Article
Ecology
Xiao Sun, Yumei Sun, Xueyao Cao, Xincong Zhai, Ragan M. Callaway, Jinlong Wan, S. Luke Flory, Wei Huang, Jianqing Ding
Summary: Non-native plants experience less damage from herbivory compared to native plants, but they have weaker constitutive defenses and stronger induced defenses. The strength of constitutive defenses in non-natives is influenced by the intensity of herbivory, while induced defenses show the opposite trend. Additionally, investment in induced defenses is positively correlated with growth, which may contribute to increased competitive ability.
Article
Plant Sciences
Eunice Karinho-Betancourt, Alejandra Vazquez-Lobo, Juan Nunez-Farfan
Summary: Macroevolutionary patterns in the association between plant species and their herbivores are influenced by ecological divergence driven by plant defenses, nutritional quality, and herbivore adaptations. This study examined the performance of two herbivores, Lema trilineata daturaphila, a specialist on Datura, and Spodoptera frugiperda, a generalist pest, when fed with different species of Datura. The results showed that Datura species varied in their suitability as food host for the two herbivores, with the specialist performing better overall. The herbivores' performance was associated with plant defenses, such as leaf trichomes and tropane alkaloids, as well as nutrient characteristics.
Review
Plant Sciences
Tara Joy Massad
Summary: Top-down and bottom-up forces in tropical savannas play a role in shaping plant defense traits against different herbivore pressures. African savannas and South American cerrado biome offer an instructive comparison to understand how plant defense traits evolved in response to herbivore pressure. The dominance of specialist insect herbivores in the cerrado has likely selected for different plant defense traits compared to the more generalist mammalian herbivores in Africa.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Cleide Rosa Dias, Andre Costa Cardoso, Merijn R. Kant, Jussara Mencalha, Ana Maria Guimaraes Bernardo, Marcela Cristina Agustini Carneiro da Silveira, Renato Almeida Sarmento, Madelaine Venzon, Angelo Pallini, Arne Janssen
Summary: Herbivores choose host plants based on plant quality, the presence of predators and competitors. The spider mite Tetranychus evansi suppresses plant defences and benefits later-arriving herbivores. The web produced by T. evansi prevents other herbivores from settling on the plant and benefiting from the suppressed defences. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is negatively affected by the web of spider mites and prefers plants without the web.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Xoaquin Moreira, Luis Abdala-Roberts
Summary: State of the art theory predicts weaker herbivore pressure on islands than on the mainland, leading to lower investment in plant defenses against herbivory. While early studies supported this prediction, recent research questions this paradigm, suggesting that islands may actually experience higher herbivory and plant defenses. Further research is needed to reassess predictions and investigate underlying mechanisms for observed patterns.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Guillaume Minard, Aapo Kahilainen, Arjen Biere, Hannu Pakkanen, Johanna Mappes, Marjo Saastamoinen
Summary: Many herbivores have developed strategies to cope with plant defenses, and gut microbiota may play a role in these adaptations. This study found that the history of plant use and microbiota may interact with plant defense adaptation. The gut microbiota were significantly impacted by both larval population origin and host plant defense compound levels.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Jean Trap, Eric Blanchart, Onja Ratsiatosika, Malalatiana Razafindrakoto, Thierry Becquer, Andry Andriamananjara, Christian Morel
Summary: The study demonstrated that the endogeic earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus significantly increased rice shoot biomass and P nutrition in P-deficient Ferralsol soil. The calculation of L-value is subject to various uncertainties, which should be considered in further research.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Gema Hernan, Maria J. Ortega, Jeremy Henderson, Josep Alos, Katharyn Boyer, Stephanie Cimon, Vincent Combes, Mathieu Cusson, Clara M. Hereu, Margot Hessing-Lewis, Kevin Hovel, Pablo Jorgensen, Stephanie Kiriakopolos, Nicole Kollars, Mary I. O Connor, Jeanine Olsen, Pamela L. Reynolds, Jennifer Ruesink, Erin Voigt, Fiona Tomas
Summary: This study found that both latitude and resource availability have significant impacts on plant defense strategies against herbivory, and that plant defenses may not linearly respond to increased herbivory pressure.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jamie M. Waterman, Casey R. Hall, Meena Mikhael, Christopher Cazzonelli, Susan E. Hartley, Scott N. Johnson
Summary: The study found that silicon accumulation in plants can alleviate both biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly insect herbivory. It is suggested that silicon accumulation may be induced through activation of the jasmonic acid pathway. Additionally, the research demonstrated that increased silicon accumulation affects plant phytohormones and carbon-based defences, with this relationship also being influenced by herbivory.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Charlyne Jaccard, Wenfeng Ye, Carlos Bustos-Segura, Gaetan Glauser, Ian Kaplan, Betty Benrey
Summary: Plant domestication reduces the levels of defensive compounds, making cultivars more susceptible to insects. In the case of squash, domesticated varieties contain very low amounts of cucurbitacins, a class of chemical compounds that stimulate feeding in chrysomelid beetles. Wild squash breeds, on the other hand, have higher expressions of cucurbitacin synthesis-associated genes, making them more attractive to herbivores.
Article
Physiology
Carmen Mo, Angela M. Smilanich
Summary: Using an exotic host plant has beneficial effects on the immune system and feeding efficiency of a specialist lepidopteran insect. The exotic host plant leads to higher immune system activity, pupal weights, development time, consumption, and approximate digestibility. However, the native host plant supports higher efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Zhongxiang Sun, Yibin Lin, Rumeng Wang, Qilin Li, Qi Shi, Scott R. Baerson, Li Chen, Rensen Zeng, Yuanyuan Song
Summary: Exposure of Spodoptera litura larvae to HIPVs emitted from wild-type plants enhanced their ability to cope with plant-induced defences, as indicated by increased transcript levels of genes encoding cuticle proteins and cytochrome P450s.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Ilektra Sperdouli, Stefanos S. Andreadis, Ioannis-Dimosthenis S. Adamakis, Julietta Moustaka, Eleni Koutsogeorgiou, Michael Moustakas
Summary: By using chlorophyll fluorescence imaging methodology, we found that potato can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) as an immediate defense response against sap-sucking insect herbivores. This defense mechanism is closely related to the photosynthetic efficiency and photoprotective mechanisms of potato, helping to reduce herbivory damage.
Article
Ecology
Pieter Sanczuk, Sanne Govaert, Camille Meeussen, Karen De Pauw, Thomas Vanneste, Leen Depauw, Xoaquin Moreira, Jonas Schoelynck, Marthe De Boevre, Sarah De Saeger, Kurt Bollmann, Jorg Brunet, Sara A. O. Cousins, Jan Plue, Martin Diekmann, Bente J. Graae, Per-Ola Hedwall, Giovanni Iacopetti, Jonathan Lenoir, Anna Orczewska, Quentin Ponette, Federico Selvi, Fabien Spicher, Pieter Vermeir, Kim Calders, Hans Verbeeck, Kris Verheyen, Pieter Vangansbeke, Pieter De Frenne
Summary: In addition to macroclimatic conditions, subtle differences in forest microclimate and soil characteristics play a major role in modulating plant defense phenotypes. These findings highlight the importance of local habitat structure and environmental conditions in modulating plant resistance to herbivory.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Elizabeth Davidson-Lowe, Jared G. Ali
Summary: This study investigated the impact of herbivore damage on plant volatile emissions and herbivore behavior, finding contrasting induction patterns and responses between chewing and phloem-feeding herbivores. The results highlight the importance of understanding how co-occurring herbivores perceive potential hosts and interact with plant plasticity, contributing to ecological functions and community dynamics.
BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenggao Xiao, Ningke Fan, Wenqing Zhu, Hai-Long Qian, Xiu-Ping Yan, Zhenyu Wang, Sergio Rasmann
Summary: The application of nanosilicon has been found to enhance plant defenses against various stresses. Silicon quantum nanodots, with their unique biological and physiochemical properties, show promise in regulating plant responses to stress. By studying maize, it was observed that the addition of Si NDs and sodium silicate effectively inhibited the growth of caterpillars and activated defense genes. Field experiments also demonstrated the potential of Si NDs in increasing maize yield. These findings suggest that Si NDs can be an effective and ecofriendly crop protection strategy in agroecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Benjamin S. Halpern, Carl Boettiger, Michael C. Dietze, Jessica A. Gephart, Patrick Gonzalez, Nancy B. Grimm, Peter M. Groffman, Jessica Gurevitch, Sarah E. Hobbie, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Kristy J. Kroeker, Heather J. Lahr, David M. Lodge, Christopher J. Lortie, Julie S. S. Lowndes, Fiorenza Micheli, Hugh P. Possingham, Mary H. Ruckelshaus, Courtney Scarborough, Chelsea L. Wood, Grace C. Wu, Lina Aoyama, Eva E. Arroyo, Christie A. Bahlai, Erin E. Beller, Rachael E. Blake, Karrigan S. Bork, Trevor A. Branch, Norah E. M. Brown, Julien Brun, Emilio M. Bruna, Lauren B. Buckley, Jessica L. Burnett, Max C. N. Castorani, Samantha H. Cheng, Sarah C. Cohen, Jessica L. Couture, Larry B. Crowder, Laura E. Dee, Arildo S. Dias, Ignacio J. Diaz-Maroto, Martha R. Downs, Joan C. Dudney, Erle C. Ellis, Kyle A. Emery, Jacob G. Eurich, Bridget