Articles tagged with Grasses
Research reveals that drought-stressed soils create an environment conducive to the spread of fungal disease by predatory periwinkles, which graze on cordgrass. This top-down approach to salt marsh ecology challenges long-held assumptions about the main causes of marsh die-off.
Researchers found that periwinkle snails, normally harmless, played a significant role in killing off thousands of acres of salt marsh in the Southeast during intense droughts. The study reveals that extreme climatic events can trigger formation of grazer fronts, leading to habitat die-off in stable ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that hybrid grass Miscanthus can produce more biomass than switchgrass, with greater rates of photosynthesis and no net effect on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The crop is also remarkably efficient and easy to grow, making it a promising renewable energy source.
A recent study found that infected tall fescue grass outcompetes native plants more quickly when herbivores are present. The symbiotic fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum produces alkaloids that harm livestock, but also contributes to the spread of infected fescue.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have isolated the ramosa1 gene, which controls flower-bearing branch arrangement in corn. This gene played a key role in suppressing branching in early domesticated corn, leading to straight rows of kernels and compact ears. The study also reveals that plants with different levels of ramosa1...
A UF paleontologist's research sheds new light on horse evolution, showing that size, diet, and range depended on geography and climate. The study's findings contradict previous notions of a simple evolutionary story.
A five-year study will monitor weed growth and make recommendations for maintaining fragile biodiversity, which is already impacted by development. The research aims to determine the threshold at which nitrogen affects different vegetation types and model future vegetation based on N emissions and urban development scenarios.
Researchers found that residential development is the primary cause of sweetgrass scarcity, and basket makers support alternative management plans. They propose setting aside land for growing sweetgrass and working with island residents to access the resource.
Researchers from the North Greenland Ice Core Project have recovered plant remnants nearly two miles below the surface, suggesting that trees may have covered Greenland millions of years ago. The discovery provides valuable insights into the rapid formation of the Greenland Ice Sheet and its impact on climate history.
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that Lehmann lovegrass, an invasive species introduced in the 1930s, remains unchanged despite controlled burns. The study suggests that fire is not effective in reducing the spread of non-native species, forcing land managers to explore alternative methods for controlling the invasive grass.
Researchers found that buffelgrass, an invasive non-native species, grabs water before foothill palo verde trees can, ultimately killing them. The grass reduces the available water to trees, exacerbating drought conditions and causing self-pruning, a natural defense mechanism for the trees.
Symbiotic fungi promote invasive species into various ecosystems, outcompeting native species for resources. This association enhances the invasive potential of fungal partners.
Researchers observed that snails scrape and fertilize grass tissue, stimulating fungal growth. The result is an infestation of fungi, slowing marsh grass growth. This study establishes the mechanism behind snail-mediated fungus farming in marine environments.
A western American pasture grass crossed with wheat has improved resistance to Fusarium head blight, a disease causing major wheat crop losses and producing toxins that can be fatal to humans and animals. The hybrid plant's new resistance gene can be combined with other genes to enhance protection against the fungus.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and NASA have developed a process to convert inedible wheat grass into activated carbon, absorbing nitrogen oxides and producing fertilizer. This technology could support a crew of six astronauts on a three-year Mars mission by recycling waste and conserving materials.
A study found that rabbits and cows grazing together lead to a diverse range of plants, with prostrate herbs thriving in short vegetation. The presence of rabbits also determines the extent of shrub cover and oak seedling growth.
A team of researchers from the Illinois State Water Survey and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that frequent droughts, lightning strikes, and fires are critical factors for the plains. Long-term data gathered since 1890 suggests that these extremes are key issues in addressing global climate change.
A Penn State study reveals that low-maintenance lawns harbor higher populations of beneficial arthropods, such as mites and collembolans, while high-maintenance lawns experience reduced diversity due to chemical applications and mowing.
Researchers found that introduced plants from different guilds struggled to establish themselves in plots with high species richness. The presence of warm-season grasses had a strong inhibitory effect on invaders from all four guilds, suggesting they offer stiff competition for resources.
Researchers have identified genetically superior cultivars of native grasses that can outcompete invasive species like cheatgrass. These findings could inform the development of effective re-vegetation strategies for burned and degraded lands.
