Effects of land ownership and landscape-level factors on rare-species richness in natural areas of southern Ontario,Canada

Surprisingly few studies have considered the extent to which the nature of the ownership of land is associated with differences in biodiversity. We analysed ownership and other landscape-level effects on rare-species richness for both globally- and regionally-rare biota (including birds, herpetofauna, butterflies, mammals, and plants) in 289 designated natural areas (NAs) in southern Ontario, Canada. Information about each NA −including area, number of plant communities, ownership status and details of species diversity were collected from published sources. Length of perimeter of NA, relative isolation, and an estimate of fragmentation were measured using image analysis and GIS techniques. NAs were in general relatively small, with mean area of 158 ha (median 85 ha, range from 0.9 to 1278 ha) for private NAs; public NAs had mean area of 132 ha (median 16 ha, range from 0.1 to 1481 ha). Mean number of plant communities was 4.6 (median 4, range 1- 13) at private NAs and 3.8 (median 3, range 1-16) at public NAs. Our results show that, of several landscape-level factors, area had the greatest effects on rare-species richness and other biotic indices. Effects of area were followed by effects of plant community diversity, however this was itself significantly affected by area and the extent of perimeter of the NA. Both these factors were followed by effects of ownership of the NA and by effects of isolation of the NA (represented by minimum distance to nearest NA and by number of NAs in 10 km radius). Other landscape- level factors did not appear to have overall significant effects. Variation in area accounted for 0.1% to 29% of variation in number of rare species, with lower values for globally-rare, than for regionally-rare taxa. For all biotic groups, public ownership of NAs was associated with significantly greater rare-species richness compared to private ownership, even after other factors such as area were controlled. For all globally-rare biota except butterflies, area of NA had greater effects on rare-species richness than did ownership. Richness of regionally- rare birds was more affected by plant community diversity than by area of NA. Number of recorded plant communities accounted from 2.1% of variation in number of globally-rare plant species to as high as 31% of variation in regionally-rare butterflies. The diversity of plant communities was itself influenced by total site area (accounting for 45% of variation), extent of elongation of the NA, and both external- and interior- edge perimeters. Public NAs had greatest numbers of rare biota and so should be a significant focus for conservation programs. Smaller, privately-owned patches of natural area dominate (by number and area) in this densely populated region and their significance should not be overlooked. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The culturable leaf mycobiome of Viscum album subsp. austriacum

In Poland's pine forests, mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. austriacum) abundance has increased over the past 20 years. This mistletoe infestation has decreased the growth and vigour of Scots pine trees. In this study, we surveyed the culturable fungi from healthy and diseased V. album subsp. austriacum leaves from two stands in Poland. In total, 63 distinct species were identified, 99.8% of which belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The community compositions of fungi in mistletoe leaves were similar in healthy and diseased leaves as Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botryosphaeria visci, Fusarium paeoniae and Microsphaeropsis olivacea were consistently found in leaves of all symptom types. The most frequently isolated fungus from asymptomatic leaves was M. olivacea, followed by A. alternata, A. pullulans and Hypoxylon rubiginosum. In comparison, the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with rusty-brown necrotic spots were (in decreasing order) M. olivacea, B. visci, F. paeoniae and A. alternata, while the most frequently isolated fungi from leaves with black or dark brown spots were M. olivacea, A. alternata, A. pullulans, Epicoccum layuense and F. paeoniae. This study was the first comprehensive report showing that certain fungal species may be pathogens of V. album subsp. austriacum in Poland. This study was also the first report of F. paeoniae, F. juglandicola, Diaporthe vacuae and Heterotruncatella spartii from V. album, and the first report of D. vacuae and H. spartii in Poland.     

Diversity and abundance of springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola) in soil under 90-year potato monoculture in relation to crop rotation

The monoculture cropping system causes significant changes within the soil ecosystem, which constitutes a habitat for soil-dwelling springtails. Focusing on the response of soil fauna to 90 years of potato cultivation in monoculture the study investigates the abundance and diversity of soil-dwelling springtails, considering changes in the soil environment in relation to five-crop rotation. Another point was the soil quality evaluation using Collembola as bioindicators (QBS-c index). A long-term monoculture experiment was established in Poland in 1923 and has continued uninterruptedly to the present time. Soil samples were taken over a period of three years (2011–2013) to determine collembolan abundance and composition, as well as physical and chemical soil properties.

The study demonstrated that there were greater numbers of Collembola in the long-term monoculture of potatoes, especially before planting time, compared to numbers in a five-field crop rotation. At the same time apparently greater species diversity was found in potato culture within crop rotation. The biological indicator of soil quality based on the occurrence of springtails (QBS-c) has proved useful in assessing changes in soil caused by agrotechnical activities. This index indicated better biological soil quality in the five-field rotation system compared to monoculture.     

Synthesis and phytotoxicity of new ionic liquids incorporating chiral cations and/or chiral anions

The aim of this work was to synthesize chiral ionic liquids as chiral solvents for organic synthesis and to evaluate the phyto(eco)toxicity of the new products and starting N-alkylimidazoles and their potential environmental influence on soil and plants. Chiral ionic liquids containing anions such as Cl-, Br-, TsO-, PF6(-), NO3(-), CF3SO3(-), and (+)- and (-)-C6H5CH(OH)C(O)O- were synthesized using (-)-(1R)-6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene-2-ethyl [(-)-(1R)-nopyl] halides (X = Cl, Br) and tosylate in 62-100% yields. The chloride 7 and the nitrate 13 ionic liquids possessed a toxicity dependent on the applied concentration. The lowest concentration causing a distinct reduction in plant germination/growth was 100 mg/kg. Spring barley better tolerated the ionic liquids (200 mg/kg) than common radish (100 mg/kg). The nitrate liquid did not exhibit an inhibiting effect on the germination ability of seeds. The starting N-methylimidazole used in lower concentrations (1 and 10 mg/kg of soil dry weight) was not phytotoxic, in contrast to higher doses (>1000 mg/kg).     

Plant-growth-regulating N-(phosphonoacetyl)amines

A series of N-(phosphonacetyl)amine derivatives were synthesized and screened for plant-growth regulating activity on Lepidium sativum L. and Cucumis sativus L. Aromatic N-(phosphonoacetyl)amines. which may be considered as possible analogues of N-acylaniline herbicides obtained by replacement of their acyl group by the phosphonacetyl moiety, exhibited significant or moderate herbicidal activity. In contrast, N-(phosphonoacetyl)amino acids and N-(phosphonoacetyl)aminophosphonic acids promoted the growth of L. sativum and C. sativus roots.     

Herbicidal activity of phosphonic and phosphinic acid analogues of glutamic and aspartic acids

Phosphonic and phosphinic acid analogues of glutamic and aspartic acids were synthesized and screened for herbicidal activity on Lepidium sativum L. Depending on the chemical structure, they exhibited significant or moderate herbicidal activity against L. sativum roots (with some representatives being equipotent with phosphinothricin), while their influence on shoot growth was negligible. Cucumis sativus L. appeared to be more tolerant to these analogues. The origin of this selectivity remains to be determined.     

Glucosinolate profiling of seeds and sprouts of B. oleracea varieties used for food

Consumption of plants of the species Brassica oleracea is related to a decreased incidence of certain cancer forms in humans, and this has been linked to the presence of glucosinolates in those vegetables. After ripe seeds, sprouts of some brassicaceous plants contain the highest concentration of these compounds and are therefore a good source of glucosinolates for chemoprotection. In the present experiments, the content and distribution of glucosinolates was determined in ripe seeds and sprouts (seedlings) of five varieties of B. oleracea (white cabbage, red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower) by high performance liquid chromatography. The type and concentration of individual glucosinolates varied according to variety of B. oleracea, plant parts in which they occurred and the sprouting period of the seed. Concentration of alkyl glucosinolates decreased whereas that of indol-3-ylmethylglucosinolates increased throughout the sprouting period. Roots had the highest glucosinolate concentration in four and seven day old sprouts whereas at both sprouting times, cotyledons had the highest concentration of alkylthio- and alkylsulphinylglucosinolates.     

High-speed steel tool wear during wood cutting in the presence of high-temperature corrosion and mineral contamination

Dulling of high-speed steel (HSS) cutting tools after milling five wood species has been analyzed. The wood investigated varied in mineral contamination, high-temperature corrosivity (HTC) and density (D). Experiments performed proved that up to date methods for evaluation of mineral contamination in wood should be improved. A new pipe-like form of mineral contamination particles was evidenced. The correlation between the presence of 3D aggregates of silica in wood and high content of K and Ca in the ash was established. Employing multivariable theoretical simulation method, the combined effect of mineral contamination, HTC and wood density on the tool dullness appeared to be a reasonable explanation of the results obtained.     

Survival,growth and photochemical efficiency of silver fir seedlings produced with different technologies

New Forests - Forest tree seedling production technologies impact reforestation success determined with survival and quality of seedlings. Five Abies alba seedling production technologies were...     

Normal electrocardiographic and echocardiographic (M-mode and two-dimensional) values in Polish Landrace pigs

Background

Swine are recognized animal models of human cardiovascular diseases. Normal values of cardiac morphology and function have been published for swine but for smaller number of pigs and not for swine whose weights ranged up 100 kg. In order to improve the value of results of an investigation on cardiac morphology and function in swine when such data are extrapolated to humans, the aim of this study was to document electrocardiographic and echocardiographic measures of cardiac morphology and function in swine. The study comprised 170 single and repeated measurements that were made in 132 healthy domestic swine (Sus domesticus) whose weights ranged between 20-160 kg and were used as controls in three different experiments. All electrocardiographic and echocardiographic measurements in all swine were done under general anaesthesia.

Results

Statistically significant correlations were found between body weight and heart rate (HR), the duration of the P-wave, the duration of the QRS interval, the duration of the QT interval, and the corrected QT ratio (QTc). Since body weight was positively correlated with age, statistically significant correlations were also found between age and HR, the duration of the P-wave, the duration of the QRS interval, the duration of the QT interval, and the QTc. We found that the thickness of the left ventricular wall and the internal diameter of the left ventricle increased with age and body weight. We also found positive trends between body weight and ejection fraction and body weight and fractional shortening. We also found a positive relationship between age, body weight, and the ratio of the left ventricular internal diameter to its wall thickness, as well as the relative left atrial size.

Conclusion

Many electro- and echocardiographic measures of cardiac morphology and function of healthy swine are related to their body weight. When the electro- and echocardiographic measures of domestic swine and humans are compared, the most comparable electrocardiographic values are those that were determined in swine whose body weights are not greater than 70 kg. In contrast, the most comparable echocardiographic measures are those that were determined in swine with a body weight of 40–110 kg.