Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “canopy”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 667 records · Page 37Linked to original sources

[Influence of thinning on regeneration in a coastal pinus thunbergii forest].

A coastal forest planted nearby the sea can provide many shelter benefits for the coastal regions. It is ideally if the continuity of the shelter benefits could be preserved through reasonable management. Thinning and regeneration as the most important management techniques for plantations can help the continuity of the shelter benefits of the coastal forest. However, because of the peculiarities of coastal forest, i.e., the coastal plantation nearby the sea is vulnerable to disturbances (thinning as one kind of disturbance), the study on thinning and regeneration within a coastal forest is poorly understood. The purpose of this paper is to give a primary understanding in natural regeneration for the coastal Pinus thunbergii forest with different thinning rates after four growing seasons since thinning. The experiment was carried out at the middle of the shoreline along the Japan Sea, and the investigated sites consisted of four thinning treatments (control, 0% thinned, 20% thinned, 30% thinned and 50% thinned) in a coastal P. thunbergii forest. After thinning, the regenerated seedlings, soil water content, light condition (canopy openness or canopy density), wind regime, and litter depth and quantity were investigated for four growing seasons. The relationships between the regenerated seedlings and light condition, litter, wind profile and soil water content were examined. The results showed that thinning could improve the light condition on the forest floor, increase the exchange of airflow (wind speed) in the coastal forest stand, and ameliorate the water content of the forest soil. These factors accelerated the decomposition of litters, and provided necessary conditions for natural regeneration. The results of regeneration observation indicated that the most intensively thinned treatment (50% thinned with density of about 1500 stems.hm-2) could provide a better condition for regeneration during the four growing seasons. The density and growth of seedling (greater than 1 year) increased significantly with increasing thinning intensities, and the establishment of seedlings was obviously succeeded in the most intensively thinned treatment, but failed in less thinned treatments and understory. The thinned intensity of 50% did not induce wind damage to the coastal forest in the four years after thinning, and did not cause the loss of shelter functions of the coastal forest such as sand blocking, wind breaking and salt preventing etc.. On the contrary, it could provide the suitable conditions for natural regeneration of the pine coastal forest, or for the immigration of other species. Therefore, thinning as the silviculturally created openness is very important for the establishment of seedlings in the coastal forests, which provides a mechanism for the coastal forest from even aged stands dominated by P. thunbergii to stands containing multiple size classes and canopy layers.

China↗

[Simulating photosynthesis and evapotranspiration of winter wheat with a SVAT model].

Two sub-models were added to the developed soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer model. Of the two sub-models, one was the canopy photosynthesis/stomatal coupled sub-model distinguishing the sun light and shaded leaves, and the second was the simplified growth sub-model considering growth respiration and maintenance respiration. The comparison of measured and simulated daily evapotranspiration showed that the RMSD (root mean standard deviation) of model prediction to observation was 0.65 mm, and MAPD (mean absolute percent difference) was 14%. The daily course of the simulated and measured photosynthesis rates at the top of canopy were in good consistency. With the high-resolution meteorological data, the canopy net photosynthesis and evapotranspiration were simulated over the whole growing season. The sensitivities of maximum leaf area index, environmental CO2 concentration and leaf nitrogen content to evapotranspiration and water use efficiency were also analyzed.

Ecosystem↗

[Gaps and their natural disturbance characteristics in mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Wanmulin].

Through field investigation on 96 gaps in some permanent plots of mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Wanmulin Natural Reserve of Fujian Province, this paper dealt with the gap characteristics and their natural disturbance. The results showed that the area percentage of expanded gap (EG) and canopy gap (CG) in the forest landscape was 50.86% and 16.66%, and the natural disturbance frequency for EG and CG was 0.85% x yr(-1) and 0.28% x yr(-1), respectively. The return interval of canopy gaps was about 357 years. The most popular manner of gap formation in the forest was stem breakage (58.04% of the total), and the second was uprooting (33.48%). Most gaps were formed by two trees, averaging 2.33 trees per gap. The size of most expanded gaps was in the range of 100 - 300m2, the gaps of 200 - 300m2 occupied the biggest percentage in area, and those of 100 - 200m2 occupied the biggest percentage in number. The size of most canopy gaps was under 100m2, and the gaps of < 50m2 had the biggest percentage in area and number. The diameter at breast height of most gap makers was 20 - 30cm.