E. Ferriss, Alexa Fredston, Hikaru Furukawa, Sara A. Gagne, Sarah R. Garlick, Colin J. Garroway, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Angelica L. Gonzalez, Eliza M. Grames, Tamar Guy-Haim, Ed Hackett, Lauren M. Hallett, Tamara K. Harms, Danielle E. Haulsee, Kyle J. Haynes, Elliott L. Hazen, Rebecca M. Jarvis, Kristal Jones, Gaurav S. Kandlikar, Dustin W. Kincaid, Matthew L. Knope, Anil Koirala, Jurek Kolasa, John S. Kominoski, Julia Koricheva, Lesley T. Lancaster, Jake A. Lawlor, Heili E. Lowman, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Kari E. A. Norman, Nan Nourn, Casey C. O'Hara, Suzanne X. Ou, Jacqueline L. Padilla-Gamino, Paula Pappalardo, Ryan A. Peek, Dominique Pelletier, Stephen Plont, Lauren C. Ponisio, Cristina Portales-Reyes, Diogo B. Provete, Eric J. Raes, Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, Irene Ramos, Sydne Record, Anthony J. Richardson, Roberto Salguero-Gomez, Erin Satterthwaite, Chloe Schmidt, Aaron J. Schwartz, Craig R. See, Brendan D. Shea, Rachel S. Smith, Eric R. Sokol, Christopher T. Solomon, Trisha Spanbauer, Paris Stefanoudis, Beckett W. Sterner, Vitor Sudbrack, Jonathan D. Tonkin, Ashley R. Townes, Mireia Valle, Jonathan A. Walter, Kathryn Wheeler, William R. Wieder, David R. Williams, Marten Winter, Barbora Winterova, Lucy C. Woodall, Adam S. Wymore, Casey Youngflesh
Summary: Synthesis research in ecology and environmental science is important for improving understanding, advancing theory, identifying research priorities, and supporting management strategies. A virtual workshop with participants from different countries and disciplines was held to discuss how synthesis can address key questions and themes in the field in the next decade. Seven priority research topics and two issues regarding synthesis practices were identified, providing a strategic vision for future synthesis in ecology and environmental science.
Article
Agronomy
Jiechao Chang, Kang Li, Jiayao Xie, Yanxia Zhang, Sitong Wang, Haiyan Ren, Manqiang Liu
Summary: Intense human activities disrupt the grassland-livestock balance and accelerate grassland degradation. Planting grass-legume mixtures combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be used to recover degraded grassland productivity and maintain nutrient accumulation and stability of grassland.
Article
Biology
Yefeng Yang, Alfredo Sanchez-Tojar, Rose E. O'Dea, Daniel W. A. Noble, Julia Koricheva, Michael D. Jennions, Timothy H. Parker, Malgorzata Lagisz, Shinichi Nakagawa
Summary: Collaborative efforts have revealed a replication crisis in medical and social sciences, prompting cultural changes to improve reliability. This study retrospectively assesses replicability in ecology and evolutionary biology, finding widespread small-study and decline effects, as well as publication bias distorting meta-analytic results. Low statistical power and inflated effect sizes are also observed. The research emphasizes the importance of high-power empirical studies, replication, correcting for publication bias, and transparent research practices.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Haiyan Ren, Jiayao Xie, Kang Li, Sibo Shi, Xianping Li, Hui Guo, Manqiang Liu, Qiang Yu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of plant-soil feedbacks (PSF) on subsequent plant diversity-productivity relationships. The results showed that mixed-conditioned soils promoted plant productivity compared to mono-conditioned soils, and the relationship between productivity and planted diversity was only significant in mixed-conditioned soils. Soil biodiversity played a role in mediating the effects of soil conditioning diversity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Harry Siviter, Emily J. Bailes, Callum D. Martin, Thomas R. Oliver, Julia Koricheva, Ellouise Leadbeater, Mark J. F. Brown
Article
Agronomy
Olivia Rusconi, Theo Steiner, Claire Le Bayon, Sergio Rasmann
Summary: To restore populations of threatened species, conservation actions need to be undertaken in suitable habitats. A study on the endangered Cypripedium calceolus orchid found that the composition of surrounding plant communities and soil characteristics significantly influenced its population performance, providing valuable information for reintroduction efforts.
