DOCSLIB.ORG

Scotch Broom (Cytisus Scoparius) and Soil Nitrogen: Ecological Implications

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Scotch Broom (Cytisus Scoparius) and Soil Nitrogen: Ecological Implications SCOTCH BROOM (CYTISUS SCOPARIUS) AND SOIL NITROGEN: ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS by Jacqueline Shaben B.Sc, University of Victoria, 1999 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (ZOOLOGY) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA October 2006 © Jacqueline Shaben, 2006 ABSTRACT Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), a leguminous shrub with nitrogen-fixing rhizobial root associations, is an invasive plant in the endangered Garry oak ecosystem (GOE) of Southern British Columbia. Broom frequently spreads from disturbed areas such as power line right-of-ways, and thus is a threat to native ecosystems. To unravel the ecological relationship between Cytisus scoparius and soil nitrogen, I conducted two independent studies in 2004-2005. The first study assessed broom's effect on nutrient availability and plant community composition in two Garry oak sites. The second evaluated the impact on seedling recruitment of broom following fertilization with biosolids obtained from sewage treatment. To determine if broom increased soil nitrogen availability, adjacent broom-invaded and non-invaded plots at two GOE sites (Rocky Point and Bamberton) were investigated. Here, soil-nutrient availability was compared using PRS™ ion-exchange membrane probes and concurrent plant surveys. No differences were observed in nitrogen availability between broom-present and -absent plots except for a weak trend of higher NHV" at Rocky Point. By contrast, phosphorus availability at Rocky Point was significantly lower in the broom-present plots. Plant richness was independent of broom presence, however multivariate analysis showed that species identity and abundance differed, with native species declining and introduced species increasing in the broom- invaded plots. I conducted a complementary bioassay in which a native grass and an exotic grass were grown individually either with Cytisus or the native Holodiscus discolor, to test if grasses benefited from the presence of Cytisus. No difference in grass growth between treatment combinations was observed. The second study tested a novel method of broom control. With fertilization trials, I compared the efficacy of sewage biosolids and ammonium nitrate on the suppression of broom seedlings following broom removal. In addition, I conducted a greenhouse germination experiment to explore the mechanism of broom suppression. Broom seedlings were fewest and vegetation biomass tended to be highest in the biosolids plots. The germination experiment indicated no difference in broom germination rate when II grown without plant competition. This suggests that the negative effects of biosolids on broom are due to increased competition from other plants for light and water. The management implications of these two studies are that Cytisus scoparius, though not correlated with dramatic increases in nitrogen availability, may alter phosphorus availability in GOE and thus influence plant composition. Addition of sewage biosolids to disturbed sites however, causes broom seedlings to lose their competitive advantage in dense vegetation that is facilitated by complete nutrient addition from biosolids. Ill TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT II TABLE OF CONTENTS IV LIST OF TABLES VI LIST OF FIGURES VII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . VIII 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 INVASIVE PLANTS 1 1.2 STUDY SPECIES - SCOTCH BROOM 2 1.3 CONTROL OF SCOTCH BROOM 2 1.4 SCOTCH BROOM AND THE GARRY OAK ECOSYSTEM 3 1.5 OBJECTIVES 4 1.6 REFERENCES 6 2. IMPACT OF SCOTCH BROOM (CYTISUS SCOPARIUS) ON PLANT COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN THE GARRY OAK ECOSYSTEM: UNRAVELING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BROOM, SOIL NUTRIENTS AND PLANT DIVERSITY 7 2.1 INTRODUCTION 7 2.2 METHODS 10 2.2.1 Sites 10 2.2.2 Soil nutrient measurements 13 2.2.3 Broom densities 14 2.2.4 Plant diversity 15 2.2.5 Bioassay 16 2.2.6 Statistical analyses 19 2.3 RESULTS 20 2.3.1 Broom densities/biomass 20 2.3.2 Soil nutrient measurements 23 2.3.3 Plant diversity 31 2.3.4 Bioassay 35 2.4 DISCUSSION 38 2.4.1 Soil nutrient measurements 38 2.4.2 Plant Diversity......; 39 2.4.3 Bioassay : 40 2.5 CONCLUSION 42 2.6 REFERENCES 45 3. POTENTIAL OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION TO SUPPRESS SCOTCH BROOM RE-ESTABLISHMENT 47 3.1 INTRODUCTION 47 3.2 