Article
Ecology
Phil Wilkes, Alexander Shenkin, Mathias Disney, Yadvinder Malhi, Lisa Patrick Bentley, Matheus Boni Vicari
Summary: Quantifying whole branch architecture is crucial for understanding tree function, but measuring small diameter branches is challenging. Methods using terrestrial laser scanning are applied to analyze tree architecture, but accurately reconstructing small diameter branches remains difficult. It is suggested that accurate reconstruction can only be achieved through harvest and measurement in controlled conditions.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenneth Olofsson, Johan Holmgren
Summary: A new algorithm for detecting branch attachments on stems based on a voxel approach and line object detection by a voting procedure is introduced. This algorithm can be used to evaluate the quality of stems by giving the branch density of each standing tree. The detected branches were evaluated using field-sampled trees. The algorithm detected 63% of the total amount of branch whorls and 90% of the branch whorls attached in the height interval from 0 to 10 m above ground. The suggested method could be used to create maps of forest stand stem quality data.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Metsehet Yinebeb, Ermias Lulekal, Tamrat Bekele, Debissa Lemessa
Summary: Homegardens play a crucial role in preserving plant biodiversity, especially in agrarian countries like Ethiopia. The study examines the effects of elevation and distance from houses on plant species and use types in homegardens. It also explores the relationship between distance from houses, plant use types, and species richness.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiarong Tian, Haidong Li, Yingkui Li, Chengrui Liao, Weibo Ma, Yannan Xu
Summary: This study proposes a method for extracting vegetation structure parameters in the difficult ecological restoration areas like the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, using terrestrial laser scanning and other techniques, validated by field measurements. It provides practical guidance for ecological conservation and restoration in the region.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Calum Maney, Marieke Sassen, Samantha L. L. Hill
Summary: Interest in economically and ecologically sustainable cocoa has grown in recent years. Cocoa-based agroforestry systems are seen as a potential win-win solution for long-term yields, multiple benefits, and biodiversity preservation. This study found that biodiversity intactness (BII) in cocoa-based agroforestry systems can be sustained by retaining natural shade, but land-use history significantly influences the biodiversity intactness. Retaining natural shade can maintain high levels of BII, while incentivizing planted shade can enhance biodiversity intactness in degraded areas.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Louise Terryn, Kim Calders, Harm Bartholomeus, Renee E. Bartolo, Benjamin Brede, Barbara D'hont, Mathias Disney, Martin Herold, Alvaro Lau, Alexander Shenkin, Timothy G. Whiteside, Phil Wilkes, Hans Verbeeck
Summary: Accurately quantifying tree and forest structure is crucial for understanding and monitoring the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems in a changing climate. Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle Laser Scanning (UAV-LS) have advanced the accurate measurement of forest structure. Combining TLS and UAV-LS data can further enhance the 3D structural mapping of dense tropical forests. TLS provides accurate measurements on a smaller scale, while UAV-LS provides comparable measurements on a larger scale. The fusion of TLS and UAV-LS can improve the measurement of structural metrics in these forests.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Sandra Penman, Pia Lentini, Bradley Law, Alan York
Summary: This study provides a starting point for incorporating terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) methods into ecological research and monitoring. A case study from a temperate forest in Australia is used to demonstrate the workflow and R code for processing TLS data and extracting vegetation structure metrics relevant to wildlife habitat. The study highlights the value of three-dimensional data obtained through TLS in wildlife studies and its potential for exploring advanced ecological and conservation questions.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tasiyiwa Priscilla Muumbe, Jussi Baade, Jenia Singh, Christiane Schmullius, Christian Thau
Summary: Savannas are diverse ecosystems with complex vegetation, conventional methods may underestimate carbon storage potential. TLS technology shows promise in accurate vegetation parameter extraction, future research should focus on algorithm development and improvement.
