Article
Ecology
Seth B. St. Clair, Elijah A. St. Clair, Samuel B. St. Clair
Summary: Eastern Joshua tree plays a crucial role in the Mojave Desert ecosystem, but the emergence of invasive grass fire-cycles raises concerns about its tolerance and resilience to changing fire regimes. This study examines the effects of wildfires on the structure and regeneration potential of Joshua tree forests, revealing that while Joshua trees can sprout vegetatively following fire, their post-fire resprouting is not strong or consistent. It is essential to limit the spread of invasive grasses and novel fire regimes to ensure the future health of Joshua tree populations, particularly at the edge of their ecological range.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin J. Padilla, Chris Sutherland
Summary: This research explores patterns of avian diversity and abundance in heterogenous landscapes using multiple dimensional gradients of human-mediated modification. The results show that avian richness is highest in more heterogeneous regions of the landscape, and individual species exhibit varying responses. This study provides valuable insight for conservation and management in human-dominated landscapes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joseph M. Craine
Summary: The study found that the seasonal diet of North American plains bison is influenced by climate, plant community characteristics, and geographic factors, leading to variation in the types and proportions of grasses consumed in different seasons and regions. Bison adjust their diet based on plant phenology and climate conditions to ensure sufficient protein intake, with eudicots consistently being a key source of protein in their diet across space and time.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Sergio Estrada-Villegas, Sara Sofia Pedraza Narvaez, Adriana Sanchez, Stefan A. Schnitzer
Summary: Lianas have a significant negative impact on tree performance, including growth, biomass accumulation, reproduction, and physiological performance, across tropical forests worldwide. The detrimental effect of lianas on trees is not exacerbated in drier forests, where lianas are more abundant.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Gazol, J. Julio Camarero
Summary: This study examined the impacts of the simultaneous occurrence of hot summers and dry years on forest defoliation and mortality in Europe, finding a high occurrence rate of compound events and potential impacts on forests.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Daniel Zuleta, Gabriel Arellano, Helene C. Muller-Landau, Sean M. McMahon, Salomon Aguilar, Sarayudh Bunyavejchewin, Dairon Cardenas, Chia-Hao Chang-Yang, Alvaro Duque, David Mitre, Musalmah Nasardin, Rolando Perez, I-Fang Sun, Tze Leong Yao, Stuart J. Davies
Summary: The study introduces a new framework for quantifying the importance of tree mortality risk factors in tropical forests, comparing 19 risks in six different forests. Light limitation and crown/trunk loss are identified as the most impactful risk factors, while leaf damage and wounds are the most lethal factors. The study emphasizes the need for future research on the relationships between these risks, their climatic drivers, and physiological processes to predict future tree mortality more accurately.
Article
Forestry
Madison M. Laughlin, Liliana K. Rangel-Parra, Jenna E. Morris, Daniel C. Donato, Joshua S. Halofsky, Brian J. Harvey
Summary: The study examines the impact of pre-fire stand age, burn-patch size, and topo-climatic conditions on post-fire conifer regeneration in the northwestern Cascadia region. The results show that tree regeneration is abundant in most areas after stand-replacing fire, and regeneration and tree species richness are higher when pre-fire stand age is older and dominated by shade tolerant species. Regeneration decreases with distance to the nearest live seed source, but seedlings can still be found moderately abundant at distances up to 400 m from high-severity patches. Conifer establishment is greater in areas with cooler and wetter macrosite and microsite conditions with increased precipitation and bryophyte ground cover.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Maquelle N. Garcia, Tomas F. Domingues, Rafael S. Oliveira, Flavia R. C. Costa
Summary: Understanding the distribution of hydraulic traits across the Amazon basin is crucial for studying tree mortality under climate change-induced droughts. This study found that water table depth and soil fertility are the main drivers of embolism resistance in trees, while precipitation has a secondary effect. Shallow water table depths and fertile soils lead to riskier hydraulic strategies in trees. The spatial projection identified the Amazonian southern band and valleys as the most vulnerable areas. These findings highlight the importance of water table depth and soil fertility in shaping hydraulic traits and their effects on tree mortality under drought conditions.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Thaiane R. Sousa, Juliana Schietti, Igor O. Ribeiro, Thaise Emilio, Rafael Herrera Fernandez, Hans ter Steege, Carolina Castilho, Adriane Esquivel-Muelbert, Timothy Baker, Aline Pontes-Lopes, Camila V. J. Silva, Juliana M. Silveira, Geraldine Derroire, Wendeson Castro, Abel Monteagudo Mendoza, Ademir Ruschel, Adriana Prieto, Adriano Jose Nogueira Lima, Agustin Rudas, Alejandro Araujo-Murakami, Alexander Parada Gutierrez, Ana Andrade, Anand Roopsind, Angelo Gilberto Manzatto, Anthony Di Fiore, Armando Torres-Lezama, Aurelie Dourdain, Beatriz Marimon, Ben Hur Marimon, Benoit Burban, Bert van Ulft, Bruno Herault, Carlos Quesada, Casimiro Mendoza, Clement Stahl, Damien Bonal, David Galbraith, David Neill, Edmar A. de Oliveira, Eduardo Hase, Eliana Jimenez-Rojas, Emilio Vilanova, Eric Arets, Erika Berenguer, Esteban Alvarez-Davila, Euridice N. Honorio Coronado, Everton Almeida, Fernanda Coelho, Fernando Cornejo Valverde, Fernando Elias, Foster Brown, Frans Bongers, Freddy Ramirez Arevalo, Gabriela Lopez-Gonzalez, Geertje van der Heijden, Gerardo A. Aymard, Gerardo Flores Llampazo, Guido Pardo, Hirma Ramirez-Angulo, Ieda Leao do Amaral, Ima Celia Guimaraes Vieira, Isau Huamantupa-Chuquimaco, James A. Comiskey, James Singh, Javier Silva Espejo, Jhon Del Aguila-Pasquel, Joeri Alexander Zwerts, Joey Talbot, John Terborgh, Joice Ferreira, Jorcely G. Barroso, Jos Barlow, Jose Luis Camargo, Juliana Stropp, Julie Peacock, Julio Serrano, Karina Melgaco, Leandro Ferreira, Lilian Blanc, Lourens Poorter, Luis Valenzuela Gamarra, Luiz Aragao, Luzmila Arroyo, Marcos Silveira, Maria Cristina Penuela-Mora, Mario Percy Nunez Vargas, Marisol Toledo, Mat Disney, Maxime Rejou-Mechain, Michel Baisie, Michelle Kalamandeen, Nadir Pallqui Camacho, Nallarett Davila Cardozo, Natalino Silva, Nigel Pitman, Niro Higuchi, Olaf Banki, Patricia Alvarez Loayza, Paulo M. L. A. Graca, Paulo S. Morandi, Peter J. van der Meer, Peter van der Hout, Petrus Naisso, Plinio Barbosa Camargo, Rafael Salomao, Raquel Thomas, Rene Boot, Ricardo Keichi Umetsu, Richarlly da Costa Silva, Robyn Burnham, Roderick Zagt, Rodolfo Vasquez Martinez, Roel Brienen, Sabina Cerruto Ribeiro, Simon L. Lewis, Simone Aparecida Vieira, Simone Matias de Almeida Reis, Sophie Fauset, Susan Laurance, Ted Feldpausch, Terry Erwin, Timothy Killeen, Verginia Wortel, Victor Chama Moscoso, Vincent Vos, Walter Huaraca Huasco, William Laurance, Yadvinder Malhi, William E. Magnusson, Oliver L. Phillips, Flavia R. C. Costa
Summary: The study found that both excess and deficit of water availability reduce productivity in Amazon upland forests. Biomass and productivity across the Amazon not only respond to regional climate, but also to its interaction with water table conditions, showing high local differentiation.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caroline Signori-Mueller, Rafael S. Oliveira, Fernanda de Vasconcellos Barros, Julia Valentim Tavares, Martin Gilpin, Francisco Carvalho Diniz, Manuel J. Marca Zevallos, Carlos A. Salas Yupayccana, Martin Acosta, Jean Bacca, Rudi S. Cruz Chino, Gina M. Aramayo Cuellar, Edwin R. M. Cumapa, Franklin Martinez, Flor M. Perez Mullisaca, Alex Nina, Jesus M. Banon Sanchez, Leticia Fernandes da Silva, Ligia Tello, Jose Sanchez Tintaya, Maira T. Martinez Ugarteche, Timothy R. Baker, Paulo R. L. Bittencourt, Laura S. Borma, Mauro Brum, Wendeson Castro, Euridice N. Honorio Coronado, Eric G. Cosio, Ted R. Feldpausch, Leticia D'Agosto Miguel Fonseca, Emanuel Gloor, Gerardo Flores Llampazo, Yadvinder Malhi, Abel Monteagudo Mendoza, Victor Chama Moscoso, Alejandro Araujo-Murakami, Oliver L. Phillips, Norma Salinas, Marcos Silveira, Joey Talbot, Rodolfo Vasquez, Maurizio Mencuccini, David Galbraith
Summary: Research on Amazon canopy tree species found that during the dry season, there were significant variations in total NSC concentrations and its soluble sugar and starch components in both leaves and branches. In the driest sites, there was a notable increase in the proportion of soluble sugars in leaves, suggesting their important role in mediating water stress.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Farzin Shabani, Mahyat Shafapourtehrany, Mohsen Ahmadi, Bahareh Kalantar, Haluk Ozener, Kieran Clancy, Atefeh Esmaeili, Ricardo Siqueira da Silva, Linda J. Beaumont, John Llewelyn, Simon Jones, Alessandro Ossola
Summary: The aim of this study is to generate fire susceptibility maps for the present and 2070 to assess the threat of wildfires to koalas. Using the Decision Tree machine learning algorithm, a fire susceptibility index was created based on various conditioning factors. The results indicate an overall increase in susceptibility of Australian vegetation to bushfires. Main conclusions suggest that wildfires will have a greater impact on koala populations in the future, highlighting the need for adaptive conservation strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lili Zhang, Khambay Khamphilavong, Hengchen Zhu, Hua Li, Xiaojun He, Xufang Shen, Liru Wang, Yongxiang Kang
