Projects per year
Abstract
This 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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 256-268 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | SUPPL.3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2012 |
Keywords
- Abundance
- Arctic
- Berry
- CO
- Elevated
- Enhanced
- Reproduction
- Secondary metabolites
- UV-B
- Seeds/drug effects
- Carbon Dioxide/pharmacology
- Sweden
- Vaccinium/drug effects
- Ultraviolet Rays
- Climate Change
- Arctic Regions
- Ecosystem
- Fruit/drug effects
- Germination/drug effects
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Enhanced UV-B and Elevated CO2 Impacts Sub-Arctic Shrub Berry Abundance, Quality and Seed Germination'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Optimising energy output and biorefining
Donnison, I. (PI), Gallagher, J. (PI), Shah, I. P. (PI) & Winters, A. (PI)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
01 Apr 2012 → 31 Mar 2017
Project: Externally funded research
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Do arctic plant-soil ccommunities acclimate to long term elevated Co2 exposure?
Gwynn-Jones, D. (PI)
Natural Environment Research Council
28 Mar 2011 → 27 Mar 2014
Project: Externally funded research