Article
Ecology
Anne Kempel, Eric Allan, Martin M. Gossner, Malte Jochum, James B. Grace, David A. Wardle
Summary: In the absence of disturbance, ecosystems often undergo decline or retrogression, resulting in reductions in primary productivity, plant biomass, nutrient cycling and foliar quality. However, the effects of ecosystem retrogression on higher trophic levels, such as herbivores and predators, are not well understood. This study shows that the availability of nutrients strongly influences invertebrate herbivore biomass when predator abundance is low, but shifts to top-down control when predators are abundant. These findings highlight the importance of considering nutrient-independent variation in predator abundance when studying trophic cascades and herbivore effects on plant communities.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jaroslav Vrba, Michal Sorf, Jiri Nedoma, Zdenka Benedova, Lenka Kroepfelova, Jana Sulcova, Blanka Tesarova, Martin Musil, Libor Pechar, Jan Potuzak, Jan Regenda, Karel Simek, Klara Rehakova
Summary: We studied the impact of high fish stock and top-down control on plankton structure and seasonal dynamics in nine fishponds. The fishponds were managed conventionally with supplemental feeding. The results showed that the fishstock had a strong influence on the microbial food web and led to a reduction in control by crustacean zooplankton. The trophic structure severely restricted the link between herbivorous zooplankton and fish during the vegetation season.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vina Listiawati, Haruko Kurihara
Summary: The study found that seagrass productivity increases under high pCO(2), while sea urchin feeding rate decreases under high temperature. Future climate change may impact the ecological balance and functions of tropical seagrass ecosystems.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Margarita Brandt, Isabel Silva-Romero, David Fernandez-Garnica, Esteban Agudo-Adriani, Colleen B. Bove, John F. Bruno
Summary: This study found that nutrient availability, temperature, and herbivory all have impacts on macroalgal biomass. Excluding herbivores significantly increased macroalgal biomass, regardless of season or nutrient availability. However, the interactive effects of nutrients and herbivores differed between the cool and warm seasons. The results suggest that nutrient availability, rather than temperature, modulates the effects of herbivory.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alessandra Iannino, Patrick Fink, Markus Weitere
Summary: This study examined the effects of light and phosphorus availability on grazer growth and the long-term control of algal biomass. Results showed significant impacts of light, phosphorus, and grazing on algal biomass, with the interactive effects of the three factors changing over time. The findings highlight the role of feedback effects and the importance of long-term experiments in the study of foodweb interactions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alfredo Fernandez-Alias, Teresa Montano-Barroso, Manuel-Rosendo Conde-Cano, Sara Manchado-Perez, Cristina Lopez-Galindo, Jhoni-Ismael Quispe-Becerra, Concepcion Marcos, Angel Perez-Ruzafa
Summary: The excess input of nutrients has destabilized coastal ecosystems and led to dystrophic crises. Mar Menor lagoon has suffered from these events after 30 years of nutrient input. Phosphorus and nitrogen alternate as limiting nutrients for phytoplankton, with phosphorus mainly related to vacation periods and nitrogen related to high nitrates concentration. Summer is prone to periods of hypoxia when the N/P ratio decreases and temperature rises. The loss of control over phytoplankton due to the decline in jellyfish abundance has affected the ecological balance. Management actions should focus on addressing water and nutrient input sources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan Diaz-Colunga, Nanxi Lu, Alicia Sanchez-Gorostiaga, Chang-Yu Chang, Helen S. Cai, Joshua E. Goldford, Mikhail Tikhonov, Alvaro Sanchez
Summary: Microbial communities frequently invade one another as a whole, a phenomenon known as community coalescence. This study provides direct evidence that collective invasions can lead to ecological coselection in microbial communities due to cross-feeding interactions at the community level.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yonatan Vanunu, Jared M. Hotaling, Mike E. Le Pelley, Ben R. Newell
Summary: The study shows that initial attention in risky choice is driven by perceptual properties of the stimulus, while subsequent choices are more influenced by goal-driven factors. Options with the highest values and largest font sizes have the greatest impact on choice, while distractors may attract attention but do not affect actual decision-making.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Aurelie Garnier, Orjan Ostman, Jenny Ask, Olivia Bell, Martin Berggren, Mayra P. D. Rulli, Hani Younes, Magnus Huss
