Podocarpus cunninghamii is an endemic New Zealand conifer that, in pre-human times, formed extensive forest communities across the eastern South Island high country. Anthropogenic disturbances have reduced the distribution of Podocarpus cunninghamii communities such that they now exist mainly as small and isolated remnants within a highly modified, predominantly pastoral landscape. Very little is known of the ecology of high country Podocarpus cunninghamii communities, and without this information it is not possible to develop an ecological basis for their restoration. This thesis explores the ecology of Podocarpus cunninghamii in the eastern South Island high country, investigating factors that potentially affect the restoration of Podocarpus cunninghamii within this environment, with special attention paid to the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Field investigations of Podocarpus cunninghamii communities showed that they contain a high degree of floristic and structural variation determined by soil and climatic variables. Analysis of age and size class distributions suggest that Podocarpus cunninghamii has more than one regeneration strategy, and can regenerate within intact forest following the opening of small canopy gaps or can undergo large-scale recruitment following catastrophic disturbance. Field and glasshouse experiments investigating growth and nutrient responses of Podocarpus cunninghamii to different AMF inoculants found that Podocarpus cunninghamii responses are dependent on both AMF type and grass competition. Finally, investigation of Podocarpus cunninghamii carbon stocks showed that they are less than that of other New Zealand forest types, but are greater than that of grazed pastures. Successful restoration of high country Podocarpus cunninghamii communities will require the incorporation of associated species based on local environmental conditions, and will also need to allow for disturbance processes. AMF may have an important role to play in restoration by reducing seedling production times and by increasing the competitiveness of Podocarpus cunninghamii when in competition with exotic grasses.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Submitted by Helena Bejio (helena.bejio@unioeste.br) on 2018-06-08T00:45:40Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Fernanda_Menegusso_2018.pdf: 1828109 bytes, checksum: d3740fabed744c8f157c44a448d867b5 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-08T00:45:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Fernanda_Menegusso_2018.pdf: 1828109 bytes, checksum: d3740fabed744c8f157c44a448d867b5 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of rooting of podocarpos cuttings in function of the number of leaves, concentrations of IBA and other phytorregulators, different application methods and cutting season. Two experiments were carried out under weaning conditions, in a factorial scheme containing 3 replicates of 15 cuttings, the first with 4 concentrations of IBA (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg L-1), 3 numbers of leaves at the cuttings (4, 6, 8) and 2 seasons (winter and summer). These were removed in August/2016 and January/2017, prepared with 10 cm in length and immersed in solutions for 10 s. In the second experiment three types of phytoregulators (IBA, NAA and IAA) and 2 application forms were tested (slow and quick immersion). Cuttings were prepared in the same manner as in the first experiment, maintaining 4 leaves. The bases of the cuttings were immersed for 10 s and 24 h in the solutions, then taken to root in sand bed. After 100 days of experimentation, it was concluded that podocarp cuttings collected in the summer had a higher percentage of rooting, 4 leaves and IBA concentration should be maintained between 750 and 800 mg L-1. The best form of application of phytoregulator is by rapid immersion. / Objetivou-se avaliar o potencial de enraizamento de estacas de podocarpos em função do número de folhas, concentrações de AIB e outros fitorreguladores, diferentes métodos de aplicação e época de estaqueamento. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em condições de telado, em esquema fatorial contendo 3 repetições de 15 estacas, sendo o primeiro com 4 concentrações de AIB (0, 500, 1000 e 1500 mg L-1), 3 números de folhas na estaca (4, 6, 8) e 2 épocas (inverno e verão). Estas foram retiradas em agosto/2016 e janeiro/2017, preparadas com 10 cm de comprimento e imersas nas soluções por 10 s. No segundo experimento foram testados 3 tipos de fitorreguladores (AIB, ANA e AIA) e 2 formas de aplicação (imersão lenta e rápida). Estacas foram preparadas da mesma maneira que no primeiro experimento, mantendo 4 folhas. As bases das estacas foram mergulhadas por 10 s e 24 h nas soluções, em seguida levadas para enraizar em canteiro de areia. Após 100 dias de experimentação, concluiu-se que estacas de podocarpo coletadas no verão apresentaram maior percentagem de enraizamento, devem ser mantidas 4 folhas e concentração de AIB entre 750 a 800 mg L-1. A melhor forma de aplicação de fitorregulador é por imersão rápida.

