Berry size and seed number of V. myrtillus and E. hermaphroditum according to treatment, and environmental parameters 1991-2009 at Abisko Research Station, supplement to: Gwynn-Jones, Dylan; Jones, Alan G; Waterhouse, Alice; Winters, Ana; Comont, David; Scullion, John; Gardias, Rosie; Graae, Bente J; Lee, John A; Callaghan, Terry V (2012): Enhanced UV-B and Elevated CO2 Impacts Sub-Arctic Shrub Berry Abundance, Quality and Seed Germination. AMBIO, 41(3 SU), 256-268

• Main Authors: Gwynn-Jones, Dylan, Jones, Alan G, Waterhouse, Alice, Winters, Ana, Comont, David, Scullion, John, Gardias, Rosie, Graae, Bente J, Lee, John A, Callaghan, Terry V
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA - Data Publisher for Earth & Environmental Science 2012
• Subjects: International Polar Year 2007-2008 IPY; Arctic; Abisko; Waterhouse; International Polar Year; IPY
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.810461; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.810461

This study investigated the effects of long-term-enhanced UV-B, and combined UV-B with elevated CO2 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 CO2 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 CO2 increased quercetin glycosides in V. myrtillus, and syringetin glycosides and anthocyanins in E. hermaphroditum berries. UV-B x CO2 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 x elevated CO2 on berry abundance and quality. The findings have relevance and implications for human and animal consumers plus seed dispersal and seedling establishment. : Data extracted in the frame of a joint ICSTI/PANGAEA IPY effort, see http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.150150