Consequences of warming and resource quality on the stoichiometry and nutrient cycling of a stream shredder

As a result of climate change, streams are warming and their runoff has been decreasing in most temperate areas. These changes can affect consumers directly by increasing their metabolic rates and modifying their physiology and indirectly by changing the quality of the resources on which organisms depend. In this study, a common stream detritivore (Echinogammarus berilloni Catta) was reared at two temperatures (15 and 20°C) and fed Populus nigra L. leaves that had been conditioned either in an intermittent or permanent reach to evaluate the effects of resource quality and increased temperatures on detritivore performance, stoichiometry and nutrient cycling. The lower quality (i.e., lower protein, soluble carbohydrates and higher C:P and N:P ratios) of leaves conditioned in pools resulted in compensatory feeding and lower nutrient retention capacity by E. berilloni. This effect was especially marked for phosphorus, which was unexpected based on predictions of ecological stoichiometry. When individuals were fed pool-conditioned leaves at warmer temperatures, their growth rates were higher, but consumers exhibited less efficient assimilation and higher mortality. Furthermore, the shifts to lower C:P ratios and higher lipid concentrations in shredder body tissues suggest that structural molecules such as phospholipids are preserved over other energetic C-rich macromolecules such as carbohydrates. These effects on consumer physiology and metabolism were further translated into feces and excreta nutrient ratios. Overall, our results show that the effects of reduced leaf quality on detritivore nutrient retention were more severe at higher temperatures because the shredders were not able to offset their increased metabolism with increased consumption or more efficient digestion when fed pool-conditioned leaves. Consequently, the synergistic effects of impaired food quality and increased temperatures might not only affect the physiology and survival of detritivores but also extend to other trophic compartments through detritivore-mediated nutrient cycling.

Does soil moisture overrule temperature dependence of soil respiration in Mediterranean riparian forests?

Soil respiration (SR) is a major component of ecosystems' carbon cycles and represents the second largest CO2 flux in the terrestrial biosphere. Soil temperature is considered to be the primary abiotic control on SR, whereas soil moisture is the secondary control factor. However, soil moisture can become the dominant control on SR in very wet or dry conditions. Determining the trigger that makes soil moisture as the primary control factor of SR will provide a deeper understanding on how SR changes under the projected future increase in droughts. Specific objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the seasonal variations and the relationship between SR and both soil temperature and moisture in a Mediterranean riparian forest along a groundwater level gradient; (2) to determine soil moisture thresholds at which SR is controlled by soil moisture rather than by temperature; (3) to compare SR responses under different tree species present in a Mediterranean riparian forest (Alnus glutinosa, Populus nigra and Fraxinus excelsior). Results showed that the heterotrophic soil respiration rate, groundwater level and 30 cm integral soil moisture (SM30) decreased significantly from the riverside moving uphill and showed a pronounced seasonality. SR rates showed significant differences between tree species, with higher SR for P. nigra and lower SR for A. glutinosa. The lower threshold of soil moisture was 20 and 17% for heterotrophic and total SR, respectively. Daily mean SR rate was positively correlated with soil temperature when soil moisture exceeded the threshold, with Q10 values ranging from 1.19 to 2.14; nevertheless, SR became decoupled from soil temperature when soil moisture dropped below these thresholds.

