Article
Plant Sciences
Bing Mao, Tingting Cui, Tongqing Su, Qiangsheng Xu, Feng Lu, Hongxin Su, Jianbing Zhang, Shuangshuang Xiao
Summary: Litter decomposition is a crucial process for nutrient cycling and carbon budgets in mixed forests. However, there is limited knowledge about the response of soil microbial processes to the mixed-litter decomposition of fresh leaf, semi-decomposed leaf, and fine root. In this study, a laboratory microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of mixed-litter decomposition on soil enzyme activity and microbial community in a karst forest in Southwest China. The results showed that the presence of fresh leaf litter had a significant influence on mixed-litter decomposition and soil enzyme activity. Furthermore, litter N concentration and the initial quality of litter played important roles in the decomposition process.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Wenping Deng, Xiling Zheng, Shengsheng Xiao, Qi Chen, Yaoyao Gao, Ling Zhang, Jiahui Huang, Tianjun Bai, Songhua Xie, Yuanqiu Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the interception process and influencing factors of litter for six tree species. The results showed that the interception process of litter can be divided into three phases. Different tree species and rainfall characteristics significantly affected the first phase, but litter mass had no impact. Litter mass and rainfall intensity significantly influenced the maximum interception capacity and minimum storage capacity of litter, and their interaction had the largest contribution to the maximum interception capacity.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Hong Lin, Yinong Li, Helge Bruelheide, Sirong Zhang, Haibao Ren, Naili Zhang, Keping Ma
Summary: The study found that leaf litter species composition affects decomposition rates, with a stronger impact over time. Additionally, above-ground tree species richness plays a critical role in regulating litter decomposition, particularly in the late stage.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Ying Lu, Liudong Zhang, Kun Li, Ruiqiang Ni, Rongchu Han, Chuanrong Li, Caihong Zhang, Weixing Shen, Zhongjun Zhang
Summary: Microorganisms play a crucial role in litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. The diversity and composition of bacterial communities are influenced by litter species and tissues, which are correlated with the initial chemical properties of the litter.
Article
Mycology
Danushka S. Tennakoon, Chang-Hsin Kuo, Witoon Purahong, Eleni Gentekaki, Chayakorn Pumas, Itthayakorn Promputtha, Kevin D. Hyde
Summary: This study investigates the effects of tree species and leaf litter chemistry on fungal community succession during leaf litter decomposition. The results show that closely related tree species have different fungal communities during decomposition, and a high number of fungal species are specific to a particular tree species. Fungal diversity increases at the beginning of leaf decay and declines at the final stages. This study contributes to our understanding of fungal diversity and provides a database for future studies.
Article
Ecology
Alan M. Tonin, Lais S. Lima, Paulino Bambi, Monique L. Figueiredo, Renan S. Rezende, Jose F. Goncalves
Summary: Studies have shown that the chemistry of seasonal litterfall is influenced by dominant plant species, with different chemical properties observed between wet and dry seasons. These findings suggest that shifts in dominant plant species and seasonality may alter litterfall chemistry, leading to changes in carbon and nutrient fluxes in tropical riparian ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pedro Henrique Medeiros Rajao, Matty P. Berg, Johannes H. C. Cornelissen, Andre Tavares Correa Dias
Summary: We revealed the direct and indirect effects of species leaf size and hydraulic traits on litter rainfall interception, runoff and soil loss. We propose a new litter-soil ecohydrological model, by using structural equation models, which can be used as a tool to predict ecosystem functioning, and guide management and restoration actions with water and soil conservation targets.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
German G. Vargas, Norbert Kunert, William M. Hammond, Z. Carter Berry, Leland K. Werden, Chris M. Smith-Martin, Brett T. Wolfe, Laura Toro, Ariadna Mondragon-Botero, Jesus N. Pinto-Ledezma, Naomi B. Schwartz, Maria Uriarte, Lawren Sack, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Jennifer S. Powers
Summary: In tropical plants, the control of trait variance is strongly influenced by leaf habits along climatic moisture gradients, indicating the importance of environmental factors in shaping trait variation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Felicity L. Newell, Ian J. Ausprey, Scott K. Robinson
