The role of leaf traits and bird-mediated insect predation on patterns of herbivory in a semiarid environment in central Mexico

Background. In arid environments plants face aridity and herbivory, therefore it has been proposed that both are convergent selective forces. However the drivers of insect herbivory in these ecosystems remain poorly understood.Question. Does insect herbivory vary in two plant associations subject to different levels of aridity? To what extent differences in herbivory are determined either by foliar traits, or predation by birds?Study species. Citharexylum tetramerum, Viguiera pinnatilobata, and Solanum tridynamum.Study site. We compared two-plant associations: the mezquital with a closed canopy and wettest conditions and the tetechera a dry place with an open canopy at the Zapotitlán Valley, México. Methods. We evaluated leaf traits (N, C, water content, leaf strength and trichomes), herbivore insects abundance and the effects on herbivory when some predators are excluded.Results. Herbivory was higher in the drier site (tetechera) than in the more humid one (mezquital) in one year but not in the second one. In both plant associations herbivory increased when predators of herbivores were excluded. Plants in mezquital had more water and nitrogen content than plants in tetechera. The later had higher carbon concentration and carbon:nitrogen ratio, leaf strength and density of trichomes. Abundance of herbivore insects and insect predation were higher in the most arid site. Conclusions. Our results show that insect herbivory increases in the most arid site and that predation by birds plays a role as a driver of herbivory, while resistance to aridity seems to be the main driver of leaf structural characteristics.

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Oil Pollution Affects the Central Metabolism of Keystone Vachellia (Acacia) Trees

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126660 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6660

Author(s):

Marco Ferrante ◽

Anuma Dangol ◽

Shoshana Didi-Cohen ◽

Gidon Winters ◽

Vered Tzin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oil Spills ◽

Oil Pollution ◽

Keystone Species ◽

Desert Ecosystem ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Central Metabolism ◽

Adult Trees ◽

Metabolite Profiles ◽

One Year

Vachellia (formerly Acacia) trees are native to arid environments in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where they often support the local animal and plant communities acting as keystone species. The aim of this study was to examine whether oil pollution affected the central metabolism of the native keystone trees Vachellia tortilis (Forssk.) and V. raddiana (Savi), as either adults or seedlings. The study was conducted in the Evrona Nature Reserve, a desert ecosystem in southern Israel where two major oil spills occurred in 1975 and in 2014. Leaf samples were collected to analyze the central metabolite profiles from oil-polluted and unpolluted adult trees and from Vachellia seedlings growing in oil-polluted and unpolluted soils in an outdoor setup. We found that oil pollution had a stronger effect on one-year-old seedlings than on adult trees, reducing the levels of amino acids, sugars, and organic acids. While adult trees are mildly affected by oil pollution, the effects on young seedlings can cause a long-term reduction in the population of these keystone desert trees, ultimately threatening this entire ecosystem.

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Leaf traits-mediated effects of tree diversity on insect herbivory on Populus laurifolia in a riparian forest ecosystem

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119777 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 504 ◽

pp. 119777

Author(s):

Binli Wang ◽

Chengming Tian ◽

Yingmei Liang

Keyword(s):

Forest Ecosystem ◽

Riparian Forest ◽

Insect Herbivory ◽

Leaf Traits ◽

Tree Diversity ◽

Mediated Effects

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Forest Canopy Can Efficiently Filter Trace Metals in Deposited Precipitation in a Subalpine Spruce Plantation

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10040318 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 318 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Siyi Tan ◽

