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TR8: an R package for easily retrieving plant species traits
No full text1.A large amount of data about plant functional traits is available for researchers, but it is scattered over various databases; searching and downloading traits values for a speci_c list of plant species of interest can be a time consuming and error-prone activity if done manually.
2.The TR8 package for R was built in order to provide plant scientists with a simple tool for retrieving plant functional traits from freely accessible on-line traitbases
Il paesaggio vegetale dell’ambiente dunale di Calambrone nel litorale pisano (Toscana settentrionale)
No full textVegetation landscape of dune habitat of the Calambrone area in the pisan coast (northern Tuscany) - The investigation covers the stretch of Calambrone coastline (Pisa) where is a partially survived dune system by marine erosion and anthropogenic pressure. The study initially involved the relief and restitution of mapping of the entire system and then the floristic and vegetational survey of the dune; in additional were made orthogonal transects to coastline. This has enabled, on GIS platform, the realization of an experimental orthophotomap of dune environments, with the plant associations identified and the level of alteration and / or processing of the dune system. The results showed 12 diversied phytocoenosis, with a flora of over 80 species. Among these many (Medicago marina L., Othanthus maritimus (L.) Hoffmgg. et Link, Pseudorlaya pumila (L.) Grande, Solidago litoralis Savi etc.) are included in lists of attention of the Tuscany region. The intersection of the data collected has shown a substantially altered the dune system and associated vegetation types, much higher in the granted areas for the exploitation beach that in the areas overlooking the sea colonies. The measurement of the degree of alteration dune highlights the permanence of the main association of the northern Tyrrhenian coastlin
Il paesaggio vegetale delle ANPIL del Fiume Magra
No full textNell'ambito di studi sul paesaggio vegetale di aree pedemontane della Toscana Nord occidentale, sono state censite, interpretate e cartografate le fitocenosi igrofilo-riparie di due aree proteete del fiume Magra in Lunigiana ed è stata censita la flora dell'are
Does the vegetation affect the activity/density of generalist predators of the pupae of the olive fruit fly [Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin)]?
No full textCOMPARISON BETWEEN DIGITAL ANALYSIS METHODS FOR THE ESTIMATION OF VEGETATION COVER IN WEED RESEARCH
No full textVegetation cover is a widely used parameter in weed research and
several methods are used to asses it through digital images, ranging from simple methods (visual estimate) to more complex ones based on image analysis processing. By using photographs of a wheat experiment we first compared three simple subjective methods for the estimate of vegetation cover through digital image analysis (visual estimate, point quadrate and supervised classification) to understand which of them gave results which were less dependent on operator's subjective value assignment. We did not find a significant difference between operators in case of visual estimate (P=0.784). We then tested the relative performance of two completely automated image analysis techniques based on image transformations (IV 1 V 2 and Principal Components) frequently found in the scientific literature. IV 1 V 2 gave a better performance with respect to Principal Components. There was a highly significant correlation (p=0.947) between IV1V2 and visual estimate, i.e. the two methods of the respective categories which gave the best results. Although being very simple and potentially influenced by operator's skills,visual estimate always performed better in terms of repeatability. We conclude that visual estimate carried out by experienced observers could be regarded as a standard tool in weed research
Utilisation of plant functional diversity in wildflower strips for the delivery of multiple agroecosystem services
No full textIncreased plant diversity in cropping systems can play an important role in agriculture by enhancing arthropod-mediated ecosystem services, including biological control and pollination. However, there is limited research investigating the concurrent influence of plant functional diversity within cultivated systems on different arthropod functional groups, the provision of multiple ecosystem services, and crop yield. During a field experiment, repeated over 2 years, we measured the effect of increasing plant functional diversity on community structure of arthropod visitors, the abundance of multiple pests and induced crop damage, and fruit production in two varieties of tomato. Plant resources (floral and extra-floral nectar and pollen) were included within experimental plots in four levels, with each level increasing the plant functional group richness, based on floral morphology and availability of resources, in a replacement series. The presence of sown flower mixtures in experimental plots was associated with increased abundance and diversity of natural enemy functional groups and an enhanced abundance of bees (Hymenoptera: Apiformes). However, we only detected relatively small variability in arthropod visitors among types of mixtures, and increased abundance of natural enemies did not translate into stronger pest suppression or reduced crop damage. Lepidoptera pest damage was significantly higher in plots adjacent to wildflower strips, an ecosystem disservice, but a significantly higher crop productivity was recorded from these plots. Our results provide evidence that inclusion of non-crop plant resources in agroecosystems can improve the conservation of beneficial arthropods and may lead to increased crop productivity. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicat
Augmenting flower trait diversity in wildflower strips to optimise the conservation of arthropod functional groups for multiple agroecosystem services
No full textSown wildflower strips are increasingly being established in Europe for enhancing arthropod conservation and the provision of ecosystem services, including biotic pollination and natural pest control. Here we use floral traits to identify different plant functional effect groups. Floral resources were provided in four experimental levels characterised by a cumulatively increasing flower trait diversity and vegetation stand complexity. The first level consisted of a bare control strip, whilst in each subsequent level three wildflower species with different functional traits were added (Level 0: control; Level 1: three Apiaceae species; Level 2: three Apiaceae and three Fabaceae species; Level 3: three Apiaceae, three Fabaceae species, and Centaurea jacea (Asteraceae), Fagopyrum esculentum (Polygonaceae), Sinapis alba (Brassicaceae)). Plots with sown wildflower strip mixtures were located adjacent to experimental plots of organically-managed tomato crop, which is attacked by multiple pests and partially relies on bees for fruit production, and hence dependent on the provision of pollination and pest control services. Results obtained here show that the inclusion of functionally diverse wildflower species was associated with an augmented availability of floral resources across time, and this increased the abundance of bees and anthocorids throughout the crop season. Several natural enemy groups, such as parasitoids, coccinelids and ground-dwelling predators, were not significantly enhanced by the inclusion of additional flower traits within the strips but the presence of flower resources was important to enhance their conservation in an arable cropping system
Landscape complexity and field margin vegetation diversity enhance natural enemies and reduce herbivory by Lepidoptera pests on tomato crop.
No full textAgricultural intensification may lead to higher pest pressure through the loss of natural plant assemblages, and associated reduction in natural enemy diversity, while providing increased crop area. We investigate the influence of field margin vegetation and landscape complexity on natural enemy diversity and crop damage caused by two Lepidoptera tomato pests (Tuta absoluta and Noctuidae). At the local scale, fields were bordered with herbaceous field margins of varying vegetation diversity. At the landscape scale, these fields were set in landscapes with increasing landscape complexity. Margin vegetation diversity was higher in landscapes with lower arable land cover, and was associated with increased floral resources and enemy diversity, with the latter being negatively related to T. absoluta-caused fruit injury. Total crop damage increased with arable land cover. These results imply that the suitability of farming practices for the conservation of natural enemies and pest control services is influenced by the landscape context. © 2015 International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC
Exploitation of diversity in grain maize. Effects of increased genetic and species diversity on weed suppression, yield and yield stability
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