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Gunter HM, Youlten SE, Reis ALM, McCubbin T, Madala BS, Wong T, Stevanovski I, Cipponi A, Deveson IW, Santini NS, Kummerfeld S, Croucher PI, Marcellin E, Mercer TR. A universal molecular control for DNA, mRNA and protein expression. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2480. [PMID: 38509097 PMCID: PMC10954659 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46456-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The expression of genes encompasses their transcription into mRNA followed by translation into protein. In recent years, next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry methods have profiled DNA, RNA and protein abundance in cells. However, there are currently no reference standards that are compatible across these genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic methods, and provide an integrated measure of gene expression. Here, we use synthetic biology principles to engineer a multi-omics control, termed pREF, that can act as a universal molecular standard for next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry methods. The pREF sequence encodes 21 synthetic genes that can be in vitro transcribed into spike-in mRNA controls, and in vitro translated to generate matched protein controls. The synthetic genes provide qualitative controls that can measure sensitivity and quantitative accuracy of DNA, RNA and peptide detection. We demonstrate the use of pREF in metagenome DNA sequencing and RNA sequencing experiments and evaluate the quantification of proteins using mass spectrometry. Unlike previous spike-in controls, pREF can be independently propagated and the synthetic mRNA and protein controls can be sustainably prepared by recipient laboratories using common molecular biology techniques. Together, this provides a universal synthetic standard able to integrate genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Gunter
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- BASE mRNA Facility, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Scott E Youlten
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andre L M Reis
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim McCubbin
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bindu Swapna Madala
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ted Wong
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Igor Stevanovski
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Arcadi Cipponi
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ira W Deveson
- Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nadia S Santini
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Conservación y Mejoramiento de Ecosistemas Forestales, INIFAP, Ciudad de México, 04010, Mexico
| | - Sarah Kummerfeld
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter I Croucher
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Esteban Marcellin
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tim R Mercer
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- BASE mRNA Facility, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Gálvez-Reyes N, Salvador-Figueroa M, Santini NS, Mastretta-Yanes A, Núñez-Farfán J, Piñero D. Nuclear genetic diversity and structure of Anastrepha ludens wild populations evidenced by microsatellite markers. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.948640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens, is an important pest that causes widespread damage to a number of fruit crops in Mexico. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is commonly used for its control. However, the existence of natural barriers can give rise to a population structure in neutral loci and possibly behavioral or adaptive traits that interfere with SIT. For this reason, it is important to understand the genetic diversity and structure of A. ludens populations and to better understand the evolutionary ecology and population processes in view of possible expansions and possible host shifts due to climate change. We genotyped nine nuclear DNA (nDNA) microsatellite loci among fruit fly populations collected from five biogeographic areas within Mexico, namely, the Mexican Plateau, the Northeastern Coastal Plain, the Pacific Coast, the Gulf Coast of Mexico, and the Soconusco, and a laboratory strain. The nuclear genetic diversity was moderate (from He = 0.34 to He = 0.39) within the wild mexfly population. We found that populations were clustered in three genetic groups (K = 3). The diversity and the genetic structure of A. ludens are determined by environmental and geological conditions, as well as local conditions like anthropogenic perturbation, which would produce population expansion and the existence of possible predators that would affect the population density. Gene flow showed recent migration among populations. The laboratory strain showed fewer diversity than the wild samples. Large values of current and ancestral population size suggest high resistance to climatic changes, probably due to biological attributes, such as its polyphagous, multivoltine, and high dispersal characteristics. In particular, ecosystem fragmentation and perturbation as well as the existence of new plant hosts would probably increase the abundance of flies.
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Santini NS, Miquelajauregui Y. The Restoration of Degraded Lands by Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples. Front Conserv Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.873659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of Earth's foremost ecological challenges is the degradation of land habitats. This degradation is often caused by deforestation and desertification resulting from the unsustainable management of natural resources. Land restoration seeks to reverse this trend and repair ecosystems to better health. Indigenous peoples and local communities have a key role in realizing long-term, sustainable land restoration. Local and indigenous communities often have intimate knowledge of the local ecosystems and an interest in preserving ecosystem services. Areas managed by indigenous peoples and local communities especially overlap with remaining intact ecosystems and suffer from less deforestation than unprotected areas. Here, we discuss how the knowledge and engagement of local communities can improve the management, implementation, and monitoring of habitat restoration. However, there are also challenges to land restoration, and scientists and policymakers that can align restoration outcomes with community benefits gained from environmental stewardship and knowledge, are more likely to achieve long-term sustainable restoration success.
