Pavla Hejcmanová

Effect of phosphorus availability on the selection of species with different ploidy levels and genome sizes in a long‐term grassland fertilization experiment

Polyploidy and increased genome size are hypothesized to increase organismal nutrient demands, namely of phosphorus (P), which is an essential and abundant component of nucleic acids. Therefore, polyploids and plants with larger genomes are expected to be selectively disadvantaged in P-limited environments. However, this hypothesis has yet to be experimentally tested. We measured the somatic DNA content and ploidy level in 74 vascular plant species in a long-term fertilization experiment. The differences between the fertilizer treatments regarding the DNA content and ploidy level of the established species were tested using phylogeny-based statistics. The percentage and biomass of polyploid species clearly increased with soil P in particular fertilizer treatments, and a similar but weaker trend was observed for the DNA content. These increases were associated with the dominance of competitive life strategy (particularly advantageous in the P-treated plots) in polyploids and the enhanced competitive ability of dominant polyploid grasses at high soil P concentrations, indicating their increased P limitation. Our results verify the hypothesized effect of P availability on the selection of polyploids and plants with increased genome sizes, although the relative contribution of increased P demands vs increased competitiveness as causes of the observed pattern requires further evaluation.

Forage quality of leaf-fodder from the main broad-leaved woody species and its possible consequences for the Holocene development of forest vegetation in Central Europe

Leaf-hay was the principal winter feed of livestock from the Neolithic until the first archaeological records of scythes dated to the Iron Age (700–0 b.c.). Despite the use of meadow hay, leaf-fodder remained an important winter supplement until the present. Archaeological evidence lists Quercus, Tilia, Ulmus, Acer, Fraxinus and Corylus as woody species harvested for leaf-fodder, while Fagus, Populus or Carpinus were rarely used. The aim of our study was to test whether the use of listed woody species followed the pattern of their forage quality (syn. nutritive value). In late May 2012, we collected leaf biomass at four localities in the Czech Republic and determined concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, neutral- and acid-detergent fibre and lignin. Species with leaves of low forage quality were Carpinus betulus, Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur, species with leaves of intermediate quality were Corylusavellana and Populus tremula and species with leaves of high quality were Ulmus glabra, Fraxinus excelsior, Tiliacordata and Acer platanoides. Selective browsing and harvesting of high quality species Acer, Fraxinus, Tilia and Ulmus thus probably supported their decline in the Bronze and Iron ages and supported the expansion of Carpinus and Fagus. Our results indicate that our ancestors’ practice of exploiting woody species as leaf-hay for winter fodder followed their nutritive value.

Sward structure and diet selection after sheep introduction on abandoned grassland in the Giant Mts, Czech Republic

The effect of rotational grazing on the sward structure of long-term abandoned grassland and the sheep diet selection were investigated in the Giant Mts (Krkonoše/Karkonosze). The aim of the study was to answer the following questions: (1) Does sheep grazing affect the sward structure of previously abandoned mountain grassland? (2) How does sheep diet selection develop within and among grazing seasons? (3) Which section of a pasture do sheep prefer to graze? Data was collected three times during each grazing season in spring, summer and in autumn in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 Fifty 1 × 1 m plots were used where the plant species occurrence and damage of plants by grazing for all species were repeatedly recorded. 1) Nonsignificant changes in plant species occurrences were recorded in spite of obvious visual changes in sward structure due to grazing e.g. the retreat of tall dominant species characteristic of long-term unmanaged grasslands. 2) Seasonal as well as inter-annual changes in sheep diet selection were detected. In spring 2001, sheep grazed over a wide variety of plant species in low quantities. In subsequent springs, they preferred species favoured during previous autumns (Veratrum album subsp. lobelianum; Ranunculus platanifolius; Senecio ovatus) and changed the diet only as a result of the elimination of favoured plants. 3) Sheep preferred to graze at the highest elevated part of the pasture probably as a consequence of anti-predator behaviour not due to higher occurrence of favoured plant species or the presence of a drinking place or salt licks. Changes in the sward structure were mostly of a quantitative not qualitative character, thus the presence-absence data collection is not a suitable method for monitoring the effects of management restoration. The diet selection changed probably due to the animals’ experience; sheep had no experience with montane species in spring 2001. The sheep were able to recognize favoured plant species after 6 months of wintering in lowland.