Altitude↗

[Dynamics of species diversity in artificial restoration process of subalpine coniferous forest].

Through plot investigation and by adopting the concept of space as a substitute for time, the developments of species diversity of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants in subalpine coniferous plantations at different restoration stages were studied, and the correlation coefficients of species in each layer were discussed. The results indicated that in the restoration process, the species richness, diversity and evenness in subalpine coniferous plantations were gradually increased in a fluctuating way. The restoration process of Picea asperata plantations showed a tendency of development that in favor of resuming species diversity. The indices of species richness (species number and Margalef index) and species diversity (Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson index) of trees increased rapidly from the early stages of plantation establishment to the stage of canopy closing (about 30 yr of stand age) and then presented a tendency of decrease with some slight fluctuations, while the index of species evenness showed a periodical rising trend. For the shrub layer, the indices of species richness (Simpson index and Macintosh index) gradually increased with increasing restoration years, whereas the indices of species diversity (Shannon-Wiener index) decreased in the early stages, sharply increased during the stages of canopy closing, and then slowly decreased, which exhibited a tendency of high-->low-->high. In the layer of herbaceous plants, the indices of species richness (Margalef index and number of species) and species diversity (Simpson index, Macintosh index and Shannon-Wiener index) presented a trend of decrease in the early stages of plantations establishment to canopy closing and increased later on. During this process, herbaceous species and their life forms changed greatly, with shade tolerant species gradually substituting the intolerant species. Among the plantations of different stand ages, the average correlation coefficients of trees, shrubs and herbaceous species were 41.88%, 50.61% and 37.22%, respectively, indicating that in the 70 years of artificial forest restoration, the continuity and stability of shrub species were the highest, those of herbaceous species showed greatest fluctuation because of the disappearance and regeneration occurred with the alteration of the environmental conditions of plantations, and those of the trees were intermediary.

Altitude↗

[Numerical simulation of interaction between forest ecosystem and atmosphere boundary layer].

Based on the basic principles of atmosphere boundary layer and plant canopy micrometeorology, a numerical model of the interaction between forest ecosystem and atmosphere boundary layer was built, and used to simulate the diurnal variations of heat balance in forest ecosystem, canopy temperature, air temperature in canopy, and ground surface temperature, as well as those of the profiles and temporal and spatial distributions of potential temperature, wind speed, specific humidity and turbulence exchange coefficient. It indicated that the model could be used to study the interaction between land surface process and atmospheric boundary layer over various underlying surface and regional climate effect, which supplied a solid base to the researches on coupling climate models with the biosphere.

Atmosphere↗

[Growth characteristics of rock plant Pogonatherum paniceum].

The study on the growth characters, above and underground biomass, and root-shoot ratio of Pogonatherum paniceum grown on three types of substrates and five types of habitats in Chongqing showed that there were significant differences in plant growth characters, including stalk basal diameter, plant canopy and height, root system area and depth, and maximum root length among five habitats. For shoot growth, though the plants grown on purple soil had the maximum stalk basal diameter (15.18 cm), canopy (3 086.77 cm2) and height (6.58 cm) while those grown on purple sandy rock had the minimum values (stalk basal diameter 10.89 cm, canopy 1 868.79 cm2, and height 60.75 cm). There were no significant differences among three types of substrates. As for root system, there were significant differences between sandy rocks and purple soil, the plants grown on sandy rocks having higher means of root system area (1 389.14 cm2 and 1 487.14 cm2) and maximum root length (45.83 cm and 39.24 cm) than those grown on purple soil (root system area 717.09 cm2, maximum root length 21.42 cm). The plants grown on sandy rock allocated more biomass to root system, and had higher root-shoot ratio, which was helpful for its fixation on rock and its endurance on the desiccation and arid of rock substrate.

