Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Botanical species'

The aims of this study were to evaluate the use of botanical species as indicators of antiquity and environmental continuity and also to provide greater understanding of the processes responsible for the formation of woodland plant communities. In order to address this, the research was undertaken along four main themes: 1) Plant colonisation rates. 2) Plant species lists for woodland sites. 3) The impact of surveyor effort and strategy in devising species lists for sites. 4) The response of a typical woodland plant to management. 5) Plant communities in an area of Scottish pine forestIn particular, this study has focussed on the determination of indicator species. Some of the problems of surveying woodlands have also been raised. These problems include a lack of thorough surveys in secondary woodland habitats, and also the difficulty of comparing woodlands when they have been surveyed for different lengths of time, at different times of the year and different recording methods employed. The rate at which species are recorded during surveys has been studied in detail using three non-linear equations, which can be used to predict the number of species missed for a given survey. The results of investigating differences between species lists of different types of woodlands have shown that geology and age are the two most important factors affecting species composition of woodland within the study area (mainly South Yorkshire). The best method for determining indicator species appeared to be a simple comparison procedure between ancient and secondary woodland, with species split into two groups depending upon their percentage occurrence in ancient woodland (>90% and 75-90%) after compensating for unequal numbers of woodlands in the two categories. In addition recommendations have been made as to the number of indicator species required to be confident that a site is ancient. The findings of this study and the conclusions reached will help refine the surveyand evaluation procedure for conserving and maintaining the woodland resource.

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are a serious problem in vegetable production and can cause severe damage to several crops. In rural, low-input farming nematode damage is much higher and yields can be completely destroyed. Some Commercial nematicides have been withdrawn from the market due to health and environment concerns. These need to be replaced by alternative nematode control strategies of which soil amendments is one alternative. Nine non-crop plant species used in various forms in traditional healing, viz. Cassia abbreviata, Cissus cactiformis, Euphorbia ingens, Ipomoea kituiensis, Maerua angolensis, Senna petersiana, Synadenium cupulare, Tabernaemontana elegans and Urginea sanguinea were screened under glasshouse conditions for their effect on the plant-parasitic nematode (PPN) (Meloidogyne incognita) on tomato. Subsequent assessments in microplots and in the field supported the glasshouse results in terms of suppression of root-knot nematode numbers with crudely milled soil amendments of C. cactiformis, M. angolensis and T. elegans. Tomato growth responses in these trials showed a tendency of phytotoxic effects after treatment of soil with crude leaf meal of E. ingens and S. cupulare. In the microplot study, the overall soil-amendment treatment effect was greater than that of three soil types on the performance of the tomato, although soil type might have had an effect on nematode suppression. Due to lack of correspondence between tomato leaf nutrient contents and the nutrient contents of the soil amendments it is suggested that these noncrop materials had negligible soil fertilization effects. In vitro bioassay studies confirmed that extracts of varying polarity of both plant products M. angolensis and T. elegans might be toxic to J2 stages of the root-knot nematode M. incognita. All extracts tested of M. angolensis caused immobility of J2, whereas only three extracts of T. elegans affected mobility of J2 adversely. Duration to 50 % effect, as well as extract concentration to cause immobility of the J2 varied but where movement ceased the J2 did not recover for up to 98 hours. This study has demonstrated the potential of locally available botanical materials for use as amendments in plant-parasitic nematode management and tomato growth and productivity improvement. This would particularly be true for small-scale application in subsistence agriculture. It is believed that these amendments could be used as control measures in integrated nematode control strategies. Their potential use could be adopted by small-scale farming communities, domestic gardeners and commercial farmers in the Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Kwazulu/Natal Provinces of South Africa where the relevant materials are available in useful quantities. Over-exploitation of natural resources should be avoided at all cost, however.
Thesis (PhD (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate if botanical gardens in Stockholm, Uppsala and Gothenburg could be a source for spread of invasive species in Sweden. The method consisted of visits to each garden with inventory of the collections and interviews with the staff. The species included in the study were either on or suggested for the list in the EU regulation 1143/2014 or listed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency as invasive or potentially invasive species in Sweden. 16 of the 34 species included in the study were found within or around one or more gardens and of those are 8 already established in Sweden and 6 could establish and become invasive with climate change. The study showed that the invasive species could outcompete other organisms by being fast growing and persistent as well as highly reproductive and sometimes harmful to other plants, animals or humans. It also suggests that high seed production and vegetative reproduction from small plant fragments may facilitate spread from botanical gardens in general. By creating awareness of invasive species, the gardens could prevent spread from other sources. Whether or not the gardens’ management of their collections could lead to spread and introduction of invasive species in Sweden is still unexplored and suitable for further studies. The species’ traits however do pose a risk of spread from the botanical gardens in the study, as well as other gardens, and establishment in the Swedish nature.

Mestrado Vinifera Euromaster - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects that Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), Cherry (Prunus avium), American oak (Quercus alba) and French oak (Quercus petraea) wood chips have on the evolution of the phenolic composition and sensorial properties of a white wine from Encruzado grape variety, during a storage period of 4 weeks. Chemical analysis were carried out: total phenols, flavonoid and non-flavonoid phenols, chromatic aspects, susceptibility to browning and tanning power. A sensory analysis was also performed at the end of the experiment. The results showed statistically significant differences between the treatments in most of the phenolic analysis, allowing us to establish a difference between the control wine and the wines aged in contact with the different wood chips species. In particular, acacia wood chips seemed to influence greatly the phenolic aspects of the white wine used in a short aging period. Generally, the wine aged with cherry chips presented intermediate values between acacia sample and the standard wine. Concerning the sensory analysis, there was a slight preference for the wine aged in contact with acacia wood chips, suggesting its suitability for aging for this kind of wine, as well as for cherry wood that has shown good aptitude

Germination rates and germination fractions of seeds can be predicted well by the hydrothermal time (HTT) model. Its four parameters hydrothermal time, minimum soil temperature, minimum soil moisture, and variation of minimum soil moisture, however, must be determined by lengthy germination experiments at combinations of several levels of soil temperature and moisture. For some applications of the HTT model it is more important to have approximate estimates for many species rather than exact values for only a few species. We suggest that minimum temperature and variation of minimum moisture can be estimated from literature data and expert knowledge. This allows to derive hydrothermal time and minimum moisture from existing data from germination experiments with one level of temperature and moisture. We applied our approach to a germination experiment comparing germination fractions of wild annual species along an aridity gradient in Israel. Using this simplified approach we estimated hydrothermal time and minimum moisture of 36 species. Comparison with exact data for three species shows that our method is a simple but effective method for obtaining parameters for the HTT model. Hydrothermal time and minimum moisture supposedly indicate climate related germination strategies. We tested whether these two parameters varied with the climate at the site where the seeds had been collected. We found no consistent variation with climate across species, suggesting that variation is more strongly controlled by site-specific factors.
Keimungsgeschwindigkeit und Anteil gekeimter Samen lassen sich gut mit dem Hydrothermalzeit-Modell bestimmen. Dessen vier Parameter Hydrothermalzeit, Mindesttemperatur, Mindestbodenfeuchte und Streuung der Mindestbodenfeuchte müssen jedoch durch aufwendige Keimungsversuche bei Kombinationen von mehreren Temperatur- und Feuchtigkeitsstufen bestimmt werden. Für manche Anwendungen des Hydrothermalzeit-Modells sind aber ungefähre Werte für viele Arten wichtiger als genaue Werte für wenige Arten. Wenn die Mindesttemperatur und die Streuung der Mindestfeuchte aus Veröffentlichungen und Expertenwissen geschätzt würde, können die Hydrothermalzeit und Mindestbodenfeuchte aus vorhandenen Daten von Keimungsversuchen mit nur einer Temperatur- und Feuchtigkeitsstufe berechnet werden. Wir haben unseren Ansatz auf einen Keimungsversuch zum Vergleich der Keimungsquote wilder einjähriger Arten entlang eines Trockenheitsgradienten in Israel angewendet. Mit diesem Ansatz bestimmten wir die Hydrothermalzeit und Mindestfeuchtigkeit von 36 Arten. Der Vergleich mit genauen Werten für drei Arten zeigt, dass mit unserem Ansatz Hydrothermalzeit-Parameter einfach und effektiv bestimmt werden können. Hydrothermalzeit und Mindestfeuchtigkeit sollten auch bestimmte klimabedingte Keimungsstrategien anzeigen. Deshalb testeten wir, ob diese zwei Parameter mit dem Klima am Ursprungsort der Samen zusammenhängen. Wir fanden jedoch keinen für alle Arten übereinstimmenden Zusammenhang, so dass die Unterschiede vermutlich stärker durch standörtliche als durch klimatische Ursachen hervorgerufen werden.

Africa's miombo woodlands constitute one of the most important dry tropical forests on earth, yet the hydraulic function of these woodlands remains poorly researched. Given the current predictions of increased aridity by the end of this century in the miombo ecoregion, understanding the likely response of miombo woodlands tree species to water stress is crucial in planning adaptation strategies. Predicting the response of miombo woodlands to future climate trends is hampered by a lack of knowledge on the physiology of the common miombo woodlands tree species. In particular, plant-water relations for this woodlands type are not well understood. An understanding of plant-water relations for this woodlands type will provide insights into how water limits tree species distribution in this ecosystem. This will also improve our prediction model on the likely response of this ecosystem to predicted climate change. For this reason, the overall objective of this research was to evaluate the hydraulic architecture and xylem vulnerability to cavitation for nine principal miombo woodlands tree species differing in drought tolerance ability and habitat preference. This was achieved by; examining the hydraulic properties and evaluating the extent to which each hydraulic design was vulnerable to water stress-induced xylem cavitation; investigating how seasonal changes in plant-water relations influences seasonal patterns of leaf display and; analyzing the relationship between stem hydraulic supply and leaf functional traits related to drought tolerance ability. This research has found that drought-intolerant tree species with mesic specialization have more efficient stem hydraulic systems than co-occurring habitat broad ranging species. Broad ranging tree species attain wider habitat distribution by adjusting their hydraulic supply in response to changing ecosystem water availability. The finding that hydraulic properties differ significantly between tree species with contrasting habitat preference suggests that tree hydraulic design may have some adaptive ecological role in influencing species habitat preferences in miombo woodlands. The evaluation of xylem vulnerability to cavitation revealed that mesic specialized tree species were more vulnerable to water stress-induced cavitation than habitat broad ranging tree species. Vulnerability to cavitation in individuals from the same broad-ranging species growing in contrasting habitats showed only marginal and statistically insignificant (P > 0.05) differences between wet and dry sites. In the investigation of the influence of seasonal changes in stem water relations on seasonal leaf display, seasonal rhythms in stem water status were found to exert significant controls on leaf phenology. Mesic specialists had strong stem water controls throughout the year in comparison to broad ranging tree species. An analysis of the relationship between stem hydraulic supply and leaf functional traits suggests that stem hydraulic supply constrains leaf biomass allocation patterns among miombo tree species. Mesic specialists tend to invest more in leaf longevity than broad ranging tree species. This thesis has uncovered some interesting relationships between plant-water-relations and the distribution of miombo woodlands tree species. These results lead to the conclusion that in an event of increased ecosystem drying under future climate trends, tree species with mesic specialisation are at a greater risk of experiencing cavitation related species mortality than broad ranging ones.

Mestrado em Viticultura e Enologia / Instituto Superior de Agronomia / Faculdade de Ciências. Universidade do Porto
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects that acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), cherry (Prunus avium), American and French oak (Quercus alba and Quercus petraea) wood chips and the evolution of the phenolic composition and sensorial properties of a rose wine made from Touriga Nacional grape variety during a storage period of 20 days. Chemical analysis were carried out: total phenols, flavonoid and non-flavonoid phenols, chromatic characteristics and tanning power. At the end of the assay a sensory analysis was performed. Three sensorial parameters group were considered: aspect, aroma and taste. The results showed some statistical significant differences in most of the phenolic parameters, mainly in the wines without fining. Thus, it was possible to conclude that there are differences between the impact of different botanic species used. In particular, acacia wood chips thus, the results suggest a significant impact on phenolic content of rose wine during the short period of stage, by the use of acacia wood chips. Concerning to sensorial analysis, two situations could be observed: a slight preference for the wine treated with cherry wood chips – without fining. On the other hand, there was a slight preference for the control wine (without added wood) – after fining
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A tecnologia tradicional de envelhecimento de aguardentes vínicas,em vasilha de madeira, envolve um custo elevado, devido ao longo período de contacto entre a madeirae a aguardente e à existência de uma perda significativa desta última por evaporação. A necessidade de reduzir o custo de investimento, justifica pois a procura de sistemas alternativos de envelhecimento.Como tal, o objetivo do presente trabalho consiste noestudo das características físico-químicas das madeiras de duas espécies botânicas (carvalho francês Limousin e o castanheiro), com queima média mais, utilizadas em simultâneo no envelhecimento deuma aguardente vínica Lourinhã nos sistemas tradicional (vasilhas de 650 L) e alternativo (aduelas colocadas em depósitos de aço inoxidável de 3000 L).Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que, embora a madeira destinada aos dois sistemas de envelhecimento tivesse teoricamente sido sujeita ao mesmo nível de queima, na prática o tratamento térmico foi mais intenso na madeira utilizada no sistema alternativo, originando maior acumulação de compostos extraíveis e, por consequência, uma cor mais evoluída, que se pode repercutir nas características da correspondente aguardente envelhecida. O tratamento térmico origina, em qualquer das espécies botânicas, um aumento substancial do índice de polifenóis totais, do extrato seco e da maioria dos compostos de massa molecular baixa, com particular incidência nos aldeídos furânicos; Phenolic composition andchromatic characteristicsof Limousin oak wood and chestnut wood used as wooden barrels and staves in the ageing of wine brandy ABSTRACT: The traditional technology of wine brandies’ageing, using wooden barrels, involves a high cost due to the long period of contact between the wood and the brandy and to the significant loss of brandy by evaporation. It is necessary to reduce the cost of investment, which justifies the search for alternative ageing systems. As such, the aim of this work is the study of physical and chemical characteristics of the wood of two botanical species (Limousin oak and chestnut) with medium toasting used simultaneously in the ageing of a Lourinhã wine brandy in traditional system (650 L wooden barrels) and alternative system (stainless steel tanks with wood staves). The results obtained allow concluding that, although the wood used in the two systems theoretically had been subjected to the same toasting level, in the practice the heat treatment was more intense in the wood used in the alternative technology, resulting in a greater accumulation of extractable compounds and therefore more evolved colour that can influence the characteristics of the corresponding aged brandy.The heat treatment causes a strong increase of the total phenolic content, dry extract and of the majority of low molecular weight compounds, mainly of furanic derivatives, in both botanical species.

