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
Ecology
Richard J. Norby, Taylor Baxter, Tatjana Zivkovic, David J. Weston
Summary: Experimental warming in a bog in northern Minnesota caused a rapid decline in productivity and areal cover of Sphagnum mosses. The primary cause of this decline is likely the elevated temperature and drying, but the increased shading from shrubs may also have contributed to the effects on Sphagnum.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rachel M. Wilson, Moira A. Hough, Brittany A. Verbeke, Suzanne B. Hodgkins, Jeff P. Chanton, Scott D. Saleska, Virginia Rich, Malak M. Tfaily, Gene Tyson, Matthew B. Sullivan, Eoin Brodie, William J. Riley, Ben Woodcroft, Carmody McCalley, Sky C. Dominguez, Patrick M. Crill, Ruth K. Varner, Steve Frolking, William T. Cooper
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between plant tissue chemistry and soil organic matter (SOM) in an Arctic peatland, and its impact on carbon emissions. The results show that the quality of organic matter differs between different plant species and is influenced by vegetation shifts and moisture levels. The findings highlight the importance of vegetation changes in peatlands in controlling carbon emissions under climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thuong Ba Le, Jianghua Wu, Yu Gong
Summary: This study revealed the interaction between vascular plants and climate warming and nitrogen addition in boreal peatlands. Intense competition among vascular plants exacerbated the detrimental effect of warming on Sphagnum, while facilitation by vascular plants reduced the losses of Sphagnum caused by high nitrogen addition and both warming and nitrogen addition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Entomology
Enrique Quesada-Moraga, Natalia Gonzalez-Mas, Meelad Yousef-Yousef, Inmaculada Garrido-Jurado, Maria Fernandez-Bravo
Summary: One of the main negative effects of climate change on biological pest control is the alteration of relationships between insect pests and their natural enemies. Environmental conditions can have multiple effects on the success of pest control using entomopathogenic fungi, such as conidial depletion, inactivation, and loss in virulence and infectivity. Selection of environmentally competent fungal strains is the only strategy to guarantee high virulence and infectivity.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ally O'Neill, Colin Tucker, Evan S. Kane
Summary: This study found a direct connection between Sphagnum traits, peatland hydrology, and carbon cycling. Compressed Sphagnum peat in hummocks was found to stabilize gross primary production (GPP) and enhance resistance to drought. Therefore, this research is crucial for understanding the carbon cycling mechanisms in peatlands.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julien Arsenault, Julie Talbot, Lee E. Brown, Manuel Helbig, Joseph Holden, Jorge Hoyos-Santillan, Emilie Jolin, Roy Mackenzie, Karla Martinez-Cruz, Armando Sepulveda-Jauregui, Jean-Francois Lapierre
Summary: Peatland pools are dynamic aquatic ecosystems that contribute to biogeochemical cycles, but their response to environmental change is poorly understood. This study analyzed pool biogeochemical data from multiple locations to determine the drivers of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus dynamics in peatland pools. Climate and terrain were found to explain variations in pool biogeochemistry, with climate driving spatial differences in dissolved organic carbon concentration. The study also demonstrated the reactivity of peatland pools to local and global environmental change. These findings highlight the importance of understanding and monitoring peatland pool dynamics as potential climate sentinels.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aslihan Cetinbas-Genc, Orcun Toksoz, Chiara Piccini, Ozkan Kilin, Nuzhet Cenk Sesal, Giampiero Cai
Summary: This study examined the effects of UV-B radiation on hazelnut pollen. The results showed that exposure to UV-B at different times and distances adversely affected pollen viability, germination rate, tube length, as well as the levels of antioxidant molecules and UV-absorbing compounds.
Review
Physiology
Christos Zerefos, Ilias Fountoulakis, Kostas Eleftheratos, Andreas Kazantzidis
Summary: Solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation has been crucial for life’s evolution on Earth. UV exposure to humans has both risks and benefits, which are difficult to determine due to environmental and physiological factors. This review discusses the effects of UV-B radiation on humans and the mechanisms controlling its levels. It also reveals the uncertainties in future levels caused by climate change, emphasizing the need for continued precautionary measures to protect against excess UV-B exposure.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Huihui Feng, Jian Xiong, Shuchao Ye, Bin Zou, Wei Wang
Summary: This study estimated the influence of vegetation on the surface radiation budget using satellite observations. The results showed that the global surface radiation budget was predominantly positive over the past two decades, with vegetation contributing significantly to this positive budget. The influence of vegetation on the total radiation budget was relatively high and showed an increasing trend. The vegetation influence was affected by the interactions of atmospheric factors.
ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kamila M. Harenda, Mateusz Samson, Radoslaw Juszczak, Krzysztof M. Markowicz, Iwona S. Stachlewska, Malgorzata Kleniewska, Alasdair MacArthur, Dirk Schuttemeyer, Bogdan H. Chojnicki
Summary: The study found that an increase in aerosol optical thickness and diffusion index significantly increased the net ecosystem production (NEP) of peatlands. This highlights the importance of considering light scattering effects in calculating global CO2 uptake estimates for such ecosystems.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Raffaele Romano, Fabiana Pizzolongo, Lucia De Luca, Eugenio Cozzolino, Massimo Rippa, Lucia Ottaiano, Pasquale Mormile, Mauro Mori, Ida Di Mola
Summary: This study investigated the effect of UV-B radiation and greenhouse cover films on the nutritional content and bioactivity of wild rocket leaves. The findings showed that exposure to UV-B radiation for 45 seconds increased the levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity in the leaves. Significant increases were observed when the plants were grown under a specific greenhouse cover film (Film C), which had a tailored UV-B transmission dose.
Article
Plant Sciences
Tom B. Williams, Ian C. Dodd, Wagdy Y. Sobeih, Nigel D. Paul
Summary: This study demonstrates that partial stomatal closure caused by ultraviolet radiation exposure leads to significant increases in leaf temperature. The findings have implications for horticultural crop production and understanding broader plant responses to ultraviolet radiation.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Derek C. G. Muir, Elisabeth Galarneau
Summary: This review explores the sources and sinks of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in Canada, with wildfires being the dominant source, while the sinks are less well-understood. The impacts of changing emissions and environmental conditions on PACs in Canada remain uncertain, and further research is needed to assess future trends and implications.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Isabel L. McCoy, Mika A. Vogt, Robert Wood
Summary: Future precipitation changes are influenced by the energy budget of the atmosphere, with temperature, water vapor, and absorbing aerosols playing major roles in driving radiative changes. The impact of aerosol cleanup on precipitation is larger than the influence of changes in atmospheric circulation, indicating the significant importance of policy choices regarding absorbing aerosol emissions.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lars Hogbom, Dalia Abbas, Kestutis Armolaitis, Endijs Baders, Martyn Futter, Aris Jansons, Kalev Jogiste, Andis Lazdins, Diana Lukmine, Mika Mustonen, Knut Oistad, Anneli Poska, Pasi Rautio, Johan Svensson, Floor Vodde, Ivta Varnagiryte-Kabasinskiene, Jan Weslien, Lars Wilhelmsson, Daiga Zute
Summary: Forests are a dominant land cover in Nordic-Baltic countries, with forestry playing a crucial role in improving ecosystem-service delivery. Forests and forestry support multiple United Nations Sustainability Goals, providing various ecosystem services and offering potential solutions to carbon sequestration and societal challenges.
Article
Anthropology
Cara Ocobock, Paivi Soppela, Minna Turunen, Ville Stenback, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Rebecca Rimbach, Herman Pontzer
Summary: High levels of total energy expenditure (TEE) were observed among reindeer herders during the annual roundup, with intense physical demands leading to low caloric intake. The study suggests differences in total energy expenditure composition between cold climate herders and hot climate farming populations.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Mark A. Anthony, Thomas W. Crowther, Sietse van der Linde, Laura M. Suz, Martin Bidartondo, Filipa Cox, Marcus Schaub, Pasi Rautio, Marco Ferretti, Lars Vesterdal, Bruno De Vos, Mike Dettwiler, Nadine Eickenscheidt, Andreas Schmitz, Henning Meesenburg, Henning Andreae, Frank Jacob, Hans-Peter Dietrich, Peter Waldner, Arthur Gessler, Beat Frey, Oliver Schramm, Pim van den Bulk, Arjan Hensen, Colin Averill
Summary: This study investigates the effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) on tree growth and finds that the composition of EMF is strongly correlated with tree growth rate. The study also suggests that the proportion of nitrogen acquisition genes and exploration types of EMF communities play a role in determining tree growth.
Article
Physiology
Cara Ocobock, Paivi Soppela, Minna Turunen, Ville Stenback, Karl-Heinz Herzig
Summary: There has been a renewed interest in understanding human physiological responses to cold stress, particularly focusing on brown adipose tissue (BAT) specialized for heat production. This study examined BAT thermogenesis in a population from a sub-Arctic region using indirect calorimetry and thermal imaging. The results showed that the participants exhibited active BAT thermogenesis in response to mild cold exposure, indicating the importance of BAT in cold stressed populations.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mladen Ognjenovic, Ivan Seletkovic, Nenad Potocic, Mia Marusic, Melita Percec Tadic, Mathieu Jonard, Pasi Rautio, Volkmar Timmermann, Lucija Lovreskov, Damir Ugarkovic
Summary: European beech forests play a crucial role in providing ecosystem goods and services. The projected climate change of this century will significantly impact the vitality of these forests, especially in southeast Europe. By analyzing long-term monitoring data from Croatia, it was found that defoliation (DEF) showed an increasing trend from 1996 to 2017, while annual defoliation change (Delta DEF) did not show a significant trend. The results suggest that previous year drought has a strong influence on Delta DEF, while climate conditions have a weak or insignificant effect on DEF.
Article
Anthropology
Cara Ocobock, Minna Turunen, Paivi Soppela, Sirpa Rasmus
Summary: Climate change induced extreme weather events, such as late snow cover and icing, have negatively impacted reindeer herding in Northern Finland. These events increase the workload and expenses for reindeer herders, putting their livelihoods and health at risk.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tiina Tonteri, Ville Hallikainen, Paivi Merila, Jari Miina, Pasi Rautio, Maija Salemaa, Anne Tolvanen
Summary: This study explores the potential causes of the decline of ground lichens in boreal and temperate Europe. It finds that forest management and changes in forest structure are the main factors contributing to the decline of lichens, with possible additional effects from nitrogen deposition, forest fires, and climate change.
APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juha Heiskanen, Hanna Ruhanen, Lasse Aro, Pasi Rautio
Summary: The effects of several industrial and farming sidestream materials on the growth of downy birch and Scots pine seedlings were evaluated. The results suggest that these materials have the potential to be used as soil ameliorants on forested peatlands, as they did not negatively affect the seedling growth.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Janne Miettinen, Ville Hallikainen, Mikko Hypponen, Urban Bergsten, Hans Winsa, Pekka Valikangas, Arto Hiltunen, Pasi Aatsinki, Pasi Rautio
Summary: Sufficient soil scarification is important for the regeneration of Scots pine. Even light site preparation methods can provide satisfactory regeneration results. Reindeer grazing limits optimal regeneration. Further research is needed on the use of seed pellets, but they may have potential.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Taru Rikkonen, Minna Turunen, Ville Hallikainen, Pasi Rautio
Summary: This study compared two methods of continuous cover forestry and found that small gap cutting is more effective in maintaining pendulous lichens, while selection cutting affects the entire area and removes trees that are beneficial for pendulous lichens. Therefore, in reindeer herding areas in northern Finland, larger trees should be preserved and the cutting cycle should be extended to reconcile forestry and reindeer husbandry.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jaana Vuosku, Francoise Martz, Ville Hallikainen, Pasi Rautio
Summary: In boreal forests, the warming winter climate has detrimental effects on young Scots pine seedlings due to changes in snow conditions. The study found that the thickness and quality of snow cover affect the seedlings' exposure to hypoxic, cold, and drought stresses. The expression of genes related to circadian clock and stress protection is influenced by snow cover manipulation. The findings highlight the importance of the photoreceptors and circadian clock system in the adaptation of Scots pine seedlings to different snow conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sari Stark, Tim Horstkotte, Jouko Kumpula, Johan Olofsson, Hans Tommervik, Minna Turunen
Summary: This study reviews the impact of reindeer on vegetation and soil carbon and nitrogen cycles in northernmost Fennoscandia. The effects of reindeer on vegetation and soil processes vary across habitats and depend on current land-use practices and historically formed grazing regimes. Understanding the historical context is crucial for comprehending the role of reindeer in ecosystems.
PERSPECTIVES IN PLANT ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arne Verstraeten, Nicolas Bruffaerts, Fabiana Cristofolini, Elena Vanguelova, Johan Neirynck, Gerrit Genouw, Bruno De Vos, Peter Waldner, Anne Thimonier, Anita Nussbaumer, Mathias Neumann, Sue Benham, Pasi Rautio, Liisa Ukonmaanaho, Paeivi Merilae, Antti-Jussi Lindroos, Annika Saarto, Jukka Reiniharju, Nicholas Clarke, Volkmar Timmermann, Manuel Nicolas, Maria Schmitt, Katrin Meusburger, Anna Kowalska, Idalia Kasprzyk, Katarzyna Kluska, Lukasz Grewling, Malgorzata Malkiewicz, Lars Vesterdal, Morten Ingerslev, Miklos Manninger, Donat Magyar, Hugues Titeux, Gunilla Pihl Karlsson, Regula Gehrig, Sandy Adriaenssens, Agneta Ekebom, Asloeg Dahl, Marco Ferretti, Elena Gottardini
Summary: The effects of tree pollen on precipitation chemistry are not fully understood, which may lead to misinterpretations of element deposition in European forests. The study found that tree pollen has an impact on the element fluxes in forest throughfall, but the extent of the impact varies among different tree species.
Article
Ecology
Lena Wohlgemuth, Pasi Rautio, Bernd Ahrends, Alexander Russ, Lars Vesterdal, Peter Waldner, Volkmar Timmermann, Nadine Eickenscheidt, Alfred Fuerst, Martin Greve, Peter Roskams, Anne Thimonier, Manuel Nicolas, Anna Kowalska, Morten Ingerslev, Paivi Merila, Sue Benham, Carmen Iacoban, Guenter Hoch, Christine Alewell, Martin Jiskra
Summary: This study investigates the factors controlling stomatal uptake of atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (Hg(0)) by tree foliage, using foliage samples from across Europe. The study finds that the functional group of trees and the nutrient content of the leaves significantly impact foliar stomatal Hg uptake, while water vapor pressure deficit and soil water content also play a role in regulating Hg uptake. These findings suggest the need to consider tree physiological activity and stomatal response in models of Hg cycling in the future.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cara Ocobock, Paivi Soppela, Minna T. Turunen
Summary: The rising global obesity rate is a concern, including in Finland. An assessment of a small population of reindeer herders in sub-Arctic Finland revealed a high proportion of overweight and obesity, but no significant relationship was found between BMI, body adiposity, and measured biomarkers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUMPOLAR HEALTH
(2022)