A new study documents 2,304 grass species in China, including 1,978 native and 326 alien species, with 52% of native species endemic to the region. The checklist highlights conservation efforts for threatened species, invasive aliens, and guides biodiversity research.
The Journal of Systematics and Evolution (JSE) is launching a special issue on deep sea biodiversity, covering taxonomy, phylogenomics, comparative genomics, and microbial ecology. Researchers worldwide can submit free-access papers with waived page and color charges until January 31, 2027.
A new review reveals how plant characteristics influence wetland ecosystem functioning and provides insights for conservation and restoration. Dominant plant traits support higher productivity and long-term soil carbon storage in wetlands.
Researchers from Guizhou Province have successfully assembled the first haplotype-resolved chromosome-level genome of Phoebe zhennan, a critically endangered tree species. The high-quality reference genome reveals significant genetic variations, including inversions and translocations, that may play key roles in environmental adaptation.
Researchers found that colossal karst sinkholes help preserve the rare Magnolia aromatica tree while limiting gene flow and diminishing its long-term evolutionary potential. The study suggests that conservation strategies should protect both individual habitats and connections among populations.
A global study found that plant evolutionary history plays a stronger role in shaping nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) storage than current environmental conditions. NSC variability is organ-specific, with leaf NSCs increasing toward higher latitudes and stem and root NSCs declining.
Research reveals that drought stress stimulates primary root elongation in plants, allowing them to adapt and survive. The plant hormone abscisic acid plays a crucial role in this process by integrating with other hormonal signals to promote primary root growth.
A study in Carlos Botelho State Park, Brazil found that brown howler monkeys rest more on hot, long days when feeding on leaves. The group traveled an average of 531 meters per day, influenced by interactions with other primate species like southern muriquis and capuchin monkeys.
A new genome assembly provides insights into the genetic system behind oregano's valuable oil, revealing a JA-inducible transcription factor that directly regulates EO biosynthesis. The study identifies OvbHLH13 as a molecular target for improving EO yield and quality in Greek oregano.
The National Herbarium of Ukraine is a global archive of biodiversity containing over 2.3 million plant specimens, including priceless material gathered by renowned botanical explorers. Digitisation and international collaboration are crucial to preserving this irreplaceable scientific resource.
This study describes ten new species of Inocybe and a new record for China from the Gaoligong Mountains. The research team conducted detailed taxonomic and phylogenetic investigations using extensive field collections, morphological examinations, and molecular analyses.
Healthy plants release chemical signals called VOCs that inform neighboring plants about competitive pressure, triggering adjustments in growth and defense strategies. Genetic analysis reveals shifts in biomass linked to changes in stress-response and cellular transport genes.
A study found that a mean annual precipitation threshold of 700 mm shifts dominant controls on ecosystem nitrogen retention. In dry ecosystems, higher precipitation leads to greater plant diversity and reduced nitrogen loss.
A new study suggests integrating indigenous and local management practices into scientific and political frameworks could improve biodiversity protection. The research identifies 343 reports of management practices targeting key cultural species, highlighting the importance of custodianship in biodiversity conservation.
Researchers have identified a novel genetic locus in the common agricultural weed Elymus repens that provides significant resistance to Fusarium Head Blight, a destructive fungal disease threatening global food security. The novel Fhb.Er-1StL locus has been successfully transferred into wheat, reducing diseased plant spikelets by up to...
Researchers studied evolution of Scalesia genus, finding lobed leaves evolved through multiple genetic pathways. The study highlights the flexibility and creativity of evolution, with new species forming and populations showing large genetic differences.
Five early-career scientists have been named recipients of the 2026 BioOne Ambassador Award for their ability to communicate complex research to diverse audiences. The winners, recognized for their outstanding research in fields like wildlife conservation and botany, will receive a $1,000 award and have their work showcased.
A comprehensive phylogeny of China's vascular plants reveals a hidden global biodiversity hotspot in Central China. The region supports over 14,000 vascular plant species and at least 2,024 endemic plant species, meeting the criteria for global biodiversity hotspot designation.
Research finds global hotspots of plant invasion risk will shift geographically, with temperate regions facing increasing risks, while subtropical areas may see declining risks. The study projects significant changes in alien species composition and expected impacts on native biota and human well-being.
