~~ KEYNOTE LECTURE 2 ~~

 

Saturday 19^th June 2004, 9:00 - 9:45

 

Ten years after the introduction of Aldrovanda vesiculosa to the Czech Republic

 

Lubomír Adamec, Institute of Botany, Dukelská 135, CZ-379 82 Trebon, Czech Republic, adamec@butbn.cas.cz

 

Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. is a critically endangered aquatic carnivorous plant, rapidly vanishing from Europe. In the Czech Republic, this species has an official status of extinct species as the only site in N Moravia vanished in the 1950s’ (Adamec & Lev 1999). In 1994-1995, I tested experimentally using nylon enclosures the suitability of 6 selected dystrophic sites in the Czech Rep. for both seasonal growth and overwintering of Aldrovanda plants (population from E Poland). Very positive results at 3 of these sites (Adamec 1999) became the basis for officially approved, free introduction of Aldrovanda to these and other sites in 1994, 1995, or later, to strengthen its European populations as an active and effective measure for its all-European conservation (see www.bestcarnivorousplants.com/aldrovanda/).

 

Tab. 1. Summary of Aldrovanda introduction to Trebon region, S Bohemia (upper part), and Doksy region, N Bohemia (bottom; separated by dashed line), Czech Rep. *, extinction.

Site	Year of introd.	No. intr. apices	Total number of shoot apices in			Remark
			2001	2002	2003
Ptaci blato-1st pool	1995	90	"H20,000	"H15,000	"H12,000	gradual eutrophication
Ptaci blato-2nd pool	1995	42	"H2,000	"H200	0*	infilling of the pool
Ptaci blato-3rd pool	2000	"H50	"H1,000	"H4,000	"H4,000	sustainable state
Ptaci blato-9th pool	1995	39	"H2,000	"H2,000	"H500	infilling of the pool
Domaninsky fishp.	1995	32	"H50	"H30	0*	dredging of the habitat
Vytopa fishp.	1997	"H50	"H4,000	"H5,000	"H3,000	overgrowing by sedges
Karstejn fen pool	1998	"H60	"H100,000	"H20,000	"H20,000	depends on water level
Branna sand-pit	2000	"H30	"H200	"H1,000	"H200	depends on water level
Mariansky fishp.	1994	60	0	0	0*	plants grazed by ducks
Srni Potok pool	1994	60	0	0	"H200	unknown stock in 2003
Brehynsky fishp.	1994??	??	50-60	"H100	160-180	transport by water birds?

 

Ten-year experience in Aldrovanda introduction to the Czech Rep. shows convincingly that Aldrovanda can grow successfully in abundant populations at new sites also in an intensively agricultural landscape, where it had never been documented. These newly established populations belong to most abundant ones in Central Europe. The sites are usually reed- or sedge-dominated shallow dystrophic wetlands as remainders of former fens or peat-bogs close to hypertrophic fishponds. Very low water level in summer has been found as the limiting factor for growth and propagation of Aldrovanda as in dry seasons, its niche is greatly restricted. High water level in itself is favourable for its fast propagation but it causes the inflow of nutrient-rich water from adjacent hypertrophic fishponds to these oligo-mesotrophic sites. This leads to their gradual eutrophication and infilling (Tab. 1: Ptaci blato pools). Summer growth of Aldrovanda has been shown as rather tolerant to water chemistry. Its growth may be even faster under mildly eutrophic than oligotrophic conditions. Generally, its seasonal population growth can be 2-25 times in suitable habitats (Adamec and Lev 1999). However, eutrophication symptoms cumulate in time and finally lead to unfavourable conditions as occurrence of water blooms and/or filamentous algae, high pH (low [CO₂]), or overgrowing by aquatic weeds, leading to Aldrovanda decline. This situation has begun taking place in Ptaci blato pools (Tab. 1), while the trophic conditions at Karstejn are quite sustainable and Aldrovanda has a long-term capacity to form an abundant stable population over 100,000 shoot apices for many decades. The same may hold for Brehynsky fishpond.

 

References

Adamec L. (1999) Folia Geobotanica, 34: 287-297.

Adamec L., Lev J. (1999) Folia Geobotanica, 34: 299-305.

 

Saturday 19^th June 2004, 9:45 - 10:15

 

The ICPS Sarracenia distribution program: Satisfying the hunger of poachers?

 

John Brittnacher & Barry Rice, International Carnivorous Plant Society, P.O. Box 72741, Davis CA, 95617

In 2000, the International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) funded a meeting attended by land managers who had direct stewardship responsibilities of populations of Sarracenia oreophila, an endangered pitcher plant (Meyers-Rice, 2001).  One of us (BR) attended this meeting and was appalled to learn that all the land managers were concerned about poaching of rare pitcher plants—poaching was occurring at all the sites they maintained.  Since the sites were usually somewhat difficult to find, it was extremely unlikely casual visitors were doing the poaching.  It is more likely carnivorous plant horticulturists were doing the poaching.  At that meeting, one of us (BR) decided to seek some way to try to decrease poaching pressures by satisfying the hunger of poachers.

