The Use of Spanish Moss As a Biological Indicator to Examine Relationships Between Metal Air Pollution, Vegetation Cover, and Environmental Equity in Tampa, Florida

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Use of Spanish Moss As a Biological Indicator to Examine Relationships Between Metal Air Pollution, Vegetation Cover, and Environmental Equity in Tampa, Florida University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School November 2020 The Use of Spanish Moss as a Biological Indicator to Examine Relationships Between Metal Air Pollution, Vegetation Cover, and Environmental Equity in Tampa, Florida Yousif Abdullah University of South Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons, Environmental Law Commons, and the Environmental Sciences Commons Scholar Commons Citation Abdullah, Yousif, "The Use of Spanish Moss as a Biological Indicator to Examine Relationships Between Metal Air Pollution, Vegetation Cover, and Environmental Equity in Tampa, Florida" (2020). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/8505 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Use of Spanish Moss as a Biological Indicator to Examine Relationships Between Metal Air Pollution, Vegetation Cover, and Environmental Equity in Tampa, Florida by Yousif Abdullah A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Geosciences College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Co-Major Professor: Shawn Landry, Ph.D. Co-Major Professor: Ruiliang Pu, Ph.D. Amy Stuart, Ph.D. Zachary Atlas, Ph.D. Date of Approval: October 30, 2020 Keywords: Tillandsia usneoides, biomonitor, tree cover, environmental justice Copyright © 2020, Yousif Abdulla DEDICATION Thank you, God, for your mercy and grace and for all the blessings that you have bestowed upon me and my family. It is our faith in you that lift us up and gives us the strength to face life’s obstacles and appreciate its rewards. With my deepest gratitude, I dedicate this dissertation to my beloved family: my parents, wife and children. To my wonderful parents, Yaqoub and Ameena, thank you for the love and support that you have given me throughout the years. It was with your unconditional love and continuous encouragement throughout my life, especially during my education years, that I was able succeed and become the person I am today. Having to study abroad, away from my you for eight years must be one of the most difficult experiences that I have faced. At last I have completed my long academic journey, and it is finally time for me to come back home. I promise I will not be away from you for that long again. I also want to thank my incredible and loving wife Noura, who has been my rock through thick and thin, for taking care of me and my children and for holding down the fort while I was busy. You have stood by my side though eight long academic years, away from your family and home and it would be impossible to have done this without you. There are no words to describe how grateful I am for you and for everything you have done. To my son and daughter, Yaqoub and Sarah, having you both in our lives while we were abroad brought joy into our home. We were lucky to have seen you grow from little babies to beautiful four and three-year-old toddlers. I am glad that I am done with my education so that I get to spend more time with you two. Though it seems impossible to repay all of you for the happiness you have brought me, I hope to do so by being a good son, husband, and father. I love you all. ACKNOWLDGMENTS There are many people that I would love to extend my gratitude to. A single page is not enough to mention all the names of those whom have helped me, either directly or indirectly, to complete my dissertation. I would love to recognize the following people: Yaqoub Abdullah, Humoud Alqashan, Obaid Al Otaibi, Mohammad Al Sahli, Raghad Al Kanderi, Luke Palder, Cristina Arbaiza, Georgia Michael, Wesley Mayhem, Jacob MacCartney, Emily Rego, James Panciroli, Dinah Hunsicker, Drew Templeton, Stephanie Robinson, Kristina O'Keefe, Sara Ziegler, Megan Dunne, Haley Coe, Jenna Zarate, Veronica Buccieri, Ray Dominguez, Erin Vogel, Julie Sanchez, Wang Luwen, Geography department at Kuwait university, and the faculty and staff of schools of Geosciences at University of South Florida. Also, I would love to thank Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). The project was funded by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) under project code “CB19-41SE-01”. I would like to thank my advisors Shawn Landry and Ruiliang Pu for their support and mentoring. I also would like to thank my committee members Zachray Atlas and Amy Stuart for all of their advice and help. I have always said that I was lucky to have had such a great committee. I gained an invaluable amount of knowledge and wisdom from everyone during this incredibly challenging, yet, rewarding experience. Finally, to my family, thank you for everything, I love you. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................................. iii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................... vi ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 2: SPANISH MOSS AS AN AIR POLLUTION MEASUREMENT METHOD .......................................... 5 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Literature review ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.2.1 Biomonitors and Bioindicators .................................................................................. 5 2.2.2 Epiphytic plants .......................................................................................................... 6 2.2.3 Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) .......................................................................... 6 2.2.4 Standardized methodology and biomonitoring ......................................................... 7 2.2.5 Biomonitoring study types ......................................................................................... 9 2.2.6 Previous biomonitoring studies’ experiments and goals ......................................... 10 2.2.7 Air pollution-related applications involving bioindicators ....................................... 18 2.3 Research question .................................................................................................................... 