Article
Food Science & Technology
Elsa Clavel-Coibrie, Joana Ride Sales, Aida Moreira da Silva, Maria Joao Barroca, Isabel Sousa, Anabela Raymundo
Summary: Incorporating Sarcocornia perennis into crackers can enhance the crispiness of the crackers and improve the nutritional profile and antioxidant activity of the snack, with high levels of potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Crackers with 5% S. perennis content were well accepted by panelists and should be considered the maximum acceptable level of incorporation. By substituting 1% NaCl with an equal amount of S. perennis, a 70% reduction in sodium content can be achieved, making a significant contribution to reducing overall salt intake in the diet.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Israel Sanjose, Adolfo F. Munoz-Rodriguez, Francisco Ruiz, Francisco Navarro, Enrique Sanchez-Gullon, Francisco J. J. Nieva, Alejandro Polo, Maria D. Infante, Jesus M. Castillo
Summary: Seed germination and seedling growth are sensitive to metal pollution. Halophyte species in salt marshes can tolerate and grow in highly contaminated habitats, with low marsh species showing higher metal tolerance than high marsh species. These findings are important for ecotoxicological bioassays and phytoremediation projects in salt marshes.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Caleb J. J. Robbins, David W. P. Manning, Halvor M. M. Halvorson, Beth C. C. Norman, Rebecca A. A. Eckert, Ada Pastor, Allyn K. K. Dodd, Jeremy Jabiol, Elliot Bastias, Alice Gossiaux, Andrew S. S. Mehring
Summary: Decomposing organic matter is a vital resource for aquatic ecosystems, providing fuel for their biogeochemical function and secondary production. However, the dynamics of detrital nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in aquatic ecosystems have been less explored compared to terrestrial ecosystems, despite their fundamental connection with microbial processes and ecosystem function. This study synthesized published time series data from stream ecosystems to analyze the nutrient dynamics of decomposing litter. The results showed that detritus contributed as a net source of N to the environment, regardless of the initial N content. On the other hand, the sink/source dynamics of P were more influenced by the initial P content, shifting from P sinks to net P mineralization after a certain level of mass loss. However, variations in N and P predictions indicated the importance of nonmicrobial factors such as invertebrate fragmentation. Overall, this analysis helps to bridge the gap between organic matter decomposition in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and provides insights for future research on detrital nutrient dynamics.
Article
Horticulture
Maria Dulce Antunes, Custodia Gago, Adriana Guerreiro, Ana Rita Sousa, Miriam Juliao, Maria Graca Miguel, Maria Leonor Faleiro, Thomas Panagopoulos
Summary: The study found that both Sarcocornia perennis and Salicornia ramosissima have potential as fresh salads, with good nutritional value and antioxidant activity while maintaining low microbial contamination. Tips harvested in the early season (May) showed better appearance and nutritional quality compared to those harvested at the end of the season (July).
Article
Horticulture
Esra Okudur, Yuksel Tuzel
Summary: Halophytes like glasswort have evolved to grow in high salinity environments and can be consumed as food. This study found that the cultivation of glasswort was most successful at an electrical conductivity level of 25 mS cm(-1) in a hydroponic system.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Isaac R. Santos, David J. Burdige, Tim C. Jennerjahn, Steven Bouillon, Alex Cabral, Oscar Serrano, Thomas Wernberg, Karen Filbee-Dexter, Julia A. Guimond, Joseph J. Tamborski
Summary: The term 'Blue Carbon' was coined about a decade ago to highlight the important carbon sequestration capacity of coastal vegetated ecosystems. Recent investigations have revealed high outwelling of dissolved inorganic and organic carbon, as well as particulate organic carbon from blue carbon habitats. This highlights the need to pay attention to the mobile carbon fraction in the blue carbon framework.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark E. Harmon
Summary: Woody detritus plays a significant role in forested ecosystems, but differs from other litter forms and soil in important ways that require a better understanding of the factors influencing its decomposition. Research and modeling of woody detritus decomposition need to consider parameters such as moisture, temperature, lignin, and nitrogen concentrations to accurately assess the impact of global increases in tree mortality.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yanina L. Idaszkin, Rosana Polifroni, Jennifer Mesa-Marin
Summary: This study isolated various bacteria with plant growth promoting attributes in the Patagonian salt marshes, primarily from the rhizosphere of halophytes in heavy metal polluted areas of San Antonio salt marsh. The results indicated that bacteria in polluted soils were more likely to possess plant growth promoting properties, suggesting that coastal hazardous scenarios may be a good opportunity to seek for PGPR.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Raquel Carmona, Rocio Munoz, F. Xavier Niell
Summary: In Southern Spain's Palmones salt marsh, three common plants exhibit different uptake kinetics for ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate. Salinity levels also affect the physiological response and nutrient uptake capacity of these plants, with A. portulacoides being notably affected by high salinity levels. High nutrient load could favor S. perennis ssp. alpini nutritionally, but simultaneous salinization may negatively impact A. portulacoides.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yuan Shen, Thomas P. Guilderson, Francisco P. Chavez, Matthew D. McCarthy
Summary: Photosynthesis in the surface ocean converts atmospheric CO2 into organic particles, which sink to depth as part of the ocean's biological pump. Previous studies indicated minimal replacement of plankton-derived particles by bacterial material during sinking. However, our research using bacteria-specific biomarkers reveals widespread accumulation of bacterial material in sinking particles. Bacterial detritus accounts for a significant proportion of the particulate organic carbon and nitrogen, exceeding cell count-based estimates. The contribution of bacteria to the biological pump increases with decreasing export production and is expected to rise with ocean warming.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Lopes, Ana Sanches Silva, Raquel Sendon, Letricia Barbosa-Pereira, Carlos Cavaleiro, Fernando Ramos
Summary: Increasing soil salinisation poses a serious threat to food security, thus the utilization of high-yielding halophytes like Salicornia and Sarcocornia should be considered globally, not just in arid regions. This study evaluated the nutritional value, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and contaminants of Salicornia ramosissima and Sarcocornia perennis alpini. Both species were found to be nutritionally significant, containing high levels of crude fibre and ash, with major minerals being Na, K, and Mg. Both also demonstrated antioxidant capacity, with Salicornia ramosissima performing better in DPPH and ss-carotene bleaching assays. Specific regulations and careful cultivation strategies are needed to minimize contamination risks by mycotoxins and heavy metals, although both species show high potential in the agro-food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Article
Soil Science
Henry Janzen, Kees Jan van Groenigen, David S. Powlson, Timothy Schwinghamer, Jan Willem van Groenigen
Summary: The ability of global agricultural soils to store carbon to mitigate rising CO2 concentrations and the associated costs have been a focus of soil science for decades. Various methods have been used to estimate additional soil organic carbon storage, with this study taking a unique approach focusing on photosynthesis. Using a Fermi approach parameterized by literature data, the study estimated global net C inputs and additional C storage in cropland soils, advocating for a shift towards a wider ecosystem perspective starting with photosynthesis.
Article
Forestry
Carl Svensson, Martin Karl-Friedrich Bader, Benjamin Forsmark, Urban Nilsson, Tomas Lundmark, Annika Nordin, Johan Bergh
Summary: Research shows that repeated fertilisation in young Norway spruce plantations in northern Europe can significantly increase biomass production and carbon sequestration, helping meet the demand for renewable materials and mitigate climate change.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiuting Feng, Hongmei Li, Zenghu Zhang, Tianqi Xiong, Xiaoyong Shi, Chen He, Quan Shi, Nianzhi Jiao, Yongyu Zhang
Summary: By studying the long-term microbial degradation of kelp detritus, it was found that a significant amount of stable carbon can be stored for long-term carbon sequestration. Difficult to degrade organic carbon gradually forms during degradation, with microbial activity playing a crucial role in the carbon sequestration process.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ce Xu, Xiubo Yu, Houlang Duan, Jinpu Li, Shaoxia Xia, Quanjun Zhang, Chao Li
Summary: Litter decomposition is crucial for carbon and nutrient cycling in wetland ecosystems. The management of Phragmites australis is of great importance in regulating this biogeochemical cycle. This study found that the decomposition process of Phragmites litter is more influenced by the stoichiometric ratios in the surrounding water than in the litter itself. Detritus amount does not significantly affect the decomposition process of Phragmites litter. These findings provide valuable insights for further research on wetland ecosystem management.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jeffrey M. Schell, Deborah S. Goodwin, Rebecca H. Volk, Amy N. S. Siuda
Summary: Understanding the environmental tolerances and growth rates of different species of macroalgae is crucial for predicting their spatial and temporal dynamics. This study found that different morphotypes of Sargassum exhibited varying responses to temperature and salinity conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Erika Valzauez-Delfin, Carmen Galindo-De Santiago, Arely Paredes-Chi, Ameyalli Rios-Vazquez, Ana Benavides-Lahnstein, Kaysara Khatun, Juliet Brodie
Summary: Massive strandings of seaweed on the eastern coasts of the Yucat ' an peninsula, Mexico have become a major socioecological problem. A citizen science initiative, Big Seaweed Search Mexico (BSS-Mx), was developed to monitor temporal changes in the biomass stranded. The results represent baseline information that should be considered to develop management strategies and marine conservation actions according to each region.
