Article
Ecology
Hai-Chao Zhou, Hui-Xing Kang, Jian Wei, Chang-Jun Gao, Muzammil Hussain, Yi-Jian Fu, Ming-Dang Li, Feng-Lan Li, Steven Jing-Liang Xu, Fred Wang-Fat Lee, Ming-Guo Jiang, Yi-Bing Wang, Xiao-Xia Chen, Nora Fung-Yee Tam, Tao Lang
Summary: This study examined the changes in tannin compounds during leaf litter leaching in four common mangrove species. The results showed that the fate of tannins varied among different plant species, but the dynamics were similar.
ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Marco Battelli, Stefania Colombini, Pietro Parma, Gianluca Galassi, Gianni Matteo Crovetto, Mauro Spanghero, Davide Pravettoni, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Maria Teresa Manfredi, Luca Rapetti
Summary: Both condensed and hydrolysable tannins have been found to reduce enteric CH4 production in ruminants, but the precise mechanism of action is not fully understood. In this in vitro study, both types of tannins significantly reduced gas and CH4 production, which was primarily attributed to the reduction in digestibility. There was a low direct effect of tannins on rumen microorganisms, but certain bacterial communities showed correlations with tannin inclusion.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Joy M. M. Ramstack Hobbs, Iris J. J. Garthwaite, Logan Lancaster, Jordan A. Moffett-Dobbs, Kelly Johnson, Nichole Criss, Victoria McConathy, C. Andrew James, Alex Gipe, Shannon M. M. Claeson, Carri J. J. LeRoy
Summary: Leaf litter inputs can influence the structure and function of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Dioecy and herbivory are two potential factors that can affect the quality, chemistry, and decomposition processes of riparian litterfall.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
M. Rira, D. P. Morgavi, M. Popova, G. Maxin, M. Doreau
Summary: This study investigated the degradation of tannin-rich plants in the rumen and their effects on microbial colonization. The results showed that the presence of tannins interferes with microbial colonization and the total amount of hydrolysable and condensed tannins in a plant determines its interaction with rumen microbes, affecting degradation and fermentation processes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tao Lang, Xinran Ke, Jian Wei, Muzammil Hussain, Mingdang Li, Changjun Gao, Mingguo Jiang, Yibing Wang, Yijian Fu, Kunhua Wu, Wenyan Zhang, Nora Fung-yee Tam, Haichao Zhou
Summary: Tannins released during leaf litter decomposition in mangrove forests play a crucial role in regulating ecological processes. This study found that different mangrove plant species release different types and amounts of tannins, leading to variations in their effects on nitrogen cycling and microbial metabolism. The changes in tannins during decomposition reduced seawater nitrogen concentrations and increased microbial metabolic activities and diversities. The types of carbon sources utilized by sediment microorganisms also differed among plant species.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Forestry
Tao Lang, Pingping Wei, Xiaoxia Chen, Yijian Fu, Nora Fung-yee Tam, Zhangli Hu, Zhiteng Chen, Fenglan Li, Haichao Zhou
Summary: This study found that leaf litter from Kandelia obovata has allelopathic effects on the germination and growth of Aegiceras corniculatum, with their purified condensed tannins exerting a stronger inhibitory effect, and the inhibitory effects were concentration dependent. This suggests that condensed tannins from leaf litter could regulate the natural regeneration of a mangrove forest.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
You Jin Lim, Seok Hyun Eom
Summary: The changes in antioxidant activities during the thermal-drying processing of astringent persimmon fruit were investigated. The antioxidant activities of the flesh decreased in a temperature-dependent manner, while those of the peel increased due to the increase in total phenolics and hydrolysable tannins.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pilar Espitia-Hernandez, Xochitl Ruelas-Chacon, Monica L. Chavez-Gonzalez, Juan A. Ascacio-Valdes, Antonio Flores-Naveda, Leonardo Sepulveda-Torre
Summary: Solid-state fermentation (SSF) can extract tannins from sorghum and release phenolic compounds as antioxidants, thereby improving the nutritional value and antioxidant activity of sorghum.
Article
Forestry
Domingo Sancho-Knapik, Ruben Martin-Sanchez, David Alonso-Forn, Jose Javier Peguero-Pina, Juan Pedro Ferrio, Eustaquio Gil-Pelegrin
Summary: This study examines the leaf defensive strategies of oak species and finds that the leaf toughness of oaks is correlated with leaf density, with high-density oaks having tougher leaves and low-density oaks favoring either high concentrations of condensed tannins or high growth rates.
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
T. Uushona, O. C. Chikwanha, C. L. F. Katiyatiya, T. Tayengwa, P. E. Strydom, Cletos Mapiye
Summary: The rising global demand for meat and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have led to the search for alternative feed resources. Australian Acacias (IAA) are potential feed resources that can improve animal health and meat quality while reducing emissions. This review explores the nutritional and phytochemical compositions of IAA, their effects on meat production and quality, nematode suppression, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The valorisation of IAA leaves has the potential to create sustainable value chains in the ruminant industry.
ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Daniel A. Bastias, Ernesto Gianoli, Pedro E. Gundel
Summary: The association of plants with Epichloe fungal endophytes may eliminate the trade-off between growth and defence functions in plants by stimulating plant growth hormones and producing antiherbivore alkaloids. Research supports that enhanced plant resistance promoted by endophytes does not compromise plant growth, discussing the ecological benefits of this lack of trade-off.
Article
Fisheries
Kai Peng, Bing Chen, Hongxia Zhao, Chuntian Zheng, Yuxi Wang, Chunyan Luo, Wen Huang
Summary: This study evaluated the protective mechanism of condensed tannins on the effects of dietary aflatoxin B-1 on Chinese sea bass. The results showed that supplementation of condensed tannins can protect against aflatoxin-induced injury.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Wei Wang, Amlan Kumar Patra, Ryszard Puchala, Luana Ribeiro, Terry Allen Gipson, Arthur Louis Goetsch
Summary: This study investigated the effects of feeding condensed tannin-containing Sericea lespedeza hay on feed intake, digestion, growth performance, energy metabolism, and ruminal fermentation and methane emission in ruminants. The results showed that increasing the concentration of lespedeza in the diet decreased the digestion of fiber and nitrogen, resulting in reduced growth performance. However, the dietary concentration of lespedeza did not affect methane emission in goats or sheep. This suggests that feeding lespedeza has important effects on nitrogen digestion and growth performance in ruminants, but does not decrease methane emission. Further research is needed.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Qian Tu, Shuzhen Liu, Yuyu Li, Lin Zhang, Zhaoxiang Wang, Chunlong Yuan
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of wine-producing regions and aging periods on the astringency and chemistry of condensed tannins in Cabernet Sauvignon wines, highlighting the significant correlation between condensed tannin concentrations and sensory evaluation. The importance of (-)-epicatechin as a differential component in different regions was also emphasized.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
M. Benitez Galan, M. Rafi Alam, I Ruiz Simo
Summary: This study focuses on the Sigma pi and Lambda pi production off free nucleons driven by the strangeness-changing weak charged current. Total cross sections for all possible channels are calculated, and flux-averaged total cross sections are estimated for experiments like MiniBooNE, SciBooNE, T2K, and Minerva. The model, based on lowest order effective SU(3) chiral Lagrangians in the presence of an external weak charged current, includes Born and the lowest-lying decuplet resonant mechanisms, with comparisons and discussions with other approaches.
Article
Entomology
Nkoba Kiatoko, Maria Pozo, Annette Van Oystaeyen, Maurice Musonye, Junior Kika, Felix Wackers, Frank van Langevelde, Baerbel Hundt, Juliana Jaramillo
Summary: The current honey bee decline necessitates the use of alternative native pollinators. This study compared the pollination behavior and efficiency of African honey bees and six African endemic Meliponini species in cucumber pollination. The results showed that M. bocandei was the most efficient cucumber pollinator.
JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Nidhi Vinod, Martijn Slot, Ian R. McGregor, Elsa M. Ordway, Marielle N. Smith, Tyeen C. Taylor, Lawren Sack, Thomas N. Buckley, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira
Summary: Rising temperatures affect forests at different scales, with significant vertical variation across forest strata. This study evaluates the vertical variation in microclimate, leaf temperatures, traits, and gas exchange in forests, and discusses the implications for tree and ecosystem ecology. Integrating these patterns and mechanisms into models is critical for predicting forest-climate feedback as the climate continues to change.
Article
Ecology
Joost F. F. de Jong, Laura Iacolina, Herbert H. T. Prins, Pim van Hooft, Richard P. M. A. Crooijmans, Sip E. E. van Wieren, Joaquin Vicente Banos, Eric Baubet, Sean Cahill, Eduardo Ferreira, Carlos Fonseca, Peter M. M. Glazov, Ida Jelenko Turinek, Victor M. Lizana M. Martin, Andras Nahlik, Bostjan Pokorny, Tomasz Podgorski, Nikica Sprem, Rauno Veeroja, Ronald C. C. Ydenberg, Hendrik-Jan Megens
Summary: European wildlife has been impacted by human activities, but genetic partitioning of many species still reflects the glacial refugia. By analyzing the genetic structure of wild boar across Europe, we found population fragmentation, inbreeding, and hybridization with domestic pigs at the local scale. However, a deep genetic structure indicating a natural continental division was still present. Our findings suggest weaker evidence for glacial refugia, but support the importance of Southern France and the Balkans as recolonization routes.
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)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Benjamin Wong Blonder, Luiza Maria Teophilo Aparecido, Kevin R. Hultine, Danica Lombardozzi, Sean T. Michaletz, Bradley C. Posch, Martijn Slot, Klaus Winter
Summary: Plant water use theory has been developed within a plant-performance paradigm, which focuses on carbon gain and is based on neoclassical economic framework. However, this theory overlooks other values of water to plants, which could affect their fitness. In this survey, alternative hypotheses for drivers of water use and stomatal regulation are discussed, including their relevance to extreme environments, population ecology, and community ecology. While many of these hypotheses remain untested, some may have practical applications, such as incorporating them into theory or implementing them in Earth System Models.
