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Lucas León Peralta Ogorek; Elisa Pellegrini; Ole Pedersen. Corrigendum. New Phytologist 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleLucas León Peralta Ogorek, Elisa Pellegrini, Ole Pedersen. Corrigendum. New Phytologist. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucas León Peralta Ogorek; Elisa Pellegrini; Ole Pedersen. 2021. "Corrigendum." New Phytologist , no. : 1.
The N2-fixing shrub Amorpha fruticosa L. is rapidly spreading in the dry riparian natural grasslands of Europe, altering ecosystem functions and depleting plant diversity. Alteration of the N cycle represents the key factor involved in invasions by N2-fixing plants with cascading effects on plant species richness. We hypothesized that A. fruticosa encroachment strongly impacts not only the N but also the C cycle and that the magnitude of such alterations may be modulated by soil characteristics. To test these hypotheses, we selected four river floodplains in North East of Italy and compared natural uninvaded grasslands with half invaded and completely invaded sites, based on A. fruticosa stand characteristic and relevant leaf traits and on soil properties related to soil texture and to C and N cycles. Soil organic matter mineralisation, ammonification and nitrification rates were determined. Soil nitrification increased remarkably with plant invasion while ammonification was significantly higher only in half invaded sites. Soil organic matter mineralisation, microbial biomass C sustained per soil organic C unit and nitrification positively correlated with stand age, regardless to the stage of the encroachment. Mineralisation and nitrification increased with soil organic C and total N in uninvaded and completely invaded sites, but decreased in half invaded sites. At the half invasion stage, trends in nitrification and CO2 mineralisation were transitionally reverted and remediation may be facilitated by less pronounced changes in soil properties compared to completely invaded sites. Direct effects of plant invasion are modulated by the action of soil characteristics such as soil organic C and clay contents, with soils rich in organic C showing larger nitrification and mineralisation rates.
E. Pellegrini; F. Boscutti; G. Alberti; V. Casolo; M. Contin; M. De Nobili. Stand age, degree of encroachment and soil characteristics modulate changes of C and N cycles in dry grassland soils invaded by the N2-fixing shrub Amorpha fruticosa. Science of The Total Environment 2021, 792, 148295 .
AMA StyleE. Pellegrini, F. Boscutti, G. Alberti, V. Casolo, M. Contin, M. De Nobili. Stand age, degree of encroachment and soil characteristics modulate changes of C and N cycles in dry grassland soils invaded by the N2-fixing shrub Amorpha fruticosa. Science of The Total Environment. 2021; 792 ():148295.
Chicago/Turabian StyleE. Pellegrini; F. Boscutti; G. Alberti; V. Casolo; M. Contin; M. De Nobili. 2021. "Stand age, degree of encroachment and soil characteristics modulate changes of C and N cycles in dry grassland soils invaded by the N2-fixing shrub Amorpha fruticosa." Science of The Total Environment 792, no. : 148295.
The root barrier to radial O2 loss (ROL) is a trait enabling waterlogging tolerance of plants. The ROL barrier restricts O2 diffusion to the anoxic soil so that O2 is retained inside root tissues. We hypothesised that the ROL barrier can also restrict radial diffusion of other gases (H2 and water vapour) in rice roots with a barrier to ROL. We used O2 and H2 microsensors to measure ROL and permeability of rice roots and gravimetric measurements to assess the influence of the ROL barrier on radial water loss (RWL). The ROL barrier greatly restricted radial diffusion of O2 as well as H2. At 60 kPa pO2, we found no radial diffusion of O2 across the barrier, and for H2 the barrier reduced radial diffusion by 73%. Similarly, RWL was reduced by 93% in roots with a ROL barrier. Our study showed that the root barrier to ROL not only completely blocks radial O2 diffusion under steep concentration gradients but is also a diffusive barrier to H2 and to water vapour. The strong correlation between ROL and RWL presents a case where simple measurements of RWL can be used to predict ROL in screening studies with focus on waterlogging tolerance.
Lucas León Peralta Ogorek; Elisa Pellegrini; Ole Pedersen. Novel functions of the root barrier to radial oxygen loss – radial diffusion resistance to H 2 and water vapour. New Phytologist 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleLucas León Peralta Ogorek, Elisa Pellegrini, Ole Pedersen. Novel functions of the root barrier to radial oxygen loss – radial diffusion resistance to H 2 and water vapour. New Phytologist. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucas León Peralta Ogorek; Elisa Pellegrini; Ole Pedersen. 2021. "Novel functions of the root barrier to radial oxygen loss – radial diffusion resistance to H 2 and water vapour." New Phytologist , no. : 1.