Hairong Zhao ◽

Wanqin Yang ◽

Bo Tan ◽

Kai Yue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Human Disturbance ◽

Forest Canopy ◽

Subalpine Forest ◽

Forest Canopies ◽

Closed Canopy ◽

Filtering Efficiency ◽

One Year ◽

The One ◽

Filtering Effect

Trace metals can enter natural regions with low human disturbance through atmospheric circulation; however, little information is available regarding the filtering efficiency of trace metals by forest canopies. In this study, a representative subalpine spruce plantation was selected to investigate the net throughfall fluxes of eight trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, Pb, Cd and Cr) under a closed canopy and gap-edge canopy from August 2015 to July 2016. Over the one-year observation, the annual fluxes of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr and Pb in the deposited precipitation were 7.29 kg·ha−1, 2.30 kg·ha−1, 7.02 kg·ha−1, 0.16 kg·ha−1, 0.19 kg·ha−1, 0.06 kg·ha−1, 0.56 kg·ha−1 and 0.24 kg·ha−1, respectively. The annual net throughfall fluxes of these trace metals were −1.73 kg·ha−1, −0.90 kg·ha−1, −1.68 kg·ha−1, 0.03 kg·ha−1, −0.03 kg·ha−1, −0.02 kg·ha−1, −0.09 kg·ha−1 and −0.08 kg·ha−1, respectively, under the gap-edge canopy and 1.59 kg·ha−1, −1.13 kg·ha−1, −1.65 kg·ha−1, 0.10 kg·ha−1, −0.04 kg·ha−1, −0.03 kg·ha−1, −0.26 kg·ha−1 and −0.15 kg·ha−1, respectively, under the closed canopy. The closed canopy displayed a greater filtering effect of the trace metals from precipitation than the gap-edge canopy in this subalpine forest. In the rainy season, the net filtering ratio of trace metals ranged from −66.01% to 89.05% for the closed canopy and from −52.32% to 33.09% for the gap-edge canopy. In contrast, the net filtering ratio of all trace metals exceeded 50.00% for the closed canopy in the snowy season. The results suggest that most of the trace metals moving through the forest canopy are filtered by canopy in the subalpine forest.

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Physical Activity during the Retirement Transition of Men and Women: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2021/2720885 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Marco Socci ◽

Sara Santini ◽

Sarah Dury ◽

Jolanta Perek-Białas ◽

Barbara D’Amen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Active Ageing ◽

Major Life ◽

Retirement Transition ◽

Main Driver ◽

Behavioural Types ◽

One Year ◽

The Individual

The retirement transition is a major life change affecting people’s lifestyles and behaviors, including those in relation to physical activity (PA), which is a key component of active ageing. Previous research analyzing the effect of retirement on PA levels has shown mixed results, and few studies investigated this issue in a gender perspective, thus, highlighting a need of knowledge in this respect. Aims of this study focused on the experience of PA during the retirement transition were to understand typologies of PA and possible changes in these typologies, to identify behavioural types relative to PA practice and levels, and to distinguish the main drivers and barriers for practicing PA associated with the different behavioural types. A further goal of the study was to investigate the abovementioned aims considering differences between women and men. Analyses were carried out within a three-year qualitative longitudinal study (2014-2016), which explored the individual experience of PA during the transition from work to retirement of 24 women and 16 men in Italy, with interviews carried out one year before and one and two years after retirement. Results show that preferred PA for both women and men was walking, along the transition to retirement. Over time, several participants replaced physically demanding activities with lighter ones. Six behavioural types were identified, describing individuals who incremented, started, or maintained the same level of PA, people who decreased PA levels or stopped it, and individuals who had a fluctuant behavior towards PA, or who had never practiced it. In general, poor health represented the main barrier to PA. For men, the main driver to PA was its effects on body shape, while for women, socialization/networking. In order to stimulate a more effective promotion of PA during the retirement transition, policy implications were discussed in light of the results obtained.

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Surviving in semi-arid environments: functional coordination and trade-offs in shrubs from Argentina

IAWA Journal ◽

10.1163/22941932-bja10026 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Natalia Delbón ◽

Lucía V. Castello ◽

Alejandro Rios-Villamil ◽

María T. Cosa ◽

Laura Stiefkens

Keyword(s):

Small Diameter ◽

Leaf Traits ◽

Human Action ◽

Survival Strategies ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Leaf Trait ◽

Seasonally Dry ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Dry Conditions ◽

Wood Traits

Abstract Human action has led to an increase in aridification, making water a progressively scarcer resource. In angiosperms, different species resolve this challenge in diverse ways, mainly through modifications of the xylem network, which is responsible for water efficiency and safety. Xerophytes generally show similar characteristics, but exceptions are rather frequent. One possible explanation for this lack of similarity among cohabiting species is that trade-offs and/or functional coordination between their organs occur and shape alternative survival strategies. Studying species that inhabit a common area can help to identify key traits that determine those diverse strategies and to predict which species might tolerate further environmental change. We here examined the morpho-anatomical wood and bark traits of a group of species that live in a seasonally dry environment in Argentina. In a previous study, we described the leaf traits of these species and we thus aim to complement our findings and outline their strategies to manage water deficits. Our results show that there are different degrees of xeromorphism within this group. Clear xeromorphic traits, such as high vessel frequency and small diameter, were found in most species. However, some presented traits that were appropriate for mesic environments. An overview of leaf and wood traits indicates that the absence of a typical xeric characteristic in the wood might be compensated by the presence of a xeric leaf trait, and vice versa. Collectively, these trait combinations allow these species to survive in dry conditions and could influence their tolerance to increasing aridity.