Article
Soil Science
Xin Gong, Xin Sun, Madhav P. Thakur, Zhihong Qiao, Haifeng Yao, Manqiang Liu, Stefan Scheu, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: Rapid urbanization has significant impacts on global biodiversity, but its effects on soil biodiversity and nematodes are not well understood. In this study, we examined soil nematodes in four land-use types across 12 cities in China. We found that urban parks and nearby forests had higher nematode richness than urban residential areas and surrounding farmlands. Nematode communities in parks and residential areas were more similar, while forests and farmlands had more heterogeneous communities. The variations in nematode communities were mainly due to taxa replacement, indicating spatial isolation of nematodes in cities. Urban parks served as hotspots for soil nematodes, while residential areas had the lowest number of specialists and smaller body sizes. Overall, our findings suggest that urbanization reduces nematode diversity, leading to a 30% loss in residential areas compared to forests, and homogenizes soil nematode communities.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sarah Semeraro, Pascal Kipf, Renee-Claire Le Bayon, Sergio Rasmann
Summary: The decomposition of organic matter varies across ecosystems, and local ecological conditions play a significant role in this process. This study investigated the effects of solar radiation on the decomposition rates of green tea and rooibos tea in different habitats within the Swiss Alps. The results showed that solar radiation was the primary driver of decomposition rates for both tea types.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Jianni Sun, Jiao Zhao, Jusong Huo, Shuai Wang, Li Xu, Xiaoyun Chen, Yunpeng Qiu, Manqiang Liu
Summary: Excessive nitrogen inputs have negative effects on ecological problems and soil biodiversity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in nutrient acquisition by plants, but the relationship between AMF diversity and crop performance under different N inputs is still unclear.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Richard D. Beason, Ruediger Riesch, Julia Koricheva
Summary: Mixed-species forest stands may provide better habitats for bird species compared to tree monocultures. Traditional bird survey methods are expensive and impractical, so we used passive acoustic monitoring and acoustic indices to study how tree species diversity and other plot characteristics affect avian communities. Certain acoustic indices showed positive relationships with bird species richness, but there were limitations and caution is needed in interpretation. Plot tree species diversity had positive effects on some acoustic indices, while increased basal area of certain tree species had negative effects. Care should be taken when selecting indices and interpreting acoustic index results.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Xin Gong, Dingyi Wang, Maogang Xu, Yan Du, Xiaoyun Chen, Feng Hu, Manqiang Liu
Summary: Resource limitation hinders soil biota to sustain multiple ecosystem functions. Earthworms are known for their ecotype diversity and the ability to accelerate nutrient cycling. However, the roles of earthworm ecotype diversity in alleviating soil resource limitations have yet to be discovered.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Baijing Zhu, Bingbing Wan, Ting Liu, Chongzhe Zhang, Liuzhu Cheng, Yanhong Cheng, Shanyi Tian, Xiaoyun Chen, Feng Hu, Joann K. Whalen, Manqiang Liu
Summary: Soil multifunctionality is influenced by biotic interactions and energy flux among multitrophic groups in the soil food web. Biochar can increase multifunctionality by promoting energy flow through the nematode food web, while synthetic fertilizer can have a non-uniform effect. Nitrogen limitation may offset the benefits of biochar and nutrient impoverishment can promote energy flow through the herbivore channel. Balancing biochar and synthetic fertilizer application is crucial for maintaining stable energetic structure and improving crop production and soil health in subtropical regions.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Xuehua Wang, Zhongmin Dai, Jiahui Lin, Haochun Zhao, Haodan Yu, Bin Ma, Lingfei Hu, Jiachun Shi, Xiaoyun Chen, Manqiang Liu, Xin Ke, Yijun Yu, Randy A. Dahlgren, Jianming Xu
Summary: The soil microbial food web is crucial for soil health, nutrient cycling, and agricultural productivity. However, the effects of heavy metal contamination on the trophic-level interactions within this food web in agricultural soils, which are globally contaminated, have not been well-studied. This study examined the interactions among predators, preys, and competitors under different metal contamination levels and found that metal contamination altered the growth of different prey groups, resulting in changes in the diversity and abundance of consumers and their interactions. Lab experiments confirmed these findings, indicating the collapse of trophic-level interactions due to heavy metal contamination.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haihua Ji, Jinghong Wang, Aiyuan Xue, Feiran Chen, Huijuan Guo, Zhenggao Xiao, Zhenyu Wang
Summary: Environmentally friendly nanostructured materials have the potential to effectively manage plant diseases and insect pests. In this study, chitosan-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CS-MSNs) were found to enhance faba bean plant resistance against aphids. CS-MSNs reduced aphid reproduction more effectively than individual chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs), mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), and the pesticide acetamiprid. The mechanism of CS-MSN-induced plant resistance involved activating endogenous signals and enhancing defense metabolite production. CS-MSNs can be considered as an alternative tool to reduce pesticide use and induce host plant resistance in agroecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)