The dynamic regeneration niche of a forest following a rare disturbance event

Aim: Knowledge of how climate and fire regimes affect regeneration in foundation species is critical to the conservation of entire ecosystems. Different stages of regeneration often require different ecological conditions, but dynamic constraints on regeneration are poorly known for species that regenerate only after infrequent wildfires. Focussing on a long-lived, foundation tree species (Eucalyptus regnans), we tested the hypothesis that the relative importance of fire regime variables (fire severity and time since previous fire) and environmental gradients on post-fire regeneration would shift as seedlings developed. Location: South-eastern Australia. Methods: Following a large (> 59,000 ha) summer wildfire in 2009, we sampled 131 sites (61 burnt) annually for four years (2009-2012), representing the range of environmental conditions in which E. regnans occurs. We analysed the effect of fire severity, time since fire and environmental variables on early regeneration processes critical for post-fire species distributions: seedling establishment, seedling density and growth through different height stages (10 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm and 200 cm). Results: The regeneration niche of E. regnans was defined by different factors at different stages of development. Initially, seedlings established prolifically on burnt sites, regardless of severity. Three years into the regeneration process, high-severity fire became the dominant driver of seedling persistence and growth over 25 cm. Growth over 50 cm was dependent on environmental conditions relating to elevation and precipitation. Main conclusions: Our results describe how fire occurrence, fire severity and environmental gradients affected seedling establishment, persistence and growth. The dynamic constraints on regeneration likely reflect temporal changes in the biotic and abiotic environment and variation in resource requirements during the early post-fire years. Our findings will enable more accurate forecasts of species distributions to assist forest conservation in the face of global changes in climate and fire regimes.

Epiphytes on Nothofagus cunninghamii and Eucalyptus regnans in a Victorian cool temperate rainforest

This study investigated the epiphytic communities on Myrtle Beech Nothofagus cunninghamii (Hook.) Oerst. and Mountain Ash Eucalyptus regnans F.Muell. trees in a pocket of Cool Temperate Rainforest in the Yarra Ranges National Park, Victoria, Australia. Twenty species were identified growing on N. cunninghamii, with nine species found on E. regnans. The dominant epiphytes were the moss Dicranoloma menziesii on N. cunninghamii, and the liverwort Bazzania adnexa var. adnexa on E. regnans.

Estimates of genetic parameters for growth and wood properties in Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell. to support tree breeding in Vietnam

Key message Eucalyptus pellita demonstrated good growth and wood quality traits in this study, with young plantation grown timber being suitable for both solid and pulp wood products. All traits examined were under moderate levels of genetic control with little genotype by environment interaction when grown on two contrasting sites in Vietnam. Context Eucalyptus pellita currently has a significant role in reforestation in the tropics. Research to support expanded of use of this species is needed: particularly, research to better understand the genetic control of key traits will facilitate the development of genetically improved planting stock. Aims This study aimed to provide estimates of the heritability of diameter at breast height over bark, wood basic density, Kraft pulp yield, modulus of elasticity and microfibril angle, and the genetic correlations among these traits, and understand the importance of genotype by environment interactions in Vietnam. Methods Data for diameter and wood properties were collected from two 10-year-old, open-pollinated progeny trials of E. pellita in Vietnam that evaluated 104 families from six native range and three orchard sources. Wood properties were estimated from wood samples using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Data were analysed using mixed linear models to estimate genetic parameters (heritability, proportion of variance between seed sources and genetic correlations). Results Variation among the nine sources was small compared to additive variance. Narrow-sense heritability and genetic correlation estimates indicated that simultaneous improvements in most traits could be achieved from selection among and within families as the genetic correlations among traits were either favourable or close to zero. Type B genetic correlations approached one for all traits suggesting that genotype by environment interactions were of little importance. These results support a breeding strategy utilizing a single breeding population advanced by selecting the best individuals across all seed sources. Conclusion Both growth and wood properties have been evaluated. Multi-trait selection for growth and wood property traits will lead to more productive populations of E. pellita both with improved productivity and improved timber and pulp properties.

The influence of time since fire and distance from fire boundary on the distribution and abundance of arboreal marsupials in Eucalyptus regnans-dominated forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria

The impact of time since fire after two consecutive wildfires 44 years apart (1939 and 1983) within the same area, and the distance from the fire boundary «100 m or 500-2000 m), were investigated in relation to the distribution and abundance of arboreal marsupials in 1994. Arboreal marsupials were censused by stagwatching and spotlighting in two relatively young age classes of mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) dominated forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Five species of arboreal marsupial were detected, but only three were detected in sufficient numbers to determine habitat preferences. Petauroides volans (greater glider) was statistically more abundant in 1939 regrowth forests, while Trichosurus caninus (mountain brushtail possum) showed no significant preference for either age class of forest. All but one record of Gymnobelideus leadbeateri (Leadbeater's possum) came from young forest, though the effect of age-class was not statistically significant. Distance from fire boundary explained little or no variation in mammal distribution or abundance. While the actual number of hollow-bearing trees was similar in both age classes of forest, the long-term lifespan of hollow-bearing trees in more recently burnt forest is predicted to be lower than in unburnt or not recently burnt forest. Post-fire salvage logging following the 1983 wildfires appears to have reduced the number of hollow-bearing trees at sites burnt in 1983.

