scholarly journals Predicting the establishment success of introduced target species in grassland restoration by functional traits

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (18) ◽  
pp. 7442-7453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Engst ◽  
Annett Baasch ◽  
Helge Bruelheide
Keyword(s):  
Functional Traits ◽  
Grassland Restoration ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Establishment Success

scholarly journals Semi-Dry Grassland Restoration in the Se Alpine Foreland of Austria – A Study of Early Spontaneous Colonisation Patterns

Hacquetia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Sengl ◽  
Viktoria Wagner ◽  
Martin Magnes
Keyword(s):  
Plant Traits ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Grassland Restoration ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Dry Grassland ◽  
Abiotic Parameters ◽  
Dry Grasslands ◽  
Arable Field ◽  
Passive Restoration

AbstractWe investigated early spontaneous colonisation patterns during semi-dry grassland restoration at two sites in SE Austria. The sites were left to regenerate passively without addition of plant propagules on a former arable field and an apple orchard. The sites were prepared only by ploughing (arable field) or clear cutting (apple orchard) and subsequently mowed annually. We studied whether, four years after project initiation, target species from adjacent semi-dry grasslands had established at the restored sites. We asked: 1) Does passive restoration lead to the establishment of target species? 2) Do abiotic parameters or distance to reference sites explain early colonisation patterns? 3) Do plant traits predict the colonisation success of different species? At each site, we collected data in 4 m × 4 m plots, in which we sampled the vegetation, analysed abiotic parameters (soil potassium- and phosphorus-content, soil-pH, slope) and recorded the minimum distance to the reference site. We tested for correlations between abiotic variables, plant traits and colonisation success. Colonisation patterns were not driven by abiotic soil conditions but rather by nearest distance to the reference sites. In addition, the vegetation developed differently in the former arable field and the apple orchard. Competitive species of the Arrhenatherion and thermophilic ruderal associations dominated the early restoration stage at both sites. Passive restoration of semi-dry grasslands on former agricultural land is unlikely to succeed unless complemented by initial ploughing, nutrient stripping and addition of propagules of rare species.

Enhancing success in grassland restoration by adding regionally propagated target species

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
pp. 583-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annett Baasch ◽  
Karina Engst ◽  
Ralf Schmiede ◽  
Konstanze May ◽  
Sabine Tischew
Keyword(s):  
Grassland Restoration ◽  
Target Species

Ecology and biogeography in the introduction to “De bestiis marinis” by Georg Wilhelm Steller

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74
Author(s):  
Stefano Mattioli
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Main Part ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Direct Influence ◽  
Modern Biology

The rediscovery of the original, unedited Latin manuscript of Georg Wilhelm Steller's “De bestiis marinis” (“On marine mammals”), first published in 1751, calls for a new translation into English. The main part of the treatise contains detailed descriptions of four marine mammals, but the introduction is devoted to more general issues, including innovative speculation on morphology, ecology and biogeography, anticipating arguments and concepts of modern biology. Steller noted early that climate and food have a direct influence on body size, pelage and functional traits of mammals, potentially affecting reversible changes (phenotypic plasticity). Feeding and other behavioural habits have an impact on the geographical distribution of mammals. Species with a broad diet tend to have a wide distribution, whereas animals with a narrow diet more likely have only a restricted range. According to Steller, both sea and land then still concealed countless animals unknown to science.

Challenges of Aircraft and Drone Spray Applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando K. Carvalho ◽  
Rodolfo G. Chechetto ◽  
Alisson A. B. Mota ◽  
Ulisses R. Antuniassi
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Crop Canopy ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
Correct Dose ◽  
Knapsack Sprayer ◽  
Water Courses ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Heavy Loads

Crop protection on major crops is now required to follow the principles of integrated pest management so the timing and accuracy of any application of a pesticide or biopesticide has to be more precise to minimize adverse effects on non-target species. The development of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) provides a means of providing a more targeted application of the correct dose, especially by using formulations that are more persistent, thus minimizing loss of spray in areas subject to rain. Avoiding use of too high a dosage allows greater survival of natural enemies and reduces the selection pressure for pests becoming resistant to specific modes of action. The downward flow of air from a UAV should also provide better distribution and impaction of droplets within a crop canopy, reduce soil impaction caused by taking heavy loads of spray applied with 200 l ha–1 of water, and allow treatments when fields are too wet to access with ground equipment. In Asia, many smallholder farmers are using a drone in preference to using a knapsack sprayer. According to Matthews, it has been shown that ULV spraying can be effective, but it needs a narrow droplet spectrum with the droplets remaining stable and not shrinking to become too small. Formulation research can reduce the volatility of the spray, hence the success of oil-based sprays. However, instead of petroleum-based oils, there is a chance to develop vegetable oil carriers with micro-sized particle suspensions to deliver low toxicity pesticides in droplets that can be deposited within the crop and not drift beyond the crop boundary. Oil deposits will be less prone to loss after rain so less should be lost in neighbouring ditches and water courses, especially as rainfall patterns are forecast to change. More studies are needed to evaluate the swath for deposition, buffer zones, formulation, nozzle selection, to guide future specific legislation for UAV applications.

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