DOCSLIB.ORG

Master Thesis the Influence of Moose (Alces Alces) On

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Master Thesis the Influence of Moose (Alces Alces) On MASTER THESIS THE INFLUENCE OF MOOSE (ALCES ALCES) ON NUTRIENT DYNAMICS IN A FEN ECOSYSTEM KASSIOPEIA DEVRIENDT SUPERVISOR: RUDY VAN DIGGELEN MASTER THESIS THE INFLUENCE OF MOOSE (ALCES ALCES) ON NUTRIENT DYNAMICS IN A FEN ECOSYSTEM Author: Kassiopeia Devriendt - University of Antwerp (UA) Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rudy Van Diggelen - University of Antwerp (UA) Co-supervisor: Dr. Dries Kuijper – Mammal Research Institute (MRI), Polish Academy of Sciences Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. hab. Bogumiła Jędrzejewska - Mammal Research Institute (MRI), Polish Academy of Sciences Left: Catchment area of Biebrza National Park (source: see references). Right: Moose in the brushwood (photo: Sanne Dirickx). Faculty of Biology Master thesis handed in to achieve the Masters degree of Biology with graduating option ‘Ecology and Environment’. University of Antwerp Mammal Research Institute (Polish Academy of Sciences) 2011 - 2012 “First, therefore I will speak of the Elke, which the Savages call a Mose: it is a very large Deare, with a very faire head, and a broad palme, like the palme of a fallow Deares horne, but much bigger, and is 6 footewide between the tipps, which grow curbing downwards: he is of the bignesse of a great horse”. Samuel Champlain, 1603 (in: Merril, 1920) “By coincidence she saw water in a lake, in the deepest of the valley, where farmers were collecting rushes, invading the marsh Latona went down, kneeled and leaned on the soil to take and drink from the water” (r5, Metamorphoses VI, 339-38) TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………….…………………..….p.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION.....…………………………………………………….……………………...p.1 AIM OF THE STUDY………………………………………………………………….……………………..p.3 GENERAL HYPOTHESES ……..…………………………………………………….…………………..…p.3 STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY………………………...…………………………….…………………..….p.3 NUMERICAL ANALYSES STUDY SITE STUDY SPECIES PART 1: REMOVAL OF NUTRIENTS BY MOOSE Introduction Method…………………………………………………………………………….…………………..….p.6 1.1 Diet of moose in summer 1.1.1A Transect data 1.1.1B Microscopic diet analysis 1.1.2 Diet selectivity by moose 1.1.3 Comparison of the moose diet with other ungulate species 1.1.4 Comparison of the methods 1.1.5 Is there a link of browsing frequency with plant height and water level? 1.2 Place of nutrient removal 1.3 Amount of nutrients removed by moose 1.3.1 Moose density 1.3.2 Biomass removal by moose 1.3.3 Amount of nutrients removed from the browse species A. Salix cinerea B. Other deciduous trees C. Sedges D. Herbs Results………………………………………………………………………………………………….….p.14 1.1 Diet of moose in summer 1.1.1 Diet composition 1.1.2 Diet selectivity of moose 1.1.3 Comparison of the moose diet with other ungulate species 1.1.4 Comparison of the methods 1.1.5 Is there a link of browsing frequency with plant height and water level? 1.2 Place of nutrient removal 1.3 Amount of nutrients removed by moose Discussion……………………………………………………………………………..………………..….p.25 1.1 Diet of moose in summer 1.1.1A Plant category proportions 1.1.1B Species contributing to the moose diet and selectivity 1.1.2 Comparison of the moose diet with other ungulate species 1.1.3 Comparison of the methods 1.1.4 Is there a link of browsing frequency with plant height and water level? 1.2 Place of nutrient removal 1.3 Amount of nutrients removed by moose Conclusion……………………………………………..………………………………………………......p.29 PART 2: NUTRIENT INPUT IN THE ECOSYSTEM BY MOOSE Introduction Method……………………………………………..