Article
Remote Sensing
Daniel Kuekenbrink, Mauro Marty, Ruedi Boesch, Christian Ginzler
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of different close-range remote sensing devices for tree detection and diameter at breast height (DBH) extraction in forests. The results show that terrestrial laser scanning systems (TLS) have the highest tree detection rate, while drone-based laser scanning systems (UAVLS) have the lowest tree detection rate. The novel GoPro approach performs moderately well in tree detection and is comparable to LiDAR devices in DBH extraction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Tom E. E. Verhelst, Pieter Vangansbeke, Pieter De Frenne, Barbara D'hont, Quentin Ponette, Luc Willems, Hans Verbeeck, Kim Calders
Summary: Forest edges are important for biodiversity, but their potential is dependent on forest structure. However, current methods lack accuracy in characterizing forest edge abruptness. In this study, we used three-dimensional forest structural data and biodiversity monitoring to assess the influence of forest edge structure on habitat suitability. Our results demonstrate clear differences in the structural metrics and recorded soundscapes, but no correlation was found between acoustic indices and bird species richness.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mieke van der Heyde, Michael Bunce, Paul Nevill
Summary: Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a valuable tool for monitoring the restoration of terrestrial ecosystems. Key factors to consider in using eDNA for monitoring include sample substrate selection, sample collection and storage, assay selection, and data interpretation. The majority of eDNA-based restoration studies are conducted in Europe, North America, and Australia, with soil microbial communities being the most targeted taxa and forests being the most studied ecosystem.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joe Atkinson, Lars A. Brudvig, Max Mallen-Cooper, Shinichi Nakagawa, Angela T. Moles, Stephen P. Bonser
Summary: The study found that restoration actions can increase biodiversity by an average of 20% and reduce biodiversity variability by 14% compared to unrestored sites. However, restored sites still lag behind reference ecosystems in biodiversity, and exhibit higher variability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Malgorzata Blaszczyk, Michal Laska, Agnar Sivertsen, Shridhar D. Jawak
Summary: This study assessed the accuracy of high-resolution DEMs derived from aerial images and TLS point clouds in the Arctic region. While both DEMs had data gaps due to insufficient overlaps and limited sensing range, integrating the two techniques created a continuous and gapless DEM for scientific use in Svalbard, highlighting the potential for combining different techniques to represent active processes in the region.
Article
Agronomy
Dominik Seidel, Melissa Stiers, Martin Ehbrecht, Maik Werning, Peter Annighoefer
Summary: Agroforestry systems have the potential to enrich agricultural landscapes with structural elements and ecosystem functions. The overall ranking of structural complexity stands as follows: forest > silvopasture systems > short rotation forest > tree orchard > Christmas tree plantation. There is strong evidence supporting the use of agroforests to achieve overall structural complexity in agricultural landscapes.
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Hyungjoon Seo
Summary: This paper used terrestrial laser scanning to monitor the global behavior of a large retaining structure and found a significant increase in differential tilt angles at the bottom of concrete panels adjacent to the tunnel every year. The differential tilt angle of one concrete panel with large differences affects the tilt angles of others, as they are linked together.
JOURNAL OF CIVIL STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rachael Holmes, Pieter Pelser, Julie Barcelona, Sri Sudarmiyati Tjitrosoedirdjo, Indah Wahyuni, Mark van Kleunen, Petr Pysek, Franz Essl, Holger Kreft, Wayne Dawson, Lahiru Wijedasa, Alessandra Kortz, Martin Hejda, Juan Carlos Berrio, Iskandar Siregar, Mark Williams
Summary: There are major regional gaps in the reporting and accessibility of naturalized plant species distribution data, with particular emphasis on Southeast Asia. The Malesian Naturalized Alien Flora database (MalNAF) is introduced as a standardized checklist for naturalized vascular plant species in the Malesian phytogeographical region. This database provides valuable information on the composition, origins, and habitat preferences of the naturalized flora in the region.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Dominik Thom, Christian Ammer, Peter Annighoefer, Reka Aszalos, Sebastian Dittrich, Jonas Hagge, William S. Keeton, Bence Kovacs, Ole Krautkraemer, Jorg Mueller, Goddert von Oheimb, Rupert Seidl
Summary: With progressing climate change, increasing weather extremes will endanger tree regeneration. Canopy openings provide light for tree establishment, but also reduce the microclimatic buffering effect of forests.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joerg Mueller, Oliver Mitesser, Marc W. Cadotte, Fons van der Plas, Akira S. Mori, Christian Ammer, Anne Chao, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Petr Baldrian, Claus Baessler, Peter Biedermann, Simone Cesarz, Alice Classen, Benjamin M. Delory, Heike Feldhaar, Andreas Fichtner, Torsten Hothorn, Claudia Kuenzer, Marcell K. Peters, Kerstin Pierick, Thomas Schmitt, Bernhard Schuldt, Dominik Seidel, Diana Six, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, Simon Thorn, Goddert von Oheimb, Martin Wegmann, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Nico Eisenhauer
Summary: Intensification of land use by humans has led to a homogenization of landscapes and decreasing resilience of ecosystems globally due to a loss of biodiversity, including the majority of forests. Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) research has provided compelling evidence for a positive effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functions and services at the local (alpha-diversity) scale, but we largely lack empirical evidence on how the loss of between-patch beta-diversity affects biodiversity and multifunctionality at the landscape scale (gamma-diversity).