Summary: Warming temperatures are increasing rainfall extremes, which in turn affects the biomass of arthropods. This study found that rainfall is the primary driver of arthropod biomass, with both high and low rainfall reducing arthropods by half. Additionally, the study predicts shifts in biomass timing within cloud forests due to changes in rainfall patterns. The study also highlights the susceptibility of arthropods to desiccation and the potential destabilization of insectivore food webs.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Dasol Kim, Doo-Sun R. Park, Corene J. Matyas
Summary: This study investigates the spatial variations in rainfall accompanying tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific from June to October during 1998-2019, based on the phases of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The study finds that the rainfall characteristics, including rainfall strength, total rainfall area, and total rainfall volume, show spatial variations that are closely related to the maximum wind speed and environmental conditions. The results suggest that the variation in rainfall strength is mainly influenced by the maximum wind speed, while the variations in rainfall area and rainfall volume are strongly controlled by the environmental conditions.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Yiling Ma, Jilin Sun, Tianyun Dong, Weidong Yu, Wenjie Dong
Summary: This study examines the link between the severe drought in Australia from 2018 to early 2020 and the Pacific and Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) modes associated with Central Pacific El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). It finds that Central Pacific El Nino has become more frequent over the last 20 years and can bring broader and stronger rainfall deficiencies than Eastern Pacific El Nino during the austral spring. The study also shows that Central Pacific El Nino affects rainfall in extratropical eastern Australia through the Pacific-South American pattern, while the influence of Eastern Pacific El Nino is limited to tropical northern Australia.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Denis Mburu Njoroge, Gbadamassi G. O. Dossa, Luping Ye, Xiaoyuan Lin, Douglas Schaefer, Kyle Tomlinson, Juan Zuo, Johannes H. C. Cornelissen
Summary: Through a sixteen month long common garden litter decomposition experiment, we investigated the effects of litter diversity and soil fauna interactions on litter mixture decomposition. The results showed that soil fauna can enhance the decomposition rate of litter and the mixture effect strengthens with increased litter quality dissimilarity. Furthermore, the decomposition progress weakens the mixture effect.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Miki U. Ueda, Mizuho Kawabe, Tohru Nakashizuka, Hiroko Kurokawa
Summary: Considering the important role of litter quality in soil processes, litter species diversity may be a key determinant of many ecosystem functions, including carbon (C) sequestration. Laboratory incubation studies can help identify the traits of litter that affect soil microbial CO2 production, and our research found that different litter species have varying effects on soil CO2 production rates over time.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Taehyun Kim, Jungyoon Kim, Jeman Lee, Hyun Seok Kim, Juhan Park, Sangjun Im
Summary: This study estimated the water retention capacity of forest leaf litter through lysimeter measurements under field conditions. The results showed that Pinus koraiensis litter stored more water than Quercus acutissima litter during rainfall. The study demonstrated the importance of leaf litter in water balance and the reliability of lysimetry as a measurement method.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
A. Hogikyan, L. Resplandy, S. Fueglistaler
Summary: During El Nino events, a strong tropics-wide warming of the free troposphere is observed, which is likely initiated by the warming of the warmest surface waters due to a decrease in low-level wind speed. The anomalous heat flux from the atmosphere into the ocean is responsible for the increase in sea surface temperature during El Nino.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Luis Sandoval, Gilbert Barrantes, Francesca Protti-Sanchez, Adrian Garcia-Rodriguez
Summary: Acoustic signals are distorted by environmental factors, leading to evolved features or behaviors in animals that optimize sound transmission. Animals may call from elevated perches to increase signal propagation distance, with different orientations affecting the quality and efficacy of sound transmission. In the study, calls directed upward or downward showed reduced attenuation, while horizontally directed calls had lower degradation. This suggests that orientation of vocalizations plays a crucial role in sound transmission.
