• Title/Summary/Keyword: Herbivory

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The Potential of Gastrophysa viridula as a Biological Control Agent for Rumex obtusifolius

  • Kwon, Oh-Seok;Nam, Sang-Ho
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.181-185
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    • 2000
  • This study was carried out to see whether Gastrophysa viridula (Degeer) (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) could be used as a biological control agent for Rumex obtusifolius L., with human manipulation of the beetle population. The study was consisted of three experimental sets : Wet-Dry experiment (the wet weight Vs dry weight relationship of Rumex obtusifolius L.), Greenhouse feeding experiment, and Field experiment. There was a significant correlation between the total wet and dry weight of Rumex obtusifolius as follows : Total dry weight : -0.23542+ (0.17514${\times}$Total wet weight) ($R^2$=0.9317, p=0.047, T=16.927 (dF=21)). In the Greenhouse feeding experiment, the result was very promising. The relationship between the density unit of the beetles and the growth of the plant is given below (20 day) : Plant growth =105.8+(-34.4${\times}$Density unit) ($R^2$=0.76, p=0.13). A repeated introduction of the beetle population into the field vegetation of R. obtusifolius from April to October is suggested to see the beetle's grazing ability on the plant. This study shows that the potential grazing power of the beetle on Rumex obtusifolius was enough to defoliate the plants, but it was able to recover from its root reserves. The practical question remains as to whether repeated additions (by man) of the beetles to Rumex obtusifolius could eliminate them.

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Comparison of ecophysiological and leaf anatomical traits of native and invasive plant species

  • Rindyastuti, Ridesti;Hapsari, Lia;Byun, Chaeho
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.45 no.1
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    • pp.24-39
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    • 2021
  • Background: To address the lack of evidence supporting invasion by three invasive plant species (Imperata cylindrica, Lantana camara, and Chromolaena odorata) in tropical ecosystems, we compared the ecophysiological and leaf anatomical traits of these three invasive alien species with those of species native to Sempu Island, Indonesia. Data on four plant traits were obtained from the TRY Plant Trait Database, and leaf anatomical traits were measured using transverse leaf sections. Results: Two ecophysiological traits including specific leaf area (SLA) and seed dry weight showed significant association with plant invasion in the Sempu Island Nature Reserve. Invasive species showed higher SLA and lower seed dry weight than non-invasive species. Moreover, invasive species showed superior leaf anatomical traits including sclerenchymatous tissue thickness, vascular bundle area, chlorophyll content, and bundle sheath area. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that leaf anatomical traits strongly influenced with cumulative variances (100% in grass and 88.92% in shrubs), where I. cylindrica and C. odorata outperformed non-invasive species in these traits. Conclusions: These data suggest that the traits studied are important for plant invasiveness since ecophysiological traits influence of light capture, plant growth, and reproduction while leaf anatomical traits affect herbivory, photosynthetic assimilate transport, and photosynthetic activity.

Comparisons of Feeding Ecology of Euphausia pacifica from Korean Waters Using Lipid Composition (한국 근해의 난바다곤쟁이 Euphausia pacifica의 지방 조성에 의한 섭식 생태 비교)

  • Kim, Hye-Seon;Ju, Se-Jong;Ko, Ah-Ra
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.32 no.2
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    • pp.165-175
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    • 2010
  • Dietary lipid biomarkers (fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and sterols) in adult specimens were analyzed to compare and understand the feeding ecology of the euphausiid, Euphausia pacifica, from three geographically and environmentally diverse Korean waters (Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and East Sea). Total lipid content of E. pacifica from Korean waters was about 10% dry weight (DW) with a dominance of phospholipids (>46.9% of total lipid content), which are known as membrane components. A saturated fatty acid, C16:0, a monounsaturated fatty acid, C18:1(n-9), and two polyunsaturated fatty acids, C20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3), were most abundant (>60% of total fatty acids) in the fatty acid composition. Some of the fatty acids showed slight differences among regions although no significant compositional changes of fatty acids were detected between these regions. Phytol, originating from the side chain of chlorophyll and indicative of active feeding on phytoplankton, was detected all samples. Trace amounts of various fatty alcohols were also detected in E. pacifica. Specifically, krill from the Yellow Sea showed relatively high amounts of longchain monounsaturated fatty alcohols (i.e. 20:1 and 22:1), generally found in herbivorous copepods. Three different kinds of sterols were detected in E. pacifica. The most dominant of these sterols was cholest-5-en-$3{\beta}$-ol (cholesterol). The lipid compositions and ratios of fatty acid trophic markers are indicative of herbivory in E. pacifica from the Yellow Sea and East Sea (mainly feeding on dinoflagellates and diatoms, respectively). The lipid compositions and ratios of fatty acid trophic markers are indicative of carnivory or omnivory in E. pacifica from the East China Sea, mainly feeding on microzooplankton such as protozoa. In conclusion, lipid biomarkers provide useful information about krill feeding type. However, further analyses and experiments (i.e. gut content analysis, in situ grazing experiment, etc.) are needed to better understand the feeding ecology of E. pacifica in various marine environments.

