Exploring the functional strategies adopted by coastal plants along an ecological gradient by means of morpho-functional traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ciccarelli ◽  
Cleusa Bona
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
C4 Photosynthesis ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Ecological Gradient

<p>Coastal dunes are characterised by strong interactions between biotic and abiotic factors along a short gradient from the shoreline to the inland region. We carried out an ecological analysis of the vegetation in a protected area of the Italian coast to evaluate the relationships among species abundance; the occurrence of morphoanatomical traits related to leaves, stems and roots; and soil variables. Three transects were established perpendicular to the shoreline with 27 plots distributed in the frontal dunes, back dunes, and temporarily wet dune slacks.</p><p>The analysis based on community weighted mean values is consistent with the ecological constraints along the shoreline-inland gradient. The front-plots were characterised by the presence of pioneer communities (with succulent leaves as evidenced by the high limb thickness values and the low LDMC values) that are well adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of these habitats. Farther from the sea, the back-plot vegetation was characterised by functional traits (especially high LDMC values) that are consistent with the less-extreme ecological conditions. Last, the slack-plots seemed to be very interesting from a functional point of view. They were dominated by geophytes that had adopted C4 photosynthesis and had amphistomatic leaves and abundant aerenchyma in the roots.</p><p>The native vs. invasive status, C4 photosynthesis, leaf trichomes and aerenchyma in the roots were significantly correlated with soil moisture, organic matter content and pH. These results demonstrate the usefulness of anatomical traits (especially those of the root system) in understanding the functional strategies adopted by plants.</p><p>Last, invasive species tended to occupy plots with high levels of soil moisture, and they were not abundant in the habitats with more arid conditions. These data confirmed that alien species are less adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of coastal sand dunes. Increasing the spatial extent of the study area and integrating other functional traits, such as ecophysiological or regenerative characteristics, into the study may allow the development of a more comprehensive functional framework of the invasion process. All this information can be used to develop appropriate management strategies for coastal dune ecosystems.</p>

scholarly journals Exploring the Functional Strategies Adopted by Coastal Plants Along an Ecological Gradient Using Morpho-functional Traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ciccarelli ◽  
Cleusa Bona
Keyword(s):  
C4 Photosynthesis ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Ecological Gradient ◽  
Ecological Conditions

AbstractCoastal dunes are characterised by strong interactions between biotic and abiotic factors along a short gradient from the shoreline to the inland region. We carried out an ecological analysis of the vegetation in a protected area of the Italian coast to evaluate the relationships among species abundance, the occurrence of morphoanatomical traits related to leaves, stems, and roots, and soil variables. Three transects were established perpendicular to the shoreline, with 27 plots distributed in the frontal dunes, backdunes, and temporarily wet dune slacks. An analysis based on community-weighted mean values showed that the pioneer communities of the frontal dunes were dominated by ruderals that are well adapted to the harsh ecological conditions of these environments, showing succulent leaves, high limb thickness values, and low values for leaf dry matter content (LDMC). The backdune vegetation was a mosaic of annual herbaceous and perennial shrub communities showing both ruderal and stress-tolerant strategies (clonality, sclerified leaves, high LDMC values, root phenolics) consistent with less extreme ecological conditions. The dune slack areas were dominated by plants showing adaptations to both arid and flooded environments, such as C4 photosynthesis, amphistomatic leaves, and abundant aerenchyma in the roots. The invasive status, C4 photosynthesis, leaf trichomes, and aerenchyma in the roots were significantly correlated with soil humidity, organic matter content, and pH. These results demonstrate the usefulness of anatomical traits (including root system traits) in understanding the functional strategies adopted by plants. Invasive species tended to occupy plots with high levels of soil moisture, suggesting an avoidance strategy for the harsh environmental conditions of coastal sand dunes. Finally, we suggest including information regarding root systems into coastal monitoring programs because they are directly linked to soil parameters useful in coastal dune management and protection.