Climate warming significantly increases plant growth in permafrost regions by altering growing seasons and root penetration, but its impact depends on nitrogen supply. A new study reveals that moss-associated biological nitrogen fixation is a critical factor in sustaining plant growth under warming conditions.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified genes and pathways responsible for plant recovery from environmental stress, including cold snaps and flooding. This discovery could lead to the creation of climate-resilient crops that can recover faster and more efficiently after climate events.
A tiny clump of moss played a crucial role in proving a crime had taken place at Burr Oak Cemetery in Illinois. The moss's age was determined to be only a year or two old, bolstering the case against the cemetery employees, who were ultimately convicted in 2015.
Researchers found that plants living in areas with human activity causing population crashes have reduced genetic diversity and higher inbreeding levels. Conservationists must consider a population's history-influenced genetics alongside its size and habitat in planning.
Climate warming stimulates sphagnum growth, promotes iron protection, and inhibits microbial decomposition in boreal peatlands. This leads to increased soil carbon accumulation, potentially offsetting half of the decline in boreal forest carbon sink under future warming.
Researchers identified genes controlling cell wall changes in ripening pistachio hulls, which can lead to cracks and tears. The study also found that the physics of forces and humidity influence degradation, with applications for other non-berry fruit crops.
A new study reveals that resilient nematodes can persist in the Atacama Desert's hostile soil, with population diversity correlating to water profile and temperature fluctuations. The findings suggest that biodiversity in arid regions may be higher than previously assumed, but also warn of ecosystem damage.
Bucknell researcher Chris Martine identified a new species of bush tomato, Solanum nectarifolium, with specialized organs that produce sweet liquid to attract ants. This is the first known Solanum species with visible extrafloral nectaries, marking a significant discovery in biodiversity science.
The Qinghai-Tibet plateau faces multiple conservation challenges due to climate change and human activity. Research reveals shifting plant diversity under these pressures, with critical gaps in understanding the mechanisms behind acclimation and adaptation. Future research prioritization is proposed to address conservation concerns.
A subset of epidermal cells in plant leaves serve as 'first responders' to chemical cues from bacterial pathogens, warning neighboring cells about the presence of an attacker. This local wave of calcium ions differs from those generated by wound-induced cellular damage, indicating distinct mechanisms for specific types of pathogen attack.
Researchers at Lund University analyzed old air samples collected by the Swedish Armed Forces and found that spore dispersal of northern mosses has shifted four weeks earlier over the past 35 years. Warmer autumns enable mosses to release their spores earlier in spring, with climate conditions from the previous year being the key factor.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers has identified a previously unknown gravitropism pathway in plants, which helps them orient their growth direction. This new pathway, controlled by the SLQ1 gene, works independently of the LAZY genes and may provide a backup mechanism for detecting gravity.
Bryophytes, including mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, have been found to be a significant source of trace evidence in forensic science. The new study provides a comprehensive review of their role in forensic botany, highlighting their potential for linking suspects, victims, and locations.
Butterworts have evolved CAM photosynthesis, a pathway similar to that of cacti and succulents, allowing them to thrive in dry habitats. This adaptation enables the plants to conserve water and produce sticky mucilage for trapping prey.
A new study reveals that grassland degradation increases soil microbial diversity while reducing plant richness, leading to a decline in ecosystem functioning and multifunctionality. The research highlights the critical importance of conserving soil microbial communities for sustainable restoration of degraded grasslands.
A University of Utah geologist used earthquake-monitoring tools to analyze how towering saguaro cacti respond to wind and ground motion without harm. The study found that saguaros' resonance frequencies vary widely across their height, with stiffness near the bottom and flexibility at the top.
Researchers analyzed over 1,700 Instagram photos to track the invasive Carpobrotus species, finding that its populations flower longer than native ones in invaded regions. This reproductive advantage may help explain their invasive success, and the findings offer practical guidance for coastal managers.
Researchers found that increased canopy structural complexity drives positive biodiversity-productivity relationships in forests. Complementary use of canopy space by tree species enhances productivity and strengthens over time.
A study has identified a novel photomorphogenetic factor BcAMT1 that regulates light-dependent development in Botrytis cinerea. The findings suggest that BcAMT1 plays a crucial role in mediating the effects of light on fungal morphogenesis.
Researchers found that bean plants and other species evolved a predisposition for the symbiosis at least three times, supporting a long-standing theory. This biological trick allows plants to access atmospheric nitrogen, boosting crop yields.