19 2.4 Methods ................................................................................................................................... 20 2.4.1 Study area and scope ............................................................................................... 20 2.4.2 Data .......................................................................................................................... 21 2.4.3 Sampling ................................................................................................................... 23 2.4.4 Sampling protocol .................................................................................................... 24 2.4.5 Sample’s lab preparation ......................................................................................... 24 2.4.6 Metals analysis ......................................................................................................... 25 2.4.7 Quality assurance ..................................................................................................... 27 2.4.8 Statistical analysis .................................................................................................... 28 2.5 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 30 2.6 Discussion................................................................................................................................. 38 CHAPTER 3: TREE COVER AS AIR POLLUTION REMOVAL ............................................................................ 44 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 44 3.2 Literature review ...................................................................................................................... 45 3.2.1 Vegetation mapping................................................................................................. 45 3.2.2 Factors affecting process of vegetation-air-pollution-removal ............................... 46 3.2.3 Studies in calculating vegetation air-pollution removal .......................................... 47 3.2.3.1 Air pollution variation in different land use types ................................... 48 3.2.3.2 Vegetation as a barrier ............................................................................ 49 3.2.4 Atmospheric metal (particulate matter) removal by vegetation cover................... 50 3.3 Research question ...................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Leaf Anatomy and C02 Recycling During Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in Twelve Epiphytic Species of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae)
    Int. J. Plant Sci. 154(1): 100-106. 1993. © 1993 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved. 1058-5893/93/5401 -0010502.00 LEAF ANATOMY AND C02 RECYCLING DURING CRASSULACEAN ACID METABOLISM IN TWELVE EPIPHYTIC SPECIES OF TILLANDSIA (BROMELIACEAE) VALERIE S. LOESCHEN,* CRAIG E. MARTIN,' * MARIAN SMITH,t AND SUZANNE L. EDERf •Department of Botany, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2106; and t Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois 62026-1651 The relationship between leaf anatomy, specifically the percent of leaf volume occupied by water- storage parenchyma (hydrenchyma), and the contribution of respiratory C02 during Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) was investigated in 12 epiphytic species of Tillandsia. It has been postulated that the hydrenchyma, which contributes to C02 exchange through respiration only, may be causally related to the recently observed phenomenon of C02 recycling during CAM. Among the 12 species of Tillandsia, leaves of T. usneoides and T. bergeri exhibited 0% hydrenchyma, while the hydrenchyma in the other species ranged from 2.9% to 53% of leaf cross-sectional area. Diurnal malate fluctuation and nighttime atmospheric C02 uptake were measured in at least four individuals of each species. A significant excess of diurnal malate fluctuation as compared with atmospheric C02 absorbed overnight was observed only in T. schiedeana. This species had an intermediate proportion (30%) of hydrenchyma in its leaves. Results of this study do not support the hypothesis that C02 recycling during CAM may reflect respiratory contributions of C02 from the tissue hydrenchyma. Introduction tions continue through fixation of internally re• leased, respired C02 (Szarek et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Spanish Moss and Ball Moss 1
    FOR52 Spanish Moss and Ball Moss 1 Nancy P. Arny2 Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) and ball Bromeliads moss (T. recurvata) are common elements of the Florida landscape. They are two of Florida's native Like almost all members of the Bromeliaceae, members of the Bromeliaceae, also known as the Spanish moss and ball moss are perennial herbs. This pineapple family. This family includes species as means they do not have permanent woody stems diverse as pineapples, Spanish moss and a above ground, but that individual plants persist for carnivorous relative native to Australia. Bromeliads years and will reproduce without human intervention. are members of the plant division Like many other bromeliads, these plants are Magnoliophyta--the flowering plants. While most epiphytes or "air plants". This indicates that they do Floridians are at least vaguely familiar with Spanish not require soil to root in, but can survive and thrive moss, many have never seen it flower and may be growing above the ground hanging on branches of surprised at the beauty of its delicate blossom. Of trees or other structures. They are not parasites. course, the fact that both Spanish moss and ball moss Without soil as a source of nutrients, these plants produce flowers is proof that they are not truly have evolved the capacity to make use of minerals mosses at all. dissolved in the water which flows across leaves and down branches. This fact sheet will help the reader to distinguish between the two common Tillandsias . It also Spanish moss plants appear to vary in mineral provides basic information on the biology and content and it has been proven that they gain a ecology of these fascinating plants and provides significant portion of their nutrients from stem recommendations for their management in the home run-off from the trees on which they are anchored.