Unveiling the processes driving exotic plant invasion represent a central issue in taking decisions aimed at constraining the loss of biodiversity and related ecosystem services. The invasion success is often linked to anthropogenic land uses and warming due to climate change. We studied the responses of native versus casual and naturalised exotic species richness to land uses and climate at the landscape level, relying on a large floristic survey undertaken in North - Eastern Italy. Both climate and land use drove exotic species richness. Our results suggest that the success of plant invasion at this scale is mainly due to warm climatic conditions and the extent of urban and agricultural land, but with different effects on casual and naturalized exotic species. The occurrence of non-linear trends showed that a small percentage of extensive agricultural land in the landscape may concurrently reduce the number of exotic plant while sustaining native plant diversity. Plant invasion could be potentially limited by land management, mainly focusing on areas with extensive agricultural land use. A more conscientious land management is more and more commonly required by local administrations. According to our results, a shift of intensive to extensive agricultural land, by implementing green infrastructures, seems to be a win–win solution favouring native species while controlling the oversimplification of the flora due to plant invasion.
E. Pellegrini; M. Buccheri; F. Martini; F. Boscutti. Agricultural land use curbs exotic invasion but sustains native plant diversity at intermediate levels. Scientific Reports 2021, 11, 1 -10.
AMA StyleE. Pellegrini, M. Buccheri, F. Martini, F. Boscutti. Agricultural land use curbs exotic invasion but sustains native plant diversity at intermediate levels. Scientific Reports. 2021; 11 (1):1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleE. Pellegrini; M. Buccheri; F. Martini; F. Boscutti. 2021. "Agricultural land use curbs exotic invasion but sustains native plant diversity at intermediate levels." Scientific Reports 11, no. 1: 1-10.
Soil microbial biomass (SMB-C) is one of the most frequently used parameters for the assessment of soil quality, but no threshold values have ever been proposed. We challenged the problem of a reliable numerical estimation of the SMB-C based on the knowledge of physicochemical soil properties. The aim was to evaluate artificial neural network (ANN) modelling for the prediction of SMB-C from a range of physical and chemical properties. The dataset used is composed of 231 vineyard soils of widely different characteristics and exposed to different temperature and moisture regimes. Each soil was described by ten physicochemical parameters: sand, clay, soil organic matter, total N, C/N ratio, pH, EC, exchangeable Na, active lime and total Cu. The ANN followed the topology: one input layer (1 to 11 nodes), one hidden layer (2•n nodes) and one output node (SMB-C). Each soil sample was validated against the other 230 samples. The ANN model showed a much better fit than the linear model. The divergence between measured and predicted SMB-C was greatly restrained using the nonlinear approach, testifying the ability of the ANN to adapt to the highly variable dataset. The ANN analysis confirmed the primary importance of SOM for SMB-C prediction, being present in all of the best five models with the lowest root mean square relative error and in four out of five models with the lowest root mean square error. The prediction capability of SMB-C by ANN was limited at high SMB-C values, but the method can potentially be improved by expanding the dataset and introducing more parameters regarding soil physical properties and management.
Elisa Pellegrini; Nicola Rovere; Stefano Zaninotti; Irene Franco; Maria De Nobili; Marco Contin. Artificial neural network (ANN) modelling for the estimation of soil microbial biomass in vineyard soils. Biology and Fertility of Soils 2020, 57, 145 -151.
AMA StyleElisa Pellegrini, Nicola Rovere, Stefano Zaninotti, Irene Franco, Maria De Nobili, Marco Contin. Artificial neural network (ANN) modelling for the estimation of soil microbial biomass in vineyard soils. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 2020; 57 (1):145-151.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Pellegrini; Nicola Rovere; Stefano Zaninotti; Irene Franco; Maria De Nobili; Marco Contin. 2020. "Artificial neural network (ANN) modelling for the estimation of soil microbial biomass in vineyard soils." Biology and Fertility of Soils 57, no. 1: 145-151.
