Article
Plant Sciences
Cui Wang, Tong Wang, Meiqi Yin, Franziska Eller, Lele Liu, Hans Brix, Weihua Guo
Summary: Polyploidization in plants is considered as a mechanism to cope with environmental stresses. Gene networks involved in differentially expressed genes play a role in driving adaptation through the evolution of unique phenotypic traits. Phragmites australis, a species with highly variable phenotypic traits and adaptation capacity, shows varying ploidy levels, making it a suitable organism to study the molecular evolution of polyploidy. By using RNAseq data, this study identified genetic differences between tetraploid and octoploid P. australis, shedding light on how polyploidization influences environmental responses and stress tolerance in grass species.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Correction
Microbiology
Fei-Na Li, Shui-Lin Liao, Shao-Wei Liu, Tao Jin, Cheng-Hang Sun
Summary: The article by Li et al. published in the Journal of Microbiology in 2019 introduces a new endophytic actinobacterium species isolated from reed.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. M. Carricondo, J. V. Oliver-Villanueva, J. V. Turegano, J. A. Gonzalez, J. Mengual
Summary: Continuous phosphorus discharges in bodies of water, generated by human activities, produce contaminated water and eutrophication. Efficient and low-cost systems are necessary to remove phosphorus. Generating renewable energy from biomass waste, and using resulting ash for phosphorus removal, is important. Reed ash has been proven to effectively improve water quality.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dong-Ha Oh, Kurt P. Kowalski, Quynh N. Quach, Chathura Wijesinghege, Philippa Tanford, Maheshi Dassanayake, Keith Clay
Summary: The study describes the first reference genome for Phragmites australis and compares invasive and native genotypes to understand the genomic basis of its invasive success. Novel genomic features, including a lineage-specific whole genome duplication, were identified. Transcriptomic analyses showed that genes associated with biotic stress and defence responses were expressed at higher levels in invasive genotypes, while native genotypes displayed stronger defence responses when challenged by a fungal endophyte.
Article
Ecology
Alexander J. Forde, Ilka C. Feller, John D. Parker, Daniel S. Gruner
Summary: The top-down effects of predators and bottom-up effects of resources are crucial factors driving community structure and function. This study demonstrates the impacts of birds on arthropod densities and leaf and bud herbivory in a mangrove forest system, highlighting the importance of both top-down and bottom-up forces.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kerstin Haldan, Kristina Kuprina, Meike Ingeborg Haase, Fabian Kieckhaefer, Lisa Schade, Joraine Schmoldt, Lina Stella Schock, Marthe Stein, Alexander Wille, Martin Schnittler, Manuela Bog, Juergen Kreyling
Summary: Cultivation of five Phragmites australis genotypes from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania under gradients of water level and nutrient addition reveals high variability in productivity, morphology, and gene expression at a regional scale. This highlights the importance of selecting suitable genotypes for the success of paludiculture, as trait covariation did not indicate distinct plant economic strategies to predict genotype performance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abeer El Shahawy, Inas A. Ahmed, Rabab Wagdy, Ahmed H. Ragab, Nasser H. Shalaby
Summary: A cost-effective adsorbent was prepared by carbonization of pre-treated Phragmites australis reed at 500 degrees C. The biosorption potential of the reed was investigated through batch scale and continuous flow study, with various experiments conducted to determine optimal conditions. Analysis suggested that the adsorption of Na+ onto the prepared adsorbent is a hybrid process involving physi- and chemisorption.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kaspar Albrecht, Felix Neudecker, Stefan Veigel, Sabine Bodner, Jozef Keckes, Wolfgang Gindl-Altmutter
Summary: Common reed stems can be used as a suitable plant resource for materials, with good mechanical properties and adhesive bonding.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nickson Erick Otieno, Jonathan Mukasi
Summary: Although the conversion of natural forest to agriculture can have negative impacts on biodiversity, the dispersal of some affected species across the forest-farmland eco-zone can promote functional connections through food-web interactions beneficial to crop production and forestry. This study in western Kenya examined the herbivory patterns of Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera, as well as bird predation, within forest-adjacent farms and how these processes connect the two ecosystems for pest biocontrol. The findings highlight the potential for insectivorous birds to contribute to pest regulation and emphasize the importance of promoting landscape-scale integrated pest management for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rui Lourenco, Pedro F. Pereira, Amalia Oliveira, Joana Ribeiro-Silva, Diogo Figueiredo, Joao E. Rabaca, Antonio Mira, J. Tiago Marques
Summary: This study investigated the biocontrol potential of functional insectivorous birds in vineyards under different management intensities and landscape contexts. The results showed that vineyard plots with more trees had higher functional bird diversity, dispersion, richness, and functional diversity, indicating a greater potential for ecosystem services provided by insectivorous birds.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Megan B. Garfinkel, Mark E. Fuka, Emily Minor, Christopher J. Whelan
Summary: Natural habitats near agricultural systems can provide both ecosystem services and disservices on farms. Birds can have complex effects on crops, ranging from positive to negative, and it is important to quantify these effects. This study in Illinois found that while birds may have released pests through intraguild predation, there was no net disservice when considering crop yield, the most important variable for stakeholders.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Marharyta Moiseienko, Anton Vlaschenko
Summary: This study quantifies the number of insects consumed by European vespertilionid bats per night, highlighting the important ecosystem services provided by insectivorous bats. The research reveals that the amount of insects consumed by bats is related to the size of the bat species, further confirming the significance of insectivorous bats in maintaining ecological balance.
Article
Fisheries
Niklas Niemi, Joakim P. Hansen, Johan S. Eklof, Britas Klemens Eriksson, Henrik C. Andersson, Ulf Bergstrom, Orjan Ostman
Summary: The expansion of common reed and changes in submerged vegetation have been influenced by eutrophication and reduced grazing in the Baltic Sea. While reed is important as nursery habitat for fish, extensive emergent vegetation may reduce the abundance and biodiversity of predatory fish. The study shows that the presence of reed beds and rooted submerged vegetation are important factors for the abundance of adult pike during the spawning season.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Doongar R. Chaudhary, Jinhyun Kim, Hojeong Kang
Summary: The introduction of Phragmites has led to changes in soil microbial community composition in Suncheon Bay, Republic of Korea. The water content, pH, and dissolved organic carbon content in the soil increased. The abundance of certain microbial biomarkers was higher in Phragmites-vegetated marshes compared to other salt marshes.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Thomas W. Sherry
Summary: The decline of tropical insectivorous birds involves a variety of ultimate and proximate factors that are diverse, complementary, and sometimes synergistic. Protecting these birds will require more and larger reserves, and doing so is essential.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Li-Hu Xiong, Jian-Jian Lu
WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2013)
Article
Ornithology
Li-Hu Xiong, Jian-Jian Lu
WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Zhaokui Du, Shixian You, Xin Zhao, Lihu Xiong, Junmin Li
Summary: This study identified and characterized the WRKY gene family in K. obovata and screened for KoWRKY genes that respond to chilling stress. The results provide a basis for further analysis of the functions and molecular mechanisms of these genes in response to chilling stress in K. obovata.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yanxia Li, Lihu Xiong, Wenjia Zhu
Article
Ornithology
Li-Hu Xiong, Jian-Jian Lu