    [Show full text]
  • COMÚN INGLÉS COMÚN ESPAÑOL NOMBRE CIENTÍFICO Alder Aliso
    COMÚN INGLÉS COMÚN ESPAÑOL NOMBRE CIENTÍFICO Alder Aliso Alnus spp. Alligator juniper Tascate Juniperus deppeana Almond Almendro Prunus dulcis Anaqua Manzanillo Ehretia anacua Apricot Albaricoquero Prunus armeniaca Ash Fresno, plumero Fraxinus spp. Ashe juniper Sabino Juniperus ashei Basswood Tilo Tilia spp. Ball moss Gallitos Tillandsia recurvata Beech Haya Fagus spp. Birch Abedul Betula spp. Black cherry Cerezo Prunus serotina Black locust Algarrobo Robinia pseudoacacia Boxelder Negundo Acer negundo Buckeye Castaño de Indias Aesculus spp. Buckthorn Rhamnus Rhamnus spp. Bumelia Coma Bumelia spp. Catalpa Catalpa Catalpa spp. Catclaw acacia Uña de gato Acacia greggii Cedar Cedro Cedrus spp. Chestnut Castaño Castanea spp. Chinaberry Canelo, lila de China, paraiso, jaboncillo Melia azedarach Common apple Manzano Malus x domestica Common edible fig Higo Ficus carica Common olive Olivo Olea europaea Cottonwood/aspen Álamo/ álamo temblón Populus spp. Crape myrtle Crespón, reina de las flores Langerstroemia spp. Cypress Ciprés Cupressus spp. Desert willow Flor de mimbre Chilopsis linearis Dogwood Cornejo Cornus spp. Eastern red cedar Cedro rojo, enebro Juniperus virginiana Ebony Ébano Diospyros spp. Elm Olmo Ulmus spp. Eucalyptus Eucalipto Eucalyptus spp. Evergreen sumac Lantrisco, lentisco Rhus sempervirens Filbert nut tree Avellano Corylus avellana Fir Abeto Abies spp. Ginkgo, maidenhair Gingo Ginkgo biloba Grape Parra, uva Vitis spp. Hackberry Palo blanco Celtis spp. Hemlock Cicuta Tsuga spp. Hickory Nogal americano Carya spp. Holly Acebo Ilex spp. Juniper Enebro Juniperus spp. Larch Alerce Larix spp. Leadtree Tepeguaje Leucaena spp. Live oak Encino, tesmoli, texmol Quercus virginiana Loquat Níspero Eriobotrya japonica Madrone Madroño Arbutus spp. Magnolia Palo de cacique, magnolio Magnolia grandiflora Mahogany Caoba Swietenia spp.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity and Evolution of Monocots
    Commelinids 4 main groups: Diversity and Evolution • Acorales - sister to all monocots • Alismatids of Monocots – inc. Aroids - jack in the pulpit • Lilioids (lilies, orchids, yams) – non-monophyletic . spiderworts, bananas, pineapples . – petaloid • Commelinids – Arecales – palms – Commelinales – spiderwort – Zingiberales –banana – Poales – pineapple – grasses & sedges Commelinids Commelinales + Zingiberales • theme: reduction of flower, loss of nectar, loss of zoophily, evolution of • 2 closely related tropical orders bracts • primarily nectar bearing but with losses • bracted inflorescences grass pickeral weed pickeral weed spiderwort heliconia nectar pollen only bracts rapatead bromeliad Commelinaceae - spiderwort Commelinaceae - spiderwort Family of small herbs with succulent stems, stems jointed; leaves sheathing. Family does not produce Inflorescence often bracted nectar, but showy flowers for insect pollen gathering. Rhoeo - Moses in a cradle Commelina erecta - Erect dayflower Tradescantia ohiensis - spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis - spiderwort Commelinaceae - spiderwort Commelinaceae - spiderwort Flowers actinomorphic or • species rich in pantropics, CA 3 CO 3 A 6 G (3) zygomorphic especially Africa • floral diversity is enormous Commelina communis - day flower Tradescantia ohiensis - spiderwort Pontederiaceae - pickerel weed Pontederiaceae - pickerel weed Aquatic family of emergents or floaters. Pickerel weed has glossy heart-shaped leaves, Water hyacinth (Eichhornia) from superficially like Sagittaria but without net venation.