PAPER The possibilities of naturalization of rare and vanishing plants’ species are surveyed in master’s study The subject of research - The botanical gardens of Liskiava with the rare and vanishing plants’ species cultured and naturalized there. Objective of the research – Naturalized species of the plants: Turk’s-cap (Lilium martagon), medicinal angelica (Angelica archangelica), perennial satinflower (Lunaria rediviva), and ivy bedstraw (Hedera helix). Also the naturalization in site of rare plants is observed and estimated. Methods of study – Some studied plants were brought from their natural vegetation places, digging out it with the thickness of soil, some of then were sown from seeds: macro bloom finger-flower (Digitalis grandiflora), meadowy salvia (Salvia pratensis). The naturalization of these plants and capability to proliferate is also observed. Ecologist of Dzukija National park, Henrikas Gudavicius conduced to pursue the observation and researches, also rendered comprehensive information about the botanical gardens of Liskiava. Such possibilities of naturalization of rare and vanishing plants’ species were no studied in Lithuania. The conclusion could be done under the results of research: rare plants can be naturalized, just the proper place must be chosen and the observation is necessary during the first year. Keywords: National park of Dzukija, The botanical gardens of Liskiava, rare and vanishing plants’ species, naturalization.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Mississippi, 2009.
Typescript. Vita. Major professor: Dr. Ikhlas A. Khan Includes bibliographical references (leaves 277-303). Also available online via ProQuest to authorized users.

Mestrado Vinifera Euromaster - Viticulture and Enology - Instituto Superior de Agronomia
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of blends of wood from different botanical species in a white wine from Encruzado variety; the botanical species used in this study were French oak (Quercus peatraea), American oak (Quercus alba) and Cherry (Prunus avium) during a 60 days maceration period, with sampling done after 15, 30 and 60 days. The blends were obtained by combining 2 woods species in a ratio of 1:1, obtaining 3 blends; that is, Cherry and American oak (Ch+Am), French and American oak (Fr+Am), and Cherry and American oak (Ch+Am). In addition to these treatments 3 Control treatments were created by adding single wood of Cherry (CCh), American oak (CAm) and French oak (CFr), moreover a treatment without wood was kept (C). The amount of wood used was the same for all the treatments, that is 0,5 g/l. on the different sampling days were run both sensory analysis, by a panel of judges, evaluating aroma and taste parameters, and chemical analysis, that is, total phenols, non flavonoids and flavonoids phenols, color evolution, maderization test and tanning power. At the end of the experiment statistical analysis showed relevant data in almost all the analysis, for the chemical analysis cherry showed the highest level of total phenols and flavonoids, which is reflected also in the blends with other woods, while the French oak and its blends showed significant levels of non flavonoids phenols. The browning potential showed an decrease in wines in contact with wood except for CCh, while tanning power showed an increase in all the wines in contact with wood with the blend of cherry and American being the highest tannicity. In the sensory analysis we can observe how the global appreciation of the wines decrease with increasing maceration period with the wood both for the taste and aroma parameters, with C being the most appreciated wine at the last sampling, while the sampling of 15 and 30 days shows the wine with cherry and with American oak showing the highest values
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The relative contributions of biome history and geological setting to historical assembly of species richness in biodiversity hotspots remain poorly understood. The tropical Andes is one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots, and with its diverse biomes and the relatively recent but dramatic uplift, the Andes provides an ideal study system to address these questions. To gain insights into the historical species assembly of the tropical Andes, this study focuses on investigating patterns of plant species diversification in the Andean seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) biome. Three plant genera are used as study groups: Amicia (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae), Tecoma (Bignoniaceae), and Mimosa (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae). Species limits are re-evaluated to enable dense sampling of species and intraspecific diversity for phylogeny reconstruction for each group. Time-calibrated phylogenies for Amicia and Mimosa are presented and used to determine patterns of species diversification in time and space. For Tecoma, incongruence between nuclear and chloroplast gene trees precludes straightforward estimation of a species tree and this incongruence is attributed to possible reticulation caused by hybridization. Divergence time estimates and patterns of diversification for Amicia and Mimosa are compared with other Andean SDTF groups (Cyathostegia, Coursetia, Poissonia; Leguminosae) using isolation by distance and phylogenetic geographic structure analyses. Consistently deep divergences between sister species and high geographic structure across all five groups suggest that Andean SDTF lineages have persisted over the past 10 million years (My) with high endemism driven by dispersal limitation, caused by geographic isolation, following the most recent episode of rapid mountain uplift 5-10 My ago. This prolonged stasis of the Andean SDTF biome is in line with Miocene fossil and paleoclimate evidence. Finally, wider analyses of the contrasting evolutionary timescales of older SDTF and more recent high-altitude grassland diversity suggest that the exceptional plant species diversity in the Andes is the outcome of highly heterogeneous evolutionary histories reflecting the physiographical heterogeneity of the Andean biodiversity hotspot.

La variabilità genetica è un importante strumento per lo studio e la conservazione della biodiversità in specie rare e minacciate di estinzione. Durante il mio dottorato mi sono quindi occupata di mettere a punto diverse metodologie molecolari al fine di valutare la diversità genetica in due specie rare della flora italiana che presentano problematiche diverse e specifiche. I marcatori arbitrari RAPD e i marcatori semi-arbitrari ISSR sono stati utilizzati per valutare la diversità genetica in Quercus crenata Lam. e per confermare l’ipotesi della sua origine ibridogena dalle due specie presunte parentali Quercus cerris L. e Quercus suber L., essendo Q. crenata presente in Italia settentrionale dove Q. suber è attualmente assente. I marcatori SSR o microsatelliti sono invece stati messi a punto su una specie a rischio di estinzione, endemica dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano, Primula apennina Widmer, applicando una metodologia specifica, basata sulla costruzione di una libreria genomica arricchita per l’isolamento di primer specifici. I marcatori RAPD e ISSR, utilizzati su un totale di 85 campioni, hanno mostrato alti livelli di diversità molecolare entro le specie studiate, eccetto per Q. suber le cui popolazioni rappresentano il margine orientale di distribuzione della specie, per questo più sottoposte ad impoverimento genetico. Oltre alla cluster analysis (UPGMA) e alla Analisi delle Componenti Principali effettuate per entrambi i marcatori, che confermano l’ipotesi dell’origine ibrida degli individui di Q. crenata diffusi in Italia Settentrionale, sono stati calcolati l’indice di ibridità basato sul maximum likelihood, che dimostra una introgressione asimmetrica di Q. crenata verso il parentale caratterizzato da superiorità demografica (Q. cerris) e il test di Mantel. Quest’ultimo ha permesso di confrontare i due marcatori RAPD e ISSR utilizzati ottenendo una bassa correlazione, a conferma del fatto che, amplificando tratti differenti del DNA nucleare, i dati non sono sovrapponibili, sebbene forniscano risultati analoghi. Per l’isolamento di loci microsatelliti ipervariabili ho utilizzato il protocolllo FIASCO (Fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats- Zane et al. 2002) che permette di costruire una libreria genomica arricchita partendo dal DNA estratto da P. apennina. Tale procedura ha previsto la digestione del DNA genomico per la produzione di una miscela di frammenti di DNA. Tramite ibridazione con opportune sonde sono stati isolati i frammenti contenenti i microsatelliti. Sequenziando i cloni ricombinanti, ho ottenuto sequenze contenenti repeats sulle cui regioni fiancheggianti sono stati costruiti 15 coppie di primer che potranno, in seguito, essere utilizzate per definire la quota di riproduzione clonale in P. apennina e per valutare la diversità genetica delle popolazioni che coprono l’areale di distribuzione della specie. Data la loro natura altamente variabile e la loro abbondanza nel DNA, gli SSR saranno, come i marcatori RAPD e gli ISSR, ugualmente validi per lo studio della variabilità genetica e per l’analisi di problematiche specifiche legate alle specie rare.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Caribbean are one of the world’s ‘hottest’ ‘biodiversity hotspots’. However, this biodiversity continues to be threatened by habitat loss, and now, by climate change. The research reported here investigated the potential of species distribution modelling (SDM) as a plant conservation tool within Caribbean SIDS, using Trinidad as a case study. Prior to the application of SDM, ancillary analyses including: (i) quantification and mapping of forest cover change (1969 to 2007) and deforestation rates, and (ii) assessment of the island’s vegetation community distribution and associated drivers were carried out. Community distribution and commercial importance and global/regional rarity were used to generate a list of species for assessing the potential of SDM within Trinidad. Species occurrence data were used to generate species distribution models for present climate conditions within the SDM algorithm, MaxEnt. These results were assessed through expert appraisal and concurrence with results of ecological analyses. These models were used to forecast suitable species climate space forty years into an SRES A2 future. Present and future models were then combined to produce a ‘collective change map’ which showed projected areas of species’ range expansion, contraction or stability for this group of species with respect to Trinidad’s Protected Areas (PAs) network. Despite the models being indicative rather than accurate, it was concluded that species’ climate space is likely to decrease or disappear across Trinidad. Extended beyond Trinidad into the remainder of the Caribbean region, SDM may be a crucial tool in identifying which PAs within the region (and not individual islands) will facilitate future survival of given target species. Consideration of species conservation from a regional, rather than an individual island perspective, is strongly recommended for aiding the Caribbean SIDS to adapt in response to climate change.

Changes in intramuscular connective tissue brought about by conditioning were investigated in bovine muscles of different quality. Perimysial and endomysial collagens were solubilized to a small extent during conditioning and residual insoluble collagens in both connective tissue domains were damaged by proteolytic processing. Yields of soluble perimysial material from unconditioned muscles were significantly lower (p = 0.096) than from conditioned muscles. Solubilized perimysial collagen from unconditioned muscles was significantly lower (p = 0.015) than from conditioned muscles with 1±0.8 % of original collagen solubilized for unconditioned muscles and 3.4 ± 3.3 % for conditioned muscles. 87.5 % of the muscles examined showed an increase in percentage solubilized collagen due to conditioning. The main peptide components observed on analysis of insoluble perimysial fractions after CNBr digestion were derived from types I and III collagen. No changes were observed in the major peptide bands due to conditioning. Yields of soluble endomysial fractions representedo, n average,9 4.5 % of total extracted endomysial material for unconditioned muscles compared with 97.5 % for conditioned muscles. Soluble endomysial fractions contained, on average, 0.13 % collagen from unconditioned muscles and 0.22 % collagen from conditioned muscles. The main peptide components observed on analysis of insoluble endomysial fractions after CNBr-digestion were derived from types I and III collagen. Changes observed on the peptide maps, evident as the appearanceo f a number of new bandsf rom conditioned samples,a ppearedt o be muscle specific. % Type III collagen decreasedo n conditioning, indicating that endomysial type III collagen was preferentially destroyed during - conditioning. In model systems, insoluble perimysium treated with pepsin over 24 h resulted in little damage to the insoluble collagenous residue remaining. Insoluble perimysium treated with cathepsin resulted in changes to the major peptide bands on one-dimensional SDSpolyacrylamide gel electrophoresisw hich were evident after 24 h treatment. Two-dimensional peptide maps obtained from conditioned insoluble perimysium and from insoluble perimysium treated with cathepsin for 24 h were altered relative to the unconditioned insoluble perimysium, indicating proteolytic damage to high molecular weight fractions. The in vitro case was extreme, but was comparable with conditioned insoluble perimysium. In addition, new peptide material in conditioned perimysium and endomysium in the molecular weight range 40 000 to 50 000 was observed, while perimysial samples revealed loss of peptide material, due to conditioning. Percentage solubilized collagen was higher (p < 0.05) from three muscles of varying quality when pre-injected with 0.1 M lactic acid and conditioned from 1 to 14 days than from untreated muscles. Analysis of the high molecular weight collagen peptides from lactic acid treated muscles by two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealedi ncreasedin cidenceo f degradationi n this region comparedw ith untreated controls. Sensory profiling using quality descriptive analysis (QDA) was carried out on three muscles of varying quality, pre-injected with 0.1 M lactic acid and results compared with untreated muscles. The results obtained failed to correlate the observed biochemical changes due to lactic acid treatment with perceived textural changes in these muscles. However, variability of the taste panel scores contributed significantly to the results obtained.

The genus Cochlearia is a taxonomically complex genus with a circumpolar distribution. In common with many other post-glacial colonisers it exhibits complex patterns of morphological and ecological variation. The genus has been the subject of continued taxonomic controversy, especially within the species complex C. officinalis s.l. The focus of this study was to investigate whether the three rare putative endemic Cochlearia officinalis s.l. taxa in Britain: C. micacea, C. officinalis subsp. scotica and C. atlantica were sufficiently distinctive to warrant endemic species or taxon status at any rank. Furthermore, to make conservation recommendations for the species complex based on the outcome of this investigation. The patterns of differentiation in Cochlearia were studied to gain insight into the processes that have driven morphological and ecological diversification in the group. The six putative taxa in Cochlearia officinalis s.l. were considered in this study: C. officinalis s.s., C. officinalis subsp. scotica, C. pyrenaica subsp. pyrenaica, C. pyrenaica subsp. alpina, C. atlantica and C. micacea. Samples of C. danica, a member of the wider genus Cochlearia, were also included for comparison. The samples were screened for variation in AFLP fragments, morphological characters and chloroplast haplotypes. This is the first study focussed on the British Cochlearia to use the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. Many qualitative morphological characters differences between populations were maintained in cultivation under standard conditions. Variation in some quantitative morphological characters was significantly different between taxon groups. The morphological characters combined did not distinguish between taxonomic groups. Variation was found in samples from the uplands only. Although there were three chloroplast haplotypes all but 6 out of 96 samples had the same haplotype and the chloroplast was not taxonomically informative. The AFLP data did not vary significantly between taxonomic groups, ploidy levels, habitats or geographical regions. There was significant AFLP variation between populations. The morphological and ecological diversity present among populations of Cochlearia officinalis s.l. in Britain is most likely to result from local ecotypic differentiation. The variation in Cochlearia officinalis s.l. could not be divided satisfactorily into taxa of species rank and so specific conservation of taxa within the complex is not recommended. Instead the maintenance of Cochlearia diversity can be achieved by the continued protection of the habitats in which the ecotypes grow.