Environment↗

Use of a remote sensing-based geographic information system in the characterizing spatial patterns for Anopheles minimus A and C breeding habitats in western Thailand.

A remote sensing (RS)-based Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to characterize the breeding habitats of Anopheles minimus species A and C in five different districts of Kanchanaburi Province in western Thailand. The GIS and RS were used to monitor the area for the presence and absence of An. minimus A and C in five major land areas, forest, agriculture, urban, water and bare land. The results show that An. minimus A survives both in dense canopy forest and in open fields where agriculture is dominant. A scatter plot of land-use/land-cover for An. minimus, considering proximities to the forest and proximities to agriculture, suggests that An. minimus A has a wider habitat preference, ranging from dense canopy forest to open agricultural fields. A scatter plot for An. minimus C, on the other hand, showed a narrow habitat preference. A scatter plot for proximities performed on separate populations of An. minimus species A, one in the north and the other in the south, showed that there was an association in the northern population with the forest and in the southern population with agricultural areas. There were no statistically significant differences in the scatter plot of proximities to urban areas and water bodies with the An. minimus A north, south, and An. minimus C. LANDSAT TM satellite data classification was used to identify larval habitats that produce An. minimus A and C and analyze proximities between land-use/land-cover classes and locations of larval habitats. An. minimus A has a wide habitat preference, from dense canopy forest to open agricultural fields, while An. minimus C has a narrow habitat preference.

Animals↗

[Temporal-spatial characteristics of wind in tropical seasonal rainforest in Xishuangbanna of Yunnan Province].

Based on the observation data of wind speed and wind direction at different heights on the observation tower (70 m) in the tropical seasonal rainforest of Xishuangbanna, this paper analyzed the annual, seasonal and diurnal characteristics of wind. The results showed that the wind speed above crown canopy was stronger than that under canopy, and the diurnal and vertical change under the canopy was not obvious. From the height of 30 m to 50 m, the vertical change of wind speed was most remarkable, but its annual change was not obvious. Above 50 m, the change trend was opposite. Dry-hot season (March-April) had the strongest wind speed, followed by rainy season (May-October) and foggy-cool season (November -next February). The wind speed at daytime was stronger than that at nighttime. At daytime, wind speed was in order of morning > afternoon > noon. Wind direction had obvious diurnal characteristics, i. e., leaning southeast wind at daytime and leaning west wind at nighttime. At daytime, the change trend of zero-plane displacement (d) was in order of morning > noon > afternoon, and the annual change range in the afternoon was wider and lower than that in the morning and at noon. The change trend of roughness length (Z0) at daytime was opposite to that of d. The d value in the afternoon was obviously higher than that in the morning and at noon.

China↗

[Modules biomass structure and growth pattern of Acanthopanax senticosus population in different habitats].

In this paper, a quantitative analysis was conducted on the functional modules' biomass structure and the relationships between biomass allocation and age of Acanthopanax senticosus population in three different habitats of coniferous and broad--leaved mixed forest, Quercus mongolica forest, and secondary miscellaneous forest. The results showed that the individual growth and modules' biomass accumulation of A. senticosus population were closely related to habitat conditions. The mean values of all functional modules' biomass under different ecological environments exhibited the same regularity, i. e. , stem modules > rhizome modules > leaf modules, and there were some similarities in the whole population of A. senticosus. The individual and each module's biomass of the population differed with the canopy density of forests, being larger in Q. mongolica forest with 40% of canopy density than in coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest and secondary miscellaneous forest. The variations of ramet biomass allocation under different habit conditions indicated the important strategies in growth regulation and biomass allocation, i. e., more biomass was allocated to the leaves preferentially on small ramets, especially in the secondary miscellaneous forest with biggest canopy density, to ensure the full material product. There was the same regulation of heterogeneous speed growth in the relative weight increase of the leaves, stems and ramets of the population under the three habitat conditions.

Biomass↗

Ultrastructure of the ookinetes of Haemoproteus meleagridis (Haemosporina: Haemoproteidae).

Ookinetes of Haemoproteus meleagridis were structurally similar to kinetes of other apicomplexan parasites and possessed a polar ring complex (PRC) composed of an electron-lucent polar ring with 25 supporting tines. Fifty subpellicular microtubules were anchored in a circle to the inner surface of the polar ring. A bilayered electron-dense canopy was continuous with the inner layer of the pellicle and formed a caplike cover over the PRC. Embedded rings of actin-sized microfilaments completely encircled each layer of the canopy. Numerous micronemes, 2 smaller preconoidal rings, and a conoid composed of approximately 6 spirally wound, electron-dense tubules were also present. Other organelles were similar to those reported in previous studies of haemosporidian ookinetes. Mature ookinetes of H. meleagridis developed in the midguts of engorged specimens of Culicoides edeni (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) within 24 hr after a blood meal. Most parasites were found beneath, or embedded within, a peritrophic membrane composed of fine granules and fibrils. The observation of actin-sized microfilaments within the canopy is a previously unrecognized modification of the pellicle that probably supports the anterior end of ookinetes during penetration of the peritrophic membrane.

Animals↗

Photosynthesis and temperature, with particular reference to effects on quantum yield.

Previous reviews of the effects of temperature on in vivo photosynthesis have mainly concerned the effects of temperature on light saturated rates. The quantum yield of photosynthesis (phi), as a measure of light limited photosynthesis, has generally been regarded as temperature insensitive. At temperatures close to the minima and maxima at which plants can sustain photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, light may damage the photosynthetic apparatus, an effect termed photoinhibition. A constant feature of photoinhibition is a reduction in phi. In maize, chilling-dependent photoinhibition reduces both phi and the light saturated rate of CO2 assimilation (Asat) and of O2 evolution. Analysis of recovery of CO2 uptake in these leaves suggests that whilst Asat recovers in a few hours, phi may not be fully restored for days. Examination of mature crop canopies shows that only a small proportion of the leaves are likely to become light saturated and then only for part of the day. The relative significance of temperature-induced changes in Asat and phi have also been tested in canopy models of maize crop photosynthesis. These suggest that whilst changes in either parameter will have similar effects on total canopy photosynthesis on the sunniest days of the year, for an average summer's day changes in phi will be of far greater importance. Consideration is therefore given to the factors associated with thylakoid membranes that may determine temperature-induced decreases in phi. Chilling of maize leaves under high light levels reduces the quantum yield of PSII and whole chain electron transport in concert with a decrease in the capacity of isolated thylakoids to bind atrazine, which is indicative of a loss or damage to the QB protein. Besides such classical symptoms of photoinhibition of PSII, chilling also induces the accumulation of a 31 kDa polypeptide in the thylakoids of maize leaves. This polypeptide fractionates with the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complex (LHCII) and has been tentatively identified as an unprocessed precursor of CP29 since it binds chlorophyll and is immunologically related to CP29. Accumulation of the 31 kDa polypeptide is associated with a modification in the energetics of LHCII, which may result in a decrease in excitation energy from LHCII to PSII and contribute to a decrease in phi. Examination is also made of how stress-induced modifications of interactions between PSII complexes, functioning of the cyt b6/f complex, the permeability of the thylakoid membrane to protons and the activity of the coupling factor may contribute to decreases in phi.

Cold Temperature↗

Options for liferaft entry after helicopter ditching.

METHOD: Dry and wet evacuations were conducted by 24 male and 19 female subjects from the Nutec Super Puma Simulator into two different types of aviation liferaft. RESULTS: Dry evacuation on the windward side is the method of choice. The non-canopy raft is subjectively and objectively easier to enter both from the helicopter and the sea. CONCLUSIONS: The non-canopy raft is the raft of choice, the canopy raft needs a redesign to ensure that it always inflates the correct way and both rafts need a redesign of the painter anchor point. Aircrew should have special training in open water after traditional pool training. A helicopter ditching survival compass has been developed for training all who fly over water for a living.

Accidents, Aviation↗

Foraging ecology of the mountain monkey (Cercopithecus l'hoesti): implications for its evolutionary history and use of disturbed forest.