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Julian Schrader, Ian J. Wright, Holger Kreft, Patrick Weigelt, Samuel C. Andrew, Ian Abbott, Mark Westoby
Summary: This study extends the Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography to functional traits, showing that traits can also reach equilibrium on islands. Locally extinct species are replaced by new ones sharing similar functional traits.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lirong Cai, Holger Kreft, Amanda Taylor, Pierre Denelle, Julian Schrader, Franz Essl, Mark van Kleunen, Jan Pergl, Petr Pysek, Anke Stein, Marten Winter, Julie F. Barcelona, Nicol Fuentes, Inderjit, Dirk Nikolaus Karger, John Kartesz, Andreij Kuprijanov, Misako Nishino, Daniel Nickrent, Arkadiusz Nowak, Annette Patzelt, Pieter B. Pelser, Paramjit Singh, Jan J. Wieringa, Patrick Weigelt
Summary: This study used machine learning and conventional statistical methods to investigate and predict global plant diversity, revealing complex interactions between environmental factors and plant diversity. Current climate and environmental heterogeneity were found to be the primary drivers, while past environmental conditions had smaller but detectable impacts on plant diversity. The results provide accurate estimates of global plant diversity at resolutions relevant for conservation and macroecology.
Article
Forestry
Laura Somenguem Donfack, Peter Schall, Martina Mund, Alexander Knohl, Christian Ammer
Summary: Thinning has different effects on the growth patterns of beech stands, with managed stands showing higher growth rates than unmanaged stands. In managed stands, stem base growth begins earlier and lasts longer compared to unmanaged stands.
TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Iris Hordijk, Daniel S. Maynard, Simon P. Hart, Lidong Mo, Hans ter Steege, Jingjing Liang, Sergio de-Miguel, Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Peter B. Reich, Meinrad Abegg, C. Yves Adou Yao, Giorgio Alberti, Angelica M. Almeyda Zambrano, Braulio V. Alvarado, Alvarez-Davila Esteban, Patricia Alvarez-Loayza, Luciana F. Alves, Christian Ammer, Clara Anton-Fernandez, Alejandro Araujo-Murakami, Luzmila Arroyo, Valerio Avitabile, Gerardo A. Aymard C, Timothy Baker, Radomir Balazy, Olaf Banki, Jorcely Barroso, Meredith L. Bastian, Jean-Francois Bastin, Luca Birigazzi, Philippe Birnbaum, Robert Bitariho, Pascal Boeckx, Frans Bongers, Olivier Bouriaud, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Susanne Brandl, Roel Brienen, Eben N. Broadbent, Helge Bruelheide, Filippo Bussotti, Roberto Cazzolla Gatti, Ricardo G. Cesar, Goran Cesljar, Robin Chazdon, Han Y. H. Chen, Chelsea Chisholm, Emil Cienciala, Connie J. Clark, David B. Clark, Gabriel Colletta, David Coomes, Fernando Cornejo Valverde, Jose J. Corral-Rivas, Philip Crim, Jonathan Cumming, Selvadurai Dayanandan, Andre L. de Gasper, Mathieu Decuyper, Geraldine Derroire, Ben DeVries, Ilija Djordjevic, Amaral Ieda, Aurelie Dourdain, Engone Obiang Nestor Laurier, Brian Enquist, Teresa Eyre, Adande Belarmain Fandohan, Tom M. Fayle, Leandro V. Ferreira, Ted R. Feldpausch, Leena Finer, Markus Fischer, Christine Fletcher, Lorenzo Frizzera, Javier G. P. Gamarra, Damiano Gianelle, Henry B. Glick, David Harris, Andrew Hector, Andrea Hemp, Geerten Hengeveld, Bruno Herault, John Herbohn, Annika Hillers, Euridice N. Honorio Coronado, Cang Hui, Hyunkook Cho, Thomas Ibanez, Il Bin Jung, Nobuo Imai, Andrzej M. Jagodzinski, Bogdan Jaroszewicz, Vivian Johanssen, Carlos A. Joly, Tommaso Jucker, Viktor Karminov, Kuswata Kartawinata, Elizabeth Kearsley, David Kenfack, Deborah Kennard, Sebastian Kepfer-Rojas, Gunnar Keppel, Mohammed Latif Khan, Timothy Killeen, Hyun Seok Kim, Kanehiro Kitayama, Michael Koehl, Henn Korjus, Florian Kraxner, Diana Laarmann, Mait Lang, Simon Lewis, Huicu Lu, Natalia Lukina, Brian Maitner, Yadvinder Malhi, Eric Marcon, Beatriz Schwantes Marimon, Ben Hur Marimon-Junior, Andrew Robert Marshall, Emanuel Martin, Olga Martynenko, Jorge A. Meave, Omar Melo-Cruz, Casimiro Mendoza, Cory Merow, Miscicki Stanislaw, Abel Monteagudo Mendoza, Vanessa Moreno, Sharif A. Mukul, Philip Mundhenk, Maria G. Nava-Miranda, David Neill, Victor Neldner, Radovan Nevenic, Michael Ngugi, Pascal A. Niklaus, Jacek Oleksyn, Petr Ontikov, Edgar Ortiz-Malavasi, Yude Pan, Alain Paquette, Alexander Parada-Gutierrez, Elena Parfenova, Minjee Park, Mar Parren, Narayanaswamy Parthasarathy, Pablo L. Peri, Sebastian Pfautsch, Oliver L. Phillips, Nicolas Picard, Maria Teresa Piedade, Daniel Piotto, Nigel C. A. Pitman, Irina Polo, Lourens Poorter, Axel Dalberg Poulsen, John R. Poulsen, Hans Pretzsch, Freddy Ramirez Arevalo, Zorayda Restrepo-Correa, Mirco Rodeghiero, Samir Rolim, Anand Roopsind, Francesco Rovero, Ervan Rutishauser, Purabi Saikia, Christian Salas-Eljatib, Peter Schall, Dmitry Schepaschenko, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Bernhard Schmid, Jochen Schongart, Eric B. Searle, Vladimir Seben, Josep M. Serra-Diaz, Douglas Sheil, Anatoly Shvidenko, Javier Silva-Espejo, Marcos Silveira, James Singh, Plini Sist, Ferry Slik, Bonaventure Sonke, Alexandre F. Souza, Krzysztof Sterenczak, Jens-Christian Svenning, Miroslav Svoboda, Ben Swanepoel, Natalia Targhetta, Nadja Tchebakova, Raquel Thomas, Elen Tikhonova, Peter Umunay, Vladimir Usoltsev, Renato Valencia, Fernando Valladares, Fons van Der Plas, Do Van Tran, Michael E. Van Nuland, Rodolfo Vasquez Martinez, Hans Verbeeck, Helder Viana, Alexander C. Vibrans, Simone Vieira, Klaus von Gadow, Hua-Feng Wang, James Watson, Gijsbert D. A. Werner, Susan K. Wiser, Florian Wittmann, Verginia Wortel, Roderick Zagt, Tomasz Zawila-Niedzwiecki, Chunyu Zhang, Xiuhai Zhao, Mo Zhou, Zhi-Xin Zhu, Irie Casimir Zo-Bi, Thomas W. Crowther
Summary: Biodiversity is important for ecosystems, with higher species richness often leading to increased productivity. However, the relationship between biodiversity and productivity varies across environments and is less pronounced at high levels of species richness. Community evenness can mediate this relationship, and our study shows that it is negatively correlated with species richness and plays a crucial role in the biodiversity-productivity relationship.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Amanda Taylor, Patrick Weigelt, Pierre Denelle, Lirong Cai, Holger Kreft
Summary: Plant life and growth forms play important roles in plants' strategies in relation to their environment and provide insights into ecological constraints on biodiversity distribution. Using a novel dataset, this study quantifies the contribution of different plant forms to global gradients of vascular plant diversity. Results show a major shift in plant forms from woody perennials in tropical regions to herb-dominated floras in temperate and boreal regions, following a latitudinal gradient in plant form diversity. The study also highlights the importance of contemporary climate and phylogeny in shaping plant form distributions.
