Article
Plant Sciences
Cristiele S. Souza, Desiree M. Ramos, Eduardo R. M. Barbosa, Fabian Borghetti
Summary: This study examined the response of seeds from dry and wet grassland grasses to water stress under current and future temperature conditions. The results showed that increasing water stress reduced the viability of grass seeds, and the future temperature conditions reduced the viability of wet grassland species and altered the germination strategy of dry grassland species.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
B. -B. Fan, S. Yusup, S. Sundberg, Y. -D. Chen, H. -X. Qiao, S. -S. Liu, Z. -J. Bu
Summary: Dry/wet cycling significantly affects the survival and germinate ability of bryophyte spores in peatlands. It reduces the germination percentage and viability of spores and slows down the protonema development. The impact is more pronounced with higher dry/wet cycling frequencies.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Nileshwari Raju Yewle, Richard L. Stroshine, R. P. Kingsly Ambrose, Dieudonne Baributsa
Summary: Maize is a major crop for human consumption, starch production, and animal feed. Drying maize after harvest in the humid tropics can be challenging, therefore storing maize temporarily under hermetic conditions can help preserve grain quality.
Article
Soil Science
Lingjuan Li, Ivan Nijs, Hans De Boeck, Olga Vinduskova, Simon Reynaert, Chase Donnelly, Lin Zi, Erik Verbruggen
Summary: Climate change is causing longer alternating wet and dry spells, which affect soil water availability and soil microbial communities. Intermediate regimes of wet and dry spells increase stochasticity of microbial community assembly, while longer wet or dry periods reduce fungal diversity and network connectivity.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Adalgisa Maria Chaib, Anabele Stefania Gomes, Fabian Borghetti
Summary: The growth performance and biomass of Qualea grandiflora and Tabebuia aurea seedlings were examined under simulated dry spells. While Q. grandiflora showed no significant response, T. aurea invested more in taproot growth to cope with future adverse climate conditions, ensuring the survival and establishment of the seedlings.
Article
Plant Sciences
Cassy Anne Rodrigues, Alessandra Fidelis
Summary: Different fire frequencies can result in changes in plant communities of open savannas in central Brazil, but do not affect species richness. Annual fire treatments show consistency in post-fire regeneration, while biennial treatments show more variation. Species that appear immediately after a fire may not persist in the long term.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Natalia Hoyos, Alex Correa-Metrio, Carlos Jaramillo, Juan Camilo Villegas, Jaime Escobar
Summary: The transition between tropical savanna and humid forest is mainly influenced by the average duration of dry and wet spells and the interaction between these variables, with total monthly precipitation having a marginal effect. Dry spell duration has the largest effect on the probability of forest occurrence, decreasing by 7.5% for each additional consecutive dry day. Wet spell duration also impacts forest occurrence, increasing by 4.1% for each additional consecutive wet day.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tamilis Rocha Silva, Silvia Barbosa Rodrigues, Joao Bernardo de Azevedo Bringel, Alexandre Bonesso Sampaio, Edson Eyji Sano, Daniel Luis Mascia Vieira
Summary: This study investigates the regeneration of native vegetation in the pastures of the Cerrado region and evaluates the factors contributing to this process. The study analyzes pasture plant communities and various attributes across 93 active pastures and 15 abandoned pastures. The results show that pasture management is the main predictor of savanna regeneration on cultivated pastures, while time since abandonment is the main predictor on abandoned pastures.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dayane Gomes Oliveira, Marcia Eugenia Amaral Carvalho, Higor Ferreira Silva, Alcindo Sousa Brignoni, Leticia Rigonato Lima, Liliane Santos Camargos, Lucas Anjos Souza
Summary: The study found that the tree species Lonchocarpus cultratus can withstand high concentrations of lead in soil, accumulating the metal mainly in roots but showing no reduction in biomass. The plants demonstrate a high tolerance to lead, with low translocation from roots to shoots to avoid damage to photosynthetic tissues, while also showing increases in leaf area and root length under lead exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gabriela Fraga Porto, Jose Henrique Pezzonia, Kleber Del-Claro
Summary: The Cerrado is threatened by fire and frost, which trigger attribute changes and affect biodiversity. Fire has a positive effect on regrowth and ecological interactions, while ants play an important role in herbivore control. Frost has a greater impact, but fire can better restore ecological interactions in the Cerrado.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Natashi A. L. Pilon, Bruna H. Campos, Giselda Durigan, Mario G. B. Cava, Lucy Rowland, Isabel Schmidt, Alexandre Sampaio, Rafael S. Oliveira
Summary: The ecological restoration of tropical open ecosystems is challenging and assessing the effectiveness of restoration techniques is crucial. The results show that passive restoration promotes the conservation of a limited number of target species, while active restoration using propagules from pristine sites performs better in restoring plant diversity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ottfried Dietrich, Axel Behrendt, Martin Wegehenkel
Summary: In recent years, Germany has faced increasing extreme wet and dry years, with wet grassland sites in the North German lowlands being particularly sensitive to changes in the hydrological system. Even in extreme dry conditions, these shallow water table sites are unable to fully meet the water demands of vegetation.