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Josef C. Garen, Luiza Maria T. Aparecido, Benjamin W. Blonder, Molly A. Cavaleri, Martijn Slot, Sean T. Michaletz
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lindiwe C. Mngadi, Diego F. Cuadros, Frank Tanser, Jonathan K. Burns, Rob Slotow, Andrew Tomita
Summary: Clean water and adequate sanitation are crucial for good hygiene and health. This study examines the association between access to these facilities and depression in rural South Africa. The results show that lack of access to clean water and sanitation is significantly associated with higher odds of depression. Furthermore, access to clean water partially mediates the relationship between lack of sanitation and depression.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Anele Aurelia Khowa, Zivanai Tsvuura, Rob Slotow, Manqhai Kraai
Summary: Goats are common in rural areas of southern Africa but less so in peri-urban areas. This study investigated the contribution of small-scale goat farming to household livelihoods in rural and peri-urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Goats were found to contribute to household income through cash sales and meat consumption, and were more significant in rural areas compared to peri-urban areas. There is potential for increased value addition of goat products in both settings.
TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Maria M. Makwela, Rob Slotow, Thinandavha C. Munyai
Summary: The sustainability of agroecosystems is at risk due to human disturbance. Carabid beetles have been proposed as indicators for monitoring agricultural management systems, but there is still disagreement about their effectiveness. A systematic review of studies showed that carabid beetles respond differently to different agricultural practices, and more research is needed, particularly in underdeveloped countries.
Article
Agronomy
Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo, Rob Slotow, Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi
Summary: The importance of smallholder farming in improving dietary diversity and nutrition quality in rural households is recognized, but severe food insecurity and malnutrition still persist. This study assesses the role of smallholder farming in crop productivity and market access on rural household dietary diversity. It found that cereals were the most consumed food group, while vegetables and fruits were the least consumed. Factors such as household size, ownership of livestock, wealth index, and involvement in crop production positively influenced dietary diversity, while output and market information access had a negative effect. The study recommends providing effective ways for smallholder farmers to use their funds and conducting workshops to raise awareness about balanced diets for food and nutrition security among smallholder farmers.
Article
Ecology
Andrew T. Nottingham, Maria Montero-Sanchez, Martijn Slot, Hubert A. Szczygiel, Esther Velasquez, Patrick Meir
Summary: The response of tropical forest tree seedling growth, photosynthesis and herbivory to 3 years of in situ full-soil profile warming was tested. Results showed that growth and photosynthesis declined significantly in warmed soil compared to soil at ambient temperature, especially for nitrogen-fixing species. The decline in growth may be caused by the negative effect of warming on nitrogen fixation rather than changes in nutrient mineralization from soil organic matter. Further investigation is required to confirm these findings.
Article
Zoology
Ma. Nina Regina M. Quibod, Uriel Gelin, Frank van Langevelde, Kyle W. Tomlinson
Summary: The skull traits of more than 70% of bovid and cervid species are associated with aridity, with different relationships across feeding guilds. For grazers, both muzzle width and masseteric fossa length increase towards wetter climates, while there are no changes for mixed feeders or browsers. These patterns suggest that grazer diets may change more dramatically with aridity gradients, possibly due to changes in grass architecture and toughness. However, when accounting for phylogeny, no changes in skull traits across aridity gradient were found, possibly due to subfamily differentiation.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kyle Smith, Jan A. Venter, Mike Peel, Mark Keith, Michael J. Somers
Summary: Most subordinate South African carnivore species' daily activity patterns are not influenced by top-down forces from dominant species, but rather manifest as fine-scaled avoidance of core activity periods, according to camera trapping data analysis from four protected areas.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Antoinette van de Water, Suzan Doornwaard, Liesbeth Sluiter, Michelle Henley, Catherine Sutherland, Rob Slotow
Summary: The development of inclusive and transformative conservation approaches in the Dinokeng Game Reserve in South Africa is essential for addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and persistent poverty. A Theory of Change for Living in Harmony has been developed to find better solutions by assessing the perspectives of both direct and indirect beneficiaries. The theory aims to support common ground between stakeholders and promote socially relevant and widely supported conservation strategies.
Article
Fisheries
Pim Lemmers, Mark Groen, Ben H. J. M. Crombaghs, Rob E. M. B. Gubbels, Thomas de Krom, Frank van Langevelde, Gerard van der Velde, Rob S. E. W. Leuven
Summary: The Rhine sculpin (Cottus rhenanus) is an endemic fish species in North-western Europe. Little is known about its occurrence and habitat characteristics. The core population of C. rhenanus in the Netherlands has been affected by water pollution. However, with water quality improvement, the population is recovering, making it a good indicator of stream ecosystem integrity.
KNOWLEDGE AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
