ALBERT

Description: We applied a framework to assess climate change vulnerability of 52 major vegetation types in the Western United States to provide a spatially explicit input to adaptive management decisions. The framework addressed climate exposure and ecosystem resilience; the latter derived from analyses of ecosystem sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Measures of climate change exposure used observed climate change (1981–2014) and then climate projections for the mid-21st century (2040–2069 RCP 4.5). Measures of resilience included (under ecosystem sensitivity) landscape intactness, invasive species, fire regime alteration, and forest insect and disease risk, and (under adaptive capacity), measures for topo-climate variability, diversity within functional species groups, and vulnerability of any keystone species. Outputs are generated per 100 km2 hexagonal area for each type. As of 2014, moderate climate change vulnerability was indicated for 〉50% of the area of 50 of 52 types. By the mid-21st century, all but 19 types face high or very high vulnerability with 〉50% of the area scoring in these categories. Measures for resilience explain most components of vulnerability as of 2014, with most targeted vegetation scoring low in adaptive capacity measures and variably for specific sensitivity measures. Elevated climate exposure explains increases in vulnerability between the current and mid-century time periods.

Description: Social media data provide an unprecedented wealth of information on people’s perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors at fine spatial and temporal scales and over broad extents. Social media data produce insight into relationships between people and the environment at scales that are generally prohibited by the spatial and temporal mismatch between traditional social and environmental data. These data thus have great potential for use in socio-environmental systems (SES) research. However, biases in who uses social media platforms, and what they use them for, create uncertainty in the potential insights from these data. Here, we describe ways that social media data have been used in SES research, including tracking land-use and environmental changes, natural resource use, and ecosystem service provisioning. We also highlight promising areas for future research and present best practices for SES research using social media data.

Description: An evolving land governance context compounds the case for practitioners to closely track developments as they unfold. While much research sheds light on key trends, questions remain about approaches for collective bottom-up analysis led by land governance practitioners themselves. This study presents findings from an initiative to test such an approach. Drawing on written submissions made in response to an open call for contributions, the study discusses global trends in land governance over the period 2015–2018. While not a comprehensive review nor a replacement for empirically grounded research, the study highlights some of the developments practitioners grapple with in their work. The findings point to the contrasting local-to-global trends that affect land governance in diverse agro-ecological and socio-economic settings: Growing commercial pressures on land, and shrinking spaces for dissent in many contexts, coexist with new avenues for public participation in land governance processes; while diverse approaches to securing land rights, whether individual or collective, possibly underpinned by new deployments of digital technology, can coexist or compete for policy traction within the same polity. This bottom-up trends analysis broadly correlates with available accounts based on empirical research, while also providing distinctive emphases that reflect the ways practitioners perceive the changing realities they are engaged with.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Shrub encroachment has profound influences on regional carbon cycling. However, few studies have examined the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) components at the molecular level along a climate gradient. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the patterns of SOC components in the shrub patches and the grassy matrix.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We analyzed the distribution and controlling factors of SOC components (including free lipids, bound lipids, and lignin-derived phenols) in the topsoil of shrub-encroached grasslands along natural climate gradients in Inner Mongolia, China.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉 We found that the concentrations of bound lipids and lignin-derived phenols were significantly higher and the vanillic acid to vanillin ratio ((Ad/Al)〈sub〉v〈/sub〉) was significantly lower in the shrub patches than in the grassy matrix (〈em〉p〈/em〉 〈 0.05). After excluding variables exhibiting collinearity, redundancy analysis showed that shrub patch cover and soil pH were the most important variables that influenced SOC composition in the shrub patches, while herb characteristics and shrub density were the most important in the grassy matrix. Structural equation modeling showed that shrub characteristics at the plot scale greatly contributed to the variance in all components in the grassy matrix, whereas soil properties were more important in the shrub patches.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our results highlight that although the topsoil carbon content did not change, shrub encroachment altered the SOC components and their drivers in the Inner Mongolian grasslands.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉While the coupled effects of root exudates and microbial feedbacks on soil processes are well-recognized, we still lack an understanding of differences in root exudate fluxes and the associated ecological consequences among tree growth forms.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Two deciduous tree species (i.e., 〈em〉Cercidiphyllum japonicum〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Larix kaempferi〈/em〉) and two evergreen tree species (i.e., 〈em〉Pinus armandi〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Pinus tabulaeformis〈/em〉) were selected to perform an in-situ collection of root exudates during the growing season in 2016. The net N mineralization rates and associated microbial enzyme activities were measured in rhizosphere and bulk soils to evaluate rhizosphere effects. Moreover, we compiled the dataset related to root exudation and their associated biological traits and the soil chemical properties for 21 tree species from temperate forests.