Struktur und Langzeitentwicklung von subalpinen Pinus montana Miller und Pinus cembra L. W?ldern in den zentraleurop?ischen Alpen

Zusammenfassung:  Die traditionelle land- und forstwirtschaftliche Nutzung dürfte im Alpenraum in der näheren Zukunft wirtschaftlich bedingt immer häufiger aufgegeben werden. Dieser Trend wird mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit die Dynamik von Gebirgsökosystemen und damit das Landschaftsbild stark beeinflussen. Aus diesem Grund stieg in den letzten Jahrzehnten das Interesse, die Sukzession auf nicht mehr bewirtschafteten Flächen zu verstehen. Die Bestandesstruktur und -entwicklung von subalpinen Fichtenwäldern (Picea abies L.) wurde bereits intensiv untersucht; über Entwicklungsprozesse in zentralalpinen Bergföhren- (Pinus montana Miller) und Arven-/Lärchenwälder (Pinus cembra L./Larix decidua L.) ist hingegen nur wenig bekannt. Der seit 1914 vom Menschen nur noch touristisch genutzte Schweizerische Nationalpark (SNP) ist eines der wenigen Gebiete in Westeuropa, welches über längere Zeit nicht bewirtschaftet wurde. Der Park bietet daher die einzigartige Möglichkeit, die Veränderungen in Bestandesstruktur und -zusammensetzung nach Bewirtschaftungsaufgabe zu beobachten. Wir verglichen historische (1957) und aktuelle (2001/02) Daten von 19 Beständen, welche zu drei verschiedenen Bestandestypen gehören: Bergföhre, Mischbestand und Arve. In den letzten 45 Jahren nahm die totale Stammzahl in allen drei Bestandestypen um 45 bis 57% und die Jungbaumzahl pro Hektar um 64 bis 76% signifikant ab, was vor allem auf den starken Rückgang der lichtbedürftigen Bergföhre zurückzuführen ist. Parallel zu dieser Entwicklung, nahm die Menge an liegendem Totholz in allen Bestandestypen von weniger als 4t/ha auf 36 bis 67,7t/ha zu, während die Anzahl toter Bäume pro Hektar um 72 bis 94% abnahm. Die Biomasse des stehenden Totholzes (t/ha) hat sich hingegen nur leicht verändert. Unsere Resultate beschreiben die sukzessionale Entwicklung von subalpinen Wäldern der Zentralalpen und zeigen, wie sich Wälder in ähnlichen Berggebieten in der nahen Zukunft entwickeln könnten.

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Summary:   Since traditional agriculture and forestry are no longer economically viable in many regions of the European Alps, subalpine forests will become less managed or completely abandoned in the near future. Therefore, the interest in understanding how forest stands will develop after abandonment has increased considerably over the past two decades. While much is known about stand structure and stand development of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) forests, almost no knowledge is available about the same processes in forest communities of the Central Alps. In the Swiss National Park (SNP), the forested area is comprised of mountain pine (Pinus montana Miller), Swiss stone pine/larch, (Pinus cembra L./Larix decidua L.). and mixed stands. When the Park was founded in 1914 all management activities were stopped. Therefore, this area offers the opportunity to study stand development and changes in stand structure after abandonment. We compared historic (1957) and present data (2001/02) from 19 stands that were grouped into characteristic stand types: mountain pine, mixed, and stone pine. We detected significant decreases in total tree density (stem/ha) and sapling density (saplings/ha) of 45 to 57%, and 64 to 76%, respectively, over the 45 years of observation for all stand types. These changes were strongly related to decreases in the number of shade intolerant mountain pine trees. Simultaneously, the amount of non-standing woody residue increased from less than 4t/ha to 36 to67.7 t/ha, and the density of standing dead wood (stems/ha) decreased significantly between 72 and 94%. The biomass of standing dead wood (t/ha), however, changed only slightly between 1957 and 01/02. Our results describe the successional development of continental subalpine forests after abandonment and outlines changes that might take place in similar areas in the near future.