Diseases caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses pose a significant threat especially to poor rural communities. Viral infections are frequently complicated by secondary bacterial and fungal infections which remain a major challenge globally and in particular, in sub Sahara Africa amongst humans and animals alike. The main aim of this study was to develop a low toxicity plant extract or isolated compound active against viral, bacteria and fungal pathogens from selected plant species. Seven tree species that were investigated were Acokanthera schimperi, Carissa edulis, Ekebergia capensis, Podocarpus henkellii, Plumbago zeylanica, Annona senegalensis and Schrebera alata traditionally used in the treatments of various ailments were selected and extracted using solvents of varying polarity. Extracts of selected plants were tested for activity against two Gram positive and two Gram negative bacterial namely Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus and two Gram-negative species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli respectively, three fungal pathogens: Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigates and four enveloped animal viruses: feline herpes virus–1 (FHV-1, dsDNA), canine distemper virus (CDV, ssRNA), canine parainfluenza virus-2 (CPIV-2, ssRNA) and lumpy skin disease virus strain V248/93 (LSDV, dsDNA). The presence of antioxidant constituents in the different extracts and cytotoxicity against three cell types CRFK, bovine dermis and Vero cells were determined. Bioautography and the serial microplate dilution methods were used to determine the number of antimicrobial compounds and antimicrobial activity of extracts against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Virucidal and attachments assays were used to determine the activity against viral pathogens. Qualitative antioxidant activities of extracts were tested using the DPPH reagent and cytotoxicity using the MTT assay. Biological activity was observed in all the extracts against one or more organisms on bioautography. The intermediately polar system (CEF) separated more active constituents. Some extracts had compounds with similar Rf values active against one or more organisms. In both the antibacterial and antifungal assays, acetone extracts had the highest activity followed by DCM against one or more pathogens. Hexanes extracts were the least active. P. henkellii extracts had more active compounds against the bacteria and Annona senegalensisagainst the fungi. In the micro-dilution assay, S. aureus was the most susceptible bacterial organism to extracts of the different plant, followed by P. aeruginosa andEscherichia coli, and E. faecalis the least. C. neoformans on the other hand was the most susceptible fungal pathogen. In the antiviral assay, although activity was observed with hexane extracts of some plants in the virucidal assay, the most potent inhibition was observed with the acetone and methanol extracts of Podocarpus henkelii against CDV and LSDV in the virucidal assay and acetone extracts in the attachment assay. In general the hexane was the least toxic while the intermediate polarity extracts were generally the most toxic indicating that highly polar compounds were possibly poorly or highly absorbed through membranes in the former and later respectively. Of the three cell types used CRFK was the most sensitive followed by bovine dermis and Vero cells the least. Cytotoxicity studies of extracts of the different plants revealed A. senegalensis and A. schimperi extracts were the most toxic plants in the cellular assay. These plants are toxic to animals and the cytoxicity is in line with the in vivo toxicity. The protective effects of antioxidant constituents in some extracts varied and appear to be influenced by the metabolism of the type of cell in culture. It also appears to suggest that metabolism in kidney derived cells can be influenced by species variation in the origin of cells. P. henkellii was selected for isolation of bioactive compound. Three compounds were isolated and their structure elucidated using 13C and 1H NMR and mass spectrometric data. The antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity of the isolated compounds 7’, 4’, 7’’, 4’’’, tetramethoxy amentoflavone (C1), isoginkgetin (C2) and Podocarpusflavone–A (C3) were determined. Compound C2 was the most active against E. coli and S. aureus (MIC = 60 ìg/mE) and a selectivity index (SI) value of 16.67. The compound was also active against A. fumigatus and C. neoformans (SI = 33.33) suggesting both antibacterial and antifungal activity with relative safety. Compound C3 had a broad spectrum of activity against E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa with SI values of 4. A less potent activity of the compounds was obtained in both the virucidal and attachment assays against test pathogens, indicating the lower activity of the compounds against tested viral pathogens. The studies further suggest structural activity relationship in the antimicrobial activity of biflavonoids. The compounds C1 and C2 had no toxic effect on the three cell types and mutagenicity studies indicated no activity of these compounds. Podocarpusflavone-A occurs in every species of Podocarpus so far investigated, except P. latifolius. These studies represent the first isolation of bioactive compounds from P. henkellii. Although a different extractant was used than that used by traditional healers, the presence of antiviral compounds in Podocarpus henkelii against two unrelated viruses may justify on a chemotaxonomic basis the traditional use of related species Podocarpus latifoliusand Podocarpus falcatus in the traditional treatment of canine distemper infection in dogs. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

No description available.

