首页 | 本学科首页   官方微博 | 高级检索  
相似文献
 共查询到20条相似文献，搜索用时 31 毫秒
1.
The objectives of this study were to determine the composition, density and spatial distribution of the soil seed bank of woody species, as well as their regeneration pattern in two different land use systems, controlled (ranch) and open grazing, in an Acacia woodland of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia. We also compared the species composition of the soil seed bank and the above-ground vegetation to find out if differences exist in the soil seed bank and advance regeneration between the two land use systems. The germination requirements of seeds of the woody species were also investigated under laboratory conditions. Acacia senegal, Acacia seyal, Acacia tortilis, Dichrostacys cinerea and Balanites aegyptiaca were encountered in the above-ground vegetation in both systems. Seeds of only A. tortilis (90±32 seeds m−2) from the ranch, and A. senegal (5±3 seeds m−2) and A. tortilis (72±34 seeds m−2) from the open system were found in the soil seed bank along transects with patchy horizontal pattern. The two systems were not significantly different in density of soil seed banks of A. senegal andA. tortilis . Jaccard's similarity index showed that only a few woody species were common in the soil seed flora and above ground vegetation. However, all of the species accumulated seeds (58±43–331±130 seeds m−2) in/on the soil under the canopy. Very large numbers of seeds of A. tortilis (19382±9722 seeds m−2) and D. cinerea (1278±494 seeds m−2) were also found in barns. Most of the seeds recovered from the soil samples (60–80%) were found in the litter layer. Acid and mechanical scarification improved legume germination (36–99% and 60–99%, respectively) over boiling water (0–48%). Treatment means differed significantly for all the legumes (p<0·001) but not for Balanites. Height and diameter class distribution of regeneration of A. tortilis and D. cinerea in both systems and A. senegal in the open system had a negative exponential correlation (rs=−0·5, −0·25 and −0·86, respectively). A. seyal and B. aegyptiaca showed poor regeneration. Horizontal distribution of advance regeneration of all the species was patchy. Advance regeneration of A. seyal, A. tortilis and B. aegyptiaca were not significantly different, while that of A. senegal and D. cinerea were significantly different between the two systems. Poor representation of species in the soil seed bank along transects and in the different height and diameter classes may be attributed to the low density of mature trees as well as the mode and strategy of seed dispersal. Ungulate and wind dispersed species (e.g. A. senegal, A. tortilis and D. cinerea) were highly favoured. Patchiness in the distribution of seeds and advance regeneration was also a result of endozoochory. Dispersal of non-ungulate dispersed seeds (A. senegal, A. seyal and B. aegyptiaca) was restricted to the canopy zone. Piles of seeds ofA. tortilis and D. cinerea that were found in barns were a result of consumption of their pods by cattle. High concentration of seeds in the litter layer may be due to low soil disturbance and larger size of seeds. The height and diameter class distribution of A. senegal (in the open system), A. tortilis and D. cinerea also indicated that the species have good regeneration. Results from the germination tests indicated that seeds of the legumes require pre-sowing treatments to give a rapid, uniform and improved germination. Intervention through artificial regeneration should be employed to improve the density and regeneration capacity of those species with hampered regeneration at both systems.  相似文献   

2.
The growth and biomass production of six acacia species were studied in the field for 4 years. The species used were Acacia asak, A. negrii, A. seyal, A. karroo, A. ampliceps, and A. stenophylla. The first three species are indigenous while the others are exotic. The results showed both A. ampliceps and A. asak with 100% survival while all A. negrii died. Acacia ampliceps attained the greatest height, diameter, relative growth rate and above-ground biomass while A. asak had the least. Height and diameter growth of acacia species decreased between warm and cold periods of the year.  相似文献   

3.
The phenology ofMedicago minimavar.minimaandErodium cicutariumwas studied at two different field sites in the Calden District (approx. 10 million ha), a temperate semi-arid phytogeographical region in central Argentina. One site had been protected from wild and domestic herbivores for the 6 previous years. The other adjacent site had been exposed to continuous grazing by cattle for several decades. A phenological key was made for each species in 1988, and this key was improved during the 1989 growing season when phenological observations were made every 1–3 weeks.The growth cycle ofM. minimaandE. cicutariumwas similar at the two studied sites. Initiation of the cycle occurred in autumn and appeared to be associated with soil water availability. Phenological patterns were very dynamic at the reproductive stage in both species. This stage started earlier and was faster inE. cicutariumthan inM. minima. The end of the growing season occurred during late spring, concomitant with high maximum air temperatures. Our results suggest that these species hasten their development when air temperature increases and soil water availability decreases. This could be an important strategy in these species which allows them to persist as seeds, and produce a new generation under favourable environmental conditions.  相似文献   

