| 1. |
- Hasselquist, Eliza Maher, et al.
(författare)
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Microsite differentiation among conifer species during seedling establishment at alpine treeline
- 2006
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - : Presses de L`Université Laval. - 1195-6860. ; 13:3, s. 334-341
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tree establishment is a potentially important factor affecting tree populations in alpine-treeline ecotones. Patterns of seedling establishment of Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus albicaulis, and Picea engelmannii were evaluated relative to neighbouring trees and herbs over two years and three treelines of the Rocky Mountains, USA. The greatest mortality rates were observed in seedlings that had just emerged from seed and were in their first year of growth and in seedlings that had the least amount of cover provided by trees or other landscape features that block exposure to the sky. Although herb cover promoted survivorship in microsites that were not near trees, no seedlings were detected at or above the upper limit of the treeline ecotone. Microsite tree cover was greatest for A. lasiocarpa and least for P. albicaulis seedlings, which matches predictions based on their relative photosynthetic tolerances to the bright sunlight and frequent frost that occur in exposed microsites. Interspecific differences in seedling requirements for neighbouring plant cover likely contribute to the apparent coexistence and possible interdependency of these conifers along a continuum of colonization and succession within treelines.
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| 2. |
- Karlsson, P. Staffan, et al.
(författare)
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Relationships between fruit production and branching in monocarpic shoot modules of Rhododendron lapponicum
- 2006
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1195-6860. ; 13:3, s. 396-403
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rhododendron lapponicum is an ericaceous clonal dwarf shrub in which vegetative growth largely coincides with the formation of flowers and fruits. We used a flower-removal experiment and a descriptive data set to look for relationships and potential trade-offs between vegetative growth, i.e., branching, and fruit production in two contrasting subarctic populations (growing at low and high altitude). The two sites are similar in most respects and differ mainly in that the higher site has lower temperatures and a shorter growing season. We predicted that trade-offs between branching and fruit production would be less marked in a high-altitude population because at lower temperatures reproductive activities could be less resource dependent. At lower altitudes, where temperatures are higher, there would be competition for nutrients between fruiting and branching; hence, a trade-off between these two activities would be more obvious. In both populations about 80% of all new shoot modules were produced by reproductive shoot modules. We found evidence for a [linear] trade-off in the experimental study only, whereas the descriptive data set did not show any consistent indications of trade-offs between branch and fruit production. The high-altitude population showed several characteristics indicating that this population gave priority to vegetative growth over sexual reproduction. The data we present is a typical example of a case where co-variation in size and resource economy among modules masks potential trade-off patterns.
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| 3. |
- Niva, Mikael, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of light and water availability on shoot dynamics of the stoloniferous Linnaea borealis
- 2006
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1195-6860. ; 13:3, s. 318-323
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many stoloniferous plant species have the ability to exploit resource-rich patches via plastic growth responses. The most efficient responses are shortened spacers and increased branching frequency. Here we experimentally investigate the ability of the stoloniferous plant Linnaea borealis to respond to patches of increased light intensity and reduced water availability in natural systems. The significance of contrasts between patches was also investigated. A three-level factorial design was used, with light, water availability, and site as the factors. Increased light intensity was achieved through mowing of the surrounding vegetation, and reduced water availability was achieved by placing wooden ledges under the stolons. The treatments were applied at three subarctic sites that differ in light conditions. Branching frequency, number of new meristems, average internode length, leaf area, and dry weight production were studied 14 months after the manipulations. Increased light intensity increased branching frequencies; the strongest effects were obtained at the site with a closed canopy. Average intemode length decreased 19% in response to increased light intensity. Root:shoot ratios decreased under increased light intensity and reduced water availability. A reduction in water availability alone did not affect any other investigated traits. We conclude that ramets of L. borealis are able to respond efficiently to small-scale variations in light intensity in natural systems, an ability of great importance for the performance of a prostrate species on shady forest floors.