Three rare pitcher plant species have special USA status as endangered: Sarracenia alabamensis, S. jonesii, and S. oreophila.  Interstate sales of endangered species are prohibited without difficult-to-obtain permits.  Since the ICPS is a registered nonprofit corporation and could demonstrate the purpose of this project was at least in part to help protect the plants, we were able to obtain permits from the US Fish & Wildlife Service.  Seeds of Sarracenia alabamensis from three sites were donated to the ICPS by land owners/managers and were germinated at both our private homes and raised for two years at facilities provided by the University of California, Davis.

Notice of the plan to distribute pairs of two to three year old plants to the ICPS membership was published in the ICPS’s journal (Rice, 2003_a).  A total of 318, 5—15 cm tall plants were shipped in June 2003 (Rice, 2003_b).

A follow-up survey found that despite the mailing of plants in summer, approximately 99% of the plants survived.  While the recipients of the plants were almost uniformly happy with the plants, they would not have been as satisfied if the plants were only a few cm in height.

This program was certainly useful in helping provide horticulturists with location-coded plants.  However, it will only be regarded as a conservation success if seeds coded with locations start appearing in seed banks.  If this program were repeated, it would probably focus on Sarracenia oreophila, since many growers specified this as a plant of great interest.  To expand the program outside the USA, ICPS members in other countries would need to volunteer a substantial amount of time and growing space.

References

Meyers-Rice, B.A. (2001) Rare Sarracenia poaching and the ICPS, Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, 30: 43-50.

Rice, B. (2003_a). Sarracenia distribution program, Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, 32: 4-7.

Rice, B. (2003_b). News and Views, Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, 32: 125-126.

Saturday 19^th June 2004, 10:15 - 10:45

Effective ex-situ conservation of endangered species through cultivation.

Fabio D’Alessi, Bioinformatics Admin, Department of Biology, University of Padua, via U.Bassi 58 / B - 35100 Padova – Italy, cars@mail.bio.unipd.it

 

At present a large number of specimens of endangered species of carnivorous plants are cultivated in private collections. Every year the maintainers of such collections of endangered plants spend considerable amounts of time, work and money to preserve the status of their collections. Unfortunately while a big effort is often carried out by paying big attention at the beauty, commercial value and rarity of the cultivated specimens, there rarely is any coherent conservation-wise goal.

 

If the increasing availability of cultivated plants doubtlessly reduces the impact of plant collection in habitat, on the other hand these same cultivated specimens do not effectively reflect the biodiversity and dynamics of wild populations making them unsuitable for eventual population restoring or reintroduction in habitat.

 

In this speech solid requisites needed to run a good conservation plan will be discussed in detail, and a different cultivation and collection management approach will be proposed. The proposed approach could effectively preserve the genetical heterogeneity of specific wild populations of endangered species, making it possible to achieve an effective ex-situ conservation through cultivation. This is particularly needed now that many populations of endangered species show substantial erosion by human activity and urbanization.

 

Saturday 19^th June 2004, 11:15 - 11:45

The Weird, Wild, Wacky and Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants and Beyond.

 

Teresa A. Golembiewski, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, Biology Department; Upham Hall, 800 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI, 53190-1791,USA, golembit@uww.edu

 

In January of 1998 I began to teach a course entitled "The Weird, Wild, Wacky and Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants".  I reported on this fledgling course at the Second ICPS conference in California.  I have since taught the course seven times.  Here I report on the maturation of the course and what I have learned along the way.  I also indicate my plans for the future.

The specifics of the course "The Weird, Wild, Wacky and Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants" are detailed in the Proceedings of the 2000 International Carnivorous Plant Society.  While the structure of the course remains much the same, the implementation of the course has evolved through each session.  In the years I have taught the course, I've learned to value my hired student helper and the volunteer assistance of two parents.  They allow me to cover eight activities in each two hour session.

Now that "The Weird, Wild, Wacky and Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants" has matured and stabilized, I am developing an advanced carnivorous plants course.  In an intense weekend workshop, students will gain specific knowledge of Wisconsins' fourteen carnivorous plant species by seeing, reading and hearing about them.  Learning games, such as carnivorous plant Jeopardy, will reinforce this knowledge.  Students will work independently on specific aspects of carnivorous plants that interest them through projects, such as the construction of thematic posters.  The highlight of the two day workshop will be a field trip to a local bog where pitcher plants, two species of sundews, and three species of bladderworts can be seen.

