Article
Plant Sciences
Alexandra Evans, Hanne de Kort, Rein Brys, Karl J. Duffy, Jana Jersakova, Tiiu Kull, Marc-Andre Selosse, Spyros Tsiftsis, Julita Minasiewicz, Hans Jacquemyn
Summary: This study investigates the genetic structure and adaptive potential of the terrestrial orchid Epipactis helleborine. It identifies Mediterranean and Carpathian forests as glacial refugia and central Europe and Italy as important genetic sources during postglacial recolonization. The study also reveals the association between adaptive single-nucleotide polymorphisms and temperature, elevation, and precipitation.
Article
Ecology
Jonas Depecker, Lauren Verleysen, Justin A. Asimonyio, Yves Hatangi, Jean-Leon Kambale, Ithe Mwanga Mwanga, Tshimi Ebele, Benoit Dhed'a, Yves Bawin, Ariane Staelens, Piet Stoffelen, Tom Ruttink, Filip Vandelook, Olivier Honnay
Summary: Degradation and regeneration of tropical forests have significant impacts on gene flow and genetic structure of understorey species. However, these processes have been studied inadequately in tropical Africa. This study focused on Coffea canephora, an economically important species found in the understorey of Central and West African rainforests. The researchers aimed to quantify genetic diversity, genetic structure, and pedigree relations in wild C. canephora populations, and also investigated the associations between these factors and forest disturbance and regeneration. The results showed high genetic diversity in C. canephora populations, with no evidence of genetic erosion in disturbed old-growth forest compared to undisturbed old-growth forest. This study highlights the importance of monitoring the response of wild Robusta coffee populations to ongoing forest degradation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danny A. P. Hooftman, Adam Kimberley, Sara A. O. Cousins, Silvia Santamaria Bueno, Olivier Honnay, Patricia Krickl, Jan Plue, Peter Poschlod, Anna Traveset, James M. Bullock
Summary: Ancient semi-natural grasslands in Europe are crucial for providing ecosystem services, and Grassland Green Infrastructure (GGI) surrounding these grasslands can supplement the provision of these services. A study investigated the potential of GGI to deliver various ecosystem services, concluding that GGI had lower delivery for conservation, pollination, and aesthetic appeal, but not for carbon storage. These differences were attributed to fewer plant species and compositional differences in GGI compared to the core grasslands. Improved management of GGI can enhance landscape-wide delivery of nature conservation value and pollination.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jonas Warson, Michel Baguette, Virginie M. Stevens, Olivier Honnay, Hanne De Kort
Summary: Habitat loss has significant impacts on reciprocal coevolution, especially for small and isolated populations. This study examined the effects of decreasing habitat patch size and connectivity on coevolutionary interactions between the Alcon blue butterfly and the marsh gentian. The results showed that habitat characteristics did not affect coevolutionary signatures in the host plants, but more pronounced signatures were observed in spatially isolated and large butterfly populations. Habitat loss can facilitate coevolution by limiting maladaptive alleles and maintaining locally beneficial ones. The study also found that the allelic richness of coevolutionary markers was decoupled from neutral markers, indicating different effects of habitat loss on coevolutionary and neutral processes. Conservation interventions are needed to preserve the dynamics of this specialized coevolutionary system by maintaining a spatial mosaic of connected and isolated habitats.
JOURNAL OF HEREDITY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Sofie Meeus, Iolanda Silva-Rocha, Tim Adriaens, Peter M. J. Brown, Niki Chartosia, Bernat Claramunt-Lopez, Angeliki F. Martinou, Michael J. O. Pocock, Cristina Preda, Helen E. Roy, Elena Tricarico, Quentin J. Groom
Summary: Bioblitzes are a popular and effective approach to engage people and collect biodiversity data. They create species inventories, engage people in biological recording, enhance learning about nature, discover new species, and promote organizations. Bioblitzes increase recording activity of participants for several months after the event and bring people and organizations together to build communities critical for conserving and protecting biodiversity.