Article
Forestry
Antonios Apostolakis, Ingo Schoening, Beate Michalzik, Christian Ammer, Peter Schall, Falk Haensel, Thomas Nauss, Susan Trumbore, Marion Schrumpf
Summary: In this study, forest and soil inventories were conducted in 150 temperate forest sites in three German landscapes, and in situ soil CO2 efflux was measured in early summer of 2018 and 2019. The results showed that forest structural properties had a significant impact on soil CO2 efflux, while forest composition had a minor effect. The study also found that under drought conditions, the influence of forest structural properties on soil CO2 efflux was mediated by fine root biomass.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lirong Cai, Holger Kreft, Amanda Taylor, Julian Schrader, Wayne Dawson, Franz Essl, Mark Van Kleunen, Jan Pergl, Petr Pysek, Marten Winter, Patrick Weigelt
Summary: Assessing the distribution and drivers of phylogenetic endemism in seed plants worldwide, this study finds that tropical and subtropical islands and tropical mountain regions have the highest phylogenetic endemism. Tropical rainforest regions are centers of paleoendemism, while Mediterranean-climate regions show high levels of neoendemism. Factors such as warm and wet climates, geographic isolation, and long-term climatic stability are key drivers of phylogenetic endemism. The study provides insights into the evolutionary underpinnings of biogeographical patterns and identifies areas of high evolutionary and biogeographical uniqueness for global conservation priorities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shu-ya Fan, Qiang Yang, Shao-peng Li, Trevor S. Fristoe, Marc W. Cadotte, Franz Essl, Holger Kreft, Jan Pergl, Petr Pysek, Patrick Weigelt, John Kartesz, Misako Nishino, Jan J. Wieringa, Mark van Kleunen
Summary: Darwin's naturalization conundrum refers to the two hypotheses regarding the likelihood of closely or distantly related alien species naturalizing in regional floras. This study found a latitudinal gradient in the conundrum, with naturalized alien plant species being more closely related to natives at higher latitudes. Human landscape modification further exacerbated the gradient by selecting distantly related aliens in warmer and drier regions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Estela Covre Foltran, Christian Ammer, Norbert Lamersdorf
Summary: An analysis of pure and mixed species stands in Germany showed that pure spruce stands had the lowest base saturation, while beech had the highest values. The impact of Douglas fir on soil chemistry depended on site conditions. Mixed stands had higher soil exchangeable K content and reduced base cation depletion compared to conifer stands.
Article
Forestry
Vasil Metreveli, Holger Kreft, Ilia Akobia, Zurab Janiashvili, Zaza Nonashvili, Lasha Dzadzamia, Zurab Javakhishvili, Alexander Gavashelishvili
Summary: This study examined the habitat requirements of chestnut in the Caucasus region and validated the model using data from the region.
Article
Ecology
Jonas Glatthorn, Scott Appleby, Niko Balkenhol, Peter Kriegel, Likulunga Emmanuel Likulunga, Jing-Zhong Lu, Dragan Matevski, Andrea Polle, Hannes Riebl, Carmen Alicia Rivera Perez, Stefan Scheu, Alexander Seinsche, Peter Schall, Andreas Schuldt, Severin Wingender, Christian Ammer
Summary: Cultivation of non-native tree species in managed forests has the potential to adapt to climate change, but the impacts on forest associates need to be considered. We found that non-native tree species in pure stands and mixed stands with native tree species have higher species diversity than native species in temperate Northwest Germany. However, the overall diversity of forest-floor-associated biota is not improved by cultivating non-native tree species in mixture with native tree species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kai Boedeker, Claudia Jordan-Fragstein, Torsten Vor, Christian Ammer, Thomas Knoke
Summary: Intensive browsing by ungulates has a significant impact on forests worldwide. The interactions between browsed saplings and their biotic and abiotic environment play a key role in sapling mortality. The study finds that light availability and browsing probability are the most influential factors affecting selectively browsed tree species, and silvicultural management and efficient hunting strategies can mitigate browsing impact.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jiarui Zhao, Xiaohu Yuan, Zhanjun Liu, Haotian Shi, Bingnian Zhai, Yuanjun Zhu
Summary: Overfertilization is common in rainfed apple orchards on China's Loess Plateau, but its impacts on soil physicochemical properties in deep soil profiles are poorly understood. This study found that different land-use types showed divergent distribution patterns in soil properties, with low variability for SWC and pH, moderate variability for NH4+-N, AP, and AK, and high variability for SOC, NO3--N, and EC. The results also showed that fertilization influenced soil water content, NO3--N, AP, and AK, and NO3--N played a crucial role in regulating pH and EC. Soil profiles were useful for studying the evolution of soil quality.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Nyfeler, Olivier Huguenin-Elie, Emmanuel Frossard, Andreas Luscher
