VeressKalmar Research and research methods of biotic and ...€¦ · development environment of the...

International Scientific Conference May 26-27 2012 on Sustainable Development & Ecological Footprint Sopron, Hungary

Researches and Research Methods of

Biotic and Abiotic Environments

Márton VERESS – Sándor KALMÁR

Institute of Geology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of West Hungary, Szombathely, Hungary

Abstract – We searched facts that contributed to the development and maintenance of organic and non-organic systems (development environment). Three of the abiotic programmes are about the research methods of such systems mainly. The various research works were carried out in several various sites. Various characteristics could be observed at these sites such as: high mountain, mountain of medium height, river environment, river shore, lake site, with intermittent water cover, and the site could be built from different rocks for instance (limestone, loose superficial deposit, metamorphic rocks). Diverse equipment was used at the sites. A so-called geodesic measuring station (Leike TS 15), a quadrocopter and analysing of areal photos were employed to construct surface maps. MRI equipment was used to measure the water transportation in trees of the area, the temperature of the soil was measured with a digital thermometer. Data collection was supported by drilling processes too (fluvial deposit examination), nectar production (in case of flowers) was detected with an electro microscope, DNS systems of examined plants were examined with a PCR equipment. The lecture describes and shows the main results of each research.

Keywords: biotic environment / abiotic environment / research methodology

1. INTRODUCTION

In the frame of the subproject number IV., there are eighteen different topics which are presented in Table 1-2.

Table 1: Research titles and methods in subprogram number IV. (1st page)

Name and research title Research methods Kercsmár Zsolt: Research of the Plate Tectonic Environments

• Geological data integration and reambulation • Geological mapping • Facies analysis • Surface analysis (DTM)

Benkó Zsolt: Brittle and ductile defor-mations and thermalkarstic formations

• fluid inclusion studies� • stable isotope studies� • X-ray powder diffraction� • fractal analysis�

Kis Éva: Reconstruction of Late Neogene paleoenvironmental changes

• loess-stratigraphy • grain-size analysis • granulometric parameters

Németh László: Soil environmental assessment of the thermal parameters of soils

• specific heat capacity, volumetric heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity

• temperature measurement of soil, soil particle size distribution determination


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Table 2: Research titles and methods in subprogram number IV. (2nd page)

Name and research title Research methods Veress Márton: Alpine karren formation

• mapping of channel systems • measuring of karren features data • measuring of CO2 contain of the snow and soils • measuring of the debris sizes • flowing experiment in the laboratory • solution experiment in the laboratory • specific catchment areas of channels

Veress Márton: Covered karst environment

• Vertical Electronic Sondage measuring, • constructional of geology-geoelectrical profiles • ground ice in the laboratory • mathematic modelling

Tóth Gábor: Geomorphological examine of fluvial environments

• comparisons of historical maps • drill core analyse • organic material stratigraphy

Kalmár Sándor: Different applications of aerial photography using RC model airplanes

• aerial photography • radio controlled (RC) model airplane • RC and GPS controlled quadrocopter • environment mapping

Korponai János: Reconstruction of flood event in oxbow sediment by subfossil cladocerans

• sediment sampling: gravity corer • measuring of water chemistry on site • cladocera analysis • grain size analysis

Béres Csilla: Measurement of sap flow of wood species

• sap flow: heat balance, heat pulse • Water in trunks: mobile computer tomograph, high resolution

CT, Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI) Szinetár Csaba: Investigation of spiders living in flooded areas

• Collecting methods: traditional Barber traps, floating traps, reed traps

• Methods for data analysis: Rényi - diversity ordering Gyurácz József: Changes to the avifauna of Vas county from the 19th century to present

• Chi2-prob and Monte Carlo test • Rényi diversity profiles. • ARIMA time series model

Dani Magdolna: Phylogeographical investi-gations on Fescue taxon

• micro-morphometric study of epidermal peels • morphological analysis of epidermal peels • scanning electron microscopic examination of epidermis

Skribanek Anna: Abiotic stress analysis of chlorophyll biosynthesis

• Pigment determinations spectrophotometry • Fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy • Electron microscopy • Photosynthetic activity measure