Progresso de epidemias e avaliação de danos da ferrugem em clones de álamo

A ferrugem do álamo (Melampsora medusae) causa sérios prejuízos no viveiro e tem sido cada vez mais freqüente em plantações, principalmente nos clones mais suscetíveis. O comportamento dos clones em relação a epidemias de ferrugem nas plantações brasileiras não é conhecido. Este trabalho teve como objetivos quantificar o progresso de epidemias em sete clones de álamo e correlacionar doença com produção por meio de relações entre incidência, severidade e índice de área foliar com o diâmetro do tronco do hospedeiro. As avaliações foram realizadas em sete clones de álamo: 'Argos'; 'Gaupiara'; 'Guarani'; 'JB'; 'Latorre'; 'SJ'; 'SM'. Cada clone compunha um talhão, todos com seis anos de idade. A severidade e a incidência da doença, o índice de área foliar (IAF) e o diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) foram quantificados em dez plantas escolhidas aleatoriamente dentro de cada talhão de novembro a abril de 98/99, 99/00 e 00/01. Os clones mais suscetíveis à doença foram Latorre e Guarani, SJ foi resistente e Guapiara, SM, JB e Argos, intermediários. O modelo logístico apresentou um bom ajuste aos dados de severidade da ferrugem e a epidemia foi mais severa no ciclo de 99/00, onde as temperaturas variaram entre 15,5 e 26,5 ºC. Não houve relação significativa entre severidade da doença e diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP). Nos clones suscetíveis, a duração da área foliar (DAF), que é a integralização da curva do IAF, foi relacionada com o DAP com coeficientes de determinação da regressão linear de 0,73 e 0,56 para Guarani e Latorre, respectivamente. O clone Latorre mostrou-se relativamente tolerante à doença, com alta severidade (100 a 150 pústulas/cm²) e redução do DAP de 5%, enquanto no Guarani a redução do DAP foi de 17%.

Metodologias de preparação de amostras de ferrugem para estudos morfológicos de urediniósporos por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura

Amostras de urediniósporos de ferrugens das espécies Melampsora epitea Thum., Melampsora medusae Thuem., Hemileia vastatrix Berk., Uromyces appendiculatum Pers., Puccinia sorghi Schwein., Tranzschelia discolor Fuckel e Phakopsora euvitis Ono, coletadas dos hospedeiros, chorão (Salix sp.), álamo (Populus deltoides Bartr. Ex. Marsh), cafeeiro (Coffea arabica L.), feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), milho (Zea mays L.), pessegueiro (Prunus persicae L.) e videira (Vitis vinifera L.) respectivamente, foram processadas de 3 formas: a) método convencional (fixação em glutaraldeído e tetróxido de ósmio, desidratação em acetona e secagem ao ponto crítico); b) método do vapor de ósmio e metalização com ouro; c) metalização direta de amostras (utilizado para esporos soltos). A técnica de fratura de amostra congelada em nitrogênio líquido também foi testada para o estudo do interior de pústulas da ferrugem da videira (P. euvitis). As amostras foram visualizadas em microscópio eletrônico de varredura no NAP/MEPA da ESALQ/USP. Procedeu-se à mensuração dos esporos e as imagens obtidas foram capturadas pelo software LeoUserInterface e processadas utilizando-se o programa de computador "Corel Draw". Em todos os métodos analisados obteve-se uma boa preservação da estrutura possibilitando imagens de alta qualidade. No entanto, para esporos livres (mantidos em cápsula de gelatina) o método da metalização direta foi mais prático e rápido. Para observação das pústulas em tecido vegetal os dois métodos de processamento de amostras avaliados proporcionaram resultados satisfatórios. A técnica de fratura em nitrogênio líquido também permitiu perfeita visualização do interior das pústulas da ferrugem da videira.

Métodos de avaliação da ferrugem do álamo e eficiência de fungicidas no seu controle

A ferrugem do álamo (Melampsora medusae Thuem.) causa sérios prejuízos no viveiro, e seu controle é fundamental para a obtenção de muda de boa qualidade. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: i) testar a eficiência de fungicidas de contato (mancozebe, cartap e oxicloreto de cobre) e sistêmicos (triadimenol, tebuconazole e difenoconazole) no controle da ferrugem; ii) comparar métodos de avaliação para discriminar a eficiência entre os tratamentos; iii) relacionar desfolha com dados de doença; e iv) verificar a influência do controle da ferrugem nos parâmetros de crescimento da árvore em viveiro. O experimento foi montado em São Mateus do Sul, PR, delineado inteiramente ao acaso com 10 tratamentos (testemunha, triadimenol, mancozebe, tebuconazole, difenoconazole, cartap, oxicloreto de cobre, triadimenol-mancozebe, tebuconazole-mancozebe e triadimenol aplicados com o dobro do intervalo dos anteriores) e 11 repetições. Com parcelas experimentais de 10 m de largura com quatro linhas de plantio (espaçamento entre linhas de 2,5 e entre plantas de 0,50 m), totalizando 110 parcelas com o clone Latorre. Durante dois ciclos consecutivos foram avaliados: o número de pústulas em meia folha, a % visual de doença, a severidade por parcela, a % visual de desfolha, o diâmetro à altura do peito e a altura de plantas ao final do experimento. Os produtos sistêmicos (triadimenol, tebuconazole e difenoconazole) aplicados puros ou intercalados com mancozebe foram eficientes no controle da ferrugem, reduzindo o número de pústulas sobre a folha e a desfolha, o que resultou em ganho significativo no volume final das plantas. O mancozebe aplicado isoladamente também reduziu a epidemia e aumentou o volume da árvore em 42%. O produto cúprico proporcionou aumento de volume em 27%. Os métodos de avaliação utilizados diferenciaram dos tratamentos e houve correlação da doença com os danos na cultura.

