Articles tagged with Plant Ecology
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A plant ecologist proposes a multi-faceted approach to preventing all future land plant extinctions. Training more plant experts and creating an online 'metaherbarium' with digitized records of species are key components, alongside building microreserves and increasing funding.
Research shows that arthropods in high-diversity forests contribute to improved productivity by suppressing herbivores, leading to increased tree species richness and multitrophic diversity. The study highlights the importance of conserving plant diversity to maintain arthropod diversity.
Fungal spores found in dung indicate large animals went extinct in two waves in the Colombian Andes, with major impacts on ecosystems. The study reveals that megafauna existed for thousands of years before disappearing and reappearing again, highlighting the sensitivity of habitats to local herbivore declines.
The concept of nature's chefs offers a new perspective on species interactions, highlighting the diversity of food-making and preparing species across the tree of life. This interdisciplinary approach aims to inform how people think about food across various disciplines.
A new study by University of Utah researchers finds that US forests may lose carbon through fire, stress, and insect damage, compromising their role as a climate solution. The study suggests urgent need to update carbon offset protocols with best available science on climate risks.
A new plant species, Carex quixotiana, has been discovered in the La Mancha region of Spain, specifically known for being the setting of Miguel de Cervantes' classic novel Don Quixote. The species is a type of sedge with unique characteristics and limited distribution.
A new Japanese 'ladies tresses' orchid, Spiranthes hachijoensis, has been found in private gardens and on balconies. The discovery suggests that other new species may be hidden in common environments, eliminating the need for remote tropical rainforest expeditions.
A study reveals that plant roots are crucial for belowground life in the tropics, supporting decomposition and soil health. Removing living roots decreases animal abundance by 42% in rainforest plots and 30% in plantations.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that arranging rows of trees at right angles to semi-natural habitats increases pollination performance and nut production. The design also promotes easy movement of bees through the plantation.
A new study by Oxford University Press USA found that watching nature documentaries, such as BBC's Green Planet, increases public awareness of plants and their importance. The researchers measured online behavior and found a significant effect on viewers' interest in portrayed plant species.
Scientists have found the first fossil evidence of plants' leaves folding up at night, a behavior known as foliar nyctinasty. This discovery provides insight into the evolution and ecology of plants with this unique characteristic, which may offer ecological benefits to the parent plant.
Researchers found no strong evidence that underground fungal networks, known as common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), offer benefits to trees and their seedlings. While CMNs exist, there is limited understanding of their structure and function in the field, leading to questionable claims about resource transfer and seedling survival.
A fossil plant from California has shed light on the evolution of flowering plants, pushing back their origins by 80 million years. The discovery indicates that structurally complex rainforests may have existed as early as the Cretaceous period.
A new study reveals that a single seeding of native understory plants can reap lasting benefits in restored fallow agricultural fields and other landscapes. Cooler and wetter conditions, shallower needle depth, and greater tree spacing promote better establishment.
A new study reveals that alien plant species are expanding their range to higher elevations at an accelerated rate, affecting mountain ecosystems globally. The number of invasive species has increased by 16% worldwide over the past decade, with neophytes colonizing niches that match their climatic preferences.
The endangered Amami rabbit plays a key role in dispersing seeds for the non-photosynthetic Balanophora yuwanensis plant. Researchers observed that the rabbit consumed both dry fruits and vegetative tissue from the plant, suggesting it serves as a major seed disperser incentivized by the plant's vegetative tissues.
A study by researchers at the University of Göttingen investigated the effect of mixing wheat and faba beans on pollinating insects. They found that areas with mixed crops were visited equally often by foraging bees as those with single crops. The findings suggest that this mixture may counteract pollinator decline.
Scientists discover new Australian bush tomato species, Solanum scalarium, to promote equal and safe access to nature. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental injustices and increasing participation from diverse groups in outdoor activities.
A study by University of Basel researchers found that global warming is causing alpine plants to age faster, leading to earlier senescence and longer periods of brownness in the grassland. The majority of plants stopped growing after 5-7 weeks, regardless of when they were roused from winter.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen found that European beech trees are experiencing increased drought stress in northern Germany due to climate change. The study reveals that dry locations show the strongest long-term decline in growth, highlighting the need for more resilient tree species.
