Analysis of the Mycosporine-Like Amino Acid (MAA) Pattern of the Salt Marsh Red Alga Bostrychia scorpioides

This study presents the validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method for the determination of different mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in the red alga Bostrychia scorpioides. The investigated MAAs, named bostrychines, have only been found in this specific species so far. The developed HPLC-DAD method was successfully applied for the quantification of the major MAAs in Bostrychia scorpioides extracts, collected from four different countries in Europe showing only minor differences between the investigated samples. In the past, several Bostrychia spp. have been reported to include cryptic species, and in some cases such as B. calliptera, B. simpliciuscula, and B. moritziana, the polyphyly was supported by differences in their MAA composition. The uniformity in the MAA composition of the investigated B. scorpioides samples is in agreement with the reported monophyly of this Bostrychia sp.     

Herb-layer diversity in deciduous forests: Raised by tree richness or beaten by beech?

Where natural production capacity permits, modern silvicultural management in Central Europe frequently aims at the development of mixed broadleaved stands, instead of pure European beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands. It is crucial to study the effects of these tree-layer diversity variations on herb-layer vegetation, since herb-layer vegetation contributes significantly to ecosystem functioning in forests. In Hainich National Park (Thuringia, Germany), we conducted observational research in deciduous stands to investigate whether herb-layer diversity was related to canopy-layer diversity, and to ascertain possible causal mechanisms. We found that herb-layer vegetation of deciduous forest stands rich in canopy species appeared to be more diverse than herb-layer vegetation of beech-dominated stands. We surmise that herbaceous understorey diversity was indirectly influenced by canopy tree species through the medium of the altered environmental factors soil pH and litter layer thickness. Apparently, lower beech proportion had a more profound effect than the number of secondary tree species. There were no correlations between herb-layer diversity and light transmissibility of the canopy layer, indicating that the light factor was not crucial for herb-layer diversity. At least for the Hainich research sites, our results indicated that small-scale light and soil heterogeneity is insignificant for herb-layer diversity. We found several herb-layer species whose occurrence was particularly correlated with tree-layer diversity and environmental factors. Remarkably, all species positively correlated with soil pH were important for the phytosociological classification of the research sites. Beech-dominated research sites showed high tree-layer volumes, whereas research sites with high tree-layer diversity tended to feature lower tree-layer volumes. These findings could be the result of differing former silvicultural systems and varying soil clay contents affecting tree species composition. In contrast, herb-layer biomass was positively correlated with tree-layer diversity. Herb-layer productivity might be promoted in more diverse research sites by increased nutrient supply and base saturation. It is also possible that greater beech proportion interfered with herb-layer productivity. However, herb-layer biomass was also positively correlated with herb-layer diversity. Hence, our study hints that positive diversity-functioning relationships might occur in the herb-layer of the deciduous forest under investigation.     

Testing dependence between growth and needle litterfall in Scots pine--a case study in northern Finland

Both drought and fungal disease increase needle litterfall of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees, but most factors causing annual variation in needle litterfall are poorly understood. We hypothesized that radial growth and weather conditions favorable to growth correlate positively with needle litterfall with a lag equal to the number of needle cohorts (here being 5-6). We studied the time series of needle litterfall, stem increment, pollen cone litter and daily weather conditions in a Scots pine stand over 43 years (1961-2004). The cross-correlations of standardized time series were estimated with various lags. Model predictions of annual needle litterfall were tested against independent data. Changes in annual growth and needle litterfall correlated with lags of 0 and 4 years. The best predictors for needle litterfall were May to mid July temperature sum with a lag of 4 years, May rainfall with a lag of 2 years and September temperature with a lag of 6 years. Pollen cone litter correlated negatively with needle litterfall with a lag of 2 years. The study provided empirical evidence that needle litterfall of Scots pine in northern Finland is influenced by needle production and needle mass development that occurred 4 to 6 years earlier.     

Reconciling 14C and minirhizotron‐based estimates of fine‐root turnover with survival functions

The turnover of fine‐roots is a crucial component for the input of C to the soil. The amount of root litter input is depending on estimates of turnover times from different techniques. Turnover times from fine‐root cameras (minirhizotrons) often yield 75% higher root litter input estimates than turnover times estimated with the bomb‐radiocarbon signature of fine roots. We introduce a generic framework for the analysis of fine‐root ¹⁴C with different survival functions. So far, mostly an exponential function has been used to estimate the turnover time and mean age of fine roots. In the context of the introduced survival function framework we clarify the terms turnover time, mean residence time, mean longevity, and mean age, which are commonly used in studies of root turnover. Using a unique time series of fine‐root ¹⁴C (Fröberg 2012), we test if survival functions other than the exponential function are better in accordance with turnover‐time estimates commonly found with other methods. A survival function that corresponds to a two‐pool model was best in agreement with minirhizotron‐based estimates (mean residence time of 1.9 y). We argue that using fine‐root ¹⁴C and minirhizotron time‐to‐death data together would give the best constraints on fine‐root turnover. At the same time this could allow quantifying systematic biases inherent to both techniques.     

