Article
Forestry
Pablo Viany Prieto, Guilherme Dubal dos Santos Seger, Felipe Sodre Mendes Barros, Ary Teixeira de Oliveira-Filho, Marinez Ferreira de Siqueira
Summary: Through multivariate analysis and modelling, researchers found that in the Brazilian Atlantic forest biome, the most threatened plant lineages and habitats are concentrated in dry land types such as seasonal forests and coastal white-sand forests. Protecting and restoring these dry habitats is crucial for preserving phylogenetic diversity of trees and shrubs in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher G. Bousfield, Mike R. Massam, Carlos A. Peres, David P. Edwards
Summary: Selective logging is a major driver of tropical forest degradation. A study on the Amazon rainforest showed that while it has minimal impacts on tree beta-diversity across large spatial scales, it does cause substantial subtractive heterogenization in community composition for larger trees.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Ravi Pathak, Shinny Thakur, Vikram S. Negi, Ranbeer S. Rawal, Amit Bahukhandi, Kamini Durgapal, Anjali Barola, Deep Tewari, Indra D. Bhatt
Summary: The study found that the community forests in the western Himalayan region show a leaning towards management and governance, with a recent shift towards focusing on ecological processes and climate change mitigation. While the ecological health of the studied forests is deteriorating overall, those with proper management exhibit better ecological health, especially those established before 1980 with high species richness and native species contribution. Forests located at higher elevations perform better in terms of ecological health and management status.
Article
Ecology
Everton A. Maciel, Valeria F. Martins, Mateus D. de Paula, Andreas Huth, Frederico A. G. Guilherme, Rico Fischer, Andre Giles, Reinaldo I. Barbosa, Osmar Cavassan, Fernando R. Martins
Summary: Anthropogenic pressures, such as increased dry season, more frequent fires, and defaunation, are expected to impact Brazilian savannas, leading to biodiversity loss and reduced ecosystem services. Analysis of tree species with different traits showed that climate change, fire frequency, and defaunation can affect aboveground biomass in savannas. The combined effects of these drivers have a synergistic impact on functional strategies and total aboveground biomass, with some species experiencing over 70% biomass loss.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Cheng Cheng, Xinran Ke, Tao Lang, Cairong Zhong, Xiaobo Lv, Mengwen Zhang, Yu Chen, Zanshan Fang, Haichao Zhou, Yiqing Chen
Summary: The study investigated the distribution, community structure, and population characteristics of the mangrove species Laguncularia racemosa on Hainan Island, China, to determine its potential invasiveness. The results showed that L. racemosa is an important species in the region and has a high capacity for natural dispersion. It exhibits dominance in the artificial community and may exclude other mangrove species. The study provides fundamental data for the prevention, control, and management of L. racemosa in Hainan Island and other mangrove wetlands in China.
Article
Environmental Studies
Fabio Gabriel Nascibem, Ramon Felipe Bicudo Da Silva, Alessandra Aparecida Viveiro, Oswaldo Goncalves Junior
Summary: Despite Brazil's rich biodiversity, vegetation cover in all biomes has been lost, with agribusiness playing a major role. The study investigates the role of Private Reserves of Natural Heritage (RPPN) in conserving and restoring natural vegetation in Brazil. It examines the spatial distribution of RPPNs, their impact on natural vegetation cover, and their contribution to conservation compared to rural properties without reserves. The results show that RPPNs significantly contribute to the gain in natural vegetation cover in specific biomes, but their limited number and concentration in certain regions pose challenges to their effectiveness.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ahmad A. Al-Ghamdi, Yilma Tadesse, Nuru Adgaba, Abdulaziz G. Alghamdi
Summary: The study focused on soil quality and fertility after restoration in southwestern Saudi Arabia, showing that sandy loam was the dominant textural class and pH levels varied in different areas. Restoration practices led to changes in SOM and EC levels, with different effects observed in AJ, QRC, and SK sites. Further research is needed to explore the long term effects of restoration activities on land rehabilitation.