Article
Ecology
Adrian Garcia-Rodriguez, Carlos E. Guarnizo, Andrew J. Crawford, Adrian A. Garda, Gabriel C. Costa
Summary: The study in Isthmian Central America (ICA) using landscape genetics approach found that different populations of regional frog assemblage showed idiosyncratic responses to various drivers of genetic divergence. Despite short geographical distances, the convergence of several factors over heterogeneous landscape might maximize genetic differentiation.
Article
Ecology
Adrian Garcia-Rodriguez, Julian A. Velasco, Fabricio Villalobos, Gabriela Parra-Olea
Summary: Through a global study, it was found that mountain ranges with the highest diversity of amphibians are concentrated in the Neotropics, while evolutionary time, area, and climatic stability better explain the patterns of amphibian diversity in mountains worldwide.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Adrian Garcia-Rodriguez, M. Delia Basanta, Mirna G. Garcia-Castillo, Hector Zumbado-Ulate, Kelsey Neam, Sean Rovito, Catherine L. Searle, Gabriela Parra-Olea
Summary: The study predicts the suitable areas for Bsal in the Neotropics and assesses its potential impact on bolitoglossine diversity. Regions such as the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Sierra Madre Oriental, and mountains of Oaxaca in Mexico, as well as the Chiapan-Guatemalan highlands could be at risk from the introduction of Bsal. Moreover, regions of high diversity for bolitoglossines and over 75% of the ranges of threatened species could be affected by Bsal.
Article
Ecology
J. Adam Langley, Emily Grman, Kevin R. Wilcox, Meghan L. Avolio, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Scott L. Collins, Sally E. Koerner, Melinda D. Smith, Andrew H. Baldwin, William Bowman, Nona Chiariello, Anu Eskelinen, Harry Harmens, Mark Hovenden, Kari Klanderud, Rebecca L. McCulley, Vladimir G. Onipchenko, Clare H. Robinson, Katharine N. Suding
Summary: Plants may hinder optimal growth in one condition while adapting to optimal growth in another. A plant species that responds positively to one global change treatment is likely to have a lower likelihood of responding positively to another treatment.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alyssa L. Young, Kathryn J. Bloodworth, Morgan D. T. Frost, Curtis E. Green, Sally E. Koerner
Summary: The longleaf pine savanna ecosystem is facing challenges due to heatwaves, but introducing more grass plugs can help mitigate the impact of heatwaves on productivity during restoration.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alyssa L. Young, Sally E. Koerner
Summary: The study found significant variation in the understory vegetation of longleaf pine savannas, with plant species richness ranging widely and the dominance of wiregrass varying greatly across different sites and plots. Increasing wiregrass cover can decrease species richness but increase biomass.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Melinda D. Smith, Sally E. Koerner, Meghan L. Avolio, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Stephanie Eby, Elisabeth J. Forrestel, Scott L. Collins, Kevin R. Wilcox, Rodrigo Ahumada, John W. Morgan, Gabriel Oliva, Gaston R. Onatibia, Gerhard E. Overbeck, Guadalupe Peter, Emiliano Quiroga, Mahesh Sankaran, Jianshuang Wu, Laura Yahdjian, Qiang Yu
Summary: This study aimed to understand the impact of water availability on richness and evenness and found different relationships between water availability and richness/evenness at regional and global scales. The results suggest that different factors determine patterns of richness and evenness in grassy biomes, leading to varying relationships between richness and evenness at different scales. These findings have implications for understanding how grassy ecosystems may respond to anthropogenic changes such as climate change.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Laura Segura-Hernandez, Gilbert Barrantes, Eduardo Chacon-Madrigal, Adrian Garcia-Rodriguez
Summary: Identifying the source population of alien species is crucial for assessing their distribution and impacts in invaded areas. This study used species distribution models and ordination methods to determine the origin of the araneid spider Cyrtophora citricola populations in the Americas. The results suggest a southern African origin for these populations, and also reveal their spreading into sites with different climate conditions than native populations.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zak Ratajczak, Scott L. Collins, John M. Blair, Sally E. Koerner, Allison M. Louthan, Melinda D. Smith, Jeffrey H. Taylor, Jesse B. Nippert
