Ecosystems
Drought tolerance strategies of conifer species in the northwestern US
As trees photosynthesize, using carbon from the atmosphere to grow and store energy, they also lose water to the air (transpire). During a drought, continuing to
Cells, Genes & Molecules
How important is meat to a curious carnivorous plant?
Drosophyllum lusitanicum, also known as the Portuguese sundew or dewy pine, is unusual even for carnivorous plants in that it lives in dry environments. Typically, carnivorous plants live in nutrient-poor wetlands, so does it really gain much from carnivory?
Ecosystems
The mountains are getting warmer, and willow colonies are shrinking
Salix herbacea, as other arctic-alpine species, likely found a refuge from the Ice Age in the Apennines. As the climate changed around them, the trees survived in a fragmenting population. This fragmentation has genetic consequences.
Ecosystems
A warming Antarctic is changing how mosses have sex
Mosses are reacting to rising temperatures in the Antarctic in different ways. The tiny plants could cause big changes to the food web.
Ecosystems
Kew publishes its State of the World’s Fungi report
Kew’s report highlights how ignorant we are of an astonishingly successful Kingdom of life.
annals-of-botany
The secret to conserving an endangered orchid is in the soil
A study of orchids shows the secret to conservation isn’t in the plants you can see, but the fungi you can’t.
Ecosystems
A rare orchid makes a return to its home range
The plant that was almost loved to death returns to its former partner.
Ecosystems
Rock could aid humanity
This excellent news is no surprise to followers of Bill and Ted.
Ecosystems
Fort McMurray researchers find forests highlight the high fire risk areas
The larger the tree, the drier the peat and so the greater the fire risk.
Ecosystems
It’s Bears, not Birds that scatter seeds in Alaska
The discovery comes after scientists spent time watching what bears do in the woods.
Ecosystems
Scientists call for action to tackle a tree species invading Jamaica’s national parks
An Australian escapee from a botanical garden, now accounts for more than 10% of tree stems in a Jamaican National Park
Ecosystems
How diverse do you need biodiversity to be?
Intensification of agriculture has led to a decline in pollinators. One reason is the loss of key species to support bees and flies, but how diverse a mix of plants to you need to support an ecosystem?