scholarly journals Adult emergence order in a community of cavity-nesting bees and wasps, and their parasites

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Scott MacIvor
Keyword(s):  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
Total N ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
History Information ◽  
Cavity Nest ◽  
Set Up

AbstractEvaluating resource use and overlap through time and space among and within species having similar habitat requirements informs community-level conservation and coexistence, efforts to monitor species at-risk and biological invasions. Many species share common nesting requirements; one example are cavity-nest bees and wasps, which provision nests in dark and dry holes in wood, plant stems, or other plant-based materials that can be bundled together into ‘trap nests’. In this study, the adult emergence order of 47 species of solitary cavity-nesting bees and wasps, and their parasites (total N>8000 brood cells) were obtained from two hundred identical trap nests set up each year (over three years) to survey these populations across Toronto, Canada and the surrounding region. All brood cells collected were reared in a growth chamber under constant warming temperature and humidity to determine species identity, and adult emergence order. This order ranged from 0 to 38 days, with all mason bees (Osmia spp.) emerging within the first two days, and the invasive resin bee species, Megachile sculpturalis Smith significantly later than all others. Late emerging species i) exhibited significantly greater intraspecific variation in mean emergence day and ii) were significantly larger in body size, compared to early emerging species. Detailing natural history information at the species- and community-level, such as the adult emergence order of coexisting cavity-nesting bees and wasps and their parasites, can inform the timing of deployment of trap nests to support and monitor target species, and refine experimental design to study these easily-surveyed and essential insect communities.

scholarly journals Soil carbon and nutrient stocks under Scots pine plantations in comparison to European beech forests: a paired-plot study across forests with different management history and precipitation regimes

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Diers ◽  
Robert Weigel ◽  
Heike Culmsee ◽  
Christoph Leuschner
Keyword(s):  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Total N ◽  
Precipitation Regimes ◽  
Pine Stands

Abstract Background Organic carbon stored in forest soils (SOC) represents an important element of the global C cycle. It is thought that the C storage capacity of the stable pool can be enhanced by increasing forest productivity, but empirical evidence in support of this assumption from forests differing in tree species and productivity, while stocking on similar substrate, is scarce. Methods We determined the stocks of SOC and macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and magnesium) in nine paired European beech/Scots pine stands on similar Pleistocene sandy substrates across a precipitation gradient (560–820 mm∙yr− 1) in northern Germany and explored the influence of tree species, forest history, climate, and soil pH on SOC and nutrient pools. Results While the organic layer stored on average about 80% more C under pine than beech, the pools of SOC and total N in the total profile (organic layer plus mineral soil measured to 60 cm and extrapolated to 100 cm) were greater under pine by about 40% and 20%, respectively. This contrasts with a higher annual production of foliar litter and a much higher fine root biomass in beech stands, indicating that soil C sequestration is unrelated to the production of leaf litter and fine roots in these stands on Pleistocene sandy soils. The pools of available P and basic cations tended to be higher under beech. Neither precipitation nor temperature influenced the SOC pool, whereas tree species was a key driver. An extended data set (which included additional pine stands established more recently on former agricultural soil) revealed that, besides tree species identity, forest continuity is an important factor determining the SOC and nutrient pools of these stands. Conclusion We conclude that tree species identity can exert a considerable influence on the stocks of SOC and macronutrients, which may be unrelated to productivity but closely linked to species-specific forest management histories, thus masking weaker climate and soil chemistry effects on pool sizes.

scholarly journals Nesting, Sex Ratio and Natural Enemies of the Giant Resin Bee in Relation to Native Species in Europe

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Sara Straffon Díaz ◽  
Luca Carisio ◽  
Aulo Manino ◽  
Paolo Biella ◽  
Marco Porporato
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Wild Bees ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Native Bee ◽  
New Locations ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Set Up ◽  
North Western