El sur de los Andes Ecuatorianos alberga una extraordinaria riqueza de especies. Muchos factores ambientales diferentes influyen entre sí en un espacio muy limitado y crean ecosistemas únicos y complejos. Sin embargo, esta área está altamente en peligro debido al creciente impacto humano a través de la intensificación del uso de la tierra y cambio global. Sólo poco se sabe acerca de la historia paleoecológica y dinámica del paisaje de esta zona. Sin embargo, la información acerca del por qué y cómo los ecosistemas han cambiado en el pasado es crucial para el desarrollo de estrategias innovadoras para la conservación y futuras predicciones del clima. En este estudio, presentamos los análisis palinológicos realizados en la región sur de los Andes Ecuatorianos, que ayudan aclarar los patrones y procesos de los ecosistemas presentes y pasados. El estudio paleoecológico de la cuenca volcánica Quimsacocha en la cresta oriental de la Cordillera Occidental revela cambios del clima, la vegetación y del régimen del fuego desde el período del Holoceno temprano. El Holoceno medio fue un período de severos cambios ambientales debido a un clima más seco y supuestamente más cálido en esta área. Durante el Holoceno tardío, varias fases cálidas y frías se indican en el registro. El fuego estuvo presente en la zona desde el Holoceno temprano y puede ser el primer signo del impacto humano. El análisis multivariado combinado con otros núcleos de sedimentos en el sur de los Andes Ecuatorianos reveló acontecimientos, en parte, contrastantes, los cuales supuestamente son debido a la heterogeneidad ambiental de los diferentes sitios. Por otra parte, un estudio de tres años entre la relación lluvia de polen actual – vegetación se llevó a cabo en la región del Parque Nacional Podocarpus, con el fin de comprender los patrones de dispersión de polen de los diferentes tipos de vegetación del bosque premontano, bosque montano bajo, bosque montano alto y páramo para crear una base más sólida para la interpretación de los datos de polen fósil. Una comparación entre la abundancia y los datos de presencia-ausencia a nivel de familia para el polen y la vegetación mostró que los patrones de diversidad, distribución y abundancia tienen una buena correspondencia el uno con el otro en ambos conjuntos de datos. Sin embargo, cantidades variables del polen transportado de larga distancia, la productividad desigual de polen de los diferentes taxones y los sistemas heterogéneos del viento impactan los patrones. Los análisis de las tasas de acumulación de polen indican poca variación interanual pero una alta variación espacial en los datos de polen. La evaluación de los dos diferentes tipos de trampa de polen utilizados con frecuencia en estudios palinológicos tropicales, la trampa Oldfield modificada y la trampa Behling, en comparación con muestras de suelo superficial y una trampa de referencia, mostró que en las muestras de suelo, los taxones con una exina frágil se representan en menor medida que en las trampas. Además, señaló que mientras que en el bosque, todos los tipos de trampas proporcionan resultados similares, la trampa Behling se debe preferir en el páramo, ya que resiste mejor a la alta radiación y periodos de sequía. Todos los análisis amplían el conocimiento preciso y completo de la dinámica de la vegetación de los Andes Tropicales en el espacio y el tiempo.

Caption "TW 10. Podocarpus latifolius growing from rocks. Top Kologha Mt. Stutterheim. June 1961.”

No description available.

Although species maintenance in small forest fragments relies on successful regeneration and recruitment, few studies have examined the effects of fragmentation on regeneration processes. New Zealand's podocarp species rely on large disturbance openings operating across a vegetated landscape to stimulate regeneration. Clearance of vegetation that results in small fragments of forest removes regeneration opportunities for podocarps by destroying the intact vegetation mosaic, and as a result may exclude disturbances of the scale necessary for podocarp regeneration. Fragmentation alters the disturbance regime of the landscape, with important implications for the regeneration of podocarps on Banks Peninsula. The four remaining lowland podocarp-hardwood fragments on Banks Peninsula were sampled to determine the structure and regeneration patterns of podocarps and to assess their long term viability. Density, basal area, and size and age class distributions were used to examine current composition, and in conjunction with spatial analysis, to identify past regeneration patterns and infer likely future changes in composition and population structure. Podocarp size and age class structures for three of the four fragments were characteristically even-sized and relatively even-aged (eg; Prumnopitys taxifolia c. 350 to 600 years), with little or no regeneration for approximately the last 200 years (old-growth fragments). Regeneration of the current podocarp canopy in the old-growth fragments may have been stimulated by flooding. The fourth younger fragment showed much more recent regeneration with Prumnopitys taxifolia, Podocarpus totara and Dacrycarpus dacrydioides mostly 80-160 years old, and substantial populations of seedlings and saplings, probably as a result of anthropogenic fire. In the absence of major disturbance the podocarp component in forest fragments on Banks Peninsula is likely to decline with composition shifting towards dominance by hardwood species. There is some evidence to suggest that canopy collapse will stimulate some podocarp regeneration within the fragments, however it appears to be unlikely that podocarps will persist on Banks Peninsula indefinitely within the fragments studied. There is an urgent need for more quantitative research in New Zealand fragmentation literature, and a need for more emphasis on processes. Banks Peninsula offers potential for a more landscape scale approach in forest management, and the maintenance of regenerating scrub in pockets about the Peninsula may offer the regeneration opportunities for podocarps that are lacking within protected fragments. My study took a quantitative approach in examining the effects of forest fragmentation on the demographics of podocarps and compositional change in forest fragments on Banks Peninsula.