Article
Ecology
Deyi Wang, Gerhard Gebauer, Hans Jacquemyn, Franziska E. Zahn, Sofia I. F. Gomes, Johanna Lorenz, Harrie van der Hagen, Menno Schilthuizen, Vincent S. F. T. Merckx
Summary: The symbiotic associations between orchids and various ecological guilds of fungi provide an ideal study system for understanding the evolution and ecophysiology of mycorrhizal symbiosis. This research investigated the mycorrhizal communities and isotope signatures of a terrestrial orchid, Neottia ovata, growing in different light conditions in Europe. The results suggest that rhizoctonia fungi played a major functional role in carbon and nutrient supply for the orchids, while ectomycorrhizal fungi did not substantially contribute to the plants' carbon budget.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sergio Alvarez-Perez, Clara De Vega, Kristof Vanoirbeek, Kaoru Tsuji, Hans Jacquemyn, Tadashi Fukami, Chris Michiels, Bart Lievens
Summary: In this study, draft genomes of several Rosenbergiella species were obtained, and two new species, R. gaditana and R. metrosideri, were discovered. Additionally, sub-speciation was observed in R. epipactidis and R. nectarea. The phylogenomic analysis of the genus Rosenbergiella was conducted, and the formal description of several species was updated based on new genomic and phenotypic information.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hans Jacquemyn, Tim Pankhurst, Peter S. Jones, Rein Brys, Michael J. Hutchings
Summary: This article provides information on the biology of Liparis loeselii and its ecological characteristics. The species has a wide distribution but has declined in most areas due to habitat destruction and desiccation. It is primarily found in inland fens and coastal dune slacks in Britain, but can also be found in other wet habitats. The species is sensitive to nutrient concentrations, low pH, and drought, and is susceptible to predation under drought conditions. It reproduces through selfing and is the focus of conservation efforts due to its decline.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alistair G. Auffret, Pieter Vangansbeke, Pieter De Frenne, Inger Auestad, Sofia Basto, Ulf Grandin, Hans Jacquemyn, Anna Jakobsson, Rein Kalamees, Marcus A. Koch, Rob Marrs, Bryndis Marteinsdottir, Markus Wagner, Renee M. Bekker, Hans Henrik Bruun, Guillaume Decocq, Martin Hermy, Malgorzata Jankowska-Blaszczuk, Per Milberg, Inger E. Maren, Robin J. Pakeman, Gareth K. Phoenix, Ken Thompson, Hans Van Calster, Vigdis Vandvik, Jan Plue
Summary: Responses to climate change often lag behind warming rates. Soil seed banks can buffer unsuitable conditions, containing species with warm and wide climatic ranges. Seed banks may play a role in climate-driven community shifts and the spread of generalist species.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sebastiaan Verbeke, Margaux Boeraeve, Sebastien Carpentier, Hans Jacquemyn, Maria I. Pozo
Summary: The decline of pollinators may have negative effects on ecosystems and ecosystem services. This study investigates the impact of pollen diversity and composition on reproductive success and fitness of Bombus terrestris colonies. The results suggest that plant diversity may not be a good predictor of colony fitness, and that vegetation composition and differences in pollen quantity and quality are more important.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Robin Daelemans, Eva Hulsmans, Lysander Fockaert, Liesbet Vranken, Luc De Bruyn, Olivier Honnay
Summary: Managing agricultural landscapes to meet both environmental and societal demands requires surveying and modeling multiple ecosystem services, quantifying the impact of agricultural management, and considering the surrounding landscape. This study evaluated the multifunctionality of organic apple orchards, orchards with integrated pest management, and semi-natural grasslands using 23 indicators for agronomical, ecological, and economic performance. The results showed that organic farming had limited beneficial effects on ecological performance but provided similar income levels as integrated pest management. The study highlights the importance of preserving semi-natural habitats within agricultural landscapes for enhancing biodiversity and biodiversity-based ecosystem services.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Francine A. C. van Neerbos, Rani Mertens, Felix L. Wackers, Lien Bosmans, Hans Jacquemyn, Bart Lievens
Summary: Manipulating insect foraging is important for effective insect pest control, and a blend of styrene and benzaldehyde has shown potential for attracting natural enemies. However, more research is needed to determine the appropriate dispenser type and dose for field application, as well as the maximum attraction distance.
ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Deyi Wang, Krijn B. Trimbos, Sofia I. F. Gomes, Hans Jacquemyn, Vincent S. F. T. Merckx
Summary: This study evaluates the reliability of ITS2 metabarcoding data for quantitative assessments of mycorrhizal communities. The results demonstrate a significant correlation between metabarcoding read counts and ddPCR assays, highlighting the usefulness of metabarcoding for quantifying orchid mycorrhizal fungi abundance.
Review
Plant Sciences
Hans Jacquemyn, Kenji Suetsugu, Vincent Merckx
Summary: This paper discusses the concept of ecotypes and highlights that both abiotic and biotic conditions can lead to ecotype formation. In particular, for mycoheterotrophic plants that rely on mycorrhizal fungi, adaptation and specialization to local fungal communities can drive ecotype and species formation.
NORDIC JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Paulien Verscheure, Olivier Honnay, Niko Speybroeck, Robin Daelemans, Nicolas Bruffaerts, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Tobias Ceulemans, Laura Van Gerven, Raf Aerts, Rik Schrijvers
Summary: The increase in allergies to aeroallergens is attributed to interactions with environmental and lifestyle changes, with environmental nitrogen pollution potentially being a key driver. While the ecological impact of nitrogen pollution is well understood, its indirect effect on allergies in humans is not well documented. This literature review focuses on the impact of nitrogen pollution on plant communities, plant productivity, and pollen properties, and how these changes contribute to allergy burden. The majority of studies have examined the impact of atmospheric nitrogen pollution on pollen and allergens, leading to allergy symptoms, but limited research has been conducted on the impact of soil and aqueous nitrogen pollution on pollen allergenic reactivity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)