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A great opportunity to design your own volunteer project in the world's top tourist destination and one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Cape Town. Volunteers can either choose to spend all their time working in sports development, or combine this sporting activity with teaching or working with orphans and vulnerable children, thus broadening the volunteer experience in this exciting city. Cape Town has many cultural and heritage sites such as Robben Island and the V & A Waterfront and numerous outdoor activities including Table Mountain and viewing African Penguins - a truly wonderful city. The volunteer projects are all located in the Cape Flats area - mainly in the townships of Khayelitsha, Langa, Philippi and many more. Here will be found many different cultures and ethnicities and languages but all suffer from poverty, substance abuse, unemployment and HIV/AIDS and the support provided by volunteers is always very welcome.
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Please note: The currency conversion is an estimate based on today's exchange rates and is to be used as a guide only. All payments to Amanzi Travel have to be made in Pounds Sterling (GBP)
Project start dates are on alternate Mondays throughout the year and volunteers must arrive on their Monday start date.
2019 Start Dates:
7 Jan | 14 Jan | 28 Jan | 11 Feb | 25 Feb | 11 Mar | 25 Mar | 8 Apr | 22 Apr | 6 May | 20 May | 3 Jun | 17 Jun | 1 Jul | 15 Jul | 29 Jul | 12 Aug | 26 Aug | 9 Sep | 23 Sep | 7 Oct | 21 Oct | 4 Nov | 18 Nov
2020 Start Dates:
6 Jan | 13 Jan | 27 Jan | 10 Feb | 24 Feb | 9 Mar | 23 Mar | 6 Apr | 20 Apr | 4 May | 18 May | 1 Jun | 15 Jun | 29 Jun | 6 Jul | 13 Jul | 20 Jul | 27 Jul | 3 Aug | 10 Aug | 17 Aug | 24 Aug | 31 Aug | 7 Sep | 21 Sep | 5 Oct | 19 Oct | 2 Nov | 16 Nov | 30 Nov
This project closes for the Christmas period in early December
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
Cape Town nestles in the shadow of Table Mountain, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is a truly cosmopolitan city with a mix of East and West and Old and New. It has a vibrant nightlife and diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. The city is rich in history and worth exploring with Cape Point a scenic drive away and Robben Island just a boat trip over the water. Further out are the wine farms and vast mountain ranges to explore.
South Africa's education system is ranked 133 out of 142 countries in the world by the World Economic Forum. Lack of basic amenities, infrastructure and learning resources exist with many children coming from families affected by poverty, hunger and with parents who have little of no education themselves. The many townshps in and around teh Cape Town area, including Khayelitsha (second largest in South Africa) are a melting pot of different cultures, ethnicities and languages yet across these differences there are many parallels such as poverty, unemployment and HIV/AIDS. Locals live in many housing types from wooden shacks to larger permanent buildings. Schools are often over-crowded and short on qualified teachers. Visiting a township is an eye-opening experience where a communal standpipe for water and blocks of individual toilets shared among a number of families is the norm. However, it is a wonderfully vibrant community where the streets are filled with smells of mealie (corn) cob and meat from makeshift grillers and the sounds of kwaito music blasts from taxi windows!
Physical EducationIn 1994, post-Apartheid, the South African Government removed Physical Education from the school curriculum. Whllst it has now been reitroduced, it only forms a small part of the Life Orientation syllabus. As a result participation in physical activity is very low.The need for intervention remains great as sport and exercise are seen as an integral part of child and youth development as it helps to increase concentration and develop skills such as leadership, team work and communication. Volunteers will assist in one of the township schools, mainly in Khayelitsha or Langa. Here they will work alongside coaches to provide each school grade the chance of 45 minutes physical education as well as assisting with lesson planning, designing and implementing drills and fitness tests, creating assessments to ensure each child is progressing and sharing knowledge and skills with the students and coaches.
After School CareOrganising sports activities at several after-school clubs is fundamental to children's development and improves essential skills such as team work and leadership. Some examples of the types of activity include fun games such as ultimate frisbee, baseball, cricket and American football. This is a great chance to bring your own interests to South Africa and teach the children, grannies and your fellow volunteers a new talent. Volunteers may also take part in workshops which aim to provide a platform for sharing information and skills - in the past there have been sessions on nutrition as well as on Kayleigh dancing.
Volunteers who choose to "Design Their Own" project and divide their time between sports development and one of the other volunteer options, could assist in one of the following areas:
Enrichment ProgrammeKhayelitsha and the surrounding areas have been hugely affected by HIV/AIDS and are thought to have the highest rates in the Western Cape. Volunteers will work at a variety of after school care programmes where the focus will be on the children's development and to give them the vital attention during a very vulnerable time of the day before parents and caregivers get home. At one particular centre volunteers will work with older children who come from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds where their patience, intuition and creativity with activities will be rewarded with smiles and a willingness to learn.
Educational SupportChild abuse is most common in the hours immediately after school when caregivers are not yet bck from work. Several organisations now facilitate after school care programmes and volunteers will help to plan and implement fun and educational games that will have an emphasis on developing important life skills such as team work and leadership. Some examples of the types of activity include fun games such as "Capture the Flag", "Buddies Up Buddies Down" and "What's the Time Mr Wolf". Volunteers may also help with homework support, craftmaking, gardening and reading clubs and their input and ideas are always welcomed as new inspiration. Volunteers may also be involved in workshops that aim to provide a platform for sharing information and skills with the wonderful team of Grandmothers who help to run the after-school care programmes. In return the volunteers are also taught a skill or craft that they can take home with them afterwards. This encourages the ethos of cross-learning and is based on the "Each One Teach One" model which was implemented by Nelson Mandela and his inmates during their time on Robben Island.
Volunteers should note that during school holidays activities may be different from the usual schedule but the work will still be really valuable and rewarding. School terms for 2018 are as follows:
Term 1: 17 January - 28 March; Term 2: 10 April - 22 June; Term 3: 17 July - 28 September; Term 4: 9 October - 12 December
Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and boasts a changing landscape that's ideal for a range of outdoor leisure activities and sports. There are also beautiful winelands where vineyards can be visited and it is possible to lunch and taste at some of the wine farms. Cape Town is on the coast and has some fantastic beaches and plenty of gentle hiking and walking trails. There are also some great local bars, restaurants and cafes to enjoy.
During evenings and weekends there will be time to enjoy some of the fantastic attractions on offer in Cape Town, including wine tasting, sightseeing, hiking and even shark cage diving. These excursions are a great time for volunteers to get to know each other better. Popular excursions include:
Volunteers should fly into Cape Town International Airport where they will be met by a member of the project staff and transferred to the volunteer house in Observatory. Arrivals should be on alternate Mondays throughout the year (see start dates) and flights must arrive between the hours of 7.00 am and 5.00 pm. Amanzi Travel has an ATOL licence and can help with all flight arrangements if required. Please ask about this service when booking.
Before heading straight back home, why not take an Overland Journey through Africa to explore more of the wonderful sights and experiences that this beautiful continent has to offer. You can take a trip that starts and finishes in the same city (eg Windhoek to Windhoek) or you can use it as an opportunity to get your from one city to another (eg Cape Town to Nairobi).
"This has got to be the best way to see Africa in a short period of time ... brilliant. The guides were fantastic, the campsites great, and the food excellent. The overland trip was excellent - really well run" Southern Sun 21 days, Cape Town to Victoria Falls - Jennie and Stuart, Sweden, aged 32 and 34.
"I didn't know I could become such close friends with people in just a week. The trip attracts a great group of people who are so easy to get along with. My group ranged from 20 to 70 and we all sat down with a drink, played cards together and just gathered around the campfire. It was an experience of a lifetime and I will definitely recommend this to my friends and family" Tanzanian Game Parks and Zanzibar, 10 Days and Masai Mara Safari, 3 Days - Sara, Canada/Malaysia, aged 20.
From 3 days to 56 days, take a look at the exciting Overland Trips here.
Support and advice is available from Amanzi Travel office staff and project/trip leaders. Upon booking, you will receive a comprehensive pre-departure pack that provides all the details you will need to prepare for your trip. This document includes information on accommodation, staff, visas, optional activities, packing checklist and medical advice and if you have any questions that are not answered in the pack we are always on hand to help and advise. We will do all we can to ensure that you are well prepared and looking forward to your trip. You will also receive an in country orientation on arrival.
