Content uploaded by Jennifer K Rowntree
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Jennifer K Rowntree
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
Ex situ conservation of bryophytes: progress and potential of a pilot project
Abstract
A pilot project was set up to investigate the potential use of ex situ techniques for the conservation of bryophytes by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the U.K. statutory conservation agencies (English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and Countryside Council for Wales) in August 2000. Successful protocols have been established for the initiation of plants collected from their natural habitats into axenic culture from sporophytes, gemmae and leafy gametophores. Methods have also been established for the long-term storage of explants in liquid nitrogen (cryopreservation). The existing collection incorporates a number of British Red List species, and includes some European Red List taxa. Current work focuses on expanding the number of species in the collection, both in culture and in cryo-storage. Protocols for the weaning and introduction of bryophytes into their natural habitats after cryopreservation are under development and a priority of the project.
... Over the decades, many bryologists believed ex situ conservation is to be the best way of preserving the species that are on the brink of extinction (Rowntree & Ramsay, 2009;Hallingback& Tan, 2010;Sabovljevic´ et al., 2014) (2016) 19 Marchantia papillata Raddi threatened Das & Sharma (2016) However, bryophytes can be conserved ex situ using the following methods Cryopreservation: Cryopreservation is the type of ex situ conservation process in which the living material is stored at -196 o C in liquid nitrogen. It is a feasible method to maintain the genetic diversity of the living cells as the material is held in a suspended animation state (Karlsson & Toner, 1996;Rowntree & Ramsay, 2005). The cryopreservation method was used for the conservation of 22 threatened species of bryophytes (21 mosses and one liverwort) at The Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, United Kingdom. ...
Conservation biology is an interdisciplinary subject formulated by ecology, biodiversity, management and environmental policies. Conservation of biological diversity, including bryophytes is necessary to protect the species from getting extirpated in the ongoing bio- logical crisis. Bryophytes are the pioneers of terrestrial habitat. Just after the angiosperms, with approximately 20,000 species, they constitute the second largest plant group and accounting for a significant part of the world flora. The reports on the conservation of bryophytes from around the world are very scant, revealing that conservation study is less inclusive in case of bryophytes. The northeast India is known to harbor diverse flora and fauna. The climatic conditions and vegetation type suits best for the occurrence of various bryophyte species. Even today. much of the areas and species remains unexplored. With growing human population and expanding settlements natural vegetations are reducing very fast. Thus, it is likely that many species may become extinct before being discovered. Therefore, there is an urgent need for documentation of bryophyte s
... As gelling agent, we employed gellan gum at half the commonly used concentration (i.e., 2.15 g/l instead of 4.3 g/L, Gelzan™, Sigma G1910) along with heptahydrate sulphate (MgSO 4 7 H 2 O, 0.5 g/L), after Rowntree and Ramsay (2005). Gellan gum allows greater hormone effects than agar in in vitro cultures (Jansson et al. 1983;Hadeler et al. 1995) and has a crystal-clear transparency, which is important to assure adequate light transmission for the germination and development of the spore inoculum beneath. ...
In vitro culture experiments are crucial for studying chemically-mediated interactions in plants. However, the difficulty in distinguishing spores and sporelings of different bryophyte species hinders research on early developmental stages. Here we propose a modification of the sandwich technique, a standard method for studying plant allelopathic, and present a case study using two common mosses. As in the standard sandwich method, we have created a physical barrier using gelled medium, and inoculated spores of Tortula muralis and Syntrichia ruralis in two layers. To assess their intra- and interspecific interactions, we measured the green coverage of the protonemata using image analysis, and the degree of sporeling development using a categorical index. We successfully obtained physically separated sporelings of target and emitters from spores of these two species. The green coverage analysis showed no differences in any of the comparisons. However, the developmental index showed a negative effect of T. muralis on S. ruralis, whereas S. ruralis appeared to promote the development of T. muralis. The method proposed here is successful for culturing moss spores. The two inocula (the emitter and the receiver) are physically separated but the set-up allows the diffusion of water-soluble and volatile substances. For testing interactions at these early stages of the gametophyte, we recommend measuring the degree of development of moss sporelings rather than their coverage. Our results revealed both positive and negative interspecific interactions between T. muralis and S. ruralis sporelings. This supports that positive interactions in bryophytes may be more common than previously thought.