     

The importance of soil microbial activity for the supply of iron to sorghum and rape

It is generally accepted that soil microorganisms play an important role in producing siderophores which enhance the availability of soil Fe to higher plants. There is not much direct experimental evidence to support this supposition, however, because it is difficult to grow plants under sterile conditions over long periods. The object of this investigation was to test whether a sterile soil medium impairs Fe translocation from the soil to plant roots. The plant species selected are of agronomical importance, namely rape (Brassica napus L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). The latter a graminaceous species which is able to excrete phytosiderophores from the roots into the soil which allows Fe to be mobilized and transported to plant roots. Sorghum and rape were grown for 18 and 21 days, respectively, in a non-sterile soil (control) and in the same soil which was sterilized before plant cultivation. In a further treatment, the sterile grown rape plants were supplied with Fe EDDHA 1 week before harvest in order to test whether a poor growth of plants grown in the sterile soil was caused by an insufficient Fe supply. Plants cultivated on the sterile soil were significantly retarded in root and shoot growth. This was especially true for rape which produced very small leaves. Plants responded immediately to the Fe addition which induced a vigorous growth. This clearly shows that the poor growth in the sterile soil was caused at least in part by an insufficient Fe supply. In neither plant species was yellowing of young leaves observed as a symptom typical of insufficient Fe supply. From this follows that retardation of plant growth is a more sensitive indicator of an insufficient Fe supply than is yellowing of young leaves at least for rape and sorghum. This finding is of agronomical importance since a reduced growth because of insufficient Fe supply is much more difficult to identify as Fe deficieny than Fe chlorosis (yellow leaves). Iron concentrations in roots and leaves of the sterile grown plants were significantly lower than the corresponding concentrations in the non-sterile grown plants. From these findings it can be concluded that soil microbial activity is essential for Fe acquisition by soil-grown rape. Similarily, sorghum which is able to release siderophores from the roots, requires soil microbial activity to ensure satisfactory Fe supply.     

Endothelial–platelet interactions in influenza-induced pneumonia: A potential therapeutic target

Every year, influenza viruses spread around the world, infecting the respiratory systems of countless humans and animals, causing illness and even death. Severe influenza infection is associated with pulmonary epithelial damage and endothelial dysfunction leading to acute lung injury (ALI). There is evidence that an aggressive cytokine storm and cell damage in lung capillaries as well as endothelial/platelet interactions contribute to vascular leakage, pro-thrombotic milieu and infiltration of immune effector cells. To date, treatments for ALI caused by influenza are limited to antiviral drugs, active ventilation or further symptomatic treatments. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of influenza-mediated pathogenesis, permissive animal models and histopathological changes of lung tissue in both mice and men and compare it with histological and electron microscopic data from our own group. We highlight the molecular and cellular interactions between pulmonary endothelium and platelets in homeostasis and influenza-induced pathogenesis. Finally, we discuss novel therapeutic targets on platelets/endothelial interaction to reduce or resolve ALI.     

Terrestrial liming as a tool to mitigate acidification of Woods Lake,NY

The Soil Liming Model (SLiM) has been used to simulate lake and stream water quality response to different strategies for the application of limestone to subcatchment soils in the Woods Lake, NY watershed. Simulations using doses of 3, 10, or 30 t ha^–1 forecast that a dose in excess of 10 t ha^–1 must be applied to discharge areas in order to sufficiently improve water quality in the lake. At 3 t ha^–1 inlet stream water quality could support fish populations. As expected, treatment effectiveness is strongly influenced by subcatchment hydrologic flow paths. Where shallow flow predominates, soil liming provides a more effective tool for lake water quality improvement. In subcatchments drained primarily by ground water, the effect of liming on water quality is less pronounced albeit of longer duration. Based upon the results of these model simulations, the authors compare results of conventional lake liming to simulated watershed treatment predictions.     