Microenvironment of Lake Huron sand dunes

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Baldwin ◽  
M. A. Maun
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Canonical Variate

Measurements were obtained of relative abundance of vegetation, edaphic properties, and microclimate characteristics of some initial stages of the Lake Huron sand-dune sequence at Pinery Provincial Park, Ont. Of the five dune habitats sampled, the oldest (transition zone) was distinguishable from the rest on the basis of greater diversity and abundance of vegetation, higher organic matter content, higher moisture-retaining capacity, enhanced concentrations of available K+ and Mg2+, depleted levels of Ca2+ in the surface soil, reduced air turbulence, and slightly higher air temperatures. The midsummer microclimate of the open dune habitat was characterized by extremely high day temperatures at the soil surface (5 cm) with large diurnal temperature fluctuations. Soil moisture content was generally low in the surface layers of the soil, but at depths greater than 10 cm, it was always plentiful (> 2.5% of soil by weight). Canonical variates analysis showed that the transition zone habitat (800 years old) was separated from younger ones (first dune ridge, slack, high beach) on the first canonical variate (V1), which accounted for about 50% of the total dispersion in the data. The discrimination of the transition zone microclimate on V1 was best characterized by difference in soil moisture content at shallow depths (5 and 10 cm) and wind velocity at 50 and 150 cm above the soil surface.

scholarly journals Vegetation-environment relationships of boreal spruce forests in ten monitoring reference areas in Norway

Sommerfeltia ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-355
Author(s):  
T. Økland
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Reference Area ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Spruce Forests ◽  
Dca Ordination ◽  
Total Data ◽  
Species Responses ◽  
Reference Areas

Abstract Vegetational and environmental monitoring of boreal spruce forest was initiated in 1988, as a part of the programme “Contrywide Monitoring of Forest Health” at the Norwegian Institute of Land Inventory (NIJOS). As a basis for monitoring, relationships between trees, understory vegetation and environmental conditions (vertical relationships) were analysed for each of ten reference areas. The reference areas were selected to span regional gradients, in climatic conditions and deposition of airborne pollutants, in old-growth, so-called “bilberry-dominated”, “small-fem” and “low-herb”, also paludified, spruce forests south of the Polar Circle. Fifty 1-m2 meso sample plots, randomly chosen within ten 50-m2 macro sample plots in each reference area, were subjected to vegetation analysis, using frequency in subplots as species abundance measure. Environmental (including soil chemical) and tree parameters were recorded for meso as well as macro sample plots. The main vegetational gradients were found by parallel use of DCA and LNMDS ordination methods and subjected to environmental interpretation, mainly by means of non-parametric correlation analyses. DCA and LNMDS in most cases revealed the same main gradients in vegetation, but outliers were more frequent in LNMDS ordinations, due to higher vulnerability of this method to plots with deviating number of species. A complex-gradient in nutrient conditions, with pH and the concentration of nitrogen as the most constantly contributing variables, but with considerable between-area variation with respect to important cations, was evident in nine reference areas. Soil moisture varied along the second vegetational gradient in most areas. In the three most humid reference areas, the Ca concentration was related to variation in soil moisture and gradients from below to between trees, while unrelated or inversely related to the same vegetational gradient as pH. Species abundances were plotted on plot positions in DCA ordinations in order to summarize the species· responses to environmental variation in each area. Variation in vegetation in the total data set (500 meso sample plots) was partitioned onto two sets of explantory variables (environmental and climatic/geographical) by use of CCA, in order to find the relative importance of environmental and climatic/geographical variation. The fraction of variation exclusively explained by environmental variables was about 1 7%, while only 5% of the variation was explained exclusively by climatic variables. The variation shared by both sets of variables was about 8%. The main vegetational gradients and environmental/climatic/geographical complex-gradients in the total data set were found by DCA and subsequent interpretation of axes. The main complex-gradients found by separate analyses of data from each reference area, were reflected along the DCA axes in total ordinations, but differences between areas with respect to positions along both environmental and climatic/geographical gradients were also evident. Meso plot occurrences of selected species were plotted in a DCA ordination of the total data set, with variation exclusively due to climatic/geographical variables removed, in order to express regional similarities and differences in the species· responses to the environment. The different patterns of species· distributions in the DCA ordination were discussed in the light of their use as indicators of specified environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Impacts of soil moisture level and organic matter content on growth of two Juncus species and Poa pratensis grown under acid soil conditions