    [Show full text]
  • ISB: Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants
    Longleaf Pine Preserve Plant List Acanthaceae Asteraceae Wild Petunia Ruellia caroliniensis White Aster Aster sp. Saltbush Baccharis halimifolia Adoxaceae Begger-ticks Bidens mitis Walter's Viburnum Viburnum obovatum Deer Tongue Carphephorus paniculatus Pineland Daisy Chaptalia tomentosa Alismataceae Goldenaster Chrysopsis gossypina Duck Potato Sagittaria latifolia Cow Thistle Cirsium horridulum Tickseed Coreopsis leavenworthii Altingiaceae Elephant's foot Elephantopus elatus Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua Oakleaf Fleabane Erigeron foliosus var. foliosus Fleabane Erigeron sp. Amaryllidaceae Prairie Fleabane Erigeron strigosus Simpson's rain lily Zephyranthes simpsonii Fleabane Erigeron vernus Dog Fennel Eupatorium capillifolium Anacardiaceae Dog Fennel Eupatorium compositifolium Winged Sumac Rhus copallinum Dog Fennel Eupatorium spp. Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans Slender Flattop Goldenrod Euthamia caroliniana Flat-topped goldenrod Euthamia minor Annonaceae Cudweed Gamochaeta antillana Flag Pawpaw Asimina obovata Sneezeweed Helenium pinnatifidum Dwarf Pawpaw Asimina pygmea Blazing Star Liatris sp. Pawpaw Asimina reticulata Roserush Lygodesmia aphylla Rugel's pawpaw Deeringothamnus rugelii Hempweed Mikania cordifolia White Topped Aster Oclemena reticulata Apiaceae Goldenaster Pityopsis graminifolia Button Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium Rosy Camphorweed Pluchea rosea Dollarweed Hydrocotyle sp. Pluchea Pluchea spp. Mock Bishopweed Ptilimnium capillaceum Rabbit Tobacco Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium Blackroot Pterocaulon virgatum
    [Show full text]
  • Generic Classification of Amaryllidaceae Tribe Hippeastreae Nicolás García,1 Alan W
    TAXON 2019 García & al. • Genera of Hippeastreae SYSTEMATICS AND PHYLOGENY Generic classification of Amaryllidaceae tribe Hippeastreae Nicolás García,1 Alan W. Meerow,2 Silvia Arroyo-Leuenberger,3 Renata S. Oliveira,4 Julie H. Dutilh,4 Pamela S. Soltis5 & Walter S. Judd5 1 Herbario EIF & Laboratorio de Sistemática y Evolución de Plantas, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y de la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Av. Santa Rosa 11315, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile 2 USDA-ARS-SHRS, National Germplasm Repository, 13601 Old Cutler Rd., Miami, Florida 33158, U.S.A. 3 Instituto de Botánica Darwinion, Labardén 200, CC 22, B1642HYD, San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina 4 Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Postal Code 6109, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil 5 Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, U.S.A. Address for correspondence: Nicolás García, [email protected] DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.12062 Abstract A robust generic classification for Amaryllidaceae has remained elusive mainly due to the lack of unequivocal diagnostic characters, a consequence of highly canalized variation and a deeply reticulated evolutionary history. A consensus classification is pro- posed here, based on recent molecular phylogenetic studies, morphological and cytogenetic variation, and accounting for secondary criteria of classification, such as nomenclatural stability. Using the latest sutribal classification of Hippeastreae (Hippeastrinae and Traubiinae) as a foundation, we propose the recognition of six genera, namely Eremolirion gen. nov., Hippeastrum, Phycella s.l., Rhodolirium s.str., Traubia, and Zephyranthes s.l. A subgeneric classification is suggested for Hippeastrum and Zephyranthes to denote putative subclades.