Lo studio condotto si propone l’approfondimento delle conoscenze sui processi di evoluzione spontanea di comunità vegetali erbacee di origine secondaria in cinque siti all’interno di un’area protetta del Parco di Monte Sole (Bologna, Italia), dove, come molte aree rurali marginali in Italia e in Europa, la cessazione o riduzione delle tradizionali pratiche gestionali negli ultimi cinquant’anni, ha determinato lo sviluppo di fitocenosi di ridotto valore floristico e produttivo. Tali siti si trovano in due aree distinte all’interno del parco, denominate Zannini e Stanzano, selezionate in quanto rappresentative di situazioni di comunità del Mesobrometo. Due siti appartenenti alla prima area e uno appartenente alla seconda, sono gestiti con sfalcio annuale, i rimanenti non hanno nessun tipo di gestione. Lo stato delle comunità erbacee di tali siti è stato valutato secondo più punti di vista. E’ stata fatta una caratterizzazione vegetazionale dei siti, mediante rilievo lineare secondo la metodologia Daget-Poissonet, permettendo una prima valutazione relativa al numero di specie presenti e alla loro abbondanza all’interno della comunità vegetale, determinando i Contributi Specifici delle famiglie principali e delle specie dominanti (B. pinnatum, B. erectus e D. glomerata). La produttività è stata calcolata utilizzando un indice di qualità foraggera, il Valore Pastorale, e con la determinazione della produzione di Fitomassa totale, Fitomassa fotosintetizzante e Necromassa. A questo proposito sono state trovate correlazioni negative tra la presenza di Graminacee, in particolare di B. pinnatum, e i Contributi Specifici delle altre specie, soprattutto a causa dello spesso strato di fitomassa e necromassa prodotto dallo stesso B. pinnatum che impedisce meccanicamente l’insediamento e la crescita di altre piante. E’ stata inoltre approfonditamente sviluppata un terza caratterizzazione, che si propone di quantificare la diversità funzionale dei siti medesimi, interpretando le risposte della vegetazione a fattori globali di cambiamento, sia abiotici che biotici, per cogliere gli effetti delle variazioni ambientali in atto sulla comunità, e più in generale, sull’intero ecosistema. In particolare, nello studio condotto, sono stati proposti alcuni caratteri funzionali, cosiddetti functional traits, scelti perché correlati all’acquisizione e alla conservazione delle risorse, e quindi al trade-off dei nutrienti all’interno della pianta, ossia: Superficie Fogliare Specifica, SLA, Tenore di Sostanza Secca, LDMC, Concentrazione di Azoto Fogliare, LNC, Contenuto in Fibra, LFC, separato nelle componenti di Emicellulosa, Cellulosa, Lignina e Ceneri. Questi caratteri sono stati misurati in relazione a tre specie dominanti: B. pinnatum, B. erectus e D. glomerata. Si tratta di specie comunemente presenti nelle praterie semi-mesofile dell’Appennino Settentrionale, ma caratterizzate da differenti proprietà ecologiche e adattative: B. pinnatum e B. erectus sono considerati competitori stress-toleranti, tipicamente di ambienti poveri di risorse, mentre D. glomerata, è una specie più mesofila, caratteristica di ambienti produttivi. Attraverso l’analisi dei traits in riferimento alle diverse strategie di queste specie, sono stati descritti specifici adattamenti alle variazioni delle condizioni ambientali, ed in particolare in risposta al periodo di stress durante l’estate dovuto a deficit idrico e in risposta alla diversa modalità di gestione dei siti, ossia alla pratica o meno dello sfalcio annuale. Tra i caratteri funzionali esaminati, è stato identificato LDMC come il migliore per descrivere le specie, in quanto più facilmente misurabile, meno variabile, e direttamente correlato con altri traits come SLA e le componenti della fibra. E’ stato quindi proposto il calcolo di un indice globale per caratterizzare i siti in esame, che tenesse conto di tutti questi aspetti, riunendo insieme sia i parametri di tipo vegetativo e produttivo, che i parametri funzionali. Tale indice ha permesso di disporre i siti lungo un gradiente e di cogliere differenti risposte in relazione a variazioni stagionali tra primavera o autunno e in relazione al tipo di gestione, valutando le posizioni occupate dai siti stessi e la modalità dei loro eventuali spostamenti lungo questo gradiente. Al fine di chiarire se le variazioni dei traits rilevate fossero dovute ad adattamento fenotipico dei singoli individui alle condizioni ambientali, o piuttosto fossero dovute a differenziazione genotipica tra popolazioni cresciute in siti diversi, è stato proposto un esperimento in condizioni controllate. All’interno di un’area naturale in UK, le Chiltern Hills, sono stati selezionati cinque siti, caratterizzati da diverse età di abbandono: Bradenham Road MaiColtivato e Small Dean MaiColtivato, di cui non si conosce storia di coltivazione, caratterizzati rispettivamente da vegetazione arborea e arbustiva prevalente, Butterfly Bank 1970, non più coltivato dal 1970, oggi prateria seminaturale occasionalmente pascolata, Park Wood 2001, non più coltivato dal 2001, oggi prateria seminaturale mantenuta con sfalcio annuale, e infine Manor Farm Coltivato, attualmente arato e coltivato. L’esperimento è stato condotto facendo crescere i semi delle tre specie più comuni, B. sylvaticum, D. glomerata e H. lanatus provenienti dai primi quattro siti, e semi delle stesse specie acquistati commercialmente, nei cinque differenti tipi di suolo dei medesimi siti. Sono stati misurati quattro caratteri funzionali: Massa Radicale Secca (DRM), Massa Epigea Secca (DBM), Superficie Fogliare Secca (SLA) e Tenore di Sostanza Secca (LDMC). I risultati ottenuti hanno evidenziato che ci sono significative differenze tra le popolazioni di una stessa specie ma con diversa provenienza, e tra individui appartenenti alla stessa popolazione se fatti crescere in suoli diversi. Tuttavia, queste differenze, sembrano essere dovute ad adattamenti locali legati alla presenza di nutrienti, in particolare N e P, nel suolo piuttosto che a sostanziali variazioni genotipiche tra popolazioni. Anche per questi siti è stato costruito un gradiente sulla base dei quattro caratteri funzionali analizzati. La disposizione dei siti lungo il gradiente ha evidenziato tre gruppi distinti: i siti più giovani, Park Wood 2001 e Manor Farm Coltivato, nettamente separati da Butterfly Bank 1970, e seguiti infine da Small Dean MaiColtivato e Bradenham Road MaiColtivato. L’applicazione di un indice così proposto potrebbe rivelarsi un utile strumento per descrivere ed indagare lo stato della prateria e dei processi evolutivi in atto, al fine di meglio comprendere e dominare tali dinamiche per proporre sistemi di gestione che ne consentano la conservazione anche in assenza delle tradizionali cure colturali.

Abandoned croplands can be considered a new category of “scattered elements” of mountain landscapes. To gain deeper understanding of the conservation status (sensu EEC Directive 92/43) of abandoned cropland in the northern Apennines, we coupled the concepts of the social behavior type (SBT) and the functional assessment of plant communities. SBTs refer to behaviour and ecological attributes of species at a given observation level and allow the understanding of the plant community conservation status, while the functional approach may help in predicting changes of species composition along disturbance and stress gradients. We found that topographic and soil conditions drive the species assemblage in pastures after crop abandonment, but long-term abandonment does not lead per se to the recovery of the semi-natural grassland communities deemed worthy of conservation in the EEC Directive. It was mainly due to the lack of appropriate disturbance regimes that allows the spread of dominant tall herbs, which, in turn, reduces the site suitability for subordinate plants. Moreover, their spread fosters the presence of elements such as ruderals and fringe species. We conclude that, these abandoned croplands have a good potential to develop into Habitat of EU Directive but without appropriate management plans they will remain of low representativeness.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG
We conducted this study in order to evaluate the phenological, characterized physically and chemically characterize morphologically the fruits and plants of four varieties of botanical H. speciosa Gomes Cerrado. The study was conducted from june 2009 to august 2011, the germplasm bank Hancornia speciosa EA/UFG, located in Goiânia, GO whose geographical coordinates place: height 16 ° 35'39 "S, length 49 ° 17'07" W and 733 m level.The soil is oxisol, medium texture and smoothly undulating relief. According to Köppen, the climate is Aw. For all statistical analyzes we used the software R. Means were compared by the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability.In chapter three were evaluated fortnightly, phenology of 57 progenies of four botanical varieties mangaba tree. These events were divided into vegetative and reproductive phenophases. For evaluation, we used a scale ranging from zero through ten. The results indicate that the flowering mangaba tree occurs throughout the year, with greater intensity in the early summer. The renewal of the leaves of H. speciosa occurs at the end of the drought, at the peak of the reproductive phase, for all botanical varieties. The development and maturation of fruits occur in the period august-november until the beginning of summer. There is variation in the duration and time of occurrence of phenological events among botanical varieties. In chapter four evaluated the main physical and chemical characteristics of fruits of three botanical varieties (cuyabensis, gardneri and pubescens). The fruits of mangaba tree germplasm bank of H. speciosa EA/UFG place chemical patterns suitable for fresh consumption. H. speciosa var. pubescens had a higher potential for industrialization due to higher ATT. The varieties studied showed MF, solids, titratable acidity and pH above average for this species. The variety pubescens has larger fruit, higher mass, higher pulp yield, higher ATT, lower pH and SST/ATT. In chapter five morphologically characterized the four botanical varieties of mangaba tree the germplasm bank Hancornia speciosa EA/UFG. The biometric evaluations were: plant height (AP), height of the first fork (APB), number of bifurcations (NB) time of initiation of the canopy (AIC), stem diameter at 20 cm from the ground (DC) and Area canopy projection (APC). The results showed differences between the four botanical varieties mangaba tree in terms of AP, DC and APC. In varieties H. speciosa var. gardneri and H. speciosa var. cuyabensis predominate sized plants with higher bifurcations tallest, largest diameter and largest area of canopy projection. The variety pubescens has smaller plants, while the variety speciosa have lower stem diameter and crown APC.
Realizou-se o presente trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar os aspectos fenológicos, caracterizar física e quimicamente os frutos e caracterizar morfologicamente as plantas de quatro variedades botânicas de H. speciosa Gomes do Cerrado. O estudo foi realizado, no período de junho de 2009 a agosto de 2011, no banco de germoplasma de Hancornia speciosa da EA/UFG, localizado em Goiânia, GO, cujas coordenadas geográficas são: latitude 16°35’39” S, longitude 49°17’07” W e 733 m de altitude. O solo é o Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, de textura média e relevo suavemente ondulado. De acordo com Köppen, o clima da região é do tipo Aw. Para todas as análises estatísticas utilizou-se o aplicativo computacional R. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade. No capítulo três avaliaram-se,quinzenalmente,os eventos fenológicos de 57 progênies de quatro variedades botânicas de mangabeira. Estes eventos foram divididos em fenofases vegetativas e reprodutivas. Para a avaliação, usou-se uma escala de notas variando de zero a dez. Os resultados indicam que a folhação das mangabeiras ocorre durante todo o ano, com maior intensidade no início do verão. A renovação das folhas das mangabeiras ocorre no final da seca, no auge da fase reprodutiva, para todas as variedades botânicas. O desenvolvimento e a maturação dos frutos ocorrem no período de agosto a novembro até o início do verão. Há variação do período de duração e da época de ocorrência dos eventos fenológicos entre as variedades botânicas. No capítulo quatro avaliaram-se as principais características físicas e químicas de frutos de três variedades botânicas (cuyabensis, gardneri e pubescens). Os frutos das mangabeiras do banco de germoplasma de H. speciosa da EA/UFG possuem padrões químicos adequados para o consumo in natura. H. speciosa var.pubescens apresentou maior potencial para industrialização devido maior ATT. As variedades estudadas mostraram MF, SST, ATT e pH acima da média para esta espécie.A variedade pubescens possui frutos maiores, de maior massa, maior rendimento de polpa, maior ATT, menor pH e SST/ATT. No capítulo cinco caracterizaram-se morfologicamente as quatro variedades botânicas de mangabeiras do banco de germoplasma de Hancornia speciosa Gomes EA/UFG. As avaliações biométricas foram: Altura da planta (AP); altura da primeira bifurcação (APB); número de bifurcações (NB); altura do início da copa (AIC); diâmetro do caule a 20 cm do solo (DC) e Área de projeção da copa (APC). Os resultados mostraram que existem diferenças entre as quatro variedades botânicas de mangabeira em termos de AP, DC e APC. Nas variedades H. speciosa var. gardneri e H. speciosa var. cuyabensis predominam plantas com porte mais alto, bifurcações mais altas, maior diâmetro do caule e maior área de projeção da copa. A variedade pubescens possui plantas de menor porte, enquanto as da variedade speciosa possuem menor diâmetro do caule e área de projeção da copa.

A known method for the preservation of green foliage was adapted in order to preserve floral tissues, retaining the colour and texture, thereby providing a method suitable for the preservation of whole flowers. Initially, the effects of the existing foliage preservation process on floral tissues were studied and the resulting problems of limp sticky petals and colour loss were identified. Subsequently, with a knowledge of basic plant anatomy and of the properties of the main floral pigments, the anthocyanins, a series of experiments on petals and whole flowers were carried out in an attempt to rectify these problems and to incorporate the remedies into a method for preserving whole flowers. The problem of improving the texture and firmness of flower heads was tackled by investigating the effects of adding bulking or setting ingredients to the process fluid and establishing their optimum concentrations. In the case of flower colour, the addition of acid was required in order to maintain the bright anthocyanin colours and a range of acids was investigated. Furthermore, since it is known that in nature the anthocyanin pigments are stabilised by metal ions and copigments, the use of these agents in the preservation process was also considered. This empirical work was then validated by confirming the identity of the main pigments involved and by studying various aspects of the new preservation process. Factors examined included acid concentration, temperature, solvent composition and the addition of metal ions and copigments to solutions of petal extracts containing anthocyanin pigments. Physical changes resulting from processing, including process fluid content and the moisture absorption properties of processed petals were also measured. Finally, the application of a selection of coating materials was assessed in an attempt to increase the life span of the processed flowers by providing extra protection against environmental stresses.