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| 4. |
- Johansson, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Tree age relationships with epiphytic lichen diversity and lichen life history traits on ash in southern Sweden
- 2007
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - 1195-6860. ; 14:1, s. 81-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examined the influence of tree- and stand-level conditions on lichen diversity on 143 ash trees, varying in age from 11 to 140+ y, in 5 deciduous stands in southern Sweden. The number of lichen species per tree varied from 2 to 30 and was primarily explained by tree trunk diameter and to a lesser extent by tree age, crown cover, lichen cover, and stand identity. The positive relationship between species richness and lichen cover seems compatible with a random placement of species and suggests that similar factors affect both lichen growth and establishment. Species richness did not increase on trees above 65 y of age, while species composition changed with tree age. Together with the positive linear effect of trunk diameter, these results suggest a slight overall positive effect of area, but that species richness over time depends more on species turnover. In addition, we examined if lichens occurring on trees of different ages differed in life history traits, e.g., spore size, thallus height, and pH preference. The results indicate that lichens that most frequently occurred on old trees had larger spores and thicker thalli than other species, suggesting that lichen species' response to tree age can be understood to some extent from their life history traits. However, in this respect lichen ecology is still in its infancy.
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| 5. |
- Olofsson, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Gray-sided voles increase the susceptibility of northern willow, Salix glauca, to invertebrate herbivory
- 2007
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - 1195-6860. ; 14:1, s. 48-54
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The relationships between grey-sided vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus) densities, levels of invertebrate herbivory on Northern willow (Salix glauca) leaves, and chemical quality of the willows was studied on 8 islands and 2 mainland sites with contrasting vole densities in northernmost Norway. These variables were measured at each of the study sites to determine the degree and nature of the effects of browsing-induced alterations in plant quality on subsequent invertebrate herbivory. The level of invertebrate herbivory was positively correlated with vole density, as were the number of leaves per shoot, leaf size, and leaf nitrogen content, while leaf C/N ratios were negatively correlated with vole density. The level of herbivory increased from > 1% on the vole-free island to < 4% on the island with the highest vole density. The plant character that explained most of the variance in the level of invertebrate herbivory was leaf size. Since the vole densities have been altered by human intervention and their numbers are largely governed by predation rather than food quality, the positive correlation between vole densities and level of invertebrate herbivory is probably due to a facilitative effect of voles on invertebrate herbivores, mediated through changes in plant chemistry. We suggest that voles affect susceptibility of willows to invertebrate herbivory both directly by winter browsing and indirectly by reducing the abundance of competing plants.
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| 6. |
- Öster, Mathias, et al.
(författare)
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Sex ratio mediated pollen limitation in the dioecious herb Antennaria dioica
- 2007
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - 1195-6860. ; 14:3, s. 387-398
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examined how population structure affects seed set and recruitment in the dioecious plant Antennaria dioica, which is a declining species inhabiting semi-natural grasslands in Sweden. Flowering and sex ratio in A. dioica were studied over 4 y at a local (1.2 km2) scale and over 1 y at a regional (742 km2) scale in southern Sweden. Antennaria dioica was also hand-pollinated during 2y to examine whether sex ratios, male abundance, and distance to nearest male influence the degree of pollen limitation. Seed-sowing experiments were conducted to assess whether recruitment is limited by seed or microsite availability. There was a considerable spatio-temporal variation in both flowering and sex ratios. The regional scale survey showed that patch size and number of patches per site were positively correlated, and small patches of A.dioica tended to have biased sex ratios. Experimental hand-pollinations showed that the degree of pollen limitation increased with increasingly female-biased sex ratios in the closest vicinity of the experimental plants. Thus, even though A. dioica is pollinated by many different insects, a fragmented population structure has a large influence on reproductive performance of A. dioica. The seed-sowing experiments showed that recruitment is limited by a combination of seed and microsite availability. It is therefore plausible that reduced seed production due to pollen limitation translates into reduced recruitment. The results from the local and the regional scale indicate that a large fraction of local patches and populations of A. dioica have decreased sexual reproduction. The conclusion is that A. dioica is likely to be particularly sensitive to habitat fragmentation.
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| 7. |
- Angelstam, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Gap analysis as a basis for strategic spatial planning of green infrastructure: a case study in the Ukrainian Carpathians
- 2017
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Ingår i: Écoscience. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1195-6860 .- 2376-7626. ; 24, s. 41-58
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increased demand for natural resources and economic transition threaten natural and biocultural capital and thus ecosystem services for human well-being. We applied an evidence-based approach to strategic planning of functional green infrastructure in a European biodiversity hotspot: the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains. We (1) described how potential natural vegetation types have been transformed, (2) applied evidence-based critical thresholds for each potential natural vegetation land cover, (3) measured how much of the potential natural vegetation land covers are protected, and (4) estimated the area of cultural landscapes that emerged. While only 2% of lowland land cover types were left, 55% of mountain forests and 94% of alpine land covers remained. Many mountain forests were transformed to valuable cultural landscapes. Beech and oak forests covered 42% of the study area but at low levels of protection (< 5%). The highest protection level (12-17%) was in mixed beech-fir-spruce and in spruce forests. However, taking connectivity into account, only alpine land covers formed a functional habitat network. More areas need to be protected and planned to build a functional green infrastructure. Traditional village systems with biocultural values need support. We discuss how strategic analyses can encourage collaborative spatial planning and international development cooperation.
