24,309 research outputs found
Changes in seed dispersal processes and the potential for between-patch connectivity for an arid land daisy
Dispersal is a major and critical process in population biology that has been particularly challenging to study. Animals can have major roles in seed dispersal even in species that do not appear specifically adapted to animal-aided dispersal. This can occur by two processes: direct movement of diaspores by animals and modification of landscape characteristics by animals in ways that greatly influence dispersal. We exploited the production of large, persistent dispersal structures (seed heads, henceforth) by Erodiophyllum elderi (Asteraceae), a daisy from arid Australia, to further understand secondary dispersal. Seed head dispersal on and off animal tracks in eight E. elderi patches was monitored for 9.5 months by periodically recording the location of marked seed heads. Sites were located inside a reserve that excludes sheep but not kangaroos, and in a nearby area with both kangaroos and sheep. The distance moved and likelihood of seed head movement was higher in areas with sheep, and especially along animal tracks. There was clear evidence that seed heads were channeled down animal tracks during large rainfall events. Seed head dispersal away from patches occurred to a limited extent via their physical contact with sheep and potentially via wind dispersal. Thus, the advantages of this study system allowed us to demonstrate the two postulated effects of herbivores on dispersal via direct movement of seed heads, and two distinct indirect effects through landscape modification by herbivores from the creation of animal tracks and the denudation of vegetation.Louise M. Emmerson, JosƩ M. Facelli, Peter Chesson, Hugh Possingham, and Jemery R. Da
Carbonate Formation in Non-Aqueous Environments by Solid-Gas Carbonation of Silicates
We have produced synthetic analogues of cosmic silicates using the Sol Gel
method, producing amorphous silicates of composition Mg(x)Ca(1-x)SiO3. Using
synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction on Beamline I11 at the Diamond Light
Source, together with a newly-commissioned gas cell, real-time powder
diffraction scans have been taken of a range of silicates exposed to CO2 under
non-ambient conditions. The SXPD is complemented by other techniques including
Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy and SEM imaging.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Contribution to the Proceedings of the First
European Conference on Laboratory Astrophysics (ECLA
In situ apparatus for the study of clathrate hydrates relevant to solar system bodies using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy
Clathrate hydrates are believed to play a significant role in various solar
system environments, e.g. comets, and the surfaces and interiors of icy
satellites, however the structural factors governing their formation and
dissociation are poorly understood. We demonstrate the use of a high pressure
gas cell, combined with variable temperature cooling and time-resolved data
collection, to the in situ study of clathrate hydrates under conditions
relevant to solar system environments. Clathrates formed and processed within
the cell are monitored in situ using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and
Raman spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction allows the formation of clathrate
hydrates to be observed as CO2 gas is applied to ice formed within the cell.
Complete conversion is obtained by annealing at temperatures just below the ice
melting point. A subsequent rise in the quantity of clathrate is observed as
the cell is thermally cycled. Four regions between 100-5000cm-1 are present in
the Raman spectra that carry features characteristic of both ice and clathrate
formation. This novel experimental arrangement is well suited to studying
clathrate hydrates over a range of temperature (80-500K) and pressure
(1-100bar) conditions and can be used with a variety of different gases and
starting aqueous compositions. We propose the increase in clathrate formation
observed during thermal cycling may be due to the formation of a quasi
liquid-like phase that forms at temperatures below the ice melting point, but
which allows easier formation of new clathrate cages, or the retention and
delocalisation of previously formed clathrate structures, possibly as amorphous
clathrate. The structural similarities between hexagonal ice, the quasi
liquid-like phase, and crystalline CO2 hydrate mean that differences in the
Raman spectrum are subtle; however, all features out to 5000cm-1 are diagnostic
of clathrate structure.Comment: Astronomy & Astrophysics, in press. 6 page
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