Astro (Aster L.) gentis priklauso astrinių (Asteraceae) šeimai. Astro gentyje yra 250–300 rūšių. Lietuvoje savaime auga 1 astro rūšis, plačiau auginamos 6–8 introdukuotos rūšys. Astro genčiai priklauso daugiamečiai šakniastiebiniai augalai, užaugantus 15–150 cm aukščio. Žiedai susitelkę graižais, tuščiaviduriai ir pilnaviduriai, įvairių spalvų. Graižai įvairaus dydžio, pavieniai arba susitelkę į sudėtinius žiedynus. Lapai pražanginiai, lygiakraščiai, dantyti arba rinčiuoti. Darbo tikslas – išanalizuoti astro (Aster) genties įvairovę Šiaulių miesto gėlynuose ir išnagrinėti jų panaudojimo galimybes. Darbo tikslui pasiekti iškelti šie darbo uždaviniai: 1. Ištirti astro (Aster) genties augalų įvairovę Šiaulių miesto želdynuose; 2. Nustatyti astro (Aster) genties rūšių gausumą ir dažnumą želdynuose; 3. Įvertinti astrų gausumą skirtingų tipų želdynuose; 4. Įvertinti astrų panaudojimo galimybes želdynuose. Tyrimai atlikti 2011 m. liepos–rugsėjo mėnesiais. Pasirinktuose tyrimų vietose tirti visi želdyne (gėlynus ar kapavietėje) esantys žoliniai augalai. Tirta augalų sudėtis, nustatyta, kokią dalį gėlyne sudaro astro genties augalai. Tyrimų metu vertintas kiekvienos astrų rūšies gausumas, dekoratyvumas, registruojamas žydėjimo laikas ir trukmė, augalų aukštis. Astro genties augalai daugiausia auginami kapinėse. Viešosiose erdvėse esančiuose gėlynuose ir prie daugiabučių namų astrai naudojami negausiai. Jie sodinami nedidelėmis grupelėsmis, pavieniui ir eilutėse... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]
The genus aster (Aster L.), belonging to the Asteraceae family, includes from 250 to 300 species. In Lithuania one species of this genus is native and 6–8 introduced species are widely cultivated in ornamental plantations. Plants of the Aster genus are rootstock perennials, growing from 15 cm to 150 cm tall. Capitulae of the Aster genus have one to many whorls of ligular florets. Ligular florets are of various colours. Capituale of various sizes, single or clustered into compound inflorescences. Leaves are arranged alternately, simple, usually with serrated leaf-edge. The aim of this research was to evaluate diversity of the Aster genus in ornamental plantations of Šiauliai city and to estimate possibilities of their use for ornamental purposes. Following tasks were formulated: (1) to investigate diversity of the Aster genus in ornamental plantations of Šiauliai city; (2) to reveal frequency and abundance of Aster species in ornamental plantations of Šiauliai city; (3) to estimate abundance of Aster species in different types of ornamental plantations; (4) to evaluate possibilities of Aster use for ornamental purposes. The research was carried out during July–September, 2011. All herbaceous plants were registered in the selected areas (ornamental plantations and graves). Abundance of each aster species was estimated in an individual ornamental plantation as well as their height, ornamental value, time and duration of flowering were evaluated. Plants of... [to full text]

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-05T13:26:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gileno Vitor Mota Lima.pdf: 2181747 bytes, checksum: c8dd011d95738d15e850b0e9be7650fd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-27
Mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) is a fruit tree found in various regions of Brazil. It features a large adaptive plasticity and is exposed to different environmental conditions that may confer abiotic stress induced by several factors, influencing the composition and production of secondary metabolites of the plant, including latex.The protein metabolites (oxidases and proteases) present in the latex, can act as a defense mechanism, which involves ranging from environmental fluctuations to attacks by pathogens and predators. The secondary metabolites in plants are related to most of these therapeutic properties, making them a great source of drugs which have shown an incredible healing power in its natural state or as a source of new antimicrobial agents. The proteases are a class of enzymes which represent about 60% of the world market for enzymes. Proteases originating from plants have particular significance for medicine and industry, as exhibit activity in a wide range of temperature and pH. Proteases are one of the major ingredients of a wide variety of detergents from those used for household cleaning, even those used for cleaning contact lenses and dentures. Being that the majority of these proteases is used in formulations of powder detergents, accounting for around 25% of the total market of enzymes. Most of the production costs for a biological product is in the purification strategy. The aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) play a strategic role because the two phases are formed mainly (60-95%) by water which minimizes the possibility of denaturation and loss of biological activity, providing an effective and economically viable alternative to new bioprocesses. This study aimed to evaluate in vivo biochemical responses of three lattices access (PE, PB and RN) of mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) compared to water deficit due to rainfall variation, but also evaluate the biotechnological potential of latex of this specie. The latex of mangaba tree was collected in Experimental Station José Irineu Cabral, unit belonging to the State Company for Agricultural Research of Paraíba SA (EMEPA-PB) located in João Pessoa (PB), through incisions in the stem with cutting stainless steel material and subsequently stored under refrigeration at -20 °C until analysis. The activity of SOD, APX, CAT, PPO enzymes and the content of H2O2 was determined. For evaluation of antimicrobial activity, we created a standard solution of latex mangaba tree protected under BR 102013018181-1 (Patent Registration Request) number nine strains of bacteria were used: Escherichia coli (UFPEDA 224), Staphylococcus aureus (02 UFPEDA), Klebsiella pneumoniae (UFPEDA 396), Candida albicans (UFPEDA 1007), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (UFPEDA 416), Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis (UFPEDA 138), Bacillus subtilis (UFPEDA 86) and Staphylococcus aureus (32) (isolated from goat mastitis ) and twenty-eight isolates of Staphylococcus, with fourteen causes of cattle mastitis and the other fourteen isolates causing goat mastitis that were kept in test tubes containing Mueller-Hinton broth for 24 hours at 37 º C for subsequent inoculation on plates Petri. We evaluated the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). For the pre-purification and characterization of proteases of mangabeira latex was used ATPS (PEG-phosphate). Subsequently, we evaluated the compatibility and stability of the crude extract and pre-purified with commercial detergents. From the results obtained, highlights the potential use of latex for understanding the antioxidant metabolism of plants mangaba tree subjected to conditions of oxidative stress, but also to obtain products for industrial purposes, allowing the strengthening of veterinary and chemical poles at the regional and nationally.
A mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) é uma árvore frutífera encontrada em várias regiões do Brasil. Apresenta uma grande plasticidade adaptativa e está exposta a distintas condições ambientais que podem conferir estresse abiótico induzido por fatores diversos, exercendo influência na produção e composição dos metabólitos secundários do vegetal, dentre eles o látex. Os metabólitos proteicos (oxidases e proteases) presentes no látex, podem atuar como mecanismo de defesa, o qual envolve desde flutuações ambientais até ataques por patógenos e predadores. Os metabólitos secundários presentes nas plantas estão relacionados com a maioria das propriedades terapêuticas destas, tornando-as uma grande fonte de medicamentos os quais têm apresentado um incrível poder de cura no seu estado natural ou como fonte de novos agentes antimicrobianos. As proteases compõem uma classe de enzimas que representam cerca de 60% do mercado mundial de enzimas. As proteases originárias de vegetais possuem especial importância para a medicina e para a indústria, pois exibem atividade em ampla faixa de temperatura e pH. As proteases são um dos principais ingredientes de uma grande variedade de detergentes, desde aqueles usados para limpezas domésticas, até àqueles usados para limpeza de lentes de contato e próteses dentárias. Sendo que, a maior parte dessas proteases é utilizada em formulações de detergentes em pó, respondendo por aproximadamente 25% do mercado total de enzimas. A maioria dos custos de produção para um produto biológico reside na estratégia de purificação. Os sistemas de duas fases aquosas (SDFAs) desempenham um papel estratégico pois, as duas fases são formadas predominantemente (60-95%) por água o que minimiza a possibilidade de desnaturação ou perda da atividade biológica, constituindo uma alternativa eficaz e economicamente viável para novos bioprocessos. Este estudo, objetivou avaliar in vivo as respostas bioquímicas dos látices de três acessos (PE, PB e RN) de mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) frente ao déficit hídrico decorrente da variação pluviométrica, como também avaliar o potencial biotecnológico do látex desta espécie. O látex de mangabeira foi coletado na Estação Experimental José Irineu Cabral, unidade pertencente à Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária da Paraíba S.A. (EMEPA-PB) localizada em João Pessoa (PB), através de incisões no caule com auxílio de material cortante de aço inoxidável, e posteriormente armazenado sob refrigeração à -20°C até o momento das análises. Determinou-se a atividade das enzimas SOD, APX, CAT, PPO e do teor de H2O2. Para avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana, foi elaborada uma solução padrão do látex de mangabeira protegida sob o número BR 102013018181-1 (Pedido de Registro de Patente); foram utilizadas nove cepas de bactérias: Escherichia coli (UFPEDA 224), Staphylococcus aureus (UFPEDA 02), Klebsiella pneumoniae (UFPEDA 396), Candida albicans (UFPEDA 1007), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (UFPEDA 416), Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis (UFPEDA 138), Bacillus subitilis (UFPEDA 86) e Staphylococcus aureus (32) (isolado de mastite caprina) e vinte e oito isolados do gênero Staphylococcus, sendo quatorze causadores da mastite bovina e os outros catorze isolados causadores da mastite caprina que foram mantidos em tubos de ensaio contendo caldo Mueller-Hinton por 24 horas em temperatura de 37ºC para posterior inoculação nas placas de Petri. Avaliou-se a concentração mínima inibitória (CMI) e concentração bactericida mínima (CBM). Para a caracterização e a pré-purificação de proteases do látex de mangabeira, utilizou-se SDFA (PEG-Fosfato). Posteriormente, avaliou-se a compatibilidade e estabilidade do extrato bruto e pré-purificado com detergentes comerciais. A partir dos resultados obtidos, evidencia-se a potencialidade da utilização do látex para a compreensão do metabolismo antioxidativo de plantas de mangabeira submetidas à condições de estresse oxidativo, como também a obtenção de produtos com fins industriais, possibilitando o fortalecimento dos pólos veterinário e químico em âmbito regional e nacional.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-06-27T12:07:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciana dos Santos Dias de Oliveira (1).pdf: 3038580 bytes, checksum: da35bac4dbaffa7d8a84d659743e766d (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-27T12:07:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciana dos Santos Dias de Oliveira (1).pdf: 3038580 bytes, checksum: da35bac4dbaffa7d8a84d659743e766d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-26
Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Hippomaneae is one of the most diverse and complex tribes of Euphorbioideae subfamily (Euphorbiaceae). Of its 33 genera, about 10 have not yet been reviewed and with problematic boundaries. Among these, stood out Gymnanthes to be considered one of the most difficult taxonomy of genera of the tribe, as a result of intra- and intergeneric limits poorly understood and present several nomenclatural and classification problems. In this sense, this thesis aimed to review the neotropical species of Gymnanthes from the morphological analysis. We examined about 5,000 specimens from 93 herbaria, of which 36 were visited, and specimens collected in the field. The results are presented in the form of four papers. (1) In the study of taxonomic revision, a new constituency for Gymnanthes is hereby established which shall comprise 16 species versus the 45 estimated in previous treatments. Of these, 12 species are found in the Neotropics, two in Africa and two in Asia, with the greatest diversity in Central America (8 spp). 26 are proposed sinonimizações five new combinations lectotipificações and 27, and a neotype. Eight names were excluded from the concept of Gymnanthes and transferred to Actinostemon. (2) In the second manuscript, was performed to lectotipificação of Gymnanthes klotzschiana and the transfer of Actinostemon unciformis for your concept. (3) Based on the analysis of species Actinostemon, gender near Gymnanthes, was described in the third article, the species A. roselii. This is easily recognized by the size of staminate címulas bracts, the globoid leaf buds and in the presence of sepals staminate flowers and pistillate. Finally, (4) the last item brought the mapping of the geographical distribution of Gymnanthes boticario, a well-collected species, but just described. It was observed that Gymnanthes boticario shows a distribution pattern associated with semi-arid environments, more precisely the dry forests. A correlation of their distribution with the theory of Pleistocenic Arc was still drawn. It was found that G. boticario supports the Pleistocene theory by presenting a pattern of disjunct distribution within the field of dry forests. Were also cited the first G. boticario records in Bolivia, Paraguay and the Pantanal hillside forests (Mato Grosso do South). The work also addressed the fact that the new species to be described are not necessarily rare or endemic taxa strictly, as reported in the literature. Although Gymnanthes boticario have been described recently (2010), were found by the year of its publication, 81 fish over 18 herbal over 50 duplicates found in 21 institutions, resulting in a total of 131 herbarium specimens distributed in 25 herbaria six different countries (Germany, Bolivia, Brazil, USA, UK and Switzerland). Soon, G. boticario is a common kind of example and well collected that took a long time to be recognized as a new taxon, showing that the new species remain to be described are not necessarily endemic or remote areas with difficult access.
Hippomaneae é uma das tribos mais diversas e complexas da subfamília Euphorbioideae (Euphorbiaceae). Dos seus 33 gêneros, cerca de 10 ainda não foram revisados e apresentam delimitações problemáticas. Dentre estes, destacava-se Gymnanthes por ser considerado um dos gêneros de taxonomia mais difícil da tribo, em decorrência de limites intra e intergenéricos pouco compreendidos e por apresentar diversos problemas nomenclaturais e de tipificação. Neste sentido, a presente tese teve como objetivo revisar as espécies neotropicais de Gymnanthes a partir da análise morfológica. Foram examinados cerca de 5.000 exemplares provenientes de 93 herbários, dos quais 36 foram visitados, além de espécimes coletados em campo. Os resultados são apresentados na forma de quatro artigos científicos. (1) No estudo de revisão taxonômica, uma nova circunscrição para Gymnanthes é aqui estabelecida que passa a compreender 16 espécies em contraposição as 45 estimadas em tratamentos anteriores. Dessas, 12 espécies são encontradas nos Neotrópicos, duas na África e duas na Ásia, com maior diversidade na América Central (8 spp). São propostas 26 sinonimizações, cinco novas combinações e 27 lectotipificações, além de um neótipo. Oito nomes foram excluídos do conceito de Gymnanthes e transferidos para Actinostemon. (2) No segundo manuscrito, foi procedida a lectotipificação de Gymnanthes klotzschiana e a transferência de Actinostemon unciformis para o seu conceito. (3) A partir da análise de espécies de Actinostemon, gênero próximo de Gymnanthes, foi descrito, no terceiro artigo, a espécie A. roselii. Esta é facilmente reconhecida pelo tamanho das brácteas das címulas estaminadas, pelas gemas foliares globoides e pela presença de sépalas nas flores estaminadas e pistiladas. Por fim, (4) o último artigo trouxe o mapeamento da distribuição geográfica de Gymnanthes boticario, uma espécie bem coletada, mas recém-descrita. Foi observado que Gymnanthes boticario apresenta um padrão de distribuição associado a ambientes semiáridos, mais precisamente as Florestas Secas. Uma correlação da sua distribuição com a teoria do Arco Pleistocênico foi ainda traçada. Verificou-se que G. boticario corrobora a teoria pleistocênica por apresentar um padrão de distribuição disjunto dentro do domínio das Florestas Secas. Foram ainda citados os primeiros registros de G. boticario na Bolívia, Paraguai e para as florestas de encosta do Pantanal (Mato Grosso do Sul). O trabalho também abordou o fato de que as novas espécies a serem descritas não são necessariamente táxons raros ou estritamente endêmicos, como relatado na literatura. Apesar de Gymnanthes boticario ter sido descrita recentemente (2010), foram encontrados, até o ano da sua publicação, 81 espécimes distribuídos em 18 herbários com mais de 50 duplicatas encontradas em 21 instituições, resultando num total de 131 exsicatas distribuídas em 25 herbários de seis países diferentes (Alemanha, Bolívia, Brasil, Estados Unidos, Inglaterra e Suíça). Logo, G. boticario é um exemplo de espécie comum e bem coletada que levou muito tempo para ser reconhecida como um novo táxon, demostrando que as espécies novas que ainda restam para serem descritas não são necessariamente endêmicas ou de áreas distantes e de difícil acesso.