A 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency contact number is provided for everyone who travels with us.
Amanzi Travel holds an ATOL licence (9401) and is able to arrange your flights on request giving you financial protection for your flight and trip costs. We also offer advice on personal travel insurance for your trip.
Volunteers will be accommodated in a fully furnished house in Observatory - the most bohemian suburb of Cape Town, about a ten minute drive from the city centre. "Obs", as it is known by the locals, is an artsy district filled with quirky restaurants, relaxed bars and cafes with live music. The house is on a secure site and is comfortable and spacious and a real home-from-home. The house is staffed with a cook and housekeeper and all bedding is provided, but volunteers should take their own towels. Rooms will be shared between 2 - 6 volunteers and bathrooms are communal. There is private storage for everyone and wifi is available for a small charge. There are plenty of shops within walking distance.
Three meals a day are provided at the volunteer house Monday - Friday prepared by a team of great chefs.
Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. There's the deserted Kalahari, Namakwa's springtime symphony of wildflowers, iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Africa's biggest game reserve - Kruger National Park - boasting the most mammal species of any game reserve, and the magnificent peaks and plunging valleys of the escarpment of Drakensberg.
Cape Town is widely described as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Some of its more famous landmarks include Table Mountain, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades), Cape Point, Chapman's Peak, Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. A combination of historical coastal charm and urbane sophistication, Cape Town has some of the finest beaches and is also the gateway to the lush Cape Winelands, famous for world-renowned wines. From here, it is an easy journey to the Whale Route, where Southern Right whales can be seen (June - November) and humpback whales, Bryde's whales, Minke whales and bottlenose dolpins can be viewed year round.
The Garden Route is renowned for its beaches, indigenous forests, nature reserves, lakes, mountain ranges, adventure opportunities and hiking trails. Plettenberg Bay is a relaxed beach paradise with spectacular walks and hikes where one can watch dolphins and whales on eco-marine cruises. With some of the world's finest beaches, the Eastern Cape's untouched and pristine coastline also has a rich social, cultural and political history. Port Elizabeth is the gateway to the Eastern Cape, and the perfect complement to the Garden Route. Cape St Francis is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline, in and around Africa's largest man made web of canals and waterways, and is renowned for its long, sandy beaches, surfing, rock fishing and tranquil lifestyle.
Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa's game reserves, offering an unrivalled wildlife experience over two million-hectares. Private concessions operating within and alongside Kruger National Park feature luxurious, exclusive game lodges with many exciting safari activities. Some of these lodges are unfenced, allowing for the free movement of wildlife. Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West province, is one of South Africa's largest private Big Five game reserves and features numerous lodges and camps. The Waterberg area in the northwest is also malaria-free and is aptly named for its strong streams that flow even in dry seasons, making for excellent game viewing. Both reserves are great for those seeking an accessible malaria-free wilderness experience.
Durban is a sub-tropical city and the gateway to KwaZulu-Natal. It offers a unique mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial cultures. Visit the Anglo-Zulu battlefields, take a fascinating glimpse into Zulu culture, hike in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, dive the reefs, marine and coastal reserves of Maputaland, as well as experience Big Five game reserves. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is renowned for saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction, and Phinda Private Game Reserve is well known for its award-winning lodges and conservation initiatives.
Johannesburg meaning "Place of Gold", is South Africa's economic powerhouse. This vibrant and cosmopolitan city is home to many attractions including the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, and also offers shopping from world-class to atmospheric curio markets. Known as the "Jacaranda City", the state capital of Pretoria features beautiful blossoming trees, significant old buildings and fascinating museums, including the Transvaal Museum, home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at the Cradle of Humankind.
South Africa has typical seasons of weather for the southern hemisphere, with the coldest days in July-August. The Benguela Current, a cold motion that moves from the lower South Atlantic Ocean, causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast. On the central plateau, which includes Free State and Gauteng provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below 30 °C.In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to freezing point, and in some places, even lower. Heavy snows have fallen recently for the first time in decades in Johannesburg. During winter, it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast and Garden Route, where it has year round mild weather with occasional rain. As winter is cooler and drier, it is more suitable for hiking and outdoor pursuits, and is also a good time for game viewing as vegetation is less dense and thirsty animals congregate around rivers and other permanent water sources.
In summer, South Africa experiences the hottest temperatures and this is generally when most rain falls, October – March. However, there is one exception - the Western Cape, which is a winter-rain area that enjoys a Mediterranean climate (average 26°C).
Christmas to mid-January, and Easter are the height of the peak season for visitors. Autumn (April/May) and Spring (mid-Sept to November) are ideal almost everywhere.
Population – 50 million
Capital – Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative) Currency – Rand (ZAR)
Official Language(s) – Afrikaans, English (South African English), Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, ZuluTime difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 27, international access code 00
I really enjoyed my volunteering experience in South Africa, the support from the project staff was excellent and I am still in touch with several people I met. I would like to travel on a similar project again, and hope to go back with Amanzi Travel in the future.
George, UK, aged 19 (Cape Town Sports Development Volunteer, Cape Town Teaching Volunteer)
The Project has made me realise what is really important in life. I would also like to say that the people involved in running the project who I have met on a day to day basis are a real credit to the organization generally.
Robert, UK, aged 27 (Cape Town Sports Development Volunteer, Cape Town Teaching Volunteer)
Great memories, it all worked out really well. The volunteer house is lovely, and all volunteers get on very well together. The work is very well organised. We spend every morning in a pre school (plus a visit to a medical center) and get to know the routines and teachers very well. In the afternoons we do different community projects depending on what needs doing, such as making curtains. At the Teaching Project I sensed a real care for the volunteers and a desire to make sure that the volunteers had a good experience as well as the benefits to the projects.
Mourjin, Holland, aged 51 (Cape Town Sports Development Volunteer, Cape Town Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Volunteer, Cape Town Teaching Volunteer)
I loved this project. I had an amazing time and look forward to my next visit. All of the projects you do here are great. There are so many great people that I have met. I have gained some friends that I will never forget.
Lauren, USA, aged 19 (Cape Town Sports Development Volunteer)
The highlight was the general interaction with the children and the contribution that I made to their learning in what was a relatively short time. The people I have met even though they have limited material possessions are very positive and happy and it has been a real and genuine pleasure to meet them. I can honestly say that there is nothing that sticks out that has been a major issue in terms of something that I have not enjoyed. I have only been on the project for 3 weeks but I have got more than I imagined out of my participation. I have met some genuinely nice people and I think my whole experience will prompt a career change into a more social orientated role. The project as a whole is well run and structured. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others. The Project has made me realise what is really important in life. I would also like to say that the people involved in running the project who I have met on a day to day basis are a real credit to the organization generally.
Robert, UK, aged 33 (Cape Town Sports Development Volunteer, Cape Town Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Volunteer, Cape Town Teaching Volunteer)
I have really enjoyed my time at this project, I have had the most amazing time. Thank you so much for help with organising it for me. I do feel that I have made a positive impact on the under-privileged communities that I have worked with through this project and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching at Red Hill and the Children of Hope pre-schools. It was lovely to work with and get to know the young children who have so little but are always so enthusiastic to learn. I particularly enjoyed spending time helping the young children with their reading one to one in the library. I've also gained valuable skills that will be beneficial in other volunteer programs that I am undertaking over the next four months. These will also be beneficial in my future career, I would recommend doing a volunteer project like this to anyone. Our home in Fishhoek was lovely and I met some amazing people who I hope will be friends for life. Cape Town is an amazing city with so much to do, it was great being able to unwind at the local beach after a day's work. I have left this project with some fantastic memories that I will never forget!
Tracey, UK, aged 28 (Cape Town Sports Development Volunteer)
It was very humbling.I went out to Ukhanya Primary school and worked with 180 grade 5 students teaching English, Sport and some Art during my day projects. It was a privilege to be welcomed into a school and allowed to work alongside some great teachers and independently creating schemes of work and teaching lessons. This was incredibly rewarding and I miss all of the students that I got to know so well over the course of the month. Was a pleasure teaching young people with a real desire to learn, such a shame that the schools don't have the necessary resources. In the afternoons I helped with building projects in the townships to construct an adult literacy building and jungle gym. It was great to have a permanent impact on the landscape of South Africa that will hopefully improve the lives of different generations. I also organised and helped out with work for preschools and the local library – arts and crafts was always a particular favourite with kids!In terms of the accommodation and other volunteers this project was amazing – I feel like I have made some friends for life and the sense of camaraderie and unity within the houses was superb. It made the weekend and downtime just as much fun as the project work. I was fortunate enough to go shark diving, sky diving, watch a rugby match, go on a wine tour, climb up and down Table Mountain, go on a one day safari, visit Boulders Beach, Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island, Simmons Town and countless other places. I can honestly say that I made the most of every second of my stay and had such a great time. Amanzi was so organised and instantly put me at ease. I would highly recommend that anyone considering working in Africa should check out the available projects. It was honestly the best month of my life!