Vergleichend-anatomische Untersuchungen im Verwandtschaftskreis vonTriticum L. undAegilops L. (Gramineae)

Zusammenfassung Bei 46 Arten der GattungenTriticum undAegilops wurden anatomische Untersuchungen im Bereich der Organe Wurzel, Halm, Blattspreite, Ährenspindel, Spelzen, Blüte und Karyopse mittels gefärbter Hand- bzw. Mikrotomschnitte vorgenommen. Bedingt durch die kleineren Sproßorgane vonAegilops ergaben sich dort oft geringere Zellgrößen. Häufig waren auch mit der Ploidiestufe korrelierte Merkmale anzutreffen. In einigen Fällen ließ sich der Einfluß bestimmter Arten bzw. Genome auf die Merkmalsausprägung der allopolyploiden Sippen deutlich nachweisen, wofür als besonders klares BeispielAegilops tauschii mit seinem Einfluß auf die hexaploiden Weizenarten und auf die SektionVertebrata der GattungAegilops zu nennen ist. Innerhalb der GattungTriticum konnte eine Beziehung der Weizenarten mit einem G-Genom zu den diploiden Arten dieser Gattung durch Merkmale aller Organe belegt werden, während mit den übrigen Weizenarten weniger Ähnlichkeit besteht. Ein Merkmal im Halmbereich gibt sogar einen Hinweis auf die mögliche Beteiligung vonTriticum urartu an der Evolution der Weizenarten mit dem G-Genom. Nach Blatt- und Spelzenmerkmalen lassen sich die meisten tetraploidenTriticum- Sippen. mit einem AB-Genom zwei verschiedenen Gruppen zuordnen. Die diploiden Weizenarten erwiesen sich als gut charakterisierbare Gruppe. Echte anatomische Unterschiede zwischen Wild- und Kulturweizen bestehen nur in Bezug auf die Brüchigkeit der Ährenspindel. Innerhalb der GattungAegilops stehen sich die SektionenSitopsis undAmblyopyrum sehr nahe und sind auch denTriticum- Sippen viel ähnlicher als die übrigen Vertreter ihrer Gattung. Ein genauerer Hinweis auf den möglichen Donor des B-Genoms läßt sich aber anhand der anatomischen Merkmale nicht geben. Im gesamten Verwandtschaftskreis vonTriticum undAegkilops nur einmal auftretende Merkmale sind sehr selten, jedoch gibt es in mehreren Gruppen relativ isoliert stehende Arten. Zahlreiche anatomische Merkmale sind durch eine so große infraspezifische Variationsbreite gekennzeichnet, daß sie keine phylogenetische Aussage erlauben.

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Anatomical studies within the generaTriticum L. andAegilops L. (Gramineae)

Summary The anatomical characters of the root, culm, leaf lamina, ear rhachis, glume, palea, flower and caryopsis of 46Triticum andAegilops species were examined on the basis of coloured sections, made by hand or by microtome. Due to the smaller organ sizes ofAegilops also the cell sizes are mostly reduced in this genus. Often distinct character proved to be correlated with distinct ploidy levels. In some instances we were able to find a clear influence of distinct species or genomes on the characters of their alloploid taxa, e. g. an influence ofAegilops tauschii on the characters of the hexaploid wheat species and on the remaining species of sectionVertebrata ofAegilops. We found characters in all organs which point to a connection betweenTriticum species with genome G and the diploid wheats. The degree of similiarity to the other wheat species is much less strongly. One anatomical character of the culm indicates even a possible contribution ofTriticum urartu to the evolution of the wheat species with genome G. Most of the tetraploid species ofTriticum, genome AB, can be arranged into two different groups by means of leaf and glume characters. The diploid wheat species are a well characterized group. We were not able to find real anatomical differences between wild and cultivated wheat species besides the brittle ear rhachis. Within the genusAegilops the species of the sectionsSitopsis andAmblyopyrum resemble one another and theTriticum species much more than the other species ofAegilops. By anatomical characters it is not possible to indicate exactly the donor of genome B. Characters, which can be found only one time within the genera studied, are very seldom, but rather isolated species occur in several groups. Many anatomical characters are so variable even within the same species, that these characters can not be evaluated in phylogenetic respect.

