Review
Ecology
Xi Yang, Rong Li, Andrew Jablonski, Atticus Stovall, Jongmin Kim, Koong Yi, Yixin Ma, Daniel Beverly, Richard Phillips, Kim Novick, Xiangtao Xu, Manuel Lerdau
Summary: Life on Earth relies on plants' photosynthesis process, which converts solar energy into chemical energy. The optimization of photosynthesis involves adjusting leaf angles to effectively utilize sunlight while considering heat stress, water loss, and competition. Leaf angle plays a significant role in ecophysiology, ecosystem ecology, and earth system science, yet it is still underexplored. The variation in leaf angles has notable impacts on canopy-scale photosynthesis, energy balance, water use efficiency, and light competition within the forest canopy. New techniques for measuring leaf angles provide opportunities to understand the rarely-measured variations and implications of leaf angles in plant biology and earth system science. Future research should focus on three directions.
Article
Forestry
Georgina Gonzalez-Rebeles, Rodrigo Mendez-Alonzo, Horacio Paz, Teresa Terrazas, Clara Tinoco-Ojanguren
Summary: This study compares the plant responses to drought between deciduous and evergreen species and finds significant differences in their gas exchange traits under high water availability. Deciduous species exhibit tighter stomatal control and faster carbon fixation, tending toward isohydry and faster growth rates, while evergreen species show slower resource use and anisohydric behavior.
Article
Ecology
Miquel Nadal, Maria J. Clemente-Moreno, Alicia V. V. Perera-Castro, Margalida Roig-Oliver, Yusuke Onoda, Javier Gulias, Jaume Flexas
Summary: In recent years, researchers have been attempting to establish the connections between pressure-volume parameters and the leaf economics spectrum in order to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships among leaf traits. Through both theoretical and empirical evidence, we demonstrated the coordination between turgor loss point and associated traits with net CO2 assimilation and leaf mass per area. By considering the components of leaf mass per area and leaf saturated water content in ecophysiological studies, we can gain a broader perspective on leaf structure and function.
Article
Plant Sciences
Guo-Feng Jiang, Su-Yuan Li, Russell Dinnage, Kun-Fang Cao, Kevin A. Simonin, Adam B. Roddy
Summary: This study examined the coordination between genome size, leaf cell sizes, cell packing densities, and leaf size in 13 mangrove species across four sites in China. The results showed that mangroves have small genome sizes and large cell sizes, which are influenced by climate conditions. The study also found unique relationships between guard cell size, epidermal cell size, and vein and stomata densities in mangroves compared to other angiosperms. These findings suggest the unique adaptations of mangroves to their stressful environments.
Article
Horticulture
Shaistul Islam, Firoz Mohammad
Summary: The foliar spray of 10 mM Tre significantly improved the growth, photosynthesis, leaf biochemistry, cell viability, and yield of Indian mustard, showing overall superiority in crop performance.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hidehiro Ishizawa, Yusuke Onoda, Kaoru Kitajima, Masashi Kuroda, Daisuke Inoue, Michihiko Ike
Summary: Duckweeds, the fastest growing plants in the world, exhibit an acquisitive suite of traits and mostly follow the world-wide leaf economics spectrum (LES) with some slight deviations. Their unique trait coordination patterns and positive correlation between leaf mass per area (LMA) and photosynthetic rates indicate that duckweeds experience different functional significance compared to typical higher plants.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Guanjun Huang, Yu Shu, Shaobing Peng, Yong Li
Summary: Leaf structural traits, particularly the size of xylem and phloem in the leaf veins, have a significant impact on leaf photosynthesis and hydraulic conductance in rice plants, highlighting the importance of manipulating these overlooked leaf traits to improve photosynthetic efficiency.
Article
Forestry
Georgina Gonzalez-Rebeles, Teresa Terrazas, Rodrigo Mendez-Alonzo, Horacio Paz, Tim J. Brodribb, Clara Tinoco-Ojanguren
Summary: This study analyzed correlations between leaf phenology and functional traits related to plant water status regulation in 10 Sonoran Desert tree species with contrasting phenology. The results indicate the importance of leaf and stem functional traits in determining plant water status regulation, as well as identifying different strategies of desert trees in adapting to extreme arid environments.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jing-Jing Cao, Jing Chen, Qing-Pei Yang, Yan-Mei Xiong, Wei-Zheng Ren, De-Liang Kong
Summary: Under high soil salinity, the mangrove species Ceriops tagal exhibits lower photosynthetic capacity, water transport capacity, and leaf size compared to low soil salinity conditions.
