ALBERT

Notes: The agglomeration of small silver clusters in noble gas matrices to form larger ones may be accompanied by the emission of light. Spectral analysis reveals that part of radiation intensity can be attributed to fluorescence from excited metal atoms, dimers and trimers the formation of which results from cluster/cluster agglomeration as a consequence of the gain in binding energy. The remaining spectral features must be assigned to excited clusters Agn, with n≥4. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: Based on review and original data, this synthesis investigates carbon pools and fluxes of Siberian and European forests (600 and 300 million ha, respectively). We examine the productivity of ecosystems, expressed as positive rate when the amount of carbon in the ecosystem increases, while (following micrometeorological convention) downward fluxes from the atmosphere to the vegetation (NEE = Net Ecosystem Exchange) are expressed as negative numbers. Productivity parameters are Net Primary Productivity (NPP=whole plant growth), Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP = CO2 assimilation minus ecosystem respiration), and Net Biome Productivity (NBP = NEP minus carbon losses through disturbances bypassing respiration, e.g. by fire and logging). Based on chronosequence studies and national forestry statistics we estimate a low average NPP for boreal forests in Siberia: 123 gC m–2 y–1. This contrasts with a similar calculation for Europe which suggests a much higher average NPP of 460 gC m–2 y–1 for the forests there. Despite a smaller area, European forests have a higher total NPP than Siberia (1.2–1.6 vs. 0.6–0.9 × 1015 gC region–1 y–1). This arises as a consequence of differences in growing season length, climate and nutrition. For a chronosequence of Pinus sylvestris stands studied in central Siberia during summer, NEE was most negative in a 67-y old stand regenerating after fire (– 192 mmol m–2 d–1) which is close to NEE in a cultivated forest of Germany (– 210 mmol m–2 d–1). Considerable net ecosystem CO2-uptake was also measured in Siberia in 200- and 215-y old stands (NEE:174 and – 63 mmol m–2 d–1) while NEP of 7- and 13-y old logging areas were close to the ecosystem compensation point. Two Siberian bogs and a bog in European Russia were also significant carbon sinks (– 102 to – 104 mmol m–2 d–1). Integrated over a growing season (June to September) we measured a total growing season NEE of – 14 mol m–2 summer–1 (– 168 gC m–2 summer–1) in a 200-y Siberian pine stand and – 5 mol m–2 summer–1 (– 60 gC m–2 summer–1) in Siberian and European Russian bogs. By contrast, over the same period, a spruce forest in European Russia was a carbon source to the atmosphere of (NEE: + 7 mol m–2 summer–1 = + 84 gC m–2 summer–1). Two years after a windthrow in European Russia, with all trees being uplifted and few successional species, lost 16 mol C m–2 to the atmosphere over a 3-month in summer, compared to the cumulative NEE over a growing season in a German forest of – 15.5 mol m–2 summer–1 (– 186 gC m–2 summer–1; European flux network annual averaged – 205 gC m–2 y–1). Differences in CO2-exchange rates coincided with differences in the Bowen ratio, with logging areas partitioning most incoming radiation into sensible heat whereas bogs partitioned most into evaporation (latent heat). Effects of these different surface energy exchanges on local climate (convective storms and fires) and comparisons with the Canadian BOREAS experiment are discussed. Following a classification of disturbances and their effects on ecosystem carbon balances, fire and logging are discussed as the main processes causing carbon losses that bypass heterotrophic respiration in Siberia. Following two approaches, NBP was estimated to be only about 13–16 mmol m–2 y–1 for Siberia. It may reach 67 mmol m–2 y–1 in North America, and about 140–400 mmol m–2 y–1 in Scandinavia. We conclude that fire speeds up the carbon cycle, but that it results also in long-term carbon sequestration by charcoal formation. For at least 14 years after logging, regrowth forests remain net sources of CO2 to the atmosphere. This has important implications regarding the effects of Siberian forest management on atmospheric concentrations. For many years after logging has taken place, regrowth forests remain weaker sinks for atmospheric CO2 than are nearby old-growth forests.

Notes: Abstract This study investigated the nitrogen (N) acquisition from soil and insect capture during the growth of three species of pitcher plants, Nepenthes mirabilis, Cephalotus follicularis and Darlingtonia californica. 15N/14N natural abundance ratios (δ15N) of plants and pitchers of different age, non-carnivorous reference plants, and insect prey were used to estimate proportional contributions of insects to the N content of leaves and whole plants. Young Nepenthes leaves (phyllodes) carrying closed pitchers comprised major sinks for N and developed mainly from insect N captured elsewhere on the plant. Their δ15N values of up to 7.2‰ were higher than the average δ15N value of captured insects (mean δ15N value = 5.3‰). In leaves carrying old pitchers that are acting as a N source, the δ15N decreased to 3.0‰ indicating either an increasing contribution of soil N to those plant parts which in fact captured the insects or N gain from N2 fixation by microorganisms which may exist in old pitchers. The δ15N value of N in water collected from old pitchers was 1.2‰ and contained free amino acids. The fraction of insect N in young and old pitchers and their associated leaves decreased from 1.0 to 0.3 mg g−1. This fraction decreased further with the size of the investigated tiller. Nepenthes contained on average 61.5 ± 7.6% (mean ± SD, range 50–71%) insect N based on the N content of a whole tiller. In the absence of suitable non-carnivorous reference plants for Cephalotus, δ15N values were assessed across a developmental sequence from young plants lacking pitchers to large adults with up to 38 pitchers. The data indicated dependence on soil N until 4 pitchers had opened. Beyond that stage, plant size increased with the number of catching pitchers but the fraction of soil N remained high. Large Cephalotus plants were estimated to derive 26 ± 5.9% (mean ± SD of the three largest plants; range: 19–30%) of the N from insects. In Cephalotus we observed an increased δ15N value in sink versus source pitchers of about 1.2‰ on average. Source and sink pitchers of Darlingtonia had a similar δ15N value, but plant N in this species showed δ15N signals closer to that of insect N than in either Cephalotus or Nepenthes. Insect N contributed 76.4 ± 8.4% (range 57–90%) to total pitcher N content. The data suggest complex patterns of partitioning of insect and soil-derived N between source and sink regions in pitcher plants and possibly higher dependence on insect N than recorded elsewhere for Drosera species.

Notes: Abstract The study presents a data set of above-ground biomass (AGB), structure, spacing and fire regime, for 24 stands of pristine Siberian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests with lichens (n = 20) or Vaccinium/mosses (n = 4) as ground cover, along four chronosequences. The stands of the “lichen” site type (LT) were stratified into three chronosequences according to stand density and fire history. Allometric equations were established from 90 sample trees for stem, coarse branch, fine branch, twig and needle biomass. The LT stands exhibited a low but sustained biomass accumulation until a stand age of 383 years. AGB reached only 6–10 kgdw m−2 after 200 years depending on stand density and fire history compared to 20 kgdw m−2 in the “Vaccinium” type (VT) stands. Leaf area index (LAI) in the LT stands remained at 0.5–1.5 and crown cover was 30–60%, whereas LAI reached 2.5 and crown cover was 〉100% in the VT stands. Although nearest-neighbour analyses suggested the existence of density-dependent mortality, fire impact turned out to have a much stronger effect on density dynamics. Fire scar dating and calculation of mean and initial fire return intervals revealed that within the LT stands differences in structure and biomass were related to the severity of fire regimes, which in turn was related to the degree of landscape fragmentation by wetlands. Self-thinning analysis was used to define the local carrying capacity for biomass. A series of undisturbed LT stands was used to characterise the upper self-thinning boundary. Stands that had experienced a moderate fire regime were positioned well below the self-thinning boundary in a distinct fire-thinning band of reduced major axis regression slope −0.26. We discuss how this downward shift resulted from alternating phases of density reduction by fire and subsequent regrowth. We conclude that biomass in Siberian Scots pine forests is strongly influenced by fire and that climate change will affect ecosystem functions predominantly via changes in fire regimes.

