Shrub facilitation increases plant diversity along an arid scrubland-temperate rainforest boundary in South America

Theoretical models predict nurse plant facilitation enhances species richness by ameliorating stressful environmental conditions and expanding distributional ranges of stress-intolerant species into harsh environments. We studied the role of nurse facilitation on the recruitment of perennial plants along an arid scrubland–temperate rain forest boundary to test the following predictions: (1) nurse shrub canopy increases seedling abundance and species richness along the rain forest–scrubland boundary; (2) scrubland species are less dependent on facilitative interactions than temperate rain forest species, especially at the moister, upper end of the gradient

Combining interactive GIS tools and expert knowledge in validation of tree species models

Poster presented at XIII Congreso Forestal Mundial. FAO, Buenos Aires (Argentina). 18-25 Oct 200

Ecosystem – service provision by the biofuel feedstock plant, Miscanthus x giganteus

Dairy expansion on the Canterbuty Plains has led to a gross simplification of the agricultural landscape, particularly in the form of shelterbelt removal to allow for the implementation of pivot irrigators. This decline in landscape structure can be seen in multiple agroecosystems worldwide and has been linked to decreases in key ecosytem services such as the biological control of insects. This trial evaluated selected ecological effects surrounding the improvement of landscape complexity through the inclusion of the biofuel feedstock plant Miscanthus x giganteus as a shelterbelt on a Canterbury dairy farm. This information was collected through four separate experiments: 1. The use of tracking tunnels to identify potential ecosystem disservices provided by M. x giganteus in the form of harbouring rodent populations. This was compared with standard Canterbury post-and-wire fence lines in addition to Cortaderia selloana shelterbelts 2. The use of ‘bumblebee motels’ to identify any differences in nesting rates by bumblebees between M. x giganteus shelter and a standard Canterbury dairy farm fence line 3. Invertebrate monitoring to identify any potential differences in natural enemy and pest populations between M. x giganteus shelter and a standard Canterbury dairy farm fence line 4. A glasshouse experiment measuring the growth effects of various strain mixtures of the beneficial fungus Trichoderma atroviride on the performance of M. x giganteus seedlings Results from tracking tunnel analysis indicated no sginificant differences in rodent populations between M. x giganteus, C. selloana and unimproved fence lines. This was, however, thought be due to relatively few experimental replicates. Trends indicating C. selloana harbouring higher rodent numbers than M. x giganteus were identified. Bumblebee motel monitoring yielded no information concerning bumblebee nesting preference due to the timing in which the Honours project was undertaken. Motels were instead used as another measure of rodent populations, indicating a significant difference in these populations between M. giganteus shelter and unimproved fence lines. Invertebrate population monitoring revealed a significant increase in natural enemy populations (2.8 times higher) between M. x giganteus shelter and unimproved fence lines. This has potential to increase potential biological control of pasture pest species, a key ecosystem service. Three out of five T. atroviride strain mixtures significantly increased the performance of M. x giganteus plants compared to a control. Mixture PR6 was identified as forming the most beneficial symbiosis, increasing plant height by 28%, shoot numbers by 39% and chlorophyll content by 15%

Linking genebanks and farmers to urban high-value markets - The case of chili peppers in Peru and Bolivia [Poster]

Poster presented at Tropentag Conference. Stuttgart-Hohenheim (Germany), 17-19 Sep 201

The systematic value of nuclear DNA content for all species of Narcissus L. ( Amaryllidaceae)

Wetensch. publ. referee