Characteristics of Arboreal Marsupial Habitat in the Semi-Arid Woodlands of Northern Queensland.

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
SA Munks ◽  
R Corkrey ◽  
WJ Foley
Keyword(s):  
Water Concentration ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Brushtail Possum ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Arboreal Habitat ◽  
Semi Arid

The distribution of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) within the Prairie-Torrens Creek Alluvials province of the Desert Upland region of north-western Queensland was examined. The optimum habitat for each species as indicated by the occurrence of faecal pellet groups was found to be that associated with creek-lines. However, other land types were also used by each species to varying degrees. The relationship between various habitat variables and pellet group counts was investigated using Multiple regression and a Generalised linear model. Proximity to creek-bed, total basal area of trees, species richness and Acacia basal area (negative) best explained the occurrence of koalas. Proximity to creek-bed, Acacia basal area (negative), total basal area of trees, and available water (negative) best explained the occurrence of brushtail possums. In contrast to studies of arboreal species in the moist-south-eastern forests of Australia no relationship was found between foliar nutrient concentrations and the occurrence of koalas or brushtail possums. However, a significant relationship was found between leaf water concentration and the occurrence of koalas. It is suggested that water availability is the paramount factor defining preferred arboreal habitat in arid and semi-arid woodlands.

Termitaria as preferred browsing patches for black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in Chipinge Safari Area, Zimbabwe

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 591-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justice Muvengwi ◽  
Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa ◽  
Tatenda Nyenda ◽  
Innocent Mlambo
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Vegetation Density ◽  
Termite Mounds ◽  
Black Rhinoceros ◽  
Surrounding Matrix ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations

Abstract:This study tested the hypothesis that the black rhinoceros browses more on termitaria than off termitaria vegetation due to elevated soil and foliar nutrient levels on termitaria. We investigated the role of termitaria in providing nutrient-rich forage for the black rhinoceros, by comparing the preference (selection ratio) for vegetation occurring on and off termitaria, and then testing its relationship with foliar nutrient concentrations. Soil nutrients, bite intensity, tree species diversity, vegetation density, canopy cover and basal area were also surveyed on and off termitaria. We sampled 25 termite mounds together with their corresponding control plots in Chipinge Safari Area, Zimbabwe. Soil and foliar N, P, K, Ca and Na concentrations were greater on termitaria than off termitaria, with approximately twice the concentration of these nutrients. Browse preference followed the between-site differences in soil and foliar nutrient concentrations, with higher selection ratios and bite intensities for vegetation on termitaria than off termitaria. Diospyros quiloensis was the most preferred browse species whilst Combretum imberbe, Kigelia africana and Strychnos innocua were the least. In conclusion, the black rhino preferred vegetation on termitaria to that in the surrounding matrix, and utilization of vegetation can be influenced by the soil substrate on which tree species grow.

Effects of two Ca fertilizer types on sugar maple vitality

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1985-1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-David Moore ◽  
Rock Ouimet
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Lime Application ◽  
Crown Dieback ◽  
Mg Content ◽  
Nutrient Antagonism

Over the last decades, continuous signs of sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) dieback in stands of northeastern North America have promoted the experimentation of corrective measures to restore sugar maple vitality. To verify the hypothesis that K–Mg antagonism may have limited the full response of sugar maple to dolomitic lime application in a previous experiment (CaMg(CO3)2, 12% Mg), two Ca fertilizers (CaCO3 and CaSO4·2H2O), having negligible Mg content, were applied at rates of 1, 2, and 4 t Ca·ha–1 on sugar maple trees adjacent to the limed area. After 3 years, most of the foliar nutrient concentrations of treated trees were improved, particularly Ca, for both Ca fertilizers, in line with published ranges for healthy sugar maple trees, except for Mg. Moreover, no persistent nutrient antagonism was observed. The crown dieback rate of treated sugar maple was ≤5.8% after 3 years, while it reached 12% for the controls. Also, relative basal area growth showed that both Ca sources can improve growth rate. Growth response following Ca treatments was, however, lower than for the former lime experiment after the same period of time. In this context, our results suggest that Mg nutrition could be more important for sugar maple in this ecosystem than initially thought.

scholarly journals Effects of fertilisation on growth and nutrition of Norway spruce on a harsh mountain site