4.
In vitro mass propagation of Acacia seyal Del. was achieved using seedling shoot tip explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) or Thidiazuron (TDZ) with ∝-Naphtalene acetic acid (NAA). The best result was obtained with BA in the presence of NAA. The greatest shoot multiplication with long shoots was observed on media containing (mg l-1) 2·0 BA with 0·1 or 0·5 NAA and 4·0 BA with 0·1 NAA; with 6·4 and 6·7 mean number of shoots, respectively. TDZ also induced multiple shoots but most of the shoots were stunted. Microshoots were rooted better on half-MS salts supplemented with Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The highest rooting percentage (80%) and root number (4·9 roots/microshoot) were promoted by 4·0 mg IBA. The plantlets (90%) successfully survived acclimatization ex vitro.  相似文献   

5.
Grasslands dominated by Stipa tenacissima are important ecosystems in the arid and semiarid climates of western Mediterranean, where they have originated by degradation of open dry forests and shrublands. At present, although the level of exploitation in these ecosystems is very low, succession processes seem to have stopped. In this study, we explore the role of microsite and post-dispersal seed predation on the seedling emergence of two species from advanced successional stages (Rhamnus lycioides, Quercus coccifera), three species from degraded stages (Cistus clusii, Helianthemum violaceum, Anthyllis terniflora), and of the dominant species (Stipa tenacissima). Seeds of these species were sown in plots divided into two microsites: (i) under tussocks of S. tenacissima and (ii) in the bare soil between tussocks. Soil moisture was significantly higher in the tussock microsites. The interaction observed between microsite and time, reflected the slower drying process under tussocks. Seed predation was in general high and differed significantly between species but not between microsites. Q. coccifera was especially affected by predation. The only germination detected in gap areas was that of H. violaceum. The results pointed to a direct facilitative effect of tussock grass on the germination in R. lycioides (20.4±8.0%) and S. tenacissima (41.3±5.7%) while the corresponding figures for bare ground were 0%. These results suggest that the recovery of potential vegetation in this ecosystem is not possible or, at least, is very slow because the residual shrub patches do not generate a sufficient number of seeds able to disperse to favorable germination microsites. S. tenacissima may act as facilitator of seedling recruitment if there is a supply of diaspores.  相似文献   

6.
A field experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that competitive interactions affect demographic responses of desert dune annuals to gradients in sand stability. The experiment was based on a three-way factorial design with two types of neighbor treatments (complete neighbor removalvs. control), two types of habitats (stablevs. unstable sands) and two species which characterize sandy areas of the western Negev Desert (Neurada procumbensandBromus fasciculatus). Each of the eight treatment/habitat/species combinations was characterized by three demographic variables: seedling survival to reproduction, fruit number per reproductive plant and fruit number per seedling. All of these variables exhibited significant interactions between the effects of neighbor removal and habitat type, indicating that neighbor conditions were important in determining the observed patterns of demographic variation. Moreover, while plants ofNeurada procumbensgrowing without neighbors suffered more mortality on unstable sands, conspecific plants growing at natural density conditions suffered more mortality on stable sands. In the case ofBromus fasciculatus, individuals growing in the absence of competitive effects produced more fruits on stable sands, but conspecific plants growing at natural density conditions exhibited higher fruit production on unstable sands. These findings indicate that competitive effects not only modify, but may even reverse demographic responses of desert dune annuals to gradients in sand stability. Based on these results and evidence from two other studies it is suggested that seed dispersal from abiotically favorable into less favorable habitats may increase fitness of desert annuals by reducing the average effect of competition.  相似文献   

