title: Light interception efficiency explained by two simple variables: a test using a diversity of small- to medium-sized woody plants

authors: Duursma, R.A.

subjects: leaf area index

abstract: •Plant light interception efficiency is a crucial determinant of carbon uptake by individual plants and by vegetation. Our aim was to identify whole-plant variables that summarize complex crown architecture, which can be used to predict light interception efficiency.
•We gathered the largest database of digitized plants to date (1831 plants of 124 species), and estimated a measure of light interception efficiency with a detailed three-dimensional model. Light interception efficiency was defined as the ratio of the hemispherically averaged displayed to total leaf area. A simple model was developed that uses only two variables, crown density (the ratio of leaf area to total crown surface area) and leaf dispersion (a measure of the degree of aggregation of leaves).
•The model explained 85% of variation in the observed light interception efficiency across the digitized plants. Both whole-plant variables varied across species, with differences in leaf dispersion related to leaf size. Within species, light interception efficiency decreased with total leaf number. This was a result of changes in leaf dispersion, while crown density remained constant.
•These results provide the basis for a more general understanding of the role of plant architecture in determining the efficiency of light harvesting.

text: Light interception efficiency explained by two simple variables: a test using a diversity of small- to medium-sized woody plants •Plant light interception efficiency is a crucial determinant of carbon uptake by individual plants and by vegetation. Our aim was to identify whole-plant variables that summarize complex crown architecture, which can be used to predict light interception efficiency.
•We gathered the largest database of digitized plants to date (1831 plants of 124 species), and estimated a measure of light interception efficiency with a detailed three-dimensional model. Light interception efficiency was defined as the ratio of the hemispherically averaged displayed to total leaf area. A simple model was developed that uses only two variables, crown density (the ratio of leaf area to total crown surface area) and leaf dispersion (a measure of the degree of aggregation of leaves).
•The model explained 85% of variation in the observed light interception efficiency across the digitized plants. Both whole-plant variables varied across species, with differences in leaf dispersion related to leaf size. Within species, light interception efficiency decreased with total leaf number. This was a result of changes in leaf dispersion, while crown density remained constant.
•These results provide the basis for a more general understanding of the role of plant architecture in determining the efficiency of light harvesting.

year: 2012-01

title: Parkins v Parkins

authors: Chevalier-Watts, Juliet

abstract: This case came about by appeal from the District Court, which dismissed the appellant’s claim.  The appellant, Grant Parkins (Grant) declared 25% interest by way of institutional constructive trust over a property in the Marlborough Sounds (the property), which is opposed by his brothers, Steven Parkins (Steven) and Reece Parkins (Reece).   Grant states that his interest arises because of his substantial contributions to the property after it was bought by his late father, Morris Parkins (Morris).  The property was substantively developed after its purchase.  The property had been left in equal shares to the three brothers by Morris in his will. Of note is that the terms of Morris’ will were not challenged in any way by any of the brothers. Whilst this case does not challenge the law of institutional constructive trusts, it provides a useful and instructive summary of the established law and thus adds to the institutional constructive trust narrative.  Prior to considering the law, we will first provide an overview of the facts.

text: Parkins v Parkins This case came about by appeal from the District Court, which dismissed the appellant’s claim.  The appellant, Grant Parkins (Grant) declared 25% interest by way of institutional constructive trust over a property in the Marlborough Sounds (the property), which is opposed by his brothers, Steven Parkins (Steven) and Reece Parkins (Reece).   Grant states that his interest arises because of his substantial contributions to the property after it was bought by his late father, Morris Parkins (Morris).  The property was substantively developed after its purchase.  The property had been left in equal shares to the three brothers by Morris in his will. Of note is that the terms of Morris’ will were not challenged in any way by any of the brothers. Whilst this case does not challenge the law of institutional constructive trusts, it provides a useful and instructive summary of the established law and thus adds to the institutional constructive trust narrative.  Prior to considering the law, we will first provide an overview of the facts.

year: 2022-06-01

title: Sweet as – the [ADJ + as] intensifier construction in Māori English/ Aotearoa English.

authors: Calude, Andreea S.

abstract: We introduce the Waikato Māori English Conversation (MEC) corpus, which consists of 43 dyadic conversations between 49 young adults who self-recorded informal conversations with close friends, in their own homes, with no topic of conversation specified (83 hours of dialogue; nearly 800,000 words). The resulting materials are colloquial and unstructured, capturing a wider range of pragmatic and stylistic modes than is possible in a standard sociolinguistic interview. Here, we report on one such feature, the [ADJ + as] construction, for example: ‘sorry some of the questions are like awkward as’ and ‘that caused a big as drama eh’. This intensifier construction has been identified as a distinctive New Zealand English (NZE) innovation, yet little has been written about this it. However, the Waikato MEC corpus presents the opportunity to analyse the construction in a more systematic manner and to fill existing gaps in analyses of Māori English grammar.

text: Sweet as – the [ADJ + as] intensifier construction in Māori English/ Aotearoa English. We introduce the Waikato Māori English Conversation (MEC) corpus, which consists of 43 dyadic conversations between 49 young adults who self-recorded informal conversations with close friends, in their own homes, with no topic of conversation specified (83 hours of dialogue; nearly 800,000 words). The resulting materials are colloquial and unstructured, capturing a wider range of pragmatic and stylistic modes than is possible in a standard sociolinguistic interview. Here, we report on one such feature, the [ADJ + as] construction, for example: ‘sorry some of the questions are like awkward as’ and ‘that caused a big as drama eh’. This intensifier construction has been identified as a distinctive New Zealand English (NZE) innovation, yet little has been written about this it. However, the Waikato MEC corpus presents the opportunity to analyse the construction in a more systematic manner and to fill existing gaps in analyses of Māori English grammar.

year: 2025