Preliminary observations of using smoke-water to increase low-elevation beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) germination

AbstractTo mitigate the effects of mosquitoes, settlers in the Revelstoke area of British Columbia reportedly burned the sporophores of the Indian paint fungus, Echinodontium tinctorium (Ell. & Ev.) Ell. & Ev., a pathogen of western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg., and true firs, Abies spp. Larval and adult yellowfever mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (L.), were exposed to aqueous extracts of smoke (smoke-waters) from E. tinctorium sporophores, and from western hemlock sapwood and heartwood. Smoke-waters were of approximately equal toxicity to larvae. Fungus smoke-water, but not sapwood or heartwood smoke-waters, lost 50% of its potency in 5 months. Vapors from fungus smoke-water were significantly more toxic to adult mosquitoes than those from sapwood or heartwood. Thus smoke from E. tinctorium sporophores and T. heterophylla wood apparently contain different water-soluble combustion products toxic to A. aegypti.

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Optimising smoke treatments for jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest rehabilitation

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt05140 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 571 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Melanie A. Norman ◽

Julie A. Plummer ◽

John M. Koch ◽

Greg R. Mullins

Keyword(s):

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Forest Species ◽

Dormancy Breaking ◽

Jarrah Forest ◽

Eucalyptus Marginata ◽

Bauxite Mining ◽

Application Methods ◽

Forest Rehabilitation ◽

Irreversible Nature ◽

Smoke Water

Alcoa is undertaking rehabilitation in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata D.Don ex Sm.) forest of Western Australia, following bauxite mining. One of the methods used in the rehabilitation program is broadcasting seeds; however, about two-thirds of species require seed-dormancy-breaking treatments. Smoke overcomes dormancy and enhances the germination of many jarrah forest species. Smoke-application methods were investigated to find the best seed treatment for 64 jarrah forest species. The optimum duration of seed imbibition in aqueous smoke and dilution of the aqueous smoke product were also investigated. The method of smoke application was important. Smoke water enhanced the germination of 12% of species, whereas aerosol smoke enhanced the germination of 6% of species. Both Grevillea pilulifera (Lindl.) Druce and Velleia trinervis Labill. had germination enhanced by both smoke-application methods. Aerosol smoke inhibited the germination of Clematis pubescens Endl. and Hypocalymma angustifolium (Endl.) Schauer. A total of 78% of species did not exhibit significantly enhanced germination when smoke treated, including the two species inhibited by smoke treatment. Germination was equivalent following 1- and 12-h imbibition in the aqueous smoke extract. Dilutions of the aqueous extract Regen 2000 Smokemaster from 1 to 3% were optimal for the germination of Marianthus bicolor (Putt.) F.Muell and Stylidium amoenum R.Br., even after subsequent washing with water, demonstrating the irreversible nature of smoke treatments. For species that did not exhibit smoke-enhanced germination, other dormancy-breaking treatments may be required before a response to smoke is elicited. These results have application to a wide variety of natural managed lands, disturbed and designed landscapes.

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Belowground morphology and population dynamics of two forest understory herbs of contrasting growth form

Botany ◽

10.1139/cjb-2021-0035 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph A. Antos ◽

Donald B. Zobel ◽

Dylan Fischer

Keyword(s):

Pacific Northwest ◽

Large Range ◽

Forest Understory ◽

Old Growth Forest ◽

Forest Herbs ◽

Understory Herbs ◽

Small Roots ◽

Chimaphila Umbellata ◽

Range Of Variation ◽

Xerophyllum Tenax

Forest understory herbs exhibit a large range of variation in morphology and life history. Here we expand the reported range of variation by describing the belowground structures of two very different species, Xerophyllum tenax and Chimaphila umbellata. We excavated individuals in forests of the Cascade Mountains, Pacific Northwest, USA. Xerophyllum tenax has short rhizomes, but an extensive root system that is exceptionally large among forest understory species. The roots reach 4 m in length and may occupy an area 50 times that of the aboveground canopy. In contrast, Chimaphila umbellata has very small roots, but an extensive rhizome system. The largest plant we excavated had 57 m of connected rhizomes and still had a seedling source. Both species have long-lived individuals but differ in response to disturbance. Based on monitoring of 151 permanent 1 m2 plots in an old-growth forest, X. tenax increased only minimally in density over 40 years following tephra deposition from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, whereas density of C. umbellata increased substantially. The very different morphology of these two species highlights the large range of variation found among forest herbs, which needs to be considered when examining the forest understory.

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