7.
This paper presents data on the germination traits of five perennials (Allium polyrrhizum, Agropyron cristatum, Arenaria meyeri, Artemisia frigida and Artemisia santolinifolia) widespread in the mountain steppes of southern Mongolia. Germination and seed viability were assessed at three alternate temperatures (8/4 °C, 20/10 °C, 32/20 °C), three levels of osmotic stress (deionized water; −0.5 MPa, −1 MPa Mannitol solution), and under conditions of alternate light/darkness versus complete darkness. The results of a factorial ANOVA with treatments and species as main effects showed that all five species germinated best at higher temperatures, with only Agropyron cristatum showing some seed mortality. Osmotic stress reduced seed viability and total germination in all five species. Darkness had no influence on viability, but positively affected seed germination of Allium polyrrhizum and Agropyron cristatum. We therefore conclude that, in the field, germination of all five species is mainly controlled by ambient temperatures and water availability, both of which drop towards the end of summer when dispersal takes place and effectively delay seedling recruitment until the next vegetation period.  相似文献   

8.
The germination behaviour of five Helianthemum species (H. almeriense, H. appeninum, H. cinereum, H. hirtum, H. squamatum) has been studied under controlled conditions. Constant 15, 20 or 25 °C and alternating 25/15 °C temperature regimes and 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod conditions were used. Presowing treatments applied were manual scarification, boiling water, hot water, dry heat and sulphuric acid. Germination values recorded were final germination percentage and germination rate expressed as days to reach 50% of the final germination percentage (T50). Incubation temperature had no significant effect on final germination percentage for untreated seeds of the five Helianthemum species. However, variation due to temperature was significant for scarified seeds, with the lowest germination percentage attained at 25 °C. In all Helianthemum species studied, the highest germination percentages were obtained by manual scarification of seeds. Germination rate of scarified seeds decreased as germination temperature increased. The different presowing treatments investigated allowed some germination in some species, but none were any better than manual scarification. The high germination among most species studied, following mechanical rupture of the seed coat, shows that the mechanism of dormancy lies in the seed coat. The physical dormancy caused by impermeable seed-coat appears to be the main reason of poor germination of untreated seeds of Helianthemum species studied.  相似文献   

9.
Recent extensive harvesting of large, often dead Acacia trees in arid savanna of southern Africa is cause for concern about the conservation status of the arid savanna and its animal community. We mapped vegetation and nests of the Black-tailed Tree Rat Thallomys nigricauda to assess the extent to which the rats depend on particular tree species and on the existence of dead, standing trees. The study was conducted in continuous Acacia woodland on the southern and eastern edge of the Kalahari, South Africa. Trees in which there were tree rat nests were compared with trees of similar size and vigour to identify the characteristics of nest sites. Spatial analysis of tree rat distribution was conducted using Ripley's-L function. We found that T. nigricauda was able to utilize all available tree species, as long as trees were large and old enough so that cavities were existing inside the stem. The spatial distribution of nest trees did not show clumping at the investigated scale, and we therefore reject the notion of the rats forming colonies when inhabiting continuous woodlands. The selection of a particular tree as a nest site was furthermore depending on the close proximity of the major food plant, Acacia mellifera. This may limit the choice of suitable nest sites, since A. mellifera was less likely to grow within a vegetation patch containing a large trees than in patches without large trees.  相似文献   

10.
Extensive areas of low lying coastal plains on Santiago Island, Republic of Cape Verde, are virtually devoid of natural vegetation. Of many introduced trees and shrubs, onlyAtriplexspecies have been found to thrive. Several plantations have been established during the past 15 years by the Cape Verde Government, FAO and other agricultural development groups. Results from these, together with local perceptions, indicate that although growth and survival are good, the primary objective of providing forage is not being met, owing to the unpalatability ofAtriplexto local stock. In recent field trials, severalAtriplexspecies showed good growth, but none were browsed and survival was quite poor, with onlyA. undulata(65%) andA. canescens(100%) exceeding 60% survival. Forage analysis identified high salt content in all species tested, and the highest protein content was found inA. glauca(16%),A. vesicaria(17%) andA. canescens(20%), which also had the lowest salt levels.Atriptex canescenswas identified as worthy of further introduction. An establishedA. halimusplantation that was observed to be browsed was compared to unbrowsed stands in terms of forage, soil and local drinking water analyses. Possible reasons for the unpalatability ofAtriplexto local stock and its resolution are discussed, along with the potential future ofAtriplexon the Cape Verde Islands.  相似文献   