Aims Among terrestrial ecosystems, coastal sandy dunes are particularly prone to alien plant invasion. Many studies related the invasion of dune habitats to anthropic causes, but less is known about the role of soil properties and plant traits in plant invasion. In this study, we tested the relationships between soil features and alien plant invasion in dune systems, focusing on the interplay between soil nutrients, soil salinity and plant functional traits. Methods Study sites were sandy barrier islands of the Marano and Grado lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea). One hundred plots (4 m × 4 m) were selected within 10 areas according to the main habitats occurring along the ecological gradient of dune system (foredune, backdune and saltmarsh). In each plot, we recorded all plant species occurrence and abundance and we collected a soil core. For each soil sample, soil texture, conductivity (as proxy of soil salinity), organic carbon and nitrogen content were analyzed and related to the species number and cover of native and alien plants. Variation of main reproductive and vegetative functional traits among habitats was also analyzed for both alien and native species. Important Findings Soil properties were strongly related to overall plant diversity, by differently affecting alien and native species pools. In backdune, the most invaded habitat, a high soil conductivity limited the number of alien species, whereas the content of soil organic carbon increased along with alien plant abundance, suggesting also the occurrence of potential feedback processes between plant invasion and soil. We found a significant convergence between native and alien plant functional trait spectra only in backdune habitat, where environmental conditions ameliorate and plant competition increases. Our findings suggest that in harsh conditions only native specialized plants can thrive while at intermediate conditions, soil properties gradient acts in synergy with plant traits to curb/facilitate alien plant richness.
Stefano Vitti; Elisa Pellegrini; Valentino Casolo; Giacomo Trotta; Francesco Boscutti. Contrasting responses of native and alien plant species to soil properties shed new light on the invasion of dune systems. Journal of Plant Ecology 2020, 13, 667 -675.
AMA StyleStefano Vitti, Elisa Pellegrini, Valentino Casolo, Giacomo Trotta, Francesco Boscutti. Contrasting responses of native and alien plant species to soil properties shed new light on the invasion of dune systems. Journal of Plant Ecology. 2020; 13 (6):667-675.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefano Vitti; Elisa Pellegrini; Valentino Casolo; Giacomo Trotta; Francesco Boscutti. 2020. "Contrasting responses of native and alien plant species to soil properties shed new light on the invasion of dune systems." Journal of Plant Ecology 13, no. 6: 667-675.
In plant species, the effects of flooding and salinity are commonly studied under controlled conditions in order to understand their acclimation to environmental stresses. Nevertheless, each stress is usually considered separately and laboratory conditions cannot encompass the complexity of the natural ecosystem, often concealing the true plant response. Our work aimed therefore at studying plant responses to flooding and salinity in the field, focusing on two target halophytes and on their reserve organs, i.e. rhizomes of Limonium narbonense and woody stems of Salicornia fruticosa. The physiological response was investigated measuring non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) and amino acids (AA), and considering the two growing stages of the species, i.e. the growing and the seed ripening seasons. L. narbonense rhizomes showed a larger amount of starch and all measured osmolytes, i.e. NSCs, AA and proline, compared to S. fruticosa woody stem, where plant response to environmental stress seemed linked chiefly to soluble NSCs. The effects on soluble NSCs were mainly driven by flooding and were influenced by salinity only at low flooding stress. The two species showed a contrasting strategy against flooding and salinity based on soluble NSCs, and with a more intense response during the seed ripening season. Large amount of AA, proline in particular, suggested the involvement of these osmolytes in the salinity tolerance in L. narbonense, regardless to the intensity of the stress.
E. Pellegrini; G. Forlani; F. Boscutti; V. Casolo. Evidence of non-structural carbohydrates-mediated response to flooding and salinity in Limonium narbonense and Salicornia fruticosa. Aquatic Botany 2020, 166, 103265 .
AMA StyleE. Pellegrini, G. Forlani, F. Boscutti, V. Casolo. Evidence of non-structural carbohydrates-mediated response to flooding and salinity in Limonium narbonense and Salicornia fruticosa. Aquatic Botany. 2020; 166 ():103265.
Chicago/Turabian StyleE. Pellegrini; G. Forlani; F. Boscutti; V. Casolo. 2020. "Evidence of non-structural carbohydrates-mediated response to flooding and salinity in Limonium narbonense and Salicornia fruticosa." Aquatic Botany 166, no. : 103265.
Questions Understanding the mechanisms underlying the impacts of exotic plant invasions is a central issue in plant ecology. Considering the invasion process, any alteration of the nutrient cycle is of fundamental importance. We hypothesized that the woody N‐fixing invasive Amorpha fruticosa is indirectly depleting plant diversity by altering ecosystem functions of riverine grasslands, thus producing a conspicuous shift in species’ composition. Location Temperate lowland riparian areas of North‐East Italy Methods In 12 sites, we selected uninvaded, partially invaded, and invaded grasslands (36 plots). In each plot, we performed a vegetation relevé, measured main A. fruticosa growth traits, light transmittance and soil features. We studied the effects of the invasion of A. fruticosa on grassland properties and plant diversity, examining the interactions between soil nutrient cycles, light availability and plant diversity. Results Increased abundance of A. fruticosa affected main soil properties (i.e. increase in soil mineralization and nitrification) and light availability (i.e. decrease in light). The δ15N of soil organic matter was strongly related to A. fruticosa basal area, thus supporting the hypothesis of an increase in soil nitrogen (N) availability due to invasion by the N‐fixer. Plant taxonomical and functional diversity decreased significantly as A. fruticosa cover increased. Plant diversity was more related with N than light availability or soil organic carbon. Similarly, the shift in species composition (i.e. beta‐diversity) of invaded grasslands was related to increased soil nitrification rates. Conclusions Our findings show how a nitrogen‐fixing invasive plant such as A. fruticosa may influence the main ecosystem properties, causing cascading effects on soil functions, decreasing plant diversity. Alteration of the N cycle represents the key process involved in this plant invasion, suggesting that further studies should focus on potential solutions to mitigate the soil N supply, curb the invasion and restore plant diversity of these riverine grasslands.
Francesco Boscutti; Elisa Pellegrini; Valentino Casolo; Maria De Nobili; Massimo Buccheri; Giorgio Alberti. Cascading effects from plant to soil elucidate how the invasive Amorpha fruticosa L. impacts dry grasslands. Journal of Vegetation Science 2020, 31, 667 -677.
AMA StyleFrancesco Boscutti, Elisa Pellegrini, Valentino Casolo, Maria De Nobili, Massimo Buccheri, Giorgio Alberti. Cascading effects from plant to soil elucidate how the invasive Amorpha fruticosa L. impacts dry grasslands. Journal of Vegetation Science. 2020; 31 (4):667-677.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Boscutti; Elisa Pellegrini; Valentino Casolo; Maria De Nobili; Massimo Buccheri; Giorgio Alberti. 2020. "Cascading effects from plant to soil elucidate how the invasive Amorpha fruticosa L. impacts dry grasslands." Journal of Vegetation Science 31, no. 4: 667-677.
The aptness of the ∑SEM/AVS (Simultaneously Extracted Metals/Acid Volatile Sulfides) index to ascertain environmental risk from potentially toxic elements in calcareous saltmarsh soils was tested using Structural Equation Modelling. This technique allows to detect both direct and indirect relationships among AVS, SEM and other soil variables, representing results in a graphical view. The dataset included 90 soil samples from 21 different sites belonging to six different saltmarshes and featured a wide range of soil chemico‐physical properties. Variables included in the a priori model were hydroperiod, pH, soil redox potential, labile organic carbon, carbonates, total Fe and total amount of potentially toxic elements (PTE). The best optimised model pointed out the main soil properties which affect AVS accumulation and SEM speciation in these soils. Effect plots of AVS and SEM calculated with the partial linear mixed‐effects models included in the piecewise Structural Equation Modelling showed a significant and positive influence of pH and of carbonates on AVS and a highly significant effect of carbonates and labile organic carbon on SEM. Single SEM components were also considered separately in order to define potential contributions of labile organic carbon or carbonates as alternative binding phases. Simultaneously extracted Cu, Ni and Zn resulted preferentially bound to carbonates followed by labile organic carbon, whereas Pb and Cd were easily bound to labile organic carbon. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Elisa Pellegrini; Marco Contin; Livia Vittori Antisari; Chiara Ferronato; Maria De Nobili; Vittori Antisari Livia; Ferronato Chiara. Soil Organic Carbon and Carbonates are Binding Phases for Simultaneously Extractable Metals in Calcareous Saltmarsh Soils. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2019, 38, 2688 -2697.
AMA StyleElisa Pellegrini, Marco Contin, Livia Vittori Antisari, Chiara Ferronato, Maria De Nobili, Vittori Antisari Livia, Ferronato Chiara. Soil Organic Carbon and Carbonates are Binding Phases for Simultaneously Extractable Metals in Calcareous Saltmarsh Soils. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2019; 38 (12):2688-2697.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Pellegrini; Marco Contin; Livia Vittori Antisari; Chiara Ferronato; Maria De Nobili; Vittori Antisari Livia; Ferronato Chiara. 2019. "Soil Organic Carbon and Carbonates are Binding Phases for Simultaneously Extractable Metals in Calcareous Saltmarsh Soils." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 38, no. 12: 2688-2697.