……………………………………………………....p.30 2.1 Place of nutrient release by moose 2.1.1 Pellet density per structural vegetation type 2.1.1A Transect data 2.1.1B Plot data 2.1.2 Link of pellet deposition with moose paths and rest places 2.2 Amount of nutrient input 2.2.1 Nutrient concentrations in moose and ungulate pellets 2.2.2 Amount of pellets 2.3 Amount of nutrient input 2.3.1 Pellet deposition 2.3.2 Urine deposition Results……………………………………………..………………………………………………..............p.33 2.1 Place of nutrient input 2.1.1 Pellet densities 2.1.2 Link of pellet deposition with moose paths and rest places 2.2 Amount of nutrient input 2.2.1 Nutrient concentrations in moose and ungulate pellets 2.2.2 Amount of pellets 2.3 Amount of nutrient input 2.3.1 Pellet deposition 2.3.2 Urine deposition Discussion……………………………………………..………………………………………………........p.36 2.1 Amount of nutrient input Conclusion……………………………………………..…………………………………………………...p.37 PART 3: NUTRIENT UPTAKE BY PLANTS Introduction Method……………………………………………..………………………………………………….…....p.38 3.1 Nutrient content of Salix cinerea 3.1.1 Nutrient (N and P) content of leaves and twigs per age category 3.1.2 Nutrient content in relation to twig diameter 3.2 Estimation of yearly nutrient uptake of Salix cinerea Results……………………………………………..…………..…………………………………………....p.41 3.1 Nutrient content of Salix cinerea 3.1.1 Nutrient (N and P) content of leaves and of twigs per age category 3.1.2 Prediction of nutrient content by twig diameter 3.2 Estimation of yearly nutrient uptake of Salix cinerea Discussion…………………………………………..……………………………………………………....p.42 3.1 N and P content in willows 3.2 Estimation of yearly nutrient uptake of Salix cinerea Conclusion……………………………………………..……………………………………………….......p.45 GENERAL DISCUSSION ON NUTRIENT DYNAMICS: SYNTHESIS OF PART 1, 2 AND 3 1. Do moose cause a redistribution or a recycling of nutrients?……………………………………….........p.46 2. Nutrient process rates by moose in comparison to willow requirements………………………...….........p.46 3. Do moose suppress or stimulate shrub growth? ……….............................................................................p.49 GENERAL CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………..………………....p.51 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………………………...p.53 APPENDIX I: Maps of the study site APPENDIX II: Illustrations on the method of part 1 and 2 APPENDIX III: Tables on the calculation of nutrient removal by moose APPENDIX IV: Diet preferences linked to plant height and water level APPENDIX V: Statistical analyses of forage differences in structural vegetation types APPENDIX VI: Table on the diet of moose APPENDIX VII: Winter diet of Moose APPENDIX VII: Calculation of the yearly nutrient uptake by existing vegetation APPENDIX IX: Shrub encroachment in BNP APPENDIX X: Reference collection microscopic diet analysis ABSTRACT This study investigates the influence of moose (Alces alces), a large herbivore, on nutrient dynamics in an undisturbed fen ecosystem. This is of particular interest as mineralisation rates in fen systems are low, offering the potential to moose to enhance the nutrient turnover by short-cutting the decomposition. A nutrient balance of nitrogen (N), the limiting nutrient in Biebrza National Park (BNP), and phosphorus (P) is developed, in order to examine the relevance of moose activities concerning nutrients in the ecosystem. The comparison of the amount of moose’s nutrient input with mineralisation rates and atmospheric nutrient deposition is in this respect of major importance. Furthermore, it is investigated whether or not moose re-allocate nutrients by foraging and depositing excretion in different habitats, as often done by herbivores. In addition, the estimated yearly nutrient uptake of the vegetation – affected by an enhanced nutrient turnover – is compared with the total nutrient input. Finally, I discuss whether moose, by suppression or stimulation, may cause a shift in specific plant communities or species. This study indicates that moose have a substantial impact on N dynamics, specifically in undrained sites. Moose cause no nutrient redistribution but generate a local