Enhanced UV-B and Elevated CO2 Impacts Sub-Arctic Shrub Berry Abundance, Quality and Seed Germination

Press/Media: Media coverage

Description

BBC Radio Cymru interview of Dylan Gwynn-Jones on berry work featured in Ambio Paper

Period22 Aug 2012

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleEnhanced UV-B and Elevated CO2 Impacts Sub-Arctic Shrub Berry Abundance, Quality and Seed Germination
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletBBC Radio Cymru
    Media typeRadio
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Date22 Aug 2012
    DescriptionThis study investigated the effects of long-term-enhanced UV-B, and combined UV-B with elevated CO2 on dwarf shrub berry characteristics in a sub-arctic heath community. Germination of Vaccinium myrtillus was enhanced in seeds produced at elevated UV-B, but seed numbers and berry size were unaffected. Elevated UV-B and CO2 stimulated the abundance of V. myrtillus berries, whilst UV-B alone stimulated the berry abundance of V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum hermaphroditum. Enhanced UV-B reduced concentrations of several polyphenolics in V. myrtillus berries, whilst elevated CO2 increased quercetin glycosides in V. myrtillus, and syringetin glycosides and anthocyanins in E. hermaphroditum berries. UV-B × CO2 interactions were found for total anthocyanins, delphinidin-3-hexoside and peonidin-3-pentosidein in V. myrtillus berries but not E. hermaphroditum. Results suggest positive impacts of UV-B on the germination of V. myrtillus and species-specific impacts of UV-B × elevated CO2 on berry abundance and quality. The findings have relevance and implications for human and animal consumers plus seed dispersal and seedling establishment.
    PersonsDylan Gwynn-Jones, Alan Glyn Jones, Alice Waterhouse, David Charles Comont, John Scullion, Rosemary Lois Gardias, B. J. Graee, Andrew John Lee, Terry V. Callaghan