Tom, UK, aged 21 (Cape Town Sports Development Volunteer)
Coming Soon!
I just wanted to say THANK YOU! Thank you for your great support. Thank you for answering all my questions. Thank you for planning my volunteer trip and my stay at the N/a'an ku se lodge with all personal wishes that I have. Thank you for the best experience I had in my life until now! :) Everything was perfect and just the way I hoped it would be. The staff was very caring and friendly (at the volunteer camp and at the lodge). I learned a lot about African animals, endangered species, the bushmen culture and much more.
Someday I'll return to the sanctuary and I would always book the trip with you again.
Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary
Camilla, UK
Lion Rehabilitation project
Katie Arkwright
Masvingo Vulnerable Teaching Project
Hayley Kennard
Rhino and Elephant Sanctuary


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Appellation:Mosel Valley, Germany
Region: Gewürztraminer originated from an ancient grape found near Termeno, a village in northern Italy. Plantings in German vineyards yielded opulently aromatic grapes, tinged with rosy pink that the winemakers christened "gewurz", which translates to "perfumed" not "spicy" as is sometimes thought.
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Food Pairings: Matches well with spicy food such as Thai or Szechwan cuisine, strong cheeses and fresh fruits.
Aging: Tempting to drink right away, the deeper floral characters develop further after six months to a year.
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It's tight quarters, but Ruth and Jack Forehand, their daughter Dawn and dog Bambi are grateful.
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Fancy Ham & Cheese
Michelle Alexus from Sarasota, Florida says:Try and use fresh indredients. Makes a wonderful sandwich to serve to company.
Prep Time: 10 min
Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. On half of the slices, layer spinach, cucumber, onion, ham, mustard and cheese. Top with remaining bread.Serves 4
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text: In college there were several events that happened, one in mind, 9-11., that evoked responses through creativity. I can't honestly remember a more emotional and involved project. On that note I'm thinking about painting from pictures I've seen of Haiti... the glimpses of the culture that draws me to it. ... .. ... .. ... you can donate here http://


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If you look overweight and in today's time when looks are more important than personality, if you want to lose weight then need not to worry because there are several medications available in the market and online which can help you in weight loss, other than going to gym and having supplements. One of the best examples of medications prescribed for weight loss is Adipex which a person can also buy online. But before buying the drug or starting its intake, you must remember that even though the drug is a prescribed medication, it is still going to have its own side effects, contraindications and lifestyle factors. Which must be taken into consideration whenever you take the drug.
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The Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax credit that can put money in the hands of hard-working people and can be a significant financial boost to individuals, their families and local communities.
Eligible families with three or more qualifying children could get a maximum credit of up to $6,269. EITC for people without children could mean up to $506 added to their tax refund. Unlike most deductions and credits, the EITC is refundable. In other words, those eligible may get a refund from the IRS even if they owe no tax. Last year, more than 27 million eligible workers and families received almost $67 billion in EITC; with an average EITC amount of more than $2,455.
Workers, like you, move in and out of EITC eligibility because of a change in their tax filing status, the number of qualifying children they can claim or their financial situation. Every year, approximately one-third of the people qualifying for EITC are newly eligible.
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EITC is not automatic. To get EITC, you must file a federal income tax return, even if you're not otherwise required to file, and you must specifically claim the credit.
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The 1950s saw a series of miscarriages of justice against public persons in Sweden. In one of these, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences tried to force Olof Selling from his professorship in paleobotany at the Swedish Museum of Natural History, on the basis of mental illness, but this failed after a long and public calamity. In his book Naturen inför rätta [Nature facing trial], Keith Wijkander (2017) claims that Selling was the victimof a century-long conflict between botanists in Uppsala and Stockholm,and places Selling in the Uppsala camp. We try to give a more balanced picture of the relationships between plant ecology in Uppsala and Stockholm during the early 20th century. R. Sernander, L.-G. Romell and G. E. Du Rietz are among the main actors. The fierce debates between the two camps make this an interesting period in Swedish botany.
Peat mosses (Sphagnum) largely govern carbon sequestration in Northern Hemisphere peatlands. We investigated functional traits related to growth and decomposition in Sphagnum species. We tested the importance of environment and phylogeny in driving species traits and investigated trade-offs among them. We selected 15 globally important Sphagnum species, representing four sections (subgenera) and a range of peatland habitats. We measured rates of photosynthesis and decomposition in standard laboratory conditions as measures of innate growth and decay potential, and related this to realized growth, production, and decomposition in their natural habitats. In general, we found support for a trade-off between measures of growth and decomposition. However, the relationships are not strong, with r ranging between 0.24 and 0.45 for different measures of growth versus decomposition. Using photosynthetic rate to predict decomposition in standard conditions yielded R2 = 0.20. Habitat and section (phylogeny) affected the traits and the trade-offs. In a wet year, species from sections Cuspidata and Sphagnum had the highest production, but in a dry year, differences among species, sections, and habitats evened out. Cuspidata species in general produced easily decomposable litter, but their decay in the field was hampered, probably due to near-surface anoxia in their wet habitats. In a principal components analysis, PCA, photosynthetic capacity, production, and laboratory decomposition acted in the same direction. The species were imperfectly clustered according to vegetation type and phylogeny, so that some species clustered with others in the same section, whereas others clustered more clearly with others from similar vegetation types. Our study includes a wider range of species and habitats than previous trait analyses in Sphagnum and shows that while the previously described growth–decay trade-off exists, it is far from perfect. We therefore suggest that our species-specific trait measures offer opportunities for improvements of peatland ecosystem models. Innate qualities measured in laboratory conditions translate differently to field responses. Most dramatically, fast-growing species could only realize their potential in a wet year. The same species decompose fast in laboratory, but their decomposition was more retarded in the field than that of other species. These relationships are crucial for understanding the long-term dynamics of peatland communities.
Background and aims Sphagnum mosses are ecosystem engineers that create and maintain boreal peatlands. With unique biochemistry, waterlogging and acidifying capacities, they build up meters-thick layers of peat, reducing competition and impeding decomposition. We quantify within-genus differences in biochemical composition to make inferences about decay rates, related to hummock-hollow and fen-bog gradients and to phylogeny. Methods We sampled litter from 15 Sphagnum species, abundant over the whole northern hemisphere. We used regression and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to evaluate general relationships between litter quality parameters and decay rates measured under laboratory and field conditions. Results Both concentrations of the polysaccharide sphagnan and the soluble phenolics were positively correlated with intrinsic decay resistance, however, so were the previously understudied lignin-like phenolics. More resistant litter had more of all the important metabolites; consequently, PC1 scores were related to lab mass loss (R-2 = 0.57). There was no such relationship with field mass loss, which is also affected by the environment. PCA also revealed that metabolites clearly group Sphagnum sections (subgenera). Conclusions We suggest that the commonly stated growth-decomposition trade-off is largely due to litter quality. We show a strong phylogenetic control on Sphagnum metabolites, but their effects on decay are affected by nutrient availability in the habitat.
Part of the missing sink in the global CO2 budget has been attributed to the positive effects of CO2 fertilization and N deposition on carbon sequestration in Northern Hemisphere terrestrial ecosystems. The genus Sphagnum is one of the most important groups of plant species sequestrating carbon in temperate and northern bog ecosystems, because of the low decomposability of the dead material it produces. The effects of raised CO2 and increased atmospheric N deposition on growth of Sphagnum and other plants were studied in bogs at four sites across Western Europe. Contrary to expectations, elevated CO2 did not significantly affect Sphagnum biomass growth. Increased N deposition reduced Sphagnum mass growth, because it increased the cover of vascular plants and the tall moss Polytrichum strictum. Such changes in plant species composition may decrease carbon sequestration in Sphagnum-dominated bog ecosystems.
