title: Enhanced UV-B and elevated CO(2) impacts sub-arctic shrub berry abundance, quality and seed germination.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of long-term-enhanced UV-B, and combined UV-B with elevated CO(2) on dwarf shrub berry characteristics in a sub-arctic heath community. Germination of Vaccinium myrtillus was enhanced in seeds produced at elevated UV-B, but seed numbers and berry size were unaffected. Elevated UV-B and CO(2) stimulated the abundance of V. myrtillus berries, whilst UV-B alone stimulated the berry abundance of V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum hermaphroditum. Enhanced UV-B reduced concentrations of several polyphenolics in V. myrtillus berries, whilst elevated CO(2) increased quercetin glycosides in V. myrtillus, and syringetin glycosides and anthocyanins in E. hermaphroditum berries. UV-B × CO(2) interactions were found for total anthocyanins, delphinidin-3-hexoside and peonidin-3-pentosidein in V. myrtillus berries but not E. hermaphroditum. Results suggest positive impacts of UV-B on the germination of V. myrtillus and species-specific impacts of UV-B × elevated CO(2) on berry abundance and quality. The findings have relevance and implications for human and animal consumers plus seed dispersal and seedling establishment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK. dyj@aber.ac.uk
authors.forename: Dylan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gwynn-Jones
authors.forename: Alan G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waterhouse
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comont
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scullion
authors.forename: Rosie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gardias
authors.forename: Bente J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Graee
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Terry V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Callaghan
mesh_terms: D001110:Arctic Regions; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057231:Climate Change; D017753:Ecosystem; D005638:Fruit / Q000187:drug effects*; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013548:Sweden; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D029796:Vaccinium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide