Academic literature on the topic 'Herblands'

The Neretva delta (estuary) is an internationally important wetland included in the Ramsar list and is one of the Important Plant Areas (IPA) in Croatia. The paper presents data from phytosociological research collected in the lower Neretva delta in the period 2006-2021. Based on 28 phytosociological relevés, 15 associations and one subassociation were identified and classified into 13 alliances, 12 orders and 11 vegetation classes. The most valuable communities belong to halo-nitrophilous short-lived pioneer vegetation on sand and gravel beaches (Cakiletea maritimae) and salt-marsh herblands and scrub (Therosalicornietea, Salicornietea fruticosae). Anthropogenic impacts on the delta are strong, and the diversity of flora and vegetation is threatened by habitat degradation and loss, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, and pollution.

Ecological studies of century-scale vegetation changes in Australia were quantitatively reviewed by assessing relevant papers according to a range of methodological and environmental attributes. In general, century-scale vegetation dynamics are rarely studied by Australian ecologists. Most studies of century-scale changes are short-term studies with one sampling period, and few long-term experimental studies exist. Century-scale changes are well documented in open forests, grassy woodlands, tussock grasslands and rainforests, but little information is available from lowland heathlands, herblands or hummock grasslands. Tall open forests and rainforests have received the most comprehensive attention. Five major genres of research were recognised from a multivariate analysis of methodological attributes: (1) single-species tree-ring and fire-scar studies; (2) forest dynamics and age-structure studies; (3) floristic degradation studies (usually caused by stock grazing); (4) archival benchmarking studies; and (5) palynological research. These genres tend to focus on different ecosystems and ecosystem attributes, giving incomplete pictures of vegetation changes even in some well-studied ecosystems. In all genres other than forest dynamics studies, century-scale changes are commonly described by comparing present conditions with a pre-European reference point, and few studies have documented successive vegetation changes within the period of European occupation. Considerable opportunity exists to document long-term ecosystem responses to successive disturbances resulting from European disturbance regimes.

A systematic application of the fungicide benomyl was used to follow up the suppression of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and to determine its fungitoxic activity and persistence at different depths. Repeated applications of benomyl reduced AM colonization mainly in the upper 0–4 cm layer of the treated soils. Furthermore, AM colonization decreased with soil depth. The activity and persistence of this fungicide was reduced over small changes in depth in the first 10 cm of the soil profile beneath a semiarid herbland at Brookfield Conservation Park (South Australia). Repeated applications of the fungicide only slightly increased the levels of toxicity in the soils, probably because of biodegradation of the fungicide in soils with a recent history of exposure to the fungicide. The decline in fungicide activity at depth was correlated with a decline in the suppressive effect of the fungicide on the activity of AM fungi.

Community structure and composition of the coastal fynbos and rocky headland plant communities south of George, southern Cape, were studied. Vegetation was analysed using standard sampling procedures of the floristic-sociological approach of Braun-Blanquet. The releve data were subject to TWIN SPAN-based divisive classification, and ordinated by Principal Coordinates Analysis with the aim to identify vegetation coenocline subsequently interpreted in terms of under­lying environmental gradients. Most of the sampled vegetation was classified as coastal fynbos. The Leucadendron salignum-Tetraria cuspidata Fynbos Community was found to occupy sheltered habitats, whereas the Relhania calyci- na-Passerina vulgaris Fynbos Community was found in exposed habitats The other two communities characterise strong­ly exposed rocky headlands. The Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus-Ruschia tenella Community is wind-sheared scrub, and the Gazania rigens- Limonium scabrum Rocky Headland Community is a loose-canopy, low-grown herbland, characterised by the occurrence of partly salt-tolerant and succulent herbs. The ordination of the fynbos communities revealed a horseshoe structure allowing a direct recognition of a coenocline spanning two fynbos communities along the Axis 1 interpreted in terms of exposure to wind and salt spray. A considerable amount of alien plant infestation was also present. This appears to be the largest threat to the continued existence of this coastal fynbos.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form intimate associations with the roots of about 85% of all terrestrial plants, and can greatly increase a plant’s uptake of soil nutrients and have been shown to influence plant diversity in several ecosystems. A lot of studies have reported the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizas on plant density, species diversity, richness and productivity in desert herbland in Gurbantonggut desert, China. Here, we conduct a mycorrhizal functional study by suppressing AM fungi by applying the fungicide benomyl as a soil drench in soil cores and field in-situ experiment. The mycorrhiza-responsiveness of the dominant species Erodium oxyrrhynchum is assessed in intact soil cores containing the indigenous AM fungi. The soil-cores experiment displayed E. oxyrrhynchum to have a significant positive shoot and root growth response, and this is in response to the abundance of the indigenous AM fungal colonisation. The field experiment indicates the total aboveground dry biomass is negatively influenced by the suppression of AM fungi, though, no significant effect produced in the dominant and common plant species. The fungal suppression also affected density, species diversity and richness. The density of non-mycorrhizal plant Alyssum linifolium increases significantly in the treatment of suppressed AM fungi. The spore density decreases significantly in benomyl-treated plots. Our results showed that AM fungi were very important in desert ecosystem for the maintaining of plant biodiversity, richness and productivity.