Article
Forestry
Mariana A. Barreto, Jonathan J. Mucherino-Munoz, Ivandilson P. P. Menezes, Roberto Tarazi, Janisete G. Silva, Fernanda A. Gaiotto, Ronan X. Correa
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic diversity of D. nigra populations in the southern region of Bahia, Brazil. The results showed high genetic differentiation and reduced genetic diversity among the populations, possibly due to fragmentation. Bayesian analysis revealed five different genetic groups, three of which corresponded to different forest fragments. The suggested conservation strategy includes protecting all sampled forest fragments and individuals, as well as establishing a new population with human interference.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paulo Andre Tavares, Alice Brites, Vinicius Guidotti, Paulo Guilherme Molin, Kaline de Mello, Zenilda Ledo dos Santos, Luis Fernando Guedes Pinto, Jean Paul Metzger, Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues, Carlos Alfredo Joly, Gerd Sparovek
Summary: The study examined the impact of different legal benchmarks on Legal Reserve coverage, with the forest deficit starting from 1934 being 3% lower compared to starting from 1965.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Janez Kermavnar, Erika Kozamernik, Lado Kutnar
Summary: Priority habitat types within the Natura 2000 network are crucial for conservation in Europe, but their small size and unknown conservation status present challenges. This study examined the diversity and conservation status of Tilio-Acerion forests in eastern Slovenia using field mapping and remote sensing data. The results revealed significant differences between habitat subtypes in terms of area, tree species composition, forest characteristics, relief features, and threats, providing a baseline for realistic conservation management objectives for priority forest habitats.
Article
Forestry
Plinio Sist, Camille Piponiot, Milton Kanashiro, Marielos Pena-Claros, Francis E. Putz, Mark Schulze, Adalberto Verissimo, Edson Vidal
Summary: This study assessed the sustainability of timber production in the Amazon under the current concession system, finding that the present regulations are insufficient to meet demand. It suggests substantial reforms in natural forest management practices and the wood industry, as well as promoting alternative sources of timber such as plantations linked with forest restoration initiatives.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joao Pompeu
Summary: The study by Santana and Simon (2022) reveals that the plant biodiversity in the agricultural frontier of Cerrado, known as MATOPIBA, remains largely unknown. Deforestation and potential legal land clearing pose a threat to plant conservation in the region. The authors demonstrate that a significant amount of Cerrado vegetation has been converted and there is still a possibility for further clearance. Protecting areas with endemic, threatened, and rare species is crucial for biodiversity conservation. Efforts should be made to better sample the entire region and prioritize certain areas for sampling to gather botanical information and inform conservation plans.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kamila Marques Pedrosa, Maiara Bezerra Ramos, Maria de los Angeles La Torre-Cuadros, Sergio de Faria Lopes
Summary: Local populations select different plants to meet their demands, and morphologically similar species are more commonly used. This study investigates whether phylogenetically closer plant species are used more similarly and finds that they are. The lower redundancy for some species suggests greater use pressure.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maxence Martin, Nicole J. Fenton, Hubert Morin
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of TreM and deadwood abundance and diversity in boreal old-growth forests, revealing different characteristics in forests at different stages, emphasizing the importance of considering old-growth forests as dynamic rather than static ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Ricardo A. Rios, Tatiane N. Rios, Gabriel R. Palma, Rodrigo F. De Mello
Summary: In 2019, controversial discussions among politicians and environmentalists in Brazil highlighted the importance of continuous data collection and scientific analysis. This paper contributes by creating the Brazilian Forest Dataset and analyzing its feasibility with supervised machine learning algorithms, providing important tools for studying the evolving Brazilian biodiversity.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & THEORETICAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Forrest W. Lefler, David E. Berthold, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: The study focused on sampling and studying benthic cyanobacterial mats from select locations in South Florida, revealing new cyanobacterial taxa, such as the new genus Affixifilum and new species A. floridanum and N. biscaynensis.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zahra Karimi, H. Dail Laughinghouse, Virginia A. Davis, David M. Blersch
Summary: There is a growing interest in attached algae cultivation systems as a more cost- and energy-efficient alternative to planktonic systems. However, attached growth systems have been studied less compared to planktonic systems, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maximiliano Barbosa, David E. Berthold, Forrest W. Lefler, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: A study in Florida greenhouses found mat forming algae, mainly Brasilonema species. By observing and analyzing the macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics of the algae, three new species of Brasilonema were discovered.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Silvano Lima do Nascimento Filho, Watson Arantes Gama, Ariadne do Nascimento Moura
Summary: The study demonstrates that the structural complexity of aquatic macrophytes positively influences epiphytes and macroinvertebrates, with a synergistic effect observed between epiphytes and macrophytes increasing the biomass of macroinvertebrates. The findings suggest that managing macrophytes with different structural complexities could be a valuable strategy in enhancing biodiversity in tropical aquatic ecosystems.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David E. Berthold, Forrest W. Lefler, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: The study identified three new genera and four new species of marine cyanobacteria in the coastal ecosystems of South Florida, characterized by discoid cells, homocytous unbranched filaments, and discoid apical cells.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Vladimir Fristak, Martin Pipiska, Vladimir Turcan, Stephen M. Bell, Haywood Dail Laughinghouse, Libor Duriska, Gerhard Soja
Summary: This study demonstrated that the addition of magnesium can enhance the sorption efficiency of biochar for phosphorus and arsenic. A Mg-modified walnut shell-derived biochar was synthesized, showing significant improvements in the removal of As and P from aqueous solutions, with sorption capacities increased by up to 10 times for As and 20 times for P. The newly synthesized Mg-composite biochar also showed promising potential for remediation of contaminated waterbodies by removing over 90% of P from real wastewater samples.