A review of the conservation ecology of round-leaf Pomaderris Pomaderris vacciniifolia F. Muell. ex Reissek (Rhamnaceae)

Round-leaf Pomaderris Pomaderris vacciniifolia F. Muell. ex Reissek (Rhamnaceae) is a Victorian endemic shrub listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and critically endangeredunder the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. A review of the available literature for P. vacciniifolia indicated most information is anecdotal or found in unpublished works. Better understanding of the ecology of P. vacciniifolia may help explain why it is vulnerable, and enhance future management. Future research should focus towards better understanding of P. vacciniifolia habitat, reproductive ecology, seed dispersal mechanisms and competitive ability and how these compare with more common sympatric congeners, to determine whether any differences could explain the relative success of these species. Targeted searches for this species on public and private land are warranted to reveal additional populations and fully appreciate the distribution of this species. (The Victorian Naturalist 131 (2) 2014, 44-51).

Regulation of HbPIP2;3, a latex-abundant water transporter, is associated with latex dilution and yield in the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) latex, the source of natural rubber, is synthesised in the cytoplasm of laticifers. Efficient water inflow into laticifers is crucial for latex flow and production since it is the determinant of the total solid content of latex and its fluidity after tapping. As the mature laticifer vessel rings are devoid of plasmodesmata, water exchange between laticifers and surrounding cells is believed to be governed by plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs). To identify the most important PIP aquaporin in the water balance of laticifers, the transcriptional profiles of ten-latex-expressed PIPs were analysed. One of the most abundant transcripts, designated HbPIP2;3, was characterised in this study. When tested in Xenopus laevis oocytes HbPIP2;3 showed a high efficiency in increasing plasmalemma water conductance. Expression analysis indicated that the HbPIP2;3 gene was preferentially expressed in latex, and the transcripts were up-regulated by both wounding and exogenously applied Ethrel (a commonly-used ethylene releaser). Although regular tapping up-regulated the expression of HbPIP2;3 during the first few tappings of the virginal rubber trees, the transcriptional kinetics of HbPIP2;3 to Ethrel stimulation in the regularly tapped tree exhibited a similar pattern to that of the previously reported HbPIP2;1 in the virginal rubber trees. Furthermore, the mRNA level of HbPIP2;3 was associated with clonal yield potential and the Ethrel stimulation response. Together, these results have revealed the central regulatory role of HbPIP2;3 in laticifer water balance and ethylene stimulation of latex production in Hevea.

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.), tratadas com benlate durante o armazenamento

A ocorrência de um período relativamente frio e seco, imediatamente após o período de coleta de sementes de seringueira - Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. (março-abril), levou à realização do presente trabalho com o objetivo de encontrar condições adequadas de preservação da qualidade fisiológica das sementes. Assim, estudou-se a qualidade fisiológica de sementes, tratadas com Benlate (0,1%), e armazenadas em sacos de polietileno transparente, por períodos de 0 a 5 meses, sob condições ambientais de laboratório. Para a avaliação da qualidade fisiológica das sementes, determinou-se a germinação e o vigor através do índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE) e do comprimento da parte aérea das plântulas (CPA), em 1987 e 1988. A germinação e o IVE foram obtidos sob duas condições ambientais diferentes, ambiente do laboratório e em germinador a 30°C. O tratamento fungicida utilizado não exerceu efeito significativo na preservação das sementes. A germinação, o IVE e o CPA reduziram-se com o prolongamento do armazenamento. Os valores da germinação foram baixo desde o início dos trabalhos, o que pode ser atribuído ao teor de água inicial, que estava abaixo de 30%. O teste de germinação de sementes dessa espécie pode ser feito utilizando-se areia como substrato, a 30°C e com a contagem final aos 20 dias após a instalação do teste.

Influência de vegetação vizinha na distribuição de ácaros em seringal (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., Euphorbiaceae) em São José do Rio Preto, SP

Existem poucos estudos sobre a influência de vegetação vizinha na ocorrência e distribuição de ácaros em monoculturas. No presente estudo foi analizada a influência de duas áreas diferentes (fragmento de mata e pastagem) sobre a acarofauna de um cultivo de seringueira. Três linhas foram estabelecidas, uma na borda com o fragmento de mata, uma no interior do seringal e uma na borda com a área de pastagem. Cinco plantas foram selecionadas em cada linha e 10 folhas de cada planta foram analisadas. No total foram registrados 159.011 ácaros de 19 espécies, pertencentes a 12 famílias. Todos, com exceção dos exemplares de Calacarus heveae Feres, contados diretamente nos folíolos, foram montados em lâminas de microscopia com o meio de Hoyer. C. heveae foi a espécie mais abundante e freqüente (99,1%), sendo que sua maior distribuição ocorreu na linha central e a menor na linha próxima ao fragmento de mata. Devido à dominância dessa espécie, a diversidade e a uniformidade foram baixas. As espécies predadoras apresentaram maior abundância na linha mais próxima ao fragmento de mata, sugerindo um possível deslocamento dessas espécies entre a mata e o cultivo. Esses dados indicam que a vegetação nativa influenciou a acarofauna no monocultivo e que sua presença deveria ser considerada nos programas de manejo de pragas.