Researchers found that man-made wetlands in California's San Joaquin Valley can remove up to 69.2% of selenium from agricultural drainage water, converting it into non-toxic dimethyl selenide. The unique ecosystem of the wetlands acts as a bio-geo-chemical filter, trapping selenium in sediment and utilizing plant roots to metabolize it.
Research found that geese prefer short-grass areas where protein ingestion is highest, helping to keep the grass short and maintaining its nutritional value. Grazing livestock, such as cows and horses, also prevent salt marsh vegetation from becoming too coarse, protecting the geese's food source.
Researchers found that invasive ants build shelters for mealybugs, allowing them to feed safely. The mealybugs produce a significant amount of honeydew, providing 32% of the daily energy for fire ant colonies.
A new model predicts that an animal's body size determines how often it encounters food in its environment. The researchers found that larger animals have bigger home ranges due to their ability to perceive and average over different scales of resource availability.
Synaesthetes have an extra layer of information that helps with rote memory and creativity. The University of Melbourne team used Magnetic Resonance Imaging to analyze brain images of synaesthetes, revealing the secrets of how their brains function.
The Chinese tallow tree is outcompeting native species in Texas prairies due to its ability to grow quickly and use nitrogen inefficiently. Researchers are studying methods to control the spread of the invasive tree using techniques such as fire, flooding, and fertilization.
A new study suggests that climate change, particularly drought, plays a key role in shaping plant communities. The research found that grasslands thrive in dry conditions, while trees and shrubs prefer wetter environments. This challenges the long-held assumption that CO2 levels are the primary driver of vegetation changes.
Russian scientists have developed a plant growth stimulator that can increase grass growth rate by 40% under controlled conditions, reducing the 18-month wait for harvest. Field tests are underway to assess its effectiveness in cleaning up oil-contaminated fields and agrochemicals.
Researchers analyzed ancient sediments to shed light on ancient drought cycles and their potential link to future aridity. The study found well-defined 80- to 100-year cycles of alternately arid and humid conditions in the region.
Hawaii's dry forests require more than just grazing removal to regenerate; invasive species like non-native rodents and fountain grass also play a significant role. Active management is necessary to control these invaders and reintroduce native species, say researchers.
The boom in global trade poses a significant threat to the US ecosystem, resulting in $136 billion in annual losses from invasive species. Invasive insects, plant pathogens, and weeds are entering the country through nursery stock, cargo containers, and imports, causing widespread damage to crops, forests, and native wildlife.
A recent study by Janice Christian and Scott Wilson found that crested wheatgrass can precipitate a decline in soil quality and increase atmospheric carbon dioxide. The introduction of non-native species like crested wheatgrass may have far-reaching negative repercussions on ecosystems.
A microscopic fungus infecting common eastern US grass, tall fescue, can significantly impact plant diversity and local ecosystems. The fungus alters the host plant's growth, making it more toxic to other herbivores and drought-resistant.
Research by Leslie Ries and colleagues found that restored prairie along roadsides increases the number of sensitive butterfly species, with twice as many rare butterflies present compared to grass and weeds. This could provide crucial corridors for butterfly habitats, reducing road-crossing risks.
Researchers analyzed fossilized eggshell samples to determine the impact of human activity on Australian ecology. They found that environmental factors other than climate have significantly influenced the continent over the past 65,000 years.
Researchers found that common spaces with trees and grass promote stronger neighborhood social ties, more social activities, and a sense of belonging among residents. The addition of simple landscaping may support informal forms of social security.
New research by Purdue University finds that fungicides on golf courses do not contaminate surface water or groundwater when used according to manufacturer's guidelines. In fact, most of the fungicide remains on the grass leaf blade and is degraded internally.
Researchers discovered a vast collection of ancient stone tools and fragments in the Sahara Desert, revealing clues about the seasonal inhabitants. The stone artifacts suggest that the nomads moved in specific patterns through the desert, possibly using cattle to transport heavy sandstone boulders.
Researchers believe a sudden shift in vegetation, triggered by changing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and the dominance of C-4 grasses, led to a massive extinction event that wiped out many equine species. The long teeth of surviving horses allowed them to adapt to their environment, ensuring their survival.
Researchers at UF found that organic waste can improve roadside soil, allowing grass to grow and stabilize roadways. The compost adds nutrients and holds water, making conditions favorable for grass growth.