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The root exudation rates and the annual root exudate carbon (C) fluxes of two deciduous tree species were significantly higher than those of the two evergreen tree species. Correspondingly, the rhizosphere effects of deciduous tree species on the microbial biomass, enzyme activity and net N mineralization rate were approximately 1.9, 1.6 and 2.4 times greater than those of the evergreen tree species, respectively. Rhizosphere effects were positively correlated with the root exudation rate. The compiled dataset also suggest that deciduous tree species tend to have higher exudation rates than evergreen tree species in temperate forests.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Collectively, these results suggest that the two tree growth forms exhibit different patterns in root exudate inputs and associated rhizosphere microbial processes. Generally, deciduous tree species tend to exude more C into the soil and consequently induce greater microbial feedback on soil N transformations during the growing season in temperate regions, implying that deciduous tree species induced a greater effect on the C and nutrient cycling in rhizosphere soil than evergreen tree species.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Culture media compositions and bioprocess conditions were studied to improve the production of cell biomass and indolic phytohormones by 〈em〉Herbaspirillum seropedicae〈/em〉 BR11471, a plant growth promoting bacterium, and different inoculant formulations were also produced and tested for their stability and shelf life.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite rotation designs (CCRD) was used to find bioprocess variables that lead to an increase in bacterial biomass and yield of indolic compounds. The major components of DYGS medium were optimized in small-scale shaken cultivations, in two sets of CCRD. High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine nutrient consumption and to correlate it with cell biomass production, and the Salkowski method was used to quantify indoles. Hydrolytic activity in the formulations was quantified with the fluorescein diacetate assay.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Glycerol (5.5 g L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) and yeast extract (2.8 g L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), as the main carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, increased biomass production by 87.5% when compared to original DYGS medium, reaching 3.0 g L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 of dry cell weight (DCW). In a 2.0 L bioreactor, the optimized medium was used to enhance process conditions for DCW and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Biomass production reached 3.4 g L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 and was restrained at highest air flow levels. The conditions of 34-36 °C, 150 rpm and 4.0 L min〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 of air flow rate resulted in 11.97 mg L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 of IAA, an increase of 370% over original DYGS at 30 °C. Peat can still be regarded as a good cell carrier for solid state inoculants, whilst the additives tested for liquid formulations are individually more efficient than the mixture.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉The production of inoculants containing 〈em〉H. seropedicae〈/em〉 strain BR11471 can be efficiently improved with the use of the RSM approach i.e. it maximizes the production of biomass and indolic compounds, and reduces culture media components, both key factors for large-scale industrial production.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉We examined how mechanical management of invasive macrophyte, 〈em〉Typha × glauca〈/em〉 alters plant-soil interactions underlying carbon processes and nutrient cycling, which are important to wetland function but under-represented in restoration research.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉In the northern Great Lakes, we compared plant biomass, light transmittance, soil nutrient availability and carbon mineralization rates of 〈em〉Typha〈/em〉-dominated controls with 〈em〉Typha〈/em〉 stands harvested above the waterline (harvest) and at the soil surface (submerged harvest).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Relative to controls, harvested stands had 50% less litter and twice as much light transmittance to the water surface after one year. However, 〈em〉Typha〈/em〉 stems re-grew, and soil nutrient availability rates were similar to controls. Submerged harvest eliminated 〈em〉Typha〈/em〉 litter and stems, and increased light transmittance through the water column. P and K soil availability rates were 70% greater with submerged harvest than in controls. Soil C mineralization rates were not affected by treatment (mean ± 1 SE; 40.11 ± 2.48 μg C-CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 and 2.44 ± 0.85 μg C-CH〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 soil C hr.〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), but were positively correlated with soil Fe availability.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉While submerged harvest effectively decreased invasive 〈em〉Typha〈/em〉 biomass after one year, it increased soil nutrient availability, warranting further examination of macronutrient cycling and export during invasive plant management.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈em〉Malus prunifolia〈/em〉 (Chinese name: Fu Ping Qiu Zi), a wild relative of cultivated apple (〈em〉Malus〈/em〉 x 〈em〉domestica〈/em〉 Borkh), is extremely resistant to drought compared with domesticated cultivars, such as ‘Golden Delicious’. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying drought resistance of 〈em〉M. prunifolia〈/em〉 have not been characterized. This study investigates a new regulatory mechanism to improve apple drought resistance.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈em〉M. prunifolia〈/em〉 and ‘Golden Delicious’ were each grafted on 〈em〉M. hupehensis〈/em〉 for gene expression analysis. The methylation level of the 〈em〉DREB2A〈/em〉 promoter was determined by bisulfite sequencing and ChIP-qPCR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) was used to identify target genes of MpDREB2A in apple.