Adubação nitrogenada em sistema silvipastoril álamo: pastagens de inverno

O álamo (Populus spp.) apresenta rápido crescimento e vem sendo empregado comercialmente no Sul do Brasil desde meados dos anos de 1990. Pelo espaçamento utilizado em seu plantio, é consorciado com a pastagem, contribuindo para o melhor uso do solo e abatimento do custo da madeira. Visando potencializar o crescimento de culturas de inverno e do álamo em sistema integrado, foi testada a adubação nitrogenada no Município de São Mateus do Sul, PR. O experimento foi instalado em um solo orgânico, testando-se cinco doses de N (0, 20, 40, 80 e 160 kg ha-1) repetidas quatro vezes, na forma de uréia aplicada na cultura consorciada de inverno, que foi a aveia-preta (Avena strigosa Schreb) e o azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os resultados indicaram que, após dois períodos de crescimento, as árvores não apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto às variáveis circunferência à altura do peito (cap) e altura total. Para a matéria seca de aveia e azevém, houve acréscimo linear na produtividade em função das doses de N. Pode-se concluir que na idade de 8 anos a fertilização antecipada não traz benefícios, pelo menos nos primeiros anos de sua aplicação.

Recueil de Fabliaux, de Contes, de Fables, de Proverbes, de Romans ; Partenopeus de Blois, Blancandin, Floire et Blanchefleur, etc.