... At JBRJ, while studies regarding this group have been conducted on the spontaneous occurrence of species in the arboretum, including samples deposited in the institutional herbarium collection (RB) [51], these species are not recorded nor cultivated in the collection. Antonelli et al. [4] emphasize the underrepresentation of bryophytes within living collections; this reality is also encountered here, and as steps for the future, it would be interesting to assess the possibilities of incorporating this diversity into the collection through some of the potential methods for conserving this group [52,53]. Formally incorporating these bryophytes into the collection would also ensure their availability for research and educational endeavors conducted within the botanic garden. ...
In light of increasing human impacts on natural areas and climate change, urgent action is required to accelerate species conservation efforts. Ex situ conservation has gained importance, yet the increasing endangered species challenge is magnified in botanic gardens, notably tropical ones, insufficient to safeguard such diverse flora. This study focused on the living collection of the arboretum at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, examining all cultivated specimens and institutional database records between January and July 2023. It cross-referenced the collection’s composition with the Flora e Funga do Brasil list, as well as Red Lists, to reveal that the collection includes 6960 specimens representing 1420 species, with 60.6% of these species native to Brazil, belonging to 134 botanical families. The collection encompasses all Brazilian phytogeographic domains, with the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon having the highest number of species in cultivation. In terms of conservation efforts, the collection includes 83 species from the Brazilian Red List and 106 species from the IUCN Red List, contributing to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, Target 8. This evaluation is the first step toward identifying collection gaps, future planning, and targeting species for acquisition to enhance the effectiveness of our conservation efforts.
... For bryophytes, techniques similar to those employed for ferns can be used. Rowntree et al. (2005; developed several LN2 cryopreservation protocols for UK bryophyte species. Cold-acclimated bryophyte specimens have also been successfully cryopreserved without the use of cryoprotectants; the protocol can be found in Segreto et al. (2010). ...
... Ex situ conservation is a useful tool for protecting an endangered species outside of their native habitat, where they may be controlled in terms of reproduction, ease of access to resources, protection from disturbance, mortality and extinction, without affecting the natural environment (IUCN, 2014). As a result, methods and management processes for ex situ conservation of bryophytes, particularly under in vitro conditions, have been developed for obtaining new information for long-term sustainability for protecting natural ecosystems and for preventing future extinctions (Rowntree and Ramsay, 2005). Many advantages of in vitro culture have been described in the study of bryophyte biology, including the conservation of rare bryophyte taxa. ...
Scopelophila cataractae was cultured in vitro for 16 weeks to assess the contrasting effects of Cu on growth and reproduction, as well as gametophore stage. To induce buds and gametophores of S. cataractae, ten treatments (tr 1 to tr 10) of culture media were prepared using a combination of mineral salts, sugar, vitamin B complex, CuSO4, and exogenous hormones. Highest numbers of gametophores and buds were formed in media containing 500 µM CuSO4 in co-application with auxin and cytokinin, as shown in the modest Cu treatments (tr 6 and tr 7, 26 per cushion and 255 per 25 mm², respectively). A 5000 µM CuSO4 concentration inhibited development of protonema, possibly due to Cu toxicity, resulting in chloronema forming contorted filaments or short cells containing lipid bodies, and brood body diaspores but no gametophore or bud formation. In this study, S. cataractae Cu accumulation in tissue was substantial (up to 2843.1 mg kg⁻¹; tr 6) with no or minimal adverse effects, reflecting its potential for phytoremediation of Cu in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The highest atomic percentages of Cu and Zn were detected in the stem surfaces of gametophores treated with 500 µM CuSO4 (11% atomic Cu and 7% atomic Zn), which served as a primary heavy metal storage site, ultimately protecting cells from metal toxicity. The success of this in vitro study on S. cataractae should also aid ex situ conservation efforts for a variety of rare moss taxa in the wild.
... Un suivi démographique (Doubt & Belland, 2000) pourrait être mis en place afin de détecter précocement d'éventuelles tendances régressives. Etant donné le caractère exceptionnel de la population, des mesures de conservation ex situ, bien qu'encore peu développées pour les bryophytes (Ramsay & Burch, 2001 ;Rowntree & Ramsay, 2005 ;Rowntree, 2006), pourraient être envisagées. ...