    [Show full text]
  • Bromeliads Bromeliads Are a Family of Plants (Bromeliaceae, the Pineapple Family) Native to Tropical North and South America
    A Horticulture Information article from the Wisconsin Master Gardener website, posted 19 March 2012 Bromeliads Bromeliads are a family of plants (Bromeliaceae, the pineapple family) native to tropical North and South America. Europeans fi rst found out about bromeliads on Columbus’ second trip to the New World in 1493, where the pineapple (Ananas sp.) was being cultivated by the Carib tribe in the West Indies. The commercial pineapple (Ananas comosus) is native to southern Brazil and Paraguay. After the colonization of the New World it was rapidly transported to all areas of the tropics, and now is widely grown in tropical and sub- tropical areas. The only A collection of bromeliads placed on a tree at Costa Flores, Costa Rica. bromeliad to occur north of the tropics is Spanish “moss” (Tillandsia usneoides). It is neither Spanish nor a moss, but an epiphytic bromeliad. It doesn’t look much like a typical Commercial pineapple, Ananas comosus, bromeliad, though, with its long scaly stems and reduced in the fi eld. fl owers. Bromeliads are monocots, many of which, like their grass relatives, have a special form of photosynthesis that uses a variation of the more usual biochemical pathways to allow them to use water more effi ciently. Even though they come from the tropics, this helps those that are epiphytes contend with life in the treetops where there is limited water and a real danger of drying out. There are about 2500 species Many bromeliads are tropical and several thousand hybrids epiphytes. and cultivars. Many have brightly colored leaves, fl owers or fruit, and range in size from moss-like species of Tillandsia to the enormous Puya raimondii from the Andes which produces a fl owering stem up to 15 feet tall.
    [Show full text]
  • Tillandsia Recurvata Is the Most Wide
    ZLATKO JANEBA Tillandsia recurvata illandsia recurvata is the most wide- even known to grow on roofs and power lines. spread bromeliad. It occurs in the T. recurvata is the type species of subgenus Dia- southern US, where it stretches phoranthema, which contains some 30 variable and from Florida all the way to Arizo- mostly miniature species that have small, incon- na, and as far south as as Argenti- spicuous flowers. Members of Diaphoranthema are na and Chile. It grows epiphytical- common and locally abundant in South Ameri- ly on trees, bushes, and cacti or as ca, with a distribution centered in Argentina and a petrophyte on rocky cliffs. It is Bolivia. Only two species reach North America: T. recurvata (aka Small Ballmoss) was found growing close to the ground on the side of the barrel cactus Echinocactus platyacanthus near La Ascención, Nuevo León, Mexico (right). More often, T. recurvata is spotted (right) clinging to the bark of pine trees (Pinus johannis and Pinus arizonica var stormiae), as seen here at a Tspot between Santa Lucia and El Pinito, Nuevo León. 2 CACTUS AND SUCCULENT JOURNAL T. recurvata, sometimes called Small Ballmoss, and Tillandsia species, such as T. capillaris, T. croca- T. usneoides, the well known Spanish Moss. ta, and T. mallemontii, which are found in simi- Polyploidy, the condition wherein a plant con- lar habitats but which have different flower char- tains more than one set of chromosomes in its acteristics. cells, is common in this subgenus. Normally we T. recurvata was described by Carl Linnaeus think of polyploidy resulting in larger-than-nor- as Renealmia recurvata in 1753, the same year mal plants, but these bromeliads tend to be quite that he erected the genus Tillandsia.
    [Show full text]
  • Water Relations of Bromeliaceae in Their Evolutionary Context
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Apollo Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2016, 181, 415–440. With 2 figures Think tank: water relations of Bromeliaceae in their evolutionary context JAMIE MALES* Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK Received 31 July 2015; revised 28 February 2016; accepted for publication 1 March 2016 Water relations represent a pivotal nexus in plant biology due to the multiplicity of functions affected by water status. Hydraulic properties of plant parts are therefore likely to be relevant to evolutionary trends in many taxa. Bromeliaceae encompass a wealth of morphological, physiological and ecological variations and the geographical and bioclimatic range of the family is also extensive. The diversification of bromeliad lineages is known to be correlated with the origins of a suite of key innovations, many of which relate directly or indirectly to water relations. However, little information is known regarding the role of change in morphoanatomical and hydraulic traits in the evolutionary origins of the classical ecophysiological functional types in Bromeliaceae or how this role relates to the diversification of specific lineages. In this paper, I present a synthesis of the current knowledge on bromeliad water relations and a qualitative model of the evolution of relevant traits in the context of the functional types. I use this model to introduce a manifesto for a new research programme on the integrative biology and evolution of bromeliad water-use strategies. The need for a wide-ranging survey of morphoanatomical and hydraulic traits across Bromeliaceae is stressed, as this would provide extensive insight into structure– function relationships of relevance to the evolutionary history of bromeliads and, more generally, to the evolutionary physiology of flowering plants.