The use of eco-friendly and cost-effective adsorbent materials in the remediation of soils contaminated by potentially toxic elements (PTE) is a sustainable way of reducing the transfer of these elements into the food chain. However, an evaluation of the potential of natural zeolites to immobilize toxic elements in contaminated soils was required to enable their efficient use. The effect of natural zeolite (Stilbite-Stellerite) from the Munella area (Northern Albania), added at rates ranging from 1.25 to 10 % w/w on a contaminated soil was investigated in a greenhouse pot experiment with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and by selective extractions. PTE availability for plants was assessed either as their accumulation in plant tissue or by DTPA-extraction. Oral bio-accessibility was estimated by the in vitro PBET method and the mobility and consequent potential risk of leaching by the USEPA TLCP method. The effect of zeolites on soil properties (pH, electrical conductivity-EC, organic C, and total N) was also investigated. A five steps sequential extraction procedure (SEP) was applied to investigate the immobilization mechanism. The addition of 2.5% w/w of natural zeolites caused a significant decrease of PTE mobility, but to observe a significant reduction of DTPA-extractable metals, it was necessary to reach 10% addition rate. In contrast, plant growth showed a gradual increase with addition rate and a corresponding decrease of concentration of PTE in plant tissue. Correlation between DTPA-extractable PTE and their concentration in both root and shoot plant tissue was rather poor. Human hazard due to soil ingestion (PBET method) changed only for Cu and Zn in the gastric phase with 1.25 and 5% addition rate respectively, whereas decreased for Cu and Zn at 5% rate in the Intestinal phase. The results of SEP support the hypothesis that the main mechanism involved in metals fixation are as follows: (1) insolubilization by pH rise, (2) adsorption on Fe/Mn oxides (3) increase of cation exchange retention, (4) organic complexation. The results of this work suggest that the addition of natural zeolites from the Munella area (AL) is a sustainable practice to reduce the environmental impact of PTE contaminated soils, but an assessment on the longevity of their immobilization need to be evaluated in the long-term perspectives.
Marco Contin; Liri Miho; Elisa Pellegrini; Fran Gjoka; Enkeleda Shkurta. Effects of natural zeolites on ryegrass growth and bioavailability of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in an Albanian contaminated soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments 2019, 19, 4052 -4062.
AMA StyleMarco Contin, Liri Miho, Elisa Pellegrini, Fran Gjoka, Enkeleda Shkurta. Effects of natural zeolites on ryegrass growth and bioavailability of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in an Albanian contaminated soil. Journal of Soils and Sediments. 2019; 19 (12):4052-4062.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Contin; Liri Miho; Elisa Pellegrini; Fran Gjoka; Enkeleda Shkurta. 2019. "Effects of natural zeolites on ryegrass growth and bioavailability of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in an Albanian contaminated soil." Journal of Soils and Sediments 19, no. 12: 4052-4062.
Senecio fontanicola is endemic to black-bog-rush fens of southern Austria, northwestern Slovenia and north-eastern Italy. It is characterized by oblanceolate leaves, a low number of supplementary bracts and glabrous achenes and it grows in marshy spring areas, fens and reed beds, between elevations from 20 to 850 m. The species was never described with molecular traits and during the last decades, S. fontanicola showed a dramatic decline due to land reclamation for agriculture. Therefore, the present study aims to characterize S. fontanicola using the molecular barcoding technique and to updated its distribution to propose a global risk category for the species, based on IUCN criteria. The three molecular markers used in this study (trnH-psbA, rbcL, and ITS) clearly distinguished S. fontanicola from S. doria. s.s. and the revised distribution allowed the definition of the conservation status of the species, that is Endangered-EN B2ab(i, ii, iii, iv) following the B criterion of the IUCN guidelines.
Elisa Pellegrini; Valentino Casolo; Duilio Iamonico; Giuseppe Oriolo; Nicola Rovere; Massimo Vischi. Molecular study on Senecio fontanicola (S. doria group, Asteraceae) and its conservation status. Hacquetia 2019, 18, 87 -95.