Article
Agronomy
Wanying Yu, Congwen Wang, Zhenying Huang, Deli Wang, Guofang Liu
Summary: Research has shown significant variations in the traits of fine roots with different orders in semiarid inland dunes. Specific root traits change with root order, and different species and herbaceous plants and shrubs have different resource acquisition and conservation strategies.
Article
Ecology
Raquel Benavides, Barbara Carvalho, Cristina C. Bastias, David Lopez-Quiroga, Antonio Mas, Stephen Cavers, Alan Gray, Audrey Albet, Ricardo Alia, Olivier Ambrosio, Filippos Aravanopoulos, Francisco Aunon, Camilla Avanzi, Evangelia V. Avramidou, Francesca Bagnoli, Eduardo Ballesteros, Evangelos Barbas, Catherine Bastien, Frederic Bernier, Henry Bignalet, Damien Bouic, William Brunetto, Jurata Buchovska, Ana M. Cabanillas-Saldana, Nicolas Cheval, Jose M. Climent, Marianne Correard, Eva Cremer, Darius Danusevicius, Benjamin Dauphin, Fernando Del Cano, Jean-Luc Denou, Bernard Dokhelar, Remi Dourthe, Anna-Maria Farsakoglou, Andreas Fera, Patrick Fonti, Ioannis Ganopoulos, Jose M. Garcia del Barrio, Olivier Gilg, Santiago C. Gonzalez-Martinez, Rene Graf, Delphine Grivet, Felix Gugerli, Christoph Hartleitner, Katrin Heer, Enja Hollenbach, Agathe Hurel, Bernard Issehuth, Florence Jean, Veronique Jorge, Arnaud Jouineau, Jan-Philipp Kappner, Katri Karkkainen, Robert Kesalahti, Florian Knutzen, Sonja T. Kujala, Timo Kumpula, Mariaceleste Labriola, Celine Lalanne, Johannes Lambertz, Martin Lascoux, Gregoire Le Provost, Mirko Liesebach, Ermioni Malliarou, Jeremy Marchon, Nicolas Mariotte, Elisabet Martinez-Sancho, Silvia Matesanz, Helge Meischner, Celia Michotey, Pascal Milesi, Sandro Morganti, Tor Myking, Anne E. Nilsen, Eduardo Notivol, Lars Opgenoorth, Geir ostreng, Birte Pakull, Andrea Piotti, Christophe Plomion, Nicolas Poinot, Mehdi Pringarbe, Luc Puzos, Tanja Pyhajarvi, Annie Raffin, Jose A. Ramirez-Valiente, Christian Rellstab, Sebastian Richter, Juan J. Robledo-Arnuncio, Sergio San Segundo, Outi Savolainen, Volker Schneck, Silvio Schueler, Ivan Scotti, Vladimir Semerikov, Jorn Henrik Sonstebo, Ilaria Spanu, Jean Thevenet, Mari Mette Tollefsrud, Norbert Turion, Giovanni Giuseppe Vendramin, Marc Villar, Johan Westin, Bruno Fady, Fernando Valladares
Summary: This study presents a dataset of leaf trait variation from seven important tree species in Europe, which captures significant intra- and interspecific leaf phenotypic variability. The data provides valuable information for studying the relationship between ecosystem functioning and individual trait variability, as well as species response and resilience to environmental changes.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiyou Zhu, Qing Xu, Jiangming Yao, Xinna Zhang, Chengyang Xu
Summary: The study on the influence of parasitism on plants using hyperspectral analysis revealed that there are distinct characteristic in spectral reflectance and functional traits of host plants parasitized by Cuscuta japonica Choisy. The spectral reflectance of chlorophyll content index can be predicted through the change of spectral parameters under different parasitic degrees. After being parasitized, the leaf functional traits of host plant show a certain trade-off strategy to maintain growth in parasitic environment.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mohamad Abdallah, Cyril Douthe, Jaume Flexas
Summary: The study reveals that non-native plant species on Mediterranean islands possess distinct leaf morphological and physiological traits compared to co-occurring native species, which increases their chances of a successful invasion.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Chao Guo, En-Rong Yan, J. Hans C. Cornelissen
Summary: This article investigates how to optimize diverse ecosystem services to people and explores the possibility of linking ecosystem services to the sizes of different body parts of organisms. The study also analyzes the impact of functional traits of woody plants on ecosystem multifunctionality.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Patrick Z. Ellsworth, Patricia V. Ellsworth, Rachel A. Mertz, Nuria K. Koteyeva, Asaph B. Cousins
Summary: Measurements and models of Delta O-18(LW) were compared to evaluate the influence of leaf anatomy and cell wall properties on leaf water transport. The results showed that cell wall composition and stomatal density have an impact on Delta O-18(LW) and stable isotopes can help develop a detailed water transport model.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Carolina Osuna-Mascaro, Rafael Rubio de Casas, Jose M. Gomez, Joao Loureiro, Silvia Castro, Jacob B. Landis, Robin Hopkins, Francisco Perfectti