    [Show full text]
  • El Uso De Usnea Sp. Y Tillandsia Capillaris, Como Bioindicadores De La Contaminación Ambiental En La Ciudad De Lima, Perú
    El uso de Usnea sp. y Tillandsia capillaris, como bioindicadores de la contaminación ambiental en la ciudad de Lima, Perú Patricia Bedregal1 [email protected], Blanca Torres1 [email protected], Pablo Mendoza1 [email protected], Marco Ubillús1 [email protected], Jazmín Hurtado2 [email protected], Ily Maza3 [email protected], Rosa Espinoza3 1 Departamento de Química Instituto Peruana de Energía Nuclear Canadá 1470 Ap. 1445 Lima 41 Perú 2 Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 210 Lima Perú 3 Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería Av. Tupac Amaru 210 Lima 25 Perú Resumen Con la finalidad de evaluar la contaminación en la ciudad de Lima Metropolitana se realizó un monitoreo ambiental utilizando los biomonitores: liquen Usnea sp y Tillandsia capillaris. Las muestras fueron recogidas de una zona no contaminada y expuestas por tres meses en diferentes distritos de la ciudad, luego fueron recogidas, preparadas y analizadas utilizando la técnica de activación neutrónica. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron contaminación significativa en algunas Zonas de la ciudad procedente de la actividad industrial y de las emisiones vehiculares. Abstract In order to evaluate pollution in the city of Lima, Perú, an environmental monitoring was carried out using two species of bioindicators: lichen Usnea sp and Tillandsia capillaris. Both samples were taken from an uncontaminated area to be exposed during three months in different sampling sites of the city. Then samples were collected, prepared and analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Results showed important contamination in East and North Zone of the city coming from industrial activities and vehicular emissions.
    [Show full text]
  • Spanish Moss Management Kelby Fite, Phd, Plant & Environmental Science
    RESEARCH LABORATORY TECHNICAL REPORT Spanish Moss Management Kelby Fite, PhD, Plant & Environmental Science Spanish moss is a signature plant of the coastal Southeast and Gulf States. The long, slender grayish growth is frequently found on live oaks (Figure 1) and bald cypress, but many other tree species will support this plant. This plant is generally considered desirable and part of the charm of the landscape of the coastal Southeast. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is not a moss or a Spanish moss is not parasitic to trees that support its lichen at all but an epiphyte, or “air plant” in the growth. Instead, it derives nutrients and water from bromeliad family which also includes pineapple. This rainfall and produces its own food from plant consists of slender stems with scalelike leaves photosynthesis like other green plants. In some and air roots (Figure 2). Tillandsia produces instances, Tillandsia can become so dense that it inconspicuous flowers and seed that are reponsible for shades out foliage on its host which can weaken the dispersal. Spanish moss also is spread when small tree. It can also add considerable weight and wind fragments are blown by wind or carried by animals, resistance to branches increasing the risk of storm especially birds that use the plant for nests. damage in hurricane-prone coastal areas. Figure 1: Dense accumulation of Spanish moss in Management branches of live oak Management of Spanish moss is only required when it has become so dense that it is shading out the foliage of the support plant or could increase the risk of damage during storms.
    [Show full text]
  • Bald Cypress & Dawn Redwood
    Bald Cypress & Dawn Redwood: Deciduous Conifers and Newcomers to the Urban Landscape By: Dan Petters University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources Urban Forestry Outreach Research and Extension Lab and Nursery February, 2020 Many Minnesotans are already familiar with one type of deciduous conifer: our native tamarack (Larix laricina). Those deciduous conifers are fairly unique and relatively uncommon. They have both needle-like leaves and seeds contained in some sort of cone, but also drop their needles annually with the changing seasons. Tamaracks are often found growing in bogs or other acidic, lowland or wet sites, as well as many upland sites, and have clustered tufts of soft needles that turn yellow and are shed annually. Though, aside from our native, a couple other deciduous conifers of the Cupressaceae family have begun to make an appearance in urban and garden landscapes over the last several decades: dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). Dawn redwood bark and form -- John Ruter, A couple of factors have made the introduction of these two species University of Georgia, possible. Dawn redwood was thought to be extinct until the 1940s, but the Bugwood.org discovery of some isolated pockets in China made the distribution of seeds and introduction of the tree possible worldwide. Bald cypress is native to much of the southeastern US, growing in a variety of sites including standing water. Historically, this tree would not have been able to survive the harshest winters this far north, but the warming Minnesota climate over the last several decades has allowed bald cypress to succeed in a variety of plantings.
    [Show full text]