Review
Plant Sciences
Lee H. Dietterich, Suhey Ortiz Rosa, Bianca R. Charbonneau, S. Kyle McKay
Summary: Riverine macrophytes play crucial ecological roles in river ecosystems, but their growth models have received relatively limited attention compared to other aquatic or terrestrial plants. This systematic review reveals that current models often overlook important factors such as shading and the role of macrophytes in nutrient cycles. Future research should focus on exploring these factors and developing a conceptual framework to guide macrophyte growth modeling. Emphasizing modularity and accessibility is also important for improving efforts to model and manage riverine ecosystems.
Review
Plant Sciences
Alba Martin, Jordi Corbera, Oriol Cano, Catherine Preece, Josep Penuelas, Francesc Sabater, Marcos Fernandez-Martinez
Summary: Bryophytes can play a significant role in ecosystem processes and hold potential as bio-indicators for monitoring environmental pollution. This study examined the effects of NO3- pollution on the elemental composition of aquatic and semi-aquatic bryophytes and identified suitable species as bio-indicators. Higher NO3- concentrations were found in spring water from intense farming and urban areas, positively correlated with N content and delta N-15 isotope ratio in bryophytes. Apopellia endiviifolia and Oxyrrhynchium speciosum were highlighted as promising candidates for bio-indication of aquatic NO3- pollution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Christine B. Rohal, Carrie Reinhardt Adams, Charles W. Martin, Sarah Tevlin, Laura K. Reynolds
Summary: This study investigated the seed production, seed banking, and germination cues of sub-tropical Vallisneria americana. It was found that the seeds of sub-tropical populations were dormant and could only germinate in the presence of organic material, light, or following scarification. Germination rate was enhanced by the presence of low-oxygen organic sediments and ethanol. These findings suggest a germination strategy focused on exploiting openings in existing vegetation following disturbance.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fabiano Faga, Carlos Frederico Deluqui Gurgel
Summary: Climate change is altering the distribution of marine biota, including Sargassum species. Future changes in abiotic variables are predicted to cause shifts in the latitudinal range and suitability area of Sargassum species. These changes may have significant impacts on marine ecosystems.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ulo Mander, Martin Maddison, Alex C. Valach, Kaido Soosaar, Keit Kill, Kuno Kasak
Summary: Constructed wetlands treating runoff from agricultural catchments can reduce nutrient load of water, but they can also be significant sources of greenhouse gases, especially methane. This study assessed methane emission potentials and phosphorus removal efficiency in a 0.45 ha in-stream surface flow constructed wetland, and analyzed the temporal dynamics of methane emissions and phosphorus removal over a nearly 4-year period. The results showed a clear seasonal dynamic in phosphorus removal efficiency and an increasing trend in methane emissions over the years, with the majority of methane fluxes occurring during the warm period. Maintenance of the wetland and regular removal of aboveground vegetation can reduce methane emissions, and regular sediment removal is also necessary due to phosphorus saturation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Monsif El Madany, Mustapha Hassoun, Fatima El Aamri, Noureddine El Mtili
Summary: The non-indigenous brown alga Rugulopteryx okamurae is invading and proliferating massively in the northwest of Morocco, including the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jessa May Malanguis, Tim Sierens, Ludwig Triest
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of movement ecology and dispersal mechanism in the dynamics and resilience of seagrass populations and ecosystems. The comparison of genetic diversity and fine-scaled structure of two co-occurring seagrass species reveals the significance of different survival strategies and reproductive modes. These findings have important implications for conservation efforts, suggesting the preservation of natural expansion and local seed recruitment for successful conservation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhi-Huan Chen, Rui Zhang, Jun-Cai Xin, Zi-Han Qian, Shu-Jie Wang, Shang-Yan Qiu, Xue-Ge He, Chao Si
Summary: Nutrient availability and light intensity play important roles in the expansion of amphibious clonal plants from terrestrial to aquatic habitats. High nutrient levels and light conditions promote the growth of the apical portions and overall performance of the clones. Maintaining clonal integration can benefit the expansion of the plants by optimizing resource utilization. These findings have implications for predicting community dynamics and vegetation restoration in ecotones like wetlands.