11.
Shoots ofTamarix niloticaandT. aphyllawere collected from north Sinai, the Nile Delta and North Western Desert of Egypt and analysed forin vitrototal digestible nutrients, nutritive value, gross energy and element contents. Pronounced differences were recorded between the two species for all the estimated variables. Variation in gross energy in the tissues of both species in relation to different locations was insignificant. The two evaluated species have relatively low contents of N, K, Ca and crude protein and high contents of P, Mg and Na. There was a moderate positive correlation between the N–NDF, K–CF and EE–NDF ofTamarix aphylla. The present study evaluated the nutrient status of both species as poor forage.  相似文献   

12.
Soil was sampled from cropping fields in radial patterns from beneathAcacia albida, Parkia bigloboza(Jacq.) Benth. andEucalyptus camaldulensisDehnh. near Zaria, Nigeria. Results of analysis show a significant coarsening of soil texture and a decrease in organic matter and cation exchange capacity with increasing distance from all three tree species at a depth of 0–15 cm. Concentrations of nitrogen and some exchangeable cations decreased significantly with increasing distance from beneath acacia and parkia, and soil pH decreased with increasing distance from eucalyptus. The implication of the results for land management are discussed in relation to increasing productivity and soil use sustainability.  相似文献   

13.
Effects of salinity, temperature, light and their interactions on the rate and final percentage of germination were evaluated for the invasive shrub Prosopis juliflora, grown under arid environmental conditions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Seeds that were not treated with NaCl germinated well in a wide range of temperatures and in both full light and complete dark. Seed germination decreased significantly with the increase in both NaCl concentration and temperature. Optimal germination percentage occurred at 25 °C. The inhibitory effect of high salinity on final germination percentage was greater at 40 °C than at 15 and 25 °C. Germination was completely inhibited in 400 mM NaCl at 40 °C and in 600 mM NaCl at 25 °C. However, germination rate was significantly greater at 40 °C than at 15 and 25 °C in lower salinities and the reverse was true at higher salinities. Germination in light was significantly greater than in the dark at lower salinity levels and high temperature.  相似文献   

14.
Ants of the speciesMessor arenariusandM. ebeninusare known as common granivores in the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa. The relationship between the spatial distribution of nests of these ant species and the distribution of vegetation was examined in the Negev highlands. Using the method of nearest neighbour analysis, it was found that nests ofM. arenariusare evenly dispersed while the dispersion of nests ofM. ebeninusdoes not differ from a random distribution. It is suggested that in desert surroundings there is a connection between the distribution pattern of nests of harvester ants and their foraging type. It seems that nests of individually foraging ants are usually evenly dispersed while nests of trunk-trail foraging ants are usually distributed in a random or aggregated dispersion.  相似文献   

15.
After-ripening of Cenchrus ciliaris L. spikelets was modelled during storage at various temperatures and equilibrium relative humidities (e.r.h.). At 40 and 50% e.r.h., the rate of after-ripening increased linearly with increase of storage temperature. The highest after-ripening rate was achieved by storing the seeds in 40°C and 50% e.r.h. At 70% e.r.h., however, seeds remained viable at 20 and 30°C but largely failed to after-ripen. Use of the model to predict the storage period required for decreasing dormancy to any desired level is described. The application to re-seeding degraded rangelands in arid areas is discussed.  相似文献   

16.
The effects of temperature, water stress, hydration–dehydration cycles and seed priming on the germination of Callitris verrucosa and Callitris preissii, two Australian semi-arid coniferous tree species, were investigated. Optimum germination occurred at 18°C, with a minimum germination time of 8–9 days for both species. At this temperature, germination was inhibited at osmotic potentials lower than −1·0 MPa, but the capacity to germinate at low osmotic stress increased as the temperature decreased. Seed priming and hydration–dehydration cycles did not reduce seed viability, and Callitris seeds appear to retain the physiological changes induced by short-term hydration, as the time to the onset of germination was decreased to about 3 days. The capacity of Callitris seeds for incremental germination is likely to increase overall germination success in a low rainfall environment.  相似文献   

