Review
Microbiology
Hongjie Li, Chris Greening
Summary: Termites shape their environments by constructing complex nesting structures and cultivating fungus gardens, which harbor specialized microbial communities that benefit termites by producing antimicrobial compounds and enhancing energy efficiency. These engineered communities also have global significance in controlling methane emissions and enhancing agricultural fertility.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Volker H. W. Rudolf, Lauren Eveland
Summary: The study found that ontogenetic diversity helps buffer against the negative consequences of biodiversity loss. Experimental results showed that losing predator species did not have a significant impact on prey survival, biomass, or community structure when predator populations had high ontogenetic diversity. This suggests that ontogenetic diversity within populations can modify the consequences of biodiversity loss and strengthen the resilience of natural communities.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Calvin Ritter, David I. King, Stephen DeStefano, Daniel Clark
Summary: Establishment of non-native monoculture plantations is a common method to supplement native timber stocks, but it is believed to provide inferior habitat for native biodiversity. However, our study in Massachusetts showed that mature Norway spruce plantations have similar species richness as native forest habitats and support the abundance of several native conifer-dependent bird species. This suggests that small-scale plantations can coexist without negative impacts on native biodiversity.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Haiyan Ren, Anran Cai, Jorge L. Mazza Rodrigues, Xinwei Wu, Lifeng Wang, Jiechao Chang, Xiuyang Wu, Quanping Zhou, Yuehua Jiang, Shuijin Hu
Summary: The impact of seeded species patch size on mutual plant-plant competitive interactions in mixed legume-grass communities was explored. Smaller patch sizes resulted in better facilitation by higher neighbor effect intensity, indicating significant differences in mutual effects among conspecific patch sizes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Benjamin Hofmann, Lukas Dreyling, Francesco Dal Grande, Juergen Otte, Imke Schmitt
Summary: Trees interact with fungi in various ways, and tree species and habitat type both play important roles in shaping fungal communities. This study found that soil communities were more diverse than bark communities, and both tree species identity and habitat type influenced fungal community composition. Network analysis showed that aboveground and belowground communities formed distinct subnetworks.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sunday Yusuf Kpalo, Mohamad Faiz Zainuddin, Latifah Abd Manaf, Ahmad Muhaimin Roslan
Summary: This study developed hybrid briquettes using corncobs and the bark of oil palm trunk, with the 50:50 mixture ratio showing the best performance in terms of combustion efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Michael Kelly, Md Kawsar Khan, Kaja Wierucka, Braxton Jones, Ryan Shofner, Shahan Derkarabetian, Jonas Wolff
Summary: Animals use self-built structures to enhance body functions, but it is unclear whether these structures supplement or substitute body functions. A study on brown spiders showed that the evolutionary loss and gain of silken webs as extended prey capture devices is correlated with changes in locomotor performance and leg spination. However, there is no correlation between running speed and web use, and leg spination only weakly correlates with the use of extended phenotypes. This suggests that web use does not reduce selective pressures on body functions involved in prey capture and defence.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anskje Van Mensel, Karen Wuyts, Pedro Pinho, Babette Muyshondt, Cristiana Aleixo, Marta Alos Orti, Joan Casanelles-Abella, Francois Chiron, Tiit Hallikma, Lauri Laanisto, Marco Moretti, Uelo Niinemets, Piotr Tryjanowski, Roeland Samson
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of magnetic analysis of urban tree trunk bark to discriminate between particulate matter (PM) exposure levels and investigated the variation in bark magnetic properties at different spatial scales. The results showed that the bark magnetic properties could well reflect the PM exposure levels at both city and local scales, and the values increased with tree circumferences and on the side of the trunk facing the prevailing wind direction. Significant relationships between magnetic properties of different genera were also found, indicating the possibility of combining data from different genera to improve sampling resolution and coverage in biomagnetic studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Forestry
Jacek Malica, Cezary K. Urbanowski, Grzegorz Raczka, Maciej Skorupski, Emilia Pers-Kamczyc, Jacek Kamczyc
Summary: Afforestation plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change and providing structural and functional benefits. However, there are challenges for forest managers due to past land-use history, and further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms governing the below-ground environment in post-agricultural forests. Future studies should consider factors such as microclimate, tree species, and soil conditions to accurately assess the impact of afforestation on soil fauna communities.
Article
Microbiology
Adas Marciulynas, Diana Marciulyniene, Jurate Lynikiene, Remigijus Bakys, Audrius Menkis
Summary: This study investigates fungal communities in the leaves and roots of healthy-looking and declining U. glabra trees, revealing the negative impact of Dutch elm disease on fungal diversity.