Sampling plots (5 m x 10 m in fynbos, 10 m x 10 m in forest) were analysed in the littoral, coastal escarpment, and north and south facing inland escarp- ment zones of 17 transect sites along the length of the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park. Cover- abundance values were estimated for each species in the sampling plots. A detrended correspondence analysis (using CANOCO) and a two way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) were carried out on these data to determine the communities sampled. The vegetation of the park was classified into an Afromontane Forest, a Littoral Herbland and two Mesic Mountain Fynbos Communities. The distribution and extent of these communities were determined and their conservation discussed.

Cette étude à la fois topographique et socio-économique d'une portion de l'espace urbain rouennais à la fin du moyen âge porte sur trois paroisses de la ville situées à proximité de l'ensemble cathédrale et couvrant plus de sept hectares. La méthode d'exploitation topographique s'effectue en trois temps : élaboration de fiches parcelle par parcelle puis assemblage des parcelles dans un schéma de montage pour finalement aboutir à des propositions de restitution parcellaire. L'approche chronologique du secteur et de son urbanisation recense les principaux évènements relatifs à cette partie de la ville, urbanisée depuis le 1er siècle après Jésus-Christ, et s'achève avec la construction du « palais royal » à l'extrême fin du XVe siècle. L'étude de l'habitat est facilitée, pour les XIe-XIIIe siècles, par l'existence de plusieurs vestiges d'habitations qui viennent heureusement compléter une documentation textuelle limitée. La restitution topographique entreprise pour les XIVe et XVe siècles permet en revanche une analyse plus complète de l'organisation du bâti et de la parcelle. Le marché immobilier est étudié tant dans ses dimensions économiques que juridiques. Alors qu'avant la seconde moitié du XIVe siècle les sources tendent à exagérer la place accordée aux institutions religieuses, leur élargissement après cette date permet d'appréhender de façon plus complète le fonctionnement de ce marché. Quant aux habitants, les analyses menées à leur propos concernent surtout le XVe siècle. Elles s'intéressent surtout aux mentions de métier ou d'état mais également à la mobilité de la population, beaucoup plus difficilement au mode de vie des habitants. La conclusion dresse un bilan des apports et limites de la méthode utilisée et pose la question de son application en d'autres lieux
This topographical and socio-economic study of a part of urban space in Rouen at the end of middle age turns on three parishes of the town situated near the cathedral and representing more than seven hectares. The method of topographical exploiting is executed in three times: elaboration of documents for each parcel, then assemblage of parcels in a mounting arrangement to finish with propositions of cadastral drawings. The chronological approach of the area and its urbanization, records the main events related to this part of the town, urbanized since the first century after Jesus Christ, and ends with the construction of the “royal palace” at the extreme end of the fifteenth century. The study of accommodation is facilitated for the XIth - XIIIth centuries by the existence of many relics of houses which completes successfully a limited literature. The topographical restitution undertaken for the XIVth and XVth centuries permits in return a more complete analysis of frame and parcel organization. The real estate is studied on economical and juridical side. When before the second half of XIVth , the data sources overestimate the place of religious institutions, extension of sources after this date allowed a more complete knowledge of this market. Analysis on the inhabitants concerns especially the XVth century. They are particularly interested in profession or condition mentions and also in people mobility, but with more difficulties in way of life. The conclusion takes stock of contributions and limits of the method employed and asks the question of using it in other places

碩士
國立臺灣科技大學
設計研究所
102
With the growing popularity of smartphone development, the explosive growth of hardware, software and mobile services is brought to the whole industry chain. Mobile Applications for tourism have been widely used. However, the effects of the mobile applications on traveling experiences are still under researching. In this study, the mobile application used is the outcome of the research project sponsored by NSC - Rediscover Herb Lane-An Interactive installation of Inquiring Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine .This App was designed for tourists to get connected to the Herb Lane through identifing their lifestyles, offering herbal recommendations, and leading the tourists to find the herbs in the Herb Lane. This study investigated the effects of the Green Lane App on the traveling experience of tourists, and then studied the relations among the design factors of Green Lane App and traveling experience. The design factors involved perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, aesthetic interface and gamification. 117 subjects were recruited in the study. The subjects were devided in two groups, the experimental group (using the App) and the controled group (not using App), to investigate the effect of the mobile app on the traveling experience. According to the results of the analysis, the conclusions are: (1)Using Green Lane App can enhance the traveling experience.(2)App with better usability will enhance the traveling experience.(3)App with professional designed interface can improve its usability , thereby enhance the traveling experience.(4) Gamification mechanisms can affect the intention to use.