Kovács J. Attila: Structural changes and chorology of plant communities

• Ecological indicator species groups (Ellenberg relative indicators of TWR-values)

• Data analysis of sampling plots

Nagy Tóth Erika: Nectar secretion analysis of Cotoneaster species

• thin layer chromatography and densitometry • sugar and nectary concentration measurements

Szabó Péter: Serpentine floristical research of Bernstein region

• phytocenology survey • ICP-analyses of soil samples • Braun-Blanquet method • ecological index analyses


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In subproject number IV various environments were studied that contributed to the development and survival of phenomena. Map 1. showing the research locations. Various development environment of the abiotic and biotic phenomena and systems was investigated in the subproject. Effects were estimated which cause the development and functioning of the phenomena. Those environmental parameters were reconstructed that make phenomena and systems work. We also established the structure of the development environment and those effects, which create and support the phenomenon. We analysed the conditions, which enable the development factors. Furthermore we analysed the conditions, which have an effect on the development factors and the various ways of the effects that the development factors have on the phenomenon.

Map 1. Research locations of subprogram number IV.

The development environments of the abiotic phenomenon are the following: aquatic environments, environment due to crust structure and sediment development, karstic environment, ecological and molecular environments. Fluvial-, lacustrine-, artificial aquatic environments were distinguished in case of aquatic environment. Water balance researches and hydrological transport in trees researches were ranked into the aquatic environment. In the topic of crust structure and sediment development environment the following researches were carried out: researching of plate tectonic, nappe movements, sediment development environment and heat balance environment. In the topics of karstic environment the investigations concentrated on the high mountain karstic, covered karstic, paleokarstic and karstic flowing system environments. Some of our research programs are focused to elaborate new methods for a better research-specific observation. There are shown on chapter 4.

Those researches that appear in this volume with full articles, are not detailed in this study.


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2. ABIOTIC RESEARCHES

2.1. Crust structure and sediment development environment

Research of the Plate Tectonic Environments: The measured dip amplitude (the vertical movement degree of the rock of the slope), the precipitation data and the calculated potential evapotranspiration (PET) are in connection with each other. The values of the amplitude are the greatest between April and October. This period coincides with the active development phase of the vegetation. It is important because plants use the most water for their development and they evaporate most intensively then. The values of the amplitude follow the value of the evapotranspiration (PET). The precipitation itself does not affect the seasonal changes of the tilting amplitude. But it decreases the daily amplitude values (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Geotectonic model for the thrust-driven (I.) and the later isostatic uplift (II.) of the Apusen Mountains with reactivated strike-slip faults (youngest age: <40 ky) on the eastern

part of the Great Hungarian Plain uplift of the Apusen Mountains.


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Brittle and ductile deformations in the Sopron Gneiss Formation: Mylonitic deformations, plastically deformed quartz veins as well as lineation along foliation planes in the gneiss of the Sopron Gneiss Formation suggest ductile-brittle deformation conditions during the Late Cretaceous nappe formation, uplift and retrograde metamorphism of the Sopron Metamorphic Complex. Brittle fault systems formed in connection with the extrusion of the Alcapa Megaunit from the Alpine Collision zone and the collapse of the Intra-Carpathian-Alpine nappe pile during the Late Paleogene – Early Neogene. Reconstruction of Late Neogene paleoenvironmental changes in the area of Pannonhalma (Western Hungary) using granulometric methods: A generalized section of the Pannonhalma Hills has been compiled and analysed. The stratigraphic column of the section represents the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic changes of the last ca. 7–8 million years. The elevated old strata also comprise the deposits of the Lake Pannon, overlain by Plio-Pleistocene terrestrial sediments. The generalized section consists of shallow freshwater, fluvial sediments and Pleistocene eolian loess deposits. These strata can be correlated with Austrian outcrops (e.g. at Göllersdorf), situated at the northern margin of the Little Hungarian Plain. The black freshwater clay strata differ markedly from other clay horizons, and can be considered and applied as marker horizons in correlative studies. This black clay is the product of first appearance of rivers in the region. A detailed granulometric analysis has been performed to refine the results of paleoenvironmental reconstructions for Transdanubia (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Granulometric parameter values by samples from the Pannonhalma Hills Stratigraphic analysis: KIS, É.

