May I propose that you order the framework from me and read it through
BEFORE you propose any "tidbits that might be included", please. You will
see the people who designed the framework were also not completely devoid
of ideas. This will cost YOU only the time to read it through, and it will
save a lot of time for ME posting excerpts from the framework to this list,
and for those SUBSCRIBERS not interested in this stuff reading and/or
deleting it.
In order to improve discipline a bit, for future messages I will not reply
but send the framework unasked to anyone proposing "tidbits that might be
included" on this list to his/her private email account rather than to
bother the group with it. I know this is not really netiquette but I hope
you appreciate this.
One important feature of a MONOgraph is that it should include all
information available in ONE work. So why can't we do this ONE thing and do
it as properly as we can rather than to diffuse our efforts in dispersed
partial solutions to essentially the same problems?
Dear Chris,
I see, you have not read the framework either.
You want:
>1. Conservation info. What is the status of the taxon in the wild:
>endangered/ threatened/common/not present. Who is working on the
>conservation of the group, if anyone?
>
>2. Ecological interactions. Who are thenatural pollinators? Are there
>associated endemic fauna? Is there a flowering period for the species? How
>are the seeds dispersed? Is there a seed bank and what is the period of
>seed dormancy? What is the usual prey in the wild (this may vary, for
>example, among Nepenthes). Etc.
We have (again, direct citation from framework):
QUOTE-
Threat
CITES, endangered species lists. Population development, destroyed habitats
and the main reasons for extinction. Which protection measures do exist,
and which efficiency do they have?
Habitats
(this information is especially important if experience with culture is scant)
Climatic and topographic limitations: Rain, temperature, humidity,
exposition to wind and sun, etc., and the seasonal fluctuations of these
parameters as far as they are of relevance to distribution and survival of
the species. Topology of the habitats: N or S facing slopes, throughs,
shade or full sun light.
Substratum: Synopsis of the different soil types the species can grow in.
Main components, geologic profile; height and seasonal fluctuations of
ground water level, soil-inhabiting animals with influence on soil
composition, decomposition, generation of vegetable mould, density,
coarseness, pH at different depths, chemical (Ca, K, N, P,...) and
mechanical (mould content, ash content, water retention) analyses,
comparison with own experimental results.
Synecology
Accompanying flora, Plant-sociology: Synopsis of vegetation types and plant
communities the species is found in. Stating the most important
accompanying plant species.
Response to natural and artificial environmental influences: Competition
with other species. Does the species survive e.g. inundation, desiccation,
fires,
grazing, collection for commercial purposes, alteration of habitat, cutting
down, drainage, reclamation, herbicide application, pollution, etc.?
Influence of these parameters on growth of plants, flowering,
fructification and seed set. How do accompanying plants respond to these
alterations?
Floral biology, Seed production and dispersal, strategies of dispersal,
effective reproduction: At which age do the plants flower for the first
time? How frequently do they flower, is seed set each time? Pollination by
insects (which?) or wind or...? Amphi- or apomixis, vivipary? Autogamy
possible? Under which circumstances are cleistogamous flowers produced?
Number of seeds per fruit and plant. Microphotograph of seed. Method and
rate of vegetative reproduction and dispersal. Comparison of generative and
vegetative reproduction.
Viability of seeds, germination, and seedling morphology: How do external
conditions (temperature, light, humidity, duration of influence) during
storage of seed affect viability? Dormancy, stratification. Experimental
data should be accompanied by detailed description of experimental
conditions. Optimal conditions for germination? How does the seedling
develop? May the species be recognized by the seedling, already?
Physiology
Metabolism, mycorrhiza: Microclimatic influence, water equilibrium, osmotic
potential, reasons for withering, rate of transpiration, stomata, cuticle,
influence of chemical composition of substratum, What does influence flower
production? Experimental results or field observations? Mycorrhiza: which
type, if present?
Carnivory: Mechanism, variety of prey, extent, importance. Influence on the
species.
Symbionts: For which animal species is the species completely or partially
important as a habitat?
Animal feeders, parasites, diseases: Insects, snails, or other animals
which consume the species completely or partially. Threat for the species?
Symptoms and causing agents of fungal, bacterial and viral diseases,
influence of habitat and season?
-UNQUOTE
Thank you very much for co-operation.
Kind regards
Jan