ALBERT

Description: Reduction in atmospheric sulfur and intensified agriculture have led to sulfur deficiency, often correlated with a higher susceptibility to pathogens. The spread of fungal pathogens, such as the soil-born Verticillium longisporum, was observed. Defense responses of infected plants are linked to sulfur-containing compounds including glucosinolates (GSLs). Some pathogens infect their hosts at specific time periods during the day. To investigate the relation of sulfur-containing metabolites with diurnal effects of infection time points, Brassica napus plants cultivated at two different sulfur supplies, were infected with V. longisporum at four different time points during the day. It was demonstrated that 3, 7 and 14 days after inoculation the infected plants differed in their infection rate depending on the time point of infection. Additionally, infected plants had higher contents of sulfur-containing metabolites, such as specific GSLs, in comparison to non-infected plants. Sufficient sulfur fertilization was always reflected in higher contents of sulfur-containing compounds as well as a lower rate of infection compared to sulfur-deprived plants. On the microscopic level vascular occlusions in the hypocotyl were visible and the amount was dependent on the time point of infection. The results might be used to optimize sulfur fertilization to reduce susceptibility to V. longisporum.

Description: We surveyed occurrence and activity of large and medium-sized mammals on three experimental short-rotation coppice (SRC) and three afforestations by camera trapping. Both habitat types were surveyed simultaneously in spring. Additional wintertime surveys were performed on the SRC to consider seasonal aspects of habitat utilisation. In spring, SRC and afforestations were predominantly used by the same species. European hare (Lepus europaeus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were the most active species across all sites. Additionally, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) showed intense activity on one SRC site. Activity of carnivorous and omnivorous species was comparatively low in both habitat types, but even lower on the SRC. The only forest-associated species (European badger Meles meles), detected on all afforestations, was absent from the SRC. In winter, the surveyed SRC were used by the same species as in spring. Most species showed similar activity on the SRC in both seasons. We conclude that small-scale and structurally diverse SRC provide suitable habitat, in different seasons, especially for herbivorous mammals associated with farmland and forest-ecotones rather than forest species. The extent to which our results can be generalised to large-scale commercial SRC is unclear. However, the results indicate that SRC can be managed in a manner compatible with wildlife and may then have a habitat function for mammals comparable to that of young afforestations. Creation of within-plantation heterogeneity can be a suitable measure to improve habitat quality and should, therefore, be considered in the design and management of SRC.