Megachile sculpturalis (Smith, 1853) is the first exotic bee species in Europe. Its remarkably fast expansion across this continent is leading to a growing concern on the extent of negative impacts to the native fauna. To evaluate the interactions of exotic bees with local wild bees, we set up trap nests for above-ground nesting bees on a semi-urban area of north-western Italy. We aimed to investigate the interaction in artificial traps between the exotic and native wild bees and to assess offspring traits accounting for exotic bee fitness: progeny sex ratio and incidence of natural enemies. We found that the tunnels occupied by exotic bees were already cohabited by O. cornuta, and thus the cells of later nesting alien bees may block the native bee emergence for the next year. The progeny sex ratio of M. sculpturalis was strongly unbalanced toward males, indicating a temporary adverse population trend in the local invaded area. In addition, we documented the presence of three native natural enemies affecting the brood of the exotic bee. Our results bring out new insights on how the M. sculpturalis indirectly competes with native species and on its performance in new locations.

Fertilisation, rainfall and crop yield

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Márton
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Block Designs ◽  
Total N ◽  
Natural Rainfall ◽  
Ammonium Lactate ◽  
Random Block ◽  
Set Up

The effect of rainfall quantity and distribution and of N, P, K, Ca and Mg fertilisation on the yields of rye, potato, winter wheat and triticale were evaluated in the 42 years of a long-term mineral fertilisation experiment [soil (acidic, sandy, brown forest) × fertilisation (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) × rainfall (quantity, distribution) × crop (rye, potato, winter wheat, triticale)] set up in 1962 under fragile agro-ecological conditions in the Nyírlugos-Nyírség region of Eastern Hungary. The soil had the following agrochemical characteristics: pH (H2O) 5.9, pH (KCl) 4.7, hydrolytic acidity 8.4, hy1 0.3, humus 0.7%, total N 34 mg kg-1, ammonium lactate (AL)-soluble P2O5 43 mg kg-1, AL-K2O 60 mg kg-1 in the ploughed layer. From 1962 to 1980 the experiment consisted of 2×16×4×4=512 plots and from 1980 of 32×4=128 plots in split-split-plot and factorial random block designs. The gross plot size was 10×5=50 m2. The average fertiliser rates in kg ha-1 year-1 were nitrogen 45, phosphorus 24 (P2O5), potassium 40 (K2O), magnesium 7.5 (MgO) until 1980 and nitrogen 75, phosphorus 90 (P2O5), potassium 90 (K2O), magnesium 140 (MgCO3) after 1980. The main results and conclusions were as follows: The rainfall quantities averaged over many years and in the experimental years, and during the growing season, averaged over many years and in the experimental years, were 567, 497, 509, 452 mm for rye and 586, 509, 518 and 467 mm for winter wheat. Rainfall deviations from the many years' average -3% and -13% in the experimental years and during the growing season for potato and 2% and -3% for triticale. During the vegetation period the relationships between rainfall quantity, NPKCaMg nutrition and yield could be characterised primarily by quadratic correlations. Maximum yields of 4.0 t ha-1 for rye, 21.0 t ha-1 for potato, 3.4 t ha-1 for winter wheat and 5.0-6.0 t ha-1 for triticale were recorded when the natural rainfall amounted to 430-500, 280-330, 449-495 and 550-600 mm, respectively. At values above and below these figures there was a considerable reduction in the yield. The results showed that the crop yields were strongly influenced (quadratic correlation) by interactions between N, P, K, Ca and Mg fertilisation and rainfall quantity and distribution.

scholarly journals Experimental illumination of natural habitat—an experimental set-up to assess the direct and indirect ecological consequences of artificial light of different spectral composition

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1667) ◽  
pp. 20140129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamiel Spoelstra ◽  
Roy H. A. van Grunsven ◽  
Maurice Donners ◽  
Phillip Gienapp ◽  
Martinus E. Huigens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Spectral Composition ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact

Artificial night-time illumination of natural habitats has increased dramatically over the past few decades. Generally, studies that assess the impact of artificial light on various species in the wild make use of existing illumination and are therefore correlative. Moreover, studies mostly focus on short-term consequences at the individual level, rather than long-term consequences at the population and community level—thereby ignoring possible unknown cascading effects in ecosystems. The recent change to LED lighting has opened up the exciting possibility to use light with a custom spectral composition, thereby potentially reducing the negative impact of artificial light. We describe here a large-scale, ecosystem-wide study where we experimentally illuminate forest-edge habitat with different spectral composition, replicated eight times. Monitoring of species is being performed according to rigid protocols, in part using a citizen-science-based approach, and automated where possible. Simultaneously, we specifically look at alterations in behaviour, such as changes in activity, and daily and seasonal timing. In our set-up, we have so far observed that experimental lights facilitate foraging activity of pipistrelle bats, suppress activity of wood mice and have effects on birds at the community level, which vary with spectral composition. Thus far, we have not observed effects on moth populations, but these and many other effects may surface only after a longer period of time.

scholarly journals Integrated Nutrient Management of an Acid Paddy Soil in Karang Tanjung Village, Padang Ratu, Central Lampung

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-106
Author(s):  
Antonius Kasno ◽  
Irawan Irawan ◽  
Husnain Husnain ◽  
Sri Rochayati
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Soil Nutrient Status ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Set Up

Balanced fertilization is the key factor to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of fertilization.The dosage of inorganic fertilizers applied can be determined based on the nutrient status of P, K and rice productivity. The research aims to improve balance fertilization that combines inorganic fertilizers, which is set up based on soil nutrient status, and organic fertilizers. The research was conducted in Karang Tanjung Village, Padang Ratu District, Central Lampung, in the dry season of 2009 until 2012. An experimental plot of one hectare was set up in the farmer’s paddy fields. Generally, the plot for every treatment was owned by two or more farmers. The treatments consisted of the dose of fertilizer applications for lowland rice, namely (1) dose of fertilizers based on farmer practice, (2) dose of fertilizers proposed by Petrokimia, (3) 75% of fertilizer dose that was set up based on soil analysis plus straw compost, and (4) 75% of inorganic fertilizer combined with manure and biofertilizer. At the fourth growing season, each plot was applied with 100% inorganic fertilizer (NPK fertilizer). The results showed that the limiting factor of the soil used in the current study is the content of organic-C, N, K, and CEC. The compost of rice straw used as organic matter in the current study contains higher organic-C and total-N in comparison to manure. Organic matter application in the form of straw compost or manure can reduce 25% of NPK application, while the production of rice remains high. Fertilization on paddy soils based on soil nutrient status can improve fertilization efficiency. Rice production in the treatment of 100% NPK is similar to that in the fertilization treatments based on farmer practice and Petrokima rate. Keywords: Nutrient management, acid soil, fertilization efficiency

scholarly journals Penggunaan Pupuk Organik Cair Sebagai Media Produksi Inokulan Azotobacter Chroococcum

Agrologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginawanti Hindersah ◽  
H Yulina ◽  
Ane Nurbaity
Keyword(s):  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Azotobacter Chroococcum ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Total N ◽  
Support Cell ◽  
Commercial Scale ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Set Up

Azotobacter chroococcum based biofertilizers have been widely used in the production of environmentally agriculture. For commercial scale, cheap growth media for Azotobcter inoculant  will affect the quality and price of liquid biofertilizer. Growth medium should support cell proliferation as well as its  nitrogen fixation and phytohormone production.  The objective of this study was to determine whether  liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) containing low N can be used as a medium for scaling up  A. chroococcum inoculant without lowering the survival of bacteria and its activity in N2 fixation and phytohormones production. LOF generally contains a complete nutrient although in a small quantities. Experiment was set up in completely randomized design which tested two types of commercial LOF. The results showed that both of  LOF were only able to support cell growth up to 72 hours and at 96 hours cell viability began to decline compared to the control medium,  free-N Ashby. At 72 hour total N and cytokinin  concentration in LOF was lower than those in Ashby media. This study revealed  that LOF  could be used as A. chroococcum growth media, but without optimization of its composition, cell density and cytokinin content would be lower than those of inoculant  in Ashby Media.