Contient : « Ci commence le Chastoiement que li peres ensaigne à son filz. » Barbazan et Méon, Fabliaux et contes, II, 40 ; Fables de MARIE DE FRANCE. « Ci commence de Ysopes. Cil qui sevent de l'estreure... » ; «... Que ge li puisse l'ame rendre. Explicit de Ysopes » ; « Ci commence des XV signes. Se ne vos quidasse annuier... » ; «... Explicit des XV signes. » Cf. Romania, VI, 23 ; « Ci commence de seinte Leocade, qui fu dame de Tolete, et du saint arcevesque », par GAUTIER DE COINCY. Barbazan et Méon, I, 270, et Poquet, Les Miracles de la sainte Vierge, col. 77 ; « De quoi viennent li traitor et li mauvés. Or escoutez, et cler et lai... » Cf. Paulin Paris, Hist. littér. de la France, XXIII, 285 ; « Du cors et de l'ame. Cors en toi n'a point de savoir... » ; « D'un preudome qui rescolt son compere de noier. » Montaiglon, Recueil général et complet des fabliaux, I, 301 ; « Du segretain moine. » Montaiglon et Raynaud, Recueil... des fabliaux, V, 215 ; « Des eles de cortoisie», par RAOUL DE HOUDAN . Cf. Romania, IX, 150 ; « Ci commance de Florance et Blancheflor. » Barbazan et Méon, IV, 358 ; « D'un mercier. » G.-A. Crapelet, Proverbes et dictons populaires aux XIIIe et XIVe siècles (1831), p. 149 ; cf. Hist. littér. de la France, XXIII, 184 ; « Ci commence de la dame escolliée. » Montaiglon et Raynaud, Recueil... des fabliaux, VI, 95 ; « D'un jugleor qui ala en enfer et perdi les ames as dez. » Ibid., V, 65 ; Du vilain qui conquist paradis par plait. » Ibid., III, 209 ; « De II Angloys et de l'agnel. » Ibid., II, 178 ; « Du foteor. » Ibid., I, 304 ; « Du prestre et d'Alison », par GUILLAUME LE NORMAND. Ibid., II, 8 ; « Del convoiteus et de l'envieus », titre erroné pour « Estula ». Ibid., IV, 87 ; « Du convoitox », par JEAN DE BOVES. Ibid., V, 211 ; « De Haimet et de Barat, etc. » Ibid., IV, 93 ; « De Bérangier au lonc cul », par GUERIN. Ibid., III, 253 ; « De la pucele qui abevra le polain. » Ibid., IV, 199 ; « Du vilain asnier. » Ibid., V, 40 ; « Du provoire qui menga les meures. » Ibid., IV, 53 ; « De la damoiselle à la grue », par GARIN, Ibid., V, 151 ; « Du prestre qui ot mere malgré sien. » Ibid., V, 143 ; « Du chevalier qui fist les c... parler », par GUERIN. Ibid., VI, 68 ; « De Guillaume au faucon. » Ibid., II, 92 ; « De la male honte », par GUILLAUME LE NORMAND. Ibid., IV, 41 ; « Du c... Guautiers li leus dit a devise... » ; « ... Mais que ce fust li rois de France. Explicit du c... » ; « Du prestre qui dist la Passion. » Ibid., V, 80 ; « Du prestre et de la dame. » Ibid, II, 235 ; « De Audigier. » Barbazan et Méon, Fabliaux et contes, IV, 217 ; « De II bordeors ribauz. » Montaiglon, Recueil général... des fabliaux. I, 1 ; « La response de l'un des II ribauz. » Ibid, I, 7 ; « Du chevalier tort. » Barbazan et Méon, III, 444 ; « De l'apostoile. » G.-A. Crapelet, Proverbes et dictons populaires..., pp. 1-123 ; « D'Alixandre et d'Aristote. » Lai d'Aristote, par HENRI D'ANDELI. Montaiglon et Raynaud, Recueil, etc., V, 243 ; manuscrit C de l'édition des OEuvres d'Henri d'Andeli, par A. Héron, 1880, p. 1 ; « Des proverbes et du vilain. Qui vult oïr bons dis, Bons proverbes, bons ris... » Le texte est en grande partie différent de celui qu'a publié Le Roux de Lincy, Le Livre des Proverbes français, t. II (1859), pp. 459-470 ; « De Constant Du Hamel. » Montaiglon et Raynaud, Recueil, etc., IV, 166 ; « D'Auberée la vielle maquerel[le]. » Ibid., V, 1 ; « Ci comence le cortois d'Artois. » Barbazan et Méon, Fabliaux et contes, I, 356 ; « Ci comence de l'onbre et de l'anel. » Cf. Legrand d'Aussi, Fabliaux (1829), I, 256 ; « Ci comence l'erberie. » Rutebeuf, édit. Ach. Jubinal, 1839, t. I, Notes et éclaircissements, pp. 468-475, et 1875, t. III, Notes et éclaircissements, pp. 182-192 ; « Ci comence la bataille de quaresme et de charnage. » Barbazan et Méon, Fabliaux et contes, IV, 80 ; « Ci comence de Ovide, de Arte. Entendez tuit, grant et petit, Ce que maistre ÉLIE nos dit... » ; «... Que de cest mal, par s. Johan, N'aurez vos jà fors que l'ahan. » Cf. Gaston Paris, Hist. littér. de la France, XXIX, 458-461 ; « Ci commence de Piramo et de Tisbe. » Barbazan et Méon, Fabliaux et contes, IV, 326 ; cf. Gaston Paris, Hist. littér. de la France, XXIX, 498 ; « Ci commence Doctrinal de latin en roumans » [Doctrinal sauvage]. Cf. P. Meyer, Romania, VI, 20-22, et Notices et extraits des manuscrits, t. XXXIII, 1re partie, pp. 45-46 ; « Ci commence de la chante-pleure. » Cf. P. Meyer, Romania, VI, 26, et IX, 510 ; « Ci commence chastie-musart. » Cf. P. Meyer, Romania, XV, 604 et suiv ; « Ci commence la desputoison du juyf et du chrestien. Omnis credencium letetur populus... » ; «... Puis que j'ay I juyf à creance amené. Explicit. » Cf. Hist. littér. de la France, XXIII, 217 ; « Ci coumence d'amors et de jalousie. Comencer vueil I poi d'afaire, Que plus ne s'en puet mon cuer taire... » ; «... Ou jamais nul n'i faudrai. Explicit » ; « La bataille des VII arz », par HENRI D'ANDELI. A. Héron, OEuvres d'Henri d'Andeli, p. 43 ; « Ci commencent les proverbes au conte de Bretaigne. » G.-A. Crapelet, Proverbes et dictons populaires, p. 169 ; cf. Hist. littéraire de la France, XXIII, 686-688 ; « Ci coumence de Marcoul et de Salemon, que li cuens de Bretagne fist. » G.-A. Crapelet, Ibid., p. 189 ; cf. Hist. littér. de la France, XXIII, 688-689 ; « Ci coumence de Narciso le roumanz. » Barbazan et Méon, Fabliaux et contes, IV, 143 ; cf. Gaston Paris, Hist. littér. de la France, XXIX, 498-499 ; « C'est li romanz des braies » [les braies du Cordelier]. Montaiglon et Raynaud, Recueil général... des fabliaux, III, 275 ; « Commence des tresces. » Ibid., IV, 67 ; Partonopex de Blois. Ms. utilisé dans l'édition G.-A. Crapelet, 1834 ; « C'est le romanz de Blanchandin et de Orgueillose d'amors. » Cf. l'édition Michelant, 1867, et Romania, XVIII, 290 ; « Ci commence le romanz de Floire et de Blanche-Flor. » Seconde version d' Édélestand Du Méril ; édition Éd. Du Méril (1856), pp. CCVII-CCVIII et 125-227