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Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-05-15T14:21:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Eduardo Borges Rodrigues - 2015.pdf: 9125697 bytes, checksum: ed8c8884fa466f6ff0b1386e98f326df (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-15T14:21:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Eduardo Borges Rodrigues - 2015.pdf: 9125697 bytes, checksum: ed8c8884fa466f6ff0b1386e98f326df (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-11
Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Due to constant degradation, populations of plants in the Cerrado may be losing genetic variability, thereby them to stay in their natural habitat may be compromised. Aiming to generate useful genetic information for the implementation of conservation programs in situ and ex situ to Hancornia speciosa Gomes (mangabeira), this study aimed to evaluate the genetic structure of populations in H. speciosa occurring in the Cerrado, contributing to the knowledge genetic and spatial patterns related to geographic distribution and genetic differentiation between botanical varieties. In the first chapter it evaluated the magnitude of genetic diversity levels four botanical varieties of the species, and also the genetic divergence between them. As a result, it was observed that there is a high genetic diversity (He = 0.636), the assessed loci. The average values of genetic diversity observed heterozygosity, inbreeding coefficient intrapopulation and allelic richness were not significant, showing that there is no difference of these genetic parameters compared the botanical varieties of H. speciosa. And despite the variation between varieties to be significant (FCT = 0.027; p = 0.017) greater differentiation is between populations within varieties (FSC = 0.104; p <0.001) and in independent populations of varieties (FST = 0.131; p <0.001). The variety H. speciosa var. speciosa presents with the botanical variety genetically most divergent, then the variety H. speciosa var. cuyabensis. Phenotypic plasticity may be contributing to differentiate between botanical varieties. In the second chapter, the genetic variability within and among populations of H. speciosa throughout the Brazilian Cerrado was evaluated and, if there is spatial pattern of genetic variability on a regional scale, along the geographical distribution of the species. As a result, it was observed that populations have high genetic variability and significant inbreeding (f = 0.103) due crosses between unrelated individuals. The genetic differentiation between populations was moderate to high, but significant (θ = 0.126; RST = 0.253). The differentiation of populations occurred as a result of isolation by distance. Populations with distance up to 280m were more similar than expected by chance. There were significant signs of genetic bottleneck for some natural populations of mangabeira. In the third chapter, it was shown as conservation planning procedures can be used to establish optimal strategies of conservation in situ and ex situ of a single species, using H. speciosa, a species widely distributed in the Brazilian Cerrado, as a case study. Nine populations were selected as priorities for conservation in situ and another seven were considered ideals in addition to the genetic variability of the germplasm collection of the Universidade Federal de Goiás.
Devido à constante degradação, as populações de plantas no Cerrado podem estar perdendo variabilidade genética, com isso, a permanência delas em seu habitat natural pode ser comprometida. Visando gerar informações genéticas úteis para a implantação de programas de conservação in situ e ex situ para Hancornia speciosa Gomes (mangabeira), este trabalho teve como objetivo geral avaliar a estrutura genética nas populações de H. speciosa com ocorrência no Cerrado, contribuindo para o conhecimento dos padrões genéticos e espaciais relacionados à distribuição geográfica e diferenciação genética entre as variedades botânicas. No primeiro capítulo foi avaliada a magnitude dos níveis de diversidade genética de quatro variedades botânicas da espécie, e ainda, a divergência genética entre elas. Como resultado, foi observado que existe elevada variabilidade genética (He = 0,636), nos locos avaliados. Os valores médios de diversidade genética, heterozigosidade observada, coeficiente de endogamia intrapopulacional e riqueza alélica não foram significativos, demonstrando que não há diferença desses parâmetros genéticos quando comparadas as variedades botânicas de H. speciosa. E apesar da variação entre variedades ser significativa (FCT = 0,027; p = 0,017) a maior diferenciação está entre populações dentro de variedades (FSC = 0,104; p < 0,001) e em populações independentes das variedades (FST = 0,131; p < 0,001). A variedade H. speciosa var. speciosa se apresenta com a variedade botânica geneticamente mais divergente, seguida da variedade H. speciosa var. cuyabensis. A plasticidade fenotípica pode estar contribuindo para diferenciação entre as variedades botânicas. No segundo capítulo, foi avaliada a variabilidade genética dentro e entre populações de H. speciosa em todo Cerrado brasileiro, bem como, se existe padrão espacial da variabilidade genética em uma escala regional, ao longo da área de distribuição geográfica da espécie. Como resultado, foi observado que as populações possuem alta variabilidade genética e endogamia significativa (f = 0,103), devido os cruzamentos entre indivíduos aparentados. A diferenciação genética entre as populações foi de moderada a alta, porém significativa (θ = 0,126; RST = 0,253). A diferenciação das populações ocorreu em decorrência do isolamento por distância. As populações com distância de até 280m foram mais semelhantes que o esperado ao acaso. Houve sinais significativos de gargalo genético para algumas populações naturais de mangabeira. No terceiro capítulo, foi demonstrado como procedimentos de planejamento de conservação podem ser utilizados para estabelecer estratégias ótimas de conservação in situ e ex situ de uma única espécie, utilizando H. speciosa, uma espécie amplamente distribuída no Cerrado brasileiro, como um estudo de caso. Nove populações foram selecionadas como prioritárias para conservação in situ e outras sete foram consideradas ideais para complementar a variabilidade genética da coleção de germoplasma da Universidade Federal de Goiás.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-09-19T18:05:12Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Mayara Cristina Gomes de Faria - 2016.pdf: 8381719 bytes, checksum: e21b1409155b638b13959bc6c5c60f9e (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)
Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-09-20T11:55:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Mayara Cristina Gomes de Faria - 2016.pdf: 8381719 bytes, checksum: e21b1409155b638b13959bc6c5c60f9e (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-20T11:55:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Mayara Cristina Gomes de Faria - 2016.pdf: 8381719 bytes, checksum: e21b1409155b638b13959bc6c5c60f9e (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-25
Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq
In Cerrado there are about 6.500 species of woody flora, more than 40% are endemic, little known and poorly studied from the point of wood quality. The objective of this study is to determine timber potential from tree species that belongs to Cerrado biome, aiming the correct utilization to support sustainable forest management. Twenty two (22) woody species were selected for sampling, when radial trunk nondestructive samples (at diameter at breast height - DBH) were taken, using a increment probe and a motorized extractor metal probe. In the collected samples, the following variables were evaluated: wood density by x-ray densitometry and anatomical characteristics (dimensions of the vessels and fibers) and energy (carbon, ash and volatiles). Minimum wood density ranged from 0,36 to 0,72 g / cm³, while the maximum from 0,75 to 1,21 g / cm³. Radial profiles of density variation of the species showed two different patterns, being them crescent or stable in the direction of pith-bark. Studied species showed a variation of 900,5 to 2052,9 μm to length; 18,1 to 27,7 μm for width; 4,4 to 9,4 μm for the wall thickness and from 3,5 to 16,3 μm for the lumen diameter of the fibers. The species show between them, a common model of radial variation to the length and thickness of the fibers while the lumen diameter and width of the fibers have no common models between the species. For vessels the variation ranged from 29,2 to 155,6 μm for their diameter; 17,7 to 32,5% of occupied area and 2,6 to 165 vessels/mm². Density showed correlation with cell wall thickness of fibers, vessel diameter and percentage of area occupied by these. For the energy characteristics, the species show a variation of 74,0 to 83,7% for volatile materials content, 0,1 to 1,8% for ash content and 15,5 to 25,5% for fixed carbon content. Energy characteristics ash content, fixed carbon and volatiles are responsible for 70% of the data variance from principal component analysis data. Technological characterization of the wood were important tools for directing possible uses of the species and it can be considered as subsidies for future work and for sustainable forest management of timber forest resources, contributing to the diversification of exploited species and decrease the pressure on those who are at risk of extinction.
No Cerrado existem cerca de 6.500 espécies da flora lenhosa, sendo mais de 40% endêmicas e que são pouco conhecidas e estudadas do ponto de vista da qualidade da madeira. O objetivo da pesquisa é determinar o potencial madeireiro de espécies arbóreas do bioma Cerrado, visando a utilização correta para subsidiar o manejo florestal sustentável. Foram selecionadas 22 espécies arbóreas para a retirada de amostras radiais do tronco na altura do DAP (1,30 m) de forma não destrutiva, utilizando-se a sonda de incremento e a sonda metálica com extrator motorizado. Nas amostras coletadas foram avaliadas a densidade aparente por densitometria de raios X e as características anatômicas (dimensões dos vasos e fibras) e energéticas (teores de carbono, cinzas e voláteis). A densidade aparente mínima variou de 0,36-0,72 g/cm³, enquanto a máxima de 0,75-1,21 g/cm³. Os perfis radiais de variação da densidade aparente das espécies apresentaram dois diferentes padrões, sendo eles crescente ou estável na direção medula-casca. As espécies estudadas apresentaram uma variação de 900,5-2052,9 μm para o comprimento; 18,1-27,7 μm para a largura; 4,4-9,4 μm para espessura da parede e 3,5-16,3 μm para o diâmetro do lume das fibras. As espécies possuem entre elas um modelo de variação radial comum para o comprimento e espessura das fibras enquanto que o diâmetro do lume e largura das fibras não apresentam modelos comuns entre as espécies. Para os vasos a variação foi de 29,2-155,6 μm para o diâmetro; 17,7-32,5 % de área ocupada e 2,6-165 vasos/mm². A densidade apresentou correlações com a espessura da parede celular das fibras, diâmetro dos vasos e porcentagem de área ocupada por estes. Para as características energéticas as espécies apresentaram uma variação de 74,0-83,7% para o teor de materiais voláteis, 0,1-1,8% para o teor de cinzas e 15,5-25,5% para o teor de carbono fixo. As características energéticas teor de cinzas, carbono fixo e materiais voláteis são responsáveis por 70% da variância do conjunto de dados da análise de componentes principais. As caracterizações tecnológicas da madeira foram ferramentas importantes para o direcionamento de possíveis utilizações das espécies e serão subsídios para trabalhos futuros e para o manejo florestal sustentável dos recursos florestais madeireiros, contribuindo com a diversificação das espécies exploradas e diminuição da pressão sobre aquelas que estão em risco de extinção.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-06-29T13:52:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Luiza da Silva.pdf: 1369807 bytes, checksum: 27a12fb618790d4807325a30dfc6fc12 (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-29T13:52:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Luiza da Silva.pdf: 1369807 bytes, checksum: 27a12fb618790d4807325a30dfc6fc12 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-10
Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq
Eichhornia is a Neotropical genus belonging to the family Pontederiaceae. It occurs in aquatic environments with outstanding ecological importance. Chromosome studies in the genus are scarce, limited to the description chromosome numbers. This study aimed to analyze four species of Eichhornia, by conventional Giemsa staining, fluorochrome staining with CMA and DAPI and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), to characterize the karyotypes and define numerical or structural karyotypic polymorphisms that could contribute to interspecific differentiation between these four species and the understanding of chromosome evolution of the genus Eichhornia. All species have small chromosomes and symmetrical karyotypes, from 0.73 μm in E. crassipes to 2.94 μm in E. heterosperma and predominantly metacentric. Chromosomal counts were 2n = 32 for E. crassipes, 2n = 30 for E. heterosperma, 2n = 28 for E. diversifolia and 2n = 16 for E. paniculata. The investigated species showed interphase nuclei ranging from areticulate to semi-reticulate and proximal early condensation in prophase chromosomes with most intense staining in pericentromeric regions. The CMA/DAPI staining revealed CMA+/DAPI- bands that were co-localized with 45S rDNA sites in terminal regions. Two signals were observed for E. heterosperma and E. diversifolia, and four signals in E. paniculata and E. crassipes, although six CMA+ signals were observed in the latter species. The 5S rDNA did not vary in the number of sites but in position. Two sites were observed in the terminal region in E. paniculata and in the pericentromeric region in the other species. Chromosomal inversion and dysploidy were suggested to explain the non-colinearity of 5S rDNA sites.
Eichhornia é um gênero Neotropical pertencente à família Pontederiaceae. Ocorre em ambientes aquáticos com destacada importância ecológica. Estudos cromossômicos em espécies do gênero são escassos, limitando-se a descrição da quantidade de cromossomos. O presente trabalho teve como finalidade analisar quatro espécies de Eichhornia através da coloração convencional com Giemsa, com os fluorocromos CMA e DAPI e pela hibridização in situ fluorescente (FISH), visando caracterizar os cariótipos e definir polimorfismos cariotípicos numéricos ou estruturais que contribuam para a diferenciação interespecífica entre essas quatro espécies e para a compreensão da evolução cromossômica do gênero Eichhornia. Todas as espécies apresentaram cromossomos pequenos e cariótipos simétricos, medindo desde 0.73 μm em E. crassipes a 2.94 μm em E. heterosperma e cromossomos predominantemente metacêntricos. As contagens cromossômicas foram 2n = 32 para E. crassipes, 2n = 30 para E. heterosperma, 2n = 28 para E. diversifolia e 2n = 16 para E. paniculata. As espécies investigadas apresentaram núcleos interfásicos variando de arreticulados a semi-reticulados e cromossomos com condensação profásica proximal com coloração mais intensa na região pericentromérica. A coloração CMA/DAPI revelou bandas do tipo CMA+/DAPI- que foram co-localizadas com os sítios de DNAr 45S nas regiões distais. Dois sinais foram observados para E. heterosperma e E. diversifolia e quatro sinais em E. paniculata e em E. crassipes, embora tenham sido observados seis sinais CMA+ nesta última espécie. O DNAr 5S não variou em número de sítios, mas em posição. Dois sítios foram observados na região terminal em E. paniculata e na região pericentromérica das demais espécies. Eventos de inversão e disploidia cromossômica foram sugeridos para explicar a não colinearidade dos sítios de DNAr 5S.

