In the arid plains of northern Chile, exotic halophytes leverage soil salinity as a weapon to outcompete native plants, setting the stage for an ecological invasion.
Category - Close Encounters
Dale Maylea
How Native Plants Could Help in the Battle Against Invasive Species in Aquatic Ecosystems
Scientists discover a promising strategy to combat aquatic invasive species using the natural defences of a local plant, Ludwigia peploides.
Coffee Plants Adapt Leaf Traits in Response to Fungal Disease, Study Finds
The study provides valuable insights into plant-pathogen interactions with implications for agriculture, ecology, and climate change resilience.
What’s the smallest payment you can give to a courier who carries your pollen?
Researchers reveal the delicate balance plants must maintain to maximize their pollen donation to pollinators.
A disease that attacks Beech’s leaves, also affects friendly fungi in the roots
New research reveals that Beech Leaf Disease, which affects trees in the US and Canada, also impacts the vital relationship between trees and their root fungi, shedding light on the hidden consequences of this...
You don’t have to lose pavements to grow trees in cities
Research shows that choosing the right pavements improves biodiversity below the soil, helping trees thrive above it.
Nectar Manipulates Bats into Perfect Pollinators
A Brazilian plant manipulates bats into more effective pollination by controlling nectar secretion patterns, which encourages them to visit a variety of flowers.
Fi Gennu
Environmental DNA Technique Sheds New Light on Pollinator Monitoring
A study reveals how environmental DNA can help monitor and conserve our vital pollinators.
Orchid Mimics Aphids to Lure Pollinators in Intricate Trap Flower Scheme
What appears to be a place of safety becomes a maze, as an orchid manipulates its visitor.
Ceropegia gerrardii smells of pain to attract ‘blood’ drinking flies
New research uncovers how this South African plant tricks kleptoparasitic flies into pollination by imitating wounded honey bees.
Daisy’s Intricate Fly Decoy Attracts Pollinators with Ingenious Gene Repurposing
A flower has found a shortcut to attracting males through sexual deception.
How Native Plants Team Up to Repel Invaders
Native plants that suffer when black mustard invades their patch do much better when a neighbour helps.
Ants can be the villains of conservation
Invasive ants can stop visitors from properly pollinating native plants, damaging their chances of reproduction.
Ants can be the heroes of forest regeneration
Human-caused disturbances can affect the ability of animals to help spread seeds, which could reduce the amount of plant diversity in some forests.