Summary: This study analyzed the evolution of Erysimum species from the South of the Iberian Peninsula and found that hybridization played a significant role in their evolution, especially in species with purple and yellow flowers. These results demonstrate the importance of hybridization for plant diversification, which should be considered in studies of plant evolution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Carla Goncalves, Helena Oliveira, Joao Loureiro, Silvia Castro, Maria Eduarda Fidalgo, Teresa Ribeiro, Ahmed Ouhammoud, Rachid Amirouche, Leonor Morais-Cecilio, Conceicao Santos, Paulo Silveira
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the complex taxonomy of Calendula and explore the relationships between genome size and chromosome number, ploidy level, and life cycle. Genome size estimations were provided for five species and three putative newly undescribed species for the first time. The 2C values varied up to 6-fold among different euploid species, ranging from 1.37 pg in diploid populations to 8.26 pg in octoploid populations. 1Cx-values varied 2.07-fold, ranging from 0.68 pg to 1.41 pg. Significant differences in mean 1Cx genome size were found between different ploidy levels. Genome size variation plays a significant role in explaining the relationships within Calendula, and the presence of individuals not fitting the current classification suggests the need for further analysis in future studies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Guillaume Theroux-Rancourt, Jose Carlos Herrera, Klara Voggeneder, Federica De Berardinis, Natascha Luijken, Laura Nocker, Tadeja Savi, Susanne Scheffknecht, Moritz Schneck, Danny Tholen
Summary: Leaves developing in bright sunlight are different from those in shade in terms of cell shape, size, and density, which contribute to increased internal surface area and more efficient CO(2) diffusion. The study also identifies modular structures called 'vaporsheds' that connect leaf pores to photosynthesizing cells. The research highlights the importance of considering differences in length, surface, and volume when analyzing leaf structure.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Garcia-Munoz, Camilo Ferron, Celia Vaca-Benito, Joao Loureiro, Silvia Castro, A. Jesus Munoz-Pajares, Mohamed Abdelaziz
Summary: Studying the relationship between reproductive investment, phenotype, and fitness in selfing plants provides insights into these questions. Using a selfing species complex with different ploidy levels, this study found that an increase in ploidy level leads to larger flowers with more pollen and ovules. Genome duplication also affects floral characteristics, reproductive investment, and fitness, influencing transitions in reproductive strategy.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Helena Castro, Maria Celeste Dias, Mariana Castro, Joao Loureiro, Silvia Castro
Summary: Polyploidy has significant ecological effects on morphology, breeding system, and ecological tolerances. This study used the diploid-tetraploid Jasione maritima polyploid complex to assess the contribution of genome duplications to ecological divergence. The results showed that diploids and tetraploids have different strategies in response to water deficit, and the distribution pattern of J. maritima complex is population-dependent.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Afonso, Silvia Castro, Joao Loureiro, Juan Arroyo, Albano Figueiredo, Sara Lopes, Mariana Castro
Summary: The high frequency of polyploidy in plant groups in the Mediterranean region is likely a result of its dynamic geological and climatic history. Polyploids have distinct characteristics that allow them to grow in different habitats and expand to new areas, leading to spatial segregation. This study aims to explore the role of environmental variables in the distribution patterns of cytotypes in Linum suffruticosum s.l. polyploid complex. Evaluation: 8/10.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Communication
Miguel Ferreira, Betina Lopes, Antonio Granado, Catarina Siopa, Hugo Gaspar, Helena Castro, Silvia Castro, Joao Loureiro
Summary: Video abstracts are a creative way for researchers to present scientific abstracts in an audio-visual format. They serve as a tool for science communication, allowing researchers to explore new formats and reach broader audiences. This article shares the experience of creating a video abstract in Ecology, providing insights into the different stages of the process and offering valuable lessons for those working in the field.
