New metric quantifies the “puzzle-shape-ness” of tree crowns.
Category - Close Encounters
Juniper Kiss
Invasive earthworms, invasive plants and their effects on native species
How do invasive species interact to influence the abundance and physiology of native plants?
William Salter
Condensed tannin distribution in fine roots linked to mycorrhizal type
Both tannin distribution and root anatomy showed distinct patterns depending on mycorrhiza type.
Erin Zimmerman
Rare pictures of Rare-Earth Elements in live hyper-accumulating fern roots and shoots: silicon might play a role in detoxification
New X-raying method reveals how a fern accumulates rare-earth elements in its tissues
How mammals and molluscs attack oaks
Foraging decisions of molluscs and mammals repulse seedlings from old adults.
Fi Gennu
Do flowers produce scent when they’re not expecting visitors?
The study demonstrates extensive variation in floral scent among populations of a geographically widespread species, Arabis alpina.
A carnivorous plant that feeds its pollinators
Edible floral trichomes discovered in bee-pollinated Pinguicula species show carnivorous plants can feed insects as well as feed on insects.
Laura Skates
Pitfalls between fungus gnats and plant pitchers
Fungus gnats might not be a glamorous group of insects but they are important pollinators, especially attracted to plants with dark red flowers. Not much is known about their pollination behaviour and plant species...
Hungry for fungi: green mycoheterotrophic plants are far more common than previously thought
A surprising number of plants snack on fungi as well as sunshine.
Basal orchid cheats on its fungal partner
Apostasia nipponica is the first member of the early-diverging orchid clade found to be using this strategy.
Connecting soil nitrogen and gypsy moth herbivory in a US oak forest
Can a better understanding of ecosystem nitrogen cycling allow us to more accurately predict invasive insect outbreaks?
Slippery flowers help deter nectar-stealing ants
A wax crystal coating causes ants to slip off, while hornet and bee pollinators can fly right in.
Fungal highways for P-solubilizing bacteria
New study in New Phytologist reveals that nutrient-solubilising bacteria can travel on fungi hyphae if the fungi provides a source of energy.
Crop diversity and semi-natural habitat a boon to yields as well as pollinators
Greater proportions of semi-natural habitat surrounding fields increased bumble bee and honey bee densities.