METHODS 50 3.2.1 Sites 50 3.2.2 Site Preparation 51 3.2.3 Biosolids and Application Rate 54 IV 3.2.4 Monitoring broom re-establishment 55 3.2.5 Broom germination experiment 58 3.2.6 Statistical analyses 59 3.3 RESULTS 60 3.3.1 Soils 60 3.3.2 Monitoring broom re-establishment 66 3.3.3 Broom germination experiment 72 3.4 DISCUSSION 73 Caveat 73 3.4.1 Soils 73 3.4.1 Plant Monitoring 75 3.4.3 Germination experiment 77 3.5 CONCLUSION 78 3.6 REFERENCES 79 4. CONCLUSION 83 4.1 REFERENCES 84 APPENDICES 85 APPENDIX A - BIOSOLIDS APPLICATION RATE 85 APPENDIX B - NATIVE SEED MIXES USED 88 APPENDIX C - TRACE ELEMENT APPLICATION RATE 89 APPENDIX D - AMMONIUM NITRATE APPLICATION RATE 92 APPENDIX E - SPECIES LISTS 93 V LIST OF TABLES Table 2-1 Treatment combinations for bioassay and corresponding description of species 17 Table 2.2 Initial characteristics of soil used in bioassay and of reference soil obtained from an intact Garry oak meadow 18 Table 2.3 Scotch broom densities and biomass/m2 at each site for both Rocky Point & Bamberton 21 Table 2.4 Selected initial soil characteristics and nutrient values from composite soil cores taken at Rocky Point and Bamberton in February, 2005 24 1 Table 2.5 Mean values of N03~, NFL," " and P in broom-invaded and un-invaded plots- four sample periods and entire growing season 30 Table 2.6 Average species richness and evenness values at Bamberton and Rocky Point 31 Table 2.7 Pre-bioassay TKN values, and pre- and post-bioassay soil NFL/ and NO3" values in ppm for all four bioassay combinations with native GOE soil values for reference 37 Table 3.1 Initial soil analysis results for the three sites prior to treatment 53 Table 3.2 Percent cover and corresponding cover class as adapted from the Braun- Blanquet percent cover scale 57 1 Table 3.3 Results of soil analyses for NFL;" " and N03" taken 3 to 5 months after initial establishment of site and one year after establishment 61 Table 3.4 Summary of comparisons of soil NFI/, NO3" and TKN changes between pretreatment sampling and the first and second years following fertilization 63 Table 3.5 Cation exchange capacity (meq/lOOg) by treatment at all three sites 1 year following site establishment 66 Table 3.6 Mean percent-cover class of broom for each treatment at three sites 68 Table 3.7 Average relative abundance of grasses, non-native grasses & native shrubs- all three sites, each treatment 69 Table 3.8 Average plant species richness by treatment at each of the three sites 70 VI LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1 Map showing locations of two study sites on Southern Vancouver Island. ..11 Figure 2.2 Relationship between average Cytisus biomass (g/m2) and NFLt+ and NO3" availability rates at Rocky Point 22 Figure 2.3 Relationship between average Cytisus density (stems/m2) and nitrogen availability at Rocky Point 22 + Figure 2.4 NH4 availability in broom-invaded and un-invaded plots for each of 4 sample periods at Bamberton and Rocky Point 26 Figure 2.5 NO3" availability in broom-invaded and un-invaded plots for each of 4 sample periods at Bamberton and Rocky Point 27 Figure 2.6 Phosphorus availability in broom-invaded and un-invaded plots for each sample period at Bamberton and Rocky Point 28 Figure 2.7 Average nutrient supply rates for the period of January to June 29 Figure 2.8 Multidimensional scaling ordinations of plant diversity by quadrat at Bamberton 32 Figure 2.9 Multidimensional scaling ordinations of plant diversity by quadrat at Rocky Point 33 Figure 2.10 Summed percent dissimilarity of plant species between un-invaded and broom-invaded plots at Rocky Point. 34 Figure 2.11 Summed percent dissimilarity of plant species between un-invaded and broom-invaded plots at Bamberton 34 Figure 2.12 Mean mass of grasses grown with Cytisus and Holodiscus 36 Figure 3.1 NH/ and N03" availability in ammonium nitrate, biosolid and un-treated plots at Iona Beach, Burnaby Mountain and Duncan 65 Figure 3.2 Mean number of broom seedlings by treatment at all three sites, sampled in July 2005 67 Figure 3.3 Mean percent-cover class of broom for each treatment at all three sites 68 Figure 3.4 Dried vegetation biomass for all three treatments at each of the three sites...71 Figure 3.5 Fates of broom seeds and seedlings under different soil fertilizer treatments 72 VII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As solitary as these innumerable hours of thesis writing have been, they have consistently served to remind me of how immensely collaborative my project has actually been. First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor, Judy Myers, for accepting me into her lab, encouraging me to stay despite my rough start to grad school and showing confidence in me the whole way through. I also truly appreciate the advice and editing effort that Drs. Art Bomke and Sue Grayston provided me these past three years. Though I am still no entomologist, there is no denying that, under the tutelage of my lab mates, I have come a long way in understanding what goes on in the lab and greenhouses frequented by the Myers crew. Thanks guys, for making me feel welcome. For her great sense of humour, field-work stamina, plant i.d. tenacity and problem- solving genius, I thank Kristen Stevenson for postponing her trip to New Zealand in order to work with me all summer, 2005.