Article
Agronomy
Simon Reynaert, Arthur Vienne, Hans J. De Boeck, Tommy D'Hose, Ivan Janssens, Ivan Nijs, Miguel Portillo-Estrada, Erik Verbruggen, Sara Vicca
Summary: Global warming is changing the variability of precipitation patterns in the mid-latitudes, leading to longer dry and wet spells. This fluctuation can negatively affect the soil water and nutrient dynamics of managed ecosystems, impacting their functioning. This study found that the addition of basalt can mitigate the effects of persistent precipitation regimes on agricultural grassland, improving productivity and soil nutrient availability without compromising fodder quality.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Shinan Lang, Mingzhu Yang, Xiangbin Cui, Lin Li, Yiheng Cai, Xiaojun Liu, Jingxue Guo, Bo Sun, Martin Siegert
Summary: In this study, a semiautomatic method is proposed to predict basal dry-wet distributions in glaciated regions, which improves accuracy by correcting identification thresholds and automatically identifying dry-wet transitions.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Isadora M. Ribeiro, Christina C. Vinson, Guilherme C. Coca, Cristiane da S. Ferreira, Augusto C. Franco, Thomas C. R. Williams
Summary: Flood tolerance is crucial for the survival of tree species, and tropical trees can adapt to flooding through adjustments in metabolism, physiology, and morphology. This study found that Amazonian populations of Guazuma ulmifolia exhibited greater adaptation to flooding compared to Cerrado populations, with increased shoot length and more rapid restoration of normal metabolism.
Article
Plant Sciences
Benoit Loeuille, Joao Bernardo De A. Bringel, Jair E. Q. Faria, Jose F. M. Valls
Summary: This article describes and illustrates three new species from the Brazilian Cerrado phytogeographic domain: Eremanthus tomentosus, Lychnophora goiana, and L. planaltina. The characteristics, distribution, and affinities of these species are discussed, contributing to the study of plant diversity in the region.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jason C. S. Chan, Mark K. J. Ooi, Lydia K. Guja
Summary: Ploidy and species range size or threat status are associated with variation in seed and seedling traits, but their ecological outcomes are not well understood. The study found that polyploids have larger seeds, faster germination rates, and larger and taller seedlings compared to diploids. However, there is no clear relationship between range size and seed or seedling traits. These findings suggest that polyploids have a competitive advantage during the regeneration phase in fire-prone environments.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Pedro Diniz, Jose F. M. Valls, Desiree M. Ramos
Summary: The foraging behavior of omnivorous birds in mixed-species groups (MSGs) may change due to competition and antipredator benefits. Coal-crested finches adjust their diet and vertical foraging strata based on grass seed availability, with little effect from weather and breeding season. MSGs play a crucial role in the foraging behavior of omnivorous birds.
ETHOLOGY ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shuayib Yusup, Sebastian Sundberg, Mark K. J. Ooi, Mingming Zhang, Zhongqiu Sun, Hakan Rydin, Meng Wang, Lu Feng, Xu Chen, Zhao-Jun Bu
Summary: Northern peatlands are important carbon stores, and the re-establishment of bryophytes after fire is crucial for carbon sequestration. This study demonstrates that smoke can enhance the germination of bryophyte spores, with the effect increasing along the fire frequency gradient. The findings suggest that an increase in fire frequency can lead to shifts in species dominance, impacting long-term carbon sequestration in peatlands.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
S. J. McInnes, R. Tangney, J. J. Brophy, P. Thordarson, M. K. J. Ooi
Summary: Seed dormancy is crucial for seed germination and population persistence. The composition of seed coat fatty acids may play a key role in controlling dormancy, especially in fire-prone ecosystems. Fire-prone species tend to have longer saturated FA chains and a different FA composition compared to fire-free species, indicating a potential role of fatty acids in dormancy mechanisms.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bruno dos Santos Rabelo, Frank Van Langevelde, Kyle Tomlinson, Pedro Diniz, Dulce Alves da Silva, Eduardo R. M. Barbosa, Fabian Borghetti
Summary: Invasive grasses have invaded ancient savannas and had significant impacts on native landscapes. This study examined the effects of an invasive grass and a native grass on the survival and growth of native tree seedlings in neotropical savannas. Experimental manipulations of light, water supply, and fertilization were conducted to understand how these factors interact with grass species to affect tree seedlings. The results showed that both grass species reduced tree seedling survival and growth, and these effects were not mitigated by shade, irrigation, or fertilization. The impacts of the invasive grass were greater than those of the native grass, highlighting the need for management plans to control invasive grasses and conserve native biodiversity and ecosystem services.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Adalgisa Maria Chaib, Anabele Stefania Gomes, Fabian Borghetti
Summary: The growth performance and biomass of Qualea grandiflora and Tabebuia aurea seedlings were examined under simulated dry spells. While Q. grandiflora showed no significant response, T. aurea invested more in taproot growth to cope with future adverse climate conditions, ensuring the survival and establishment of the seedlings.