Peat bogs have historically represented exceptional carbon (C) sinks because of their extremely low decomposition rates and consequent accumulation of plant remnants as peat. Among the factors favoring that peat accumulation, a major role is played by the chemical quality of plant litter itself, which is poor in nutrients and characterized by polyphenols with a strong inhibitory effect on microbial breakdown. Because bogs receive their nutrient supply solely from atmospheric deposition, the global increase of atmospheric nitrogen (N) inputs as a consequence of human activities could potentially alter the litter chemistry with important, but still unknown, effects on their C balance. Here we present data showing the decomposition rates of recently formed litter peat samples collected in nine European countries under a natural gradient of atmospheric N deposition from approximate to 0.2 to 2 g center dot m(-2)center dot yr(-1). We found that enhanced decomposition rates for material accumulated under higher atmospheric N supplies resulted in higher carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and dissolved organic carbon release. The increased IN availability favored microbial decomposition (i) by removing N constraints on microbial metabolism and (ii) through a chemical amelioration of litter peat quality with a positive feedback on microbial enzymatic activity. Although some uncertainty remains about whether decay-resistant Sphagnum will continue to dominate litter peat, our data indicate that, even without such changes, increased N deposition poses a serious risk to our valuable peatland C sinks.
1 We assessed the role of climatic conditions and the effects of different, long-term atmospheric depositions in controlling the mineral and nutrient contents in pore-water, surface peat and in living Sphagna at a boreo-nemoral mire in Sweden and an alpine mire in Italy.
2 The terrestrial contribution of Ca2+, Mg2+ and SO42- in bulk precipitation was much greater at the Italian mire, in accordance with the different bedrock in the region and the higher level of atmospheric pollution.
3 At both mires, the contribution of bulk precipitation to the concentration of major ions in mire pore-water was much greater in the ombrotrophic than in the minerotrophic part, because of the raised morphology of the mires, which limited the inflow of mineral soil water to the margins. The only ions strongly depleted in mire pore-water compared with precipitation were K+, NO3- and NH4+ and these were therefore limiting to plant growth.
4 Higher SO42- concentration in pore-water at the Swedish mire, which experienced lower atmospheric inputs of sulphate, was probably caused by oxidative processes during a long dry period in the summer before sampling.
5 Higher rates of NO3-, NH4+, as well as SO42- atmospheric inputs at the Italian mire were reflected in significantly higher N and, partly, S concentrations in ombrotrophic Sphagna. Higher NO3- concentration in pore-water at the Italian mire was associated with a lower N retention coefficient of the ombrotrophic Sphagnum plants, suggesting a reduced nitrogen filtering ability of the moss layer.
Sphagnum dominates the moss layer in northern peatlands, but its dominance has decreased while there has been an expansion of other moss genera in some peatlands of NE China since the 1960s. To discover the mechanisms underlying this succession, we performed a four-month reciprocal transplant experiment in Hani Peatland with three Sphagnum species, Sphagnum palustre, S. magellanicum, and S. fuscum and one other moss Polytrichum strictum. Performance of the four mosses and the environmental factors: height above water table (HWT), vascular plant cover and pH, electrical conductivity, base cations, and N and P concentrations in water in the four moss habitats were measured. Biomass production in S. palustre was negatively affected by HWT. Phosphorus had a positive effect on biomass production in S. magellanicum and Polytrichum. None of the environmental factors had any effect on S. fuscum. Overall, the three Sphagnum species deteriorated in P. strictum hummocks, while P. strictum exhibited a wider ecological amplitude and maintained or increased its vigour levels in Sphagnum hummocks. Biomass production in S. palustre and S. magellanicum was negatively affected by P. strictum indicating the competitive ability of P. strictum. Our results suggest that its wide ecological amplitude and competitive ability may explain why P. strictum can expand and replace Sphagnum in some northern peatlands.
Ecosystem processes of northern peatlands are largely governed by the vitality and species composition in the bryophyte layer, and may be affected by global warming and eutrophication. In a factorial experiment in northeast China, we tested the effects of raised levels of nitrogen (0, 1 and 2 g m(-2) year(-1)), phosphorus (0, 0.1 and 0.2 g m(-2) year(-1)) and temperature (ambient and +3A degrees C) on Polytrichum strictum, Sphagnum magellanicum and S. palustre, to see if the effects could be altered by inter-specific interactions. In all species, growth declined with nitrogen addition and increased with phosphorus addition, but only P. strictum responded to raised temperature with increased production of side-shoots (branching). In Sphagnum, growth and branching changed in the same direction, but in Polytrichum, the two responses were uncoupled: with nitrogen addition there was a decrease in growth (smaller than in Sphagnum) but an increase in branching; with phosphorus addition growth increased but branching was unaffected. There were no two-way interactions among the P, N and T treatments. With increasing temperature, our results indicate that S. palustre should decrease relative to P. strictum (Polytrichum increased its branching and had a negative neighbor effect on S. palustre). With a slight increase in phosphorus availability, the increase in length growth and production of side-shoots in P. strictum and S. magellanicum may give them a competitive superiority over S. palustre. The negative response in Sphagnum to nitrogen could favor the expansion of vascular plants, but P. strictum may endure thanks to its increased branching.
The stress-gradient hypothesis (SGH) predicts that the relative importance of competition decreases and facilitation increases with an increase in abiotic stress. In peatlands, Sphagnum faces the threat of drought and differentiates into hummock species (drought-tolerant) and hollow species. Whether interspecific interaction affects the influence of drought on bryophyte composition in peatlands is unknown. We established an experiment by simulating drought and building bryophyte communities with two hummock species (S. palustre and S. capillifolium) and one hollow species (S. fallax). In all three species, drought decreased biomass production, height increment and side-shoot production. Sphagnum stores water in the hyaline cells, and leaf hyaline cell percentage (HCP) in the two hummock species increased with drought while no effect was found in S. fallax, suggesting that adjusting HCP is not an effective response to drought for the hollow species. Morphological traits and carbon and nitrogen contents in hummock species responded more to drought than in the hollow species, indicating a rapid response in phenotypic plasticity is an important strategy to resist drought in the hummock species. The presence of neighboring Sphagnum species, rather than drought, decreased carbon content for all three species. All three bryophytes showed interaction between drought and neighbor in two or more plant traits. Our study, however, did not support SGH, and there were no changes from competition under wet to facilitation under dry treatments in any of the six species combinations. On the contrary, when S. fallax was the target species, a change from facilitation under wet to competition under dry treatments was observed. The results suggest that hummock species can facilitate hollow species in wet environments but they could suppress hollow species under drought conditions by competing for water resources. Both drought and strong competition are the probable reasons why hollow species rarely grow in hummocks.
Introduction: Sphagnum L. forms much of the ground cover in northern peatlands. Different species show affinities for bioclimatic regions in Europe (oceanic/continental; northern/southern) and species-specific tolerance of winter conditions can be a factor explaining their distribution.
Methods: We focussed on low temperature in a series of experiments and tested (1) the innate ability of a selection of Sphagnum species to tolerate low temperature in relation to their micro-topographic (wetness) and geographical (climate) distribution; (2) the rate of cold tolerance acquisition; and (3) the ability of species to survive a range of low temperature once cold hardened.
Key results: Our experiments showed that maximal PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm, chlorophyll fluorescence), growth rates and survival were all negatively affected by sub-zero temperatures. Environmental conditions associated with the onset of winter (colder nights and shorter days) triggered the acquisition of cold tolerance in Sphagnum.
Conclusions: The results were not unequivocal, but species associated with colder climates were generally more tolerant of sub-zero conditions. Species associated with the wettest and driest ends of the wetness gradient were more consistent in their responses than those in between, with wetter-dwelling species being less sensitive to sub-zero temperature than species found in drier microhabitats. Overall, our results suggest that adaptation to winter conditions contribute to the current distribution patterns of Sphagnum species.