RESUME : La vallée de la Rhue est un hot-spot bryologique en Auvergne et en France. Des prospections sur le terrain, l'exploitation du matériel d'herbier et des données de la littérature permettent de dresser un bilan actua-lisé de la bryoflore. Avec 315 taxons recensés, c'est l'un des sites les plus riches de France sur une telle superficie (1 024 ha). Plus de 90 taxons cités au livre rouge régional y sont également connus, avec 3 espèces protégées au niveau national et 7 taxons exceptionnels en France. Aphanolejeunea microscopica (Taylor) A.Evans, Breutelia chrysocoma (Hedw.) Lindb., Frullania jackii Gottsche, Harpalejeunea molleri (Steph.) Grolle, Lejeunea patens Lindb., Plagiochila bifaria (Sw.) Lindenb. et P. exigua (Taylor) Taylor sont les espèces phares du site. Ce site concentre une telle diversité taxonomique qu'il mérite sans doute le qualificatif de site d'intérêt européen. Les cortèges liés aux rochers forestiers se sont révélés les plus importants et les plus complexes dans le site. Le respect de l'intégrité du cycle de la matière organique, les écoulements d'eau superficiels et l'histoire forestière sont les facteurs clefs. Le site de la Combe Noire, identifié comme le « coeur du hot-spot », doit être protégé intégralement. Des mesures de gestion sylvicole respectueuse sont énoncées. ABSTRACT: Rhue valley is a bryological hot-spot in Auvergne and France. A modern and exhaustive synthesis is made by surveying the entire site, analyzing relevant herbaria and compiling previously published records. With 315 taxa, it is one of the richest site in France. More than 90 taxa are Auvergne Red Listed, with not less than 3 protected under law mosses and 7 exceptionnal species. Aphanolejeunea microscopica (Taylor) A.Evans, Breutelia chrysocoma (Hedw.) Lindb., Frullania jackii Gottsche, Harpalejeunea molleri (Steph.) Grolle, Lejeunea patens Lindb., Plagiochila bifaria (Sw.) Lindenb. et P. exigua (Taylor) Taylor are the most remarkable taxa of the site. Gorges de la Rhue are pointed out as most significant from a bryogeographic perspective. It stands out as an European hot-spot. Rocks are the most species-rich assemblages and also the more complex. Cycle of the organic matter, superficial water circulations and history of forests are of prime importance. Combe-Noire site is clearly a hot-spot core and should be totally preserved. Lessons for forest management are taken from this synthesis.
In vitro culture experiments are crucial for the studies of chemical-mediated interactions in plants. However, distinguishing spores and sporelings of different species of bryophytes in mixed cultures poses a serious drawback for research on early developmental stages. Here we propose a modification of the sandwich technique, a standard method to explore allelopathic effect of plants, and present a case-study using two common mosses. As in the standard sandwich method, we have created a physical barrier using gelled medium, and inoculated spores of Tortula muralis and Syntrichia ruralis in two layers. To assess their intra- and interspecific interactions, we measured protonemata green coverage using image analysis, and degree of sporeling development using a categorical index. We successfully obtained physically separated sporelings of target and emitters from spores of these two species. The green-coverage analysis showed no differences in any of the comparisons. However, the developmental index shows a negative effect of T. muralis on S. ruralis , while S . ruralis apparently promotes the development of T. muralis . The method here proposed is successful for culturing moss spores, so that the different inocula are physically separated while allowing diffusion of water-soluble and volatile substances. For testing interactions in these early stages of the gametophyte, we recommend measuring the degree of development of moss sporelings rather than their coverage. Our results have revealed the existence of both positive and negative interspecific relationships between T. muralis and S. ruralis sporelings, supporting that positive interactions in bryophytes might be more common than previously thought.
In recent years, the interest in media representations of migrants and the media as a space for participation has increased within the
field of migration studies. Yet, most scholars’ attention is focused on immigrants and the media in destination countries, while less attention
is paid to origin countries and emigrants’ representation. Taking advantage of the increased attention paid to migrants and migration during
the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we investigated the media representations of Romanian migrants in agriculture who work in other
European countries and interpreted how their voices could be heard through media accounts. Through content analysis, we investigated a
sample of 297 articles published between 1st April and 31st May 2020 on the websites of the six most visible Romanian media outlets.
