Articles tagged with Plant Ecology
Botanic gardens have reached peak capacity, hindering efforts to gather plant diversity for study and protection. Despite accelerated rates of extinction risk, institutions struggle to conserve threatened plants within collections globally.
Seagrass meadows promote biodiversity, coastal protection, and water quality improvement while effectively storing carbon dioxide. A new project aims to develop strategies for their conservation and restoration in the Baltic Sea.
A new study published in Science found that reforestation has the most beneficial effect on wildlife biodiversity compared to other plant-based climate-mitigation strategies. The research, led by NYBG Assistant Curator Evelyn Beaury, suggests that well-intentioned strategies could have unforeseen impacts on biodiversity.
A study by Kobe University botanist Kenji Suetugu reveals that certain fungus-eating orchids, like Stigmatodactylus sikokianus, predominantly self-pollinate after three days, ensuring reproductive success. This delayed mechanism may drive the evolution of combined self- and outcrossing methods to avoid inbreeding.
The FORSAID project aims to develop a comprehensive framework for early detection of pests and pathogens affecting European forest trees. The project will employ novel technological solutions, including remote sensing, AI modelling, and DNA barcoding, to combat harmful species in forests.
Researchers from Jena have discovered how the soil fungus Mortierella alpina eliminates nematodes using natural products called malpinins. These malpinins accumulate in the digestive tract of nematodes and disrupt their function, leading to a slow but effective control of the pests.
A collaborative study reveals distinct mechanisms of plant and animal response to climate change in their life-cycle phenology. The research team compiled a global phenological dataset, showing that plants' late-season phenophases advance more significantly than animals', potentially due to increased plant productivity.
Research found that 14% of Ecuadorian Amazon tree species are critically endangered, while 47% are endangered, primarily due to declines in animal species that disperse their fruits. The study highlights the importance of incorporating ecological traits into extinction risk estimates.
A study by University of California - Davis researchers found that well-timed tree planting can boost forest recovery by up to 200% in hotter, drier areas. However, competition from shrubs can hinder this process, and the outcome depends on climate, soil, and vegetation conditions.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that diverse landscapes with good connectivity between quarries and calcareous grasslands support wild bees. Large, old, and flower-rich quarries are particularly valuable habitats for endangered species.
Researchers at Uppsala University analyzed fossilized feces of dinosaurs, revealing undigested food remains and plants, which helped recreate the structure of ecosystems during the Late Triassic period. The study suggests that early herbivorous dinosaurs' love for plant shoots was crucial to their evolutionary success.
Luke McCormack, a Tree Root Biologist at The Morton Arboretum, has been recognized as one of the most cited and influential researchers worldwide. He leads the Root Biology Lab, examining root strategies to help trees cope with waterlogging and drought stress.
A study in Warsaw, Poland found no difference in insect-pollinated plant composition or species richness between sown and natural meadows. However, natural meadows had twice the number of butterflies compared to sown meadows.
Research by Göttingen University and collaborators reveals that tree islands within oil palm monocultures can naturally regenerate native tree diversity through ecological restoration. Larger island areas are particularly essential for endemic tree species struggling to find habitats.
A new study has found that Britain's iconic limestone pavements have undergone significant changes over the past 50 years, with some areas experiencing increases in plant biodiversity while others have seen declines in rare specialist species. The research highlights the importance of understanding these changes for conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that European forests before modern humans arrived were dominated by light woodland and open vegetation. Hazel, oak, and yew thrived in these dynamic ecosystems, providing a diverse mix of habitats.
Research by an international team found that birds, bees, and bats working together increased macadamia nut production by up to four times, while reducing insect infestation by 40%. The effectiveness of these ecosystem services depends on altitude and natural habitats.
Researchers analyzed steroids from animal dung in lake sediments to determine the dominant large herbivores that lived in northern Yellowstone National Park. The study found bison and elk as primary species for the last 2,300 years, with impacts on local ecosystems.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that invasive plants reshape soil microbial communities across the US, making them more uniform and disrupting ecological balance. The study highlights the critical belowground effects of invasive plants on soil health and biodiversity.
Understanding plant-to-plant communication through VOCs can lead to innovative strategies for crop protection and yield improvement, potentially revolutionizing sustainable agriculture. This review explores the molecular pathways behind this complex biochemical strategy and its potential applications.
A recent study by American Institute of Biological Sciences reveals that nonnative plant species are a major force behind the growing number of insect invasions worldwide. The research challenges traditional assumptions and highlights the importance of controlling the spread of nonnative plants in mitigating biological invasions.
Researchers discovered GAME15, a crucial protein for controlling steroidal glycoalkaloids and saponin production in Solanum plants. The study also showed that steroidal saponins play an ecological role in insect defense, with GAME15 knockout plants being more susceptible to herbivores.
Research reveals plants have developed strategies similar to sperm manipulation in animals to compete for space on pollinators. A study found that flowers use catapult-like mechanisms to dislodge rival pollen, increasing their chances of reproductive success.
Researchers found that seven common European forest trees have preserved their genetic diversity over millions of years, defying expectations. This resilience is attributed to unique characteristics such as long generation times and pollen dispersal capabilities.
Climate change could be disrupting symbiotic relationships between insects and plants, with urban areas showing less herbivory despite lacking protective ants. The study found that urban plants were not decimated without their normal protector ants, suggesting alternative defense mechanisms.
Research led by Penn State scientists found that indigenous hunter-gatherer practices played a key role in seed dispersal and genetic diversity of native plants. The study challenged the conventional notion of agriculture and suggested humans impacted plant populations long before farming began.
A new study reveals that bais, vast treeless clearings in the Congo Basin, are home to numerous endangered species, including Western lowland gorillas and African forest elephants. The researchers found over 2,000 distinct bais, covering less than 0.2% of the national park's landscape.
Researchers discovered a massive number of evolutionary events in the Asteraceae family on remote islands, resulting from rapid speciation over short time periods. The findings confirm that larger, isolated islands harbor unique species and highlight the importance of protecting this diverse group of plants.
A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that warmer temperatures and nitrogen fertilization can stabilize soil carbon levels, contradicting earlier predictions. Plant roots and growth add new carbon to the soil, counteracting the loss of carbon due to climate change.
A 175-year-old experiment by Carl Linnaeus shows pigs are pickiest eaters, eating 32% of plant species, while cows and horses rank lower, with goats preferring legumes and grasses. The study also reveals animals generally struggle to avoid toxic plants.
Researchers have discovered a remarkably preserved fossil site in Massachusetts that provides a rare glimpse into terrestrial life from over 300 million years ago. The findings reveal a diverse ecosystem of early land-dwelling animals and plants, including some of the oldest known examples of their groups.
Pioneer plants facilitate other plant species through resource sharing, while also benefiting from the interaction. Over time, as more species grow, competition increases, and pioneers become disadvantaged.
A new species, Senecio squalidus, emerged in the UK after crossbreeding of two plants native to Mount Etna. Genetic analysis shows a rapid reorganization of its genome, driving its unique survival in challenging environments.
A new Cornell University study reveals that asthma-related emergency room visits spike significantly during periods of high allergenic pollen bloom in metropolitan areas. The research highlights the importance of science-based pollen forecasts to alert vulnerable individuals and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.
A Kobe University research team found that insects, specifically camel crickets, act as primary consumers of fruit and dispersers of dust-like seeds. The study confirmed the importance of insects in seed dispersal for light-harvesting plants.
A study by UNESP found that smoke from two concentrations stimulates germination in 32% of plant species, with some grasses growing faster. The results could aid restoration strategies for degraded areas and offer a competitive advantage to certain Cerrado species after fires.
A new study found that microplastics impact plant reproduction, while seawater flooding causes greater tissue death in coastal plants. Combining both stressors amplifies threats to ecosystem wellbeing.
Genetic analysis reveals that ancient Indigenous people brought the native tuber to southern Utah, adding to the list of culturally significant plant species domesticated in the Southwestern U.S. The Four Corners potato was transported and cultivated by various tribes, including Pueblo and Apache communities.
A recent study by Brown University biologists reveals that even small variations in temperature and moisture can have massive impacts on tropical epiphyte species, threatening ecosystems they support. The research found that most species struggled to survive outside their native ranges in climate conditions differing from what they typ...
Researchers used Flora Incognita data to identify plant rhythms and ecological patterns year-round. The algorithm accounts for user observational tendencies, revealing synchronized responses among plants and ecological shifts with the seasons.