Biological edge effects are often assessed in high quality focal habitats that are negatively influenced by human-modified low quality matrix habitats. A deeper understanding of the possibilities for positive edge effects in matrix habitats bordering focal habitats (e.g. spillover effects) is, however, essential for enhancing landscape-level resilience to human alterations. We surveyed epixylic (dead wood inhabiting) forest-interior cryptogams (lichens, bryophytes, and fungi) associated with mature old-growth forests in 30 young managed Swedish boreal forest stands bordering a mature forest of high conservation value. In each young stand we registered species occurrences on coarse dead wood in transects 0-50 m from the border between stand types. We quantified the effect of distance from the mature forest on the occurrence of forest-interior species in the young stands, while accounting for local environment and propagule sources. For comparison we also surveyed epixylic open-habitat (associated with open forests) and generalist cryptogams. Species composition of epixylic cryptogams in young stands differed with distance from the mature forest: the frequency of occurrence of forest-interior species decreased with increasing distance whereas it increased for open-habitat species. Generalists were unaffected by distance. Epixylic, boreal forest-interior cryptogams do occur in matrix habitats such as clear-cuts. In addition, they are associated with the matrix edge because of a favourable microclimate closer to the mature forest on southern matrix edges. Retention and creation of dead wood in clear-cuts along the edges to focal habitats is a feasible way to enhance the long-term persistence of epixylic habitat specialists in fragmented landscapes. The proposed management measures should be performed in the whole stand as it matures, since microclimatic edge effects diminish as the matrix habitat matures. We argue that management that aims to increase habitat quality in matrix habitats bordering focal habitats should increase the probability of long-term persistence of habitat specialists.
Questions: Which factors influence the persistence of vascular grassland plants in long-abandoned (at least 50 yr) arable fields and meadows? What might be the implications of current levels of species richness on abandoned arable fields and meadows for future restoration?
Location: Forested highlands of Kilsbergen, south central Sweden.
Methods: The abundance of all vascular plant species was investigated in three habitat types: former arable fields, hay meadows and outlands (pastures) at 27 farms, abandoned for either approximately 50 yr or 90 yr. Time since abandonment, tree cover, soil depth, degree of soil podsol development, size of the infield area and two measures of connectivity were used as predictors for species richness and species composition.
Results: Former outland had denser tree cover, fewer species and fewer grassland species than former arable fields and hay meadows, irrespective of time since abandonment. Former hay meadows and arable fields with a longer time since abandonment were less rich in species, more wooded and had greater podsolization than meadows and fields abandoned at a later stage. Species richness was higher in hay meadows and arable fields at farms with larger infield area and deeper soils compared with farms with smaller infield area and shallower soils. The greatest richness of species and most open habitat were former arable fields at larger farms abandoned 50 yr before the study. Former arable fields had the highest number of grassland species.
Conclusion: After 50 yr of abandonment, former arable fields were the most important remnant habitats for grassland species and may be a more promising target for restoration than formerly managed grasslands.
Plant strategies under succession were evaluated for communities on rising seashores of the northern Gulf of Bothnia, Sweden, representing sites of primary succession. The succession could not be explained by Grime's CSR model. Early successional stages were neither characterized by high incidence of ruderals as proposed for secondary successions, nor by the dominance of stress tolerators, as proposed for primary successions. Short-lived species were almost totally absent. Instead, the shore habitat was characterized by species with an ability to tolerate and vegetatively recover from disturbance. The way in which different species experience one and the same form of stress or disturbance is an important reason why the classification on the basis of stress and disturbance seems to be insufficient to explain the course of this succession. Dominants of early and late successional stages differed with respect to root system, breeding system, leaf longevity and growth form (graminioid, herb).
Many endangered plant species remain absent in rewetted, previously drained fens. We performed a 3-year introduction experiment with endangered fen species (9 Carex- and 6 bryophyte species) in 4 hydrologically restored fens to investigate which factors hamper establishment and survival. Carex species were introduced as adults and seedlings, mosses as gametophytes. Introductions were done on (initially) bare soil, which allowed us to exclude excessive competition for light during the first year. First year survival of the transplants was high in all fens (mean survival = 96%), indicating that there were no direct abiotic constraints on establishment. However, survival analysis revealed that a decrease in relative light intensity (RLI) at the soil surface during consecutive years (indicating an increase in biotic competition for light) drove high mortality rates in most species. As a result, overall final survival was lowest in the two most productive (low light) fens (mean survival = 38%), while most transplants persisted in the two less productive (high light) fens (mean survival = 79%). Taller and faster-growing Carex species were able to outgrow light limitation near the soil surface, and thus had a higher overall survivability than smaller and slower-growing species. Light limitation also drove the loss of 5 out of 6 bryophyte species. We conclude that both dispersal limitation and asymmetric competition for light may explain the lack and loss of small and endangered plant species in rewetted fens. A minimum empirical threshold of c. 30% relative light intensity near the soil surface is required for successful introduction.
In this greenhouse experiment we examined how competition and herbivory affects the growth of Quercus robur seedlings and if the cotyledon nutrient reserve is of importance for survival and growth during unfavourable conditions. We planted oak seedlings with or without a strong competitor (grass turf) and subjected them to factorial grazing and cotyledon removal, in a split-plot design. After one growing season (20 weeks) we found large negative main effects from competition, grazing and cotyledon removal on all biomass components of the seedling. Seedling mortality was also significantly increased by competition. We observed an additional effect of cotyledon removal if the seedlings were also grazed or were growing in competition with grass. This gives some support to the hypothesis that cotyledon nutrient reserves are used under unfavourable conditions, but the effect was often relatively small and not detectable in the growth of all plant parts.
We investigated the degree to which the spatial distribution of oaks (Quercus robur L.) was related to habitat conditions, as reflected by vegetation type and structural features presumed to attract animal dispersers (trails, community borders). We hypothesized that the distribution pattern of oaks, with their potential to establish in many habitats, depends on the behaviour of the dispersing animals to a greater extent than micro-habitat conditions. One 100 m x 100 m plot was surveyed in each of two coniferous forests in east-central Sweden. No adult oak trees grew in the forests; all oaks were considered as dispersed into the plots by animals. We tested whether oak distribution was clumped with spatial autocorrelation analyses and whether oak distribution was related to vegetation type, species composition, tree cover, distance to nearest fertile oak tree, or distance to animal trails. Our study showed that oak trees were also spatially aggregated in a small-scale context. The spatial distribution of seedlings and older trees were associated with species richness and tree cover but not with any specific vegetation type, even though fewer oaks than expected grew in spruce forest habitats. Furthermore, we found that oak trees were associated with trails. There were differences in oak distribution between the two study sites in total number of oaks, the number of first-year seedlings, caches, and oak occurrence in relation to species richness and distance to nearest fertile oak. Seed-dispersing animals seem to be of importance for oak distribution even though animal activities seem to differ between sites.
Rain-fed peatlands are dominated by peat mosses (Sphagnum sp.), which for their growth depend on nutrients, water and CO2 uptake from the atmosphere. As the isotopic composition of carbon (C-12(,)13) and oxygen (O-16(,)18) of these Sphagnum mosses are affected by environmental conditions, Sphagnum tissue accumulated in peat constitutes a potential long-term archive that can be used for climate reconstruction. However, there is inadequate understanding of how isotope values are influenced by environmental conditions, which restricts their current use as environmental and palaeoenvironmental indicators. Here we tested (i) to what extent C and O isotopic variation in living tissue of Sphagnum is speciesspecific and associated with local hydrological gradients, climatic gradients (evapotranspiration, temperature, precipitation) and elevation; (ii) whether the C isotopic signature can be a proxy for net primary productivity (NPP) of Sphagnum; and (iii) to what extent Sphagnum tissue delta O-18 tracks the delta O-18 isotope signature of precipitation. In total, we analysed 337 samples from 93 sites across North America and Eurasia us ing two important peat-forming Sphagnum species (S. magellanicum, S. fuscum) common to the Holarctic realm. There were differences in delta C-13 values between species. For S. magellanicum delta C-13 decreased with increasing height above the water table (HWT, R-2 = 17 %) and was positively correlated to productivity (R-2 = 7 %). Together these two variables explained 46 % of the between-site variation in delta C-13 values. For S. fuscum, productivity was the only significant predictor of delta C-13 but had low explanatory power (total R-2 = 6 %). For delta O-18 values, approximately 90 % of the variation was found between sites. Globally modelled annual delta O-18 values in precipitation explained 69 % of the between-site variation in tissue delta O-18. S. magellanicum showed lower delta O-18 enrichment than S. fuscum (-0.83 %0 lower). Elevation and climatic variables were weak predictors of tissue delta O-18 values after controlling for delta O-18 values of the precipitation. To summarize, our study provides evidence for (a) good predictability of tissue delta O-18 values from modelled annual delta O-18 values in precipitation, and (b) the possibility of relating tissue delta C-13 values to HWT and NPP, but this appears to be species-dependent. These results suggest that isotope composition can be used on a large scale for climatic reconstructions but that such models should be species-specific.
1. Bogs are nutrient-poor peatland ecosystems that are sensitive to nitrogen (N) deposition. Production of peat mosses (i.e. the peat-forming genus Sphagnum) is known to decrease under elevated N deposition, but the causal mechanisms are poorly understood. 2. It is predicted that increased N deposition will cause changes in Sphagnum species composition, with fast-growing species benefiting from increased N availability in contrast to slow-growing species. Knowledge of species-specific responses to N availability can help us to understand interspecific competitive relationships. 3. We investigated the direct effects of N application on plant physiology in three Sphagnum species by exposing shoots to a range of N doses (corresponding to depositions of 0-5 6 g m) 2 year) 1), over 5 months, in a greenhouse experiment. The species investigated included one that grows high above the water-table (Sphagnum fuscum) and two that grow lower down (Sphagnum balticum and Sphagnum fallax). S. fuscum and S. balticum originate from ombrotrophic and S. fallax from minerotrophic environments. To estimate N responses, we measured the performance and light-capture kinetics of the photosynthetic apparatus (maximum photosynthetic rate and Fv/Fm), biomass production, shoot formation, and N and phosphorus (P) concentrations in the tissue. 4. Tissue nitrogen concentration generally increased with N application rate, and photosynthetic rate increased with N concentration, although S. balticum exhibited a unimodal response. With respect to production, a negative response to N application rate was found in S. fallax and S. fuscum (weak), while production in S. balticum was unrelated to application rate. S. fallax was the fastest-growing species, producing two to three times more biomass per shoot compared with the other species. 5. The mismatch between photosynthetic capacity and production could partly be explained by an increased N : P ratio following N application. Phosphorus limitation may not negatively affect photosynthetic capacity, but may hamper production. 6. The fast-growing species S. fallax is considered to benefit from increased N deposition, but we found a negative physiological response, suggesting stoichiometric constraints. Thus, we conclude that responses to N deposition cannot be predicted in a simple way from physiological traits related to growth rate without considering local environmental factors.
Stratigraphic records from peatlands suggest that the shift from a rich fen (calcareous fen) to an ombrotrophic bog can occur rapidly. This shift constitutes a switch from a species-rich ecosystem to a species-poor one with greater carbon storage. In this process, the invasion and expansion of acidifying bog species of Sphagnum (peat mosses) play a key role. To test under what conditions an acidifying bog species could invade a rich fen, we conducted three experiments, contrasting the bog species S. fucsum with the rich-fen species S. warnstorfii and S. teres. We first tested the effect of calcareous water by growing the three species at different constant height above the water table (HWT; 2, 7, and 14 cm) in a rich-fen pool and measured maximum photosynthetic rate and production and difference in length growth as an indicator of competition. In none of the species was the photosynthetic capacity negatively affected when placed at low HWT, but S. fuscum was a weaker competitor at low HWT. In our second experiment we transplanted the three species into microhabitats with different and naturally varying HWT in a rich fen. Here, S. fuscum nearly ceased to photosynthesize when transplanted to low HWT (brown moss carpet), while it performed similarly to the two rich-fen species at the intermediate level (S. warnstorfii hummock level). In contrast to S. fuscum, the rich-fen sphagna performed equally well in both habitats. The brown moss carpet was seasonally flooded, and in our third experiment we found that S. fuscum, but not S. teres, was severely damaged when submerged in rich-fen water. Our results suggest two thresholds in HWT affecting the ecosystem switch: one level that reduces the risk of submergence and a higher one that makes bog sphagna competitive against the rich-fen species.
Increased N deposition in Europe has affected mire ecosystems. However, knowledge on the physiological responses is poor. We measured photosynthetic responses to increasing N deposition in two peatmoss species (Sphagnum balticum and Sphagnum fuscum) from a 3-year, north-south transplant experiment in northern Europe, covering a latitudinal N deposition gradient ranging from 0.28 g N m(-2) year(-1) in the north, to 1.49 g N m(-2) year(-1) in the south. The maximum photosynthetic rate (NPmax) increased southwards, and was mainly explained by tissue N concentration, secondly by allocation of N to the photosynthesis, and to a lesser degree by modified photosystem II activity (variable fluorescence/maximum fluorescence yield). Although climatic factors may have contributed, these results were most likely attributable to an increase in N deposition southwards. For S. fuscum, photosynthetic rate continued to increase up to a deposition level of 1.49 g N m(-2) year(-1), but for S. balticum it seemed to level out at 1.14 g N m(-2) year(-1). The results for S. balticum suggested that transplants from different origin (with low or intermediate N deposition) respond differently to high N deposition. This indicates that Sphagnum species may be able to adapt or physiologically adjust to high N deposition. Our results also suggest that S. balticum might be more sensitive to N deposition than S. fuscum. Surprisingly, NPmax was not (S. balticum), or only weakly (S. fuscum) correlated with biomass production, indicating that production is to a great extent is governed by factors other than the photosynthetic capacity.
We studied genetic effects of the colonisation process during primary succession by analysing allozyme variation at a PGI locus in differently aged populations of Moehringia trinervia, which is a selfing annual with low dispersal ability. The populations studied come from islands and shores created in the 1880s by a drop in the water table of a Swedish lake and from old parts of a large island and of the mainland. The population age is known from five vegetation analyses over a century. We have also analysed the genetic composition of M. trinervia derived from seeds in the soil. Mainland populations had a higher genetic diversity than island populations that were little differentiated and differed genetically from the mainland populations. There was no temporal trend in the distribution of genetic variation on the new islands. The presence of alleles in the extant populations was associated with the proportion of that allele in the seed bank, indicating a main recruitment from the seed bank and not by repeated immigrations. We suggest that some of the new islands were colonised by a few early founders from the mainland. Later colonisation has occurred between adjacent islands, which preserves the founder effect and could explain the uniform, low genetic variation in the island populations.
1 A large number of islands was created when the water table of Lake Hjälmaren, south central Sweden, was lowered between 1882 and 1886. We have complete lists of vascular plant species for 40 of these islands from 1886, 1892, 1903–04, 1927–28 and 1984–85.
2 We have investigated the seed bank on nine of these islands and compared species composition at different soil depths with the species lists from the islands in 1886–1985, and with the present vegetation in the area of seed bank sampling. We have also investigated the distribution in the soil of seeds from species with different ecological attributes, including seed longevity, successional status, seed weight, seed form and species longevity.
3 Seeds in soil samples were allowed to germinate over the course of two summers with an intermediate cold storage. We found 1944 seeds representing 65 taxa. The mean seed density was 84 seeds dm–2.
4 The similarity between the surface soil (0–3 cm) seed bank and the vegetation at the different vegetation analyses increased from 1886 to 1993. The similarity between the present vegetation and the seed bank decreased with increasing soil depth, and the soil at 12–15 cm had no species in common with the present vegetation. Several species now absent from the vegetation were found in the seed bank.
5 Deeply buried seeds came from early successional, annual species with long-term persistent and low-weight seeds, as expected from seed bank theories, but were slightly elongated, which was in contrast to theories. Spherical seeds were associated with the surface soil, as were short-lived and high-weight seeds from late successional, perennial species.
Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris) growing on open bogs occur preferentially on hummocks and on the margin of the bogs. To assess which life history stages lead to this uneven distribution, we studied how variation in the ground-water level influences recruit
We present data on the accumulation of carbon and nitrogen into an open oceanic ombrotrophic bog, SW Sweden, with high levels of anthropogenic nitrogen deposition. The aim was to investigate if this peatland currently acts as a sink for atmospheric carbon. Peat cores were sampled from the top peat layer in five different vegetation types. Small pines were used to date the cores. The cores bulk density and carbon and nitrogen content were determined. A vegetation-classified satellite image was used to estimate the areal extent of the vegetation types and to scale up these results to bog level. The rate of current carbon input into the upper oxic acrotelm was 290 g m(-2) yr(-1), and there were no significant differences in accumulation rates among the vegetation types. This organic matter input to the acrotelm was almost completely decomposed before it was deposited for storage in the deeper peat layers (the catotelm) and only a small fraction (< , 1%) or 0.012 g m(-2) yr(-1) of the carbon would be left, assuming a residence time of 100 years in the acrotelm. Nitrogen accumulation rates differed between the vegetation classes, and the average input via primary production varied from 5.33 to 16.8 g m(-2) yr(-1). Current nitrogen input rates into the catotelm are much lower, 0-0.059 g m(-2) yr(-1), with the highest accumulation rates in lawn-dominated communities. We suggest that one of the main causes of the low carbon input rates is the high level of nitrogen deposition, which enhances decomposition and changes the vegetation from peat-forming Sphagnum-dominance to dominance by dwarf shrubs and graminoids.
Traditionally mire ecosystems (especially bogs) have been viewed as stable systems with slow changes in the vegetation over time. In this study the mire Akhultmyren, south-central Swedenw as re-investigatedin 1997 after 40 yr of continued natural development. The results show a high degree of dynamics in a Sphagnum dominated bog and fen. Altogether 97 vascular plant and bryophyte species were recorded in the two inventories of the bog and poor fen vegetation ,p H and electrical conductivity in the mire water were also surveyed. In 1997 we found 10 new species and that 8 species had disappeared since 1954 but the over-all mean number of species per plot (size 400 m2) had hardly changed. However, 21% of the species increased and 21% decreased significantly in frequency. Most of the species that decreased in frequency were low-grown vascular plants, most common in wet microhabitats. Vascular plant species that increased in frequency included trees (defined as > 1.3 m in height) and were generally taller than the unchanged or decreasing species. The frequency of dwarf shrubs and hummock bryophytes increased too. Areas with an initial pH of 4.5-5.0 showed the strongest decrease in pH, coinciding with an enlarged distribution of some Sphagnum species. The species diversity increased on the bog, but decreased in the wettest parts of the fen, where the pH also decreased. Species with unchanged or increasing frequency often showed high capacity to colonise new plots. On average the sum of gains and losses of species in the plots in 1997 was ca 50% of the species number in 1954. The vegetation changes indicate a drier mire surface and anincreaseda vailability of nitrogen. The increased tree cover may have triggered further changes in the plant cover.
The effects of increased nitrogen influx on Sphagnum growth and on interspecific competition between Sphagnum species were studied in a 3-yr experiment in mires situated in two areas with different rates of airborne N deposition. Sphagnum growth was recorded after various supplementary N influxes (0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 g m −2 yr−1) in hummocks and lawn communities. Sphagnum biomass production decreased with increasing N influx in both areas. After the first season at the low-deposition site, Sphagnum showed an increased growth in length with the intermediate N treatment, but in the second and third seasons the control treatment had the highest growth in length. Capitulum dry mass increased with increasing N influx. Sphagnum N concentration and N/P quotient were higher at the high- than at the low-deposition site. The low quotient at the low-deposition site, together with the initial growth increase with intermediate N supplements, indicates that growth was N-limited at this site, but our lowest N supplement was sufficient to reduce growth. The N treatments had no effect on interspecific competition between the Sphagnum species. This indicates that the species have similar responses to N. The species studied all occur naturally on ombrotrophic, N-poor sites and show low tolerances to increased N influx. Reduced Sphagnum production may affect the carbon balance, changing the mires from C sinks to sources.
The Skattlosbergs Stormosse min was reinvestigated in 1995 after 50 years of natural development since the previous investigation. The undrained mire is situated in an area with low anthropogenic deposition. The distribution of 106 plant species was mapped in detail and pH was measured at 251 locations, providinga unique opportunity to quantify long-term mire dynamics. The resultss how decreased pH in the richer (high-pH) parts of the mire, but little or no change in the poor fen andombrotrophipca rts.1 4 species had disappeared while two news pecies were recorded. Most species had a more restricted distribution in the mire area in 1995 than in 1945. Species richness in lOm x 0Omp lots had decreased, especially in plots with higher pH. Most Sphagnum species had unchanged distributions over the mire, while 7 3 % of other bryophyt sepecies and 3 8% of vascular plant species had decreased by more than 20 % in plot frequency. There was a strong relationship between number of species and pH-value. The mean and standard eviation of pH in plots where the species occurred have both decreased since 1945. We interpret the changes in species richness in the richer fens to be mainly caused by acidification. This could partly be an autogenic succession, but may be enhanced by increased atmospheric deposition. The mire represents an almost untouched site which can act as a reference for mires in morepolluted areas.
The influence of the local density of aspen on the presence and abundance of four epiphytic bryophytes was investigated in four mixed forest stands in Central Sweden, each about 30 ha and aged 70-120 yr. Cover of the bryophytes Nyholmiella obtusifolia, Orthotrichum speciosum, Pylaisia polyantha and Radula complanata (the four most frequent aspen-specific epiphytic bryophytes in this region) was recorded on the bark of 155 systematically sampled aspen stems. In circular plots with 10 m radius surrounding each sampled aspen, information on ground vegetation, soil moisture and stand density was collected. In these plots, and also in plots with 5 m and 20 m radius, stem number and diameters of aspen trees were recorded together with an observation of the presence/absence of the four bryophytes. There was no general and consistent relation between aspen density and presence or abundance of the studied bryophytes. Site, host aspen diameter and forest stand structures were more important for the bryophytes. The site factor explained more of the variation than any of the studied variables. All species except N. obtusifolia were favoured by a large diameter of the host tree, and the density of the surrounding forest stand had a positive effect on the cover of Pyl. polyantha and R. complanata. The practical implications of the results are discussed.
Large peatland areas have been drained for forestry and agricultural purposes, resulting in the decline of characteristic biodiversity. Two measures commonly suggested for restoring drained fens is ditch blocking and tree removal to raise the groundwater table and increase light availability, respectively. In 2002, we initiated factorial restoration experiments, including ditch blocking and tree removal, in three former rich fens that had been drained for forestry purposes. Species cover of vascular plants and bryophytes were monitored during 8 years in permanent plots along transects perpendicular to the ditch for all four treatment combinations. Both methods had positive and independent effects on the cover of wetland vegetation. Specifically, Sphagnum species and wetland bryophytes showed a persistent positive response to both clear cutting and rewetting. Wetland vascular plants and grasses showed a persistent positive response to clear cutting. Sedges and species number responded positively to both clear cutting and ditch blocking, but the response was partly transient, and for species richness the response was limited when restoration methods were applied separately. Rich fen indicators of vascular plants and bryophytes did not respond to any of the restoration treatments. This indicates that species introduction in combination with further habitat restorations may be necessary to re-establish the original rich fen flora. Nevertheless, we conclude that the combination of ditch blocking and clear cutting are effective measures to partly restore wetland vegetation on previously drained and forested fens, while peat subsidence along the ditch may restrict the success further away from ditches.
Questions: Ecological restoration has traditionally been evaluated with analyses focused on species identities and abundances. These analyses provide no ecological explanation to why certain species change in abundance. One solution may be a functional trait analysis. We asked whether shifts in functional traits could explain vegetation changes in fens restored through tree cutting and rewetting, and how the functional traits in the restored sites compare to those of the reference site? Location: Three former rich fens in east-central Sweden. Methods: Tree cutting and rewetting were applied in a factorial design, and species and abundance data were recorded for 8yrs. Abundance data and trait data of canopy height, specific leaf area (SLA) and diaspore mass were used to calculate functional richness (FRic), functional divergence (FDiv), functional dispersion (FDis) and community-weighted mean (CWM) of functional traits. Data were analysed in a linear mixed effect model for vascular plants and bryophytes jointly, and for vascular plants separately. Results of restoration treatments were compared to data from a reference site. Results: Among vascular plants, tree cutting caused a decrease in SLA, as shade-sensitive species increased. In accordance with the change in SLA, FDis increased. In the joint analysis, tree cutting led to increased FDis, FDiv and FRic, indicating reduced filtering caused by the removal of the shading canopy, which allowed shade-sensitive species to establish. The comparison to the reference site shows that even after 8yrs, the restoration treatments have higher trait diversity than the reference site, indicating that the restoration sites have a too relaxed trait filter compared to conditions in an undisturbed fen. Our interpretation is that this is primarily caused by insufficient rewetting (and increased nutrient availability) that allow species of both natural and degraded fen conditions to co-exist, and which failed to suppress the regrowth of trees. Conclusions: Analysis of functional diversity improves our understanding of the ecological mechanisms affecting restoration results, and allows comparison among regions and communities with different species composition.


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The staff of South Kensington Estates raised funds for The Little Foundation with a wide range of activities including this five-kilometre run in Hyde Park.
You can support the work of The Little Foundation in many ways, helping us to fund research that will reduce the suffering of millions who needlessly develop lifelong brain disorders even before they are born. We have programmes, publicity material and resources to help schools, companies and enthusiasts organise fun and effective fundraising activities.
We are always grateful to receive donations, but we also need committed people who will volunteer their time to help us in promoting and supporting our research.
If you would like to get involved, please send us an email.


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Carol is a master's student in the environment and sustainability graduate program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a concentration in environmental justice. Her previous education includes a masters in urban planning and policy design at Politecnico di Milano and a bachelor's in architecture and building construction at Politecnico di Milano.
In her research, she deals with social, economic, and environmental inequalities deriving from environmental injustices and different distribution of waste management services in local communities, as well as disruption of local, natural ecosystems. She investigates how injustice in developing countries relate to an increase in the production of plastic materials locally and how they contribute to the urgent challenge of ocean plastic pollution globally.
Over the past two years, she volunteered for an Italian-based NGO working in East Africa as a project leader for social innovation teams. In this role, she launched the pilot "New Life to Plastic", that targets environmental education for local communities in Kenya and Tanzania, and stakeholders in the waste sector to reduce the amount of plastic produced every day. The project's focus in on sustainable alternatives to plastic products, and especially food packaging, and rethinking of the life cycle of plastic materials.
Her work in the field of sustainability also includes advocacy and awareness campaigns on sustainable production and consumption, urban metabolism, and climate change. She collaborated with the department of architecture and urban studies, Politecnico di Milano and Metabolism of Cities, a Belgium-based NPO to deliver workshops, environmental education programs, and policy toolkits targeting minority groups of the population. Ultimately, this collaboration is aimed at assisting universities in the creation of knowledge center hubs and ICT platforms to engage students, academics, citizens, and government officials on current climate change and sustainable development policy agendas.


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LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Oil field services group John Wood Group WG, -1.24% said Wednesday that fiscal-year adjusted operating profit is expected to rise by 45% compared to a year ago to reach $315 million. All divisions delivered increased revenues and margins, the firm said, while global markets remain strong.
John Wood Group sees adjusted operating profit up 45%
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text: Raad Muhammad has such a beautiful voice and I am really glad I came across him. So here is his recitation of Surah Zukhruf. This Surah was revealed in Makkah and it has 89 ayaat. It is narrated from Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that whoever recites this Surah will be saved from the vermin (e.g. insects, scorpions etc.) in the… Read more →


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Lock & Twist Gel
for natural hair
Qty: One 16.25-oz Container
Form: Gel
Product Description:
Natural hair care. Pre-mixed creme formula combines moisture & hold for locks and twists.
Organic Root Stimulator has taken hydrating botanicals and blended them with olive oil into a vitamin-rich creme that replenishes the "natural" moisture balance of the hair.
This product hasn't received any reviews yet. Be the first to review this product!


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MDM Message – 11 August 2012
OUR LORD: "So many people in the world do not believe in God. They do not honour me, his Beloved Son. Instead they are consumed with an obsessive passion for false Gods. What do I mean by this? These people create heroes and idols in the world of tv, fashion, music and sport. They then elevate them into human idols and they pay homage to them. They then idolise them in ways which damage not only themselves but the person they have elevated. They believe that these idols are sacred and do all they can to copy their lifestyles, their way of dressing, their personalities and even their physical appearance. It amounts to paganism. All of this has been foretold My daughter. The world will idolise false Gods. These people are full of love for their bodies, themselves and with little charity or love shown for their neighbour in their hardened hearts. Their hearts have turned to stone. They do not love God. Instead they have fallen under the spell of Satan who has placed these beliefs and thoughts in their minds. There is no respect for the human body ..."


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Our blogger friends join us to toast 1 year of the blog! read more
We are just a couple of weeks away from our blog's 1st birthday and what a year it has been. In true quintessential British style, last night we invited our dear blogging friends (you know who you are) and contributors to toast year 1 with a whimsical inspired 'One-upon-a-time' bloggers party! The perfect excuse to chat blogging, whilst sipping on gin cocktails and cooing over all the Christmas gift goodies. Much like stepping into a Christmas grotto, our giant fairy lit trees and wooden animal props and seasonal sweeties got us all feeling prematurely but delightfully festive!
Woodland inspired badger footprints leading into the event
Bloggers browsing the blog!
Playing two spellbinding sets, the hugely talented Liz Lawrence (our new music girl crush) charmed the room with her folky acoustic sounds and stunning forlorn voice. Hostesses of the moment Vintage Patisserie were also on hand, serving up rose flavoured brownies, lemon scones & lavender clotted cream along with Godminster tea cocktails from their signature vintage crockery and tea pots.
Vintage crockery
The Tea Drinking English Rose enjoying her cuppa
Much to the surprise of our fellow bloggers, we were thrilled to unveil the re-launch of our Laura Ashley Number 1 fragrance. Originally designed in 1981 for Laura Ashley herself, No.1 has been reinvented for 2012 by renowned perfumer extraordinaire Azzi Glasser (more info to follow on the blog soon!). Our archivist kindly lent us the original packaging and gift sets from 1981 so it was a rare chance to see some Laura Ashley fragrance artifacts.
Laura Ashley No1 Fragrance
Our guests were especially fond of our Laura Ashley Wish Tree, where they were invited to pick a golden envelope with a plethora of cute gifts waiting to be won beneath our dreamy silver lit tree.
Laura from the blog Through the Eyes of Laura picks her envelope from the wish tree!
As the saying goes, a picture says a thousand words (especially in the blogging universe) so take it away picture roll. Special thanks to Clare Lewington for taking such wonderfully candid snaps…
Daniela from blog Couture and Crumpets
Alix from blog Oui Je T'aime Aussi
Lucy from blog Shiny Thoughts
Angel Adoree from Vintage Patisserie posing with her '1'
Emma from The Daisy Chain
Wish Tree envelope
Ellie from blog Pretty Much Penniless
Beautiful blooms by Wild At Heart. Thank you Nikki Tibbles x
Following a 'tweeting' frenzy from our blogger friends (My Sentimental Heart / Aspiring Kennedy / A Daisy Chain Dream / Dear Designer / Muffin Top Vintage / Life Style Flash just to name a few) we'll be announcing the winner of our #lauraashleywishlist competition on Friday! Watch this space…
Hero image: The lovely illustrator Emma Block


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SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's securities regulator has doled out more fines, totaling almost $1 billion, in the first five months of this year than during the whole of 2016, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.
Chinese regulators have launched a raft of new rules and increased scrutiny over China's financial services sector in a bid to reduce leverage as growth in the world's second-largest economy slows.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission had slapped fines totaling 6.14 billion yuan ($901.65 million) by the end of May on those who violated securities laws, Xinhua reported, citing the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).
The CSRC suspended 29 people from engaging in securities work over the same period, the regulator said.
Last year, the CSRC punished 183 illegal market activities and handed out fines worth 4.28 billion yuan ($628.52 million), up 288 percent from 2015.
The CSRC published rules at the end of May aimed at preventing major shareholders of listed companies from reducing their holdings in an "intensive, massive and disorderly" manner that "disturbed market order and dented investor confidence."
Reporting by Engen Tham; Editing by Paul Tait


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Income for Life Seminar
It is inevitable we will need income that will last a lifetime. Having a plan will help you sustain an income flow that supports your lifestyles goals/dreams.
This seminar will answer:
- Are there ways to invest to potentially increase my income?
- What are my options to ensure a steady income as I age?
- Can I maintain my desired lifestyle?


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The project is the update of a beloved historic building in the community of Highlands. Built in 1913 as a commercial block with 2 primary storefronts and 9 luxury apartments, the building once boasted the latest in comfort and detail. Despite changing times, the building has maintained its integrity, its most recent uses being a restaurant on the main floor and a bed and breakfast above.
Project Specs
Mixed Use
Highlands, Edmonton, Alberta
2019 (est.)
14,000 square feet, 3 storeys
The project is an intelligent retention of the historic core, brick and main character defining elements of the original 1913 building, and significantly updating the commercial and residential finishes with a modern aesthetic. Keeping the building in place is the most sustainable strategy possible, retaining the embodied energy and materials for another generation.