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Santini NS, Chamizo S, Lucas-Borja ME, Muñoz-Rojas M. Editorial: Restoration of Degraded Terrestrial Ecosystems. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.863845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Vilas MP, Adams MP, Ball MC, Meynecke JO, Santini NS, Swales A, Lovelock CE. Night and day: Shrinking and swelling of stems of diverse mangrove species growing along environmental gradients. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221950. [PMID: 31479477 PMCID: PMC6719867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tree stems swell and shrink daily, which is thought to reflect changes in the volume of water within stem tissues. We observed these daily patterns using automatic dendrometer bands in a diverse group of mangrove species over five mangrove forests across Australia and New Caledonia. We found that mangrove stems swelled during the day and shrank at night. Maximum swelling was highly correlated with daily maxima in air temperature. Variation in soil salinity and levels of tidal inundation did not influence the timing of stem swelling over all species. Medium-term increases in stem circumference were highly sensitive to rainfall. We defoliated trees to assess the role of foliar transpiration in stem swelling and shrinking. Defoliated trees showed maintenance of the pattern of daytime swelling, indicating that processes other than canopy transpiration influence the temporary stem diameter increments, which could include thermal swelling of stems. More research is required to understand the processes contributing to stem shrinking and swelling. Automatic Dendrometer Bands could provide a useful tool for monitoring the response of mangroves to extreme climatic events as they provide high-frequency, long-term, and large-scale information on tree water status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P. Vilas
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Matthew P. Adams
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Marilyn C. Ball
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University College of Science, Australian National University, Canberra ACT, Australia
| | - Jan-Olaf Meynecke
- Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Nadia S. Santini
- Cátedra Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Crédito Constructor, Benito Juárez, Ciudad de México, México
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Andrew Swales
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Catherine E. Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Hardwick SA, Chen WY, Wong T, Kanakamedala BS, Deveson IW, Ongley SE, Santini NS, Marcellin E, Smith MA, Nielsen LK, Lovelock CE, Neilan BA, Mercer TR. Synthetic microbe communities provide internal reference standards for metagenome sequencing and analysis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3096. [PMID: 30082706 PMCID: PMC6078961 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05555-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of microbial communities, combined with technical biases in next-generation sequencing, pose a challenge to metagenomic analysis. Here, we develop a set of internal DNA standards, termed “sequins” (sequencing spike-ins), that together constitute a synthetic community of artificial microbial genomes. Sequins are added to environmental DNA samples prior to library preparation, and undergo concurrent sequencing with the accompanying sample. We validate the performance of sequins by comparison to mock microbial communities, and demonstrate their use in the analysis of real metagenome samples. We show how sequins can be used to measure fold change differences in the size and structure of accompanying microbial communities, and perform quantitative normalization between samples. We further illustrate how sequins can be used to benchmark and optimize new methods, including nanopore long-read sequencing technology. We provide metagenome sequins, along with associated data sets, protocols, and an accompanying software toolkit, as reference standards to aid in metagenomic studies. Complex microbial communities pose a challenge to metagenomic analysis. Here the authors develop ‘sequins’, internal DNA standards that represent a synthetic community of artificial genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon A Hardwick
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Wendy Y Chen
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Ted Wong
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Ira W Deveson
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah E Ongley
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia.,School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Nadia S Santini
- Centre for Marine Bioinnovation UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia.,Instituto de Ecologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, 04500, Mexico
| | - Esteban Marcellin
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martin A Smith
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars K Nielsen
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Queensland, Australia
| | - Catherine E Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Brett A Neilan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia.,School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim R Mercer
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia. .,St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia. .,Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, 98121, WA, USA.
