surface of the substrate (Medium) and 3 cm above the surface of the substrate (High) on plant species-composition in green-roof gardens. Grasses cover was higher in High and Medium drainages while forbs cover was higher in Low drainage. Species richness was the highest in Low drainage while diversity indices showed the opposite trend. We conclude that by changing the height of the drainage we can create different niches and change species composition in a short time period of one growing season. This way we can create more diverse green roof communities and enhance biodiversity in urban areas, particularly in semi-arid regions.

scholarly journals Vegetation changes in boreo–nemoral forest stands depending on soil factors and past land use during an 80 year period of no human impact

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilze Kokarēviča ◽  
Guntis Brūmelis ◽  
Raimonds Kasparinskis ◽  
Arta Rolava ◽  
Oļģerts Nikodemus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Temperate Deciduous Forest ◽  
Soil Factors ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Forest Zone

Information on the long-term changes in plant communities that occur without human interference is limited, due to insufficient studies where vegetation can be resurveyed. In 1912, a strict nature protection reserve, with non-intervention management, was established on Moricsala Island in Latvia, located in the boreo–nemoral forest zone. Prior to establishment of the nature reserve, part of the island area was used for agriculture. The island is now covered almost entirely by forest dominated by Quercus robur L. and Tilia cordata Mill. on sandy soils. Resurvey was conducted in 2011 in 17 plots in which tree layers and the understory vegetation had been described in 1930. The plots were classified into two groups based on tree species composition in 1930 to determine changes in species composition. Differences in understory and tree canopy composition between these groups persisted over the period between the studies, in relation to soil factors and past stand history. Considerable turnover of species occurred, with a decrease of species typical of open habitats and replacement by species typical of nemoral (temperate deciduous) forest plant communities. In the past, Q. robur had likely established in open habitats created by agricultural land use or past fire but is presently not regenerating in the understory.

scholarly journals Diversity of small land mammals in a subtropical Atlantic forest in the western region of the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renan Maestri ◽  
Daniel Galiano ◽  
Bruno Busnello Kubiak ◽  
Jorge Reppold Marinho
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Spatial Autocorrelation ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Interior Forest

Small land mammals possess features that significantly influence the dynamics of ecosystems and participate in various levels of the food web. In the Brazilian Atlantic Forest the richness of these animals is high, which makes them even more ecologically and numerically relevant in this environment. In this context, we investigated the species composition of small mammals in an unexplored area of southern Brazil, and compared the species composition of this area with other Atlantic Forest regions in order to understand how this community is related to others. The study area was located in an interior Atlantic forest formation, at a transition region between deciduous and Araucaria forests. Small mammals were captured at five collection points using pitfall traps. We compared the species composition found in our studied area with the composition of other 11 studies in different regions by a cluster analysis, and we investigated the presence of spatial autocorrelation between communities with a Mantel test. We recorded 779 individuals from 21 species of small rodents (15 species) and marsupials (six species) during the 13 months of the collection period. This richness was high compared to other studies conducted in the Atlantic Forest formations near to coastline and in interior forest formations. This may be a result of the conditions provided by this transition area (deciduous and Araucaria forests), where could be found elements of the both forests formations, which probably allows the establishment of small mammal species from both forest types. Despite differences in sampling effort of the studies, our results suggest that the interior forest formations may harbor a number of species comparable to the formations near the coast. The species composition of this area was similar to those found in other interior forest formations with the same phytophysiognomy characteristics and at nearby regions, and it was less similar to the distant formations located in southeastern and northeastern Brazil and nearby to the coastline. This can be a result of both the spatial autocorrelation (i.e. more nearby communities tend to have more similar species composition) and the differences of forest characteristics among regions.

scholarly journals Use of habitats by non-volant small mammals in Cerrado in Central Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 893-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Santos-Filho ◽  
F. Frieiro-Costa ◽  
ÁRA. Ignácio ◽  
MNF. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Monodelphis Domestica ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Gallery Forest ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
Forested Areas