Summary: Coastal eutrophication caused by excessive anthropogenic nutrient input is a global threat, particularly in estuaries and semi-enclosed waterbodies. Additionally, coastal waters can become darker due to increased input of colored compounds. However, the effects of darkening on coastal food webs in response to eutrophication are unknown. A study using mesocosm experiments found that darkening and nutrient enrichment led to higher algal biomass, but fish had no cascading effect on algae. This highlights the additional challenge that coastal darkening poses for the recovery of coastal waters from eutrophication.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael J. Blum
Summary: Global change has complex effects on plant productivity in coastal ecosystems, with elevated salinity negatively impacting productivity across all environments and nitrogen enrichment positively affecting productivity. Herbivory has the greatest negative impact in saline habitats, but this trend may reverse with nitrogen enrichment, leading to maximum losses occurring in brackish habitats. These findings suggest that multiple stressors can have contrasting outcomes and trophic interactions may shift as coastal ecosystems continue to experience nutrient enrichment and sea level rise.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
T. Burr, S. Croft, A. Favalli, T. Krieger, B. Weaver
Summary: This paper reviews progress and presents new results for uncertainty quantification in nuclear safeguards, focusing on data-driven choices in SD estimation, the use of approximate Bayesian computation, computational calibration, revisions to the GUM, and critique of a Unified Theory of Measurement Errors and Uncertainties.
CHEMOMETRICS AND INTELLIGENT LABORATORY SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Abby R. Gilson, Christopher Mcquaid
Summary: This study investigated the effects of grazing pressure, upwelling, and their interactions on the sessile invertebrate and macroalgal communities in a warm-temperate system. The results showed that the positive bottom-up effects of nutrient supply did not override top-down control, and had knock-on effects on invertebrates competing with macroalgae for space.
Article
Biology
Hajo Eicken, Finn Danielsen, Josephine-Mary Sam, Maryann Fidel, Noor Johnson, Michael K. Poulsen, Olivia A. Lee, Katie Spellman, Lisbeth Iversen, Peter Pulsifer, Martin Enghoff
Summary: Effective responses to rapid environmental change rely on observations to inform planning and decision-making. Comparing top-down, large-scale program driven approaches with bottom-up approaches initiated and steered at the community level can yield benefits, especially when connecting to Indigenous and local knowledge.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gyurim Park, Dong Yeon Jeong, Seung Yeon Yu, Jong Jin Park, Jong H. Kim, Hoichang Yang, Youngmin You
Summary: This research demonstrates an advancement in the engineering of emitters with circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties. By utilizing a combined top-down and bottom-up strategy, the photoluminescence quantum yield and the luminescence dissymmetry factor were simultaneously amplified. The integration of chiral anions and the formation of helical assemblies of square-planar Pt(II) complexes played crucial roles in activating the CPL-active metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer transition.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andreas Froemelt, Arne Geschke, Thomas Wiedmann
Summary: This article discusses a highly detailed, spatially-resolved modelling framework that quantifies local activities and analyzes system-wide environmental and economic effects of planned interventions. Two case studies were conducted to examine production-based greenhouse gas emissions, consumption-based carbon footprints, and regional differences in Switzerland. The importance of providing regionalized information along economic value chains and the potential benefits and drawbacks of detailed scenarios were highlighted.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Minjie Qian, Eva Rosenqvist, Els Prinsen, Frauke Pescheck, Ann-Marie Flygare, Irina Kalbina, Marcel A. K. Jansen, Ake Strid
Summary: The study investigates the impact of UV-A and UV-B light on the phenotype of cucumber plants, finding that both UV-enriched growth lights result in smaller plant phenotypes, with UV-B having a greater effect than UV-A. Different morphological plant regulatory mechanisms are implied under UV-A and UV-B radiation, with plants reallocating photosynthates and exhibiting thicker leaves under UV-A light. The plants showed signs of successful UV acclimation, with no evidence of stress in photosynthetic parameters or DNA damage accumulation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Neil E. Coughlan, Eamonn Walsh, Paul Bolger, Gavin Burnell, Niall O'Leary, Maria O'Mahoney, Simona Paolacci, David Wall, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: Duckweeds, a type of Lemnaceae, have gained attention as a sustainable source of nutrition, biofuel, and pharmaceuticals, as well as for their ability to remediate wastewaters. Indoor cultivation of duckweed can maximize yields, provide pest-free and sterile conditions, and enable crop manipulation. Technological advances in urban and vertical farming can be utilized to design and operate novel duckweed cultivation systems, including recirculating flow-through technology and sensor support systems with artificial intelligence. Despite challenges and knowledge gaps, there are realistic opportunities to develop and operate high-capacity, autonomous, controlled cultivation of duckweed under indoor conditions for various purposes.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marcel A. K. Jansen, Alexander Ac, Karel Klem, Otmar Urban
Summary: Interactions between climate change and UV penetration in the biosphere are causing plants to be exposed to new combinations of UV radiation and drought, with potential additive, synergistic, or antagonistic impacts. Lack of understanding of the impacts of combined treatments creates uncertainties that hinder predictions of future ecological change. In plants exposed to both UV and drought, the defense responses appear to be less-than-additive, indicating possible cross-resistance mechanisms. Increases in drought exposure in future climates may be mitigated by naturally high UV regimes.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Uthman O. Badmus, Alexander Ac, Karel Klem, Otmar Urban, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: UV exposure induces changes in carotenoid biosynthesis and accumulation in plants, but there is no consensus on the direction and amplitude of these effects. Meta-analysis of published studies revealed that only violaxanthin was consistently induced by UV exposure. Changes in violaxanthin accumulation were accompanied by decreases in antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Vlastimil Stejskal, Simona Paolacci, Damien Toner, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: This article presents the design and operation of an advanced, innovative, and environmentally friendly freshwater integrated multitrophic aquaculture system. The system uses duckweed treatment units to control water quality and facilitates the production of fish and plant biomass. It is closely associated with a renewable energy source and utilizes unused peatland. The system demonstrates favorable water quality and substantial production of fish and protein-rich duckweed biomass.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Neil E. Coughlan, Eamonn Walsh, Roger Ahern, Gavin Burnell, Rachel O'Mahoney, Holger Kuehnhold, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: Duckweeds are valuable multipurpose plants that can be used for environmental remediation and wastewater treatment. However, there is still a lack of quantitative data on optimizing the performance of duckweeds in phytoremediation systems. This study investigates the effects of flow rate and medium depth on Lemna minor biomass production and phytoremediation capacity, and provides insights for the optimization of duckweed-based remediation of high nutrient wastewaters.
Article
Agronomy
Gaia Crestani, Natalie Cunningham, Uthman O. Badmus, Els Prinsen, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: In vitro culturing with exogenous hormones can modulate plant architecture, but can also cause distortions that affect plant survival and aesthetic value. This study demonstrates that UV-B radiation can be used to manipulate plant architecture by promoting sturdier, more branched plants with smaller leaves. The changes in plant morphology are mediated by alterations in hormone concentrations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Uthman O. Badmus, Gaia Crestani, Natalie Cunningham, Michel Havaux, Otmar Urban, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: UV radiation can cause plant stress and induce adaptive responses mediated by photoreceptors. While the impacts of UV radiation on flavonoids and glucosinolates have been well studied, less is known about its effects on carotenoid content. This study found that UV exposure led to specific changes in the carotenoid profile of plants, including increases in antheraxanthin, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, and lutein. Surprisingly, the accumulation of violaxanthin induced by UV radiation was not linked to protection of the photosynthetic machinery. It is suggested that plants may exploit UV radiation as a proxy for other stressors, such as high intensity visible light.
Article
Plant Sciences
Simona Paolacci, Vlastimil Stejskal, Damien Toner, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: Duckweed plays a significant role in the remediation of aquaculture wastewater by efficiently removing nutrients. Phytoplankton also contributes to nutrient removal, while the biofilm has a minimal impact.
Article
Plant Sciences
Viktor Olah, Muhammad Irfan, Zsuzsanna Barnane Szabo, Zsofi Sajtos, Agota Zsofia Ragyak, Boglarka Donczo, Marcel A. K. Jansen, Sandor Szabo, Ilona Meszaros
Summary: In this study, the growth and ionomic responses of three species of duckweed, Lemna minor, Landoltia punctata, and Spirodela polyrhiza, to hexavalent chromium or nickel exposure were analyzed. The study found that different species of duckweed had distinct ionomic patterns that can vary under metal treatments. Additionally, the study showed that the order of metal uptake efficiency varied depending on whether plant area or dry weight was used as a reference unit. Furthermore, mu XRF was found to be an applicable method for mapping elemental distributions in duckweed fronds, revealing species-specific compartmentation of metallic ions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rachel O'Mahoney, Neil E. Coughlan, Eamonn Walsh, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: This study explored the feasibility of using anaerobic digester pre-treated wastewater as a cultivation medium for Lemna minor Blarney and found that it can simultaneously generate valuable plant biomass and remediate wastewater.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Minjie Qian, Irina Kalbina, Eva Rosenqvist, Marcel A. K. Jansen, Ake Strid
Summary: Basil plants were exposed to UV-A or UV-B-enriched growth light at non-stress-inducing intensities. The expression of PAL and CHS genes in leaves significantly increased under UV-A-enriched light, but rapidly declined after 1-2 days. In contrast, plants grown under UV-B-enriched light had a steady and long-lasting increase in gene expression, along with a stronger increase in leaf flavonol content. UV supplementation also affected the morphology of plants, resulting in shorter and more compact growth, with a stronger effect on younger tissue. UV-B wavelengths were found to be more influential than UV-A wavelengths in regulating morphology, gene expression, and flavonoid biosynthesis.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
P. W. Barnes, T. M. Robson, R. G. Zepp, J. F. Bornman, M. A. K. Jansen, R. Ossola, Q. -W. Wang, S. A. Robinson, B. Foereid, A. R. Klekociuk, J. Martinez-Abaigar, W. -C. Hou, R. Mackenzie, N. D. Paul
Summary: In this Quadrennial Assessment, the interactive effects of changes in stratospheric ozone, UV radiation, and climate on terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles were examined. The assessment highlights the importance of protecting the ozone layer through the Montreal Protocol in maintaining healthy and diverse terrestrial ecosystems. It also emphasizes the role of UV radiation and climate in altering the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. A. K. Jansen, P. W. Barnes, J. F. Bornman, K. C. Rose, S. Madronich, C. C. White, R. G. Zepp, A. L. Andrady
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants, especially in aquatic environments, generated from the fragmentation of photo-oxidized plastic litter. The implementation of the Montreal Protocol, which controls UV-B radiation, has reduced the oxidative fragmentation of plastic debris, leading to a slower accumulation of MPs. However, the role of mechanical fragmentation in the environment is not well understood, making it difficult to quantify the impact of the Montreal Protocol on reducing MPs.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kenneth Acosta, Klaus J. Appenroth, Ljudmilla Borisjuk, Marvin Edelman, Uwe Heinig, Marcel A. K. Jansen, Tokitaka Oyama, Buntora Pasaribu, Ingo Schubert, Shawn Sorrels, K. Sowjanya Sree, Shuqing Xu, Todd P. Michael, Eric Lam
Summary: Duckweed, a member of the Lemnaceae family, is one of the smallest and fastest growing angiosperms known on Earth, making it a well-known model for plant biology research. Recent advances in genomic technologies have reignited interest in duckweed, highlighting its potential in various fields from ecology to chronobiology.