Seedling Survival in Forest Re-vegetation Sites within Wellington Peninsula

<p>Transplanting native seedlings is a widely used restoration tool to enhance biodiversity in urban areas. Due to labour and economic needs of this tool, it is crucial to maximise the survival rates of the transplanted seedlings. In this research, I monitored, over a six month period, the status of wineberry (Aristotelia serrata), cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) and lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenioides) seedlings in their initial years after transplanting. The seedlings, up to 4 years old, were located in 11 forest re-vegetation sites in Wellington city, New Zealand. Using mixed effects models to predict the mortality probability of each species, I analyse the relative importance that variables (e.g. soil conditions or grass competition) have in the mortality of the seedlings. Lemonwood seedlings experienced the lowest mortality rates (<2%), independent of age. The models predicting probability of mortality of wineberry and cabbage tree indicate that grass competition and water availability are crucial variables in the mortality of these species during the initial 6 months after transplanting. Combinations of plant size (e.g. height) and certain environmental variables (e.g. soil conditions or slope) crucially affect mortality of wineberry and cabbage trees from one to three years of age. Based on these results, I provide recommendations, such as appropriate planting date and ideal length of maintenance tasks, to maximise survival rates of native plants within the first years after transplanting. A longer monitoring period and similar research of other species are required to assist forest re-vegetation groups in Wellington city achieving more cost- and labour-efficient re-vegetation management.</p>

Seedling Survival in Forest Re-vegetation Sites within Wellington Peninsula

<p>Transplanting native seedlings is a widely used restoration tool to enhance biodiversity in urban areas. Due to labour and economic needs of this tool, it is crucial to maximise the survival rates of the transplanted seedlings. In this research, I monitored, over a six month period, the status of wineberry (Aristotelia serrata), cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) and lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenioides) seedlings in their initial years after transplanting. The seedlings, up to 4 years old, were located in 11 forest re-vegetation sites in Wellington city, New Zealand. Using mixed effects models to predict the mortality probability of each species, I analyse the relative importance that variables (e.g. soil conditions or grass competition) have in the mortality of the seedlings. Lemonwood seedlings experienced the lowest mortality rates (<2%), independent of age. The models predicting probability of mortality of wineberry and cabbage tree indicate that grass competition and water availability are crucial variables in the mortality of these species during the initial 6 months after transplanting. Combinations of plant size (e.g. height) and certain environmental variables (e.g. soil conditions or slope) crucially affect mortality of wineberry and cabbage trees from one to three years of age. Based on these results, I provide recommendations, such as appropriate planting date and ideal length of maintenance tasks, to maximise survival rates of native plants within the first years after transplanting. A longer monitoring period and similar research of other species are required to assist forest re-vegetation groups in Wellington city achieving more cost- and labour-efficient re-vegetation management.</p>

Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense.

Phytoplasmas are wall-less, phloem-limited unculturable bacteria that are naturally spread by sap-sucking insects. 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense', subgroup 16SrXII-B, is associated with a wide range of diseases in Australia and New Zealand. Important commercial crop hosts of 'Ca. Phytoplasma australiense' include grapevine, papaya and strawberry. This phytoplasma is associated with rapid death of its papaya and cabbage tree hosts. In New Zealand, the insect vectors have been confirmed to be the endemic Cixiid planthoppers, Zeoliarus atkinsoni and Z. oppositus, while in Australia no vector has yet been determined, although the leafhopper, Orosius argentatus, has been implicated. Long distance spread of the phytoplasma is possible through infected vegetative propagating material. 'Ca. Phytoplasma australiense' is on the A1 list of regulated organisms for Canada and Bahrain, and is listed as a quarantine pest for the USA.

Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense.