AMA StyleElisa Pellegrini, Valentino Casolo, Duilio Iamonico, Giuseppe Oriolo, Nicola Rovere, Massimo Vischi. Molecular study on Senecio fontanicola (S. doria group, Asteraceae) and its conservation status. Hacquetia. 2019; 18 (1):87-95.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Pellegrini; Valentino Casolo; Duilio Iamonico; Giuseppe Oriolo; Nicola Rovere; Massimo Vischi. 2019. "Molecular study on Senecio fontanicola (S. doria group, Asteraceae) and its conservation status." Hacquetia 18, no. 1: 87-95.
Monitoring of biogenic sulfide is important as AVS represent a reactive pool responsible for immobilization of toxic metals. We propose a new sulfide paper sensor method (SPS) for semi‐quantitative determination of AVS in which developed color is compared to a reference chart. The method was validated against the ion‐selective microelectrode and the purge and trap methods. For field work, readings should fall within 1 to 10 μmoles S2‐. Considering that the volume of soil used range between 1 to 16 cm3, the corresponding soil sulfides concentration range spans from 0.06 to 10 mmoles S2‐ cm−3. The SPS method is highly suitable for field screening and has sensitivity levels comparable to laboratory methods. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Elisa Pellegrini; Marco Contin; Livia Vittori Antisari; Gilmo Vianello; Chiara Ferronato; Maria De Nobili; Pellegrini Elisa; Contin Marco; Vittori Antisari Livia; Vianello Gilmo; Ferronato Chiara; De Nobili Maria. A new paper sensor method for field analysis of acid volatile sulfides in soils. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2018, 37, 3025 -3031.
AMA StyleElisa Pellegrini, Marco Contin, Livia Vittori Antisari, Gilmo Vianello, Chiara Ferronato, Maria De Nobili, Pellegrini Elisa, Contin Marco, Vittori Antisari Livia, Vianello Gilmo, Ferronato Chiara, De Nobili Maria. A new paper sensor method for field analysis of acid volatile sulfides in soils. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2018; 37 (12):3025-3031.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Pellegrini; Marco Contin; Livia Vittori Antisari; Gilmo Vianello; Chiara Ferronato; Maria De Nobili; Pellegrini Elisa; Contin Marco; Vittori Antisari Livia; Vianello Gilmo; Ferronato Chiara; De Nobili Maria. 2018. "A new paper sensor method for field analysis of acid volatile sulfides in soils." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 37, no. 12: 3025-3031.
Saltmarshes are recognised worldwide to be among the most complex ecosystems, where several environmental factors concur to sustain their fragile functioning. Among them, soil–plant interactions are pivotal but often overlooked. The aim of this work was to use a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to get new insight into soil–plant interactions, focusing on the effect of plant traits and abundance on soil, and test the effect of soil and/or plants on the entire community, monitoring changes in plant richness. The target halophytes Limonium narbonense and Sarcocornia fruticosa were sampled in the Marano and Grado lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea). Basal leaves of L. narbonense and green shoots of S. fruticosa were used to estimate plant growth, while the abundance of both species was used as a proxy of species competition. SEM was applied to test relationships between predictors and response variables in a single causal network. The flooding period (hydroperiod) negatively affected plant growth and soil properties, whereas plants decreased the intensity of soil reduction. Flooding did not directly affect species abundance or diversity, whose changes were instead driven by plant traits. The direct relationships between plant traits and species richness highlighted that species competition could be even more important than environmental stresses in defining plant diversity and zonation.
Elisa Pellegrini; Francesco Boscutti; Maria De Nobili; Valentino Casolo. Plant traits shape the effects of tidal flooding on soil and plant communities in saltmarshes. Plant Ecology 2018, 219, 823 -835.
AMA StyleElisa Pellegrini, Francesco Boscutti, Maria De Nobili, Valentino Casolo. Plant traits shape the effects of tidal flooding on soil and plant communities in saltmarshes. Plant Ecology. 2018; 219 (7):823-835.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Pellegrini; Francesco Boscutti; Maria De Nobili; Valentino Casolo. 2018. "Plant traits shape the effects of tidal flooding on soil and plant communities in saltmarshes." Plant Ecology 219, no. 7: 823-835.
