Growth Responses to Elevated Temperature and Reduced Soil Moisture During Early Establishment of three Annual Weeds in Four Soil Types

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - We investigated the effects of simulated prospective increased temperatures and reduced soil moisture during the vegetation period on the early growth of...     

Sacrificing patches for linear habitat elements enhances metapopulation performance of woodland birds in fragmented landscapes

It is generally assumed that large patches of natural habitat are better for the survival of species than the same amount of habitat in smaller fragments or linear elements like hedges and tree rows. We use a spatially explicit individual-based model of a woodland bird to explore this hypothesis. We specifically ask whether mixtures of large, small and linear habitat elements are better for population performance than landscapes that consist of only large elements. With equal carrying capacity, metapopulations perform equally or better in heterogeneous landscape types that are a mix of linear, large and small habitat elements. We call this increased metapopulation performance of large and small elements “synergy”. These mixed conditions are superior because the small linear elements facilitate dispersal while patches secure the population in the long run because they have a lower extinction risk. The linear elements are able to catch and guide dispersing animals which results in higher connectivity between patches leading to higher metapopulation survival. Our results suggest that landscape designers should not always seek to conserve and create larger units but might better strive for more variable landscapes with mixtures of patch sizes and shapes. This is especially important when smaller units play a key role in connecting patches and dispersal through the matrix is poor.     

Authentication of animal fats using direct analysis in real time (DART) ionization-mass spectrometry and chemometric tools

A combination of direct analysis in real time (DART) ionization coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) and chemometrics was used for animal fat (lard and beef tallow) authentication. This novel instrumentation was employed for rapid profiling of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and polar compounds present in fat samples and their mixtures. Additionally, fat isolated from pork, beef, and pork/beef admixtures was analyzed. Mass spectral records were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and stepwise linear discriminant analysis (LDA). DART-TOFMS profiles of TAGs were found to be more suitable for the purpose of discrimination among the examined fat types as compared to profiles of polar compounds. The LDA model developed using TAG data enabled not only reliable classification of samples representing neat fats but also detection of admixed lard and tallow at adulteration levels of 5 and 10% (w/w), respectively. The presented approach was also successfully applied to minced meat prepared from pork and beef with comparable fat content. Using the DART-TOFMS TAG profiles of fat isolated from meat mixtures, detection of 10% pork added to beef and vice versa was possible.     

Redistribution of organic pollutants in river sediments and alluvial soils related to major floods

Background, Aims, and Scope  More frequent occurrence of stronger floods in Europe as well as in other parts of the world in recent years raises major concern about the material damages, but also an important issue of contamination of the affected areas through flooding. The effects of major floods on levels and distribution of contamination with hydrophobic organic pollutants were examined from the continuous set of data for floodplain soils and sediments from a model industrial area in the Czech Republic where a 100-year flood occurred in 1997. The goal of this study was to evaluate the risk related to contamination associated with such extensive natural events and characterize the spatial and temporal distribution and dynamics of pollutants related to a major flooding shortly after the floods and also in the time period several years after floods. Methods  Sediments and alluvial soils from fourteen sites each were repeatedly sampled during the period from 1996 until 2005. The sampling sites represented five regions. Collected top-layer sediment and soil samples were characterized and analyzed for hydrophobic organic pollutants PCBs, OCPs and HCB using GC-ECD and PAHs using a GC-MS instrument. Spatial and temporal differences as well as the relative distribution of the pollutants were examined in detail by statistical analysis including multivariate methods with special emphases placed on the changes related to floods. Results  The organic pollutants levels in both alluvial soils and sediments exceeded the safe environmental limits at numerous sites. Pollutants concentrations and relative distribution as well as organic carbon content in both sediment and floodplain soils were significantly affected by the flooding, which resulted in a decrease of all studied contaminants in sediments and significant rise of the PAH pollution in the flooded soils. There was a unique and highly conserved PAH pattern in soils regardless of the floods and greater changes in PAH pattern in sediments related to floods. The relative distribution of individual PAHs reflected a combustion generated PAH profile. PAH levels in the river sediments rose again at the sites with continuous sources several years after floods. Discussion  The results showed different dynamics of PAHs and PCBs during the floods when PAHs were redistributed from the sediments to alluvial soils while PCBs have been washed out of the study regions. The data reveal longer contamination memory and consistent contamination pattern in soils, whereas sediments showed more dynamic changes responding strongly to the actual situation. The stable PAH pattern within the regions also indicates that a relative amount of all compounds is comparable across the samples and, thus, that the sources at different sites have similar character. Conclusions  Sediments have the potential to function as a secondary source of contamination for the aquatic ecosystem, but also for the floodplain soils and other flooded areas. The floods served as a vector of PAHs contamination from sediments to soils. The reloading of river sediments in time, namely with PAHs, due to present sources increases their risk as a potential source in the next bigger flood event both to the downstream river basin and affected alluvial soils. Recommendations and Perspectives  The results stress the importance of including the floodplain soil contamination in the risk assessment focused on flood effects. Floodplain soils have stable long-term environmental memory related to contamination levels, pattern and distribution, whereby they can provide relevant information on the overall contamination of the area. The sediments will continue to serve as a potential source of contaminants and alluvial soils as the catchment media reflecting the major flood events, especially until effective measures are taken to limit contamination sources. ESS-Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Hollert@uni-heidelberg.de) This article is openly accessible!     

Large-scale permafrost degradation as a primary factor in Larix sibirica forest dieback in the Khentii massif,northern Mongolia

The objective of this study is to investigate the potential causes of widespread Larix sibirica Ledeb.mortality observed in the Khentii massif of northern Mongolia.The ratio of deadwood to living trees in affected stands in the Goricho region,the southernmost study site situated close to the Gobi Desert,was as high as 3.6:1.Moisture fluctuations monitored over 2 years using electrical impedance spectrometry revealed that the Goricho study site had higher soil moisture levels than the two less affected sites Barun Bayan and Dzun Bayan.High soil moisture was recorded in an area characterized by highly skeletal soils,ones with more than 35%by volume of rock fragments,and comparatively shallow soil horizons,from valley to mountains.The layer of permafrost influencing hydrogeological processes is much deeper in the Goricho region compared to the undisturbed study sites.Redundancy analysis confirmed a significant number of dead L.sibirica on sites with developed soils.Live forest stands,however damaged,grow in this region on well-drained scree slopes or on rocky bastions.The mass mortality observed for L.sibirica may be directly linked to accelerated permafrost thaw in the area bordered by the Tuul and the Terelj Rivers.Our assumption is that L.sibirica root system necrosis occurred as a result of long-term waterlogging of developed soils with high spatial heterogeneity,normally able to absorb high quantities of groundwater.The areas unaffected were scree fields and rocky bastions characterized by adequate drainage.All of our findings support the primary stages of large-scale permafrost thaw,i.e.,correlating increases in soil moisture with increasing permafrost active layer thickness.     

Nutritive Evaluation of Lysine- and Methionine-Supplemented Raw Vs Heat-Processed Soybean to Replace Fishmeal as a Dietary Protein Source for Grey Mullet,Mugil cephalus,and Milkfish,Chanos chanos

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of methionine- and lysine-supplemented raw and hydrothermically processed full-fat soybean as a dietary protein source on growth performance, digestibility, and digestive enzyme activity in grey mullet, Mugil cephalus (mean BW 0.55 g), and milkfish, Chanos chanos (mean BW 3.83 g). Eight isocaloric (gross energy about 18.27 kj g^?1) and isonitrogenous (crude protein about 40%) diets (1–4 = raw soybean based; 5–8 = processed full-fat soybean based) were formulated. A fishmeal-based diet was used as the reference/control diet. Growth performance, nutrient retention, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein digestibility in fishes correlated well with the trypsin inhibitor activity levels of the diets. Carcass phosphorous levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fish fed the fishmeal control diet. Irrespective of the fish species, significantly (P < 0.05) lower levels of total ammonia excretion and reactive phosphate production (mg kg^?1 BW d^?1) were recorded where the fish were fed processed full-fat soybean diets compared with the fish fed fishmeal or raw soybean diets. Among these diets, the best growth performance and the lowest levels of metabolic waste were obtained in fishes fed the methionine- and lysine-supplemented processed soybean-based diets containing no fishmeal.     