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Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Plant-pollinator interactions in syncronopatric species of Psychotria (Rubiaceae). Psychotria species are commonly found in the understory of forested areas in tropical regions, and are important components for the functioning of these ecosystems. Many species of the genus are sympatric and bloom during the same period, being considered potentially syncronopatrics. For this reason, this genus has been considered as a good model to infer general patterns and mechanisms of speciation in the tropics. In the first paper of this dissertation, the interactions between potentially sympatric species of Psychotria and their pollinators were analyzed in order to verify the possible existence of sharing, specialization or generalization of pollinators and plants in the analyzed system. Then, data of secondary studies that contained identifying pollinators of Psychotria were analyzed From these data, we generated graphs and analyzes of interaction networks and niche overlap. Altogether, nine species of Psychotria and 25 species of pollinators of occurrence in the Atlantic Forest were included in the analyzes. The plant with the most generalist network is Psychotria tenuinervis and the pollinators with the highest proportion of links and consequently with more important role in the network belonged orders Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Psychotria species showed niche overlap in pollination and pollinator sharing. The period of greatest intensity of flowering coincided with the rainy season in the Atlantic Forest, with up to seven species coflowering. Because Psychotria species occur in sympatry and have flowering overlap and asymmetric interactions with flower visitors, it is possible that they are involved in a process of facilitation in pollination. The second paper aimed to investigate if four sympatric populations of Psychotria show pollinators sharing and pollination niche overlap . Another objective was to determine if their flowering season are synchronics. We found a dual synchrony in this system, the first in the intensity of flowering among the populations of Psychotria and the second in the increase of the abundance of flowers and pollinators. The species of Psychotria showed sharing fundamental niche of pollination and positive impact on reproductive success. However, we note that the sharing of pollinators can not be generalized to the entire system, but to the modules or pairs of species. Thus, each species of Psychotria has one or more species of preferential pollinator for sharing and that this relationship is not always reciprocal. This reinforces that the interactions among the plant species are asymmetric.
Interação planta-polinizador em espécies sincronopátricas de Psychotria (Rubiaceae). Psychotria contribui de forma importante para a diversidade florística tropical e são comumente encontradas em sub-bosque de áreas florestadas em regiões tropicais, sendo importantes componentes para o funcionamento destes ecossistemas. Muitas espécies do gênero são simpátricas e florescem em um mesmo período do ano, sendo consideradas potencialmente sincronopátricas. Por esta razão, este gênero tem sido considerado como um bom modelo para inferir padrões e mecanismos gerais de especiação nos trópicos. No primeiro artigo, as interações entre espécies potencialmente simpátricas de Psychotria e seus polinizadores foram analisadas com o objetivo de verificar a possível existência de partilha, de especialização ou generalização de polinizadores e plantas no sistema analisado. Para isso, foram incluídas informações secundárias de estudos que continham a identificação em nível de espécie de polinizadores de Psychotria. A partir desses dados, foram gerados grafos e realizadas análises de redes de interação e sobreposição de nicho. Ao todo, foram incluídas nas análises nove espécies de Psychotria com registro de ocorrência para a Mata Atlântica, sendo que elas interagiram com 25 espécies de polinizadores. A planta mais generalista da rede foi Psychotria tenuinervis e os polinizadores que concentraram maior número de links e consequentemente com papel mais importante na rede pertenceram as ordens Lepidoptera e Hymenoptera. As espécies de Psychotria apresentaram sobreposição de nicho na polinização com partilha de polinizadores. O período de maior intensidade de floração coincidiu com o período chuvoso na Mata Atlântica, com até sete espécies apresentando coflorescimento. Assim, pode-se inferir que a polinização em Psychotria demanda polinizadores generalistas. Pelo fato das espécies de Psychotria ocorrerem em simpatria, possuírem floração sobreposta e interações assimétricas com visitantes florais, é possível que estejam envolvidas em um processo de facilitação na polinização. Já o segundo artigo objetivou averiguar se quatro populações simpátricas de Psychotria, em cofloração, apresentaram partilha de polinizadores e sobreposição de nicho na polinização. Além disso, objetivou verificar se existe sincronia entre as populações vegetais e destas com comunidade de polinizadores. Foi encontrada uma dupla sincronia nesse sistema, sendo a primeira na intensidade de floração entres as populações de Psychotria e a segunda no aumento da abundância de flores e de polinizadores. As espécies de Psychotria apresentaram partilha fundamental do nicho da polinização e com reflexo positivo no sucesso reprodutivo. No entanto, verificamos que a partilha de polinizadores não pode ser generalizada a todo o sistema, mas sim a módulos ou pares de espécies. Dessa forma, cada espécie de Psychotria possui uma ou mais espécies preferencias para partilha de polinizadores e que nem sempre essa relação é reciproca. Isso reforça que as interações entre as plantas são assimétricas.

Tyrimas vykdytas 2004 – 2007 metais, Vilniaus miesto Karoliniškių mikrorajono Pasakų parke. Anotuotas augalų rūšių sąrašas sudarytas remiantis Tachtadžiano sistema (Tachtadjan A.1978), atlikta ekologinė floros analizė pagal Ellenbergą (Ellenberg H.1991), chorologinė − pagal Natkevičaitės-Ivanauskienės sistemą, biomorfinė − pagal atsinaujinimo pumpurų išsidėstymą (Raunkiar CH.), nustatyta parko augalų bendrijų sintaksonominė struktūra. Pasakų parke identifikuotos 210 augalų rūšys, priklausančios 155 gentims ir 55 šeimoms. Išanalizavus augalų spektrą nustatyta, kad didžiausią dalį sudaro astrinių (19,8%), pupinių (16,5%) bei erškėtinių šeimų augalai (14,1%). Pasakų parke aptiktos dvi į Raudonąją knygą įrašytos augalų rūšys – Epipactis atrorubens (tamsialapis skiautalūpis) ir Pulsatilla patens (vėjalandė šilagėlė). Nustatyta, kad 45,1 % augalų vidutiniškai reiklūs šviesai, 51,6 % vidutinio šiltumo augaviečių augalai, 29 % augalų priklauso centrinei Vidurio Europos daliai, 38,7 % vidutinio dirvožemio drėgnumo augalų. Pagal augalų gyvenimo formas didžiausią dalį sudaro hemikriptofitai (42,8 % ), kriptofitai – 18,1 %, fanerofitai – 14,3 %, chamefitai ir terofitai po 10 % nuo visų augalų rūšių.Parke išskirtos augalų bendrijų klasės: Borealiniai Šiaurės pusrutulio spygliuočių miškas ir Pamiškių, miško aikštelių ir šlaitų pieva. Parengtas parko pažintinio tako projektas: tako ilgis 2 km, jame numatyta 10 stotelių. Išsiaiškintos moksleivių nuostatos, poreikiai, pažintiniai... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]
The research was made in Pasakų Park, Karoliniškiai district, Vilnius city, in 2004 – 2007. Annotated plant species list was formed on the basis of Tachtadjan system, (Tachtadjan A.1978), ecological flora analysis was made according to Ellenberg (Ellenberg H.1991), chloric analysis, according to Natkevičaitė−Ivanauskienė‘s system, biomorphic – according to renewed buds‘ position (Raunkiar CH.); park plants communities‘ syntaxonomic structure was determined. 210 plant species, which belong to 155 plant genus and to 55 plant families were identified in Pasakų Park. Plant spectrum analysis revealed that the biggest part of plants belong to aster family (19,8%) bud family- (16,5%), eglantine family (14,1%). Two plant species that are included into The Red Book of Endangered Species were found in the Park¬ − Epipactis atrorubens (The Dark Red Helleborine) and Pulsatilla patens (wild crocus). It is determined that 45,1 % of the plants need the average light, 51,6 % - need the average heat to grow, 29 % belong to Middle Europe plants; 38,7 % of the plants grow in the soil with average wetness. According to plant life forms categories, the biggest part of the plants in the Park belong to (42,8 % ) Hemicryptophyte, cryptophyte-18,1 %, Phanerophyte – 14,3 %, chamaephyte and therophyte 10%. The following plant communities’ classes were determined in the Park: Boreal zone’s Northern hemisphere’s coniferous forest and the outer wood ground’s and slopes’ field. Park’s Cognitive... [to full text]

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
The toxicity of arsenic (As) and its effects on antioxidant system were analyzed in S. intermedia. Plants treated in nutrient solution, pH 6.5, were exposed to increasing concentrations of As over a period of 24 hours. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of toxic levels of As on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the antioxidative system and root external morphology. The increasing concentration of As was accompanied by higher production of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. There was a linear augmentation in the amount of superoxide anion and an increase in amount of hydrogen peroxide up to a concentration of 1.0 mg L-1 As. Augmentation in the amount of anthocyanins and higher activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase ( POX), ascorbato peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) was also observed. In contrast, there was a slight decay in catalase activity. Despite the reduction in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in higher concentrations of As, the activity of antioxidant enzymes was not enough to buffer the damage, since the concentration of superoxide anion and MDA increased linearly with the increase of As. In a second experiment, nitric oxide (NO) was supplied as sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Plants treated in nutrient solution, pH 6.5, ½ ion force, were subjected to four conditions: control (nutrient solution); SNP (15 mg L-1); As (2.0 mg L-1); As + SNP (2.0 and 15 mg L-1, respectively) over a period of 24 hours. It was evaluated the influence of nitric oxide (NO) on membrane damage and activity of antioxidant enzymes and NO production enzyme. In situ fluorescence detection was used to reveal NO presence. There was an increase in MDA content, membrane leakage, activity of antioxidative enzymes and nitrate reductase comparing 2.0 mg L-1 As conditions with As + SNP treatment. Therefore, it is considered that the protective effect of the application of SNP appears reflects direct reaction of NO with ROS. The plants under arsenic stress showed higher NO production, confirmed by the increase in nitrate reductase activity and augmentation in fluorescence levels. When provided exogenously, NO also acted directly in the removal of toxic metabolites generated in response to As. Therefore, it was found that NO, supplied by SNP, buffers As toxicity in S. intermedia.
A toxicidade do arsênio (As) e seus efeitos no sistema antioxidante enzimático e não enzimático foram analisados em Spirodela intermedia. As plantas, cultivadas em solução nutritiva, pH 6,5, foram expostas a concentrações crescentes de As por 24 horas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar os efeitos de níveis tóxicos de As sobre a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), o sistema antioxidante enzimático e não enzimático e a morfologia externa das raízes. O acréscimo na concentração de As nas plantas desencadeou danos como aumento na produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e peroxidação lipídica. Houve aumento linear do ânion superóxido, porém o peróxido de hidrogênio aumentou somente até a concentração de 1,0 mg L-1 de As. Também foi observado incremento no teor de antocianinas e na atividade das enzimas dismutase do superóxido (SOD), peroxidase (POX), peroxidase do ascorbato (APX), peroxidase da glutationa (GPX) e redutase da glutationa (GR). Em contraste, houve pequena queda na atividade da enzima catalase. Foi visualizado alterações micromorfológicas na coifa da raiz. Apesar da redução no teor de peróxido de hidrogênio nas concentrações mais elevadas, a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes não foi suficiente para amenizar os danos, uma vez que a concentração do ânion superóxido e de MDA aumentou linearmente com o acréscimo de As. As alterações micromorfológicas visualizadas na coifa da raiz, provavelmente foram decorrentes do aumento de EROs e consequente aumento da peroxidação lipídica. Em um segundo experimento, óxido nítrico (NO) foi suprido na forma de nitroprussiato de sódio (SNP). As plantas, cultivadas em solução nutritiva, pH 6,5, ½ força iônica, foram expostas a quatro tratamentos, sendo eles controle e As com e sem SNP, permanecendo nessas condições por 24 horas. Avaliou-se a influência do óxido nítrico (NO) sobre o dano de membrana e a atividade das enzimas antioxidativas e produtora de NO. Realizou-se também a detecção de fluorescência in situ desencadeada por NO. Houve aumento no teor de MDA, extravasamento de eletrólitos, enzimas antioxidativas e redutase do nitrato ao comparar o tratamento As (2,0 mg L-1) com As na presença de SNP. Sendo assim, considera-se que o efeito protetor da aplicação de SNP parece ser resultado da reação direta do NO com os EROs. Nas plantas submetidas ao estresse por As, observou-se maior produção de NO, resultado comprovado pela redutase do nitrato e pelo aumento na fluorescência. Quando fornecido na forma exógena, o NO também agiu diretamente na remoção de metabólitos tóxicos gerados em resposta ao As. Assim, verificou-se que o NO, fornecido pelo SNP, ameniza a toxicidade do As sobre o metabolismo de S. intermedia.

