Gremmeniella abietina,Phacidium infestans,and other causes of damage in alpine,young pine plantations in Norway

Field studies of damage and mortality were carried out through 16 years in six young plantations, mostly of Pinus contorta, but also P. sylvestris and P. sibirica. Differences between pine species, P. contorta provenances, sites, and soil treatments are reported and discussed, as are influences of environment, climatic conditions, snow cover, and nutrient deficiency. Gremmeniella abietina was by far the most important cause of mortality; there were great differences between the sites as to development and seriousness. Other important causes of mortality and damage were Phacidium infestans, elk (Alces alces L.), voles, and snow pressure.     

Untersuchungen über die Ausbreitung von Nonnenfaltern durch Markierung mit Seltenen Erden

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Laborversuche zur Markierung von Nonnenraupen und Nonnenfaltern mit den Seltenen Erden Europium und Dysprosium behandelt, sowie Freilanduntersuchungen zum Studium der Ausbreitung mit Europium gekennzeichneter Nonnenfalter. Imagines, die mit Mengen von 1/Exemplar im Raupenstadium besprüht worden waren, erwiesen sich, ebenso wie im Vorjahr in derselben Weise behandelte Kiefernspinner, als deutlich markiert. Zur Kennzeichnung der Falter gelangten im Labor und im Freiland 10 Europium, im Labor auch 10 Dysprosium/Exemplar mittels Besprühung erfolgreich zur Anwendung. Die Ausbreitungsuntersuchungen ergaben einen Überflug markierter Falter auf eine Entfernung von 2 km.

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Summary The present paper describes laboratory experiments in marking nun-caterpillars and nun-moths with the rare earths Europium and Dysprosium, as well as field studies on the spread of nun-moths marked with Europium. Nun-moths, sprayed with quantities of 1/individual in the caterpillar stage, proved distinctly marked, and so did pine spinners(Dendrolimus pini) treated the same way past year. Marking of moths succeeded in both laboratory and field by spraying with 10 Europium, in the laboratory also with 10 Dysprosium per individual. Spreading studies revealed marked moths overflying distances of 2 kilometres.

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Résumé L'ouvrage présent traite d'essais en laboratoire sur le marquage de chenilles et de papillons de la Nonne(L. monacha) au moyen des terres rares Europium et Dysprosium, ainsi que de recherches au terrain sur l'expansion de papillons de cette espèce marqués d'Europium. Les images de la Nonne, ayant été aspérgées au stade larvaire d'une dose de 1 par individu, se sont avérées distinctement marquées, de même que les Bombyx du Pin traités de la même manière l'année passée. — Le marquage de papillons a été effectué avec succès au laboratoire et au terrain au moyen de 10 d'Europium — au laboratoire aussi de 10 de Dysprosium — par individu, appliqués par aspersion. Les recherches sur l'expansion ont révélé un survol de papillons marqués à une distance de 2 km.

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Für weitgehende Unterstützung der entomologischen Untersuchungen sei den Herren Dr. W. Schedl, Förster C. Holzschuh und Förster F. Stradner der forstlichen Bundesversuchsanstalt, der physikalischen Auswertung Herrn Ing. D. Koch, Reaktorzentrum Seibersdorf, herzlich gedankt. Besonderer Dank sei auch der Landesforstinspektion Niederösterreich, der Bezirksforstinspektion Waidhofen/Thaya und der Forstverwaltung von Fischen-Ankern für großzügige Hilfe bei der Durchführung der Freilanduntersuchungen ausgesprochen.     

Soil carbon distribution and quality in a montane rangeland-forest mosaic in northern Utah

Relatively little is known about soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in montane ecosystems of the semi-arid western U.S. or the stability of current SOC pools under future climate change scenarios. We measured the distribution and quality of SOC in a mosaic of rangeland-forest vegetation types that occurs under similar climatic conditions on non-calcareous soils at Utah State University's T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest in northern Utah: the forest types were aspen [Populus tremuloides] and conifer (mixture of fir [Abies lasiocarpa] and spruce [Picea engelmannii]); the rangeland types were sagebrush steppe [Artemisia tridentata], grass-forb meadow, and a meadow-conifer ecotone. Total SOC was calculated from OC concentrations, estimates of bulk density by texture and rock-free soil volume in five pedons. The SOC quality was expressed in terms of leaching potential and decomposability. Amount and aromaticity of water-soluble organic carbon (DOC) was determined by water extraction and specific ultra violet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA) of leached DOC. Decomposability of SOC and DOC was derived from laboratory incubation of soil samples and water extracts, respectively.

Although there was little difference in total SOC between soils sampled under different vegetation types, vertical distribution, and quality of SOC appeared to be influenced by vegetation. Forest soils had a distinct O horizon and higher SOC concentration in near-surface mineral horizons that declined sharply with depth. Rangeland soils lacked O horizons and SOC concentration declined more gradually. Quality of SOC under rangelands was more uniform with depth and SOC was less soluble and less decomposable (i.e., more stable) than under forests. However, DOC in grass-forb meadow soils was less aromatic and more bioavailable, likely promoting C retention through cycling. The SOC in forest soils was notably more leachable and decomposable, especially near the soil surface, with stability increasing with soil depth. Across the entire dataset, there was a weak inverse relationship between the decomposability and the aromaticity of DOC. Our data indicate that despite similar SOC pools, vegetation type may affect SOC retention capacity under future climate projections by influencing potential SOC losses via leaching and decomposition.     

