Article
Ecology
Shuzo Oita, Jamison Carey, Ian Kline, Alicia Ibanez, Nathaniel Yang, Erik F. Y. Hom, Ignazio Carbone, Jana M. U'Ren, A. Elizabeth Arnold
Summary: The study found that endophyte richness and composition were consistent across different cultivation media types and largely robust to differences in storage period. Differences in endophyte richness, composition, and taxonomic diversity between culturing and NGS were significant, but both methods revealed host-structured communities. Comparing studies with variations in cultivation media or storage period can help estimate endophyte diversity at larger scales.
Article
Forestry
Aosanen Ao, Sapu Changkija, Francis Q. Brearley, Shri Kant Tripathi
Summary: Anthropogenic activities are causing changes in forest health, but little is known about the effects of such activities on fragmented forests in different regions. This study in the Minkong Community Reserve Forest of India aimed to determine the impact of anthropogenic activities on vegetation composition and diversity, population structure, and biomass and carbon stocks. The results showed that fragmentation and human disturbance can reduce forest diversity and carbon stocks, and community forest management can help conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change.
Article
Plant Sciences
Andreas Makiola, Robert J. Holdaway, Jamie R. Wood, Kate H. Orwin, Travis R. Glare, Ian A. Dickie
Summary: Interactions between individual plant pathogens and their environment have been described many times. However, the relative contribution of different environmental parameters as controls of pathogen communities remains largely unknown. Plant community composition is found to be the main driver of plant pathogen composition and richness after taking into account all other tested parameters, especially those related to climate and soil. Concerning future changes in climate and land use, results suggest that changes in plant pathogen community composition and richness will primarily be mediated through changes in plant communities, rather than the direct effects of climate or soils.
Article
Forestry
Mingxin Liu, Gregory J. Jordan, Christopher P. Burridge, Laurence J. Clarke, Susan C. Baker
Summary: In managed forests, the recovery of ground-active beetle biodiversity in regeneration forests is affected by forest influence, landscape context, and other surrounding landscape characteristics. Different forest ages and landscape context classes significantly impact beetle composition, with predictors explaining 34.1% of total variance in beetle community turnover. While geographical locations play a major role, subtle influences from landscape context, forest influence, and other landscape configuration variables also affect the beetle community.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hugo Sentenac, Adeline Loyau, Luca Zoccarato, Vincent E. J. Jassey, Hans-Peter Grossart, Dirk S. Schmeller
Summary: Mountain lakes, which provide clean drinking water to humans, are strongly affected by global change. Benthic biofilms play a crucial role in maintaining water quality, but little is known about the effects of global change on mountain biofilm communities. By analyzing metabarcoding data and climatic and environmental data, this study reveals significant shifts in the composition and decline in biodiversity of prokaryotic and micro-eukaryotic biofilm communities in Pyrenean lakes from 2016 to 2020.
Article
Ecology
Robin-Tobias Jauss, Susanne Walden, Anna Maria Fiore-Donno, Stefan Schaffer, Ronny Wolf, Kai Feng, Michael Bonkowski, Martin Schlegel
Summary: Oomycetes exhibit distinct communities in tree canopies compared to ground regions, with the canopy region dominated by obligate biotrophic species. Despite homogeneity in OTU presence, there is a strong discrepancy in oomycete lifestyles between the strata. This finding challenges strict host dependencies and contributes to a better understanding of oomycete ecosystem functioning in forest ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Kirsten Wolff, Bernhard Depner, Samuel A. Logan, Marco Heurich
Summary: The study on Tilia species in the Bavarian Forest National Park reveals that Tilia platyphyllos has higher genetic diversity compared to Tilia cordata, with genetic diversity comparable to other populations in Central Europe. Increasing tree numbers, using local sources, and promoting gene flow from surrounding forests are crucial for long-term survival. Additionally, Tilia cordata shows a preference for mixed and coniferous forests, while Tilia platyphyllos occurs mostly in deciduous forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephane Pfendler, Lisa Ciadamidaro, Shinji Ozaki, Aurelie Bonin, Pierre Taberlet, Cyril Zappelini, Francois Maillard, Damien Blaudez, Michel Chalot