Influence of Weed Management Practices on Ground-dwelling Arthropod Assemblages in Organic and Conventional Apple Orchards (유기재배와 관행재배 사과원 내 지표 배회성 절지동물 군집에 대한 잡초 관리의 영향)

  • Kim, Jiwon;Jung, Chuleui
    • Korean journal of applied entomology
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    • v.60 no.1
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    • pp.105-114
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    • 2021
  • Ground-dwelling arthropods are important components in apple orchard providing beneficial ecological services of predation and decomposition as well as herbivory. Groundcovers are managed differentially in organic and conventional apple orchards influencing ground-dwelling arthropod assemblages. We conducted 3-year studies to assess the effects of orchard management relative to weed management on the abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods using pitfall trapping. Most arthropods were classified as higher taxonomical groups and functional feeding guilds, while carabid beetles were classified into species level. Coleoptera was the dominating taxon of all ground-dwelling arthropods. Abundance of herbivores and predators was significantly higher in organic apple orchards than conventional ones. Higher abundance and diversity of carabid beetles were found in organic orchards than in conventional orchards. The abundance of Araneae, Coleoptera, or carabid beetles was negatively correlated to weed management frequency. It was found that ground-dwelling arthropods were more influenced by weed management practices than the farming systems.

Assessing persistence of cruciferous crops in the field

  • Eun Mi, Ko;Do Young, Kim;Ye Seul, Moon;Hye Jin, Kim;In Soon, Pack;Young-Joong, Kim;Kyong-Hee, Nam;Jihyon, Kil;Chang-Gi, Kim
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.49 no.3
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    • pp.655-666
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    • 2022
  • We assessed the persistence of eight major cruciferous crops-leaf mustard, oilseed rape, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, turnip, and radish-growing in the field. In the first part of our experiment, we tested the viability of seeds that had been buried at two different soil depths for up to 16 months. We then broadcast seeds over the soil surface and left them undisturbed to investigate the survivorship of the resultant plants over two years. Seed viability was significantly affected by plant taxa and burial depth, but not substantially affected by the duration of burial. Although seeds of leaf mustard had the greatest viability among all crops examined here, the viability rates were significantly lower at 2 cm depth than at 15 cm. Seeds of leaf mustard, oilseed rape, broccoli, turnip, and Chinese cabbage remained viable throughout the 16-month period. A study of plant demography revealed that only leaf mustard and oilseed rape succeeded in producing seeds and overwintering in the undisturbed field. However, neither of those species competed well with other plants long-term and their overall growth and survival rates declined during the evaluation period. In addition, insect herbivory severely decreased the growth of all of these crops. Our results suggest that populations of leaf mustard and oilseed rape do not tend to persist in the field for more than a few years without disturbance and external seed inputs.

Defense Strategies against Herbivory of Five Species of the Genus Viburnum (가막살나무속 5 수종의 초식에 대한 방어전략)

  • Kim, Gab-Tae;Kim, Hoi-Jin
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.362-366
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    • 2012
  • To explore on the defense strategies against hervivory of five Viburnum species, morphological characteristics of the leaf, leaf domatia structure and the number, herbivores insects and mites on the leaves, collected from the trees growing in Wonju-si, Pyeungchang-gun, Taebaek-si, Taean-gun, Bonghwa-gun, Sancheung-gun and Jinju-si were investigated from May 2009 to October 2011. Domatia of V. carlesii reveals pocket type, these of V. burejaeticum, V. dilatatum and V. wrightii reveal tuft type, and that of V. odoratissimum var. awabuki reveals pouch type. Domatia number per leaf proves the highest figures, 24.0/leaf for V. burejaeticum, and the lowest, 4.9/leaf for V. carlesii. Leaf surface trichomes of four Viburnum species except for V. odoratissimum var. awabuki are mainly stellate and hispid on the leaf-blade and veins, and dense stellate trichomes on the upper leaf surface of V. carlesii, V. burejaeticum, and V. dilatatum are observed till late growing season. Extrafloral nectaries(EFN) on the terminal veins of five Viburnum species are observed. Pellucid dots on the lower leaf surface of V. dilatatum and V. wrightii might be a good defense strategies against herbivores. We observe many predatory mites eating nectar on large pellucid dots of V. dilatatum. Predatory mites number per leaf proved highly significant differences among tree species, and mean of mites number was highest values 8.1/leaf for V. burejaeticum, and the lowest 2.6/leaf for V. odoratissimum var. awabuki. These results indicate that temperate broadleave trees develop various defense strategies against herbivores for survival. The more studies on the defense strategies against herbivores of tree species might be needed for sustainable forest ecosystem.

