Climate conditions of the present-day relief development on Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde Islands are an example of a local diversity of the semi-arid equatorial climate zone. The type and intensity of the present-day morphogenetic processes is determined mostly by total precipitation and vegetation cover. We can distinguish three types of relief development. In the warm, arid climate conditions throughout the year, volcanic forms are very slowly changed or preserved by the action of episodic water, limited to a material redeposition in the wadi channels and sand dune forming by the wind. In the semi-arid climate conditions, volcanic forms are transformed into denudation-fluvial relief in the rain period. It is visible mainly on the windward side of islands and at a lower altitude, where the weathering material is washed from slopes and carried away down the wadi channels to the sea after periodic torrential rains. At the same time on the leeward side, at a higher altitude and in agricultural areas only a small amount of material is transported over short distance

Reaction norms of life history traits in response to zinc in Thlaspi caerulescens from metalliferous and nonmetalliferous sites

* We examined phenotypic plasticity of fitness components in response to zinc (Zn) in the Zn hyperaccumulator, Thlaspi caerulescens. * Two populations from Zn-enriched soils (M) and two populations from normal soils (NM) were grown in pots at three Zn concentrations (0, 1000 and 8000 mg kg(-1) Zn), for an entire life cycle. Growth, Zn accumulation and fitness components were assessed. * Based on vegetative growth, M and NM populations had similar Zn tolerance at 1000 mg kg(-1) Zn. However, reproductive output was markedly decreased in NM at 1000 and 8000 mg kg(-1) Zn. In M populations, Zn did not affect fitness. However, low Zn status enhanced reproductive output in year 1 compared with year 2 and decreased survival after the first flowering season. * M populations are able to achieve equal fitness across a broad range of Zn concentrations in soil by different combinations of fecundity and longevity. No cost of higher tolerance was demonstrated in M populations. Reproductive traits appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of tolerance than vegetative growth.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tFLWINinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe