Effect of stratification, gibberellic acid, and ethephon on Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and E. angustifolia D.C. seeds [abstract]

Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Trinklein, Plant SciencesAbstract only availableEchinacea, commonly referred to as purple coneflower, is an economically important herbaceous perennial native to North America. The demand for Echinacea has dramatically increased within recent years due to the renewed interest in native plantings and its medicinal properties. The roots and above ground parts of E. angustifolia D.C., E. pallida (Nutt.), and E. purpurea (L.) Moench have been proven to stimulate the immune system to prevent and treat colds, flus, and upper respiratory infections. However, Echinacea seeds have a dormancy requirement that ensures that they do not germinate until environmental conditions are favorable for survival, which makes them particularly difficult for plant propagators to germinate. The enlarged demand coupled with the low germination percentage of Echinacea has led researchers to determine what techniques will best help seeds break dormancy in order to improve the seedling germination percentage. The objective of this study was to find the treatment that most enhanced the germination percentage of E. purpurea and E. angustifolia by using a combination of stratification or moist chilling, gibberellic acid, and ethephon. The results of the study indicated that the treatment for both species that had the greatest improved germination percentage was stratification for 7 weeks with ethephon at 5 degrees Celsius. This project was completed as part of a Capstone requirement

The management of Antarctic tourism: environmental issues, the adequacy of current regulations and policy options within the Antarctic Treaty system

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:D196188 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

A policy for antarctic tourism: conflict or cooperation?

The Antarctic tourism industry is described and assessed. Tourist numbers are established. The regulatory framework for Antarctic tourism is explained and problems for policy makers are identified. Tourism policies of the British Antarctic Survey, United States Antarctic Program and other Treaty Parties are reviewed to reveal problems which arise when national science programs and tour operators attempt to coexist in Antarctica. Faraday Base (UK) is offered as a case study of tourism's effect on an Antarctic scientific research station. The nature of conflict and cooperation between National Antarctic Programs and tourist operations in Antarctica is explained and conclusions are drawn

Managing the Effects of Noise From Ship Traffic, Seismic Surveying and Construction on Marine Mammals in Antarctica

© 2019 Erbe, Dähne, Gordon, Herata, Houser, Koschinski, Leaper, McCauley, Miller, Müller, Murray, Oswald, Scholik-Schlomer, Schuster, Van Opzeeland and Janik. The Protocol on Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty stipulates that the protection of the Antarctic environment and associated ecosystems be fundamentally considered in the planning and conducting of all activities in the Antarctic Treaty area. One of the key pollutants created by human activities in the Antarctic is noise, which is primarily caused by ship traffic (from tourism, fisheries, and research), but also by geophysical research (e.g., seismic surveys) and by research station support activities (including construction). Arguably, amongst the species most vulnerable to noise are marine mammals since they specialize in using sound for communication, navigation and foraging, and therefore have evolved the highest auditory sensitivity among marine organisms. Reported effects of noise on marine mammals in lower-latitude oceans include stress, behavioral changes such as avoidance, auditory masking, hearing threshold shifts, and—in extreme cases—death. Eight mysticete species, 10 odontocete species, and six pinniped species occur south of 60°S (i.e., in the Southern or Antarctic Ocean). For many of these, the Southern Ocean is a key area for foraging and reproduction. Yet, little is known about how these species are affected by noise. We review the current prevalence of anthropogenic noise and the distribution of marine mammals in the Southern Ocean, and the current research gaps that prevent us from accurately assessing noise impacts on Antarctic marine mammals. A questionnaire given to 29 international experts on marine mammals revealed a variety of research needs. Those that received the highest rankings were (1) improved data on abundance and distribution of Antarctic marine mammals, (2) hearing data for Antarctic marine mammals, in particular a mysticete audiogram, and (3) an assessment of the effectiveness of various noise mitigation options. The management need with the highest score was a refinement of noise exposure criteria. Environmental evaluations are a requirement before conducting activities in the Antarctic. Because of a lack of scientific data on impacts, requirements and noise thresholds often vary between countries that conduct these evaluations, leading to different standards across countries. Addressing the identified research needs will help to implement informed and reasonable thresholds for noise production in the Antarctic and help to protect the Antarctic environment

Betula pumila: A Dwarf Among Giants

Volume: 75Start Page: 9End Page: 1

A Concise Chronicle of Propagation

Volume: 74Start Page: 2End Page: 1