Laboratory analyses: DI GLÉRIA M. Soil environmental assessment of the thermal parameters of soils: The yearly database of radiation values of Szombathely was produced. Using a 100-year database of the


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Szombathely meteorological station we investigated the changes of the length of heating season, as well as that of the cold days, we stated temperature frequency curves. Finally energy usage was calculated. We created cooperation with Vasi FULL-TÁV Corporation. We participated in creating a soil sound system (GRD) with geothermal radius direction at the site of the firm. The important parameters of heat storage and rejection were determined by using the soil samples in laboratory and field investigations. Investigations of the radius borehole Model are the following: on-line soil thermometer was planned, the produced instrument was calibrated and installed. Right now we are carrying out temperature measurements. We investigate the loadability of the system with a heat pump. We also investigate the substitution of heat from sun radiation.

2.2. Karstic environment

Karren formation of high mountains: The intensity of solution was investigated in high mountains (Eastern Alps). The role of dissimilated CO2 of the Pinus mugo was established in the solution. The values of the solution were compared on various slopes. We established that the intensity of the solution increases downwards on bare slopes. The quantity of water increases towards the lower part of the slope and that causes the phenomena. The solution capacity decreases downwards on slopes with a plant patch. The cause of the phenomenon: the CO2, which causes the solution originates from the plant patch (Figure 3). The CO2 is consumed gradually during solution.

Figure 3. Solution models of bare slopes and slopes with a plant patch Legend: I.a. Solution characteristics of the slope with plant patch, I.b. the change of the estimated solution intensity of the slope with plant patch, II.a. solution characteristics of the bare slope, II.b. the change of the estimated solution intensity of the bare slope, 1. rivulet, 2. sheet water, 3. snow patch, 4. solution due to CO2 of biological origin, 5. solution due to CO2


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of atmospherical origin; A. the solution intensity is high, the solution is concentrated (it is of biogen origin), B. the solution intensity is medium (the solution can come from the residual solution capacity of the A zone, and from concentrated atmospherical CO2), C. the solution capacity is low (residual solution capacity), D. the solution intensity is low, the process is diffuse (the CO2 is of atmospherical origin), E. the solution intensity is medium (the CO2 comes from atmosphere, but the catchment area of the karren features is large), F. the solution intensity is low (residual solution capacity of the E zone) The development of the channels (rinnenkarren) was investigated on slopes in high mountains. We established that the type of the channels depends on the size of their catchment area. Those channels which have small catchment areas (type A channel) can develop due to laminarly seepaging water from their snow fill. Those channels which have great catchment areas (type B channel) can develop due to rivulets. The type B channels develop on slopes with small dip. They create channel systems on such slopes. The development of the main channels of the system channels happens at the eddies of their rivulets. The eddies develop at the mouths of the tributary channels flowing into the rivulets of the main channels. The development of the main channels may be of two kinds. If the main channel has several tributary channels, the turbulent flow (vorticity) of the rivulets of the main channels is continuous (Figure 4). The main channel increases among its whole length. If the main channel has less tributary channels, the turbulent flow of rivulets in the main channel is not continuous (Figure 5). Local widenings develop in the main channels where tributary channels join them.

Figure 4. Channel, where the eddies of the rivulet are near continuous


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Figure 5. Channel, where the eddies of the rivulet are non-continuous

Research of covered karst: We could present a new feature type of the covered karsts. They are termed as the depressions of superficial deposit (Figure 6). These features develop in the superficial deposit of karstic rocks. The depressions of superficial deposit were classified.

Figure 6. Geoelectrical-geological profile marked B-B’ of the depression of the superficial deposit marked D-5 (Bakony Mountain, Tési Plateau)


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We distinguished increasing, perishing and re-activated depressions of superficial deposit (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Cyclic development of the pseudo depressions of the superficial deposit

The development of dolines was investigated on the superficial deposit with ground ice. The air which flows out from the karst melts the ground ice of the superficial deposit. The melting superficial deposit sinks. Dolines develop on these places of the superficial deposit.

Figure 8: Simplyfied model of formation of red calcite veins in the

Transdanubian Mountain Range


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Thermalkarstic formations in the Transdanubian Mountain Range: Several karst related hydrothermal formations with calcite and barite mineral assemblage are known in the Transdanubian Mountain Range. Mineralogical, geochemical and fluid inclusion studies combined with structural analysis of the vein formations revealed that formation of the veins is related to Late Cretaceous – Late Neogene regional, basin scale hydrothermal fluid flow. Neither Cretaceous, nor Tertiary magmatic effects were established as driving forces of paleo-fluid flow and mineralization (Figure 8). 2.3. Aquatic environments

Geomorphological processes on fluvial environment: The aim of the study was to determine precisely the rate of the floodplain’s silting up or rather its tendency. The first step was the developing of riverbed’s historical reconstruction using GIS methods. After drilling samples were explored on floodplain situated along the Croatian-Hungarian border. The silting up process was determined by granulometric analysis, operating on the principles of laser diffraction. The order of size of the result (1 cm/year) agrees with the average of the river situated in the Carpathian Basin. The climatic extremities mark strongly the silting up process (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Granulometric analysis of the Mura floodplain

The morphology of walls of the bank of the River Hernad changed as the rainfall

decreased. Namely the lower water levels could become more characteristics of the River. Where the banks are covered with natural vegetation, the walls collapse into steps. While blocks are separated from the wall, where the banks are planar. During this process along vertical cracks the material is separated in blocks from the walls and column-like features fall into the river.


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3. BIOTIC RESEARCHES

3.1. Ecological environments

Structural changes and chorology of plant communities in the Carpathian Basin: Land use and ecological factors influenced the structure and the distribution of plant communities, producing coenotic differences reflected by the vegetation ecology. Our survey referring to the analysis of composition and structure of ash-dominated woods in the area of the subcontinental mixed oak forests (Central Transylvania) evidenced the presence of the new plant community (Polygonato latifolio-Fraxinetum excelsioris) developped under local ecological conditions and peculiar land-protective uses. Related to the ecological diversity of the herbaceous fringe vegetation from the Peucedanum officinale –species group, using the relative ecological indicator values for moisture (W) and temperature (T), completed with new site characteristics, were established coenotic differentiations for the species of P. officinale s. str., P. longifolium, P. rochelianum and P. tauricum, for which formerly have been reported uncertain or untrue vegetation data. Related to the changes in the chorology of the plant communities, it was mapped the recent distribution of invasive species stands in SE Transylvania: Solidago gigantea, S. canadensis (Giant and Canadian goldenrod), Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan blasam), Fallopia x bohemica (Bohemian knotweed), Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf coneflower), Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke), Aster lanceolatus (White aster), Echinocystis lobata (Wild cucumber). Spreading of invasive species stands endangered the indigenous vegetation units, limiting their structure and maintenance. Changes to the avifauna of Vas county from the 19th century to present: In this other study the previous three published cheklist (Chernel 1898, Fromm 1929, Barbácsy 1987) and the current list of the birds (Gyurácz et al. 2010) of Vas county were compared. The sepcies richness of the ordo Charadriiformes of the non-breeding avaifauna increased significantly in the last 150 years due to established of the water reservoirs and other small lakes during the 20th and 21st centuries in Vas county. For a change in avifauna referred to the global warming was not observed. According to time-series modelling the species richness of ordo Charadriiformes grow up to 2050 in Vas county.

3.2. Molecular environments

The phylogeographical investigations on Central European populations of fescue-taxa: The survey referring to the closely related broad leaf fescue-species and microtaxa distributed in Central Europe: Festuca pratensis subsp. pratensis, F. pratensis subsp. apennina and F. arundinacea subsp. arundinacea. The population samples analysed have been collected in various natural and semi natural habitats from the Carpathian Basin and SE Alps (Dolomites). The comparative investigation of populations of differing origin have been realized using the leaf anatomical analysis and the molecular biological methods. The leaf epidermal characteristics determinated by light microscopy and SEM-analysis demonstrated that the analysed populations and microtaxa differing by the following features: dimension of certain cells of epidermis, the size and amount the silica cells, hairires, the size of bristlets and the lengh of stomata complexes. The molecular biological analysis were made usind the RADP-PCR method (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction). The genetic diversity of the main populations of the broad leaf fescue species and microtaxa is certified by the heterozygosity values and the genetic distance (Nei-values) between the populations. Generally the leaf anatomical characteristics can be correlated with the genetic variation. Nevertheless the genetic variation is limited or is only partially for the populations originated from closer areas.


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The abiotic stress analysis of chlorophyll biosynthesis: Chlorophyll biosynthesis are light dependent processes in angiosperms. Unlike angiosperms, most gymnosperms are able to synthesize chlorophyll in the dark and can this way not become etiolated. In this work, the greening of the leaves and stem of dark-forced yew (Taxus baccata L.) were analyzed and compared with other gymnosperm and with angiosperm species and with light-grown yew shoots. Small differences were observed in the pigment content and plastid development of dark-forced stems and leaves. Our results indicated that the dark-forced organs of this plant are able to synthesize Chl in the dark, but functional chloroplasts do not differentiate during dark-growth or after relatively long periods of greening (diagram). The data about chlorophyll biosynthesis of yew outline that the light-independent chlorophyll biosynthesis present in gymnosperms has a complex regulation. Nectar secretion analysis of Cotoneaster species: Based on the experiences from 2010, Cotoneaster species were further investigated in the Vácrátót Botanical Garden in 2011. The anatomical study of the nectar gland was repeated, applying both light and scanning electron microscopic techniques, revealing structural and quantitative differences among the examined 20 Cotoneaster species. In 2011 the investigations included measuring the 24-hour volume and sugar concentration of the nectar, as well as analyzing its sugar composition. In addition, nectar secretion dynamics was studied in 10 Cotoneaster species, based on nectar sampling with 2-hour intervals. The sugar value of the nectar was determined for each investigated species, on the basis of which they were ranked according to their apicultural value. The actual nectar producing capacity of cotoneasters was found to be influenced not only by the genetically determined structural and physiological features, but also by changing climatic factors such as air temperature and relative humidity. This observation underlines the importance of nectar studies carried out through several consecutive years, in order to establish which features can be considered as stable and species specific, and which are rather influenced by the changing climatic relations (Figure 10).

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Figure 10. Nectary size of cotoneaster flowers in Vácrátót in 2010.

Data are represented as mean ± SD.


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4. METHODOLOGIC RESEARCHES

The elaboration of the measurement of a sap flow of wood species and comparsion of the measurement methods: we compared the sap flow in many angiosperms and gymnosperms wood species’ trunk between different abiotic environment. Water content of trunks are importent parts of dryness adaptation. We presented the actual tracheas with the new methods, so we could determine more precisely the transport cross-section (see pictures in the relating article). New collecting methods for the investigation of spiders living in flooded areas of Hungarian wetlands: We have developed and tested two new methods for the investigation of spiders living on ground level and on wetland plants in the flooded area of the reeds. We conclude that the floating traps are more successful than the traditional Barber traps for collection arthropods living on ground level of the reeds.

Reed traps are working effectively too. Their occupation varied between 28 and 85% depending on the different collection points and collection periods (summer, winter). More than 80% of the collected arthropods were spiders. The different zones of Reeds, and also the differences due to different reeds management (e.g. harvesting, burning) and the seasonal periods (Figure 11) could be effectively and quantitatively investigated using this new method.

Figure 11. Diversity ordering of the spider community at the Fertő Lake. Red: summer samples, Blue: winter samples, (Rényi- diversity ordering method)

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the TÁMOP 4.2.1./B-09/1/KONV-2010-0006 project. References

CHERNEL, István (1898): Vasvármegye állatvilága. Madarak. In: Sziklay J. & Borovszky S. (szerk.) Magyarország vármegyéi és városai. Vasvármegye. Apollo Irodalmi és Nyomdai Részvénytársaság, Budapest: 486–492. FROMM, Géza. (1929): Vasvármegye madárvilága. Annales Sabarienses 3: 52–69. BARBÁCSY, Zoltán. (1987): Vas megye madarainak névjegyzéke. Vasi Madártani Értesítő 2: 4–8. GYURÁCZ, József – LUKÁCS, Zoltán – VÖRÖS, Norbert (2010): Vas megye madarainak névjegyzéke. Cinege 15: 43-102.

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