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Articles by Mark Olson
Leaf Length Predicts Twig Xylem Vessel Diameter Across Angiosperms
1 Introduction The diameter of conduits in the xylem of stems is an important variable in maintaining conductance to the leaves as plants grow in height. In the conductive system of a plant, the narrowest conduits tend to be found at the terminal ends of the conductive stream, the “capillaries” in the leaves where water diffuses out of the long-distance xylem transport stream into the leaf mesophyll.
Studies of plant hydraulics and water relations in Mexican environments: adaptation, physiology, and applications
Ayuda Buscar en la ayuda Buscar en la ayuda Studies of plant hydraulics and water relations in Mexican environments: adaptation, physiology, and applications Autores: Rodrigo Méndez Alonzo, Mark E. Olson, Horacio Paz, Casandra Reyes García, Celene Espadas Manrique, Clara Tinoco-Ojanguren, Santiago Trueba Insa Localización: Botanical Sciences, ISSN 2007-4298, ISSN-e 2007-4476, Vol. 100, Nº. Extra 1, 2022, págs.
Turgor “limitation” of tree height: no evidence from leaf epidermal cell anatomy
Abstract The turgor limitation hypothesis (TLH) predicts that reduced turgor caused by gravity and hydraulic resistance at the treetop makes cell expansion beyond a certain size impossible. This environmentally-imposed upper limit on cell size should be manifest as an abrupt right-hand threshold in cell size distributions. Selection is limited from reaching the favored cell size, which remains on the right-hand, inaccessible, side of the developmental threshold.
Ontogenetic trajectories as the target of selection
Even though all organisms experience some sort of development, studies that depict ontogenetic trajectories as the subjects of evolution are rare. The importance of ontogeny has certainly been recognized throughout the history of evolutionary biology. For instance, in the early Modern Synthesis period, Gavin de Beer (1940) used the charming term ‘youthful adaptation’ to describe the effects of selection on early ontogenetic stages.
Converging Toward Solutions to Grand Challenges
Electrical power grids, on which we all depend, comprise numerous interconnected components, including generators, transformers, and transmission and distribution lines, among others, as well as the operating processes required to keep these components functioning. These massive and truly complex systems function at the whim of myriad natural forces and the vicissitudes of human behavior that can reduce grid reliability or knock out operation altogether.
Analysis: Desalination is a band-aid on state's water woes
Despite conservation measures, California is currently using an unsustainable amount of water. Whether the water is sourced from the dwindling Colorado River or largely depleted local groundwater, California cannot access enough water from present stocks to meet demand for decades to come. There are a variety of ways to meet this challenge, including wastewater reprocessing, conservation, elimination of thirsty crops, and desalination.
Bay Area bridge traffic has returned, but MUNI and BART lag behind - Local News Matters
It probably comes as no surprise to regular car commuters that traffic volumes have rebounded since the COVID lockdown of March 2020 temporarily shuttered most businesses. Indeed, traffic on most Bay Area bridges has been at least 80% of January 2019 levels for most months since July 2020. Unfortunately for MUNI and BART, however, public transit ridership has recovered much more slowly.
California will have a hard time replacing Diablo Canyon
Most Californians share an interest in clean, sustainable energy for California and are probably pleased to see the expansion of wind and solar energy in California. Since 2001, California has almost completely eliminated coal-fired power plants, increased wind power from 1% to 5% of total generation and increased solar power from almost nothing to 11% of total generation.
Opinion: We can’t go it alone on water infrastructure
Home>Governor>Opinion: We can’t go it alone on water infrastructure OPINION Local officials are on the front line of government. Mayors and members of municipal councils and committees are the people the public turns to first to help solve problems. We can tackle many issues at the local level with creativity and commitment, but some challenges we face require broad systemic action from our partners at all levels of government. Water infrastructure is one such issue.
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