A recent study found that tree species can sustain life in temperatures higher or lower than where they are currently growing. The research revealed that trees have overlapping potential niches that extend beyond their realized niches, allowing them to expand their ranges. This new understanding challenges current methods for predictin...
The Key Largo tree cactus has been declared extinct in the US due to sea level rise, with saltwater intrusion and soil depletion causing significant pressure on its limited population. Researchers have salvaged fragments of the plant to cultivate it off-site for conservation.
A research team finds that local community members are indispensable partners in enhancing community engagement in repairing damaged ecosystems. Local values and attitudes play a crucial role in promoting sustainable ecosystem management practices.
A new study reveals that a type of desert moss called Syntrichia caninervis has the potential to grow on Mars due to its ability to tolerate extreme temperatures, radiation, and dehydration. The researchers tested the moss's resilience in various conditions and found it to be one of the most radiation-tolerant organisms known.
A new family tree of Solanum plants clarifies the evolution of diverse fruits, showing that size and color are linked and not driven by fruit-eating animals. The study provides insight into breeding agriculturally important plants with desirable traits.
A new plant gene drive system, CRISPR-Assisted Inheritance (CAIN), has been developed to enhance trait inheritance in plants. The system uses a toxin-antidote mechanism to override Mendelian inheritance, allowing for the spread of beneficial genes at higher rates.
A new study warns that increasing CO2 levels could decrease nutrient content in plants, harming herbivore populations. This phenomenon, known as Nutrient Dilution, may already be affecting plant-eating animals and could cause further population declines.
Researchers argue that plants can solve problems and adapt to their environment based on information received from neighboring plants. This suggests a form of intelligence in plants, challenging traditional notions of central nervous systems.
A team of researchers has developed a novel genetic clock to determine the age of a large marine plant clone for the first time. The oldest identified seagrass clone is 1402 years old and was found in the Baltic Sea, making it older than other long-lived species.
Researchers will study polyploidy's effects on plants and animals, from ecosystems to cells, with potential applications in agriculture, medicine and conservation. The project aims to identify consistent rules governing polyploidy and its role in shaping biodiversity.
Researchers discovered that ferns and flowering plants independently evolved nectaries around the same time to defend against herbivores. Ferns likely recruited ant defenders secondarily, tapping into pre-existing relationships as they transitioned from forest floor to canopy.
Ancient rodent middens offer critical archives of the last 50,000 years, preserving plants, insects, bones and other specimens. Researchers are calling for improved preservation, new research and field studies to understand how populations responded to past climate change.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin discovered that over 10,000 species have been described in just 83 big genera since 2000, with roughly one in four flowering plant species belonging to these groups. Understanding the success of these large genera may help predict their response to climate change and inform conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that orchid plants support their seedlings through shared underground fungal networks, which provide essential nutrients. The findings suggest that mature orchids act as a 'parental nurture' to their developing seedlings by sharing sugars via the fungal network.
A study found that climate change is shifting tree populations away from mycorrhizal fungi, which supply plants with critical nutrients. Trees in the pine family are most at risk, and those that survive in harsh conditions have more diverse fungal partners.
Climate change has led to decreased pollen production from plants, resulting in less diversity among pollinators, which could significantly impact food production. The study, conducted in the Great Basin region, examines how shifts in flowering times and extreme weather events affect pollinator availability.
A study found that trees along UT's Waller Creek flourish during droughts due to wastewater from leaky city pipes, which also affects tree growth patterns. The research highlights the unintended positive consequences of urbanization on climate-resilience of stream ecosystems.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that access to gardens and citizen science projects can encourage pro-conservation behavior among pupils. These experiences foster a positive attitude towards environmental safeguarding and can inspire students to pursue botanical careers or spend more time gardening.
A team of Georgia Tech biologists discovered that chemoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria play a crucial role in providing nitrogen to plants while detoxifying the root zone, enhancing plant health and resilience. This finding highlights the importance of microbes in coastal ecosystems.
Researchers propose expanding research on nature's scents and olfactory cues to better understand their impacts on human health. The study aims to investigate the complex links between smell, nature, and human well-being, including the potential for unconscious biochemical processes.