recycling of nutrients in the brushwood, dominated by willows and birches, instead. As a consequence, moose may stimulate brushwood expansion, in spite of the mechanical damage caused. This stimulatory effect contrasts with the often supposed role of moose in suppressing forestation. As this study demonstrates, moose may not be considered as an appropriate restoration tool to suppress ongoing shrub encroachment in BNP. GENERAL INTRODUCTION Nutrient dynamics imply fluxes of nutrients moving from one compartment to another (Fig.1), the rate of which is described by nutrient turnover rate (Begon et al., 2009). At low turnover rates, nutrients are essentially stored for a long time, at high rates they quickly become available. At low turnover rates, herbivores have potentially the largest effect on nutrient dynamics (Sjögersten et al., 2010). Examples could include nutrient cycling in undisturbed fen ecosystems, because these are characterised by a very low mineralisation rate (Van der Linden et al., 1996; Riutta, 2008; Olde Venterink et al., 2009). Consequently, external inputs may change the cycling rate but not the cycle itself (Bokdam, 2001). A fen is partly fed by groundwater and partly by surface water (Vandenbussche et al., 2002). The water level is at or very close to the surface level throughout the year (Hermy et al., 2004), leading to anoxic conditions (Van der Linden et al., 1996) and a very low decomposition rate (Chapin et al., 2003). As a consequence, in the long term, nutrients are sequestrated in persistent organic material, called peat (Chapin et al., 2003; Riutta, 2008). Herbivores can accelerate nutrient cycling directly by short-cutting the decomposition process (Van der Wal & Brooker, 2004). They transfer nutrients from their forage into urinary and faecal excretion. Nutrient recycling by this process is normally much faster than the turnover rate of litter (Van der Wal & Brooker, 2004). Moreover, selective foraging by large herbivores may result in a redistribution of nutrients
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Hybrid Origin of Calamagrostis ×Gracilescens (Poaceae) in Poland Inferred from Morphology and Aflp Data
    Vol. 79, No. 1: 51-61, 2010 ACTA SOCIETATIS BOTANICORUM POLONIAE 51 THE HYBRID ORIGIN OF CALAMAGROSTIS ×GRACILESCENS (POACEAE) IN POLAND INFERRED FROM MORPHOLOGY AND AFLP DATA BEATA PASZKO1, MARCIN NOBIS2 1 W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences Lubicz 46, 31-512 Kraków, Poland e-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Plant Taxonomy and Phytogeography, Jagiellonian University Kopernika 27, 31-501 Kraków, Poland (Received: March 23, 2009. Accepted: January 18, 2010) ABSTRACT The morphology of Calamagrostis canescens and C. stricta recorded in the Ma³opolska Upland (the vicinity of Zbijów Ma³y, ca. 10 km northeast of the town of Skar¿ysko-Kamienna, Central Poland) was examined due to in- termediate individuals found in sympatric populations of these species. Both putative parents as well as individu- als that appeared hybrid-like were found in an extensive, wet hay-meadow. Various vegetative and reproductive characteristics were studied to identify hybrids. Interestingly, Polish accessions of C. ×gracilescens exhibited so- me degree of morphological intermediacy but resembled C. stricta in spikelet morphology. Branching of the mid- culm, the number of nodes per culm, callus hair length and relative callus hair length are the best characters to di- stinguish the Polish C.×gracilescens. AFLP analysis proved to be suitable for detecting recent hybridization events between C. canescens and C. stricta. Analysis of the Bayesian clustering analysis showed that C. ×gracile- scens were subjected to gene flow from the C. canescens gene pool as well as from the C. stricta gene pool. KEY WORDS: Calamagrostis ×gracilescens, C. canescens, C. stricta, hybrid, habitat conditions, mor- phology, AFLP markers, gene flow.