Phytoplasmas are wall-less, phloem-limited unculturable bacteria that are naturally spread by sap-sucking insects. 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense', subgroup 16SrXII-B, is associated with a wide range of diseases in Australia and New Zealand. Important commercial crop hosts of 'Ca. Phytoplasma australiense' include grapevine, papaya and strawberry. This phytoplasma is associated with rapid death of its papaya and cabbage tree hosts. In New Zealand, the insect vectors have been confirmed to be the endemic Cixiid planthoppers, Zeoliarus atkinsoni and Z. oppositus, while in Australia no vector has yet been determined, although the leafhopper, Orosius argentatus, has been implicated. Long distance spread of the phytoplasma is possible through infected vegetative propagating material. 'Ca. Phytoplasma australiense' is on the A1 list of regulated organisms for Canada and Bahrain, and is listed as a quarantine pest for the USA.

THE ETHNOMATHEMATICS OF TUTUWARU COMMUNITY IN THE CRAFTS OF KOLI LEAF WEAVING

Ethnomatemics-based mathematics concept implementation can be carried out through constructivism-based learning such as realistic mathematics, problem-based and learning with a scientific approach. This research purpose to explore the form of ethnomatemics on the woven cabbage leaves of the Tutuwaru community and analyze the process of understanding mathematics from the perspective of indigenous people and indigenous knowledge and examine the development of woven form ethnomatatics in school mathematics. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative research. The subjects are 2 members of the weaving community, while the objects of research are Nyiru (winnowing-basket), Topi (hat), Keranjang dan Bakul (basket). The results showed that the form of weaving from a typical local Koli (cabbage) tree, could be connected with several mathematical concepts such as basic geometry and arithmetic. The hexagonal concept based on the understanding of multiples is an "indegious knowledge" that exists in the Tutuwaru community in constructing the form of nyiru-woven, reflection, points, lines and tessellation. These mathematical ideas can be used as context in school mathematics learning

Diversity of Species and Benefits of Telajakan Plant as a Potential Tourism Attraction in Bali

Telajakan is a place of reforestation, one of the elements of traditional green open space in Balinese homes. Plants planted in various species are diversified, in some categories of plant and have various benefits in Balinese society. The study was conducted in 2018 in the Cengkilung village, Denpasar Municipality and Penglipuran Village, Bangli Regency, Bali Province. Data collection methods are carried out through observation with inventory and identification of plants, interviews with owners of taxation. The plants planted in these two villages are mostly used for beauty or ornamental plants increase the family's economy, ceremonies or rituals, and protectors. The highest Important Value (IV) on trees category in Telajakan plants at the Cengkilung village are the cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) as much as namely 129%. The shrub and herbaceous categories are Crotons 'Wide leaf' (Codaium variegatum) and Japanese grass (Zoysia japonica) amounting respectively 75.3% and 43.4%. The Telajakan plants at Penglipuran Village, which are on the category of trees, shrubs and herbs with the highest important values are the Cananga tree (Cananga odorata), Dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera grandiflora), and spider plant (Chloropithum comosum) 109%, 33.4% and 64.6%.

Identification of Zeoliarus oppositus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) as a Vector of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense’

‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense’ is associated with a number of plant diseases in New Zealand. The only known vector of this pathogen was Zeoliarus atkinsoni, a planthopper considered to be monophagous on New Zealand flax (Phormium spp.). The work carried out shows that Z. oppositus, which is polyphagous, is able to vector ‘Ca. P. australiense’ to both Coprosma robusta (karamu) and Cordyline australis (New Zealand cabbage tree). Although transmission was achieved to both these species, the disease symptomatology was more evident in C. australis. Two approaches were taken to achieve transmission. First, insects were collected from areas around symptomatic Coprosma plants and caged directly on test plants. Second, insects were collected from grasses and sedges in areas where disease was less evident and were fed on known infected Coprosma plants prior to being caged on test plants. Transmission was achieved using both approaches, although transmission was far greater (30% compared with 4%) from insects that were directly applied. Phytoplasma DNA was detected in 12% of Z. oppositus individuals tested during all the trials. This work identifies a new vector for ‘Ca. P. australiense’ and contributes to our understanding of the ecology of Cordyline sudden decline and Coprosma lethal decline.