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- Hasselquist, Eliza Maher, et al.
(author)
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Changes in nitrogen cycling in riparian zones along a chronosequence of restored streams in northern Sweden
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Understanding how stream restoration affects nitrogen (N) cycling in riparian zones is crucial for setting realistic performance criteria for restored streams. Most streams in northern Sweden were channelized for timber floating, and many streams have now been restored. Channelization disconnected streams from the riparian zone, and reduced the flooding that creates anoxic conditions necessary for many N-cycling reactions. We used a space-for-time substitution consisting of stream reaches restored 2 to 25 years ago, unrestored channelized and natural reference reaches to determine how N-cycling in riparian zones changes with time after restoration. Using stable isotopes of N (δ15N), we found that restoration caused more enriched foliar and root δ15N in recently restored sites, suggesting more gaseous losses of N in younger sites. This enrichment in foliar and root δ15N decreased over the 25-year chronosequence suggesting that the N-cycle becomes tighter and loses less N as it ages. Although the [N] in foliage, roots, and soils did not change over time, understory biomass decreased over time, suggesting that more N was available to plants in younger compared to older sites. Changes in the mechanism of N acquisition (i.e., mycorrhizal colonization, as shown by Δδ15N), plant species richness, and cover of deciduous trees (carbon source), were the most important factors explaining variation in δ15N along with time after restoration. It is clear that the restoration of these streams causes a large and rapid change in nitrogen processing in the riparian zone and this alteration persists for at least 25 years.
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2. |
- Hasselquist, Eliza Maher, et al.
(author)
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Recovery of nitrogen cycling in riparian zones after stream restoration using delta N-15 along a 25-year chronosequence in northern Sweden
- 2017
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In: Plant and Soil. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0032-079X .- 1573-5036. ; 410:1-2, s. 423-436
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Swedish boreal streams were modified to transport timber by pushing boulders to stream sides, creating levees that disconnected streams from riparian areas. Many streams have since been restored and our goal was to understand how this affects riparian nitrogen (N) cycling. We compared the natural abundance of delta N-15 isotopes in foliage and roots of Filipendula ulmaria plus soils and litter along streams restored 2-25 years ago. We measured sources of N, potential immobilization of N, namely plant diversity and biomass, and the amount and sources of carbon (C) to determine if these were important for describing riparian N cycling. The delta N-15 of F. ulmaria foliage changed dramatically just after restoration compared to the channelized, disconnected state and then converged over the next 25 years with the steady-state reference. The disturbance and reconnection of the stream with the riparian zone during restoration created a short-term pulse of N availability and gaseous losses of N as a result of enhanced microbial processing of N. With increasing time since restoration, N availability appears to have decreased, and N sources changed to those derived from mycorrhizae, amino acids, or the humus layer, or there was enhanced N-use efficiency by older, more diverse plant communities.
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3. |
- Linderholm, Anna, et al.
(author)
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A novel MC1R allele for black coat colour reveals the Polynesian ancestry and hybridization patterns of Hawaiian feral pigs
- 2016
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In: Royal Society Open Science. - : The Royal Society. - 2054-5703. ; 3:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pigs (Sus scrofa) have played an important cultural role in Hawaii since Polynesians first introduced them in approximately AD 1200. Additional varieties of pigs were introduced following Captain Cook's arrival in Hawaii in 1778 and it has been suggested that the current pig population may descend primarily, or even exclusively, from European pigs. Although populations of feral pigs today are an important source of recreational hunting on all of the major islands, they also negatively impact native plants and animals. As a result, understanding the origins of these feral pig populations has significant ramifications for discussions concerning conservation management, identity and cultural continuity on the islands. Here, we analysed a neutral mitochondrial marker and a functional nuclear coat colour marker in 57 feral Hawaiian pigs. Through the identification of a new mutation in the MC1R gene that results in black coloration, we demonstrate that Hawaiian feral pigs are mostly the descendants of those originally introduced during Polynesian settlement, though there is evidence for some admixture. As such, extant Hawaiian pigs represent a unique historical lineage that is not exclusively descended from feral pigs of European origin.
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