Article
Forestry
Adas Marciulynas, Diana Marciulyniene, Valeriia Mishcherikova, Iva Franic, Jurate Lynikiene, Arturas Gedminas, Audrius Menkis
Summary: The study revealed a high diversity of fungal communities associated with healthy Picea abies trees, with significant variations in relative abundance among different sites, highlighting the complexity of interactions among fungi, host trees, and local environmental factors.
Article
Agronomy
Tiziana Nardi, Federica Gaiotti, Diego Tomasi
Summary: This study evaluated the fungi and bacteria communities associated with Corvina vines from two vineyards with different management practices within Valpolicella DOC area in Italy. The results highlighted the potential of vine trunk bark as a source of microbial viable species.
Article
Ecology
Temuulen Sankey, Kevin Hultine, Davis Blasini, Dan Koepke, Nathaniel Bransky, Kevin Grady, Hillary Cooper, Catherine Gehring, Gerard Allan
Summary: The study evaluates the temperature differences among populations and genotypes of Fremont cottonwood using high-resolution thermal images from UAVs. Significant differences in canopy temperatures were found among 16 populations, and the tree canopy temperatures were closely correlated with canopy cover.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juergen Homeier, Tabea Seeler, Kerstin Pierick, Christoph Leuschner
Summary: The study investigated tree leaf trait variation along an elevation gradient in highly diverse neotropical montane forests. Results showed that leaf trait integration increased with elevation, indicating stronger environmental filtering at colder and nutrient-poorer sites.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vicente Villalobos, Nelson Valdivia, Gunter Forsterra, Stacy Ballyram, Juan Pablo Espinoza, Jemma L. Wadham, Katherine Burgos-Andrade, Vreni Haussermann
Summary: This study explored the variation of macrobenthic biodiversity in Comau Fjord, Northern Chilean Patagonia, along salinity and temperature gradients. The research showed that species richness peaked at specific salinities and depths, while the spatial variation was influenced by freshwater inputs and density-driven stratification of the water column.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
T. R. Pfeilsticker, R. C. Jones, D. A. Steane, P. A. Harrison, R. E. Vaillancourt, B. M. Potts
Summary: This study contributes to the increasing number of reports of hybrid inferiority in Eucalyptus, suggesting that post-zygotic barriers contribute to the maintenance of species integrity even between closely related species. However, with fitness rapidly recovered following backcrossing, it is argued that hybridization can still be an important evolutionary process.
Article
Forestry
Judith S. Nantongo, Brad M. Potts, Noel W. Davies, Hugh Fitzgerald, Thomas Rodemann, Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra
Summary: In Pinus radiata, both primary and secondary compounds are involved in defense against herbivory, with varying levels and types of compounds in needles, bark and roots. The impact of stress is stronger on primary compounds, and roots show responses to above-ground stress. Constitutive and induced chemical defenses differ within the plant, with inducibility stronger in primary metabolites.
TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
J. S. Nantongo, B. M. Potts, T. Frickey, E. Telfer, H. Dungey, H. Fitzgerald, J. M. O'Reilly-Wapstra
Summary: This study compares the transcriptional differences in the needles and bark of Pinus radiata after artificial bark stripping and treatment with methyl jasmonate. The results show that there are constitutive and induced differences in the transcriptome of the needles and bark. Bark stripping treatment causes changes in genes related to primary and secondary metabolism, while methyl jasmonate treatment induces more transcriptional responses. These findings contribute to our understanding of plant molecular responses to diverse stresses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Judith S. Nantongo, Brad M. Potts, Noel W. Davies, Don Aurik, Stephen Elms, Hugh Fitzgerald, Julianne M. O'Reilly-Wapstra
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the genetic differences in susceptibility of two-year-old Pinus radiata trees to bark stripping by marsupials by analyzing specific compounds. It was found that two sesquiterpenoids were higher in resistant families, while sugars and phenolics were higher in susceptible families. After artificial bark stripping, compound levels in both resistant and susceptible families changed, leveling the differences observed at the constitutive level.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mariano A. Hernandez, Jakob B. Butler, Hans Ammitzboll, James L. Weller, Rene E. Vaillancourt, Brad M. Potts
Summary: This study reveals that the variation in operculum and capsule traits in Eucalyptus globulus is strongly genetically controlled, with a common genetic pathway during flower bud development. The study identifies several co-located QTL that affect the morphology of both operculum and capsule, with a trend of elongation in both organs. Some of these QTL have a significant effect on the phenotype, explaining a substantial portion of the variation in shape.