We present the first systematic field study on the feeding ecology of the mountain monkey (Circopithecus l'hoesti), a semi-terrestrial guenon. We compare our results with findings from a concurrent study of blue monkeys (C. mitis doggetti, which have an overlapping home range) conducted over ten months in the Nyungwe Forest Reserve, Rwanda. The mountain monkeys spent 35% of observation time feeding on terrestrial herbaceous vegetation. Thirty-five fruit and seed species comprised 42% of their diet, and invertebrates composed 9%. They spent 38% of observation time on the ground and 27% of observation time in canopy trees. Individuals were observed for equivalent proportions of time foraging on the ground for herbs and in canopy trees for fruits. Although mountain monkeys primarily foraged in undisturbed open areas, they also used disturbed open habitats for this purpose. Synthesizing our results with Pleistocene forest history and C. l'hoesti evolutionary history, we suggest that, although these monkeys readily use disturbed forest for herb foraging, they are a forest-adapted species which has adopted a terrestrial lifestyle to exploit the abundant herb layer common to montane forests.

Animals↗

Benefits of polyspecific associations for the Goeldi's monkey (Callimico goeldii).

Polyspecific associations are an important component of Callimico goeldii behavior and ecology. On average, Callimico goeldii was found in proximity to or in vocal contact with Saguinus troops (S. fuscicollis and S. labiatus) during 53% of all time intervals sampled. Polyspecific associations varied considerably between seasons, however, with association rates peaking during the wet-season month of February (89%) and declining in the dry season, with the lowest rate (13%) in July. The primary benefits of associations appear to be an increased use of the lower and middle canopy, and an increase in feeding behaviors during the wet season. Thus, Callimico goeldii appear to benefit most from associations during the wet season when fruits are its principal food source. Fruits are eaten more in the forest canopy than in the understory; thus, an increase in height use likely permits an increase in the fruit resources on which Callimico goeldii can forage and feed. In addition, Saguinus groups, with their smaller home ranges, are likely to be more knowledgeable than Callimico goeldii about the location and abundance of ripe fruits in their home ranges. Thus, Callimico goeldii may parasitize Saguinus for their fruit knowledge by following them through their ranges. In the dry season, limited dietary overlap between Callimico goeldii and Saguinus groups is likely to make associations less beneficial for Callimico goeldii as they adopt different foraging and ranging strategies.

Animals↗

Fiber architecture of the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder and arm in semiterrestrial and arboreal guenons.

The internal organization of myofibers and connective tissues has important physiologic implications for muscle function and for naturalistic behavior. In this study of forelimb muscle morphology and primate locomotion, fiber architecture is examined in the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder (musculi deltoideus, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, subscapularis, teres major, and t. minor) and arm (m. coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, brachialis, and triceps brachii) in the semiterrestrial vervets (Chlorocebus aethiops) and arboreal red-tailed guenons (Cercopithecus ascanius). Wet weights and lengths of whole muscles, lengths of fasciculi and their associated proximal and distal tendons, and angles of pinnation were measured to estimate morphologic correlates of physiologic properties of individual muscles: force, velocity/excursion, energy expense, and relative isometric or isotonic contraction. Neither mean total-shoulder:total-arm ratios for muscle mass nor total reduced physiological cross-sectional area exhibited significant (P < 0.05) interspecific differences, thus emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning musculoskeletal analyses by the data collected here. The results generally support those previously published for quadriceps femoris and triceps surae of the hind limb in these species (Anapol and Barry [1996] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 99:429-447). The fiber architecture of the semiterrestrial vervets is largely suited for higher velocity while running on the ground. By contrast, the architectural configuration of red-tailed monkeys implies relatively isometric muscle contraction and passive storage of elastic strain energy for exploitation of the compliant canopy, where substrate components are situated beneath the sagittal plane of the animal. With respect to relative distribution of maximum potential force output among muscles of either shoulder or arm groups in these otherwise hind limb-dominated quadrupedal primates, statistically significant interspecific differences are best interpreted in light of braking, climbing, and, for vervets, the transition between ground and canopy. The interspecific differences shown here for the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder and arm underscore the significance of intramuscular morphology in reconciling structure and function with regard to locomotor behavior. Its analysis and interpretation lend support to consideration of "semiterrestrial" as a bona fide locomotor category uniquely different from what is practiced by dedicated arboreal and terrestrial quadrupeds that occasionally visit the habitat of one another. Data from a more committed terrestrial species would clarify this enigma.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Forest use and activity patterns of Callimico goeldii in comparison to two sympatric tamarins, Saguinus fuscicollis and Saguinus labiatus.