Antiobesity and antidiabetic activity of P. balsamifera, its active Salicortin, and L. laricina, medicinal plants from the traditional pharmacopoeia of the James Bay Cree

La prévalence de l’obésité, du diabète de type 2, et du syndrome métabolique, sont à la hausse chez les Cris d’Eeyou Istchee (CEI-Nord du Québec). Ces problèmes sont aggravés par leur diète non traditionnelle, leur sédentarité, ainsi que par une résistance culturelle aux produits pharmaceutiques. Afin de développer des traitements antidiabétiques culturellement adaptés, notre équipe a effectué une enquête ethnobotanique qui a identifié 17 plantes provenant de la pharmacopée traditionnelle des CEI. À partir des études de criblage effectuées in vitro, deux plantes parmi les 17 ont attiré notre attention. Populus balsamifera L. (Salicaceae) pour ses propriétés anti-obésité et Larix laricina K. Koch (Pinaceae) pour ses propriétés antidiabétiques. P. balsamifera et son composé actif salicortin ont inhibé l’accumulation de triglycérides durant l’adipogénèse dans les adipocytes 3T3-L1. L. laricina a augmenté le transport de glucose et l’activation de l’AMPK dans les cellules musculaires C2C12, l’adipogénèse dans les 3T3-L1 et a démontré un fort potentiel découpleur (propriété anti-obésité). Les objectifs de cette thèse sont d'évaluer les potentiels anti-obésité et antidiabétique et d’élucider les mécanismes d'action de P. balsamifera, salicortin, et L. laricina chez la souris C57BL/6 rendue obèse par une diète riche en gras (HFD). Les souris ont été soumises pendant huit (étude préventive) ou seize semaines (étude traitement) à une HFD, ou à une HFD dans laquelle P. balsamifera, salicortin, ou L. laricina a été incorporé soit dès le départ (prévention), ou dans les 8 dernières des 16 semaines d'administration de HFD (traitement). iv Les résultats démontrent que P. balsamifera (dans les deux études) et salicortin (évalué dans l’étude traitement) diminuent: le poids corporel, le gras rétropéritonéal, la sévérité de la stéatose et l’accumulation de triglycérides hépatique (ERK impliqué), les niveaux de glycémie et d'insuline, et le ratio leptine/adiponectine. Dans les deux études, P. balsamifera a significativement réduit la consommation de nourriture mais cet effet coupe-faim nécessite d’être approfondi. Dans l'étude préventive, P. balsamifera a augmenté la dépense énergétique (hausse de la température à la surface de la peau et de l’activation de la protéine découplante-1; UCP-1). Les voies de signalisation activées par P. balsamifera et par salicortin (de façon plus modeste) sont impliquées dans: la production de glucose hépatique (Akt), l’expression de Glut4 dans le muscle squelettique, la captation du glucose et du métabolisme des lipides (Akt dans le tissu adipeux), la différenciation des adipocytes (ERK et PPARg), l’inflammation dans le foie (IKKαβ), et l'oxydation des acides gras dans le muscle, le foie, ou le tissu adipeux (PPARa et CPT-1). D’autre part, L. laricina a également diminué les niveaux de glycémie et d’insuline, le ratio leptine/adiponectine, le gras rétropéritonéal et le poids corporel. Ces effets ont été observés en conjonction avec une augmentation de la dépense énergétique: hausse de température à la surface de la peau (prévention) et amélioration de la fonction mitochondriale et de la synthèse d'ATP (traitement). En conclusion, l’utilisation de P. balsamifera, salicortin et L. laricina comme des traitements alternatifs et culturellement adaptés aux CEI représente une contribution importante dans la prévention et le traitement de l’obésité et du diabète.

Distribution spatiale des racines fines, disponibilité de la lumière et rendement dans un système de culture intercalaire avec arbres feuillus en zone tempérée

Les distributions spatiales des racines fines de Quercus rubra L. (CHR), Populus deltoides x nigra (DN3570) (PEH) et d’une culture fourragère (FOUR) ont été étudiées dans un système agroforestier de culture intercalaire (SCI) du sud du Québec (Canada). L’étude ne révèle pas d’enracinement plus profond des arbres en SCI, mais des profils superficiels à l’instar de nombreuses espèces d’arbres en plantations ou en milieu naturel. Une séparation spatiale existe entre les systèmes racinaires du FOUR et des CHR dont la densité relative selon la profondeur est plus faible que celle de la culture de 0 à 10 cm, mais plus élevée de 10 à 30 cm. Les PEH ne présentent pas d’adaptation racinaire et les hautes valeurs de densités de longueur racinaires (FRLD) de surface près du tronc entraînent une diminution de 45 % de la densité racinaire de surface du fourrage, suggérant une forte compétition pour les ressources du sol. L’étude du rendement agricole a d’ailleurs révélé des réductions de biomasse fourragère particulièrement près des PEH. Cependant, les résultats d’une analyse à composantes principales suggèrent un impact secondaire de la compétition racinaire sur le rendement agricole, et une plus grande importance de la compétition pour la lumière. L’impact des PEH à croissance rapide sur la culture est plus grand que celui du CHR. Cependant, ils seront récoltés plus rapidement et l’espace libéré favorisera la croissance de la culture intercalaire. Cet aspect dynamique des SCI les rapproche des écosystèmes naturels et devrait être réfléchi et approfondi pour leur succès futur.

Diversité des organismes endophytes dans les racines de plantes poussant en milieu contaminé en hydrocarbures

Les champignons endophytes sont des organismes qui vivent à l’intérieur de plantes sans causer de symptômes de maladie apparents. Ils sont trouvés dans virtuellement toutes plante, et la nature des interactions peut aller de mutualiste à pathogène dépendant des conditions. La diversité et la structure des communautés des champignons endophytes dans les plantes poussant en milieu extrêmement pollué, ainsi que leur rôle potentiel pour améliorer la phytorémédiation, demeurent peu compris. Dans cette étude, nous nous sommes intéressés aux communautés de champignons endophytes de racines de deux espèces de plantes (Eleocharis erythropoda et Populus sp.). Ces espèces poussaient de manière spontanée dans trois bassins de sédimentation d’un ancienne usine pétro-chimique ayant des niveaux de contaminations différents, en utilisant à la fois une approche d’isolation d’organisme ainsi que des analyses de pyroséquençage de l’ITS d’ADN ribosomal. Nos résultats indiquent que les niveaux de contamination ont un effet significatif sur la composition taxonomique des champignons endophytes des racines de E. erythropoda. Une majorité des données de séquences appartiennent à la classe des Dothideomycetes dans les échantillons de forte concentration en hydrocarbures pétroliers, dont une majorité appartient au genre Alternaria. La comparaison des données d’isolation et de pyroséquençage suggère que l’isolation de souches ne permet pas l’obtention des souches les plus représentées dans les données de pyroséquençage. Ces résultats pourront potentiellement aider à l’élaboration de stratégies pour améliorer la phytorémédiation en utilisant les champignons endophytes.