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| 8. |
- Asplund, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Simulated nitrogen deposition influences gastropod grazing in lichens
- 2010
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1195-6860. ; 17:1, s. 83-89
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lichens are often important photosynthetic organisms in oligotrophic environments where high-quality fodder plants are rare. A strong herbivore defence and/or low nutritional quality allows the accumulation of a high lichen biomass in such areas. However, it is not known how N deposition influences lichen palatability. This study analyzes possible changes in gastropod grazing preference after 3 months simulated N deposition on 3 foliose (Lobaria scrobiculata, Platismatia glauca, and Xanthoria aureola) and 1 pendulous lichen species (Alectoria sarmentosa). Lichens were daily irrigated in the field with rainwater containing 1.625 mM NH4NO3 from June to September, equivalent to a deposition of 50 kg N·ha-1·y-1. Irrigations applied at night, morning, or noon simulated different C-gain regimes. Afterwards in the lab, we offered 2 common lichen-feeding gastropods the choice between N-fertilized thalli and control thalli irrigated with artificial rainwater. The gastropods clearly preferred the unfertilized thalli of the 3 foliose species. For the pendulous A. sarmentosa, the gastropods preferred N-enriched thalli (irrigated at night) to controls. In conclusion, N-enrichment changes the palatability of lichens in species-specific ways.
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| 9. |
- Bergvall, Ulrika A, et al.
(författare)
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The effect of spatial scale on plant associational defences against mammalian herbivores
- 2008
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - 1195-6860. ; 15, s. 343-348
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intraspecific variation in plant toxins at different spatial scales can influence foraging decisions by wild herbivores. In order to investigate plant associational defences in relation to spatial scale, we performed an experiment with fallow deer encountering 2 patches of low- and high-tannin hazel branches. One patch was good, consisting of 7 low- and I high-tannin branch, and the other bad, with low- and 7 high-tannin branches. We kept the between-patch spatial scale constant and varied the within-patch spatial scale: the branches in a patch were either spread out or close together in a bundle. When the low-tannin branches were spread out, the deer showed a clear preference for low_tannin branches both patches and consumed similar amounts from low-tannin branches in the good and the bad patch, which means that there was no associational defence. In contrast, when the branches instead were together in a bundle, within-patch selectivity decreased and between-patch selectivity increased, and the low-tannin branches in the bad patch were less eaten than the low-tannin branches in the good patch, which corresponds to associational defence. We conclude that small inter-plant distances can be crucial for the operation of plant associational defences
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| 10. |
- Brodin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Optimal energy allocation and behaviour in female raptorial birds during the nestling period
- 2003
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Ingår i: Ecoscience. - : University Laval. - 1195-6860. ; 10:2, s. 140-150
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In many raptors and owls the male is the main provider of food in the early phase of the nestling period while the female incubates the eggs and broods the young. In the nestling period the female often helps the male to feed the young, but the factors affecting whether and when she leaves the brood to hunt have not been investigated in detail. We present a dynamic state variable model that analyses female behaviour and fat storage dynamics over the nestling period. The results show that in the first half of the nestling period the female faces a conflict between the need to brood the young and the need to hunt to provision them with food. This conflict arises because the energy needs of the young peak early in the nestling period, at a time when they still cannot thermoregulate and therefore need brooding from the female. The most critical period is the second nestling week, when both female and nestling fat reserves will decrease to low levels. Large female fat reserves in the early nestling period provide a solution to this conflict and are essential for successful breeding. Stochasticity in male provisioning is thus not needed to explain why females should be fat when the eggs hatch. Under normal circumstances, the female broods during the first two weeks and leaves the young only if hunting is absolutely necessary. After the second week the energy requirements are relaxed, and whether the female assists the male in hunting or not depends on factors such as male hunting success, environmental stochasticity, and energy requirements of the young. Our model provides a framework for empirical investigations on female behaviour during breeding in raptors, owls, and other birds with marked division of labour.
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