Search results for "Stamen"

Seedling growth of a native ( Ampelodesmos mauritanicus ) and an exotic ( Pennisetum setaceum ) grass

2016

Scarce information is available on the biological reasons why a small subset of introduced species can effectively establish within novel ecosystems. A comparison of early growth traits can help to explain the better performance of alien invasive species versus native co-occurring species. In one year-long experiment, we compared the early life stages of Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) Dur. & Schinz (Amp), a native perennial Mediterranean grass, and Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov (Penn), an emerging invader grass in sub-arid and Mediterranean-climate areas. The Penn seedlings grew significantly faster and were approximately 2.5 times taller than the Amp seedlings, reaching a fina…

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Vegetative Vigor of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle Seedlings under Sustained Pot Limitation

2018

In order to invade new ecosystems, invasive alien plants need to cope with different microbial communities. Whilst the ability to avoid antagonists is well recognized, the opportunity to establish mutualistic associations is less known, even in widespread invasive species such as Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. We sought to evaluate whether the beneficial effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on Ailanthus seedlings are maintained over time, under prolonged pot limitation. We compared three-month-, three-year- and four-year-old mycorrhizal seedlings grown in natural forest soil (NT) with seedlings grown in sterilized (ST) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) soils, in pots of 3.4 L (22 &tim…

The impact of Carpobrotus cfr. acinaciformis (L.) L. Bolus on soil nutrients, microbial communities structure and native plant communities in Mediter…

2016

Background and aims: Carpobrotus spp. are amongst the most impactful and widespread plant invaders of Mediterranean habitats. Despite the negative ecological impacts on soil and vegetation that have been documented, information is still limited about the effect by Carpobrotus on soil microbial communities. We aimed to assess the changes in the floristic, soil and microbial parameters following the invasion by Carpobrotus cfr. acinaciformis within an insular Mediterranean ecosystem. Methods: Within three study areas a paired-site approach, comparing an invaded vs. a non-invaded plot, was established. Within each plot biodiversity indexes, C and N soil content, pH and microbial biomass and st…

Defaunation and biomass collapse of mammals in the largest Atlantic forest remnant

2016

Large continuous rainforests are the main hope for sustaining the population of large-bodied vertebrates that cannot cope with fragmentation or unsustainable hunting. The Brazilian Atlantic forest is considered a biodiversity hotspot and although highly fragmented, it still contains large forest patches that may be important for the conservation of mammals that require large areas. Here, we estimated species richness, density and biomass of medium- and large-sized mammals along the largest remnant of the Atlantic rainforest, Brazil (the Serra do Mar bioregion), an estimated area of 8000 km2. We recorded 44 species based on 4090 km of diurnal line transects and camera traps, animal tracks an…

Formation and Characterization of Early Bacterial Biofilms on Different Wood Typologies Applied in Dairy Production

2018

ABSTRACT The main hypothesis of this work was that Sicilian forestry resources are suitable for the production of equipment to be used in cheese making and indigenous milk lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are able to develop stable biofilms providing starter and nonstarter cultures necessary for curd fermentation and cheese ripening, respectively. Hence, the present work was carried out with deproteinized whey to evaluate LAB biofilm formation on different woods derived from tree species grown in Sicily. Microbiological and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed minimal differences in microbial levels and compositions for the neoformed biofilms. The specific investigation of Salmonella spp.…

2020

One of the most exciting questions in botany refers to the nature of the angiosperm flower. While most flowering structures are easily identified as flowers, there are few examples lying in-between flowers and inflorescences. Such an example is the staminate unit ('male flower') in Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae) famous for its branched 'staminal trees.' The units were controversially interpreted in the past. Today, they are seen as flowers with multiple branched stamen-fascicles. In the present paper, the recently described floral unit meristem is used to reinterpret the staminate units in Ricinus. This meristem shares almost all characteristics with a flower meristem, but differs from it…

Effect of cactus pear cultivation after Mediterranean maquis on soil carbon stock, δ13C spatial distribution and root turnover

2014

Abstract Mediterranean ecosystems are characterized by nearly complete replacement of natural vegetation by intensive croplands and orchards leading to strong soil degradation. Organic carbon is usually accumulated in soils under maquis leading to partial regeneration of fertility for future agricultural use. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of land use change from maquis to agriculture on soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and its spatial distribution in a Mediterranean system. Three Mediterranean land use systems (seminatural vegetation, cactus pear crop and olive grove) were selected in Sicily and analysed for soil C stocks and their δ13C. Total SOC and δ13C were measured …

APPLICAZIONE DI CRITERI E INDICATORI DELLA CERTIFICAZIONE PEFC DI GESTIONE FORESTALE SOSTENIBILE: DUE CASI STUDIO A CONFRONTO NEL TERRITORIO SICILIANO

2018

La Sicilia non ha ancora complessi forestali la cui gestione sostenibile sia stata certificata. Questo lavoro è volto a analizzare la possibilità di applicare i criteri e indicatori di certificazione di GFS secondo lo schema PEFC a due casi studio: i boschi del comune di Bivona (AG) e una foresta situata sulle Madonie (PA). Entrambi sono rappresentativi di ambienti ecologici diversi e importanti dell’isola. L’analisi pone in luce le criticità più significative della gestione attualmente adottata e la mancanza di comunicazione con i portatori d’interesse. Application of Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management PEFC Certification: two case studies in Sicily Sicily currently ha…

Personas con discapacidad y libertad para testar

2020

Esta comunicación se presenta en relación con la ponencia sobre la posible reforma del Código civil en materia de discapacidad, que tuvo lugar en el VIII Congreso Internacional de Derecho de Familia: “Nuevas tendencias legislativas y jurisprudenciales en materia de discapacidad, familia y sucesiones”. En ella se realiza un análisis crítico de la vigente norma civil contenida en el CC, comparando esta normativa con la contenida en el CC de Cataluña, así como analizando la jurisprudencia más reciente en materia de capacidad para otorgar testamento notarial, que afecta a las personas que padecen alguna discapacidad, física o psíquica. This communication is presented in connection with the poss…

Public policy as grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement under regulation 2016/1103 and regulation 2016/1104

2021

El orden público es una de las instituciones más conocidas e importantes del Derecho internacional privado. Puede encontrarse como motivo de denegación de reconocimiento y ejecución en varios Reglamentos europeos, entre otros en el Reglamento (UE) 2016/1103 del Consejo, de 24 de junio de 2016, por el que se establece una cooperación reforzada en el ámbito de la competencia, la ley aplicable y el reconocimiento y la ejecución de las resoluciones en materia de regímenes económico matrimoniales, y en el Reglamento (UE) 2016/1104 del Consejo, de 24 de junio de 2016, por el que se establece una cooperación reforzada en el ámbito de la competencia, la ley aplicable y el reconocimiento y la ejecuc…