[ES] Esta tesis investiga las oportunidades, desafíos y limitaciones para la investigación en el campo de la ecología vegetal, en el contexto de los acantilados mediterráneos. En concreto, las especies casmofiticas, cuyos hábitats naturales se caracterizan por su acusada pendiente. Las laderas de las montañas de piedra caliza en la proximidad del mar, en la parte central y occidental del área mediterránea se consideran objetos de estudio. Los estudios se llevaron a cabo en los cinturones costeros de montaña de las costas del noroeste de Sicilia y la costa diánica en la Comunidad Valenciana. El primer capítulo, titulado "The complexity of environmental factors: cliff microclimate", investiga la variabilidad del microclima del acantilado en tres áreas diferentes en Sicilia y España, analizando las condiciones ambientales creadas por el acantilado en una escala muy estrecha. Se recopilaron seis conjuntos de datos independientes y comparables que recogen las principales variables meteorológicas a lo largo de un período total de 18 meses. La gama resultante de condiciones ambientales se compara por pares a lo largo de dos gradientes ambientales principales: la orientación del acantilado Norte/Sur y la proximidad al mar. Además, los rasgos foliares intraespecíficos se utilizan para estudiar la variación en la respuesta funcional de las plantas que viven en las orientaciónes opuestas en una misma área de investigación. La variación resultante se correlaciona con la influencia de las condiciones microclimáticas creadas por la pendiente y el aspecto en los rasgos de la planta antes mencionados. El segundo capítulo, titulado "Compositional data and analyses of areas and plant communities in the coastal cliffs of the Valencian Community (Spain)", presenta una ordenación de los sitios de estudio y de las especies vegetales que habitan en las zonas de acantilados del cinturón montañoso a lo largo de las costas de la región diánica en el este de España. El estudio reveló correlaciones significativas entre las unidades de vegetación y los sitios con referencia a la amplia orientación geográfica Norte/Sur. Sin embargo, fue poco informativo con respecto a revelar las principales diferencias observadas en la estructura del conjunto de plantas relacionadas con laa variaciones microtopográficas registradas en el conjunto de datos. En el tercer capítulo, titulado "UAV (drone) surveys for the study of plant- microtopography relationships and for the conservation of rare species", se describe la metodología propuesta para investigar entornos verticales poco accesibles. También se analizaron los desafíos y las oportunidades de la investigación ecológica vegetal en estas áreas tipicamente inaccesibles. Un primer conjunto de datos comprende un censo visual parcial y total de dos especies endémicas de acantilados estrechos en las áreas de estudio españolas e italianas. Mediante el uso de la fotogrametría aérea de corto alcance y el modelado 3D, fue posible estudiar los efectos de la micro topografía en la segregación de nichos, tanto a nivel de comunidad como de especie. Se utilizaron métodos de ordenación para correlacionar las especies endémicas seleccionadas y conjuntos de plantas con factores ambientales como el aspecto local y global, la pendiente y la distancia desde los bordes de los acantilados. En el cuarto capítulo, titulado "Distribution, ecology, conservation status and phylogeography of Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia, a paleo-endemic chasmophytic species from Sicily (Italy)", se analiza en detalle la estructura filogeográfica de una especie endémica de acantilados, Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia (Caprifoliaceae, subfamilia Dipsacaceae), también considerando las relaciones filogeográficas con sus taxones más próximos. Además, su distribución total se determinó mediante observaciones de campo, caracterizando su hábitat y evaluando su estado de conservación como Vulnerable de acuerdo con las
[CA] Aquesta tesi va investigar les oportunitats, reptes i limitacions per a la investigació en el camp de l'ecologia vegetal, en el context dels penya-segats mediterranis. En concret, les espècies casmofitiques, amb hàbitats naturals que es caracteritzen pel seu acusat pendent. Les vessants de les muntanyes de pedra calcària en la proximitat del mar, a la part central i occidental de l'àrea mediterrània són considerats objectes d'estudi. Els estudis es portaren a terme als cinturons costers de muntanya de les costes del nord de Sicília i la costa diànica a la Comunitat Valenciana. El primer capítol, titulat "The complexity of environmental factors: cliff microclimate", investiga la variabilitat del microclima del penya-segat en tres àrees diferents de Sicília i Espanya, analitzant les condicions ambientals creades pel penya-segat a una escala molt estreta. Es recopilen sis conjunts de dades independents i comparables que reconeixen les principals variables meteorològiques a llarg termini durant un període total de 18 mesos. Les dades resultants de les condicions ambientals es comparen per parells al llarg de dos gradients ambientals principals: l'orientació del penya-segat Nord/Sud i la proximitat a la mar. A més, els trests foliars intraespecífics s'utilitzen per estudiar la variació en la resposta funcional de les plantes que habiten orientacions oposades dins d'un àrea d' investigació. La variació resultant es correlaciona amb la influència de les condicions microclimàtiques creades pel vessant i els aspectos funcionals dels trets vegetals esmentats. El segon capítol, titulat "Compositional data and analyses of areas and plant communities in the coastal cliffs of the Valencian Community (Spain)", presenta una ordenació dels llocs d'estudi i de les espècies de plantes que habiten a les zones de penya- segats del cinturó de muntanya al llarg de les costes de la regió diànica de España. L'estudi va a revelar correlacions significatives entre les unitats de vegetació i els llocs amb referència a l'amplias orientació geogràfica Nord/Sud. No obstant aixó, va ser poc informatiu per poder revelar les diferències observades en l'estructura del conjunt de plantes relacionades amb les variacions microtopogràfiques registrades al conjunt de dades Al tercer capítol, titulat "UAV (drone) surveys for the study of plant-microtopography relationships and for the conservation of rare species", es descriu la metodologia proposada per a investigar entorns verticals poc accessibles. També es van analitzar els reptes i les oportunitats de la investigació ecològica vegetal en aquestes àrees normalment inaccesibles. Un primer conjunt de dades inclou el cens visual parcial i el total de dues espècies endèmiques de penya-segats a les àrees d'estudi espanyoles i italianes. Mitjançant la fotogrametria aèrea a curt abast i el modelat 3D, va ser possible estudiar els efectes de la microtopografia en la segregació de nínxols, tant a nivell comunitari com d'espècies. Es van utilitzar mètodes d'ordenació per a correlacionar les espècies endèmiques seleccionades i conjunts vegetals sencers amb factors ambientals com ara l'aspecte local i global, el pendent i la distància de les vores dels penya-segats. En el quart capítol, titulat "Distribution, ecology, conservation status and phylogeography of Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia, a paleo-endemic chasmophytic species from Sicily (Italy)", que s'analitza en detall l'estructura filogeográfica d'una espècie endèmica de penya-segats, Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia (Caprifoliaceae, subfamilia Dipsacaceae), considerant tambè les relacions filogeogràfiques amb els seus taxons més propers. A més, la seva distribució total es va determinar mitjançant observacions de camp, caracteritzant el seu hàbitat i avaluant el seu estat de conservació com a Vulnerable, d'acord amb les directrius de la llista roja de la UICN.
[EN] This thesis investigated opportunities, challenges and limitations for plant ecological research in the context of Mediterranean cliffs. In particular, chasmophytic species, whose natural habitats are very steep, limestone mountain slopes in the proximity of the sea, in the Central and Western part of the Mediterranean area are considered as study objects. Studies were carried out in the coastal mountain belts of both North-western Sicily and Dianic coasts in the Valencian Community (Spain). The first chapter, entitled "The complexity of environmental factors: cliff microclimate", investigates the variability of cliff microclimate in three different areas in Sicily and Spain, analysing the environmental conditions created by the cliff at very fine scale. Six independent and comparable datasets including the main meteorological variables were compiled in a total period of 18 months. The resulting spectra of environmental conditions are compared pairwise along two key environmental gradients: North/South cliff orientation and proximity to the sea. Intraspecific leaf traits are used in order to investigate variations in the functional response of plants living on opposite orientations. The resulting variation is then correlated with the influence of microclimatic conditions created by slope and functional aspects of the aforementioned plant traits. The second chapter, entitled "Compositional data and analyses of areas and plant communities in the coastal cliffs of the Valencian Community (Spain)", presents an ordination of the study sites and of the plant species inhabiting the cliff zones of the mountain belt along the coasts of the Dianic region in Eastern Spain. The study revealed significant correlations between the vegetation units and the sites with reference to the broad North/South geographical orientation. However, it was poorly informative in respect to reveal the major differences observed in the structure of the plant assemblage related to the micro- topographic variations recorded in the dataset. In the third chapter, entitled "UAV (drone) surveys for the study of plant- microtopography relationships and for the conservation of rare species", a proposed survey methodology for investigating inaccessible vertical environments is described. Challenges and opportunities of plant ecological research in these typically inaccessible areas were also analysed. A first set of data is comprised of partial and total visual census of two narrow endemic cliff species in the Spanish and Italian study areas. Through the use of aerial close- range photogrammetry and 3D modelling, it was possible to study the effects of micro-topography on niche segregation, both at community and species level. Ordination methods were used to correlate selected endemic species and entire plant assemblages to environmental factors such as local and global aspect, slope and distance from cliff edges. The fourth chapter, entitled "Distribution, ecology, conservation status and phylogeography of Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia, a paleo-endemic chasmophytic species from Sicily (Italy)", is addressed to analyse in details the phylogeographic structure of a cliff narrow endemic species, Pseudoscabiosa limonifolia (VAHL) DEVESA (Caprifoliaceae, subfamily Dipsacaceae), also taking in consideration its closest sister taxa. Furthermore, its total distribution was determined by field surveys, characterizing its habitat, and assessing its conservation status as Vulnerable according to IUCN red list guidelines.
De Simone, L. (2020). Ecological aspects of plants inhabiting Mediterranean cliffs. Challenges and prospects of life in vertical environments [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/159877
TESIS

碩士
國立臺灣大學
植物學研究所
88
The investigation of Myxomycete ecology had been conducted primarily in temperate and tropical area, and rarely in subtropical part of the world. The plan was then made to study the species composition and Ecology of Myxomycetes in Wenshan Botanical Garden, a subtropical forest in Taipei County. Three different study areas in this study site were chosen based on their microenvironment for direct field fruiting body collections and moist-chamber culture. During the one-year survey, a total of thirty species and six varieties had been obtained by direct field collection, whereas thirty-five species and two varieties were harvested by moist-chamber cultivation. Among the species collected from the field, Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. descendens, Cribraria cancellata var. cancellata and Lycogala exiguum are the three species more predominant. Among the eleven taxas that are new to Taiwan, Diacheopsis is a new genus to Taiwan. The other ten new records are Arcyria margino-undulata, Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. descendens, Cribraria cancellata var. anomala, Cribraria laxa, Cribraria tenella var. concinna, Diderma deplanatum, Hemitrichia velutina, Licea retiformis, Perichaena pedata, and Physarum braunianum. Abundance, richness, and diversity in Wenshan Botanical Garden are greatly influenced by air temperature, but have no direct relationship with the precipitation. Therefore, air temperature is considered a possible factor limiting the growth of Myxomycetes in Wenshan Botanical Garden. Different types of habitation and substrate also can influence the distribution patterns of Myxomycetes. The species composition in Wenshan Botanical Garden is very different from that in Nanjenshan Area, a tropical rain forest.

碩士
國立臺灣大學
植物學系研究所
86
In the terrestrial ecosystem, Myxomycetes plays an important role in the debris food chain of food web. This study of Myxomycetes had been going from August 1996 to November 1997 in Wenshan Botanical Garden in Taipei county, northern Taiwan. According to the temperature, moisture, light intensity and the extent of human disturbance, the study area were divided into three habitats - area inside the gate to Fuudyi Mansion, stripe land district and Ficus fistulosa secondary forest - where were visited monthly for the collection of fruiting bodies. The moist-chamber technique was also adopted to increase the biodiversity obtained (to make up the inadequacy by direct field collection). A total of thirty-eight species and four varieties in nighteen genera were obtained. Among them, Dictydium cancellatum (Batsh)Meylan was the most predominant species (13.78 %), and Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. porides (Alb. & Schw.) Lister and comatricha typhoides var. simillis G. Lister are new to Taiwan. As for the commoner genera in the order of frequency, they are Dictydium Schrad. (13.78 %), Physarum Pers. (12.25 %), Didymium Schrad. (10.71 %), Stemonitis Roth (10.71 %), Cribraria Pers. (9.69%) and Collaria Nann.-Berm.(9.18 %). Influenced by physical environmental factors and the various substrate, both the species abundance and diversity in the stripe land district are highest, and the similarity of Myxomycetes communities between the area inside the gate to Fuudyi Mansion and the stripe land district is much higher than that between these two areas and Ficus fistulosa secondary forest, respectively. Most of the fruiting bodies obtained are lignicolous species, and they vary in kinds with the extent of wood decaying. The frequency and number of species are much higher in summer and autumn than in spring and winter. Both precipitation and the temperature are important factors affecting its frequency and number of species. The growth test of Didymium verrucosporum Welden and Physarum melleum 9Berk. & Br.) shows there is a relationship between seasonal distribution in nature and the range of growth temperature in the labratory environment, and suggesting that these two species might adopted suitable strategies for surviving and reproduction.

Bulbs of Scilla natalensis Planch, Scilla nervosa (Burch.) Jessop, Scilla dracomontana Hilliard and Burt and Scilla kraussii Bak. (Hyacinthaceae) were investigated. The plants are widely used by the local African people for a variety of ailments that inflict them and their livestock. Plant material was harvested in different localities i.e. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Mpumalanga (Mpl). The bulbs have been found to contain homoisoflavonoids and stilbenoids. Ten homoisoflavonoids and two stilbenoids were isolated. Of the ten homoisoflavonoids isolated, nine were of the 3-benzyl-4-chromanone type while one was a 3-benzylidene-4-chromanone. Four of the 3-benzyl-4-chromanones were found to be novel compounds while others were recognised as having been reported before from other genera within the family Hyacinthaceae viz., Eucomis and Muscari. The 3-benzylidene-4-chromanone type compound isolated was also found to be a known compound. The stilbenoids, on the other hand, are reported for the first time in this genus although they seem to have a wide distribution in the plant kingdom. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

碩士
國立臺灣大學
森林環境暨資源學研究所
105
The objective of this study is to analysis the symbiotic relationship of Tuber with Fagaceae tree species under different environmental condition, inoculation method and growing medium, as the basic information for further research on the cultivation of truffles. Based on researches by predecessors, Tuber indicum, with wide host range and affinity, were inoculated to 41 species of Fagaceae trees, reported as common host of truffles and with high affinity with Tuber species, in Fushan Botanical Garden of Taiwan. Experiments were carried out in two ways: (1) twice root inoculation and (2) once branch air-layering inoculation in one-year period. Mycorrhizae were then sampled for detailed morphological analysis and molecular identification, and some for further phylogenetic analysis. Root inoculations experiments resulted in 70-85 % root induction rate, with mycorrihzae formation rate for 55-63 %. The second root inoculation experiment, in winter season, resulted in more mycorrhizae formations. Branch air-layering inoculation experiment obtained lower root induction rate and mycorrihzae formation rate than root inoculation, of 45 % and 33 % respectively. In the first root inoculation experiment, most of the mycorrhizae (85 %) were found to be associated with mycorrhizal fungi of Sclerodermataceae, Boletaceae and Thelephoraceae of basidiomycota, with Tomentella sp., Russula recondite Melera & Ostellari. and Lauriomyces bellulus Crous & M.J. Wingf as the new discovery species of Taiwan. In the second root inoculation experiment, most of the mycorrhizae (76 %) were found to be associated with mycorrhizal fungi of Sclerodermataceae, Russulaceae and Thelephoraceae of basidiomycota, with Tomentella sublilacina (Ellis & Holw.) Wakef, Russula recondita Melera & Ostellari., Russula heterophylla (Fr.) Fri., Lactarius kesiyae Verbeken & K.D. Hyde, Laccaria fulvogrisea Popa, K.H. Rexer & G. Kost, Entoloma inusitatum Noordel., Sebacina flagelliformis Oberw., Neonectria sp. as the new discovery species of Taiwan; Species similar to Tuber thailandicum N. Suwannarach, J. Kumla & S. Lumyong and Tuber sp.11 may be the new species of world. 6 mycorrhizae samples from 5 different Fagaceae tree species, were found to be associated with Tuber, but should with white truffles found in Japan and Thailand, not with the inoculated black truffle Tuber indicum. Branch air-layering inoculation experiment results in much lower root induction and mycorrhizae formation rate, but reviews much less contamination by other undesired mycorrhizal fungi. The 6 Tuber mycorrhizae samples from 5 different Fagaceae tree species were morphologically identical to mycorrhizae associated with Tuber indicum as sited in references. It reviews the difficulty and unreliability of identification of mycorrhizal fungi solely by mycorrhizae morphology, the assist of molecular analysis is necessary. However,there are still many unsolved problems in the detection and identification of Tuber species in mycorrhizae. Tuber indicum were detected neither from the experiment in Fushan Botanical Garden nor from the other experiment we have conducted in nurseries. The wide host range and affinity of Tuber indicum and Fagaceae host reported in previous research is doubted based on the result in this study. The possibility of truffles cultivation needs further experiments and discussion.

碩士
銘傳大學
商業設計學系碩士班
103
Taiwan is being called “The Kingdom of The Ferns” and this comes with reasons. It is an inland located in the subtropical zone which the land area is not large, yet the mountain proportion has taken more of the half. Species of their plants have contributed a wealth of resources especially the ferns, not to mention that some of the ferns have even been existing since the ancient times. The ferns grow in an elegant way along with their leaves in abundant and exquisite forms and furthermore -- their growing pattern can also be mathematically generated and reproduced at any magnification or reduction. This not only mates with the principles of design, but also is worth of study and analysis. Researcher has chosen five representative Taiwan endemic species of the ferns to proceed with the physical characteristics and then to analyze the relationships of the organizational structure among them. In the end, by using graphic design principles combined with illustration technique to create the pattern. As for the exploration of painting style, researcher will collect and analyze each type of botanical illustration, apply with painting mediums, modern computer graphics etc. and hope to extend the application of botanical illustration and to demonstrate the beauty of Taiwan endemic species of the ferns to the world.

