|
|
Boyarskikh, I.G., and Shitov, A.V.,
2010. Intraspecific variability of plants: The impact of active local faults.
In: Florinsky, I.V. (Ed.), Man and the Geosphere.
Nova Science Publishers, New York, pp. 145–167. Plant domestication has given a
strong impetus to the development of early agricultural societies. Such societies
have commonly been located in regions of genetic and phenotypic intra- and
interspecific variability of plants. In this chapter, we study a
possible impact of active local faults on plant intrapopulation variability exemplified by Lonicera caerulea L. (blue honeysuckle). We
carried out a combined geophysical (magnetometric) and botanical survey in
the Ak-Turu Valley, Mountain Altai, Russia. Statistical analyses demonstrated that within fault zones
(a) the expression of L. caerulea
recessive trait – bitter-free fruits – is sharply increased; (b) the
smallest fruits are observed; and (c) diversity of fruit shape is
increased. It is known that many species display the highest level of
plant-to-plant intrapopulation variability when they occur in the least
favorable environmental conditions. This can be connected with a mutagenicity
of a chronic stress and a direct influence of local geochemical mutagenic
agents. The decrease in fruit weight and the increase in variability of
morphometric and taste traits indicate that fault zones may effect plant
development in both these ways. This can be associated with local seismicity
as a permanent stressor, as well as a seismically induced increase in the
groundwater-driven release of some mutagenic substances and radon emanation along the faults
and adjacent fractures. Our results suggest that geochemical and geophysical
anomalies as well as an enhanced degassing level within fault zones,
especially during regional seismic activization, may mutagenically affect plants.
|