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- Triticum L. Aegilops L. (Gramineae)

46 Triticum Aegilops , , , , , . Aegilops . , . ; Aegilops tauschii Vertebrata Aegilops. Triticum , G, , . Triticum urartu , G. Triticum, AB, . , . . Aegilops Sitopsis Amblyopyrum; Triticum, . - , , . , Tritcum Aegilops — , , , . , .

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Herrn Prof. Dr. Drs. h. c.Hans Stubbe zum 75. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Are cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations in mosses across Europe primarily determined by atmospheric deposition of these metals?

Purpose

This study aimed at investigating correlations between heavy metal concentrations in mosses and modelled deposition values as well as other site-specific and regional characteristics to determine which factors primarily affect cadmium, lead and mercury concentrations in mosses. The resulting relationships could potentially be used to enhance the spatial resolution of heavy metal deposition maps across Europe.

Materials and methods

Modelled heavy metal deposition data and data on the concentration of heavy metals in naturally growing mosses were integrated into a geographic information system and analysed by means of bivariate rank correlation analysis and multivariate decision trees. Modelled deposition data were validated annually with deposition measurements at up to 63 EMEP measurement stations within the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP), and mosses were collected at up to 7,000 sites at 5-year intervals between 1990 and 2005.

Results and discussion

Moderate to high correlations were found between cadmium and lead concentrations in mosses and modelled atmospheric deposition of these metals: Spearman rank correlation coefficients were between 0.62 and 0.67, and 0.67 and 0.73 for cadmium and lead, respectively (p?<?0.001). Multivariate decision tree analyses showed that cadmium and lead concentrations in mosses were primarily determined by the atmospheric deposition of these metals, followed by emissions of the metals. Low to very low correlations were observed between mercury concentrations in mosses and modelled atmospheric deposition of mercury. According to the multivariate analyses, spatial variations of the mercury concentration in mosses was primarily associated with the sampled moss species and not with the modelled deposition, but regional differences in the atmospheric chemistry of mercury and corresponding interactions with the moss may also be involved.

Conclusions

At least for cadmium and lead, concentrations in mosses are a valuable tool in determining and mapping the spatial variation in atmospheric deposition across Europe at a high spatial resolution. For mercury, more studies are needed to elucidate interactions of different chemical species with the moss.     

Pea starch meal as a substitute for cereal grain in diets for lactating sows: The effect on sow and litter performance

The major by-product from the production of pea protein concentrate is pea starch, and this starch can be an alternative source of starch compared to for instance starch from wheat in diets for pigs. However, differences in energy utilization between pea starch and cereal starch could affect the animals' production performance. In this study data from 100 Norwegian Landrace x Yorkshire sows was collected to investigate if inclusion of 20% pea starch meal (Pisum sativum L) in diets for lactating sows affected sow and litter performance. Two cereal grain based diets were formulated, but in one of the diets part of the wheat inclusion was replaced with pea starch meal. Data collection included registrations of sow daily feed consumption, individual weight and backfat measures, litter weights, measurement of blood glucose level after feeding and reproductive performance. Sows offered the pea diet had a higher average daily (P<0.0001), weekly (P<0.01) and total feed consumption (P<0.0001) during lactation. They also had a lower weight loss during the first three weeks of lactation (P<0.001). During the last two weeks of lactation sows in both groups were on average gaining weight, but the sows offered the control diet had the highest gain in this period (P<0.05). There was a tendency for a higher backfat loss in the pea group during the first three weeks of lactation (P=0.10), but no difference was found in overall backfat loss between treatments (P>0.05). Dietary treatment did not affect litter performance during lactation (P>0.05). The weaning-to-service interval was higher among the first parity sows offered the pea diet compared to the first parity sows offered the control diet (P<0.05). Blood glucose was not affected by dietary treatment within the chosen timeframe of this study (P>0.05). This study shows that pea starch meal can be used as an alternative source of starch in diets for lactating sows. The sows offered the pea diet had the highest feed consumption during lactation, and although this was not reflected in higher weaning weights, it was reflected in an improved body condition at weaning.