Non-volant small mammals are organisms capable of yielding precise information on richness, abundance and species composition variations related to the use of habitats. The aim of this research was to compare these variations in Cerrado sensu stricto, Palm Forest, Gallery Forest and Rocky Field. From May 1999 to February 2000, we surveyed non-volant small mammals (hence small mammals) in Serra das Araras Ecological Station. We captured 218 individuals and recaptured 62 individuals, belonging to 21 taxa, 13 rodents and eight marsupials, in a total of 13200 trap-nights. Capture success was 1.7%. We observed higher richness of small mammals in forested areas (Gallery Forest and Palm Forest) than in open areas (Rocky Field and Cerrado sensu stricto). The Palm Forest had the highest richness of marsupials, possibly due to the quality of a specific niche. The Rocky Field had the smallest richness, but with very high abundance of few species, mainly Thrichomys pachyurus and Monodelphis domestica. Forest habitats had similar species composition. The open habitats, Cerrado sensu stricto and Rocky Field, had a distinct species composition between them, and also when compared to forested areas. Different species are exclusive or showed preference for specific habitats. The protection of horizontally heterogeneous biomes, such as Cerrado, has a fundamental importance to the maintenance of the regional diversity of the small mammal community of Central Brazil.

Quality of rainwater harvesting in urban systems: case study in Colombia

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Morales-Pinzón ◽  
M. I. García-Serna ◽  
M. T. Flórez-Calderón
Keyword(s):  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Different Types ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Roofing Material ◽  
Fibre Cement ◽  
Alternative Water

An analysis of the utilisation and quality of rainwater in different collection systems located in the Pereira–Dosquebradas (Colombia) conurbation was conducted to evaluate the conditions in these systems and thus determine whether rainwater is safe water for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes. The quality of rainwater and its relation to selected variables (roofing material, material deposits, piping material and amount of precipitation) were evaluated. Six buildings with different types of roofing (zinc, polycarbonate or fibre cement) that have installed systems to capture rainwater were selected for the evaluation. According to the results, the sampled water is suitable for different uses. In cities, rainwater can be adapted and eventually used as an alternative water source, thereby reducing dependence on local and external sources.

scholarly journals Short-term effects of canopy and surface fire on centipede (Chilopoda) communities in a semi natural Mediterranean forest

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiliano Trucchi ◽  
Monica Pitzalis ◽  
Marzio Zapparoli ◽  
Marco Bologna
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Surface Fire ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Dominance Structure ◽  
Composition Structure ◽  
Species Composition And Structure

Species composition and structure of centipede (Chilopoda) communities were studied in a sub-urban burnt forest on the Mediterranean coast near Roma, Italy. The study was carried out in two sites affected by canopy fire (complete vegetation destruction), one affected by surface fire (persistence of tree canopy), and three unburnt sites. Monthly, quantitative/qualitative samplings were performed in each site from April 2001 to April 2002 by pitfall trapping and one hour active search. Analyses of species composition, dominance structure, diversity and colonization progress were performed. Centipede communities of the sites affected by canopy fire were simply structured, poor in both species richness and diversity; conversely, species composition, structure and diversity of the community affected by surface fire were scarcely modified.

Vegetation Changes Associated With Invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi on Monitored Sites in the Grampians, Western Australia

1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Kennedy ◽  
G Weste
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Vegetation Changes ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Forest Regions ◽  
Steep Slopes

The effects of invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi were measured on sites representing the larger forest regions of the Grampians. Changes were obvious at first, with the death of more than 50% of the species including large plants such as Xanthorrhoea australis, but soon became dificult to detect as susceptible species were replaced by field-resistant graminoids. Reductions were assessed in species heterogeneity and plant density during 1976, at the onset of disease and from 1977 to 1984. Susceptible species disappeared from infested forest and no re-emergence was observed. Less-susceptible plants such as some Euca/yptus spp. declined in number, regeneration and size, due to deaths or dieback of the branches. Reductions in tree canopy and the loss of structural dominants of the understorey caused changes in the flora which are likely to persist. The survival of rare, susceptible endemic species may be endangered. On dry, steep slopes the dead plants were not replaced and the amount of bare ground increased causing erosion of the soil surface. Some graminoid species increased in abundance on level, infested sites, resulting in a different species composition but with both species heterogeneity and plant density numerically similar to the previous flora.

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