    [Show full text]
  • Description and Validation of Some European Forest Syntaxa – a Supplement to the Eurovegchecklist
    15/1 • 2016, 15–25 DOI: 10.1515/hacq-2016-0005 Description and validation of some European forest syntaxa – a supplement to the EuroVegChecklist Wolfgang Willner 1, *, Ayzik Solomeshch2, Andraž Čarni3, Erwin Bergmeier4, Nikolai Ermakov5 & Ladislav Mucina6, 7, 8 Keywords: Abietetalia sibiricae, Abstract Asaro europaei-Abietetea sibiricae, In this paper we present nomenclatural adjustments and validations of syntaxa of Betulo pendulae-Populetalia tremulae, the forest vegetation of Europe. We introduce a new, valid name of the class of Carpino-Fagetea, Quercetea ilicis, nemoral coniferous or mixed forests (Asaro europaei-Abietetea sibiricae) replacing Quercetea pubescentis, Quercetea the deciduous Carpino-Fagetea in the easternmost Europe and Siberia. We describe robori-sessiliflorae,Ural Mts., two new orders for birch and birch-poplar woodlands, formerly included in the Vaccinio-Piceetea. Betulo pendulae-Populetalia tremulae. We validate the names of two alliances for the deciduous forests of the Southern Urals and the name of an alliance for hemiboreal Ključne besede: Abietetalia sibiricae, forest swamps. The suballiance Ostryo-Tilienion, coined to accommodate the xero- Asaro europaei-Abietetea sibiricae, thermophilous ravine forests of SE Europe, is here elevated to the rank of alliance. Betulo pendulae-Populetalia tremulae, Finally, we validate the name Quercion alnifoliae (evergreen oak forests of Cyprus). Carpino-Fagetea, Quercetea ilicis, Izvleček Quercetea pubescentis, Quercetea V članku predstavljamo nomenklaturne prilagoditve in potrditve gozdnih robori-sessiliflorae,gorovje Ural, sintaksonov Evrope. Predstavljamo novo veljavno ime razreda iglastih ali mešanih Vaccinio-Piceetea. gozdov (Asaro europaei-Abietetea sibiricae), ki nadomešča listopadne gozdove razreda Carpino-Fagetea v najbolj vzhodnih delih Evrope in v Sibiriji. Opisali smo dva nova reda brezovih in brezovo-topolovih gozdov, ki sta bila prej vključena v red Betulo pendulae-Populetalia tremulae.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny, Morphology and the Role of Hybridization As Driving Force Of
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/707588; this version posted July 18, 2019. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. 1 Phylogeny, morphology and the role of hybridization as driving force of evolution in 2 grass tribes Aveneae and Poeae (Poaceae) 3 4 Natalia Tkach,1 Julia Schneider,1 Elke Döring,1 Alexandra Wölk,1 Anne Hochbach,1 Jana 5 Nissen,1 Grit Winterfeld,1 Solveig Meyer,1 Jennifer Gabriel,1,2 Matthias H. Hoffmann3 & 6 Martin Röser1 7 8 1 Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biology, Geobotany and Botanical 9 Garden, Dept. of Systematic Botany, Neuwerk 21, 06108 Halle, Germany 10 2 Present address: German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher 11 Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany 12 3 Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biology, Geobotany and Botanical 13 Garden, Am Kirchtor 3, 06108 Halle, Germany 14 15 Addresses for correspondence: Martin Röser, [email protected]; Natalia 16 Tkach, [email protected] 17 18 ABSTRACT 19 To investigate the evolutionary diversification and morphological evolution of grass 20 supertribe Poodae (subfam. Pooideae, Poaceae) we conducted a comprehensive molecular 21 phylogenetic analysis including representatives from most of their accepted genera. We 22 focused on generating a DNA sequence dataset of plastid matK gene–3'trnK exon and trnL– 23 trnF regions and nuclear ribosomal ITS1–5.8S gene–ITS2 and ETS that was taxonomically 24 overlapping as completely as possible (altogether 257 species).
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution of Growth Rates in Pooideae (Poaceae)
    Master’s Thesis 2016 60 ECTS Department of Plant Sciences Evolution of growth rates in Pooideae (Poaceae) Evolusjon av vekstrater i Pooideae (Poaceae) Camilla Lorange Lindberg Master of Science in Ecology Acknowledgements This thesis is a part of my Master of Science in Ecology, written at the Department of Plant Sciences (IPV), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NMBU. Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management (INA) is responsible of the Master of Ecology programme. I would like to thank my main supervisor, Dr. Siri Fjellheim (IPV). I couldn't have asked for a better supervisor. She has been extremely supportive, encouraging and helpful in all parts of the process of this master, from the beginning when she convinced me that grasses really rocks, and especially in the very end in the writing process. I would also like to thank Dr. Fjellheim for putting together a brilliant team of supervisors with different fields of expertise for my thesis. I am so grateful to my co-supervisors, Dr. Thomas Marcussen (IPV), and Dr. Hans Martin Hanslin (Nibio). They were both exceedingly helpful during the work with this thesis, thank you for invaluable comments on the manuscript. Thomas Marcussen made a big difference for this thesis. I am so grateful for his tirelessly effort of teaching me phylogeny and computer programmes I had never heard of. Also, thank you for many interesting discussions and a constant flow of important botanical fun facts. The growth experiment was set up under Hans Martin Hanslin's supervision. He provided invaluable help, making me understand the importance of details in such projects.
    [Show full text]
  • 7, 2003 Iespiests SIA PIK
    LATVIJAS UNIVERSITĀTE ĢEOGRĀFIJAS UN ZEMES ZINĀTŅU FAKULTĀTE BIOĢEOGRĀFIJAS LABORATORIJA LATVIJAS VEĢETĀCIJA 7 Latvijas Universitātes izdevniecība RĪGA 2003 Latvijas Veģetācija, 7, 2003 Iespiests SIA PIK Galvenais redaktors M.Laiviņš, Latvijas Universitāte, Ģeogrāfijas un Zemes zinātņu fakultāte, Latvija Redkolēģija B.Bambe, Latvijas Valsts Mežzinātnes institūts Silava, Latvija V.Melecis, Latvijas Universitāte, Ģeogrāfijas un Zemes zinātņu fakultāte, Latvija J.Paal, Tartu Universitāte, Botānikas un Ekoloģijas institūts, Igaunija M.Pakalne, Latvijas Universitāte, Bioloģijas fakultāte, Latvija V.Rašomavičius, Lietuvas Botānikas institūts, Lietuva V.Šulcs, Latvijas Universitāte, Bioloģijas institūts, Latvija Valodas redaktori: S.Laiviņa (latviešu valoda), A.Lasmanis (angļu valoda) Datorsalikums: G. Čekstere, S. Rūsiņa ISSN 1407-3641 ©Latvijas Universitāte, Bioģeogrāfijas laboratorija SATURS Šulcs V. Latviešu valodas augu nosaukumu atbilstība nosaukumiem latīņu valodā..................................................................................... 5 Roze I. Pērkonamoliņa Anthyllis L. ģints Latvijas florā........................ 15 Rūsiņa S. Neļķu aira Aira caryophyllea L. Latvijā.............................. 33 Laiviņš M., Gavrilova G. Neofītās Sosnovska latvāņa Heracleum sosnowskyi sabiedrības Latvijā......................................................... 45 Bambe B. Die Vegetation des Teiči-Moores......................................... 67 Šulcs V., Bērziņa G., Deķere Z., Ēdelmane I. Mauragu Hieracium un pamauragu Pilosella terminoloģiskie
    [Show full text]
  • Evolutionary Patterns of Host Plant Use by Delphacid Planthoppers
    population dynamics. Plant de­ specificity are considered with 1 crop varieties resistant to del- plant architecture on the abun­ n Chapter 3 (Denno). Species­ Evolutionary Patterns of Host Plant ' geographic and plant patch Use by Delphacid Planthoppers and density and plant diversity on l. The causal mechanisms for Their Relatives 1 and persistence are discussed its such as dispersal ability and ization and persistence. Stephen W. Wilson, Charles Mitter, Robert F. Denno and Michael R. Wilson Introduction Planthoppers (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea) are found on every continent ex­ cept Antarctica and in all major biomes, including tropical rainforests, deserts, grasslands, and the arctic tundra (O'Brien and Wilson 1985). The more than 9000 described species are divided into 19 families (O'Brien and Wilson 1985; Wheeler and Wilson 1987). All species of Fulgoroidea are phytophagous, sucking fluids from leaves, stems, roots, or fungal hyphae. There are species which feed on woody plants (both angiosperms and gymnosperms), herbs, ferns, and even fungi (O'Brien and Wilson 1985). The largest and most studied family of planthoppers is the Delphacidae which includes more than 2000 species in approximately 300 genera and 6 subfamilies (Asche 1985, 1990). Most continental delphacids are associated with monocots, particularly grasses and sedges (Wilson and O'Brien 1987; Denno and Roderick 1990 ), whereas some species, especially those on oceanic archipelagos, have radiated on dicots as well (Giffard 1922; Zim­ merman 1948). Their predilection for monocots, phloem-feeding habit, oviposition behavior and ability to transmit pathogens have contributed to the severe pest status of several delphacid species on rice, corn, sugarcane, and several cereal crops (Wilson and O'Brien 1987).
    [Show full text]
  • Aphids and Their Host Affinity-VIII: Schizaphis Spp
    Available online at www.ijpab.com Rathore and Tiwari Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 5 (4): 569-576 (2017) ISSN: 2320 – 7051 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.2937 ISSN: 2320 – 7051 Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 5 (4): 569-576 (2017) Research Article Aphids and their Host Affinity-VIII: Schizaphis spp. Y. S. Rathore1 and S. N. Tiwari2* 1Ex- Principal Scientist, Indian Institute of Pulse Research, Kanpur 208026 (U.P.) 2Professor, Deptt.of Entomology, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar 263145 (Uttarakhand) *Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected] Received: 2.05.2017 | Revised: xx.xx.2017 | Accepted: xx.xx.2017 ABSTRACT Species of the genus Schizaphis (Aphidinae: Aphidini) are highly restrictive in host plant selection. Out of 40 species, sixteen (40%) showed monophagy, twelve (30%) oligophagy and another twelve (30%) polyphagy. S. chaenometicola hosted only on Rosaceae (Chaenomeles speciosa) in dicotyldons and fifteen species were monophagous in monocotyledons – one on Typhaceae (Typha capensis) in corolliferae and rest fourteen in glumiflorae (Cyperaceae and Poaceae). The GAI values in most of the cases were close to 1.000. In all polyphagous species of Schizaphis host plants from glumiflorae were part of the host range and their GAI values ranged 0.667-1.682. Generalized view of host affinity to taxonomic groups revealed that Schizaphis spp. selected host plants from all the divisions of dicotyledons (5.23%) and monocotyledons (94.77%). However, host species from glumiflorae (Cyperaceae and Poaceae) in monocotyledons alone demonstrated their distinct affinity (87.11%). The most important species was S.