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Variability in leaf traits, insect herbivory and herbivore performance within and among individuals of four broad-leaved tree species

Basic and Applied Ecology ◽

10.1016/j.baae.2009.06.006 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 726-736 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Haike Ruhnke ◽

Martin Schädler ◽

Stefan Klotz ◽

Diethart Matthies ◽

Roland Brandl

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Insect Herbivory ◽

Leaf Traits ◽

Herbivore Performance

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Variations in Stable Carbon Isotope Composition and Leaf Traits ofPicea schrenkianavar.tianschanicaalong an Altitude Gradient in Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/243159 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Huiwen Zhang ◽

Jianying Ma ◽

Wei Sun ◽

Fahu Chen

Keyword(s):

Photosynthetic Capacity ◽

Isotope Composition ◽

Stable Carbon Isotope ◽

Leaf Traits ◽

Northwest China ◽

Tianshan Mountains ◽

Stable Carbon ◽

Altitude Gradient ◽

Altitudinal Gradients ◽

One Year

To understand the morphological and physiological responses of leaves to changes in altitudinal gradients, we examined ten morphological and physiological characteristics in one-year-old needles ofPicea schrenkianavar.tianschanicaat ten points along an altitudinal gradient from 1420 to 2300 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains in northwest China. Our results indicated that LA, SD, LPC, and LKC increased linearly with increasing elevation, whereas leafδ13C, LNC, Chla + b, LDMC, LMA, and Nareavaried nonlinearly with changes in altitude. With elevation below 2100 m, LNC, Narea, and Chla + b increased, while LDMC and LMA decreased with increasing altitude. When altitude was above 2100 m, these properties showed the opposite patterns. Leafδ13C was positively correlated with Nareaand LNC and negatively correlated with SD and LA, suggesting that leafδ13C was indirectly controlled by physiological and morphological adjustments along altitudinal gradients. Based on the observed maximum values in LNC, Narea, Chla + b, and LA and the minimum values in LMA and LDMC at the elevation of 2100 m, suggesting higher photosynthetic capacity and greater potential for fast growth under superior optimum zone, we concluded that the best growing elevation forP. schrenkianavar.tianschanicain the Tianshan Mountains was approximately 2100 m.

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Characterization of GLOD4 in Leydig Cells of Tibetan Sheep During Different Stages of Maturity

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes10100796 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 796 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wang ◽

Li ◽

Liu ◽

Zhang ◽

Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leydig Cells ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Sequence Similarity ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Proteome Analysis ◽

Testicular Development ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Tibetan Sheep ◽

Pcr Method ◽

One Year

We have previously reported that glyoxalase domain-containing protein 4 (GLOD4) is expressed in sheep testes by proteome analysis, but its roles during testicular development remain unclear. The aim of this study was to understand the expression characteristics and biological functions of the GLOD4 gene in developmental Tibetan sheep testes. The cDNA sequence of the Tibetan sheep GLOD4 gene was cloned by the RT-PCR method, and the structural characteristics of the GLOD4 protein were analyzed using relevant bioinformatics software, including ProtParam, TMHMM, Signal P 4.1, SOPMA, and phyre2. The expression patterns and immunolocalization of GLOD4 were examined in developmental testes derived from three-month-old (3M), one-year-old (1Y), and three-year-old (3Y) Tibetan sheep using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. The sequence analysis showed that the coding sequence (CDS) region of the GLOD4 gene was 729 bp in length and encoded 242 amino acids. Bioinformatics analysis found that the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of Tibetan sheep GLOD4 exhibited the highest sequence similarity with goat and chiru, and the least with zig-zag eel, of the species compared. GLOD4 expressions at both the mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in the testes of the 1Y and 3Y groups than those in the 3M group (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence results indicated that the GLOD4 protein was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells from Tibetan sheep testes throughout the development stages. These results taken together suggest that the GLOD4 gene may be implicated in the development of the Leydig cells of Tibetan sheep during different stages of maturity.