Summary: Soil microbial communities play a vital role in plant nutrition and stress tolerance, especially in sites contaminated by trace metals. However, there is limited knowledge about the factors affecting the richness and composition of these communities in contaminated sites. This study found that the site and plant species identity significantly influenced the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere, indicating the importance of considering these factors in assisted revegetation efforts at contaminated sites.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pedro Luiz Silva de Miranda, Kyle G. Dexter, Michael D. Swaine, Ary Teixeira de Oliveira-Filho, Olivier J. Hardy, Adeline Fayolle
Summary: Differences in tree species richness between South America and Africa are primarily due to certain key families in South American moist forests and dry vegetation types. The tree floras of South America and Africa are organized similarly, and further research on these key families could provide insights into the processes leading to South America's exceptional plant species diversity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hesekia Garekae, Charlie M. Shackleton, Gaolathe Tsheboeng
Summary: The importance of urban vegetation in the quality and maintenance of life in urban areas is increasingly recognized globally. This study examined the prevalence and distribution of forageable plant species across different spaces in two towns in South Africa. The findings show that the fragmented urban spaces are endowed with a diversity of forageable plant species, with many valuable to particular sectors of urban society, such as foragers.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Farzad Aslani, Stefan Geisen, Daliang Ning, Leho Tedersoo, Mohammad Bahram
Summary: Soil fungi, protists, and animals are essential for ecosystem functions in terrestrial ecosystems, but there is still a lack of holistic understanding of the processes shaping the global distribution of the eukaryome. The study found that the community structure of eukaryotic microbes and animals is primarily determined by soil pH and mean annual precipitation, with contrasting latitudinal diversity patterns observed. Additionally, there may be a potential link between body size and niche breadth of soil eukaryotes and the relative effects of ecological processes and environmental factors in driving their biogeographic patterns.
Article
Biology
Andreas Novotny, Sara Zamora-Terol, Monika Winder
Summary: Alternative pathways of energy transfer are essential for guaranteeing functionality and productivity in marine food webs. The complexity of zooplankton interactions, particularly the diversity of trophic niches, is crucial for stabilizing food web efficiency. Small, rarely studied zooplankton species like rotifers and ciliates play significant roles in the Baltic Sea pelagic primary production pathways.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Thobeka Gumede, David A. Ehlers Smith, Samukelisiwe P. Ngcobo, Mbalenhle Sosibo, Yvette C. Ehlers Smith, Colleen T. Downs
Summary: Changes to natural environments resulting from human population growth pose a major threat to biodiversity. This study found that vegetation structure, patch size, and isolation distance significantly influenced avian communities, with reductions in forest patch size and complexity leading to decreased avian species richness and functional diversity. Additionally, increasing isolation distance had a negative impact on avian diversity.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camille Leal, Dhara Avelino-Alves, Vinicius Salazar, Claudia Omachi, Cristiane Thompson, Roberto G. S. Berlinck, Eduardo Hajdu, Fabiano Thompson
Summary: This study reveals that both Low Microbial Abundance and High Microbial Abundance sponge species have stable prokaryotic communities across vast geographic regions, indicating their high adaptability.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Makuete A. P. Tiawoun, Pieter W. Malan, Alvino A. Comole, Moleseng C. Moshobane
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of P. velutina on native woody plant composition and diversity along the Molopo River. The results showed that invaded stands had significantly lower native woody species density and composition compared to uninvaded stands. Urgent management and control measures are needed to mitigate the ongoing spread of this invasive species.
Article
Agronomy
Mohammed Y. Khdiar, Treena Burgess, Paul A. Barber, Giles E. St J. Hardy
Summary: Species in the genus Phytophthora can cause significant economic losses to crops and damage to natural ecosystems. Phosphite is currently the most effective chemical for disease management, but excessive concentrations can be harmful. This study tested two new metal chelates and phosphite for their efficacy against Phytophthora cinnamomi, and found that Ca chelate showed superior results in controlling the pathogen.