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 306-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Kuneš ◽  
M. Baláš ◽  
V. Balcar ◽  
D. Kacálek ◽  
K. Millerová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Slow Release ◽  
Growth Stimulation ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Growth And Nutrition ◽  
Mountain Site ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Site Control ◽  
Stimulation Of

We evaluated the potential of crushed amphibolite and artificial slow-release N-P-K-Mg fertiliser to stimulate the survival, growth and nutrition of Norway spruce planted on an acidified air-polluted mountain site. Control plots and treatments with slow-release fertiliser (SRF) and amphibolite (AMT) were installed. In the SRF, forty grams of tabletted amendment were applied in the close vicinity of the trees. In the AMT, two kilograms of amendment were incorporated into the soil inside the planting hole of each tree at planting. The SRF application resulted in a significant growth stimulation of spruces. The growth stimulation by amphibolite was perceptible but not significant; this amendment, however, significantly reduced mortality. None of the amendments induced marked changes in foliar nutrient concentrations.  

The influence of mountain alder on the growth, nutrition, and survival of black spruce and Sitka spruce in an afforested heathland near Mobile, Newfoundland

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
André J. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Humus Layer ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Ecological Basis ◽  
Alder Leaf Litter

The natural invasion of mountain alder (Alnuscrispa (Ait.) Pursh) into monoculture plantations of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and Sitka spruce (Piceasitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) afforded an opportunity to assess the effects of mountain alder on soils, and on the growth, nutrient status, and survival of spruce in eastern Newfoundland. The plantations were established on ploughed Kalmia–Vaccinium heath in 1968–1969. Significant increases in the growth of spruce were associated with the presence of high densities of mountain alder in the two plantations studied. The increases began 3–6 years after the invasion and establishment of mountain alder. Estimated nitrogen (N) contributions to each plantation from mountain alder leaf litter fall were approximately 50 kg•ha−1•year−1. Spruce foliage N content was 10–15% higher in high-density mountain alder (HD-alder) plots than in low-density mountain alder (LD-alder) plots, but other foliar nutrient concentrations were low and possibly deficient in the HD-alder plots. Development of a litter fall–humus layer was observed in HD-alder plots but not in LD-alder plots; however, B-horizon soil-N values did not differ significantly between HD-alder and LD-alder plots. The mountain alder invasion did not reduce the densities (stems/ha) of spruce. Additional studies on the autecology of Alnus spp. native to Newfoundland, and on alder-spruce interaction are recommended to further the development of an adequate ecological basis for heathland and peatland afforestation in the region.

A comparison of the foliar nutrient status of elfinwood and symmetrically formed tall trees, Colorado Front Range, U.S.A.

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 1461-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth A. Barrick ◽  
Anna W. Schoettle
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Colorado Front Range ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Front Range ◽  
Pinus Flexilis ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Pinus Aristata

We tested the hypothesis of nutrient limitation in the trees of the alpine forest – tundra ecotone by comparing the foliar nutrient status of windsculpted elfinwood (also called krummholz) growing at the upper limit of tree success with symmetrically formed toll trees growing at the nearby timberline. The species investigated included Picea engelmannii (Parry) Engelmann, Abies lasiocarpa (Hooker) Nuttall, pinus flexilis james, and Pinus aristata Bailey. The foliar nutrient concentrations of the ecotone trees were similar to other healthy montane forests. Most of the significant differences in mean foliar nutrient concentrations between elfinwood and tall trees indicate lower concentrations in elfinwood trees. We found significantly lower mean phosphorus concentrations in Picea engelmannii and Abies lasiocarpa elfinwood compared with tall trees, but the mean nitrogen–phosphorus ratios were within the normal range. The foliar nutrient status of Pinus aristata elfinwood was similar to tall trees, while Pinus flexilis had considerably more significant differences in nutrient concentrations between the tree forms. Although there are many theoretical processes that could cause nutrient deficiencies at treeline, this study suggests that the elfinwood along the Colorado Front Range is not currently nutrient deficient. We discuss the potential differences in nutrient ecology between elfinwood and tall trees. Keywords: foliar nutrients, alpine ecotone, treeline, elfinwood, krummholz, conifer.

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