Summary: The study found that twig, leaf, and stoma traits vary nonlinearly along altitudinal gradients, with a reversal point at about 3250 m. The scaling relationships between leaf-twig traits were significantly correlative, and the leaf area-twig cross-sectional area and leaf intensity-leaf area scaling relationships showed common slope across altitudes and slope aspects.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Qiang Lin, Francisco Dini-Andreote, Lingjuan Li, Ruma Umari, Vojtech Novotny, Jaroslav Kukla, Petr Hedenec, Jan Frouz
Summary: Despite no significant changes observed in bacterial or fungal networks across successional stages, we found significantly higher complexity and greater variations in fungal networks than in those of bacteria. Stable interconnections occurred frequently between bacterial taxa and between ectomycorrhizal fungi, implying important ecological roles of these taxa in the ecosystem restoration.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Yong-Ju Lee, Chang-Bae Lee, Min-Ki Lee
Summary: Forest biomass and biodiversity are crucial for forest functions and ecosystem services. This study investigates the potential and methods to enhance ecosystem functions and services related to biomass and biodiversity. By analyzing data from South Korea's National Forest Inventory, we find that abiotic drivers such as stand age and climate control tree size variation, while biotic drivers control aboveground biomass (AGB) through different mechanisms depending on the stand type. Increasing tree size variation is identified as the key driver for increasing AGB as stand age increases. Our study suggests that properly managing the key drivers for each stand type and considering different regulation factors among stand types can enhance forest carbon accumulation and maintain healthy and sustainable forests.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Andrej Boncina, Matija Klopcic, Vasilije Trifkovic, Andrej Ficko, Primoz Simoncic
Summary: The study determined the size of differences in stand and tree growth in semi-natural forests based on 16 reference soil groups in Slovenia. The results showed that soil had a greater impact on stand and tree growth compared to climate and topography.
Article
Ecology
Tiffanny R. Sharp Bowman, Brock R. McMillan, Samuel B. St Clair
Article
Forestry
Anson C. Call, Samuel B. St Clair
Article
Ecology
Aaron C. Rhodes, Randy T. Larsen, Jordan D. Maxwell, Samuel B. St Clair
Article
Ecology
Joshua D. Day, Tara B. B. Bishop, Samuel B. St Clair
Article
Plant Sciences
Samuel B. St Clair, Tara B. B. Bishop
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Jordan D. Maxwell, Aaron C. Rhodes, Samuel B. St Clair
Article
Ecology
Joshua D. Day, Jackson H. Birrell, Tyson J. Terry, Amy Clark, Phil Allen, Samuel B. St Clair
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Tara B. B. Bishop, Richard A. Gill, Brock R. McMillan, Samuel B. St Clair
Article
Ecology
Rebecca Lee Molinari, Tara B. B. Bishop, Matthew F. Bekker, Stanley G. Kitchen, Loreen Allphin, Samuel B. St Clair
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Tara B. B. Bishop, Baylie C. Nusink, Rebecca Lee Molinari, Justin B. Taylor, Samuel B. St Clair
Article
Ecology
Rebecca Lee Molinari, Matthew F. Bekker, Benjamin D. St Clair, Jason Bartholomew, R. Justin DeRose, Stanley G. Kitchen, Samuel B. St. Clair
Summary: This study investigates the effects of shifts in forest composition and proximity between tree species on stand development in mixed forest systems. The results show that as conifer abundance increases, growth rates of aspen decrease, while growth rates of subalpine fir increase when growing near aspen in aspen-dominated stands.
Article
Ecology
Elijah A. St Clair, S. Isaac St Clair, Bryn E. St Clair, Seth B. St Clair, Grace E. St Clair, Daniel A. St Clair, Samuel J. Lowry, Samuel B. St Clair
Summary: Human activities, such as wildfires and livestock activity, are increasing in arid ecosystems and have implications for the spread of invasive grasses. This study found that fire history and cattle activity change soil resource gradients, which affect the invasion patterns of red brome. The presence of fire and cattle leads to increased red brome height, density, biomass, and seed production, as well as higher soil inorganic nitrogen levels.
Article
Ecology
Rebekah L. Stanton, Baylie C. Nusink, Kristina L. Cass, Tara B. B. Bishop, Brianna M. Woodbury, David N. Armond, Samuel B. St Clair
Summary: This study compared the effects of single and repeat fires on invasive grass-dominated plants in the Great Basin and the Mojave deserts. The results showed that fire increased plant density and biomass, but had no effect on plant cover. The effect of fire on plant cover varied significantly between the two desert sites.
Article
Forestry
Anson Call, Samuel B. St Clair