Nutritive value of winter-collected annual twigs of main European woody species, mistletoe and ivy and its possible consequences for winter foddering of livestock in prehistory:

In Central Europe, forest grazing was probably the main way of providing winter feeding for livestock in prehistory; the main components of this diet most likely included annual twigs of woody species (Acer platanoides, Betula pendula, Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Populus tremula, Quercus robur, Salix caprea, Tilia cordata and Ulmus glabra), Hedera helix, Viscum album and senescent grassland biomass; however, their nutritive value has never been compared. Biomass samples were collected in the Czech Republic in February 2013 and analysed for concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, fibre and lignin. With the help of a recent analogy from the Altai Mountains (Russia), possible consequences of winter grazing on the development of forest vegetation and cattle breeds in prehistory were assessed. Hedera and Viscum were the best forage available in winter, and their nutritive value, according to the highest N and lowest fibre and lignin concentrations, was higher than the nutritive value of all winter-collected annual twigs of woody species. Nutritive value of annual twigs of all woody species was very low, especially compared with the quality of meadow hay, leaf-fodder or senescent steppe grassland biomass. Therefore, Hedera and Viscum might have been preferentially grazed by livestock and collected by ancient farmers for the supplementary feeding of privileged animals. According to recent analogy, annual twigs of woody species were browsed by livestock. Their insufficient quality could be one of the reasons for the low body size of cattle recorded in prehistory. The most realistic model of livestock breeding in prehistory seems to be year-round grazing, opening forests and causing deforestation in the surroundings of prehistoric settlements.

Effect of Air Pollution on the Health Status of Spruce Stands

This paper presents the results of research on local air pollution (nitrogen and sulfur concentrations) and on the changes in the health status of trees observed in spruce stands in the period 1980–2011 in the Krkonoše Mountains National Park. Data on precipitation and sulfur and nitrogen deposition were collected in regular 2-week intervals from 1994 to 2010. Precipitation was measured at 5 monitoring stations; the health status of forest stands was evaluated on 6 research plots located in stands dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) in zones where there has been a significant threat from air pollution since 1980. The health status of spruce stands was assessed on the basis of the degree of defoliation, classified into 6 levels. In all localities since 1994, the total deposition of sulfates decreased significantly, from 50–80 kg ha−1 year−1 to 8–13 kg ha−1 year−1; however, no clear trend in the development of nitrogen deposition could be stated. The mean defoliation of living and all trees was 32% (± 0.5 SE) and 63% (± 0.8 SE), respectively, on plots with autochthonous stands, and 91.5% (±5.8 SE) and 97.6% (±1.7 SE), respectively, on a plot with an allochthonous stand. The defoliation of living and all trees differed across research plots. Despite a negative relationship between defoliation of all trees on plots and atmospheric deposition of sulfur (P  =  0.012; r  =  −0.25), air pollution in the Sudeten still represents a serious hazard for the forest ecosystem. This relationship differed across research plots (F[5, 96]  =  110, P < 0.001). Close-to-nature management techniques aimed at the enhancement of forest complexity and preferential use of autochthonous populations of trees in timely regenerated forest stands may be of crucial importance for the restoration and preservation of these mountain forest ecosystems.

Effects of air pollution and climatic factors on Norway spruce forests in the Orlické hory Mts. (Czech Republic), 1979–2014

The area of the Orlické hory Mts. has been characterised by decline and disturbances of Norway spruce (Picea abies/L./Karst.) stands since the 1980s. Currently, only three permanent research plots have been preserved from the original sixteen established plots in this region. In the present study, the health status, as indicated by defoliation, mortality, and stem radial growth, was studied in the peaty and climax spruce ecosystems in the upper elevations of the mountains from 1979 to 2014. This health status was correlated with ambient air pollution (SO2) as well as climate factors (temperature and precipitation). The health status of individual trees on the plots was determined by evaluation of the foliage status, and tree vitality was evaluated by measuring stem radial growth increment. Stress factor analysis showed that high air pollutant concentrations predisposed Norway spruce to stress from climatic events (drought, temperature changes), leading to forest decline. The most serious damage can be attributed to the combination of chemical and climatic stress. Stands with lowered vitality were attacked by secondary biotic pests (particularly bark beetle), resulting in rapid tree mortality. The damage process is marked not only by higher mortality, but also by chlorosis and necrosis of the needles. The stabilised trend in health status of the spruce stands was registered since approximately 1990s. In terms of climatic factors, the weather in June had the most visible influence on radial increment. Low temperatures and high precipitation were the limiting factors for radial growth in studied mountain area.

Plant Trait Assembly Affects Superiority of Grazer's Foraging Strategies in Species-Rich Grasslands