Notes: Abstract The grass flora of Namibia (374 species in 110 genera) shows surprisingly little variation in δ13C values along a rainfall gradient (50–600 mm) and in different habitat conditions. However, there are significant differences in the δ13C values between the metabolic types of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. NADP-ME-type C4 species exhibit the highest δ13C values (−11.7 ‰) and occur mainly in regions with high rainfall. NAD-ME-type C4 species have significantly lower δ13C values (−13.4 ‰) and dominate in the most arid part of the precipitation regime. PCK-type C4 species play an intermediate role (−12.5 ‰) and reach a maximum abundance in areas of intermediate precipitation. This pattern is also evident in genera containing species of different metabolic types. Within the same genus NAD species reach more negative δ13C values than PCK species and δ13C values decreased with rainfall. Also in Aristida, with NADP-ME-type photosynthesis, δ13C values decreased from −11 ‰ in the inland region (600 mm precipitation) to −15 ‰ near the coast (150 mm precipitation), which is a change in discrimination which is otherwise associated by a change in metabolism. The exceptional C3 species Eragrostis walteri and Panicum heterostachyum are coastal species experiencing 50 mm precipitation only. Many of the rare species and monotypic genera grow in moist habitats rather than in the desert, and they are not different in their carbon isotope ratios from the more common flora. The role of species diversity with respect to habitat occupation and carbon metabolism is discussed.

Notes: Rezensionen

Notes: Summary Assuming that the lead precipitation method used in the present study for the cytochemical demonstration of ATPase activity does not yield artificial results one can demonstrate at least two enzymes or enzyme systems ATP hydrolyzing at the different parts of the cell membrane of the myocardial cell. First, a Mg, Na, K activated ATPase subject to inhibition by ouabain. This enzyme system is presumably identical with the Na, K transport ATPase. It is inactivated by Ca++ and by SH groups inhibitors and preferably splits ATP, to some extent also ITP. The enzyme activity is localized at the plasma membrane of the sarcolemma and not at the basal membrane. Second, an enzyme system which can be demonstrated in the presence of Mg++ and also of Ca++. It is not inhibited by ouabain and does not require Na- and K ions. Its activity is lowered, though not abolished by sulfhydryl group inhibitors. This enzyme activity is localized at the membranes of the intercalated disks and is particularly active at the nexus (Fascia and macula occludens). It may be identical with the Mg stimulated, Na, K independent basal ATPase activity which usually is observed in studies on isolated cell membrane preparations simultaneously with the Na, K transport ATPase.

Notes: Summary The electron microscopic localization and differentation of nucleosidephosphatases in the trunk and tail musculature of Mollienesia sphenops and in the diaphragm of rats and mice was achieved by the use of the lead precipitation method following preliminary fixation of the tissues in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide. Lead phosphate deposits in the sarcotubular system were heaviest in the terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and occurred there in the presence of a number of nucleosidephosphates, ATP being a preferred substrate. The transverse tubules exhibited no nucleosidephosphate splitting activity, in contrast to the plasma membrane of the sarcolemma, in which a Na+ and K+-dependent ATPase was demonstrated. Lead phosphate accumulation in the terminal cisternae was not influenced by the calcium concentration in the incubation medium. It was markedly inhibited by N-ethyl maleinimide and p-chloromercuribenzoate, but was insensitive to ouabain which, on the other hand, abolished the Na+-K+-dependent ATPase reaction in the plasma membrane. A highly selective deposition of lead phosphate in the transverse tubules was seen following incubation in medium containing p-nitrophenyl phosphate. This observation is discussed in relation to other evidence concerning differences in the properties of the plasma membrane and the transverse tubules.

Notes: Summary By means of a modified Wachstein-Meisel method, 40–200μ. thick frozen sections of cardiac and diaphragmatic musculature, epithelium cells from the mucosa of the small intestine, and certain parts of the renal tubuli of various species were tested for nucleoside phosphatase activity. After brief fixation with osmium tetroxide fine lead precipitates were found in the mitochondria. These precipitates were observed directly along the membranes of the cristae mitochondriales and the limiting membrane of the mitochondria. The lead phosphate precipitate on the membranes of the mitochondria was only demonstrable, if ATP was present (in cardiac muscle also in the presence of ITP); this specificity was not observed in the tests done on diaphragm. When ADP was used as substrate no reaction took place. In all cases the reaction was dependent on the presence of Mg++ ions; it was enhanced in the presence of Na+ and K+ and completely inhibited by Ca++. p-Chloromercuribenzoic acid inhibited the reaction, g-strophanthin had no effect even in the presence of Na+ and K+. Not even after addition of dinitrophenol was it possible to demonstrate mitochondrial ATPase in thin liver sections. Isolated mitochondria and mitochondrial fragments from cardiac musculature and liver gave a positive ATPase reaction.