Article
Forestry
Ji-Zhong Wan, Chun-Jing Wang
Summary: Considering the legacy of historical woodland changes can help assess ecosystem functions and services under land cover changes. Historical woodland changes have a legacy effect on contemporary plant functional composition, depending on the time of woodland existence and biome type.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Caroline. A. A. Famiglietti, Matthew Worden, Gregory. R. R. Quetin, T. Luke Smallman, Uma Dayal, A. Anthony Bloom, Mathew Williams, Alexandra. G. G. Konings
Summary: Accurate estimation and prediction of net biome CO2 exchange (NBE) are crucial for understanding the role of terrestrial ecosystems in climate change. This study compares the traditional PFT-based approach with a novel EF-based approach to investigate the impact of different parameterization assumptions on NBE prediction errors globally.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yanjun Zheng, Jingyi Yang
Summary: Urbanization significantly decreases the functional diversity of woody plant communities in remnant forests, leading to shifts in functional composition and a reduction in the value of high resource-conserving traits. Therefore, limiting urban expansion is crucial for protecting functional diversity and crucial plant species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chaonan Wang, Xiang Li, Xiaoming Lu, Yang Wang, Yongfei Bai
Summary: Grazing in grasslands can regulate functional trait composition through intraspecific trait variation and species turnover. This study examined the relative roles of these variables in controlling grazing-induced shifts in community functional composition. The results showed that aboveground traits shifted towards grazing avoidance strategies and belowground traits shifted towards conservation strategies with increasing grazing intensity. Functional tradeoffs were found between plant individual biomass and density, as well as between leaf area and density. Intraspecific trait variation predominantly governed shifts in community functional trait composition, while changes in mean trait values among plant species were mainly triggered by species turnover.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David A. Orwig, Jason A. Aylward, Hannah L. Buckley, Bradley S. Case, Aaron M. Ellison
Summary: Land-use history has a lasting impact on the composition and structure of plant and tree populations, with soil type, neighborhood effects, and past land-use history being the main factors influencing the distribution and abundance of present-day tree species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tiaan Strydom, Tineke Kraaij, B. Adriaan Grobler, Richard M. Cowling
Summary: The level of fire exposure significantly influenced the species composition and architectural guild composition of the dune thicket in the Cape Floristic Region. Different levels of fire exposure resulted in distinct vegetation units characterized by different types of shrubs. Low fire exposure led to the dominance of upright-stemmed shrubs, moderate fire exposure had the highest abundance of lateral spreaders, and high fire exposure had the highest abundance of hedge-forming shrubs with shoots arising from an extensive below-ground stem system.
Article
Plant Sciences
Masha T. van der Sande, Mark B. Bush, Dunia H. Urrego, Miles Silman, William Farfan-Rios, Karina Garcia Cabrera, Alexander Shenkin, Yadvinder Malhi, Crystal H. McMichael, William Gosling
Summary: Terrestrial ecosystems are undergoing changes in biodiversity, species composition, and functional trait composition. Research in the Amazon-Andes elevation gradient in Peru showed that CWM wood density increased with elevation, while CWM adult height and leaf area decreased. Although diversity decreased with elevation in vegetation plots, this trend was not observed in pollen assemblages. This study suggests that more research is needed to accurately estimate diversity from pollen data in tropical ecosystems, but CWM traits can still be calculated to assess functional composition shifts.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julio Camarero, Michele Colangelo, Patricia M. Rodriguez-Gonzalez
Summary: Riparian forests are highly dynamic and threatened ecosystems whose conservation depends on historical river geomorphology changes. This study reconstructed river sinuosity in a region of Spain and explored its impact on riparian forest composition and tree growth. The results showed that sinuosity decreased over time and was negatively related to certain tree species abundance. Changes in river flow after dam construction also influenced tree growth. These findings highlight the importance of considering historical river geomorphology changes in riparian forest conservation and restoration.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lin Huang, Rong-Yi Chen, Wei Xue, Fei-Hai Yu
Summary: This study investigates the influence of spatial heterogeneity in plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) on plant growth and finds that patch size and contrast of PSF heterogeneity can influence plant growth. Different types of heterogeneous soils have different effects on the growth of different plants, possibly due to differences in root growth under different soil conditions. The results demonstrate the significance of PSF heterogeneity in plant growth.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Johanna Andrea Martinez-Villa, Sandra M. Duran, Brian J. Enquist, Alvaro Duque, Christian Messier, Alain Paquette