Researchers analyzed over 4,500 documents to understand fungal dispersal across spatial scales. They identified four scales of movement, from microscopic to landscape, and found that climate change affects where fungi reside. More data is needed to understand the biodiversity of fungi and their movement in ecosystems.
Root exudates, organic compounds released from plant roots, regulate soil carbon formation and loss. Contrary to expected results, high rates of root exudation lead to increased loss of soil carbon.
A new report reveals that animals are key to forest recovery by carrying a wide variety of seeds into deforested areas. Animals disperse over 80% of tree species in the tropics, and their presence near old-growth forests can improve restoration efforts.
Scientists have discovered that plants can rapidly adapt to environmental changes and pass on these adaptations to future generations through epigenetics. Plants use somatic memory to recognize previous environmental conditions and react promptly in the face of similar challenges.
Research reveals that high CO2 levels can lead to mineral deficiencies in plants, resulting in less nutritious crops. This affects protein content, particularly in staple crops like rice and wheat, with potential implications for global food security.
Researchers from University of Göttingen found that plant water stress, not termites, causes Namibia's fairy circles. The grasses within the circles died immediately after rainfall due to strong depletion of water, while surrounding grasses thrived.
A study by Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found that 41% more plant species in Germany have decreased in abundance over the past 100 years, while only 19% have increased. This uneven distribution of gains and losses indicates a significant loss of biodiversity.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers estimates the costs of removing invasive Miscanthus plants, ranging from $85 to $3,316 per site. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the challenges of eradication and highlight the need for accurate research and planning.
A new study found that mobile stamens on flowers help reduce the time insects linger on flowers, decreasing nectar consumption while increasing pollen transport efficiency. This allows for more efficient pollination, ultimately benefiting plant reproductive success.
Excess ground-level ozone damages plant foliage, alters flowering patterns, and blocks pollinators' access to flowers. Ozone also disrupts plant-pollinator communication through altered chemical signatures.
A recent study found that cattle grazing with virtual fencing can create effective wildfire fuel breaks on sagebrush landscapes, reducing the risk of devastating wildfires. The technology uses collars to communicate with GPS and reception towers, forming a virtual fence to manage livestock distribution.
New research finds that purple needlegrass thrives in areas with sheep grazing, especially during wet weather, creating space for new growth and reducing competition from non-native grasses. The study's findings aim to inform effective management strategies for this long-lived species and its potential role in mitigating climate change.
Researchers discovered pesticide-contaminated milkweed plants in retail nurseries across the US, threatening western monarch caterpillars. The study found an average of 12 pesticides per plant and 38% with residues harming migration and foraging abilities.
Researchers analyzed annual growth rings from Yamal's subfossil trees to track summer temperature over the past 7,638 years. The findings indicate that current warming is unprecedented during the past seven millennia.
A comprehensive study reveals that nitrogen-fixers are most diverse in arid regions of the US, contrary to expectations. Plants have evolved creative ways to acquire nitrogen, and their diversity increases in these environments due to adaptations such as thicker cuticles.
A study by the University of Göttingen and Malagasy universities found that vanilla plantations on fallow land have similar yields to those in forests while increasing biodiversity. This sustainable approach helps smallholder farmers secure their income, highlighting a win-win opportunity for both economy and conservation.
A new online database, The Database of Pollinator Interactions (DoPI), provides a wealth of information on pollinator-plant interactions. It contains over 300,000 recorded interactions between more than 2,000 pollinator species and 1,000 plant species, helping users select pollinator-friendly species to plant in their gardens.
A Dartmouth-led study found that urban gardens with rare plant species tend to attract rare bee and bird species. Women, older gardeners, and those living near the gardens are more likely to curate these rare plants, suggesting a cascading effect on biodiversity.
A Yale University-led team found that a plant lineage independently evolved three similar leaf types over and over again in various mountainous regions across the neotropics. The study's findings provide evidence for 'replicated radiation,' suggesting that evolution can be predictable under certain circumstances.