Taxonomy and evolution of cultivated plants: Literature review 1980/1981

Summary Important papers on taxonomy and evolution of cultivated plants published in 1980 and 1981 were compiled and briefly discussed.

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Taxonomie und Evolution der Kulturpflanzen: Literaturübersicht 1980/1981

Zusammenfassung Wichtige Arbeiten über Taxonomie und Evolution der Kulturpflanzen aus den Jahren 1980 und 1981 wurden zusammengestellt und kurz kommentiert.

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: 1980–1981 .

, 1980 1981 . .

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Herrn Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. H.Stubbe aus Anlaß der 80. Wiederkehr seines Geburtstages gewidmet.     

Impacts of lost fishing gear on coral reef sessile invertebrates in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

The Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem supports multimillion-dollar commercial and recreational fisheries. The ecological effects caused by fishing gear that is lost when cut or broken after snagging on the bottom is a growing concern to managers and scientists. Few data exist, however, to assess the impacts of lost fishing gear to benthic organisms and habitat structure. In this study, 63 offshore coral reef and hard-bottom sites were surveyed during 2001 to quantify the impacts of lost fishing gear to coral reef sessile invertebrates. Lost hook-and-line fishing gear accounted for 87% of all debris (N=298 incidences) encountered and was responsible for 84% of the 321 documented impacts to sponges and benthic cnidarians, predominantly consisting of tissue abrasion causing partial individual or colony mortality. Branching gorgonians (Octocorallia) were the most frequently affected (56%), followed by milleporid hydrocorals (19%) and sponges (13%). Factors affecting the impacts of lost fishing gear include sessile invertebrate density, the density of lost fishing gear, and gear length. While lost hook-and-line fishing gear is ubiquitous in the Florida Keys, less than 0.2% of the available milleporid hydrocorals, stony corals, and gorgonians in the habitats studied are adversely affected in terms of colony abrasions and partial mortality.     

Taxonomy and evolution of cultivated plants: Literature review 1988/1989

Summary Important papers on taxonomy and evolution of cultivated plants published in 1988 and 1989 were compiled and briefly discussed.

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Taxonomie und Evolution der Kulturpflanzen: Literaturübersicht 1988/1989

Zusammenfassung Wichtige Arbeiten über Taxonomie und Evolution der Kulturpflanzen aus den Jahren 1988 und 1989 wurden zusammengestellt und kurz kommentiert.

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: 1988–1989

, 1988 1989 . .

     

High HEV presence in four different wild boar populations in East and West Germany

Swine Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can be transmitted from pigs to humans causing hepatitis. A high prevalence of HEV in wild boar populations is reported for several European countries, but actual data for Germany are missing. During the hunting season from October to December 2007 liver, bile and blood samples were collected from wild boars in four different German regions. The samples were tested for HEV RNA by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and anti-HEV IgG antibodies by two different ELISAs and a Line immunoassay. A seroprevalence of 29.9% using ELISA and 26.2% in the Line immunoassay was determined. The seroprevalence rate varied greatly within the analyzed regions. However, qPCR analysis revealed a higher prevalence of 68.2% positive animals with regional differences. Surprisingly, also adult wild sows and wild boars were highly HEV positive by qPCR. Compared to liver and serum samples, bile samples showed a higher rate of positive qPCR results. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of a 969 nt fragment within ORF 2 revealed that all isolates clustered within genotype 3 but differed in the subtype depending on the hunting spot. Isolates clustered within genotypes 3i, 3h, 3f and 3e. Within one population HEV isolates were closely related, but social groups of animals in close proximity might be infected with different subtypes. Two full-length genomes of subtypes 3i and 3e from two different geographic regions were generated. The wild boar is discussed as one of the main sources of human autochthonous infections in Germany.     

Taxonomy and evolution of cultivated plants: Literature review 1985/1986

Summary Important papers on taxonomy and evolution of cultivated plants published in 1985 and 1986 were compiled and briefly discussed.

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Taxonomie und Evolution der Kulturpflanzen: Literaturübersicht 1985/1986

Zusammenfassung Wichtige Arbeiten über Taxonomie und Evolution der Kulturpflanzen aus den Jahren 1985 und 1986 wurden zusammengestellt und kurz kommentiert.

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¶rt; : 1985–1986

¶rt; , 1985 1986 . .

     

Fate of Cry1Ab protein in agricultural systems under slurry management of cows fed genetically modified maize (Zea mays L.) MON810: a quantitative assessment

The objective of the study was to track the fate of recombinant Cry1Ab protein in a liquid manure field trial when feeding GM maize MON810 to dairy cows. A validated ELISA was applied for quantification of Cry1Ab in the agricultural chain from GM maize plants, feed, liquid manure and soil to crops grown on manured fields. Starting with 23.7 μg of Cry1Ab g(-1) dry weight GM maize material, a rapid decline of Cry1Ab levels was observed as 2.6% and 0.9% of Cry1Ab from the GM plant were detected in feed and liquid manure, respectively. Half of this residual Cry1Ab persisted during slurry storage for 25 weeks. After application to experimental fields, final degradation of Cry1Ab to below detectable levels in soil was reported. Cry1Ab exhibited a higher rate of degradation compared to total protein in the agricultural processes. Immunoblotting revealed a degradation of the 65 kDa Cry1Ab into immunoreactive fragments of lower size in all analyzed materials.