Article
Plant Sciences
Qurrat Ul Ain Farooq, Jen McComb, Giles E. St. J. Hardy, Treena Burgess
Summary: The ability of different soil additives, such as organic, microbial, or mineral-based, to suppress root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi was compared with the effectiveness of the fungicides phosphite or metalaxyl. The impact of glyphosate, a commonly used herbicide, on plant health was also investigated. The results showed that phosphite and silicate-based mulch had a significant inhibitory effect on root rot, while a microbial-based conditioner also showed some benefits. However, the chemical treatment with metalaxyl had negative impacts on plant growth and root health, and glyphosate had inhibitory effects on avocado plants.
AUSTRALASIAN PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Plant Sciences
Qurrat Ul Ain Farooq, Jen McComb, Giles St. J. E. Hardy, Treena Burgess
AUSTRALASIAN PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Suchana R. Sarker, Jen McComb, Giles E. St. J. Hardy, Treena I. Burgess
Summary: More Phytophthora species can be detected from environmental samples using DNA metabarcoding compared to isolation by baiting. Baiting small volumes of non-bulked soil samples resulted in the recovery of more Phytophthora species than baiting large volumes of bulked soils. Metabarcoding of asymptomatic baits detected additional species that were not isolated from lesioned baits. The combination of baiting small samples and metabarcoding of asymptomatic baits yielded the highest number of total species detected.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Tanay Bose, Almuth Hammerbacher, Wayne Jones, Jolanda Roux, Bernard Slippers, Michael. J. J. Wingfield
Summary: This study evaluated the susceptibility of pure E. nitens and the hybrid E. grandis x E. nitens to Phytophthora alticola and P. cinnamomi. The results showed that the purebred E. nitens families were highly susceptible to both pathogens, while the E. grandis x E. nitens hybrid exhibited tolerance to them.
MYCOLOGICAL PROGRESS
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Hongli Si, Yuemin Su, Yichen Wang, Tanay Bose, Runlei Chang
Summary: In this study, the PKS genes in the lichen Xanthoparmelia taractica were catalogued, and a co-culture system was established to evaluate the effect of an endolichenic fungus on lichen symbiosis. The results showed that the majority of PKS genes had unknown functions, and the expression of some genes was influenced by symbiosis. The study also confirmed that Type I is the most dominant PKS gene in lichenized fungi.
MYCOLOGICAL PROGRESS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Bruce G. Marcot, Peter Scott, Treena I. Burgess
Summary: We compiled a database of 32 traits on 204 species of Phytophthora and calculated the potential invasiveness of 103 better studied species. Using a Bayesian network model, we predicted the degree and probability of invasiveness of individual Phytophthora species. This modeling approach can be used for other pests and pathogens to advise land and resource managers in preventing potential invasions.
Article
Microbiology
Runlei Chang, Yichen Wang, Yanyu Liu, Yiran Wang, Shiguo Li, Guoyan Zhao, Susu Zhang, Meixue Dai, Xiaoxiao Zheng, Tanay Bose, Hongli Si
Summary: This study explores the diversity of lichenicolous black fungi associated with lichens in China. The researchers collected 1,587 fungal isolates from lichen samples and identified 15 new species within the genus Cladophialophora using genetic analysis. The study highlights the importance of lichens as refuges for black lichenicolous fungi.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Forestry
Tanay Bose, Almuth Hammerbacher, Bernard Slippers, Jolanda Roux, Michael J. J. Wingfield
Summary: Continuous replanting of the same or similar plant species can lead to the accumulation of harmful soil microbes, causing crop failure. This review explores the impact of constant replanting on the health of short-rotation forestry soil, focusing on the build-up of deleterious microbes and the decline of beneficial microbes. Practical solutions and future research to address this problem are suggested.
CURRENT FORESTRY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hongli Si, Yichen Wang, Yanyu Liu, Shiguo Li, Tanay Bose, Runlei Chang
Summary: Through five surveys conducted in Yunnan Province of China, we discovered the first known endolichenic fungi belonging to the Teratosphaeriaceae family. These fungi belong to a new genus called Intumescentia and consist of four new species. They exhibit a wide range of lifestyles and ecological roles.
