C4 photosynthesis may have evolved first to correct an intercellular nitrogen imbalance, and only later evolved a central role in carbon fixation.
Category - Links
AJ Cann
More news on wandering plants
Natch Greyes’ Carnivorous Plants compares an earlier AoB article on a pygmy drosera with other cases of plants turning up in unexpected places.
Alun Salt
Can photosynthesis in the oceans mitigate climate change?
Plankton might be able to remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but Aeon magazine finds geo-engineering is controversial.
Leafsnap: An Electronic Field Guide
Leafsnap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual...
annbot
Increased CO2 could lengthen growing seasons, but will that be a big benefit?
The answer to this and other questions the public are asking are on the Reddit Science, Ask Me Anything thread.
Without this, Earth would be as barren as Mars
In Our Time this week discusses how important photosynthesis is. BBC Radio is accessible worldwide.
China’s food security is threatened by climate change
The cause is fusarium ear blight, a fungal disease that attacks wheat.
Is fear the best way to persuade someone?
Applied Mythology tackles the facts behind net necrosis in fast food fries.
SCIENCE your desktop with new wallpapers
Lifehacker has a selection of science-themed desktop wallpapers for your computer today, including a good one of the Tree of Life.
Do Biofuels have to compete with food crops?
The BBC World Service reports on how Biofuels can be produced from by-products, but does this still have unwanted consequences?
Some plants are outsourcing their DNA
Carl Zimmer on the curious fern that took a liking to someone else’s light sensing genes. h/t Mary Mangan.
Organic seed is patented too, but now come Open Source Seeds
It’s not just GMOs that are patented. Most seeds have patents attached. The Open Source Seed Initiative is launching seeds with something like a Creative Commons Share-Alike licence, so people can freely use seeds.
Diverse forests hide tasty plants from deer
Deer are a big problem in forestry, they love to eat saplings. The answer might be more diversity in planting.