Researchers found that farm management practices like crop diversification and native plant presence support wild bee conservation. Urban agriculture can benefit local bee populations if managed sustainably.
Scientists have discovered a new species of pitcher plant that operates underground, catching prey in the soil. The Nepenthes pudica species has modified leaves known as pitfall traps, which are formed in cavities or directly in the soil.
A new survey found dozens of non-native invasive species thriving in southwest Ohio's woods, including Amur honeysuckle, which is crowding out native plants. The study highlights the dangers of introduced species, such as allelopathy and fungal diseases that can wipe out native trees.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.
Researchers discovered that plant species can 'sense' the surrounding oxygen levels at altitude, controlling chlorophyll synthesis to match toxic chemical levels. This mechanism helps plants adapt to changing environments, providing new understanding for crop breeders to enhance high-altitude growth capabilities.
Researchers use AI software to identify invasive species and native trees threatened by disease from photos taken by on-train cameras. This technology enables railway workers to take action to better manage lineside vegetation and achieve biodiversity net gain by 2035.
A new study published in Science Advances reveals that the environmental stress of too much water wipes out the plant growth benefits of higher CO2 levels. Rising sea levels have caused the effects of increased CO2 to disappear in a 33-year field experiment, highlighting the critical need for conservation and adaptation efforts.
A team of researchers found that wetlands, including salt marshes and mangrove forests, are global 'hotspots' of CO2 storage. Plants in these ecosystems build landscapes that capture and store carbon dioxide, making them a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.
Scientists have developed Community Distribution Models (CDMs) to predict upland vegetation communities from published data at a national scale. The approach uses publicly available and open-access NVC records and environmental data, with models based on random forests being the most accurate.
A new UC Riverside study finds that the timing of rainfall is crucial for drought-stricken plants, with summer rains resulting in higher plant biomass. In contrast, winter rains have less impact on plant growth and may lead to negative effects.
A team of researchers discovered that a single gene, AOP2, plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in an ecosystem. The study found that mutations at this gene can dramatically alter the structure and function of an ecosystem.
Researchers used camera traps to monitor interactions between Panama's epiphytic Zamia pseudoparasitica and animals, revealing that a nocturnal tree-dwelling mammal called northern olingos may be responsible for seed dispersal. The study sheds light on the plant's persistence in the forest canopy.
A new analysis from Emory University reveals a significant increase in the parasitism rate of monarch butterflies over 50 years, with the O.E. parasite infecting up to 10% of eastern monarch populations. The rise in infection rates may endanger the mass migration of monarchs, threatening their survival.
Researchers found that forest trees with a mix of both ectomycorrhiza and arbuscular mycorrhiza had the greatest tree diversity, contradicting previous beliefs. This discovery highlights the importance of considering the coexistence of different mycorrhizal strategies in promoting plant biodiversity.
A study by Newcastle University found that a 1.5°C increase in temperature reduces food resources for pollinating insects, causing them to visit a wider range of plants and altering seed production in some wildflowers. This change leads to more complex food web dynamics.
A new global dataset reveals approximately 73,000 tree species, highlighting the vulnerability of global forest biodiversity to climate change and land use. The research, led by Professor Andy Marshall, also identifies a 'hot spot' of likely undiscovered species in northeast Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Researchers found that trees that induce defense mechanisms against herbivores attract more predators, reducing insect abundance. This defense is critical for tree canopies and promotes biodiversity.
Researchers found animal-dispersed plant species' ability to adapt to climate change reduced by 60% due to bird and mammal losses. Global seed dispersal mapping revealed severe declines in temperate regions, with tropical areas at high risk if endangered species go extinct.
Researchers at West Virginia University aim to develop more precise predictions about the role of individual soil microorganisms in the carbon cycle. They will use stable isotope probing to track carbon uptake and characterize the function of microbes in their natural communities.
Researchers identified global factors explaining plant diversity in form and function, influenced by climate and soil properties. Characteristics such as size, structure, and life span were shown to be determined by these factors.
Seagrass wasting disease, caused by warming waters, compromises roots and storage sugars, setting up plants for a harder winter. The disease affects eelgrass meadows, vital nutrient stores, and supports herring, salmon, and other marine life.