26 February 2010: Mona Chor Bjørn

Landscape architecture, ecology and horticulture - an interdisciplinary approach to planting design

Mona Chor Bjørn

dept. Forest and Landscape, University of Copenhagen

Landscape architecture is about solving specific solutions for green spaces in an artistic way, based on knowledge from ecology, sustainability, social needs and materials. Central in landscape architecture is planting design. In Danish landscape architecture research in use of herbaceous vegetation has not been prioritised, which is deably regrettable because the topic is of great importance for the landscape architects ability to create recreational areas with large aesthetic value as well as biological and aesthetic experience. Theories from plant ecology are used to investigate how species should be composed to be sustainable plant communities. Specifically theories concerning community structure, species combination, susceptibility to invasion and the mechanism that control community development through time and space. This is a new interdisciplinary approach to planting design between professionals in landscape architecture, plant ecology and horticulture. A mutual understanding between these sciences is crucial to a successful research. For landscape architects it will be a renewal to collaborate with plant ecologist and botanists, using their knowledge on species and plant communities as a scientific foundation. This approach will expand the understanding and perception of the single species and its use among the involved professions. Especially deeper understanding of a species ecological habit, aesthetical value, tolerance and competition is wanted. Also knowledge on community design and establishment is wanted especially concerning low maintenance cost without compromising high aesthetical quality, dynamic species combinations and diversity. The landscape architect needs concrete tools and knowledge databases to consult in her job.

12 February 2010: Åsa Lankinen

Sexual conflict, antagonistic coevolution and mating system evolution in the annual plant Collinsia heterophylla

Åsa Lankinen

dept. Plant Ecology and Systematics, Lund University, Sweden


Species of Collinsia (Plantaginaceae) show extensive variation in mating system; this variation is associated with variation in floral morphology and development, and with timing of self-pollination. Large-flowered, more out-crossing species also tend to delay stigma receptivity. This may enhance pollen competition either between donors or between self pollen. Competition between self pollen may be of particular importance in species with mixed mating system because it can lead to reduced inbreeding depression. On the other hand, possessing this trait may result in natural selection favouring pollen that manipulate onset of stigma receptivity to secure paternity at the expense of the female reproductive function. Our recent work in large-flowered Collinsia heterophylla indeed suggests that there is a sexual conflict over timing of stigma receptivity, as crosses that succeeded early during floral development resulted in a cost of lowered seed production. Furthermore, crosses performed within and between populations revealed that this cost disappeared when foreign pollen was used, a pattern consistent with a history of sexually antagonistic coevolution within populations.