scholarly journals Intraspecific Variation Along an Elevational Gradient Alters Seed Scarification Responses in the Polymorphic Tree Species Acacia koa

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sugiyama ◽  
James B. Friday ◽  
Christian P. Giardina ◽  
Douglass F. Jacobs

Physical dormancy in seeds can challenge restoration efforts where scarification conditions for optimal germination and seedling vigor are unknown. For species that occur along wide environmental gradients, optimal scarification conditions may also differ by seed source. We examined intraspecific variation in optimal scarification conditions for germination and seedling performance in koa (Acacia koa), which occurs across a wide range of environmental conditions. To evaluate scarification responses, we recorded imbibition percentage, germination percentage, germination time, seedling abnormalities, early mortality, seedling growth, and seedling survivorship. From these, we developed a scarification index (SI) that integrates these measures simultaneously. We hypothesized that seeds from lower elevation sources exposed to higher temperatures would have harder seed coats and would require more intense scarification treatments. To test this hypothesis, we repeatedly exposed seeds to hot water differing in temperature and time until seeds imbibed. Supporting the hypothesis, seeds from lower elevation sources generally required more intense scarification, although we found substantial variation among sources. Koa seeds germinated in about a week following imbibition. Boiling seeds (i.e., maintaining at 100°C) was effective for imbibing seeds but it also substantially reduced germination percentages. Repeated exposure to 90 to 100°C water did not reduce germination percentage but decreased seedling performance and increased early mortality. No seeds remained unimbibed after six attempts of boiling germinated whereas seeds remaining unimbibed after 15 attempts of exposure to 90 to 100°C water showed high germination percentages. Abnormalities in seedling development were rare but increased with treatment intensity. Exposure to 100°C water for 1 min overall generated the best SI values but the best treatment differed by elevation, and the treatment with the best SI was rarely predicted from the highest germination percentages. Seeds that imbibed without any treatment germinated at the same level as manually filed seeds but produced poor seedling quality. Variation in mother tree environments along an elevational gradient can lead to differences in seed coat characteristics, which may explain differing responses to treatments. Scarification treatments affected processes beyond imbibition and germination and using an index like SI may improve efficiency by identifying optimal scarification treatments while reducing seed waste.

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 96-96
Author(s):  
Patrick F. Fields ◽  
Ralph E. Taggart

Palynological analysis of stratigraphically-controlled samples from a number of localities in the Succor Creek area of the Oregon-Idaho boundary, the Stinking Water flora of eastern Oregon, and the Trapper Creek flora of southern Idaho has proved to be a valuable interpretive tool in the study of these mid-Miocene plant assemblages. Models derived from analysis of the Succor Creek data suggest: 1) paleotopographic trends, 2) patterns of distribution of major forest elements, 3) the role of disturbance and succession, and 4) limits for paleoclimatic reconstruction. These have proved consistent with patterns of megafossil representation at Succor Creek and both megafossil and palynological data at Stinking Water and Trapper Creek. Such models also appear useful in the refinement of ecological affinities of a number of megafossil taxa which occur in these and other Neogene assemblages throughout the northern Intermountain region.Some taxa are quite specific in their affinities, both in terms of vegetational maturity and elevational zonation. Species of Abies, Picea, Pseudotsuga, Thuja and Tsuga appear characteristic of ecologically mature forests at somewhat higher elevations. Such forests are rare at Stinking Water, are best developed in the southern part of the Succor Creek region, and represent the “climax” forests at Trapper Creek. In contrast, broad-leaved taxa, including species of Castanea, Castanopsis, Nyssa, and most Quercus, are reliable indicators of ecologically mature, lower elevation forests.The ecological significance of a number of mixed-mesophytic taxa, including species of Carya, Juglans, Liquidambar, Pterocarya, Sassafras, Tilia, Ulmus, and Zelkova, is ambiguous. Broad-leaved deciduous assemblages dominated by these plants occur as mid-seral recovery stages over a wide range of elevation from lowlands to higher slopes. Ecologically mature forests of these trees tend to be found only at intermediate elevations. At lower elevations they are largely, but not exclusively, replaced in later seral stages by the ecologically mature, low-elevation taxa noted previously; while at higher elevations they are replaced by conifers.Some taxa, most notably Equisetum, Glyptostrobus, Osmunda, and Typha are restricted to very wet habitats, irrespective of elevation. The shade-intolerant Typha forms ephemeral marshes that are rapidly replaced by Glyptostrobus swamps. Lake margins (and riparian settings), over a wide elevational gradient, are characterized by thickets of Acer, Alnus, Arbutus, Populus, Quercus simulata, “Quercus” eoprinus, and Salix. Locally Sequoia occurs in upland settings (i.e. at Payette, Idaho), while Glyptostrobus is more common in lowlands (Stinking Water and northern Succor Creek localities), but can occur in lower frequencies at any paleoelevation. Some taxa, such as Acer medianum appear to be characteristic of mid-seral recovery stages in these wet habitats.


Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Antonio Garrido Marijuan ◽  
Roberto Garay ◽  
Mikel Lumbreras ◽  
Víctor Sánchez ◽  
Olga Macias ◽  
...  

District heating networks deliver around 13% of the heating energy in the EU, being considered as a key element of the progressive decarbonization of Europe. The H2020 REnewable Low TEmperature District project (RELaTED) seeks to contribute to the energy decarbonization of these infrastructures through the development and demonstration of the following concepts: reduction in network temperature down to 50 °C, integration of renewable energies and waste heat sources with a novel substation concept, and improvement on building-integrated solar thermal systems. The coupling of renewable thermal sources with ultra-low temperature district heating (DH) allows for a bidirectional energy flow, using the DH as both thermal storage in periods of production surplus and a back-up heating source during consumption peaks. The ultra-low temperature enables the integration of a wide range of energy sources such as waste heat from industry. Furthermore, RELaTED also develops concepts concerning district heating-connected reversible heat pump systems that allow to reach adequate thermal levels for domestic hot water as well as the use of the network for district cooling with high performance. These developments will be demonstrated in four locations: Estonia, Serbia, Denmark, and Spain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Pullinger ◽  
Jonathan Kilgour ◽  
Nigel Goddard ◽  
Niklas Berliner ◽  
Lynda Webb ◽  
...  

AbstractThe IDEAL household energy dataset described here comprises electricity, gas and contextual data from 255 UK homes over a 23-month period ending in June 2018, with a mean participation duration of 286 days. Sensors gathered 1-second electricity data, pulse-level gas data, 12-second temperature, humidity and light data for each room, and 12-second temperature data from boiler pipes for central heating and hot water. 39 homes also included plug-level monitoring of selected electrical appliances, real-power measurement of mains electricity and key sub-circuits, and more detailed temperature monitoring of gas- and heat-using equipment, including radiators and taps. Survey data included occupant demographics, values, attitudes and self-reported energy awareness, household income, energy tariffs, and building, room and appliance characteristics. Linked secondary data comprises weather and level of urbanisation. The data is provided in comma-separated format with a custom-built API to facilitate usage, and has been cleaned and documented. The data has a wide range of applications, including investigating energy demand patterns and drivers, modelling building performance, and undertaking Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring research.


1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Malkin ◽  
S. A. Klein ◽  
J. A. Duffie ◽  
A. B. Copsey

A modification to the f-Chart method has been developed to predict monthly and annual performance of thermosyphon solar domestic hot water systems. Stratification in the storage tank is accounted for through use of a modified collector loss coefficient. The varying flow rate throughout the day and year in a thermosyphon system is accounted for through use of a fixed monthly “equivalent average” flow rate. The “equivalent average” flow rate is that which balances the thermosyphon buoyancy driving force with the frictional losses in the flow circuit on a monthly average basis. Comparison between the annual solar fraction predited by the modified design method and TRNSYS simulations for a wide range of thermosyphon systems shows an RMS error of 2.6 percent.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 1012-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. N. Acharya ◽  
C. B. Chu ◽  
R. Hermesh ◽  
G. B. Schaalje

Seeds from 55 populations of native Alberta red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera Michx.) were collected over 2 years (1984 and 1985) to determine the range of variability for seed germination and the effect of ecoregion and moisture conditions in the collection sites on this trait. Each year the unscarified seeds were stored at 3 °C for 30 days, stratified at 3 °C for an additional 30 days and then incubated on an 8 h light: 16 h dark cycle at a temperature of 25:10 °C (light:dark) for germination. A wide range of germination percentages was observed among populations collected in any 1 year. However, the variability was not due to the ecoregion or moisture condition of the collection site. Germination percentage of populations collected in 1984 and 1985 formed five and seven groups, respectively. A study involving eight sites that were common to 1984, 1985, and 1986 revealed a significant effect of population on seed germination. This population effect was not obscured by the combined effects of year, precipitation, temperature, and seed size. The year effect was significant only when population was used as a covariate. Precipitation during seed formation significantly influenced germination performance even after adjustments were made for population and year. Seed germination in red-osier dogwood appears to be influenced by the population from which the seeds are collected and by yearly environmental fluctuations. Therefore, germination studies in this species must include seeds from diverse populations collected over several years. Key words: red-osier dogwood, Cornus stolonifera Michx., germination, population, environment.


Weed Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan ◽  
Shane Campbell ◽  
Victor J. Galea

Abstract Sweet acacia [Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Willd.]is a problematic thorny weed species in several parts of Australia. Knowledge of its seed biology could help to formulate weed management decisions for this and other similar species. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of hot water (scarification), alternating temperatures, light, salt stress, and water stress on seed germination of two populations of V. farnesiana and to evaluate the response of its young seedlings (the most sensitive development stage) to commonly available POST herbicides in Australia. Both populations behaved similarly to all the environmental factors and herbicides; therefore, data were pooled over the populations. Seeds immersed in hot water at 90 C for 10 min provided the highest germination (88%), demonstrating physical dormancy in this species. Seeds germinated at a wide range of alternating day/night temperatures from 20/10 C (35%) to 35/25 C (90%) but no seeds germinated at 15/5 C. Germination was not affected by light, suggesting that seeds are nonphotoblastic and can germinate under a plant canopy or when buried in soil. Germination was not affected by sodium chloride concentrations up to 20 mM and about 50% of seeds could germinate at 160 mM sodium chloride, suggesting its high salt tolerance ability. Germination was only 13% at −0.2 MPa osmotic potential and no seeds germinated at −0.4 MPa, suggesting that V. farnesiana seeds may remain ungerminated until moisture conditions have become conducive for germination. A number of POST herbicides, including 2,4-D + picloram, glufosinate, paraquat and saflufenacil, provided >85% control of biomass of young seedlings compared with the nontreated control treatment. Knowledge gained from this study will help to predict the potential spread of V. farnesiana in other areas and help to integrate herbicide use with other management strategies.


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e4117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea X. González-Reyes ◽  
Jose A. Corronca ◽  
Sandra M. Rodriguez-Artigas

This study examined arthropod community patterns over an altitudinal ecoregional zonation that extended through three ecoregions (Yungas, Monte de Sierras y Bolsones, and Puna) and two ecotones (Yungas-Monte and Prepuna) of Northwestern Argentina (altitudinal range of 2,500 m), and evaluated the abiotic and biotic factors and the geographical distance that could influence them. Pitfall trap and suction samples were taken seasonally in 15 sampling sites (1,500–4,000 m a.s.l) during one year. In addition to climatic variables, several soil and vegetation variables were measured in the field. Values obtained for species richness between ecoregions and ecotones and by sampling sites were compared statistically and by interpolation–extrapolation analysis based on individuals at the same sample coverage level. Effects of predictor variables and the similarity of arthropods were shown using non-metric multidimensional scaling, and the resulting groups were evaluated using a multi-response permutation procedure. Polynomial regression was used to evaluate the relationship between altitude with total species richness and those of hyperdiverse/abundant higher taxa and the latter taxa with each predictor variable. The species richness pattern displayed a decrease in species diversity as the elevation increased at the bottom wet part (Yungas) of our altitudinal zonation until the Monte, and a unimodal pattern of diversity in the top dry part (Monte, Puna). Each ecoregion and ecotonal zone evidenced a particular species richness and assemblage of arthropods, but the latter ones displayed a high percentage of species shared with the adjacent ecoregions. The arthropod elevational pattern and the changes of the assemblages were explained by the environmental gradient (especially the climate) in addition to a geographic gradient (the distance of decay of similarity), demonstrating that the species turnover is important to explain the beta diversity along the elevational gradient. This suggests that patterns of diversity and distribution of arthropods are regulated by the dissimilarity of ecoregional environments that establish a wide range of geographic and environmental barriers, coupled with a limitation of species dispersal. Therefore, the arthropods of higher taxa respond differently to the altitudinal ecoregional zonation.


Nativa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 317
Author(s):  
Cássio Do Prado Borges ◽  
Cheila Deisy Ferreira ◽  
Daniela Pereira Dias