Mercury (Hg) distribution in saltmarsh sediments and in three selected halophytes (Limonium narbonense, Sarcocornia fruticosa and Atriplex portulacoides) of a wetland system (Marano and Grado Lagoon, Italy) following a contamination gradient in sediments was investigated. The Hg uptake was evaluated at the root system level by calculating the enrichment factor (EF) and in the aboveground tissues by means of the translocation factor (TF). The related methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in the halophytes were also investigated with regard to the location of the sites and their degree of contamination. Hg concentration in halophytes seemed poorly correlated both with the total Hg in rhizo-sediments and with the specific plant considered, supporting the evidence that the chemico-physical parameters of sediments could significantly affect metal availability for plants. Hg concentrations in roots increased with depth and were 20-fold higher than content measured in related rhizo-sediments (high EF). A low content of Hg is translocated in aboveground tissues (very low TF values), thus highlighting a kind of avoidance strategy of these halophytes against Hg toxicity. MeHg values were comparable between the two sites and among species, but the translocation from below- to aboveground plant tissues was more active.
Elisa Pellegrini; E. Petranich; A. Acquavita; João Canário; A. Emili; S. Covelli. Mercury uptake by halophytes in response to a long-term contamination in coastal wetland salt marshes (northern Adriatic Sea). Environmental Geochemistry and Health 2017, 39, 1273 -1289.
AMA StyleElisa Pellegrini, E. Petranich, A. Acquavita, João Canário, A. Emili, S. Covelli. Mercury uptake by halophytes in response to a long-term contamination in coastal wetland salt marshes (northern Adriatic Sea). Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 2017; 39 (6):1273-1289.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Pellegrini; E. Petranich; A. Acquavita; João Canário; A. Emili; S. Covelli. 2017. "Mercury uptake by halophytes in response to a long-term contamination in coastal wetland salt marshes (northern Adriatic Sea)." Environmental Geochemistry and Health 39, no. 6: 1273-1289.
Terrestrial saltmarsh plants inhabiting flood-prone habitats undergo recurrent and prolonged flooding driven by tidal regimes. In this study, the role of internal plant aeration in contrasting hypoxic/anoxic conditions during submergence was investigated in the two halophytes Limonium narbonense Mill. and Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.) A.J. Scott. Monitoring of tissue O2 dynamics was performed in shoots and roots using microelectrodes under drained conditions, waterlogging, partial and complete submergence, in light or darkness. For both species, submergence in darkness resulted in significant declines in tissue O2 status and when in light, in rapid O2 increases first in shoot tissues and subsequently in roots. During partial submergence, S. fruticosa benefitted from snorkelling and efficiently transported O2 to roots, whereas the O2 concentration in roots of L. narbonense declined by more than 90%. Significantly thinner leaves and articles were recorded under high degree of flooding stress and both species showed considerably high tissue porosity. The presence of aerenchyma seemed to support internal aeration in S. fruticosa whereas O2 diffusion in L. narbonense seemed impeded, despite the higher porosity (up to 50%). Thus, the results obtained for L. narbonense, being well adapted to flooding, suggests that processes other than internal aeration could be involved in better flooding tolerance e.g. fermentative processes, and that traits resulting in flooding tolerance in plants are not yet fully understood.
Elisa Pellegrini; Dennis Konnerup; Anders Winkel; Valentino Casolo; Ole Pedersen. Contrasting oxygen dynamics in Limonium narbonense and Sarcocornia fruticosa during partial and complete submergence. Functional Plant Biology 2017, 44, 867 .
AMA StyleElisa Pellegrini, Dennis Konnerup, Anders Winkel, Valentino Casolo, Ole Pedersen. Contrasting oxygen dynamics in Limonium narbonense and Sarcocornia fruticosa during partial and complete submergence. Functional Plant Biology. 2017; 44 (9):867.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Pellegrini; Dennis Konnerup; Anders Winkel; Valentino Casolo; Ole Pedersen. 2017. "Contrasting oxygen dynamics in Limonium narbonense and Sarcocornia fruticosa during partial and complete submergence." Functional Plant Biology 44, no. 9: 867.
Purpose The relationship between soil properties and plant communities was investigated in a saltmarsh of the Grado and Marano lagoon (northern Italy), where hydrology and micromorphology strongly influence the features of the ecosystem. A multidisciplinary approach was used to assess the change of soil properties and plant communities in relation to the submergence of soil. Materials and methods The plant community and soil profile surveys were both carried out along a transect in six sampling sites of the Gran Chiusa saltmarsh (Grado and Marano lagoon). The morphological and physicochemical parameters of soil profiles were investigated, and soils were classified according to Soil Taxonomy. The concentration of macronutrients in both soils and plants was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Cluster and linear discriminant analysis were used to assist the interpretation of the data of plant communities and soil properties, respectively. The bioconcentration factor explored the macronutrient relationship between plant community and soil. Results and discussion A high, middle and low zone were identified by clustering the different plant communities along the studied transect. Discriminant analysis showed how the increase in soil submergence supported the accumulation of S and Ca content and depletion of Fe and Na. The development of different plant communities was linked to both soil water saturation and to the capacity of halophytes to tolerate anoxic conditions or salinity, by extrusion or bioconcentration strategies. Conclusions This study demonstrates that tide level plays an important role in the pedological development and chemical transformations along a soil hydrosequence. The micromosaic vegetation pattern may therefore represent a useful index of the hydrological and nutritional status of the underlying soils and could be used to predict changes in coastal ecosystems.