Weed Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 490-500
Author(s):  
W Kaczmarek‐Derda ◽  
M Helgheim ◽  
J Netland ◽  
H Riley ◽  
K Wærnhus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Moisture Level ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Soil Moisture Level

scholarly journals Using Microwave Soil Heating to Inhibit Invasive Species Seed Germination

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélissa De Wilde ◽  
Elise Buisson ◽  
Nicole Yavercovski ◽  
Loïc Willm ◽  
Livia Bieder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Seed Germination ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Experimental Conditions

Successful invasive plant eradication is rare, because the methods used target the adult stage, not taking into account the development capacity of a large seedbank. Heating by microwave was considered, because it offers a means to quickly reach the temperature required for loss of seed viability and inhibition of germination. Previous results were not encouraging, because homogeneous and deep-wave penetration was not achieved, and the various parameters that can affect treatment effectiveness were incompletely addressed. This study aimed to determine, under experimental conditions, the best microwave treatment to inhibit invasive species seed germination in terms of power (2, 4, 6 kW) and duration (2, 4, 8 min) of treatments and depending on soil moisture (10%, 13%, 20%, 30%) and seed burial depth (2, 12 cm). Three invasive species were tested: Bohemian knotweed, giant goldenrod, and jimsonweed. The most effective treatments required relatively high power and duration (2kW8min, 4kW4min, 6kW2min, and 6kW4min; 4kW8min and 6kW8min were not tested for technical reasons), and their effectiveness diminished with increasing soil moisture with germination percentage between 0% and 2% for the lowest soil moisture, 0% and 56% for intermediate soil moisture, and 27% and 68% in control treatments. For the highest soil moisture, only 2kW8min and 4kW4min reduced germination percentage between 2% and 19%. Occasionally, germination of seeds located at the 12-cm depth was more strongly affected. Giant goldenrod seeds were the most sensitive, probably due to their small size. Results are promising and justify further experiments before developing a field microwave device to treat large volumes of soil infested by invasive seed efficiently and with reasonable energy requirements. Other types of soil, in terms of texture and organic matter content, should be tested in future experiments, because these factors influence soil water content and, consequently, microwave heating.

THE FOREST HABITAT TYPES IN SOUTHEASTERN MANITOBA AND THEIR APPLICATION TO FOREST MANAGEMENT

1964 ◽  
Vol 42 (10) ◽  
pp. 1417-1444 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mueller-Dombois
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Land Classification ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Forest Habitat ◽  
Regional Environment ◽  
Nutrient Regime ◽  
Ecological Land Classification ◽  
Silvicultural Practices

A forest ecological land classification in southeastern Manitoba resulted in the description of 14 forest habitat types, including three subtypes. These are based on silviculturally significant differences of soil moisture and nutrient regime, which are interpreted through tangible features of the three ecosystem components: vegetation, soil, and landform. The types encompass the regional environment from the driest habitats on sand dunes to the wettest in low moor bogs and from the nutritionally poorest on siliceous sandy podzols to the richest on alluvial bottomlands.The classification is to serve as a basic framework for silvicultural practices in the area. Aspects of application to current forest management are discussed.

scholarly journals Procedures for evaluating the tolerance of cassava genotypes to postharvest physiological deterioration

2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 562-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Tonini Venturini ◽  
Vanderlei da Silva Santos ◽  
Eder Jorge de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Fungicide Treatment ◽  
High Soil Moisture ◽  
Root Position ◽  
Postharvest Physiological Deterioration ◽  
Significant Interference ◽  
Diagrammatic Scale