Article
Forestry
Jakob B. Butler, Jules S. Freeman, Brad M. Potts, Rene E. Vaillancourt, Hossein V. Kahrood, Peter K. Ades, Philippe Rigault, Josquin F. G. Tibbits
Summary: Genetic diversity and population differentiation were examined in Eucalyptus globulus, with four genetic groups identified, showing variations in LD decay rates and levels of diversity. Two races exhibited slower LD decay, higher differentiation, and lower diversity, potentially due to selective sweeps or genetic bottlenecks. Results suggest that recombination outcomes are influenced by genomic features, hybridization, or selection across chromosome populations in the species.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Jakob B. Butler, Peter A. Harrison, Rene E. Vaillancourt, Dorothy A. Steane, Josquin F. G. Tibbits, Brad M. Potts
Summary: Understanding the capacity of forest tree species to adapt to climate change is important for managing forest genetic resources. This study used a genomics approach to model spatial variation in climate adaptation within the Australian temperate forest tree Eucalyptus globulus. The study identified putative climate drivers of this genomic variation and predicted locations of future climate refugia and populations at-risk of future maladaptation. The results suggest that over 50% of the current distribution of E. globulus will be outside the modelled adaptive range by 2070 and at risk of climate maladaptation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Christopher N. Wellington, Rene E. Vaillancourt, Brad M. Potts, Dale Worledge, Anthony P. O'Grady
Summary: Leptospermum scoparium, an economically important plant for manuka honey and essential oils production, exhibits significant genetic variation in various traits. The study suggests that population differences in traits may be influenced by local climate adaptation. Geographical trends indicate different genotypes of the plant from the eastern and western regions of Tasmania should be focused on for specific traits.
Article
Plant Sciences
Suzanne M. Prober, Brad M. Potts, Peter A. Harrison, Georg Wiehl, Tanya G. Bailey, Joao Costa e Silva, Meridy R. Price, Jane Speijers, Dorothy A. Steane, Rene E. Vaillancourt
Summary: With climate change impacting trees worldwide, enhancing adaptation capacity has become an important goal. This study compares genetic-based population variation, climate-trait associations, and genomic differentiation of two widespread tree species. The results show that different species have different patterns of variation and correlation, and climate-based plantings should consider multiple dimensions of climate change unless species-specific information is available.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Judith S. Nantongo, Brad M. Potts, Jaroslav Klapste, Natalie J. Graham, Heidi S. Dungey, Hugh Fitzgerald, Julianne M. O'Reilly-Wapstra
Summary: The study showed that integrating genomic data into genetic evaluations improved heritability estimates and predictive accuracy compared to equivalent pedigree-based models, particularly benefiting traits with low pedigree-based heritability. The use of genomic models can expedite the selection of superior genotypes and enhance breeding efficiency in trees.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Manuel F. Rocha-Sepulveda, Mario Vega, Peter A. Harrison, Kelsey Joyce, Rene E. Vaillancourt, Brad M. Potts
Summary: This study explored the plastic response of Eucalyptus nitens pulpwood traits to variation in climate using ensemble learning methods. The results showed that the growth and wood properties of Eucalyptus nitens were mainly influenced by the climate during the growing period, with temperature affecting growth and rainfall-related variables affecting wood density. Pulp yield was influenced by a mix of climatic and geographic variables and appeared independent of the variation in growth and wood density.
Article
Forestry
Mariano A. Hernandez, Jakob B. Butler, Hans Ammitzboll, Jules S. Freeman, Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra, Rene E. Vaillancourt, Brad M. Potts
Summary: Our study on the genetic architecture of fire-related traits in Eucalyptus globulus reveals that almost all traits are under genetic control. Trees of the dwarf ecotype are significantly more damaged and mainly recover from lignotubers, whereas tall ecotype trees mainly recover from epicormic resprouts. Tree size is negatively correlated with fire damage and positively correlated with recovery.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Joao Costa e Silva, Brad M. Potts, Georg Wiehl, Suzanne M. Prober
Summary: This study examined the traits and performance of Eucalyptus pauciflora trees in Tasmania, Australia. It found that leaf thickness and leaf density had direct effects on growth performance, with individuals having reduced leaf thickness and increased leaf density being favored. These findings suggest that early-stage selection may be mediated by the effects of performance on later-age survival.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thais R. R. Pfeilsticker, Rebecca C. C. Jones, Dorothy A. A. Steane, Rene E. Vaillancourt, Brad M. M. Potts
Summary: In plants with limited seed dispersal, hybridisation can enhance gene exchange and species dispersal. Genetic evidence shows that hybridisation contributes to the expansion of Eucalyptus risdonii into the range of Eucalyptus amygdalina. Isolated hybrids match the expected genotypes, and there is a continuum of genetic composition among hybrid patches, suggesting backcrossing. The resurrection of Eucalyptus risdonii phenotype in isolated hybrid patches is likely due to long-distance pollen dispersal, leading to the invasion of suitable habitat and the displacement of Eucalyptus amygdalina.