Rockfall and snow avalanche impacts leave different anatomical signatures in tree rings of juvenile Larix decidua

Rockfall and snow avalanche events often cause injury to European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) trees, giving rise to the formation of callus tissue and tangential rows of traumatic resin ducts (TRDs). We analyzed and quantified anatomical reactions of juvenile trees injured before the start of the growing season by snow avalanches (15 trees, 324 cross sections) or rockfalls (18 trees, 270 cross sections). Traumatic resin ducts were observed in the growth ring formed following injury in 94.3% of the rockfall samples and 87.3% of the snow avalanche samples. Traumatic resin ducts were formed at the beginning of the new annual ring around wounds caused by rockfalls. In contrast, in trees injured by snow avalanches, TRDs were not formed until after the formation of several rows of early earlywood (EE) tracheids (mean +/- SD = 4.19 +/- 2.56 rows). The dimensions of the EE tracheids observed in the snow avalanche samples were greatly reduced in the tissues bordering the wound, with radial width reaching an average of only 50% and lumen cross-sectional area an average of only 46% of pre-event values. It is therefore possible to differentiate injuries due to past snow avalanches from injuries due to rockfall based on anatomical growth reactions in the tissues bordering scars.     

Camera steered mechanical weed control in sugar beet,maize and soybean

In sugar beet, maize and soybean, weeds are usually controlled by herbicides uniformly applied across the whole field. Due to restrictions in herbicide use and negative side effects, mechanical weeding plays a major role in integrated weed management (IWM). In 2015 and 2016, eight field experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of an OEM Claas 3-D stereo camera^® in combination with an Einböck Row-Guard^® hoe for controlling weeds. Ducks-foot blades in the inter-row were combined with four different mechanical intra-row weeding elements in sugar beet, maize and soybean and a band sprayer in sugar beet. Average weed densities in the untreated control plots were from 12 to 153 plants m^?2 with Chenopodium album, Polygonum convolvulus, Thlapsi arvense being the most abundant weed species. Camera steered hoeing resulted in 78% weed control efficacy compared to 65% using machine hoeing with manual guidance. Mechanical intra-row elements controlled up to 79% of the weeds in the crop rows. Those elements did not cause significant crop damage except for the treatment with a rotary harrow in maize in 2016. Weed control efficacy was highest in the herbicide treatments with almost 100% followed by herbicide band-applications combined with inter-row hoeing. Mechanical weed control treatments increased white sugar yield by 39%, maize biomass yield by 43% and soybean grain yield by 58% compared to the untreated control in both years. However, yield increase was again higher with chemical weed control. In conclusion, camera guided weed hoeing has improved efficacy and selectivity of mechanical weed control in sugar beet, maize and soybean.     

Biogenic potassium salt particles as seeds for secondary organic aerosol in the Amazon

The fine particles serving as cloud condensation nuclei in pristine Amazonian rainforest air consist mostly of secondary organic aerosol. Their origin is enigmatic, however, because new particle formation in the atmosphere is not observed. Here, we show that the growth of organic aerosol particles can be initiated by potassium-salt-rich particles emitted by biota in the rainforest. These particles act as seeds for the condensation of low- or semi-volatile organic compounds from the atmospheric gas phase or multiphase oxidation of isoprene and terpenes. Our findings suggest that the primary emission of biogenic salt particles directly influences the number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei and affects the microphysics of cloud formation and precipitation over the rainforest.     

Effect of forest structure and health on the relative surface temperature captured by airborne thermal imagery – Case study in Norway Spruce-dominated stands in Southern Finland

The effect of forest structure and health on the relative surface temperature captured by airborne thermal imagery was investigated in Norway Spruce-dominated stands in Southern Finland. Airborne thermal imagery, airborne scanning light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and 92 field-measured sample plots were acquired at the area of interest. The surface temperature correlated most negatively with the logarithm of stem volume, Lorey’s height and the logarithm of basal area at a resolution of 254?m² (9?m radius). LiDAR-derived metrics: the standard deviations of the canopy heights, canopy height (upper percentiles and maximum height) and canopy cover percentage were most strongly negatively correlated with the surface temperature. Although forest structure has an effect on the detected surface temperature, higher temperatures were detected in severely defoliated canopies and the difference was statistically significant. We also found that the surface temperature differences between the segmented canopy and the entire plot were greater in the defoliated plots, indicating that thermal images may also provide some additional information for classifying forests health status. Based on our results, the effects of forest structure on the surface temperature captured by airborne thermal imagery should be taken into account when developing forest health mapping applications using thermal imagery.     

Drought damage in the park forests of the city of Helsinki

During spring and summer 2003 severe drought-caused damage was observed in the park forests of the city of Helsinki; especially in barren site pine and spruce stands. The objectives of this study were to map and document the extent of the damage through the use of existing geographical information, digital aerial photography and field surveys and to examine the feasibility of assessing drought damage by visual interpretation of digital aerial photography. Our aim was also to assess the reasons for drought damage in Helsinki city park forests using geographic information system (GIS) analyses of existing interpretative and geographical data, i.e. digital aerial photographs, rainfall statistics and the compartmentwise GIS database of the park forest site and soil types.The total amount of area falling into serious damage classes represented approximately 25 ha (the total forested area in Helsinki is about 3700 ha). A majority of these areas were located on rocky sites having low stem volumes. The total proportion of damaged stock volume was estimated as 17 300 m³, which is 3.3% of the total stock volume in the study area. An accuracy assessment showed that visual interpretation of digital aerial photos is an excellent tool for assessing drought damage. The mean estimation error was 0.7 classes, and errors comprising 2 classes were found in all test grids. The overall correct percentage of photointerpretation was 46%, and estimation was unbiased (kappa 0.264). The forest site and soil type together with the tree species on site showed the greatest correlation with drought damage. The drier and more barren the site, the more likely that damage will occur. Roadside forests were in better condition than areas located further off the roads. Hills clearly impacted the condition of the trees through soil type and flow.