Article
Plant Sciences
Himbutugoda Shanika Harshani, Jen McComb, Treena I. Burgess, Giles E. St. J. Hardy
Summary: This study evaluates the resistance of several native species to Phytophthora cinnamomi at the early stages of plant development. Results showed that out of 38 species analyzed, 9 species were not affected, 14 species had decreased emergence or survival, and 15 species had significant decreases in both emergence and survival. These results suggest that resistance recorded from mature plants may not be present in seedlings, and thus data from mature plants should not be used when selecting species for seed-based restoration.
AUSTRALASIAN PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
G. M. Granados, C. A. Rodas, M. Vivas, M. J. Wingfield, I. Barnes
Summary: This study found that Dothistroma septosporum can continuously spread needle blight throughout the year in Colombia, due to the influence of humidity and temperature on conidial dispersal. The favorable weather conditions in Colombia, particularly rainfall, contribute to continuous conidial production.
Article
Mycology
Tanay Bose, Christoffel F. J. Spies, Almuth Hammerbacher, Teresa A. Coutinho
Summary: There are 77 Phytophthora species identified in sub-Saharan Africa, and important research has been conducted in this region. However, the progress of Phytophthora research in sub-Saharan Africa has been relatively slow compared to global data. This review highlights critical research gaps and suggests specific studies to address these gaps.
MYCOLOGICAL PROGRESS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iva Franic, Eric Allan, Simone Prospero, Kalev Adamson, Fabio Attorre, Marie-Anne Auger-Rozenberg, Sylvie Augustin, Dimitrios Avtzis, Wim Baert, Marek Barta, Kenneth Bauters, Amani Bellahirech, Piotr Boron, Helena Braganca, Tereza Brestovanska, May Bente Brurberg, Treena Burgess, Daiva Burokiene, Michelle Cleary, Juan Corley, David R. Coyle, Gyoergy Csoka, Karel Cerny, Kateryna Davydenko, Maarten de Groot, Julio Javier Diez, H. Tugba Dogmus Lehtijaervi, Rein Drenkhan, Jacqueline Edwards, Mohammed Elsafy, Csaba Bela Eoetvoes, Roman Falko, Jianting Fan, Nina Feddern, Agnes Fuerjes-Miko, Martin M. Gossner, Bartlomiej Grad, Martin Hartmann, Ludmila Havrdova, Miriam Kadasi Horakova, Marketa Hrabetova, Mathias Just Justesen, Magdalena Kacprzyk, Marc Kenis, Natalia Kirichenko, Marta Kovac, Volodymyr Kramarets, Nikola Lackovic, Maria Victoria Lantschner, Jelena Lazarevic, Marianna Leskiv, Hongmei Li, Corrie Lynne Madsen, Chris Malumphy, Dinka Matosevic, Iryna Matsiakh, Tom W. May, Johan Meffert, Duccio Migliorini, Christo Nikolov, Richard O'Hanlon, Funda Oskay, Trudy Paap, Taras Parpan, Barbara Piskur, Hans Peter Ravn, John Richard, Anne Ronse, Alain Roques, Beat Ruffner, Alberto Santini, Karolis Sivickis, Carolina Soliani, Venche Talgo, Maria Tomoshevich, Anne Uimari, Michael Ulyshen, Anna Maria Vettraino, Caterina Villari, Yongjun Wang, Johanna Witzell, Milica Zlatkovic, Rene Eschen
Summary: Non-native pests, climate change, and their interactions can alter relationships between trees and tree-associated organisms, with consequences for forest health. Factors such as mean annual temperature, phylogenetic distance between hosts, and geographic distance between locations play a crucial role in shaping tree-associated communities. The increasing importance of high temperatures suggests that climate change may directly and indirectly affect tree-associated organisms. Furthermore, host range shifts and human-mediated transport contribute to the emergence and spread of new pests. It is vital to limit the establishment of tree pests and enhance the resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Clement E. Gille, Patrick M. Finnegan, Patrick E. Hayes, Kosala Ranathunge, Treena I. Burgess, Felix de Tombeur, Duccio Migliorini, Paul Dallongeville, Gaetan Glauser, Hans Lambers
Summary: Nonmycorrhizal plants enhance the defense of mycorrhizal plants against soil-borne pathogens through their symbiosis, and ectomycorrhizal fungi play a vital role in the interactions between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants in severely P-impoverished environments.