Livia Vittori Antisari; Chiara Ferronato; Elisa Pellegrini; Francesco Boscutti; Valentino Casolo; Maria De Nobili; Gilmo Vianello. Soil properties and plant community relationship in a saltmarsh of the Grado and Marano lagoon (northern Italy). Journal of Soils and Sediments 2016, 17, 1862 -1873.
AMA StyleLivia Vittori Antisari, Chiara Ferronato, Elisa Pellegrini, Francesco Boscutti, Valentino Casolo, Maria De Nobili, Gilmo Vianello. Soil properties and plant community relationship in a saltmarsh of the Grado and Marano lagoon (northern Italy). Journal of Soils and Sediments. 2016; 17 (7):1862-1873.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLivia Vittori Antisari; Chiara Ferronato; Elisa Pellegrini; Francesco Boscutti; Valentino Casolo; Maria De Nobili; Gilmo Vianello. 2016. "Soil properties and plant community relationship in a saltmarsh of the Grado and Marano lagoon (northern Italy)." Journal of Soils and Sediments 17, no. 7: 1862-1873.
Highlights•Sequences from the inner salt marsh to the prospecting lagoon or brackish waterholes do not simply represent a hydrosequence, but also reflect erosion/sorting/accumulation processes.•Differentiation of plant communities in salt marshes occurs according to distinct morphological and physicochemical soil properties, but also acts as a primary affecting factor of soil formation.•Carbon/sulphur and iron/sulphur ratios in soil horizons are not only related to hydromorphism or submergence, but also reflect differences in texture.•Soil Taxonomy, which focuses on the "acidification potential" of sulfidic materials does not provide satisfactory ways to differentiate soils which also contain substantial carbonates. AbstractThe Grado lagoon is among the largest in the Mediterranean sea and is characterized by salt marshes, where tides influenced the development of a complex micromorphology coupled to a micromosaic of vegetation covers. This study represents the first contribution to the understanding of the main processes governing formation, development and spatial transitions between hydromorphic and subaqueous soils in an Adriatic lagoon ecosystem. Physicochemical characteristics and development of soils were investigated in three salt marshes differing for their proximity to the open sea, textural composition and age of formation. Soils of back barrier salt marshes had A/C profiles and were mostly characterized by a sandy coarse texture that allows rapid drainage and subsurface oxygen exchanges. Soil sequences from the inner salt marsh to its submerged border slope or to a brackish waterhole do not simply represent a hydrosequence, but also reflect erosion/sorting/accumulation processes.The soils in the central part of the lagoon have finer texture and in displayed transition or cambic horizons. Silty clay loam textures and low positions allowed the development of more severe anoxic conditions and accumulation of sulphides. The tide oscillation strongly contributed to formation of redoximorphic features, intensity of anaerobic conditions but also colonization by different plant communities. Discriminant analysis was performed to identify physicochemical properties which discriminate the different soils according to geo-morphological position and prevailing plants. It confirmed that differentiation of plant communities occurred according to distinct morphological and physicochemical soil properties, but also acted as a primary affecting factor of pedogenesis. Graphical abstract
Livia Vittori Antisari; Maria De Nobili; Chiara Ferronato; Marco Natale; Elisa Pellegrini; Gilmo Vianello. Hydromorphic to subaqueous soils transitions in the central Grado lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 2016, 173, 39 -48.
AMA StyleLivia Vittori Antisari, Maria De Nobili, Chiara Ferronato, Marco Natale, Elisa Pellegrini, Gilmo Vianello. Hydromorphic to subaqueous soils transitions in the central Grado lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 2016; 173 ():39-48.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLivia Vittori Antisari; Maria De Nobili; Chiara Ferronato; Marco Natale; Elisa Pellegrini; Gilmo Vianello. 2016. "Hydromorphic to subaqueous soils transitions in the central Grado lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy)." Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 173, no. : 39-48.