Researchers have discovered fossilized lime blossoms and bumble bees from 24-million-year-old sediments, showing that ancient bumble bees were key pollinators of linden trees. The findings provide insights into the evolution of flower-pollinator interactions and offer valuable lessons for understanding ecosystems.
A new model developed by University of Illinois researchers can accurately predict fluctuations in the relative abundance of tree species in a forest. The model uses genomic data and a one-time tree count to forecast changes in forest diversity, which is crucial for understanding how forests will change in the future.
Researchers discovered the largest eukaryotic photosystem I-fucoxanthin-chlorophyll supercomplex in coccolithophores, which can expand its light-harvesting cross-section by three to four times while maintaining over 95% energy conversion efficiency.
A new study reveals a hidden extinction crisis in China's native flora, showing that habitat decline over the past four decades has sharply increased extinction risks nationwide. The findings suggest that current conservation efforts are failing to keep pace with biodiversity threats.
Research finds that microbial carbon use efficiency rises following abrupt permafrost thaw, driven by shifts in community composition and nutrient availability. This increase may promote the incorporation of microbial-derived compounds into soil, fostering stable carbon formation.
Researchers identified three new diterpene esters with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, outperforming the control drug acarbose. The study demonstrates an efficient dereplication approach for discovering bioactive compounds in complex food matrices.
The Illinois Natural History Survey and Illinois Department of Natural Resources have updated the state's threatened and endangered plant species rankings. A total of 331 plants were reassessed, showing some improvements in their status, while others remain imperiled.
A team of researchers found that a rare South African cycad's leaves owe their bluish color to a wax-based optical effect produced by lipid compounds. The coating of epicuticular wax on the leaves forms tubular crystals that reflect light, giving the plant its unique sheen.
Researchers studied pollinator-bee interactions in the Amazonvine, finding that temporal overlap affects plant fitness and flower size. Within-season mismatches between plants and pollinators can drive change in plant traits and influence evolutionary outcomes.
A study by Tsinghua University Press discovered 480 macrofungal species in southeast Xizang, China, including 8 new species. The research identified 115 edible and 15 medicinal species, while 53 were found to be poisonous.
A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that golden oyster mushroom invasions decrease fungal community richness and native species numbers. The research, published in Current Biology, used data from tree trunks and community scientist observations to determine the impact on ecosystems.
A recent study has revealed that the diploidization process in plants can be both episodic and gradual, depending on the type of mutation. The researchers used population genomics to uncover a nuanced picture of this process, including gene fractionation, transposable element accumulation, and homoeologous expression bias.
A team of researchers has revealed how unique native plant life on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau evolved over time, with origins dating back to the Early Eocene. The study highlights the Hengduan Mountains as a crucial center of endemism and emphasizes the need for conservation efforts.
Researchers identify key hormones and genes involved in tomato resistance to dodder, a devastating agricultural parasite. The study reveals a linear model of defense mechanism, providing new possibilities for controlling dodder and other parasitic species.
Researchers discovered ten new fungi species in the Xizang Autonomous Region, including one new genus and nine new species, highlighting the region's significant fungal diversity. The study addresses classification challenges and underscores the importance of continued exploration in this plateau region.
A new velvet worm species, named Peripatopsis barnardi, has been discovered in the arid Karoo region of South Africa. The species represents a prehistorical lineage dating back to over 500 million years ago and is a rare find in this previously forested area.
A recent study found that human activities negatively impact plant diversity over vast distances, with natural habitats containing only a fraction of potential species in heavily impacted regions. The DarkDivNet network analyzed 5,500 locations across the globe, revealing alarming effects on biodiversity.
Scientists have uncovered fossilized leaves of the Kapur Paya tree, a towering dipterocarp species, at least two million years old. This discovery provides new insights into the ecological importance and historical significance of these forests, emphasizing the need for conservation.
A study found that road networks have a significant effect on the distribution of plant specimens in China, with collection activities becoming increasingly reliant on roads. To improve representativeness and completeness of survey outcomes, future surveys should prioritize areas with limited road network coverage.
A Penn State research team has documented the first scientific use of ghost pipe in North America, revealing its growing popularity as a medicinal plant. The study found that respondents used ghost pipe for various reasons, including pain management, relaxation, and anxiety relief.
Researchers used a synthetic model of intestinal bacteria to study how microbial communities respond to extreme stress conditions. They found that when mutualism breaks down, these bacteria become more vulnerable to stress but can survive if they fend for themselves.