Summary: This study investigated whether Andean forests are changing their functional composition over time along an elevational gradient. The results showed that with increased temperature and vapour-pressure deficit, there were decreases in mean values for leaf area and specific leaf area, and increases in leaf thickness and leaf dry matter content. These changes mainly occurred at higher elevations.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Lyndsay L. Rankin, Scott F. Jones, Christopher N. Janousek, Kevin J. Buffington, John Y. Takekawa, Karen M. Thorne
Summary: Understanding the drivers of plant diversity from local to landscape scales is a challenging task. This study analyzes the vegetation composition in tidal marshes to determine the influences of environmental and species trait factors on plant community variability. The results suggest that the impacts of environmental factors increase from marsh to estuary scales, while species abundance plays a crucial role in structuring tidal marsh communities.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Meghna Krishnadas
Summary: Traits determine species response to climate, but this linkage can be disrupted in human-modified landscapes. Trait syndromes and trait covariance play important roles in fragmented forests and should inform management and restoration goals.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Manuel Acien, Eva Canizares, Hector Candela, Miguel Gonzalez-Guzman, Vicent Arbona
Summary: The use of molecular biology techniques, such as genomics, Next Generation Sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics, has improved the efficacy and processivity of classical breeding approaches. These techniques have allowed for the identification of interesting variants before the appearance of the desired phenotype trait, and boosted the discovery of potential new regulators of traits of interest.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jake L. Weissman, Sonia Dogra, Keyan Javadi, Samantha Bolten, Rachel Flint, Cyrus Davati, Jess Beattie, Keshav Dixit, Tejasvi Peesay, Shehar Awan, Peter Thielen, Florian Breitwieser, Philip L. F. Johnson, David Karig, William F. Fagan, Sharon Bewick
Summary: By utilizing domain-specific microbial trait database and advanced analytical tools, researchers were able to link specific traits to different areas of the human body, understand the traits that determine where microbes inhabit, and identify factors influencing metabolic breadth in the human microbiome.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael Alonzo, Matthew E. Baker, Yuemeng Gao, Vivek Shandas
Summary: The study shows that trees can lower air temperatures in urban environments. The cooling effects of hard and soft canopies vary at different times of day, with soft canopies showing the most significant cooling effect in the evening. Distributed canopies have better cooling effects in predawn and evening, which is crucial for urban heat island mitigation planning.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rozalia E. Kapas, Jan Plue, Adam Kimberley, Sara A. O. Cousins
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Adam Kimberley, Danny Hooftman, James M. Bullock, Olivier Honnay, Patricia Krickl, Jessica Lindgren, Jan Plue, Peter Poschlod, Anna Traveset, Sara A. O. Cousins
Summary: Increasing landscape connecting elements cannot compensate for large-scale grassland area loss, leading to significant declines in both structural and functional connectivity. Generalist species are negatively affected by connectivity, with structural connectivity having the strongest impact, while functional connectivity determines the presence of grassland specialist species in focal grasslands.
Article
Agronomy
P. M. Berry, C. J. Baker, D. Hatley, R. Dong, X. Wang, G. A. Blackburn, Y. Miao, M. Sterling, J. D. Whyatt
Summary: This study investigated the impact of plant population and nitrogen fertiliser on lodging risk in maize. The research also demonstrated that the leaf area index could be a useful indicator of a crop's future risk of lodging.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
H. Blaydes, S. G. Potts, J. D. Whyatt, A. Armstrong
Summary: Renewable power capacity is growing globally, with solar photovoltaic being the dominant renewable energy source. Through strategic management and interventions, solar parks have the potential to enhance pollinator biodiversity, benefiting local ecosystems and biodiversity.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher B. Obida, George A. Blackburn, James D. Whyatt, Kirk T. Semple
Summary: The Niger Delta has a history of oil and gas exploration, leading to environmental costs such as oil spills and pollution. Using satellite remote sensing, this study identified an extensive area affected by oil pollution, impacting over one million people and requiring urgent mitigation efforts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alona Armstrong, Lauren Brown, Gemma Davies, J. Duncan Whyatt, Simon G. Potts
Summary: The rapid deployment of renewable energy is impacting land use and the environment, with honeybee pollination services offering potential economic benefits in solar parks. Incorporating these benefits could enhance energy sustainability and address the land-energy-ecosystem nexus.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas Burke, Clare Rowland, James Duncan Whyatt, George Alan Blackburn, Jon Abbatt
Summary: The study found sufficient space in the UK to meet large-scale tree planting targets, but highlighted the uneven distribution of unconstrained land across the country. Overcoming spatial limitations may require relaxing constraints, such as permitting afforestation of higher quality agricultural land.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2021)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Duncan Whyatt, Gemma Davies, Gordon Clark
Summary: A GIS project can enhance students' employability, but individual project work may present challenges. It is important for staff to support students while promoting independence.
JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jan Plue, Adam Kimberley, James M. Bullock, Bart Hellemans, Danny A. P. Hooftman, Patricia Krickl, Leen Leus, Gerrit Peeters, Peter Poschlod, Anna Traveset, Filip Volckaert, Sara A. O. Cousins, Olivier Honnay
Summary: Green infrastructure plays an important role in promoting functional connectivity in plant populations. This study shows that road verge networks are the key component of green infrastructure, effectively contributing to the genetic diversity and composition of populations of the grassland perennial Galium verum in landscapes in Belgium, Germany and Sweden.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danny A. P. Hooftman, Adam Kimberley, Sara A. O. Cousins, Silvia Santamaria Bueno, Olivier Honnay, Patricia Krickl, Jan Plue, Peter Poschlod, Anna Traveset, James M. Bullock
Summary: Ancient semi-natural grasslands in Europe are crucial for providing ecosystem services, and Grassland Green Infrastructure (GGI) surrounding these grasslands can supplement the provision of these services. A study investigated the potential of GGI to deliver various ecosystem services, concluding that GGI had lower delivery for conservation, pollination, and aesthetic appeal, but not for carbon storage. These differences were attributed to fewer plant species and compositional differences in GGI compared to the core grasslands. Improved management of GGI can enhance landscape-wide delivery of nature conservation value and pollination.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rozalia E. Kapas, Adam Kimberley, Sara A. O. Cousins
Summary: In recent years, global efforts have been made to restore former grassland sites in order to address the loss of ancient species-rich grasslands and protect grassland biodiversity. This study examined how plant species spontaneously colonize restored grasslands in a small-scale setting. The results showed that grazing activity and distance to adjacent grassland influenced species richness and vegetation cover. Forest-associated plant species declined, while generalist species and some grassland specialists increased. However, not all grassland specialists successfully colonized the restored grasslands and the colonization pattern varied over time. The presence of grazing livestock, continuous seed arrival, and disturbance are crucial for successful colonization and establishment of plant species.
NORDIC JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nina Roth, Adam Kimberley, Daniela Guasconi, Gustaf Hugelius, Sara A. O. Cousins
Summary: One of the main reasons for the decline of insect pollinators is the lack of floral resources. Drought poses an increasing threat to the abundance and continuity of flowers in agricultural landscapes. Soil amendments are a novel management tool for Swedish grasslands aiming to mitigate the negative effects of drought on floral resources.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Paula A. Harrison, Kate Beauchamp, Joe Cooper, Ian Dickie, Alice Fitch, Richard Gooday, Michael Hollaway, Ian P. Holman, Merryn Hunt, Laurence Jones, Thomas Mondain-Monval, Daniel Sandars, Gavin Siriwardena, Fiona Seaton, Simon Smart, Amy Thomas, Bede West, Freya Whittaker, Ed Carnell, Robert W. Matthews, Sophie Neupauer, Vadim Saraev, Janice Scheffler, Philip Trembath, Massimo Vieno, Adrian C. Williams, Robert W. Dunford
Summary: This article introduces the development and application of the ERAMMP Integrated Modelling Platform (IMP). Through a long-term participatory process and a flexible modelling framework, the IMP, co-created with the government, supports policy design in areas such as agriculture, land-use and natural resource management, while building trust and understanding.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2023)
Article
Remote Sensing
A. J. Bleasdale, G. A. Blackburn, J. D. Whyatt
Summary: This study evaluated the potential contribution of three imaging devices for the detection of apple scab on young apple plants. The results showed that the multispectral camera was exceptionally effective in detecting scab, especially using the NIR band.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taher M. Radwan, G. Alan Blackburn, J. Duncan Whyatt, Peter M. Atkinson
Summary: This study utilized a high-resolution satellite dataset to analyze global land cover changes from 1992 to 2018, revealing relatively smooth and consistent trajectories for most LC types over time, with urban land increase being a significant exception. The research also identified regions with high dynamism posing significant sustainability challenges. Additionally, the study focused on forest loss and urban growth, identifying the top ten countries globally with the most severe forest loss and urban growth.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)