The use of plants for cosmeceutical applications is becoming more important since “safer” and more “natural” skin products are gaining popularity. The effect of different drying methods and storage conditions on metabolite changes and biological activity of two species with cosmeceutical application namely Greyia flanaganii and Leucosidea sericea were investigated using 1H-NMR metabolomics. The multivariate analysis (PCA and OPLS-DA), and 1H-NMR sample spectra were used to analyse the significant differences (P<0.05) resulting from the different treatments. The effect of these treatments on anti-tyrosinase and anti-bacterial (against Staphylococcus aureus) activity of G.flanaganii and L.sericea ethanol leaf extracts respectively, was further investigated to assess the quality. Four different drying methods adopted were freeze drying, oven drying at 50°C, air drying at room temperature and sun drying in a greenhouse. The dried leaf extracts were stored in three different conditions of fridge, freezer and shade conditions and samples from each storage condition taken for analysis at three and six months of storage. The chemical constituents of the leaf extracts of both species were not affected by the drying method and the storage condition, but the concentrations of the metabolites changed. The treatments did not show a significant difference (P<0.05) on the biological activity of the extracts. However, G.flanaganii plant material harvested from the University of Pretoria exhibited a higher anti-tyrosinase activity than material harvested from Mothong heritage site. In G. flanaganii freshly freeze and oven dried extracts exhibited a higher anti-tyrosinase activity with fifty percent inhibitory (IC50) activity of 16.8±0.69 μg/ml and 15.73±0.85 μg/ml respectively than the activity of sun and air dried with IC50 values of 33.08±0.78 μg/ml and 36.86±2.01 μg/ml respectively. The metabolite concentrations and anti-tyrosinase activity dropped significantly after storage. Leucosidea sericea oven and freeze dried extracts, exhibited good anti-bacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.25 μg/ml and 0.125 μg/ml respectively as compared to sun and air dried extracts with the same MIC value of 0.5 μg/ml. Freeze dried samples showed the best anti-bacterial activity (MIC 0.125 μg/ml) compared to other drying methods. Fridge and freezer storage conditions enhanced the activity of stored sample.
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Mestrdo de dupla diplomação com a High Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir
Sequence analysis of complex DNA samples is an important approach to monitoring species distribution in biodiversity and population studies. Although many traditional methods can be used to identify bee plant resources (e.g., direct observations, microscopy), high-throughput sequencing technologies have transformed our ability to explore more complex plant communities without necessity of experts and in a time cost effective-manner, in comparison with the classical techniques. Recently, metabarcoding, which combines DNA barcoding with high-throughput sequencing, of bee pollen has been used to successfully identify which plants bees are foraging on. This is achieved most commonly by sequencing short, conserved marker genes amplified with universal PCR primers. The ITS region has already been proposed and mainly used as universal barcode marker for plants. ITS sequences are often compared against an annotated reference sequence database to identify the likely taxonomic origin of each sequence with as much specificity as possible. So, accurate and specific taxonomic information is an important step in pollen metabarcoding analysis. The aim of this study was to assess performance of the ITS2 reference database before and after enrichment with sequences of bee plant species collected from across Europe. A total of 100 plant samples were collected in six countries and were identified morphologically at the species level. The DNA of these plant samples was extracted and then Sanger-sequenced for the ITS2 region. The sequences were curated and blasted against ITS2 sequences in GenBank to obtain taxonomic identification and assess similarity with the morphological identification. Next, a reference database of ITS2 sequences was generated using the 100 sequences. The newly-developed sequences were added to a comprehensive ITS2 reference database publicly available and the performance of the two databases (with and without the 100 sequences generated herein) was compared on a set of 108 mixed pollen samples that were identified by metabarcoding and classical palynology. The analyses of the data showed a positive correlation (r>0.7; P<0.05) between the two methods at both family (most countries) and genus levels (one third of countries), even though metabarcoding identified 12 families and 26 genera and palynology 13 families and 22 plant genera. Classification of mixed pollen samples, using the ITS2 database before enrichment with the new sequences developed herein, retrieved (i) 76 and 67 families before and after removing taxa that are not present in Europe, respectively, and (ii) 69 families after enrichment. At the genus level, before database enrichment, there were 230 and 214 genera identified before and after removing taxa that are not present in Europe, respectively, and 216 genera after enrichment. Results showed a positive correlation (r>0.9; P<0.001) between the different databases, but variation in the number of families and genera was noticed, which indicates an increase in the resolution and accuracy of classification. This study thus offers improvements in the ITS2 metabarcoding with more available sequences in the reference dataset providing heightened sensitivity and resolution.
A análise de sequências de amostras complexas de DNA é uma abordagem importante na monitorização da distribuição de espécies em estudos populacionais e de biodiversidade. Embora possam ser utilizados métodos tradicionais como meio de identificar plantas melíferas, como por exemplo, observações diretas, microscopia, entre outros, as tecnologias de sequenciação de última geração transformaram a nossa capacidade de explorar floras mais complexas sem que haja a necessidade de recorrer a especialistas, tornando se também numa técnica mais económica, quando comparada às tecnologias clássicas. O metabarcoding, uma técnica que combina DNA barcode com sequenciação de última geração, tem sido usado para a identificação das espécies botânicas mais visitadas pelas abelhas forrageiras através da análise de pólen colhido pelas mesmas. Esta técnica baseia-se na sequenciação de marcadores genéticos de tamanho curto e que se localizem em zonas de DNA conservadas. A amplificação destes fragmentos é feita recorrendo a primers universais, para uma maior abrangência botânica. O ITS, uma região intergénica ribossomal, foi proposta e largamente utilizada, principalmente, como marcador genético universal em plantas. As sequências deste fragmento são, frequentemente, comparadas com uma base de dados de referência para que se estabeleça a identificação mais provável, e com a máxima especificidade possível, da origem taxonómica de cada fragmento sequenciado. Assim, informações taxonómicas precisas e específicas são um passo importante na análise de misturas de pólen colhidas pelas abelhas forrageiras através do metabarcoding. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho da base de dados ITS2 de referência antes e depois do enriquecimento com sequências de espécies de plantas melíferas colhidas pela Europa. Um total de 100 amostras de plantas foram colhidas em seis países e foram identificadas morfologicamente ao nível da espécie. Procedeu-se à extração do DNA e sequenciação pelo método de Sanger da região ITS2. As sequências foram curadas e alinhadas com sequências do GenBank, através de um BLAST, para obter a identificação taxonómica e avaliar a similaridade com a identificação morfológica. Em seguida, uma base de dados ITS2 de referência foi gerada usando as 100 recém-desenvolvidas sequências. Estas foram adicionadas a uma vasta base de dados da região ribossomal, que está publicamente disponível, e o desempenho das duas (com e sem as 100 sequências geradas aqui) foi comparado num conjunto de 108 amostras de pólen colhido por abelhas, e previamente identificadas por metabarcoding e palinologia clássica. As análises mostraram uma correlação positiva (r> 0,7; P <0,05) entre os dois métodos para dois níveis taxonómicos, família (maioria dos países) e género (um terço dos países), embora o metabarcoding tenha identificado 12 famílias e 26 géneros e a palinologia 13 famílias e 22 géneros de plantas. A classificação das amostras de pólen, usando a base de dados ITS2 antes do enriquecimento com as novas sequências aqui desenvolvidas, recuperou (i) 76 e 67 famílias antes e depois da remoção dos táxons que não estão presentes na Europa, respetivamente, e (ii) 69 famílias após o enriquecimento. Ao nível do género, antes do enriquecimento da base de dados, havia 230 e 214 géneros identificados antes e depois da remoção dos táxons que não estão presentes na Europa, respetivamente, e 216 géneros após o enriquecimento. Os resultados mostraram uma correlação positiva (r> 0,9; P <0,001) entre as diferentes bases de dados, mas foi observada uma variação no número de famílias e géneros, o que indica um aumento na resolução e precisão da classificação. Este estudo oferece, assim, melhorias no metabarcoding da região ITS2 com mais sequências disponíveis no conjunto de dados de referência, proporcionando uma maior sensibilidade e resolução.
This study was developed in the framework of the international project “INSIGINA: Pilot study on environmental monitoring of pesticide use through honey bees”, SANTE/E4/SI2.788418-SI2.788452-INSIGINIA-PP-1-1-2018, financed by the Health and Food Safety Directorate General, European Commission.

For scientific or socio-economic reasons it is often necessary or desirable that biological material be identified. Given that there are an estimated 10 million living organisms on Earth, the identification of biological material can be problematic. Consequently the services of taxonomist specialists are often required. However, if such expertise is not readily available it is necessary to attempt an identification using an alternative method. Some of these alternative methods are unsatisfactory or can lead to a wrong identification. One of the most common problems encountered when identifying specimens is that important diagnostic features are often not easily observed, or may even be completely absent. A number of techniques can be used to try to overcome this problem, one of which, the Self Organizing Map (or SOM), is a particularly appealing technique because of its ability to handle missing data. This thesis explores the use of SOMs as a technique for the identification of indigenous trees of the Acacia species in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The ability of the SOM technique to perform exploratory data analysis through data clustering is utilized and assessed, as is its usefulness for visualizing the results of the analysis of numerical, multivariate botanical data sets. The SOM’s ability to investigate, discover and interpret relationships within these data sets is examined, and the technique’s ability to identify tree species successfully is tested. These data sets are also tested using the C5 and CN2 classification techniques. Results from both these techniques are compared with the results obtained by using a SOM commercial package. These results indicate that the application of the SOM to the problem of biological identification could provide the start of the long-awaited breakthrough in computerized identification that biologists have eagerly been seeking.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Computer Science
unrestricted

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2003.
Title from title page screen (viewed Sept. 23, 2003). Thesis advisor: Gary McDaniel. Document formatted into pages (ix, 83 p. : ill., maps (some col.), charts). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-79).

The aim of this thesis is to make a survey of vegetation present on permanent plots in the restored flood plain of the Hučina stream. Another a im is to compare the results with the results of Lazárková (2012), who studied the area before the restoration. The thesis includes also a herbarium and photo-herbarium demonstrating traits of the plant species. The study was conducted on 26 permanent plots laid on three transects. Permanent plots occurred in grasslandareas, in a woodyareas and the streambed. I created a list of all plant species and their abundances on each plot, separately for the moss, herb, bush and tree layers. . Overall, 48 plant species were found.

The thesis is part of project "Bohemian Revitalization of wetlands and peatlands". The aim is to catch up the current state (before revitalization) of vegetation and flora with possibility of the existence of rare endagered species in Fir Stream plains in the Southern Bohemia, district Prachatice, cadastral area Volary. There was engaged generic list of plants in this interest locality. There was defined by the 6 permanent areas with dimensions 4x4 m. I made a complete inventory of all found species. Overall, it was found 38 plant species: 11 monocotyledonous plants, 25 dicotyledonous plants and 2 bryophytes.

The thesis is part of the project ?Bohemian Revitalization of wetlands and peatlands?. The aim is to capture the current state of vegetation and flora, with an emphasis on the existence of rare or endangered species in Hučina plains in the southeastern part of the Bohemian Forest. A generic list of sites added phytosociological images taken during the field survey. The area was defined by the 26 permanent plots. The grasslands of the plains area had dimensions 4 × 4 m, in the original channel and channel Hučina main drainage trench 8 × 2 m and forested floodplain of the 10 × 10 m in these areas. I made a complete inventory of all species found and I identified the vegetation cover. Species were recorded after the floors ? floor starting tree. Overall, it was found 106 plant species and 7 species of lichens. Most plant species occurring in individual areas belonged to bryophytes.

The relationship between extractable invertase activities and sucrose accumulation in the sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) culm and in vivo invertase mediated sucrose hydrolysis was investigated to determine the significance of invertases in sucrose utilisation and turnover. In vitro activities were determined by assaying the soluble acid invertase (SAI), cell wall bound acid invertase (CWA) and neutral invertase (NI) from internodes three to ten in mature sugarcane plants of cultivar NCo376. Extractable activities were verified by immunoblotting. In vivo invertase mediated sucrose hydrolysis was investigated in tissue discs prepared from mature culm tissue of the same cultivar. Sugarcane NI had a higher specific activity than SAI (apoplastic and vacuolar) in the sucrose accumulating region of the sugarcane culm. CWA was also present in significant quantities in both immature and mature tissue. Sugarcane NI was partially purified from mature sugarcane culm tissue to remove any potential competing activity. The enzyme is non-glycosylated and exhibits catalytic activity as a monomer, dimer and tetramer. Most of the activity elutes as a monomer of native Mr ca 60 kDa. The enzyme displays typical hyperbolic saturation kinetics for sucrose hydrolysis. It has a Km of 9.8 mM for sucrose and a pH optimum of 7.2. An Arrhenius plot shows the energy of activation of the enzyme for sucrose to be 62.5 kJ.mol-1 below 30°C and -11.6 kJ.mol-1 above 30°C. Sugarcane NI is inhibited by its products, with fructose being a more effective inhibitor than glucose. Sugarcane NI is significantly inhibited by HgCI2, AgNO-3, ZnCI2, CuSO4 and CoCI2 but not by CaCI2, MgCI2 or MnCI2. Sugarcane NI showed no significant hydrolysis of cellobiose or trehalose. When radiolabelled fructose was fed to sugarcane internodal tissue, label appeared in glucose which demonstrates that invertase mediated hydrolysis of sucrose occurs. A combination of continuous feeding and pulse chase experiments was used to investigate the in vivo contribution of the invertases and the compartmentation of sugars. Sucrose is synthesised at a rate greater than the rate of breakdown at all stages of maturity in sugarcane culm tissue. The turnover time of the total cytosolic label pool is longer for internode three than internode six. A higher vacuolar:cytosolic sugar molar ratio than previously assumed is indicated. Developmentally, the greatest change in carbon allocation occurs from internodes three to six. The main competing pools are the insoluble and neutral fractions. As the tissue matures, less carbon is allocated to the insoluble and more to the neutral fraction. The neutral fraction consists mainly of sucrose, glucose and fructose. The compartmented nature of sugarcane storage parenchyma carbohydrate metabolism results in a system that is complex and difficult to investigate. A computer based metabolic flux model was developed to aid in the interpretation of timecourse labelling studies. A significant obstacle was the global optimization of the model, while maintaining physiologically meaningful flux parameters. Once the vacuolar:cytosolic molar ratio was increased, the model was able to describe the internode three and six labelling profiles. The model results were in agreement with experimental observation. An increase in the rate of sucrose accumulation was observed with tissue maturation. Only the internode three glucokinase activity was greater than the experimentally determined limit. The rate was however physiologically feasible and may reflect the underestimation of the in vivo rate. SAI and NI contributed to sucrose hydrolysis in internode three but not in internode six. The rates in internode six were set to fixed low values to enable the model to fit the experimental data. This does not however preclude low levels of in vivo SAI and NI activity, which would prove significant over a longer time period. The flow of label through the individual pools, which comprise the experimentally measured composite pools could be observed. This provides insight into the sucrose moiety label ratio, SPS:SuSy sucrose synthesis ratio, and the rate of 14CO2 release. The model provides a framework for the investigation and interpretation of timecourse labelling studies of sugarcane storage parenchyma.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Contains copies of 43 author's publications and introductory statement
Includes bibliographies
44 pts :
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
Thesis (D. Sc.)--University of Adelaide, 1986

This thesis at first discusses the importance of permanent grasslands, establishing and revival of pastures, further dividing agrobotanical groups, homogeneity of pastures and the treatment and fertilization of grasslands. The second part focuses on the breeding of cattle, commercial properties and targets in breeding herds. It deals with the Aberdeen angus beef, that is kept at monitored sites. In addition, the organization and the division of pastures. The third part contains observational monitoring of grassland. The effects of different grazing systems on pasture vegetation were observed at the selected pastures areas. Forage crop characteristics were measured and the suitable grazing system was designed and system of usage and treatment of pasture vegetation was designed. The observation was greatly complicated because of the excessive rainfall (floods) in the first third of the grazing season.