17.
In this paper the effect of herbivory on the seed production ofMoricandia moricandioides(Cruciferae), an annual species living in arid habitats of south-eastern Spain, is analysed. Firstly, the flowering and fruiting phenology and the composition and structure of the pollinator guild is described, in order to compare the overall effect of mutualistic speciesvs. that of antagonistic species onM. moricandioidesseed production. The loss of female reproductive success due to each herbivore species attacking the plant is then quantified, in an attempt to differentiate the effects on plant seed production of each herbivorous species. The results indicate that only antagonistic organisms interacting withM. moricandioidesinfluenced the female fitness of this plant species. In fact, pollinator abundance or activity did not correlate with the number of seeds dispersed by the plants. In addition, of all the herbivore species, only sheep activity significantly influenced seed production ofM. moricandioidesindividuals, the effect of the remaining crucivorous herbivores being cancelled by the stronger herbivory of sheep. The results of this study suggest that herbivory by sheep, in addition to decreasing the seed production ofM. moricandioides, could be an important determinant of the current distribution pattern of this crucifer species on the ramblas of the Baza basin.  相似文献   

18.
The standard metabolic rate ofUromastyx philbyiwas measured at 20–40 °C, using constant pressure manometric respirometers. Standard metabolic rate was mass-dependent. Values for the mass exponent ‘b’ ranged from 0·75 at 20 °C to 0·82 at 40 °C. Standard metabolic rate increased as temperature increased with high Q10values at low temperatures (20–25 °C). Low standard metabolic rates in this species are probably an adaptation to herbivory in hot desert environments.  相似文献   

19.
Seeds ofAcacia origena,A. pilispinaandPterolobium stellatumhave a hard seed coat that hampers imbibition of water and prevents maximum, uniform and rapid germination. Therefore, the seeds were subjected to different treatments involving mechanical scarification, concentrated sulphuric acid and boiling water to break the dormancy imposed by the hard seed coat. To determine the effects of different constant temperature regimes on germination, scarified seeds were incubated on a thermogradient at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Germination of scarified seeds was also tested in light and dark. Mechanical scarification resulted in 100% germination for theAcaciaspecies and 94% forP. stellatum. ForA. origena, sulphuric acid treatments for 60, 90 and 120 min resulted in significantly higher per cent germination (>95%) than all the other treatments. ForA. pilispina, sulphuric acid treatments for 45 and 60 min, as well as immersing seeds for 1 min in hot water, gave significantly higher per cent germination (97%) than all the other treatments. ForP. stellatum, mechanical scarification and all the acid treatments applied resulted in significantly higher per cent germination (>85%) than the control and all hot water treatments. All seeds ofP. stellatumimmersed in hot water, even for 1 min, rotted soon after sowing, indicating that they are sensitive to high temperatures. Scarified seeds of the twoAcaciaspecies germinated to a higher degree (≥90%) between 10 and 30°C, while germination of scarified seeds ofP. stellatumranged from 48 to 82% between 10 and 30°C. Scarified seeds of the three species germinated to a large extent (>70%) both in light and dark, indicating that seeds do not require light for germination.  相似文献   

20.
A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of moderate (14 cm) vs. severe (7 cm) defoliation on tiller recruitment and mortality within the interior and on the perimeter of weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) tussocks. Tiller number per marked shoot within the interior was significantly greater in plants defoliated at 14-cm stubble height than at 7-cm stubble height (2·37 vs. 0·43, p<0·05) 28 weeks after defoliation; likewise, tiller number per marked shoot was also greater on the perimeter of tussocks in the higher stubble than the lower stubble defoliation treatment (5·10 vs. 2·03, p<0·05). Tiller natality increased significantly 4 weeks after defoliation except for tillers cut to 7-cm stubble height within the interior of tussocks where tiller natality reached a peak at 4·5 weeks after defoliation. During the later stages of canopy development, tiller numbers per marked shoot gradually declined as tiller mortality increased. Tillers began senescing 13 weeks after defoliation, and the senescence rate was 52% greater in the 7-cm stubble height treatment than in the 14-cm stubble height treatment (2·33 vs. 1·53, p<0·0001). Within the interior of tussocks, number of the marked tillers more than doubled under the 14-cm stubble height treatment, whereas the plants lost 57% of the monitored tillers under the 7-cm stubble height treatment. We concluded that the central dieback process in weeping lovegrass is accelerated by severe defoliation.  相似文献   

设为首页 | 免责声明 | 关于勤云 | 加入收藏

Copyright©北京勤云科技发展有限公司  京ICP备09084417号