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Spatial patterns of insect herbivory within a forest landscape: the role of soil type and forest stratum

Forest Ecosystems ◽

10.1186/s40663-021-00347-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xinliang Shao ◽

Qin Zhang ◽

Xitian Yang

Keyword(s):

Spatial Patterns ◽

Soil Type ◽

Water Status ◽

Insect Herbivory ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Leaf Traits ◽

Forest Landscape ◽

Herbivore Interactions ◽

Gravel Soil ◽

Loam Soil

Abstract Background Insect herbivory has profound impacts on ecosystem processes and services. Although many efforts have been made to recognize the main drivers of insect herbivory at different scales, the results are inconsistent. One likely reason is that studies have insufficiently captured the spatially heterogeneous factors such as soil type and forest stratum within the stand that may significantly affect insect herbivory. In particular, there is a lack of studies that address the detailed spatial patterns of insect herbivory which are influenced by these factors. Methods We measured the detailed spatial patterns of insect herbivory on cork oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.) in response to soil type (gravel soil and loam) and forest stratum (the upper, lower, and sapling stratum), and correlated these patterns with a set of influencing factors (litter coverage, coverage of shrubs and herbs, soil nutrients, soil moisture, and leaf traits) in a forest landscape. Results Generally, insect herbivory was spatially heterogeneous within stands. Herbivory was significantly lower in gravel soil areas than in loam soil areas and the highest herbivory occurred in the lower stratum. However, there were also 41 individual plots in which the highest herbivory occurred in the upper stratum and 29 plots in which the highest herbivory occurred in the sapling stratum. There were significant differences in soil nutrient and water status between soil types, but no significant differences in leaf traits. The effects of forest stratum on leaf traits were also inconsistent with those on insect herbivory. Conclusions Leaf traits may not be the main factors influencing insect herbivory in the field. Soil type may have major effects on herbivory patterns by influencing litter coverage while higher coverage of shrubs and herbs may reduce herbivory in the sapling stratum. These findings may advance our understanding of tree-herbivore interactions in real-world situations and have important implications for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems.

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Forest Canopy Can Efficiently Filter Trace Metals from Deposited Precipitation in a Sub-Alpine Spruce Plantation

10.20944/preprints201903.0006.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Siyi Tan ◽

Hairong Zhao ◽

Wanqin Yang ◽

Bo Tan ◽

Kai Yue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Atmospheric Circulation ◽

Human Disturbance ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Forest Canopy ◽

Observational Period ◽

Alpine Forest ◽

Filter Effect ◽

Closed Canopy ◽

One Year

Trace metals can enter some natural regions with low human disturbance from atmospheric circulation, but little information is available regarding how the canopy can retained trace metals. Therefore, a representative sub-alpine spruce plantation was selected to investigate the net throughfall fluxes of eight trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, Pb, Cd and Cr) of closed canopy and gap-edge canopy from August 2015 to July 2016. Over a one-year observational period, the annual fluxes of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr and Pb were 7.29 kg·ha-1, 2.30 kg·ha-1, 7.02 kg·ha-1, 0.16 kg·ha-1, 0.19 kg·ha-1, 0.06 kg·ha-1, 0.56 kg·ha-1 and 0.24 kg·ha-1, respectively, in the deposited precipitation. The annual net throughfall fluxes of these trace metals were 1.73 kg·ha-1, 0.9 kg·ha-1, 1.68kg·ha-1, -0.032 kg·ha-1, 0.04 kg·ha-1, 0.018 kg·ha-1, 0.093 kg·ha-1 and 0.087kg·ha-1, respectively, in the gap-edge canopy and -1.6 kg·ha-1, 1.13 kg·ha-1, 1.65 kg·ha-1, -0.10 kg·ha-1, 0.05 kg·ha-1, 0.03 kg·ha-1, 0.26 kg·ha-1 and 0.15 kg·ha-1, respectively, in the closed canopy. The closed canopy displayed a greater filter effect on the trace metals from precipitation than did the gap-edge canopy in the sub-alpine forest. In the rainy season, the net filtering ratio of trace metals ranged from -66%-89% in the closed canopy and from -52% to 25% in the gap-edge canopy. However, the net filtering ratio of all trace metals was greater than 50% in the closed canopy in the snowy season. Therefore, the results suggested that the most trace metals moving through the forest canopy are taken up rather than by rainfall leaching; moreover, the closed canopy can efficiently take up trace metals in the snowy season.

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