Exploring on the Defense Strategies Against Hervivory of Juglans regia and J. mandshurica (호두나무와 가래나무의 초식에 대한 방어전략 탐색)

  • Kim, Gab-Tae;Lyu, Dong-Pyo;Kim, Hoi-Jin
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.99 no.3
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    • pp.298-303
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    • 2010
  • To explore on the defense strategies against hervivory of Juglans regia and J. mandshurica, morphological characteristics of the leaf, leaf domatia structure and the number, herbivores insects and mites on the leaves, collected from the trees growing in Mt. Chiak, Mt. Cheongtae, Mt. Jungwang, Namyangju-si and Wonju-si, were investigated from May to October, 2009. Domatia of J. mandshurica revealed tuft type, these of J. regia revealed pocket+tuft type. Domatia number per leaflet proved the higher figures, 28.3/leaflet for J. mandshurica, and the lower, 19.6/leaflet for J. regia. Leaf surface trichomes of J. regia revealed stellates only on the domatia structures, and that of J. mandshurica does dense stellates and glandular hairs on the leaf-blade and vein. Predatory mites' number per leaflet proved highly significant differences among tree species, and mean of predatory mites was higher values (4.8/leaflet) in J. mandshurica and lower values (3.5/leaflet) in J. regia. Small amount of nectar are found distal veinparts on the leaf margin of J. mandshurica. Dense glandular hairs on the lower leaf surfaces of J. mandshurica estimates useful strategy against herbivory. It may be possible to breed J. regia for better expression of leaf traits such as dense glandular hairs that increase predator populations and efficacy.

Plant Diversity and Density, Driving Forces of the Feeding Activity of Herbivores in a Temperate Forest of Southern South Korea (한국 남부 온대림 초식 곤충 식흔량에 영향을 주는 식물 다양성과 밀도)

  • Kim, Nang-Hee;Choi, Sei-Woong
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.51 no.4
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    • pp.322-330
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    • 2018
  • Herbivory is a major functional component of forest ecosystems, and herbivorous insects comprise about 25% of all insect species. Increasing plant diversity is related to herbivore abundance and diversity, which affects the level of leaf damage caused by insects. This study was conducted to identify plant-related variables such as plant diversity and number of leaves and density-related variables, basal area, and diameter at breast height (DBH) in a temperate forest of southern South Korea. To assess the level of leaf damage caused by leaf chewing insects, we set up two 0.1 ha plots in a temperate deciduous forest on Mt. Jirisan National Park. Plant richness differed between two sites: 16 species in 14 families(site 1) and 19 species in 15 families (site 2). Fisher's alpha index based on plant species richness and abundance resulted in 4.41 (site 1) and 6.57 (site 2). However, the sum of basal area of each site was higher in site 1 ($6.6m^2$) than site 2 ($3.7m^2$). The total surveyed leaves at two sites were 3,832 and 4,691, respectively and the damage leaves were 1,544 and 2,136, respectively. The mean leaf damage level was 11.2% (${\pm}1.76%$) in two study sites: the leaf damage level of the site 1 (11.99%) was significantly higher than site 2 (10.59%). Stepwise regression analysis showed that species diversity and evenness were the significant variables for leaf damages by chewing herbivores. NMDS ordination also identified that high tree density and low species diversity were the significant variables. This suggested that the level of damage was significantly higher in plots with low plant diversity and high tree density. In the future, we will investigate other guilds of herbivores such as sap-suckers, miners and gallers in temperate deciduous forests.

Relationship between Damage by Herbivore and Leaf Production of Oaks in the Burnt Area of the East Coastal Region, Korea (동해안의 산불피해지역에서 참나무 잎 생산량과 초식 피해의 관계)

  • Lee, Kyoung Sin;Hong, Bo Ram;Lee, Kyu Song
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.36 no.2
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    • pp.206-216
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    • 2018
  • We analyzed the effects of spatio-temporal variation in the leaf production of oaks on the density and species richness of herbivores, as well as the consumption by herbivores in the east coastal region of Korea, which is an area that has been damaged by forest fires. The main herbivore that feeds on oak leaves was moth larvae. In mid-August the insect larvae showed the highest density and species richness. Approximately 60.5% of total plant-eating insect larvae were present from August to September 2011. Oak leaf production was at its peak from July to August, and the peak damage caused by herbivores was from August to September. Depending on the investigation timing and site of the survey, oak leaf production, larval densities, and species richness showed large variations. The average production of oak leaves between July and August was estimated to be $0.96ton\;ha^{-1}$. The production of oak leaves during this period also showed spatial variations ranging from 0.34 to $1.89ton\;ha^{-1}$. In August, the consumption of oak leaves by the herbivores showed spatial variations ranging from 0.15 to $1.51ton\;ha^{-1}$. Where oak leaves had a higher yield, they tended to increase in density and species richness of the herbivores. As the production of oak leaves increased, so did the overall consumption and consumption rate by the herbivores. This means that the production of oak leaves is highly related to time and space, and there is a concentration response in which the new individuals gather. Research into the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of the food sources and their effects on the higher levels of the food web can help us quantitatively understand and evaluate the structure and functions of the burnt ecosystem that is caused by forest fires.