Soil influence on Cu and Co uptake and plant size in the cuprophytes Crepidorhopalon perennis and C. tenuis (Scrophulariaceae) in SC Africa

Small-scale diversity of plant communities and distribution of species niches on a copper rock outcrop in Upper Katanga, D.R.Congo

“…Heavy metals are antagonistic to the uptake of other elements (Kazakou et al 2008) and high values of Fe-oxides can limit Cu availability and thus its toxicity at low contamination levels (Kabala & Singh 2001). Furthermore, Fe is known to have antagonist effects on Cu uptake (Faucon et al 2009). The large variation in physical properties of soil observed in our study should also play a role in filtering the assemblage of plants on Cu-rich soil.…”

Chemical soil factors influencing plant assemblages along copper-cobalt gradients: implications for conservation and restoration

“…Toxicity is thus likely mitigated by higher pH values. Mn-oxides and carbonates associated with Ca, another parameter with higher values for major concentrations in Cu and Co, present a strong affinity for Co and could thus decrease its bioavailability and toxicity (Collins and Kinsela 2011;Faucon et al 2011bFaucon et al , 2009Li et al 2001;Robinson et al 1999). High values of Fe-oxides and organic matter can also limit Cu bioavailability and thus its toxicity (Kabala and Singh 2001).…”

“…Concentration of extractable (acetate-EDTA) Co (3.5 %; 1.0 %) is also a major factor to take into account due to its own toxicity and its potential interactions with Cu. Cu is known to have antagonist effects on plants Co uptake (Faucon et al 2009) and soils with high levels of Co and lower levels of Cu (as in community 5) could thus be more toxic to plants. Correlations between extractable (acetate-EDTA) Cu, Co and Zn and their total values has previously shown (Saad et al 2012) to be high (c. 0.8).…”

“…While poorer in number of species per 1 m 2 , Steppes host a larger number of endemics with higher occurrences per 1 m 2 . This can be attributed to the nature of endemics on those outcrops: essentially species adapted to high levels of soil contamination (Faucon et al 2009). The larger diversity on Steppic savannas can be attributed to the important number of species overstepping from the miombo woodland which can tolerate limited concentrations of Cu and Co in the soil but not the levels encountered in the Steppes area.…”

“…They support highly distinctive plant communities (Bizoux et al 2004;Brooks et al 1992;Ernst 1974;Whiting et al 2002Whiting et al , 2004 and host rare, ecologically specialized taxa adapted to elevated environmental stress including high concentration of metals (Chiarucci and Baker 2007;Chipeng et al 2010;Faucon et al 2009Jacobi et al 2007;Whiting et al 2004;Wolf et al 2000). Worldwide, metalliferous ecosystems are severely threatened by the growing of mining activities with high risks on metallophyte diversity (Kruckeberg 1984;Whiting et al 2002Whiting et al , 2004.…”