Demonstration of distribution ecological adaptations and species diversity

Demonstration of distribution, ecological adaptations and species diversity of Valdivian rain forest. 1. Demonstrator shows specific morphological adaptations of Araucaria araucana from temperate moist forests. Author: Dr Bojan Zlatković, Associate professor ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Demonstration of different morphological adaptations of Araucaria araucana in moist conifer forest vegetation of Patagonia, Argentina. In this exercise, you will: • • • Observe plant structures by using Binocular Stereomicroscope Observe plant structures using Camera Observe specific morphology and adaptations of Araucaria araucana ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Background Araucaria araucana (commonly called the monkey puzzle tree, monkey tail tree, or Chilean pine) is an evergreen tree growing to 1– 1. 5 m in diameter and 30– 40 m in height. The horizontal, spreading branches grow in whorls and are covered with leathery leaves. The leaves have an average lifespan of 24 years and so cover most of the tree except for the older branches. It is usually dioecious, with the male and female cones on separate trees, though occasional individuals bear cones of both sexes. It is wind pollinated. The cones disintegrate at maturity to release the 3– 4 cm long nut-like seeds. This species is native to central and southern Chile, southwestern Argentina. It prefers temperate climates with abundant rainfall, tolerating temperatures down to about − 20 °C. It also prefers well-drained, slightly acidic, volcanic soil, but will tolerate almost any soil type provided it drains well. The nearest relative found is Araucaria angustifolia, a South American Araucaria from Brazil which differs in the width of the leaves. The forests of Araucaria araucana are significant from an evolutionary perspective, as a relict of mixed coniferous and broad-leafed forests that were once much more widespread, and are home to many taxa characteristic of the Antarctic flora. This species is IUCN listed as an endangered species (IUCN, ver. 3. 1). Araucaria araucana can also grow well in the gardens and parks in Europe, North America, New Zealand Australia. ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Binocular Stereo Microscope is designed for low magnification observation of samples, typically using light reflected from the surface of an object rather than transmitted through it. Binocular Stereo Microscopes provide the user with an erect (upright and unreserved) stereoscopic (3 -dimensional) image. This is particularly useful for biologists as an essential tool for performing dissections, small parts of flowers or anyone who needs to work on small objects. The binoculare or simple stereo microscope is often used to study the surfaces of solid dry or fresh plant parts or to carry out close work such as plants specific details, that are not easily visible. ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

OPTIKA LAB-10 Binocular Stereo Microscope – 20 x & 40 x magnification (New York Microscope Company inc. ) ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Material For this laboratory exercise, you will need the following material : • Fresh or dryed plant material (branches and bark) of Araucaria araucana, fam. Araucariaceae; * Because Araucaria araucana is rare and protected by low in nature, all material should derived from horticulture, i. e. grown specimens. ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Procedure : I. Prepare Araucaria branch and leaves for stereomicroscopic observations. II. Start your binocular and additional hardware equipment. III. Put the preparation at the observation table. IV. Turn on the light of the binocular and adjust the intensity. V. Observe leaf surface using different magnifications. VI. Take the images of the certain structures by using camera. ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Specimen of Araucaria araucana in the native habitats. ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Result I: Based on observation, please note the following adaptations of the plant to the environment: I. Thick, tough, and scale-like, triangular, 3– 4 cm long, 1– 3 cm broad at the base leaves. II. Sharp edges and leaf tips. III. Leaves having a tough, leathery, hard texture. IV. Horizontal, spreading branches. V. Leaves aranged in whorls. VI. Thick bark of Araucaria as an adaptation to wildfire. VII. Diamond-like bark elements.

I II III ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

IV ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Author, Editor and Referee References This remote access laboratory was created thanks to work done primarily at University of Niš. Contributors to this material were: Dr Bojan Zlatković, University of Niš Refereeing of this material was done by: Dr Milan Antonijevic, University of Greenwich Editing into NETCHEM Format and onto NETCHEM platform was completed by: Dr Milan Milošević, University of Niš ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

References and Supplemental Material The NETCHEM platform was established at the University of Nis in 2016 -2019 through the Erasmus Programme. Please contact a NETCHEM representatives at your institution or visit our website for an expanded contact list. The work included had been led by the NETCHEM staff at your institution. ___________________________________________________ This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.