scholarly journals Effects of Stellera chamaejasme removal on the nutrient stoichiometry of S. chamaejasme-dominated grasslands in the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9239
Author(s):  
Meiling Song ◽  
Yuqin Wang ◽  
Gensheng Bao ◽  
Hongsheng Wang ◽  
Yali Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Ecological Stoichiometry ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Nutrient Stoichiometry ◽  
N Content ◽  
Total N ◽  
C:N:P Stoichiometry ◽  
Stellera Chamaejasme

Background Stoichiometric relations drive powerful constraints in several fundamental ecosystem processes. However, limited studies have been conducted on the ecological stoichiometry of plants after the change of community composition induced by Stellera chamaejasme removal in alpine grassland in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Methods We investigated the effects of S. chamaejasme removal on ecological stoichiometry by estimating the C:N:P stoichiometry in species, functional group and community levels of the ecosystem. The interactions between different species, functional groups and correlation with soil nutrient, responding to S. chamaejasme removal were also analyzed. Results For the plants that became dominant after S. chamaejasme removal (SR), N content decreased and their C:N increased. S. chamaejasme removal significantly affected the nutrient stoichiometry of different functional groups. Specifically, Gramineae in the SR sites had decreased N content and N:P, and increased C:N; however, forbs had increased N content, C:P and N:P and decreased P content and C:N. At the community level, N content was lower and C:N higher in SR communities compared to CK. The N content of the plant community was positively correlated with soil total N content. S. chamaejasme removal could change the nutrient balance from species level, to functional group level, and to community level. Thus, supplementary measures might be cooperated with S. chamaejasme removal for the recovery of S. chamaejasme-dominated degraded grassland. These results provide insight into the role of S. chamaejasme in ecological protection and conservation, and the conclusions from this study could be used to develop effective and sustainable measures for S. chamaejasme control in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.

Influence of species identity and charring conditions on fire-derived charcoal traits

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1669-1675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Pluchon ◽  
Sophie C. Casetou ◽  
Paul Kardol ◽  
Michael J. Gundale ◽  
Marie-Charlotte Nilsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Ammonium Concentration ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Total N ◽  
Chemical Traits ◽  
Increasing Temperature

Fire is a major disturbance worldwide, and it produces significant amounts of wood-derived charcoal. There is increasing evidence that the key properties (“traits”) of charcoal vary greatly, with consequences for ecosystem processes, but how the key factors drive variability of charcoal traits, i.e., species identity and charring conditions, remain poorly understood. Here, we experimentally produced charcoal from three common boreal tree species under six charring conditions representing those encountered during boreal fires and then analyzed their structural and chemical traits. Overall, we found that species identity affected charcoal traits more than did charring conditions. Among the structural traits, density and microporosity varied among tree species, and density decreased with increasing temperature. Among the chemical traits, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents, and phosphate concentration differed among species, whereas pH, total N content, and ammonium concentration responded to charring conditions. No traits except nitrate concentration responded to the interactive effect of species identity and charring condition. Our results reveal that traits of charcoal, and potentially its ecological functions, are driven by a combination of fire behavior and tree species identity; such information is relevant for understanding ecological consequences of altered fire regimes due to the changing climate and to forest management.

scholarly journals Testing of a novel IFAS-MBR process with Co-precipitation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Rusten ◽  
S. S. Rathnaweera ◽  
L. D. Manamperuma ◽  
M. Kjeverud ◽  
H. Ødegaard
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Separation ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nitrification Rate ◽  
Total N ◽  
Biofilm Thickness ◽  
Suspended Biomass ◽  
Aerobic Reactor ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Co Precipitation

Abstract IFAS-MBR with co-precipitation, not yet commonly used in practice, will result in a very compact process for nutrient removal. The process, based on a combined pre- and post-denitrification IFAS process with membrane separation (IFAS-MBR), was tested in two parallel small-scale plants. Train A was operated with co-precipitation in order to achieve high removal of total P (TP). Train B, without co-precipitation, served as a control. Due to the coagulant (Al) addition, the concern was precipitation on the biofilm carriers in the aerobic reactor in Train A. A small internal air-lift pump proved to be very efficient in controlling biofilm thickness and removing excess biofilm mass as needed. A coagulant dose equivalent to an Al/TP molar ratio of 1.9 was necessary to achieve 99% TP removal and 0.10 mg TP/l in the effluent of Train A. Very good removal of total N was achieved in both trains. Train A had a biofilm nitrification rate of 0.65 g NH4-N/m2d at 12–13 °C and 5.2–5.6 mg O2/l. The tests demonstrated that an IFAS-MBR process with co-precipitation and an aerobic suspended biomass SRT of 5–10 days is feasible, and that all the performance goals set up for the full-scale plant were achieved.

scholarly journals Aspectos sobre a nidificação de Centris analis (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-165
Author(s):  
David Silva Nogueira ◽  
Arianne Moreira Cavalcante ◽  
Rita Kelly de Oliveira Pontes ◽  
Raquel Pick ◽  
Breno Magalhães Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Parasitism Rate ◽  
Pet Bottles ◽  
Experimental Area ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Biological Aspects ◽  
Rate Of Emergence ◽  
Two Peaks

Resumo. A taxa de emergência de abelhas adultas, a de parasitismo e a razão sexual entre machos e fêmeas foram medidas a partir do monitoramento de abelhas Centris analis (Fabricius) em ninhos armadilha de cartolina preta por um período de 13 meses, entre outubro de 2010 a outubro de 2011, em ambiente urbano de Fortaleza, Ceará. Os ninhos foram vistoriados mensalmente e quando concluídos, foram transferidos para garrafas PET na mesma área experimental até a emergência dos adultos. Foram fundados 45 ninhos, onde emergiram 152 indivíduos. As fêmeas de C. analis (95,66%) preferiram o ninho de diâmetro 5 mm. A taxa de emergência foi de 3,3 abelhas por ninho onde até 10 indivíduos foram registrados por ninho. A razão sexual foi de 1 macho para 1,4 fêmeas. Em fevereiro e setembro houve picos de emergência de abelhas adultas e isso pode estar relacionado com a disponibilidade dos recursos florais. A taxa de parasitismo foi de 3,94%, onde 8 ninhos foram cleptoparasitados com emergência de 15 indivíduos, com representantes de Megachilidae, Chrysididae (Hymenoptera) e Bombyliidae (Diptera). A adição dos dados obtidos nesse estudo em comparação com dados já publicados para C. analis podem ajudar a elucidar aspectos biológicos dessa espécie. Nesting aspects of Centris analis (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini)Abstract. The rate of emergence of adult bees, the parasitism and sex ratio between males and females were measured by monitoring specimens of Centris analis (Fabricius) in trap nests of black cardboard, for a period of 13 months, from October/2010 to October/2011 in Fortaleza, Ceará State. The nests were monitored monthly and when completed, it was removed to PET bottles in the same experimental area until adult emergence. Were founded 45 nests of which 152 adults emerged. The females of C. analis (95.66 %) preferred the nests with diameter of 5 mm diameter. The emergency rate was 3.3 bees per nest where up to 10 individuals were recorded sharing the same nest. The sex ratio was 1 male to 1.4 females. In February and September there were two peaks of adult bees’ emergence and this may be related with the availability of flowers. The parasitism rate was 3.94%, where 8 nests were parasitized with the emergence of 15 individuals, as Megachilidae, Chrysididae (Hymenoptera) and Bombyliidae (Diptera). The addition of the data obtained in this study along with the already published information on C. analis, may help elucidate biological aspects of this species.

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