Diversidade e sazonalidade de ácaros (Acari) em seringal (Hevea brasiliensis, Muell. Arg.) no Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo

A Região Sudeste do Brasil apresenta aspectos edafo-climáticos favoráveis para o plantio e desenvolvimento da seringueira, sendo o estado de São Paulo o maior produtor nacional de látex. Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar, através de coletas mensais durante três anos de estudo, a diversidade, a riqueza de espécies e a sua sazonalidade, bem como realizar estimativas de densidade populacional das principais espécies de ácaros presentes nas folhas. Todos os ácaros foram montados em lâminas de microscopia, totalizando 74.407 indivíduos, de 26 espécies pertencentes a 10 famílias. Os fitófagos representaram 95,4% do total de indivíduos coletados e os predadores 3,9%. Doze espécies foram consideradas acidentais, seis foram acessórias e oito constantes. Apresentaram maior número de espécies as famílias Phytoseiidae (cinco) e Tydeidae (quatro). A espécie mais abundante foi Calacarus heveae Feres (50.573), com maior abundância nos meses correspondentes ao término da estação chuvosa e início da estação seca na região. Dentre os predadores, a mais abundante foi Zetzellia quasagistemas Hernandes & Feres (1.345), seguida por Pronematus sp. (455), Zetzellia agistzellia Hernandes & Feres (409) e Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma (243). C. heveae apresentou maior densidade populacional em março e abril de 2003, e Lorryia formosa Cooreman e Tenuipalpus heveae Baker em março e maio de 2001, respectivamente. Muitos estigmeídeos foram observados associados a agrupamentos de L. formosa predando seus ovos e estágios imaturos.

Diversidade de ácaros (Acari, Arachnida) em seringueiras (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., Euphorbiaceae) na região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The mites of three rubber tree cultures (Cedral, Pindorama and Taquaritinga) in order to determine the abundance of populations, the richness, the diversity and the degree of similarity among the communities was studied. Twenty one species were found, five of which were common to the three cultures. The richness and the abundance were greatest at the beginning of the dry season. The composition of communities differed probably as consequence of the kind of neighboring vegetation to each area, and because of the acaricid pulverization on the culture of Taquaritinga, reductng the richness of mite species in that area. The influence of neighboring vegetation can be shown by the occurrence of Iphiseiodes zuluagui Denmark & Muma, 1972, a common species to citrus trees, on neighboring rubber trees in Taquaritinga, and Tenuipalpus heveae Baker, 1945, a common species on rubber trees, on a coffee culture neighbor to the rubber trees of Pindorama. This data suggests that mites move among neighbor cultures, and can be an importam factor towards pest management and control. The diversity was small on the three cultures, as a result of the occurrence of one dominam species on each area, Calacarus heveae Feres, 1992 or T. heveae, which are considered pests of the rubber tree. The small diversity and the occurrence of dominant species are patterns expected in monocultures, systems with small environmental heterogeneity.

Ácaros (Acari, Arachnida) associados a euforbiáceas nativas em áreas de cultivo de seringueiras (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., Euphorbiaceae) na região noroeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Primeiro registro de ácaros eriofiídeos (Acari, Eriophyidae) em seringueiras (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., Euphorbiaceae) da Floresta Amazônica, Brasil

Calacarus heveae Feres, 1992 was the first eriophyid mite reported from Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. This mite was first found in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil. Feres (1998) described two additional species, Shevtchenkella petiolula and Phyllocoptruta seringueirae, from the same host and from same region. The commercial monocultural planting of the Amazonian rubber tree in the northwestern region of São Paulo State started about 18 years ago. In the Amazonian region, the native rubber tree grows dispersed between other plant species. Until now these eriophyids have been collected only on monocultural plantings. This paper reports the occurrence of C. heveae, S. petiolula and P. seringueirae on H. brasiliensis in the Amazonian Forest for the first time. The monocultural method in association with prevailing climatic conditions allows periodic outbreaks of these mites is believed. These new records for those three eriophyid species on rubber trees growing in natural conditions corroborate this hypothesis.

Ácaros (Acari) de seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg., Euphorbiaceae) e de euforbiáceas espontâneas no interior dos cultivos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Plantas de ocorrência espontânea como substratos alternativos para fitoseídeos (Acari, Phytoseiidae) em cultivos de seringueira Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comunidades de aranhas (Araneae) em cultivos de seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) no Estado de São Paulo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)