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Genista Monspessulana – Montpellier Broom, Cape Broom, Canary Broom
    Application for WoNS candidacy Genista monspessulana – Montpellier Broom, Cape Broom, Canary Broom Contact: Ashley Millar - (08) 9334 0312; Department of Environment and Conservation (WA) October 2010 Introduction Genista monspessulana (L.) L.A.S.Johnson (Fabaceae), also known more commonly as Montpellier Broom, Cape Broom and Canary Broom, is a woody legume weed with significant current and potential impacts on forestry production, biodiversity of natural ecosystems, grazing systems, access to amenity areas and fire risk. Infestations occur in all temperate states of Australia, with particularly severe infestations in the Adelaide Hills, southern Tasmania, central and southern Great Dividing Range of NSW, central Victoria and south west WA. G. monspessulana was ranked 37th in the initial evaluation of weeds nominated for Weeds of Natural Significance (WONS) (Thorp and Lynch 2000), with a particularly high impact score due to its formation of dense, impenetrable thickets arising from a long-lived soil seed bank (source: Henry et al . 2010). Species description: G. monspessulana is an erect, perennial slender shrub which grows up to 5-6m. It has trifoliolate petiolate leaves which are more or less glabrous. This species has yellow flowers which are produced from August to January. G. monspessulana occurs in loamy soil through to lateritic and peaty sand and is commonly found along rivers and roadsides (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001; FLORABASE DEC 2010). G. monspessulana is native to the Mediterranean region that has become established, and is considered a persistent and deleterious plant, in several other regions of the world, including the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. It is considered deleterious because of its ability to form dense almost mono-cultural stands, which replace and suppress native flora and economically valuable timber plants (Lloyd 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • (GISD) 2021. Species Profile Cytisus Scoparius. Available F
    FULL ACCOUNT FOR: Cytisus scoparius Cytisus scoparius System: Terrestrial Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Plantae Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Fabales Fabaceae Common name giesta (Portuguese), Scotch broom (English), common broom (English), Irish broom (English), broomtops (English), European broom (English), Besenginster (German), genêt à balais (French) Synonym Sarothamnus scoparius , (L.) Wimmer ex Koch Spartium scoparium , (Linn.). Genista scoparius , (Lam.). Similar species Summary The densely growing Cytisus scoparius is a shrub indigenous to Europe and northern Asia that favours temperate climates and is found in abundance on sandy pastures and heaths. It is sparingly naturalized in sandy soil in North America. It grows best in dry, sandy soils in full sunlight and can also do well on soils high in boron. Where introduced, it colonizes pastures and cultivated fields, dry scrubland and \"wasteland\", and native grasslands. Most rapid spread of the plant has occurred along waterways where the seed is distributed by water. It is also spread rapidly along roads, where the seed is distributed by passing vehicles. Wind, birds, and other animals may also transport seeds. Seed re-introduction may occur from the sheep droppings during grazing. view this species on IUCN Red List Species Description Hoshovsky (1986) reports that is a perennial shrub of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. The shrubs are 1-2 metres high and deciduous. The green branches are strongly angled and appear naked or almost so. The leaves are trifoliolate with petioles 2-10mm long. The leaflets are obovate to oblanceolate, entire, strigose, and 6-12mm long. Unlike Cytisus monspessulanus (French broom) and Spartium junceum (Spanish broom), the yellow flowers of C.
    [Show full text]
  • Species: Cytisus Scoparius, C. Striatus
    Species: Cytisus scoparius, C. striatus http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/cytspp/all.html SPECIES: Cytisus scoparius, C. striatus Table of Contents Introductory Distribution and occurrence Botanical and ecological characteristics Fire ecology Fire effects Management considerations References INTRODUCTORY AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION FEIS ABBREVIATION SYNONYMS NRCS PLANT CODE COMMON NAMES TAXONOMY LIFE FORM FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS OTHER STATUS Scotch broom Portuguese broom © Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's © 2005 Michael L. Charters, Sierra Madre, College CA. AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION: Zouhar, Kris. 2005. Cytisus scoparius, C. striatus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2007, September 24]. FEIS ABBREVIATION: CYTSCO CYTSTR CYTSPP 1 of 54 9/24/2007 4:15 PM Species: Cytisus scoparius, C. striatus http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/cytspp/all.html SYNONYMS: None NRCS PLANT CODE [141]: CYSC4 CYST7 COMMON NAMES: Scotch broom Portuguese broom English broom scotchbroom striated broom TAXONOMY: The scientific name for Scotch broom is Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link [48,55,57,63,105,112,126,132,147,154,160] and for Portuguese broom is C. striatus (Hill) Rothm. [55,63,132]. Both are in the pea family (Fabaceae). In North America, there are 2 varieties of Scotch broom, distinguished by their flower color: C. scoparius var. scoparius and C. scoparius var. andreanus (Puiss.) Dipp. The former is the more widely distributed variety, and the latter occurs only in California [63]. This review does not distinguish between these varieties.
    [Show full text]
  • Patterns of Pollination and Seed Predation Limit Scotch Broom (Cytisus Scoparius L.) Robert Bode, Phd Saint Martin’S University Our Well-Known Nemesis
    Patterns of Pollination and Seed Predation Limit Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) Robert Bode, PhD Saint Martin’s University Our Well-Known Nemesis • Cytisus scoparius L. • Noxious, invasive, toxic, etc. • Self-incompatible • Biocontrols introduced Self-Incompatibility • Unusual in an invasive • Goldenrod in Britain and Japan • Kudzu may evolve selfing (Steven et al 2013) • Invader in need of a pollinator Pollinator limitation • Scotch broom is pollinator limited (Parker 1997) • But it seems to be doing just fine… • Do urban structures limit pollination in broom? Pollinator selection on Floral Traits in Scotch broom • If pollinators are limiting broom, their choice should exert selective pressure • We may see pollinator choice • Footprint of evolution past Selection along a gradient • Urban patches may be distinct samples • Gradient along Martin Way • Will bees prefer certain plants? • Will flowers be different sizes? Flower size varies, but without a pattern Malo and Baonza 2002 • If selection is present, it has not led to local adaptations • Gene flow may homogenize the population 26 25 24 23 22 • Variation is higher within sites 21 20 than in Malo and Baonza’s entire 19 18 Banner Width (mm) Width Banner study! 17 16 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Site number Selection on flowers differs between urban and rural populations Slope of the line as a selection gradient: pollination as a proxy for fitness Urban Rural Site 31 Site 1 0.9 0.6 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.5 y = -0.0537x + 1.294 y = 0.0613x - 0.734 0.3 0.4 Pollinated (Fitness) Pollinated Pollinated
    [Show full text]
  • Scotch Broom
    C Fabaceae—Pea family Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link Scotch broom Susan E. Meyer Dr. Meyer is a research ecologist at the USDA Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station, Shrub Sciences Laboratory, Provo, Utah Growth habit, occurrence, and uses. The genus indigenous species. The result is that seed production may Cytisus comprises about 80 species native to Eurasia and be severely pollinator-limited (Parker 1997). In spite of this, North Africa. Many are cultivated as ornamentals, and sever- the plants may produce a prodigious number of seeds; the al of these have become more or less naturalized in the estimated mean annual production per plant was about United States, especially in California (Munz and Keck 10,000 seeds in 2 California populations (Bossard and 1959). Scotch broom—C. scoparius (L.) Link—was planted Rejmanek 1994). Host-specific pre-dispersal seed predators extensively for erosion control during the first half of the from Europe (a seed weevil and a bruchid beetle) have been century (Gill and Pogge 1974) but is now considered a seri- introduced for biocontrol of Scotch broom in the Northwest, ous invasive weed throughout the range of its introduction in but so far these introductions have been largely ineffective, North America, Australia, and New Zealand (Bossard 1991). possibly because of asynchrony in the phenology of host It has become the dominant species on several hundred and seed predator (Bravo 1980). thousand hectares of coastal and cis-montane vegetation, Plants reach reproductive maturity at about 4 years of from Santa Barbara, California, north to British Columbia. It age (Gill and Pogge 1974).
    [Show full text]
  • Periodic Status Review for the Western Gray Squirrel
    STATE OF WASHINGTON February 2016 Periodic Status Review for the Western Gray Squirrel Gary J. Wiles Washington Department of FISH AND WILDLIFE Wildlife Program The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a list of endangered, threatened, and sensitive species (Washington Administrative Codes 232-12-014 and 232-12-011). In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission adopted listing procedures developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies (Washington Administrative Code 232-12-297). The procedures include how species list- ings will be initiated, criteria for listing and delisting, a requirement for public review, the development of recovery or management plans, and the periodic review of listed species. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is directed to conduct reviews of each endangered, threat- ened, or sensitive wildlife species at least every five years after the date of its listing by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. In addition, as was the case with this western gray squirrel periodic status review, the Department may initiate a review of a species if a petition is received from an interested person setting forth specific evidence and scientific data to suggest that a species may be in need of reclassification. The periodic status reviews are designed to include an update of the species status report to determine whether the status of the species warrants its current listing status or deserves reclassification. The agency notifies the general public and specific parties who have expressed their interest to the Department of the periodic status review at least one year prior to the five-year period so that they may submit new scientific data to be included in the review.
    [Show full text]
  • FACTSHEET APRIL 2019 Scotch Broom Cytisus Scoparius
    Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwod.org FACTSHEET APRIL 2019 Scotch Broom Cytisus scoparius About Scotch Broom Native to the Mediterranean areas of Europe, Scotch broom was introduced to BC’s Vancouver Island in the mid-19th century as an ornamental plant. Its spread continued following widespread planting as a bank stabilizer during road development, and as discarded crate packing materials for gold camps along the west coast. Legal Status Invasive Plants Regulation, Forest and Range Practices Act; Community Charter, Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction - Environment And Wildlife Regulation. Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwod.org Fruits: Flat, hairy seedpods that are initially green, turn brown to black in color. Similar Species: Spanish broom (Spartium junceum), a non-native species, has flowers that’ grow at the tips of Scotch broom stems (crowning the plant), whereas Scotch broom flowers Cytisus scoparius Code = SB n = 1130 grow along stems. IAPP July 2017 Sites per 10km block squares 1-10 Ecological Characteristics 11-20 21-50 Habitat: This escaped garden ornamental invades exposed, 51-100 well-drained mineral soil and is shade-intolerant. Over 100 0 200km 400km Reproduction: Perennial species that reproduces by seed and lateral bud growth. Mature plants can produce up to 3500 pods, Distribution each containing 5–12 seeds. Currently distributed on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North Dispersal: As seedpods dry America. It is common west of the Coast-Cascade Mountains in they split and spiral, expelling southwest BC and is concentrated at the southern end of the contained seeds up to 5 Vancouver Island. It has also been reported on the Queen Charlotte metres.
