We here describe the multiple mechanisms by which ungulates distribute diaspores across landscapes. There are three primary and three secondary seed dispersal mechanisms by which ungulate dispersal agents contribute to the spread of plant diaspores, both with and without the intervention of other biotic and abiotic agents. These dispersal mechanisms may be combined in successive interdependent steps. Native, introduced and domestic ungulates co-occur in many ecosystems and frequently interact with numerous plant species, which facilitates long-distance dispersal of both native and exotic plants. However, ungulate taxonomic diversity conceals a much higher diversity in terms of the functional traits involved in ungulate-mediated dispersal (e.g., feeding regime, fur morphology). These traits may strongly affect emigration, transfer and immigration in the animal-mediated plant dispersal, and consequently; they may also impact overall seed dispersal effectiveness, both quantitatively and qualitatively. In this review, we compare internal mechanisms, where seeds must survive digestive treatments (regurgitation, endozoochory), with external mechanisms, where diaspores are carried on the outside of the vectors (epizoochory). We include both primary epizoochory (direct adhesion to fur essentially) and secondary epizoochory (diaspore-laden mud adhering to hooves or the body and, transfer through contact with a conspecific). We addressed the overlap/complementarity of ungulates for the plant species they disperse through a systematic literature review. When two ungulate species co-occur, there is always an overlap in the plant species dispersed by endozoochory or by fur-epizoochory. Further, when we consider the proportion of plant species dispersed both internally and externally by an ungulate, the overlap is higher for grazing than browsing ungulates. We identify two challenges for the field of dispersal ecology: the proportion of all diaspores produced that are carried over long distances by ungulates, and the relative importance of ungulates on the whole as the main dispersal agent for plants. Furthermore, the fact that numerous plants dispersed by fur-epizoochory do not feature any specific adaptations is intriguing. We discuss unsolved methodological challenges and stress research perspectives related to ungulate-mediated dispersal: for example, taking animal behavior and cognition into account and studying how ungulates contribute to the spread of invasive exotic plants and altitudinal plant dispersal.
Green chemistry, which aims at the development of efficient methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles, is a relatively new emerging field of nanotechnology, which has economic and environment‐friendly benefits over chemical and physical processes. The present work was carried out to develop silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) using the plant (Achillea millefolium or yarrow) aqueous extract as both a reducing and capping agent under the green synthesis method. Characterization of synthesized Ag‐NPs was done using IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis). The UV–vis spectrum showed the maximum absorbance at around 440–470 nm, which suggested the formation of green synthesized Ag‐NPs. The morphological study demonstrated that the Ag‐NPs were spherical in shape with an average size of 22.4 ± 7.4 nm. The antimicrobial activities of Ag‐NPs against Fusarium and Aspergillus niger species of fungal and Escherichia coli species of bacteria were investigated through the disc diffusion and well‐diffusion method using their zone of inhibition. The cytotoxicity effect of Ag‐NPs on cell lines MOLT‐4 was evaluated by using MTT assay. These nanoparticles showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against bacterias and fungus in low concentration. The cytotoxicity studies showed that IC50 of green synthesized Ag‐NPs was 0.011 µm in comparison to 1.8 for Cisplatin which more active than anticancer drug for MOLT‐4 cell line. The results showed that the green synthesized Ag‐NPs are expected to have notable applications and can be potentially useful in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
Highly concentrated slurries are found in many different industrial and environmental applications, such as hydro-transport systems of the oil sands industry, drilling and fracturing applications, and stirring vessels. When the volume fraction of particles is low, particles have little influence on the structure of the flow. However, even when average concentration is relatively low, there can still be some regions of high concentration. In highly concentrated flows, the effect of particles on the dynamics of the flow cannot be neglected. Under this condition, particle concentration can affect the turbulence intensity and erosion ratio. Several experiments have been conducted to examine the effect of different parameters on erosion. Different models have been developed to predict erosion ratio in liquid and gas flows. However, previous studies mostly have examined dilute slurries and less attention has been paid to the effect of high concentration of particles on erosion. In this study, the erosion due to highly concentrated slurries is investigated using both experimental and numerical approaches. There are several parameters such as particle properties and shape, target material, fluid properties and dynamics of the flow that affect erosion ratio. In addition, higher fluid viscosity can significantly affect the flow dynamics and change the interaction behavior between fluid and solid particles. Effects of particle size and velocity on erosion ratio are investigated for different sand concentrations. Experiments have been conducted for various concentrations, ranging from 1% to about 20% by mass and two different particle sizes, 75 μm and 300 μm. Erosion ratio was calculated based on two different approaches, mass loss and volume loss obtained from 3-D profilometry data. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were obtained for 1% and 15% concentration cases to examine the erosion on different parts of the specimens. In addition to the experimental work, a CFD model is setup to simulate the erosion results. The aim of this CFD simulation is to predict erosion rate of the specimen caused by submerged slurry jet flow by using Reynolds stress as turbulence model. The fluid flow solution is obtained using an Eulerian approach and a Lagrangian scheme is used to track the sand particles. In these models, the injected particles from the inlet impact the target wall in order to investigate the erosion.
Background: Vertebrate-mediated seed dispersal is probably the main long distance dispersal mode. Through endozoochory, large mammals act as mobile links between habitats within and among forest patches. Along with other factors, their feeding regimes do affect their contribution as dispersal vectors. We conducted a cross-species comparative experiment involving two herbivores, red deer and roe deer; and two opportunistic omnivores, wild boar and brown bear, all occurring in the forest and steppe-forest ecotone habitats of the southeastern Caspian region. We compared their role as endozoochorous seed dispersal agents by monitoring seedling emergence in their dungs under greenhouse and natural conditions. Results: In total, 3078 seedlings, corresponding to 136 plant taxa sprouted from 445 paired dung sub-samples, under greenhouse and natural conditions. Only 336 seedlings, corresponding to 36 plant taxa, emerged under natural conditions, among which five taxa did not appear under greenhouse conditions. Graminoids and forbs composed 91% of the seedlings in the greenhouse whereas shrubs were more abundant under natural conditions, representing 55% of the emerged seedlings. Under greenhouse conditions, first red deer and then wild boar dispersed more species than the other two mammals, while under natural conditions brown bear was the most effective vector. We observed remarkably higher species richness and seedling abundance per dung sub-sample under buffered greenhouse conditions than we did under natural conditions. Conclusions: The four sympatric mammals studied provided different seed dispersal services, both in terms of seedling abundance and species richness and may therefore be regarded as complementary. Our results highlight a positive bias when only considering germination under buffered greenhouse conditions. This must be taken into account when planning management options to benefit plant biodiversity based on the dispersal services concluded from greenhouse experiments.
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