Evaluation of genetic relationship among six Labeo species using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Labeo species constitute an important group of fish with intense diversity and potential for commercial aquaculture in many Southeast Asian nations including the Indian subcontinent. The present investigation involves the comparative analysis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles of six Labeo species viz., L. bata (bata), L. calbasu (calbasu), L. dyocheilus (dyocheilus), L. fimbriatus (fimbriatus), L. gonius (gonius) and L. rohita (rohu) at the nuclear DNA variation level. Fifteen decamer random primers were chosen from 40, which amplified a total of 449 DNA fragments ranging in size from 400 to 3000 bp. Both monomorphic and polymorphic DNA bands were identified based on their presence or absence that could be used for specieswise differentiation. Similarity coefficients were calculated to quantify the genetic variation within and between species. On an average, the highest intra‐species genetic similarity value was found in calbasu (0.93) followed by rohu and fimbriatus (0.91), bata (0.87), gonius (0.86) and dyocheilus (0.77). The interspecies genetic similarity estimates among the species of Labeo were used to deduce their phylogenetic relationships. The cluster analysis showed two main clusters, one with calbasu, rohu, fimbriatus and gonius and another with bata and dyocheilus. The study provides evidence that RAPD could be used for genetic differentiation of closely related species.     

Stress responses of carp pond fish stock upon hunting activities of the great cormorant(Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis L.)

In addition to direct predation, cormorants can affect carp pond fish stock through disturbance and wounding of the fish. Fish stress response was evaluated by catch per unit effort (CPUE) using lift‐net sampling. A significantly higher (P<0.001) CPUE was recorded in the littoral region of ponds affected by cormorant visits (43.6 ± 39.6) in comparison with a control pond (CP) without their occurrence (0.9 ± 1.1). Stress indices, spleen somatic index (SSI) and Fulton's condition coefficient (FCC) were evaluated for fish subject to two stress factors, hunting cormorants (HC) and pond harvesting (PH), and compared with levels in fish from the CP. Both SSI and FCC decreased significantly (P<0.05) in PH and HC fish in comparison with the control group, while non‐significant differences were observed in both SSI and FCC indices among the HC and PH groups. Plasma biochemical indices (cortisol, glucose and lactate concentrations) were significantly higher (P<0.01) in the PH group as compared with the HC and CP groups. Concentrations in the HC and CP groups did not differ significantly. Total plasma protein levels were significantly higher (P<0.01) in HC fish compared with CP fish, but did not differ significantly from PH fish.     

Population dynamics under increasing environmental variability: implications of climate change for ecological network design criteria

There is growing evidence that climate change causes an increase in variation in conditions for plant and animal populations. This increase in variation, e.g. amplified inter-annual variability in temperature and rainfall has population dynamical consequences because it raises the variation in vital demographic rates (survival, reproduction) in these populations. In turn, this amplified environmental variability enlarges population extinction risk. This paper demonstrates that currently used nature conservation policies, principles, and generic and specific design criteria have to be adapted to these new insights. A simulation shows that an increase in variation in vital demographic rates can be compensated for by increasing patch size. A small, short-lived bird species like a warbler that is highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations needs more area for compensation than a large, long-lived bird species like a Bittern. We explore the conservation problems that would arise if patches or reserve sizes would need to be increased, e.g. doubled, in order to compensate for increase in environmental variability. This issue has serious consequences for nature policy when targets are not met, and asks for new design criteria.     

Phytochemical and antimicrobial characterization of Macleaya cordata herb

Macleaya cordata (plume poppy) is a source of bioactive compounds, mainly isoquinoline alkaloids which are used in phytopreparations with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. In this study, the alkaloids sanguinarine, chelerythrine, their dihydro derivatives, protopine and allocryptopine and phenolics, gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, m-hydroxybenzoic, gentisic, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids were determined in extracts prepared from M. cordata aerial part, seeds, and seed capsules using HPLC with UV detection and/or LC/MS with electrospray ionization. The highest content of sanguinarine and chelerythrine was found in capsules. Protopine and allocryptopine were major alkaloids in leaves including footstalks. The seed oil contained dihydrosanguinarine, dihydrochelerythrine and twelve fatty acids of which linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids predominated. In addition, sanguinarine reductase, a key enzyme in sanguinarine/dihydrosanguinarine equilibrium in plants, was found for the first time, in the soluble proteins of leaves. Finally, extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity using the microdilution method on standard reference bacterial strains.