Saturday 19^th June 2004, 11:45 - 12:15

The French Mires Resource Center, a tool dedicated to bogs and mires, as well as their inhabitants... like carnivorous plants 

Francis Muller, project leader at Fédération française des conservatoires d’espaces naturels, 32 Grande rue, F-25000 Besançon ; Tél 33 (0)3 81 81 78 64, francis.muller@pole-tourbieres.org ; Website : www.pole-tourbieres.org

 

Bogs and mires are a type of highly original biotopes that host, among many others, several species of carnivorous plants. One reason of the development of these habits, quite ‘strange’ for plants, is the lack of some elements like nitrogen in peat bogs. In order to fight their deficiency in such poor biotopes, some plants succeeded in developing traps that enable them to capture insects or other tiny animals. Carnivorous plants are often characteristic of different parts, or of specific stages in the life of the bogs; e.g. Drosera rotundifolia is spread in rather pioneer habitats, whilst Utricularia major is found in some acidic ponds. Thus, they are an interesting part of bogs, but nevertheless one only of many diverse components of these biotopes.

In Central and Southern Europe, bogs and mires were never as widely present as in the Atlantic or boreal countries of the continent. In fact, they are favoured by rather cool and wet climates in which the water balance is always positive. Furthermore, all highly populated European countries intended to dry their wetlands, which were considered as useless when not harmful or even dangerous places. Not at all taking into consideration the positive effects they can have on climates, water regimes… and biodiversity!

In these countries, the surface of bogs and mires has often been reduced by about 50 to 90 % since the 19^th century. And they all still threatened by drainage, construction, peat extraction and many other causes of destruction. A sustainable network of sites, in good condition and dense enough, must absolutely be maintained, in order to preserve the species and the plant associations.

Helping to know more about our mires and the life they host, exchanging information about them and about the accurate management that can be implemented, advising private and public bodies in charge of bogs and mires, and monitoring the effects of public policies dedicated to the protection of these wetlands is the part of the French mires resource centre, established in Besançon, at the foot of the Jura hills (eastern France). It was founded in 2001 by the French ministry of ecology, and is run by the “Federation des Conservatoires d’espaces naturels”.

This centre includes a documentation centre, open to the public in Besançon, where a librarian can help anyone to find the requested information.

The centre publishes a newsletter “L’Echo des tourbières” and an electronic bimonthly letter “Tourbières infos”. Other documents concerning the bogs and mires are published or put on line on our website (this latter including a developing English-language section).

Specific actions dedicated to the protection of bogs, mires and fens are lead with different organisations or administrations, concerning different parts of the country like the Pyrenees or the Massif Central, or some topics like how to favour peat-free growing media, how private forest owners can help keeping their bogs or how to increase public awareness about bogs…

 

Saturday 19^th June 2004, 12:15 - 12:45

Glandes digestives de l’Utriculaire : Ultrastructures et fonctions. Essais de localisation d’activités enzymatiques (protéases, phosphatases acides).

Colette Vintéjoux, Membre de la Société botanique de France, Almas Shoar-Ghafari, Secrétaire général adjointe, Société botanique de France. 41, av. des bosquets, 85100, Les Sables d’Olonne.

 

Les glandes digestives de l’Utriculaire, insérées sur la paroi interne des organes de capture,  ont une organisation complexe, comportant une cellule de base rattachée à deux (ou quatre) cellules longues et étroites : les processus bifides ou quadrifides. Nous avons précédemment étudié leur organisation ultrastructurale et montré qu’elles étaient le siège d’une intense activité phosphatasique acide.  La présence de protéases, provenant de ces cellules a été effectuée  par digestion de gélatine photographique (application de la paroi interne de l’utricule à la surface d’un film préalablement impressionné à la lumière et recouvert d’une solution tampon de pH 5,0). Les techniques d’extraction enzymatique  (utilisées en microscopie électronique), nous ont permis de préciser la localisation de protéases (de comportement analogue à la pepsine), dans diverses inclusions cytoplasmiques, de dimensions diverses, et également dans des sites externes, mais très proches de la paroi.

 

Les techniques d’extractions enzymatiques nécessitent une incubation préalable des sections dans une solution d’acide periodique. Les caractères ultrastructuraux des « grains de sécrétion » ont ainsi été  définis et décrits dans le cas des trois conditions expérimentales  :  préparations témoins (double fixation et contraste des sections) ;  préparations ayant subi une incubation dans l’acide periodique ; préparations ayant subi successivement les effets de l’acide periodique et de la pepsine exogène. Les observations ultrastructurales ont été confrontées avec les données biochimiques (bibliographiques) bien précisées dans le cas des cellules animales (formes actives ou inactives). Ces résultats devraient permettre de mieux connaître l’emplacement de tel ou tel site moléculaire, dans les inclusions étudiées, destinées à induire la libération d’enzymes protéolytiques, à partir de structures de réserves.