    [Show full text]
  • Cytisus Scoparius (L.) J.H.F
    Cytisus scoparius (L.) J.H.F. Link Scotch Broom (Genista andreana, Genista scoparia, Sarothamnus scoparius, Sarothamnus vulgaris, Spartium scoparium) Other Common Names: Broomtops, Common Broom, European Broom, Irish Broom, Scottish Broom. Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae); sometimes placed in Papilionaceae . Cold Hardiness: USDA zones 6 (5) to 7 (8). Foliage: Alternate, semi-evergreen to deciduous, trifoliate (mostly) to simple (tips of some twigs) leaves are small, ¼O to eO long, medium to dark green in color, but covered in open whitish pubescence, lending a frosted appearance to the margins; no significant fall color develops. Flower: Flowering occurs in spring from buds on old wood with one or two bright yellow :O to 1O diameter indi- vidual flowers; the back petal is the largest and is bilobed; this petal may be yellow (most common color), pink, orangish red, to red outside; flowers are numerous and very showy in bloom. Fruit: Small seeds are borne in 1½O to 2O long pea pod-like explosively dehiscent fuzzy capsules; pods mature from green to tan-brown at maturity, but are not ornamentally effective. Stem / Bark: Stems — young stems are thin, stiff and held erect in a wisp-broom fashion; young and intermediate stems are square in cross-section; new growth is covered in a sparse white pubescence which is slowly lost as the twigs mature; the bark is initially bright green, becoming mottled white and brown as twigs age; Buds — 1 1 nearly foliose with poorly formed bud scales, the tiny /32O to /16O long roundish green buds are tightly ap- pressed to the stems; Bark — bark changes as stems age from green on new twigs, mottled green and brown on older twigs, to striated green and brown on young limbs, to smooth greenish gray to brownish gray on older trunks.
    [Show full text]
  • Genista Monspessulana (L.) L
    WRITTEN FINDINGS OF THE WASHINGTON STATE NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL BOARD DRAFT August 24, 2012 Scientific name: Genista monspessulana (L.) L. A. S. Johnson Synonyms: Cytisus monspessulanus L., Cytisus monspessulanus var. umbellulatus (Webb) Briq., Teline candicans var. umbellulatus Webb & Berthel., Teline monspessulana (L.) K. Koch Common name: French broom, canary broom, cape broom, Montpellier broom, soft broom Family: Fabaceae Legal Status: Proposed Class A noxious weed Description and Variation: (Unless otherwise noted, information in this section is from DiTomaso and Healy (2007). Overall Habit: Genista monspessulana is a shrub in the Fabaceae (legume) family that typically grows less than 3 m (10 feet) tall but sometimes grows to 5 m (16 feet) tall (Baldwin et al. 2012, Bossard 2000). Plants can be evergreen or deciduous; in California G. monspessulana keeps much of its leaves in coastal areas and loses more of its leaves in inland areas (Bossard 2000). Stems are erect, typically leafy and covered in silky, silvery hairs (Baldwin et al. 2012, Stace 2010). Younger stems are green and round in cross-section and often strongly 8-10 ridged, while older stems are brown and may not have ridges. Roots: Genista monspessulana is a taprooted shrub that has fine roots associated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Leaves: Leaves are alternately arranged with a petiole (<5mm) and compound with 3 leaflets (Baldwin et al. 2012). Leaflets are oblong to obovate and variable in size with most 10-20 mm long, with the length generally +/- 2 times the width (Baldwin et al. 2012). The leaf’s upper and lower surface is sparsely to densely covered with appressed short, silvery hairs.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Gray Squirrel Recovery Plan
    STATE OF WASHINGTON November 2007 Western Gray Squirrel Recovery Plan by Mary J. Linders and Derek W. Stinson by Mary J. Linders and Derek W. Stinson Washington Department of FISH AND WILDLIFE Wildlife Program In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission adopted procedures for listing and de-listing species as en- dangered, threatened, or sensitive and for writing recovery and management plans for listed species (WAC 232-12-297, Appendix E). The procedures, developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies, require preparation of recovery plans for species listed as threatened or endangered. Recovery, as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the process by which the decline of an en- dangered or threatened species is arrested or reversed, and threats to its survival are neutralized, so that its long-term survival in nature can be ensured. This is the final Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Gray Squirrel. It summarizes the historic and current distribution and abundance of western gray squirrels in Washington and describes factors af- fecting the population and its habitat. It prescribes strategies to recover the species, such as protecting the population and existing habitat, evaluating and restoring habitat, potential reintroduction of western gray squirrels into vacant habitat, and initiating research and cooperative programs. Interim target population objectives and other criteria for reclassification are identified. The draft state recovery plan for the western gray squirrel was reviewed by researchers and representatives from state, county, local, tribal, and federal agencies, and regional experts. This review was followed by a 90-day public comment period.