Article
Agronomy
Adriana Regina Custodio, Andrea Branco Schmidt, Marcio de Carvalho Moretzsohn, Jose Francisco Montenegro Valls
Summary: China Summary: This study analyzed the genetic variability and relationships of germplasm accessions of species in the Arachis section, with emphasis on the B genome species, using microsatellite markers. The results provide valuable information for the management and use of wild species in crop improvement. They also suggest the need for further taxonomic revision of certain taxa and sections in the Arachis genus.
GENETIC RESOURCES AND CROP EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Anabele S. Gomes, Ragan M. Callaway, Bruno S. Rabelo, Graziela L. Petry, Eduardo M. Barbosa, Fabian Borghetti
Summary: Water competition in the tropics was explored in this study, with a focus on the rapid exclusion of an endemic sedge by a pantropical shrub. The shrub's root systems expanded beyond its canopy, pulling water from the soil beneath the sedge and leading to its displacement and extinction. This scenario highlights the importance of water availability in shaping community structure and dynamics in tropical ecosystems.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chantelle A. T. Doyle, Jia-Yee Samantha Yap, Jason Bragg, Maurizio Rossetto, Andrew Orme, Mark J. K. Ooi
Summary: Population genetics and understanding of mating systems are important for conservation planning. In this study, we investigated the mating system and genetic health of Hibbertia spanantha, a critically endangered shrub endemic to the Sydney Basin. The species showed a preference for outcrossing, but also exhibited high levels of clonality and kinship. Successful open pollination was primarily achieved through buzz pollination by Sweat Bees. The findings provide a basis for strategic planning and conservation efforts for this species, as well as for other plant species in similar situations.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Simon B. Z. Gorta, Corey T. Callaghan, Fabrice Samonte, Mark K. J. Ooi, Thomas Mesaglio, Shawn W. Laffan, Will K. Cornwell
Summary: Conditions conducive to fires are becoming increasingly common and widespread under climate change, and recent fire events across the globe have had a significant impact on biodiversity. This study used citizen science data to quantify the effect of post-fire diversity responses in burnt and unburnt regions of eastern Australia. The findings showed an increase in species diversity up to 18 months after the fires, with dry sclerophyll forests driving this overall increase. However, areas exposed to extreme fire severity experienced a decrease in overall diversity.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexandria M. Thomsen, Richard J. P. Davies, Mark K. J. Ooi
Summary: Prescribed burning is important for managing vegetation in fire-prone ecosystems. This study found that different shrub species respond differently to spring and autumn fires, and the use of novel functional groups can help predict their responses. The study also highlights the importance of considering multiple functional groups and species-specific responses when managing fire seasonality.
APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jamie J. R. Bennett, Anabele S. Gomes, Michel A. Ferre, Bidesh K. Bera, Fabian Borghetti, Ragan M. Callaway, Ehud Meron
Summary: Combining field studies and mathematical modeling, this research provides empirical evidence for the pattern-formation mechanism of the clonal shrub Guilandina bonduc L. on the Brazilian island of Trindade. The mechanism involves water conduction by laterally spread roots and root augmentation as the shoot grows, driving spatial patterning through a positive feedback loop. Guilandina expands into surrounding communities by decreasing the water potential in the soil, leaving behind a patchy landscape. This study highlights a novel invasion form that may apply to other pattern-forming invasive species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ryan Tangney, Ruby Paroissien, Tom D. Le Breton, Alexandria Thomsen, Chantelle A. T. Doyle, Mercedes Ondik, Russell G. Miller, Ben P. Miller, Mark K. J. Ooi
Summary: A global meta-analysis showed that fires occurring outside of the historical fire season have varying impacts on post-fire recovery of plants. Fires outside of the historical fire season may decrease recruitment of obligate seeding plants, but generally increase survival of resprouting species.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Chantelle A. A. Doyle, Belinda J. J. Pellow, Stephen A. J. Bell, Deborah M. M. Reynolds, Jennifer L. L. Silcock, Lucy E. E. Commander, Mark K. J. Ooi
Summary: This paper examines the legislative framework guiding plant translocation in Australia and proposes mandatory recording of threatened plant translocations in publicly accessible databases. Improved transparency and better outcomes for plant conservation can be achieved through these records.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2022)