    [Show full text]
  • Alkaline Fens in Poland
    ALKALINE FENS IN POLAND Alkaline fens have been the subject of particular interest of the Naturalists’ Club for over 20 years. Based on conducted inventory, field research and knowledge acquired thanks to them, we undertook many conservation measures through- out Poland. The experience we gained was shared in our pu- blications, published as part of the implementation of pro- jects for alkaline fens protection in northern and southern Poland. This book is an attempt to summarize the knowled- ge we have had so far and which we had gained over the past few years implementing projects for their protection throughout the country. We would like to dedicate this book to all people involved in the protection of alkaline fens, the most valuable ones – like in the Rospuda river valley as well as many other in the other corners of our country. To those supporting us, co- Alkaline fens in Poland – diversity, resources, conservation resources, – diversity, fens in Poland Alkaline -workers, in particular one who stays in our memory - Jola Kujawa-Pawlaczyk, who contributed to protection of many peatlands. DIVERSITY, RESOURCES, CONSERVATION ISBN 978-83-63426-30-9 ALKALINE FENS IN POLAND Alkaline fens have been the subject of particular interest of the Naturalists’ Club for over 20 years. Based on conducted inventory, field research and knowledge acquired thanks to them, we undertook many conservation measures through- out Poland. The experience we gained was shared in our pu- blications, published as part of the implementation of pro- jects for alkaline fens protection in northern and southern Poland. This book is an attempt to summarize the knowled- ge we have had so far and which we had gained over the past few years implementing projects for their protection throughout the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecography ECOG-04940 Axmanová, I., Robovský, J., Tichý, L., Danihelka, J., Troeva, E., Protopopov, A
    Ecography ECOG-04940 Axmanová, I., Robovský, J., Tichý, L., Danihelka, J., Troeva, E., Protopopov, A. and Chytrý, M. 2019. Habitats of Pleistocene megaherbivores reconstructed from the frozen fauna remains. – Ecography doi: 10.1111/ecog.04940 Supplementary material Supplementary material Habitats of Pleistocene megaherbivores reconstructed from frozen fauna remains. Content Appendix 1 Brief characterization of the vegetation types used in this study. Appendix 2 Table A1 Localities of the frozen fauna finds. Table A2 Overview of the palaeobotanical data from frozen fauna. Table A3 Most frequent taxa recorded in the frozen fauna: pollen + spores. Table A4 Most frequent taxa recorded in the frozen fauna: macrofossils. Table A5 Verification test of the robustness of the similarity calculation method used in this study. Appendix 1. Brief characterization of the vegetation types used in this study with the lists of diagnostic, constant and dominant species. Some descriptions are partly or entirely taken from Janská et al. (2017). All descriptions are based on the expert knowledge of the authors and the references listed below. Species names follow Cherepanov (1995). Species were considered diagnostic for a given vegetation type when their fidelity value measured as the phi coefficient of association was higher than 0.25 and corresponding Fisher’s exact test indicated a significant concentration of species in the vegetation type at the level of 0.05. Highly diagnostic species (highlighted in bold) were those with phi coefficient higher than 0.40. As the fidelity values might be affected by differences in species numbers between vegetation types, we used standardization to equal sizes of all groups before calculation (Chytrý et al.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ex Situ Conservation and Potential Usage of Crop Wild Relatives in Poland on the Example of Grasses
    agronomy Article The Ex Situ Conservation and Potential Usage of Crop Wild Relatives in Poland on the Example of Grasses Denise F. Dostatny 1,* , Grzegorz Zurek˙ 2 , Adam Kapler 3 and Wiesław Podyma 1 1 National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute—NRI, Radzików, 05-870 Błonie, Poland; [email protected] 2 Department of Grasses, Legumes and Energy Plants, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute—NRI, Radzików, 05-870 Błonie, Poland; [email protected] 3 Polish Academy of Sciences, Botanical Garden in Powsin, Prawdziwka 2, 02-973 Warsaw, Poland; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The Poaceae is the second most abundant family among crop wild relatives in Poland, representing 147 taxa. From these species, 135 are native taxa, and 11 are archeophytes. In addition, one taxon is now considered to be extinct. Among the 147 taxa, 8 are endemic species. Central Europe, including Poland, does not have many endemic species. Only a few dozen endemic species have been identified in this paper, mainly in the Carpathians and the adjacent uplands, e.g., the Polish Jura in southern Poland. The most numerous genera among the 32 present in the crop wild relatives (CWR) of Poaceae family are: The genus Festuca (33 species), Poa (19), and Bromus (11). In turn, ten genera are represented by only one species per genus. A good representative of groups of grasses occur in xerothermic grasslands, and other smaller groups can be found in forests, mountains, or dunes. CWR species from the Poaceae family have the potential for different uses in terms of the ecosystem services benefit.