Summary: Grass-legume mixtures combine high yields, low fertiliser requirements, and low nitrate leaching better than either pure grass or pure legume swards, both during the intact plant cover and after tilling for the subsequent crop.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Martin Faucher, Seraphine Grellier, Clemence Chaudron, Jean-Louis Janeau, Gabrielle Rudi, Fabrice Vinatier
Summary: The Mediterranean region is expected to experience more intense rainfall events and severe droughts due to climate change, leading to an increase in runoff and erosion rates in agrosystems. Vegetation cover can help reduce erosion and the soil seed bank can provide cost-effective vegetation. This study assessed the effect of vegetation cover on seed loss in vineyards and evaluated the differences in the soil seed bank along a transect. The results suggest that vegetation may not protect interrows from runoff-induced seed loss.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Christian Thierfelder, Blessing Mhlanga, Isaiah Nyagumbo, Kelvin Kalala, Esau Simutowe, Mazvita Chiduwa, Chloe Maclaren, Joao Vasco Silva, Hambulo Ngoma
Summary: The performance of different maize-legume diversification strategies was compared in southern Africa. Intercropping systems showed significant nutritional and economic benefits, but had higher labor requirements compared to other cropping systems. Soil organic carbon content and pH were not affected by the tested cropping systems.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Han Chen, Han Li, Yizhao Wei, Edward Mcbean, Hong Liang, Weimin Wang, Jinhui Jeanne Huang
Summary: This research introduces a hybrid four-sub-deep neural network (HFSD) model for partitioning NEE into GPP and ER. The HFSD employs dual sub-deep neural networks to estimate ERa and ERb and incorporates GPP and environmental variables to predict vegetation transpiration. The results of the model show that the dual sub-DNNs architecture enhances the accuracy of ER simulations, while using EC-derived T as a constraint improves the accuracy of GPP simulations. Correlation analyses suggest that solar radiation and air temperature primarily influence the seasonal variations in GPP and ER, while soil moisture has a strong impact during dry seasons. This study advances the biophysical description of data-driven models for NEE partitioning and enhances the accuracy of GPP and ER estimates.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Michael Glaser, Stefan Dullinger, Dietmar Moser, Johannes Wessely, Milan Chytry, Zdenka Lososova, Irena Axmanova, Christian Berg, Jana Buerger, Serge Buholzer, Fabrizio Buldrini, Alessandro Chiarucci, Swen Follak, Filip Kuezmic, Stefan Meyer, Petr Pysek, Nina Richner, Urban Silc, Siegrid Steinkellner, Alexander Wietzke, Franz Essl
Summary: This study investigated changes in vascular plant species in Central European arable fields and their edges from 1930 to 2019. The results showed a small decline in overall species occupancy, but a more pronounced species turnover. Species with environmental preferences for nutrient-rich sites with neutral pH increased in occupancy, while species typical for arable fields decreased. No response to climate change was observed, and there was a decrease in archaeophytes and native species and an increase in neophytes.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Abrell, Krishna Naudin, Felix J. J. A. Bianchi, Debora Veiga Aragao, Pablo Tittonell, Marc Corbeels
Summary: This study demonstrates that reducing fallow periods in shifting cultivation systems in the Eastern Amazon region has negative effects on soil fertility and weed pressure, posing a threat to the sustainability and productivity of local farming systems.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jun Wang, Lu Lv, Ronggui Hu, Haiyang Ma, Bo Liu, Wenju Zhang, Lei Wu
Summary: Nitrification and denitrification are crucial for nitrogen losses in agricultural soils and are affected by soil properties. This study investigated the patterns and controlling factors of nitrification and denitrification potentials in paddy soils in major rice-producing areas of Hubei Province, China. The results showed that soil pH and SOC were the primary factors regulating nitrification and denitrification potentials, respectively.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Olga Fishkis, Jessica Weller, Jorn Lehmhus, Franz Pollinger, Jorn Strassemeyer, Heinz -Josef Koch