Summary: The extinction of megafauna may have had a destabilizing impact on ecosystems and global biodiversity. A study found that reintroducing native herbivores, such as the plains bison, into grasslands can significantly increase native plant species richness.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Meghan L. Avolio, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Sally E. Koerner, Emily Grman, Forest Isbell, David S. Johnson, Kevin R. Wilcox, Juha M. Alatalo, Andrew H. Baldwin, Carl Beierkuhnlein, Andrea J. Britton, Bryan L. Foster, Harry Harmens, Christel C. Kern, Wei Li, Jennie R. McLaren, Peter B. Reich, Lara Souza, Qiang Yu, Yunhai Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the impact of global change treatments on ecological communities by integrating dissimilarity metrics and rank abundance curves. The findings show that when there is no difference in community composition, there are rarely differences in species ranks or species identities, but more often differences in richness or evenness alone. However, when there are differences between community compositions, it is often associated with differences in ranks either alone or together with richness, evenness, or species identities.
Article
Ecology
Sally E. Koerner, Meghan L. Avolio, John M. Blair, Alan K. Knapp, Melinda D. Smith
Summary: Ecosystems are facing multiple global change drivers, which can have additive, antagonistic, or synergistic effects. This study examines the long-term effects of altered precipitation patterns and warming on plant communities and ecosystem functioning in a grassland ecosystem. The results show that precipitation variability affects plant community composition, while warming affects aboveground net primary productivity. Surprisingly, there were no interactive effects between precipitation and warming treatments.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Adrian Garcia-Rodriguez, Bernd Lenzner, Clara Marino, Chunlong Liu, Julian A. Velasco, Celine Bellard, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Hanno Seebens, Franz Essl
Summary: Shifts between native and alien climatic niches pose challenges for predicting biological invasions, especially for insular species. This study analyzed alien occurrences of endemic insular amphibians, reptiles, and birds and found that climatic mismatches were common in invasions of birds and reptiles, but less common in amphibians. Several predictors were identified for climatic mismatches, which varied among taxonomic groups.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Kevin R. Wilcox, Anping Chen, Meghan L. Avolio, Ethan E. Butler, Scott Collins, Rosie Fisher, Trevor Keenan, Nancy Y. Kiang, Alan K. Knapp, Sally E. Koerner, Lara Kueppers, Guopeng Liang, Eva Lieungh, Michael Loik, Yiqi Luo, Ben Poulter, Peter Reich, Katherine Renwick, Melinda D. Smith, Anthony Walker, Ensheng Weng, Kimberly J. Komatsu
Summary: This article discusses the shortcomings of herbaceous plant community representation in predictive models, pointing out that the model representation of grassland and herbaceous ecosystems lags behind tree communities and forests. The article identifies two important knowledge gaps: incomplete understanding of the principles governing herbaceous vegetation dynamics and limitations in the current model structure and parameterization of grass and other herbaceous plant functional types. The article provides directions for improving the representation of herbaceous communities within models through empirical research and model improvements.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Morgan D. T. Frost, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Lauren M. Porensky, Kurt O. Reinhart, Kevin R. Wilcox, Sally E. Koerner
Summary: The study investigates the effects of livestock grazing and experimental rainfall manipulation on invasion by annual brome grasses in northern mixed-grass prairie rangelands. It was found that precipitation reduction generally decreased annual brome biomass, but during the recovery year, prolonged time to senescence was observed in the droughted plots. Heavy grazing and drought combined increased annual brome abundance, indicating a potential scenario with continuing climate change.
RANGELAND ECOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
(2023)