Article
Plant Sciences
David E. Berthold, Forrest W. Lefler, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: Marine benthic proliferations are increasing in occurrence, range and duration due to anthropogenic nutrient loading and climate change. This study conducted sampling and isolation of cyanobacteria from underexplored regions in the USA and France to expand knowledge on their diversity and reveal their phylogenetic relationships.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaytee L. Pokrzywinski, West M. Bishop, Christopher R. Grasso, Brianna M. Fernando, Benjamen P. Sperry, David E. Berthold, Haywood Dail Laughinghouse, Erika M. Van Goethem, Kaitlin Volk, Mark Heilman, Kurt D. Getsinger
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a peroxide-based algaecide for controlling natural cyanobacteria population. The results showed that the peroxide treatment significantly reduced cyanobacteria biomass in a short period of time, but the overall community structure remained unchanged.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sergio C. Gonzalez, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: Florida scrub is a unique habitat type in the Southeastern United States, known for its high levels of endemism and unique geological history. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the invertebrate communities in scrub wetlands, which are crucial for threatened species. This report presents a list of aquatic invertebrate species from wetlands surveyed in Martin County, FL in 2017, providing a snapshot of the invertebrate community structure in remnant Florida Scrub habitat.
SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Forrest W. Lefler, David E. Berthold, Maximiliano Barbosa, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: This study tested the effectiveness of different concentrations and combinations of algaecides and herbicides on Microcystis wesenbergii-dominated bloom. The results showed that a combination of SeClear and Hydrothol 191 with GreenClean Liquid 5.0 was the most effective, significantly reducing the abundance of the cyanobacterial bloom.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sebastiana Lidielda Albuquerque da Silva, Jhullyrson Osman Ferreira Brito, Sonia Barreto Pereira, Watson Arantes Gama, Wilson Jose da Silva Junior, Ana Maria Benko-Iseppon, Valeria Cassano
Summary: This study investigated the genus Gayralia using ITS sequencing of field collections in tropical northeastern Brazil. The results showed low intraspecific divergence of G. brasiliensis and expanded its distribution to the northeastern Brazilian coast and India.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jing Hu, David E. Berthold, Yi Wang, Xi Xiao, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of six USEPA-registered algaecides on treating toxic dinoflagellates in marine environments. The results showed that both copper-based and peroxide-based algaecides were effective in reducing the density of the toxic dinoflagellate, with peroxide-based algaecides having a greater impact on decreasing toxin levels. The study also revealed that salinity, microorganisms, and organic matter influenced the stability of peroxide-based algaecides.
Article
Microbiology
Maximiliano Barbosa, Forrest W. Lefler, David E. Berthold, Venetia S. Briggs-Gonzalez, Frank J. Mazzotti, H. Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: Land use and trophic state significantly affect the composition of microbial eukaryote communities in freshwater systems, with impacted and mesotrophic sites having higher biodiversity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anamaria S. Diniz, Silvano L. N. Filho, Watson A. Gama, Ariadne N. Moura
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of temporal and vertical variation of the water column on phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics in two tropical reservoirs in Northeastern Brazil. The results showed that nitrogen directly influenced phytoplankton, and Calanoida copepods demonstrated the ability to adapt to different trophic conditions and phytoplankton compositions.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
David Erwin Berthold, Ariel Elazar, Forrest Lefler, Christopher Marble, Haywood Dail Laughinghouse
Summary: Greenhouses and nurseries provide favorable conditions for the growth of nuisance algal mats, which poses safety concerns and encourages the spread of unwanted pests and pathogens. Few effective strategies are available for managing algal problems, with chemical methods showing varying efficacy depending on surface and algae type. Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate was found to be the most effective chemical for controlling Nostoc in different surfaces.