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7
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Nolan RH, Tarin T, Santini NS, McAdam SAM, Ruman R, Eamus D. Differences in osmotic adjustment, foliar abscisic acid dynamics, and stomatal regulation between an isohydric and anisohydric woody angiosperm during drought. Plant Cell Environ 2017; 40:3122-3134. [PMID: 28982212 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Species are often classified along a continuum from isohydric to anisohydric, with isohydric species exhibiting tighter regulation of leaf water potential through stomatal closure in response to drought. We investigated plasticity in stomatal regulation in an isohydric (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and an anisohydric (Acacia aptaneura) angiosperm species subject to repeated drying cycles. We also assessed foliar abscisic acid (ABA) content dynamics, aboveground/belowground biomass allocation and nonstructural carbohydrates. The anisohydric species exhibited large plasticity in the turgor loss point (ΨTLP ), with plants subject to repeated drying exhibiting lower ΨTLP and correspondingly larger stomatal conductance at low water potential, compared to plants not previously exposed to drought. The anisohydric species exhibited a switch from ABA to water potential-driven stomatal closure during drought, a response previously only reported for anisohydric gymnosperms. The isohydric species showed little osmotic adjustment, with no evidence of switching to water potential-driven stomatal closure, but did exhibit increased root:shoot ratios. There were no differences in carbohydrate depletion between species. We conclude that a large range in ΨTLP and biphasic ABA dynamics are indicative of anisohydric species, and these traits are associated with exposure to low minimum foliar water potential, dense sapwood and large resistance to xylem embolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael H Nolan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Tonantzin Tarin
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Nadia S Santini
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
- Institute of Ecology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, External Circuit S/N annex Botanical Garden exterior, University City, Mexico City, 04500, Mexico
| | - Scott A M McAdam
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Rizwana Ruman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Derek Eamus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, Ultimo, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
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8
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Nolan RH, Fairweather KA, Tarin T, Santini NS, Cleverly J, Faux R, Eamus D. Divergence in plant water-use strategies in semiarid woody species. Funct Plant Biol 2017; 44:1134-1146. [PMID: 32480639 DOI: 10.1071/fp17079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Partitioning of water resources amongst plant species within a single climate envelope is possible if the species differ in key hydraulic traits. We examined 11 bivariate trait relationships across nine woody species found in the Ti-Tree basin of central Australia. We found that species with limited access to soil moisture, evidenced by low pre-dawn leaf water potential, displayed anisohydric behaviour (e.g. large seasonal fluctuations in minimum leaf water potential), had greater sapwood density and lower osmotic potential at full turgor. Osmotic potential at full turgor was positively correlated with the leaf water potential at turgor loss, which was, in turn, positively correlated with the water potential at incipient stomatal closure. We also observed divergent behaviour in two species of Mulga, a complex of closely related Acacia species which range from tall shrubs to low trees and dominate large areas of arid and semiarid Australia. These Mulga species had much lower minimum leaf water potentials and lower specific leaf area compared with the other seven species. Finally, one species, Hakea macrocarpa A.Cunn ex.R.Br., had traits that may allow it to tolerate seasonal dryness (through possession of small specific leaf area and cavitation resistant xylem) despite exhibiting cellular water relations that were similar to groundwater-dependent species. We conclude that traits related to water transport and leaf water status differ across species that experience differences in soil water availability and that this enables a diversity of species to exist in this low rainfall environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael H Nolan
- Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Kendal A Fairweather
- Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Tonantzin Tarin
- Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Nadia S Santini
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - James Cleverly
- Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Ralph Faux
- Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Derek Eamus
- Terrestrial Ecohydrology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
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Cleverly J, Eamus D, Restrepo Coupe N, Chen C, Maes W, Li L, Faux R, Santini NS, Rumman R, Yu Q, Huete A. Soil moisture controls on phenology and productivity in a semi-arid critical zone. Sci Total Environ 2016; 568:1227-1237. [PMID: 27241203 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Earth's Critical Zone, where physical, chemical and biological systems interact, extends from the top of the canopy to the underlying bedrock. In this study, we investigated soil moisture controls on phenology and productivity of an Acacia woodland in semi-arid central Australia. Situated on an extensive sand plain with negligible runoff and drainage, the carry-over of soil moisture content (θ) in the rhizosphere enabled the delay of phenology and productivity across seasons, until conditions were favourable for transpiration of that water to prevent overheating in the canopy. Storage of soil moisture near the surface (in the top few metres) was promoted by a siliceous hardpan. Pulsed recharge of θ above the hardpan was rapid and depended upon precipitation amount: 150mm storm(-1) resulted in saturation of θ above the hardpan (i.e., formation of a temporary, discontinuous perched aquifer above the hardpan in unconsolidated soil) and immediate carbon uptake by the vegetation. During dry and inter-storm periods, we inferred the presence of hydraulic lift from soil storage above the hardpan to the surface due to (i) regular daily drawdown of θ in the reservoir that accumulates above the hardpan in the absence of drainage and evapotranspiration; (ii) the dimorphic root distribution wherein most roots were found in dry soil near the surface, but with significant root just above the hardpan; and (iii) synchronisation of phenology amongst trees and grasses in the dry season. We propose that hydraulic redistribution provides a small amount of moisture that maintains functioning of the shallow roots during long periods when the surface soil layer was dry, thereby enabling Mulga to maintain physiological activity without diminishing phenological and physiological responses to precipitation when conditions were favourable to promote canopy cooling.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Cleverly
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; Australian SuperSite Network, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NS 2007, Australia.
| | - Derek Eamus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; Australian SuperSite Network, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NS 2007, Australia
| | - Natalia Restrepo Coupe
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Chao Chen
- CSIRO Agriculture Flagship, PMB 5, PO Wembley, WA 6913, Australia
| | - Wouter Maes
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Longhui Li
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Ralph Faux
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Nadia S Santini
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Rizwana Rumman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Qiang Yu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Alfredo Huete
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
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10
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Santini NS, Hua Q, Schmitz N, Lovelock CE. Radiocarbon dating and wood density chronologies of mangrove trees in arid Western Australia. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80116. [PMID: 24265797 PMCID: PMC3827189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mangrove trees tend to be larger and mangrove communities more diverse in tropical latitudes, particularly where there is high rainfall. Variation in the structure, growth and productivity of mangrove forests over climatic gradients suggests they are sensitive to variations in climate, but evidence of changes in the structure and growth of mangrove trees in response to climatic variation is scarce. Bomb-pulse radiocarbon dating provides accurate dates of recent wood formation and tree age of tropical and subtropical tree species. Here, we used radiocarbon techniques combined with X-ray densitometry to develop a wood density chronology for the mangrove Avicennia marina in the Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia (WA). We tested whether wood density chronologies of A. marina were sensitive to variation in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Index, which reflects temperature fluctuations in the Pacific Ocean and is linked to the instrumental rainfall record in north WA. We also determined growth rates in mangrove trees from the Exmouth Gulf, WA. We found that seaward fringing A. marina trees (~10 cm diameter) were 48 ± 1 to 89 ± 23 years old (mean ± 1 σ) and that their growth rates ranged from 4.08 ± 2.36 to 5.30 ± 3.33 mm/yr (mean ± 1 σ). The wood density of our studied mangrove trees decreased with increases in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Index. Future predicted drying of the region will likely lead to further reductions in wood density and their associated growth rates in mangrove forests in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia S. Santini
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Quan Hua
- Institute for Environmental Research, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nele Schmitz
- Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catherine E. Lovelock
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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11
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Santini NS, Schmitz N, Bennion V, Lovelock CE. The anatomical basis of the link between density and mechanical strength in mangrove branches. Funct Plant Biol 2013; 40:400-408. [PMID: 32481117 DOI: 10.1071/fp12204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/17/2012] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tree branches are important as they support the canopy, which controls photosynthetic carbon gain and determines ecological interactions such as competition with neighbours. Mangrove trees are subject to high wind speeds, strong tidal flows and waves that can damage their branches. The survival and establishment of mangroves partly depend on the structural and mechanical characteristics of their branches. In addition, mangroves are exposed to soils that vary in salinity. Highly saline conditions can increase the tension in the water column, imposing mechanical stresses on the xylem vessels. Here, we investigated how mechanical strength, assessed as the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the modulus of rupture (MOR), and density relate to the anatomical characteristics of intact mangrove branches from southeast Queensland and whether the mechanical strength of branches varies among mangrove species. Mechanical strength was positively correlated with density of mangrove intact branches. Mechanical strength (MOE) varied among species, with Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. branches having the highest mechanical strength (2079±176MPa), and Rhizophora stylosa Griff. and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Savigny ex Lam. and Poiret having the lowest mechanical strength (536.8±39.2MPa in R. stylosa and 554±58.2MPa in B. gymnorrhiza). High levels of mechanical strength were associated with reductions in xylem vessel lumen area, pith content and bark content, and positively associated with increases in fibre wall thickness. The associations between mechanical strength and anatomical characteristics in mangrove branches suggest trade-offs between mechanical strength and water supply, which are linked to tree growth and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia S Santini
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Nele Schmitz
- Laboratory for Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Vicki Bennion
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Catherine E Lovelock
- The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
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