Reviews
The true cost of botanical knowledge
A valuable book for botany students, but exactly how valuable?
Ecosystems
Darwin’s Paradox Solved – Again(!)
Darwin’s longstanding puzzle about reef productivity sparked ongoing research that reveals the complex dynamics sustaining coral symbioses and entire reef ecosystems.
Plants & People
What’s new in botany?
Does the word ‘new’ add anything to the title of a botanical paper?
Close Encounters
Newsflash: Plants are pollinated by insects
New research reveals the secret nightlife of moths, fluttering under cover of darkness to carry out their vital work as unsung heroes pollinating blackberry brambles.
Plant Cuttings
Plastic pollution: Plants fight back!
Researchers have developed a novel filter, made from tannic-acid treated sawdust which may help reduce plastic pollution, while another approach has been presented to create a backyard-compostable bioplastic, using spirulina.
Reviews
The poet and the tree: The mythology of rowan
A new book explores the saviour of Thor and protector of cattle.
Ecosystems
Hot termites, cold fungi, warm sharks
From the warmth of termites hastening wood decomposition to the surprising chill of fungi, our understanding of nature’s temperature regulation gets a shake-up.
Plants & People
Pigging-out* on soy
The environmental advantages of plant-based food are overshadowed by the ethical quandary posed by genetically-modified soybean.
Plants & People
Getting to the bottom of plant nutrition
The use of human excrement as plant fertiliser is gaining popularity as a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilisers.
Reviews
Wohlleben’s powerful trees – and words
Peter Wohlleben takes a very human look at trees, but is it too human?
Ecosystems
Botany in a Barbie world is not fantastic
Plants are resilient, but even they are struggling with the increasing presence of microplastics.
Plants & People
Plants parade for passport picture
A survey invites the public to suggest plants and animals for illustrating Ireland’s passports, showing one way to raise appreciation for nature’s diversity.