    [Show full text]
  • Chemical, Biochemical and Electrochemical Assays to Evaluate Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Plants
    Food Chemistry 127 (2011) 1600–1608 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Food Chemistry journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foodchem Chemical, biochemical and electrochemical assays to evaluate phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of wild plants ⇑ Lillian Barros, Luis Cabrita, Miguel Vilas Boas, Ana Maria Carvalho, Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira CIMO/Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Apartado 1 172, 5301-855 Bragança, Portugal article info abstract Article history: Plants are a source of compounds that may be used as pharmacologically active products. Cytisus multif- Received 19 November 2010 lorus, Filipendula ulmaria and Sambucus nigra have been used as important medicinal plants in the Iberian Received in revised form 2 February 2011 Peninsula for many years, and are claimed to have various health benefits. Herein, the phytochemical Accepted 6 February 2011 composition and antioxidant activity of the mentioned wild medicinal plants were evaluated in vitro, Available online 2 March 2011 based on chemical, biochemical and electrochemical methods. F. ulmaria was found to be richest in anti- oxidant phytochemicals, such as phenolics (228 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (62 mg CE/g DW), ascorbic Keywords: acid (2700 lg/g DW) and tocopherols (497 lg/g DW). The antioxidant activity was found to vary in the Cytisus multiflorus order: F. ulmaria > S. nigra > C. multiflorus, irrespective of the analysis method. Electrochemical methods Filipendula ulmaria Sambucus nigra have proven to be rapid and inexpensive techniques to characterise the antioxidant activity of plant Antioxidants extracts. Phytochemicals Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Chromatography Electrochemistry 1. Introduction important medicinal plants and less often as food or food additives.
    [Show full text]
  • Apion Seed Weevil Introduced for Biological Control of Scotch Broom
    APION SEED WEEVIL INTRODUCED FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF SCOTCH BROOM Adult Apion fuscirostre before emergence from seed of Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius. L. A. ANDRES R. B. HAWKES A. RIZZA COTCH BROOM, Cytisus scoparius (L.) corded only from the pods of Cytisus sco- as temporary as the developing Scotch S Link, is an introduced perennial nox- parius. broom pod. ious weed infesting over 75,000 acres Although a number of closely related throughout 18 northern counties in Cali- Active in spring woody legumes with morphologically fornia. It is an unpalatable invader of The weevil hibernates as an adult, be- similar flowers and pods occur in associa- range and timber lands, and a deterrent coming active in the spring when new tion with Cytisus scoparius, they do not to seedlings of some coniferous tree spe- plant growth begins. It feeds on the devel- serve as hosts for Apion fuscirostre. One cies. It also burns with such intense heat oping buds, flowers, and broom pods, and reason is the difference in the phenologies that many forest trees may be killed by a oviposits in the pods. Each larva destroys of the plant species. Ulex europaeus L. Scotch broom fire. one or two seeds during development. blooms at temperatures too low for weevil To aid in slowing the spread of this Pupation occurs in the pod, and the imago activity, for example. Of greater impor- plant, a small seed weevil, Apion fusciros- emerges when the pod dehisces in mid- tance, however, is the unacceptability of tre F., was introduced into California in summer (July to August).
    [Show full text]