Vegetation changes in a river oasis on the southern rim of the Taklamakan Desert in China between 1956 and 2000

The indigenous vegetation surrounding the river oases on the southern rim of the Taklamakan Desert has drastically diminished due to overexploitation as a source of fodder, timber and fuel for the human population. The change in the spatial extent of landscape forms and vegetation types around the Qira oasis was analyzed by comparing SPOT satellite images from 1998 with aerial photographs from 1956. The analysis was supplemented by field surveys in 1999 and 2000. The study is part of a joint Chinese-European project with the aim of assessing the current state of the foreland vegetation, of gathering information on the regeneration potential and of suggesting procedures for a sustainable management. With 33 mm of annual precipitation, plants can only grow if they have access to groundwater, lakes or rivers. Most of the available water comes into the desert via rivers in the form of seasonal flooding events resulting from snow melt in the Kun Lun Mountains. This water is captured in canal systems and used for irrigation of arable fields. Among the eight herbaceous and woody vegetation types and the type of open sand without any plant life that were mapped in 2000 in the oasis foreland, only the latter, the oasis border between cultivated land and open Populus euphratica forests and Tamarix ramosissima-Phragmites australis riverbed vegetation could be clearly identified on the photographs from 1956. The comparison of the images revealed that the oasis increased in area between 1956 and 2000. Shifting sand was successfully combated near to the oasis borders but increased in extent at the outward border of the foreland vegetation. In contrast to expectations, the area covered with Populus trees was smaller in 1956 than today due to some new forests in the north of the oasis that have grown up since 1977. Subfossil wood and leaf remnants of Populus euphratica that were found in many places in the foreland must have originated from forests destroyed before 1956. In the last 50 years, the main Qira River has shifted its bed significantly northward and developed a new furcation with a large new bed in 1986. The natural river dynamics are not only an important factor in forming the oasis’ landscape but also in providing the only possible regeneration sites for all occurring plant species. The conclusion of the study is that the oasis landscape has changed considerably in the last 50 years due to natural floodings and to vegetation degradation by human overexploitation. The trend towards decreasing width of the indigenous vegetation belt resulting from the advancing desert and the expansion of arable land is particularly alarming because a decrease in its protective function against shifting sand can be expected in the future.

Short-term Response of Breeding Barred Owls to Forestry in a Boreal Mixedwood Forest Landscape

Forestry and other activities are increasing in the boreal mixedwood of Alberta, with a concomitant decrease in older forest. The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is an old-growth indicator species in some jurisdictions in North America. Hence, we radio-tagged Barred Owls in boreal mixedwood in Alberta to determine whether harvesting influenced habitat selection. We used three spatial scales: nest sites, i.e., nest tree and adjacent area of 11.7 m radius around nests, nesting territory of 1000 m radius around nests, and home range locations within 2000 m radius of the home range center. Barred Owls nested primarily in balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) snags > 34 cm dbh and nest trees were surrounded by large, > 34 cm dbh, balsam poplar trees and snags. Nesting territories contained a variety of habitats including young < 80-yr-old, deciduous-dominated stands, old deciduous and coniferous-dominated stands, treed bogs, and recent clear-cuts. However, when compared to available habitat in the study area, they were more likely to contain old conifer-dominated stands and recent cutblocks. We assumed this is because all of the recent harvest occurred in old stands, habitat preferred by the owls. When compared with random sites, locations used for foraging and roosting at the home range scale were more likely to be in young deciduous-dominated stands, old conifer-dominated stands and cutblocks > 30 yr old, and less likely to occur in old deciduous-dominated stands and recent cutblocks. Hence, although recent clearcuts occurred in territories, birds avoided these microhabitats during foraging. To meet the breeding requirements of Barred Owls in managed forests, 10–20 ha patches of old deciduous and mixedwood forest containing large Populus snags or trees should be maintained. In our study area, nest trees had a minimum dbh of 34 cm. Although cut areas were incorporated into home ranges, the amount logged was low, i.e., 7%, in our area. Hence more research is required to determine harvest levels tolerated by owls over the long term.