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a germinação e vigor de sementes de Plathymenia reticulata Benth. submetidas a diferentes tratamentos para superação de dormência. Os tratamentos testados foram: controle - sementes intactas (T0), escarificação mecânica com lixa d’água nº 60 (T1), desponte na região lateral do tegumento (T2), imersão em água fervente por 10 min (T3), em hipoclorito de sódio por 15 min (T4) e em solução com detergente por 15 min (T5). Foram determinados: peso de mil sementes, grau de umidade, porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), tempo médio de germinação (TMG), curva de embebição, teste da condutividade elétrica e comprimento da radícula. A porcentagem de germinação das sementes submetidas ao T1 e T2 foi estatisticamente igual (respectivamente, 90 e 88%) e superiores aos outros tratamentos testados (12%). As sementes expostas aos T1 e T2 apesentaram porcentagem de absorção de água superiores e em menor tempo, assim como maiores IVG e menores TMG, comparadas aos demais tratamentos. O comprimento das radículas não variou entre os tratamentos testados. A condutividade elétrica da solução com as sementes do T0 foi superior aos outros tratamentos testados. Sementes de P. reticulata expostas ao T1 e T2 apresentam maior germinação e vigor.Palavras-chave: germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, teste de condutividade elétrica, vigor, vinhático. DORMANCY BREAKING OF Plathymenia reticulata Benth. SEEDS ABSTRACT:This study aimed to evaluate the germination and vigor of Plathymenia reticulata Benth. seeds submitted to different dormancy breaking treatments. Testing treatments were: control - intact seeds (T0); mechanical scarification with sandpaper n. 60 (T1), coating cutting in the lateral side of tegument (T2), immersion in boiling water during 10 min (T3), in sodium hypochlorite solution during 15 min (T4), and in detergent solution during 15 min (T5). Moisture content, 1000-seed weight, germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI), mean germination time (MGT), imbibition curve, electrical conductivity test, and radicle length were determined. Germination percentage to T1 and T2 were statistically equal (90 and 88 %, respectively) and higher than others treatments tested (12%). Seeds exposed to T1 and T2 also presented higher and faster water absorption percentage, when compared to the others treatments, as well as higher GSI, and lower MGT. The rootlets length did not vary among treatments tested. Electrical conductivity of intact seeds was higher than others treatments. P. reticulata seeds expose to T1 e T2 had highest germination percentage and vigor.Keywords: germination, germination speed index, electrical conductivity test, vigor, vinhático.


1969 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-69
Author(s):  
José Adsuar

Chlorotic streak, a virus disease of sugarcane, is known to occur in Puerto Rico and to cause a reduction in germination, tillering, and yield of sugarcane per acre. Immersion of the infected cane in hot water at 52° C. for 20 minutes inactivated the virus and increased the yield of cane and sugar. It is also known that the hot-water treatment may adversely affect the germination of the different varieties. Thirteen of the best sugarcane varieties as recommended by this Agricultural Experiment Station were tested for susceptibility to the hot-water treatment. The treatment adversely affected the germination percentage of M. 336, B. 41227, and Co. 281. It stimulated the germination of varieties H. 328560, P.R. 1000, B. 37161, B. 40105, B. 37172, B. 371933, P.R. 907, and P.R. 902. It had no significant effect on the germination of P.R. 905 and P.R. 980.


Author(s):  
Joseph C. Mollendorf ◽  
David R. Pendergast

Underwater workers, sport and military divers, are exposed to thermal stress since most of the waters of the world are below or above what is thermally neutral. Although divers wear insulation suits for passive thermal protection they are inadequate. Active heating is currently accomplished by resistive heating and open-flow tubes delivering hot water; however, these methods are problematic. The challenge of this project was to design, build and test an active diver thermal protection system (DTPS) to be used with wet suit insulation that is effective, user-friendly, reliable, and that could be used by a free-swimming diver. The DTPS has a minimum number of moving parts, is low maintenance, has no unsafe or toxic working fluid and uses no consumables except a safe, high density, modular electrical power source. A portable and swimmable, self-contained, electrically powered unit (DTPS) has been designed, built, and tested that produces and circulates thermally conditioned water in a closed-loop through a zoned tube suit worn by a diver under a wetsuit to maintain skin and body core temperatures within prescribed safe limits. The system has been validated by using physiological data taken on human subjects over a wide range of ambient water temperatures. Corresponding enthalpy and electrical power measurements were used as the basis of a thermodynamic analysis. The DTPS maintained skin and body core temperatures within safe and functional ranges by providing up to about 200 W of heating in cold water and up to about 330 W of cooling in hot water. The corresponding electrical power consumption was up to about 300 W in cold water and up to about 1500 W in hot water. The results of a complete audit of the power use and heat transfer are presented along with the efficiency of the thermoelectric heating/cooling modules and the duty cycle of the system for a range of water immersion temperatures from 10°C to 39°C. The DTPS proved to be an effective and reliable apparatus for diver thermal protection in water temperatures from 10°C to 39°C, which covers most of the range of the earth’s waters. The data presented here can be used to modify the design of the DTPS to meet specific needs of the diving community.


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