Background Current plant – herbivore interaction models and experiments with mammalian herbivores grazing plant monocultures show the superiority of a maximizing forage quality strategy (MFQ) over a maximizing intake strategy (MI). However, there is a lack of evidence whether grazers comply with the model predictions under field conditions. Methodology/Findings We assessed diet selection of sheep (Ovis aries) using plant functional traits in productive mesic vs. low-productivity dry species-rich grasslands dominated by resource-exploitative vs. resource-conservative species respectively. Each grassland type was studied in two replicates for two years. We investigated the first grazing cycle in a set of 288 plots with a diameter of 30 cm, i.e. the size of sheep feeding station. In mesic grasslands, high plot defoliation was associated with community weighted means of leaf traits referring to high forage quality, i.e. low leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and high specific leaf area (SLA), with a high proportion of legumes and the most with high community weighted mean of forage indicator value. In contrast in dry grasslands, high community weighted mean of canopy height, an estimate of forage quantity, was the best predictor of plot defoliation. Similar differences in selection on forage quality vs. quantity were detected within plots. Sheep selected plants with higher forage indicator values than the plot specific community weighted mean of forage indicator value in mesic grasslands whereas taller plants were selected in dry grasslands. However, at this scale sheep avoided legumes and plants with higher SLA, preferred plants with higher LDMC while grazing plants with higher forage indicator values in mesic grasslands. Conclusions Our findings indicate that MFQ appears superior over MI only in habitats with a predominance of resource-exploitative species. Furthermore, plant functional traits (LDMC, SLA, nitrogen fixer) seem to be helpful correlates of forage quality only at the community level.

Population management as a tool in the recovery of the critically endangered Western Derby eland Taurotragus derbianus in Senegal, Africa

Abstract The critically endangered Western Derby eland Taurotragus derbianus derbianus, representing < 200 wild individuals, undoubtedly needs a coordinated conservation programme. To promote the survival of this subspecies, a single worldwide semi-captive population was established in Senegal in 2000, with one male and five female founders transferred from the Niokolo Koba National Park. To determine a long-term conservation strategy, we used demographic and pedigree data based on continuous monitoring of reproduction during 2000 - 2009 in breeding enclosures in the Bandia and Fathala Reserves, in conjunction with modelling software. In 2009, the semi-captive population consisted of 54 living individuals (26 males and 28 females), managed using the minimal kinship strategy. The female breeding probability was 84%, annual calf and adult mortality rates were 5.09% and 3.27%, respectively, and the annual population growth rate was 1.36. As the population grew, the animals were progressively separated into five herds within two reserves. A pedigree analysis revealed an effective population size of 6.72 and an Ne/N ratio of 0.13. The population retained 77% of the gene diversity (GD). The founder genome equivalent (FGE = 2.21) was relatively low due to the overrepresentation of one founder male. Although the mean level of inbreeding (F) reached 0.119, a significant potential GD (92%) was still retained. In this article, we predict GD development in this population in the next 100 years with the inclusion of new founders. If the whole wild population were included, we could maintain 90% of GD. As this option is not practically feasible, we present three options with the goal of maintaining 75% GD. We highly recommend capturing new founders from the remaining wild population to ensure the survival of the subspecies at least in semi-captivity, which could allow possible reinforcement of the wild population or reintroduction in the future. The semi-captive population, if appropriately constituted and genetically managed, could play a considerable role in Western Derby eland conservation.

Diet Composition of Western Derby eland (Taurotragus Derbianus Derbianus) in the Dry Season in a Natural and a Managed Habitat in Senegal using Faecal Analyses

The dietary composition of the western Derby eland (Taurotragus derbianus derbianus), a critically endangered antelope, was investigated using microhistological analyses of faeces. Samples were collected in the Niokolo Koba National Park, the refuge of the last wild population, and in the Bandia wildlife reserve, where the animals foraged on natural and supplementary food. Leaves, shoots of woody plants, and fruits were the three major components at both sites. They formed 98.8% of diet volume in the wild and 77.5% in the Bandia Reserve where supplementary food reduced the consumption of natural components but maintained the total content of major components together with supplement at 99.2%. Other components such as forbs and grasses appeared in low proportions, generally below 5% of the mean volume. Leaves of Boscia angustifolia, Grewia bicolor, Hymenocardia acida, and Ziziphus mauritiana, and fruits of Acacia spp. and Strychnos spinosa were identified as part of the diet in the wild. In the Bandia Reserve, the proportions of diet components did not differ between males and females, but there were differences in consumption of supplementary food between age classes. The results indicate that in the dry season the western Derby eland behaves as a pure browser, consuming grasses in negligible amounts. Consequently, woody savanna habitat is necessary for future conservation enclosures to ensure adequate natural forage resources for animals and thus to avoid food supplementing that presents a risk of dietary shifts in animals in captivity.

Environmental Education Supports Conservation Action by Increasing the Immediate and Long-Term Environmental Knowledge of Children in West Africa.

ABSTRACT Local communities play a key role in the sustainability of any conservation program. We evaluated the impact of an environmental education program for school children in the surroundings of the Delta du Saloum Biosphere reserve (Senegal) dedicated to the conservation of African charismatic fauna with the critically endangered Western Derby eland as a conservation flagship. Questionnaires evaluating knowledge and attitudes were filled in by children before and after the program in 2008 and 2009. We found a significant increase in knowledge that carries the potential to support conservation activities of protected area management. This knowledge alone is, however, not enough to change behavior and attitudes, proving the need to approach the problem in context of a complex, targeted awareness campaign.