Abstract: The objective of this work was to define procedures to assess the tolerance of cassava genotypes to postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) and to microbial deterioration (MD). Roots of six cassava genotypes were evaluated in two experiments, during storage under different environmental conditions: high temperature and low soil moisture; or low temperature and high soil moisture. Roots were treated or not with fungicide (carbendazim) before storage. Genotype reactions to MD and PPD were evaluated at 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 days after harvest (DAH), in the proximal, medial, and distal parts of the roots. A diagrammatic scale was proposed to evaluate nonperipheral symptoms of PPD. Fungicide treatment and root position did not influence PPD expression; however, all factors had significant effect on MD severity. Genotypes differed as to their tolerance to PPD and MD. Both deterioration types were more pronounced during periods of higher humidity and lower temperatures. The fungicide treatment increased root shelf life by reducing MD severity up to 10 DAH. Whole roots showed low MD severity and high PPD expression up to 10 DAH, which enabled the assessment of PPD without significant interference of MD symptoms during this period.

scholarly journals Organic matter and soil moisture content and double cropping with organic matter sourceplants

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Bako Baon ◽  
Aris Wibawa
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Farm Yard Manure ◽  
Soil Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Source ◽  
Robusta Coffee ◽  
Double Cropping ◽  
Organic Matter Source

Double cropping of coffee with organic matter source plants is thought to increase organic matter content of soil. This study examined the effect of double cropping of coffee and organic matter source plants on soil organic matter content and yield of coffee plants. Arabica coffee trees in Andungsari Experimental Station (Bondowoso district), 1400 m asl. and climate type C; and Robusta coffee trees in Sumberasin Experimental Station (Malang district), 550 m asl. and climate type C, were used as experimental sites of this study which lasted for five years. Organic matter source plants consisted of some species that can be routinedly pruned and surface applied to coffee soil, and other creeping species that not being pruned, however the organic matter source derived from their fallen leaves. Application of farm manure and control (neither organic matter source plants nor farm yard manure) were used as comparison treatments. Results indicate that Ramayana (Cassia spectabilis) had vigorus growth resulting in greater biomass production compared to lamtoro (Leucaena leucocephala), mogania (Moghania macrophylla) and even kaliandra (Calyandra calothyrsus) which produced greater biomass among organic matter source plants grown in Arabica coffee farming. Double cropping of coffee with organic matter source plants did not affect soil organic matter content of Arabica and Robusta coffee farmings, though farm yard manure application increased soil organic matter content and soil bulk density, especially of Robusta coffee farm. Soil moisture content examined in dry season was not affected by double cropping. In contrary, Robusta coffee farm applied with farm yard manure had higher soil moisture content. At Arabica coffee farm, double cropping did not influence green coffee yield, on the other hand Ramayana reduced green coffee yield of Robusta coffee while farm yard manure increased the yield.Keywords : Coffeea arabica, Coffeea canephora, organic matter, soil moisture, double cropping, biomass producing plants.

scholarly journals Nutrient supply controls the linkage between species abundance and ecological interactions in marine bacterial communities

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianjiao Dai ◽  
Donghui Wen ◽  
Colin T. Bates ◽  
Linwei Wu ◽  
Xue Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Coastal Sediment ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Bacterial Growth Rate ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Microbial Species ◽  
Rare Biosphere

AbstractNutrient scarcity is pervasive for natural microbial communities, affecting species reproduction and co-existence. However, it remains unclear whether there are general rules of how microbial species abundances are shaped by biotic and abiotic factors. Here we show that the ribosomal RNA gene operon (rrn) copy number, a genomic trait related to bacterial growth rate and nutrient demand, decreases from the abundant to the rare biosphere in the nutrient-rich coastal sediment but exhibits the opposite pattern in the nutrient-scarce pelagic zone of the global ocean. Both patterns are underlain by positive correlations between community-level rrn copy number and nutrients. Furthermore, inter-species co-exclusion inferred by negative network associations is observed more in coastal sediment than in ocean water samples. Nutrient manipulation experiments yield effects of nutrient availability on rrn copy numbers and network associations that are consistent with our field observations. Based on these results, we propose a “hunger games” hypothesis to define microbial species abundance rules using the rrn copy number, ecological interaction, and nutrient availability.

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