This study contributes to the existing knowledge on media representations of Romanian migrants by documenting a series of tendencies,
including an event-oriented approach, oversimplified representations of migration, massification and schematisation of migrant representations, and the high sensitivity to reports from destination countries’ media on Romanian migrants.
Our analysis reveals that the approach taken to reporting on migration during the COVID-19 pandemic, at least during its first phase, highly
depended on the existing, institutionalised modes of media reporting on migration.
Bryophytes are small land plants that have many morphological and physiological features different from vascular plants. With distinct water relations of bryophytes, many bryophyte species exhibit high degrees of tolerance to freezing and desiccation. The tolerance is sustained by the constitutive repair mechanism and the inducible mechanism regulated by environmental signals that provoke specific responses within the cells. Bryophyte cells sense changes in environmental conditions such as decreases in osmotic potential and temperature and that some responses are likely to be mediated by the stress hormone, abscisic acid. Due to their simple structures and high degrees of dehydration tolerance, bryophytes are useful for physiological studies on abiotic stress response and also for analysis of signal sensing and transduction of environmental signals. Furthermore, the basal phylogenetic position of bryophytes in land plants provides many insights into the evolutionary events for conquest of land by the ancestors of plants and subsequent diversification of species as well as their survival strategies in the terrestrial environment.
Only a green world, rich in plants, can sustain us and the millions of other species with which we share this planet. But, in an era of global change, nature is on the retreat. Like the communities they form, many plant species are becoming rarer, threatened even to the point of extinction. The worldwide community of almost three thousand botanic gardens are holders of the most diverse living collections of plants and have the unique potential to conserve plant diversity. Conservation biology is a fast moving and often controversial field, and, as the contributions within these pages from experts in the field demonstrate, plant conservation is multifaceted, mirroring the complexity of the biodiversity it aims to protect, and striving not just to protect threatened plants but to preserve ecosystem services and secure the integrity of the biosphere.
If an ex situ programme for the conservation of rare and threatened bryophytes is to succeed, a method of long-term, basal storage is required. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of sucrose, ABA and sucrose/ABA combined, as cryoprotectant pretreatments, for the long-term storage of protonemata of the endangered Cornish path moss, Ditrichum cornubicum. This work is a prelude to the in vitro conservation of rare and endangered UK bryophytes. The addition of sucrose and/or ABA in the pre-culture medium, reduced protonemal growth rate. However, pretreatment afforded a high level of protection against tissue damage during dehydration and freezing, with 100 % regeneration of pretreated plants after thawing, compared to 53 % regeneration of controls. Sucrose combined with ABA in the pre-culture medium gave the most effective cryoprotection, with protonemata having fewer necrotic tissues and rapid recovery of growth.
The technique of cryopreservation (maintenance of biological samples in a state of 'suspended animation' at cryogenic temperatures), its potential use in tissue engineering applications and current obstacles to the development of effective cryopreservation methods for tissues are reviewed. A didactic overview of the principles of cryobiology and the methodology of cryopreservation is given, with emphasis on the processes of injury to cells during freezing and thawing, and how these are related to the physicochemical and biophysical changes occurring during cryopreservation. Critical issues relevant to the application of cryopreservation methods to tissues are then addressed, including heat and mass transfer limitations in these bulk systems, intrinsic differences between isolated and cultured cells, and mechanisms of freezing injury unique to tissue systems.
Plant cryopreservation: Progress and prospects
ENGELMANN, F. (2004) Plant cryopreservation: Progress and prospects. In Vitro Cell. Develop.Biol.-Pl. 40(5):
427-433.
Procedures used for the axenic culture and experimental treatment of bryophytes
- D V M R Basile
- Basile
BASILE, D. V. & M. R. BASILE (1988) Procedures used for the axenic culture and experimental treatment of
bryophytes. In: J. M. GLIME (ed.) Methods in Bryology. Proceedings of the bryological methods workshop,
Mainz. Nichinan, Japan: The Hattori Botanical Laboratory: 1-16.
Ex situ techniques in support of UK bryophyte conservation
- M M J Burch
RAMSAY, M. M. & J. BURCH (2001) Ex situ techniques in support of UK bryophyte conservation. Novit. Bot.
Univ. Carol. 1527-33.
Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts -Status survey and conservation action plan for bryophytes
- T N Hodgetts
HÄLLINGBÄCK, T. & N. HODGETTS (2000) Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts -Status survey and
conservation action plan for bryophytes. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN.