Ecosystems
Temperate Steppes Thrive Under Mower’s Blade
A new research study reveals mowing may actually fortify grassland ecosystems by stimulating enhanced plant defence traits and biodiversity.
Ecosystems
Can Botanists Rescue the Endangered Orchids of Malaysia?
Orchids, some of nature’s most stunning creations, are threatened by deforestation and need urgent attention to ensure their survival.
Plants & People
An Experiment on Mastodon and TWiB
We’re running an experiment on Mastodon to see if we can improve our email, The Week in Botany.
Plants & People
Can Urban Spaces Create Emerald Cities in Uzbekistan?
Caught between rapid urban growth and dwindling natural resources, Uzbekistan’s solution lies within its own urban landscapes – researchers reveal.
Ecosystems
Australian Scientists Find How Controlled Burns Can Be Managed So That They Don’t Needlessly Endanger Quokkas
According to a recent study, vulnerable quokkas avoid prescribed burn areas for months, but unburned patches provide critical refuge for the displaced marsupials.
Ecosystems
Crop Diversity Surprisingly Stable in Ethiopia Despite New Introductions
Crop diversity defies concerns in Ethiopia as small farms blend old and new species over millennia.
Plants & People
Pandemic Gardening Surged Globally as a Coping Strategy, New Research Shows
Growing plants became a pandemic oasis, providing food security, mental health support, and social interaction opportunities, according to recent international research.
Plants & People
The Hidden Cargo That Brought Hundreds of Plant Species to the Garden State
Hidden stowaways onboard ships sailing to New Jersey in the 1800s brought hundreds of new plant species that still grow in the Garden State today.
Cells, Genes & Molecules
Uranium Toxicity in Plants Traced to Nitrogen and Protein Problems
Scientists have discovered why uranium contamination is harmful to plants, slowing down efforts to clean up polluted soil.
Close Encounters
Daylight shrubbery with thieving hummingbirds
Urban hummingbirds opportunistically sip nectar from both native and non-native flowers to survive year-round, though their thieving ways may limit the spread of those alluring alien blooms
Ecosystems
Can you predict a successful invasive species before it invades?
Researchers found that plant species with certain traits, like longer bloom periods and efficient resource utilisation, are more likely to successfully thrive in foreign environments.
Growth & Development
How Summer Heat Kills Fragile Flowers
New research reveals how heatwaves and drought together can rapidly and irreversibly damage flowers through a process called runaway cavitation.