FRONTIERS IN COMMUNICATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bostjan Surina, Manica Balant, Peter Glasnovic, Ivan Radosavljevic, Ziva Fiser, Natasa Fujs, Silvia Castro
Summary: The mating system of the endemic plant Moehringia tommasinii in northwestern Adriatic showed high variation among populations, with genetic structuring and occurrences of hybridization and selfing. The presence of gene flow and weak reproductive barriers between M. tommasinii and co-occurring M. muscosa pose conservation challenges. Local extinction resulting from hybridization may disrupt mating patterns and floral polymorphism of M. tommasinii.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Petr Koutecky, Tyler Smith, Joao Loureiro, Paul Kron
Summary: This article discusses the importance of standardization and best practices for data acquisition and analysis in plant flow cytometry. It provides detailed information on instrument calibration, quality control, acquisition settings, and two common methods of raw data analysis. Best practice recommendations are summarized.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zoila Diaz Lifante, Marcial Escudero, Cristina Andres Camacho, Carmen Garcia Llamas, Joao Loureiro, Silvia Castro
Summary: This study reevaluates the taxonomic status of the recently described endemic species Schenkia elegans in the Iberian Peninsula, and its relationship with sympatric and morphological species Schenkia spicata and Exaculum pusillum. Various types of evidence based on plant morphology, ploidy estimation, karyotype characterization, and phylogenetic data were analyzed. The results suggest that S. elegans has intermediate morphology between the other two species, and it has an allopolyploid origin, with genetic contribution from both S. spicata and E. pusillum. Phylogenetic analysis based on DNA regions further supports a hybrid origin of S. elegans. Therefore, a new monotypic genus Valdesiana gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate this allopolyploid species, combined as V. elegans, and conservation measures must be considered.
PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
N. Leclercq, L. Marshall, T. Weekers, P. Basu, D. Benda, D. Bevk, R. Bhattacharya, P. Bogusch, A. Bontsutsnaja, L. Bortolotti, N. Cabirol, E. Calderon-Uraga, R. Carvalho, S. Castro, S. Chatterjee, M. De La Cruz Alquicira, J. R. de Miranda, T. Dirilgen, A. Dorchin, K. Dorji, B. Drepperr, S. Flaminio, J. Gailis, M. Galloni, H. Gaspar, M. W. Gikungu, B. A. Hatteland, I. Hinojosa-Diaz, L. Hostinska, B. G. Howlett, K. -L J. Hung, L. Hutchinson, R. O. Jesus, N. Karklina, M. S. Khan, J. Loureiro, X. Men, J. -M Molenberg, S. Mudri-Stojnic, P. Nikolic, E. Normandin, J. Osterman, F. Ouyang, A. S. Oygarden, L. Ozolina-Poles, N. Ozolss, A. Parra Saldivar, R. J. Paxton, T. Pitts-Singer, K. Poveda, K. Prendergast, M. Quaranta, S. F. J. Ready, S. Reinhardt, M. Rojas-Oropezaj, C. Ruiz, M. Rundlofar, A. Sade, C. Sandberg, F. Sgolastra, S. F. Shah, M. A. Shebl, V. Soon, D. A. Stanleym, J. Straka, P. Theodorou, E. Tobajas, J. L. Vaca-Uribe, A. Veraaz, C. A. Villagra, M. -K Williams, M. Wolowski, T. J. Woodn, Z. Yan, Q. Zhang, N. J. Vereecken
Summary: An essential prerequisite to safeguard pollinator species is characterisation of the multifaceted diversity of crop pollinators and identification of the drivers of pollinator community changes across biogeographical gradients. In this study, the researchers investigated diversity drivers for bee species in commercial apple orchards across different countries and biomes. The study revealed dissimilarity among biogeographical zones but also shared traits due to habitat filtering caused by intensive crop production. The presence of herbaceous, uncultivated open areas and organic management practices were associated with increased wild bee diversity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biology
Adam B. Roddy
JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCES
(2023)