Summary: The Farm to Fork strategy of the European Union aims to reduce pesticide use and replace chemical measures with mechanical methods in weed control. However, there is currently no comprehensive evaluation of the ecological and economic parameters of mechanical methods. This study quantified these parameters for different weed control methods in sugar beet and found that no method can be considered fully environmentally friendly.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mercedes Guerrero-Brotons, Nuria Perujo, Anna M. Romani, Rosa Gomez
Summary: Proper bed substrate selection is crucial for the performance of constructed wetlands, especially when treating drainage water with high nitrogen and low carbon and phosphorus concentrations. In a field-scale pilot plant, adding a carbon-rich substrate such as soil or biochar increased phosphorus availability in beds. Beds with soil displayed higher microbial density and activity, as well as better plant growth compared to gravel. These findings highlight the importance of selecting suitable substrates for treating irrigated agricultural water.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Beatrice Giannetta, Cesar Plaza, Giorgio Galluzzi, Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Juan Carlos Garcia-Gil, Marco Panettieri, Gabriel Gasco, Claudio Zaccone
Summary: This study examines the long-term effects of biochar application on soil organic C protection and finds that biochar, especially when combined with other amendments, has the potential to increase the content of particulate organic C and mineral-associated organic C in soils. The presence of ferrihydrite may mediate the positive effects on mineral-associated organic matter.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Emily Rose Waring, Carl Pederson, Ainis Lagzdins, Chelsea Clifford, Matthew J. Helmers
Summary: Addressing the global problem of eutrophication requires better management of inorganic nitrogen in the agricultural landscape. This study compares the effects of different tillage practices and cover crops on soil and water quality. The results show that the conventional tillage system is more effective in improving water quality and maintaining crop yields compared to other tillage practices. Additionally, the study reveals that the impact of tillage practices and cover crop growth methods on water and soil quality changes over time.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Annalisa Stevenson, Yakun Zhang, Jingyi Huang, Jie Hu, Keith Paustian, Alfred E. Hartemink
Summary: Considerable advances have been made in the assessment and mapping of soil organic carbon stocks. However, the rates of change in carbon stocks are influenced by various factors and need to be quantified. This study found that sandy soils under cultivation and forests have different organic carbon stocks. Factors such as tillage, irrigation, and nitrogen applications contribute to the decline in soil organic carbon stocks. Afforestation of abandoned cultivated fields can increase soil organic carbon, but it is still lower than soils under forest that have never been cultivated.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyuan Yao, Chuanxiong Huang, Huiling Hu, Tao Wang, Yulong Li, Xiaoming Sune, Sina Adl, Bo Zhu
Summary: Enhancing soil organic carbon levels through improved fertilization strategies is important for soil health and sustainable crop production. This study found that the relative abundance of organisms from higher trophic levels and increased network complexity in the soil micro-food webs are vital contributors to effective SOC accumulation.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Qing Qu, Lei Deng, Zhouping Shangguan, Jian Sun, Jinsheng He, Kaibo Wang, Zhengchao Zhou, Jiwei Li, Josep Penuelas
Summary: Grazing exclusion is a widely implemented strategy for restoring degraded grassland ecosystems and increasing carbon stocks. This study analyzed data from 199 experiments to understand the temporal responses and factors influencing plant and soil carbon stocks following grazing exclusion in different grassland ecosystems. The results showed that plant biomass carbon stocks and soil organic carbon stocks decreased exponentially or rationally with years since enclosure. Grazing exclusion had positive effects on aboveground biomass carbon, but the effects on belowground biomass and soil carbon were influenced by climate, initial carbon levels, and grazing exclusion duration. The response of carbon stocks to grazing exclusion stabilized after approximately 40 years, with soil carbon sequestration showing a lagged pattern compared to plant biomass carbon. The study highlighted the effectiveness of grazing exclusion in regions with low carbon content and non-water limited conditions. However, it might not be an effective measure to increase soil organic carbon stocks in water-limited areas like desert grasslands.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