    [Show full text]
  • Complementary Assembly Processes Across Biodiversity Gradients
    Zurich Open Repository and Archive University of Zurich Main Library Strickhofstrasse 39 CH-8057 Zurich www.zora.uzh.ch Year: 2014 Complementary assembly processes across biodiversity gradients Fergus, Alexander Jon Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-104357 Dissertation Originally published at: Fergus, Alexander Jon. Complementary assembly processes across biodiversity gradients. 2014, Univer- sity of Zurich, Faculty of Science. COMPLEMENTARY ASSEMBLY PROCESSES ACROSS BIODIVERSITY GRADIENTS Dissertation zur Erlangung der naturwissenschaftlichen Doktorwürde (Dr. sc. nat.) vorgelegt der Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Zürich von Alexander Jon Fergus aus Neuseeland Promotionskomitee Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schmid (Leitung der Dissertation) Prof. Dr. Andrew Hector Prof. Dr Andreas Prinzing PD Dr. Christiane Roscher Dr. Lindsay Turnbull Zürich 2014 COMPLEMENTARY ASSEMBLY PROCESSES ACROSS BIODIVERSITY GRADIENTS Dissertation zur Erlangung der naturwissenschaftlichen Doktorwürde (Dr. sc. nat.) vorgelegt der Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Zürich von Alexander Jon Fergus aus Neuseeland Promotionskomitee: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schmid (Leitung der Dissertation) Prof. Dr. Andrew Hector Prof. Dr Andreas Prinzing PD Dr. Christiane Roscher Dr. Lindsay Turnbull Zürich 2014 For Ma, who would have wanted to have seen this thing finished. Ma and Pa visiting the Jena Experiment in 2008. Table of Contents Summary 8 Zusammenfassung 14 General introduction 20 Chapter 1 Biodiversity experiments: what have we learnt about 38 biodiversity – ecosystem functioning relationships? (Fergus, A.J.F. & Schmid, B. 2010. In Atlas of Biodiversity Risk (eds. J. Settele, R. Grabaum, V. Grobelnick, V. Hammen, S. Klotz, L. Penev, I. Kühn). Pensoft, Sofia, Moscow. Chapter 2: pp. 28-31) Chapter 2 A comparison of the strength of biodiversity effects across 52 multiple functions.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal 47(4)
    JOURNAL OF PLANT PROTECTION RESEARCH Vol. 47, No. 4 (2007) NEW HOST-SPECIES OF CLAVICEPS PURPUREA (FR.) TUL. FROM POACEAE FAMILY IN LITHUANIA Rita Mikaliūnaitė*, Zenonas Dabkevičius Šiauliai University, Department of Environmental, Nature Science Faculty, Lithuania Received: July 9, 2007 Accepted: November 6, 2007 Abstract: New host-plants of ergot pathogen Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. were identified in Poaceae (R. Brown) Barnharth family in Lithuania during the surveys arranged over the period 2001–2006. There were identified 8 new Poaceae family plant species affected by C. purpurea: Melica altissima L., Bromus secalinus L., Deshampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin., Festuca pseudalmatica K., Helictotrichon sempervirens (Vill.) Pilg., Phalaris paradoxa L., Secale montana L., Stipa turkestanica K. The results of previous research as well our findings indicate that 87 Poaceae family plant species are known to be affected by ergot in Lithuania. Key words: Claviceps purpurea, ergot, sclerotia, Poaceae, host-plant INTRODUCTION Poaceae (R. Brown) Barnhart family is one of the most numerous angiospermous plant families. According to Tzvelev (1989), more than 10 300 species are included in this family. In Lithuania there have been identified 22 Poaceae plant species that be- long to 51 genera of which 8 genera include only cultivated and alien, the remaining 43 genera represent spontaneous flora of Lithuania (Bagdonaitė et al. 1963). There have been identified 44 adventive Poaceae plant species belonging to 122 genera that occur in Lithuania’s nature (Gudžinskas 1997). Many of the plant species of this family are being introduced in Lithuania’s botanical gardens and in plant growers’ collections. One of the most damaging pathogens that affects Poaceae family plants is a patho- genic widely-specialised fungus Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.
    [Show full text]