Water use of a bioenergy plantation increases in a future high CO2 world

Fast-growing poplar trees may in future be used as a source of renewable energy for heat, electricity and biofuels such as bioethanol. Water use in Populus x euramericana (clone I214), following long-term exposure to elevated CO2 in the POPFACE (poplar free-air carbon dioxide enrichment) experiment, is quantified here. Stomatal conductance was measured and, during two measurement campaigns made before and after coppicing, whole-tree water use was determined using heat-balance sap-flow gauges, first validated using eddy covariance measurements of latent heat flux. Water use was determined by the balance between leaf-level reductions in stomatal conductance and tree-level stimulations in transpiration. Reductions in stomatal conductance were found that varied between 16 and 39% relative to ambient air. Whole-tree sap flow was increased in plants growing under elevated CO2, on average, by 12 and 23%, respectively, in the first and in the second measurement campaigns. These results suggest that future CO2 concentrations may result in an increase in seasonal water use in fast-growing, short-rotation Populus plantations.

Stress generation in the tension wood of poplar is based on the lateral swelling power of the G-layer

The mechanism of active stress generation in tension wood is still not fully understood. To characterize the functional interdependency between the G-layer and the secondary cell wall, nanostructural characterization and mechanical tests were performed on native tension wood tissues of poplar (Populus nigra x Populus deltoids) and on tissues in which the G-layer was removed by an enzymatic treatment. In addition to the well-known axial orientation of the cellulose fibrils in the G-layer, it was shown that the microfibril angle of the S2-layer was very large (about 36 degrees). The removal of the G-layer resulted in an axial extension and a tangential contraction of the tissues. The tensile stress-strain curves of native tension wood slices showed a jagged appearance after yield that could not be seen in the enzyme-treated samples. The behaviour of the native tissue was modelled by assuming that cells deform elastically up to a critical strain at which the G-layer slips, causing a drop in stress. The results suggest that tensile stresses in poplar are generated in the living plant by a lateral swelling of the G-layer which forces the surrounding secondary cell wall to contract in the axial direction.

Spatial and temporal effects of free-air CO2 enrichment (POPFACE) on leaf growth, cell expansion and cell production in a closed canopy of poplar

Leaf expansion in the fast-growing tree,Populus × euramericana was stimulated by elevated [CO2] in a closed-canopy forest plantation, exposed using a free air CO2 enrichment technique enabling long-term experimentation in field conditions. The effects of elevated [CO2] over time were characterized and related to the leaf plastochron index (LPI), and showed that leaf expansion was stimulated at very early (LPI, 0–3) and late (LPI, 6–8) stages in development. Early and late effects of elevated [CO2] were largely the result of increased cell expansion and increased cell production, respectively. Spatial effects of elevated [CO2] were also marked and increased final leaf size resulted from an effect on leaf area, but not leaf length, demonstrating changed leaf shape in response to [CO2]. Leaves exhibited a basipetal gradient of leaf development, investigated by defining seven interveinal areas, with growth ceasing first at the leaf tip. Interestingly, and in contrast to other reports, no spatial differences in epidermal cell size were apparent across the lamina, whereas a clear basipetal gradient in cell production rate was found. These data suggest that the rate and timing of cell production was more important in determining leaf shape, given the constant cell size across the leaf lamina. The effect of elevated [CO2] imposed on this developmental gradient suggested that leaf cell production continued longer in elevated [CO2] and that basal increases in cell production rate were also more important than altered cell expansion for increased final leaf size and altered leaf shape in elevated [CO2].