In Argentina, the Araucaria araucana forest occupies a vast area in the Northwest of Patagonia, following a pronounced gradient of increasing xericity from west to east over a short distance. These forests have been t...In Argentina, the Araucaria araucana forest occupies a vast area in the Northwest of Patagonia, following a pronounced gradient of increasing xericity from west to east over a short distance. These forests have been the subject of detailed studies due to their uniqueness and ecological relevance. In this context, an exhaustive investigation was carried out to understand the diversity and structure of these ecosystems. The objective was to study the floristic and ecological differences in humid and xeric areas along a west-east transect where A. araucana is distributed. Floristic surveys, geomorphological analyses, and bioclimatic data were examined. In Argentina, A. araucana integrates two distinct forest types: mesic and xeric. The xeric A. araucana forest constitutes a forest with floristic, genetic, geomorphological, and bioclimatic identity. The results highlight the importance of understanding the local variability of these ecosystems for the design of effective conservation strategies. Furthermore, they highlight the need for further research into the ecology and dynamics of these forests, especially in the context of climate change and human activities.展开更多
Adaptations of animals to the xeric environment have been studied in various taxonomic groups and across several deserts.Despite the impressive data that have been accumulated,the focus in most of these studies is mai...Adaptations of animals to the xeric environment have been studied in various taxonomic groups and across several deserts.Despite the impressive data that have been accumulated,the focus in most of these studies is mainly on the significance of one variable at a time.Here,we attempt to integrate between responses of several physiological systems,challenged by increasing diet and water salinity and extreme temperatures,acquired in different studies of thermo and osmo-regulatory adaptations,of small rodents,to the xeric environment.Studies have shown differen-tial thermoregulatory responses to increased dietary salinity,which were attributed to habitat and habits of the relevant species.In the thermoregulatory studies,a potential adaptive significance of low metabolic rate was demonstrated.From an evolutionary point of view,the most important adaptation is in the timing of reproduction,as it enables the transfer of genetic properties to the next generation in an unpredictable ecosystem,where repro-duction might not occur every year.Results in this aspect show that increased dietary salinity,through an increase in vasopressin plasma levels,plays an important role as a regulator of the reproductive system.We assume that the amount of food existing in the habitat and the amount of reserves in the animal in the form of white adipose tissue are important for reproduction.Photoperiod affects all studied physiological responses,emphasizing the impor-tance of pre-acclimation to seasonal characteristics.We summarize the existing data and suggest neuro-endocrine pathways,which have a central role in these adaptations by affecting thermoregulation,osmoregulation and repro-duction to create the optimal response to xeric conditions.These hypotheses can be used as the basis for future studies.展开更多
The North American design community typically regards green roofs as inhospitable environments for native plants due to the infrastructure’s characteristic thin soils,low organic matter,temperature fluctuations,and w...The North American design community typically regards green roofs as inhospitable environments for native plants due to the infrastructure’s characteristic thin soils,low organic matter,temperature fluctuations,and wind exposure.Consequently,green roofs are often planted with an industry-standard palette of non-native Sedum and Phedimus species that are adept at withstanding stress,but lack biodiversity and visual interest,and offer little food or shelter to native birds and insects.Regionally specific reference plant communities that thrive in similarly harsh growing conditions can positively influence green roof design throughout North America,and consequently provide ecosystem services,contribute to habitat conservation,and increase human exposure to the beauty and benefits of native plants.展开更多
文摘In Argentina, the Araucaria araucana forest occupies a vast area in the Northwest of Patagonia, following a pronounced gradient of increasing xericity from west to east over a short distance. These forests have been the subject of detailed studies due to their uniqueness and ecological relevance. In this context, an exhaustive investigation was carried out to understand the diversity and structure of these ecosystems. The objective was to study the floristic and ecological differences in humid and xeric areas along a west-east transect where A. araucana is distributed. Floristic surveys, geomorphological analyses, and bioclimatic data were examined. In Argentina, A. araucana integrates two distinct forest types: mesic and xeric. The xeric A. araucana forest constitutes a forest with floristic, genetic, geomorphological, and bioclimatic identity. The results highlight the importance of understanding the local variability of these ecosystems for the design of effective conservation strategies. Furthermore, they highlight the need for further research into the ecology and dynamics of these forests, especially in the context of climate change and human activities.
文摘Adaptations of animals to the xeric environment have been studied in various taxonomic groups and across several deserts.Despite the impressive data that have been accumulated,the focus in most of these studies is mainly on the significance of one variable at a time.Here,we attempt to integrate between responses of several physiological systems,challenged by increasing diet and water salinity and extreme temperatures,acquired in different studies of thermo and osmo-regulatory adaptations,of small rodents,to the xeric environment.Studies have shown differen-tial thermoregulatory responses to increased dietary salinity,which were attributed to habitat and habits of the relevant species.In the thermoregulatory studies,a potential adaptive significance of low metabolic rate was demonstrated.From an evolutionary point of view,the most important adaptation is in the timing of reproduction,as it enables the transfer of genetic properties to the next generation in an unpredictable ecosystem,where repro-duction might not occur every year.Results in this aspect show that increased dietary salinity,through an increase in vasopressin plasma levels,plays an important role as a regulator of the reproductive system.We assume that the amount of food existing in the habitat and the amount of reserves in the animal in the form of white adipose tissue are important for reproduction.Photoperiod affects all studied physiological responses,emphasizing the impor-tance of pre-acclimation to seasonal characteristics.We summarize the existing data and suggest neuro-endocrine pathways,which have a central role in these adaptations by affecting thermoregulation,osmoregulation and repro-duction to create the optimal response to xeric conditions.These hypotheses can be used as the basis for future studies.
文摘The North American design community typically regards green roofs as inhospitable environments for native plants due to the infrastructure’s characteristic thin soils,low organic matter,temperature fluctuations,and wind exposure.Consequently,green roofs are often planted with an industry-standard palette of non-native Sedum and Phedimus species that are adept at withstanding stress,but lack biodiversity and visual interest,and offer little food or shelter to native birds and insects.Regionally specific reference plant communities that thrive in similarly harsh growing conditions can positively influence green roof design throughout North America,and consequently provide ecosystem services,contribute to habitat conservation,and increase human exposure to the beauty and benefits of native plants.