Callimico goeldii, Saguinus fuscicollis, and S. labiatus are sympatric in northern Bolivia and differ from each other in patterns of spatial and structural use of their environment. C. goeldii has a home range five times larger than that of mixed-species troops of S. fuscicollis and S. labiatus. The larger overlapping home range of C. goeldii allows it to move among Saguinus troops, giving it access to a wide range of different microhabitats. All three species use the most common microhabitat in the area, primary forest with dense understory, more than any other microhabitat type. C. goeldii habitat use varies by season, with bamboo and Heliconia microhabitats used more during the dry season. Each species shows preferences for different height classes: C. goeldii is found almost exclusively in the understory, S. fuscicollis uses the understory and middle canopy, and S. labiatus is found mostly in the middle canopy. These height class preferences are reflected in each species' locomotor styles, with C. goeldii showing the highest rates of vertical clinging and leaping, and S. labiatus showing the highest rates of branch-to-branch leaping and quadrupedal movement. The results suggest that C. goeldii may be restricted to forests with dense understory and a mosaic of other microhabitats. Furthermore, C. goeldii does not appear to use its tegulae for large branch foraging, but rather for vertical clinging and leaping between small vertical supports.

Animals↗

Correlates between locomotor anatomy and behavior in two sympatric of Lemur.

Sympatric populations of Lemur catta and Lemur fulvus show major differences in their occupation of canopy forest levels. Lemur catta is usually found in the lowest levels of the forest, and uses the ground for travel over 65% of the time. Lemur fulvus uses the upper levels of the canopy forest and is observed on the ground in less than 2% of all observations. Comparison of hindlimb musculoskeletal anatomy show statistically significant differences in the lengths of the long bones and the height of the talus. Differences also occur in ranges of tibio-talar and mid-talar joint mobility. The details of insertion of the biceps femoris muscle are distinct in the two species as is the relative mass of muscle associated with flexion of the pedal digits, and flexion of th tibio-talar joint. The metric and morphological differences in the hindlimb anatomy of Lemur catta and Lemur fulvus are consistent with differences in habitat and substrate utilization.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Locomotor ecology of wild orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus abelii) in the Gunung Leuser Ecosystem, Sumatra, Indonesia: a multivariate analysis using log-linear modelling.

The large body mass and exclusively arboreal lifestyle of Sumatran orangutans identify them as a key species in understanding the dynamic between primates and their environment. Increased knowledge of primate locomotor ecology, coupled with recent developments in the standardization of positional mode classifications (Hunt et al. [1996] Primates 37:363-387), opened the way for sophisticated multivariate statistical approaches, clarifying complex associations between multiple influences on locomotion. In this study we present a log-linear modelling approach used to identify key associations between orangutan locomotion, canopy level, support use, and contextual behavior. Log-linear modelling is particularly appropriate because it is designed for categorical data, provides a systematic method for testing alternative hypotheses regarding interactions between variables, and allows interactions to be ranked numerically in terms of relative importance. Support diameter and type were found to have the strongest associations with locomotor repertoire, suggesting that orangutans have evolved distinct locomotor modes to solve a variety of complex habitat problems. However, height in the canopy and contextual behavior do not directly influence locomotion: instead, their effect is modified by support type and support diameter, respectively. Contrary to classic predictions, age-sex category has only limited influence on orangutan support use and locomotion, perhaps reflecting the presence of arboreal pathways which individuals of all age-sex categories follow. Effects are primarily related to a tendency for adult, parous females to adopt a more cautious approach to locomotion than adult males and immature subjects.

Age Factors↗