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The exposure to drought stress stimulated the expression level of 〈em〉DREB2A〈/em〉 gene more than 100-fold in 〈em〉M. prunifolia,〈/em〉 but only 16-fold in ‘Golden Delicious’. This difference in gene expression could not be explained in terms of difference in leaf relative water content. Correspondingly, the methylation level of 〈em〉M. prunifolia DREB2A〈/em〉 (〈em〉MpDREB2A〈/em〉) promoter region was significantly reduced. Additionally, 〈em〉MpDREB2A〈/em〉 conferred enhanced drought resistance when ectopically expressed in 〈em〉Arabidopsis〈/em〉. Over 2800 potential downstream target genes of MpDREB2A were identified by ChIP-seq and these downstream genes have diverse potential functions related to stress resistance.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Methylation regulation in promoter of 〈em〉MpDREB2A〈/em〉 may contribute to the drought resistance of 〈em〉M. prunifolia〈/em〉.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Characterization of barley-tissue–colonization efficiency (〈em〉Hordeum vulgare〈/em〉 L.) by 〈em〉Paraburkholderia tropica〈/em〉 MTo-293 after seed inoculation was studied in two plant-growth systems: (1) in flasks with semisolid agar-containing sterile medium, as a suitable environment to study plant-bacteria interaction and also optimize molecular-biology techniques, and (2) in a pot-substrate system as an approach to understand their potential behavior as bioinput.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Culture-dependent techniques were implemented to quantify surface and endophytic bacterial populations in plant tissues. Culture-independent techniques were employed to detect and localize the inoculated bacteria in tissue samples along with evaluating the biofilm-forming capability by epifluorescent, confocal-laser-scanning, and scanning-electron microscopy. Plant-growth parameters were measured to evaluate the effects of the inoculated bacteria on the development of the barley plants.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈em〉Paraburkholderia tropica〈/em〉 grew as a biofilm on both abiotic and biotic surfaces and efficiently colonized barley roots and stems in plants grown in flasks in presence of other microorganisms. The bacteria was localized on root surfaces, hairs, and central-cylinder areas. 〈em〉Paraburkholderia tropica〈/em〉 also colonized the roots and stems in plants grown in the pot-substrate system. Although no endophytic root colonization occurred, the presence of the inoculated bacteria improved the aerial weight. A nested PCR detected 〈em〉P. tropica〈/em〉 in the tissue samples.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈em〉Paraburkholderia tropica〈/em〉 MTo-293 was characterized as an efficient biofilm-forming and barley-tissue–colonizing bacterium despite the presence of other microorganisms, but root endophytic colonization resulted dependent on the plant-growth system. Molecular-biology techniques were optimized, and also, its presence was correlated with plant-growth–promoting activity.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉In the face of problems caused by ‘intensive agriculture’ dominated by large areas of monocultures, mixed intercropping mimicking natural ecosystems has been reported to constitute a viable solution to increase and stabilize productivity. When designing such systems, root niche separation was thought to be a prerequisite to optimize production.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉This paper reviews the beneficial and adverse effects of trees and crops on water acquisition and redistribution in agroforestry ecosystems using the concepts of competition and facilitation between plants in link with root functional traits.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The results of the review showed that the reality was more complex leading agroforestry practitioners to adopt management practices to induce a separation in root activities thus avoid competition, particularly for water. Water uptake by plant roots is triggered by the water potential difference between the soil and the atmosphere when leaf stomata are open and depends largely on the root exploration capacity of the plant. Thus, root water uptake dynamics are strongly related to root-length densities and root surface areas. In addition, plants with deep roots are able to lift up or redistribute water to the upper layers through a process known as hydraulic lift, potentially acting as “bioirrigators” to adjacent plants. The redistributed water could be of importance not only in regulating plant water status, e.g. by enhancing transpiration, but also in increasing the survival and growth of associated crops in mixed systems.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Even though some more work is still needed to assess the volume of water transferred to neighbors, hydraulic lift could constitute an ecological viable mechanism to buffer against droughts and ensure productivity in regions with erratic rainfall. Giving the difficulty in measuring the above-mentioned aspects in the field, modeling of some of the most relevant parameters to quantify them might inform the design of future empirical studies.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Alpine ecosystems are important terrestrial carbon (C) pools, and microbial decomposers play a key role in cycling soil C. Microbial metabolic limitations in these ecosystems, however, have rarely been studied. The objectives of this study are to reveal the characteristics of microbial nutrient limitation, and decipher the drivers in the alpine ecosystems.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Models of extracellular enzymatic stoichiometry were applied to examine and compare the metabolic limitations of the microbial communities in bulk and rhizosphere soils along an altitudinal gradient (2800–3500 m a.s.l.) under the same type of vegetation (〈em〉Abies fabri〈/em〉) on Gongga Mountain, eastern Tibetan Plateau.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The soil microbial communities suffered from relative C and phosphorus (P) limitations in the alpine ecosystem despite of high soil nutrient contents here. Partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) revealed that the limitations were directly regulated by soil nutrient stoichiometry, followed by nutrient availability. The C and P limitations were higher at the high altitudes (3000–3500 m) than that at the low altitude (2800 m), which mainly attribute to changes of soil temperature and moisture along the altitudinal gradient. This suggested that global warming may relieve microbial metabolic limitation in the alpine ecosystems, and then is conducive to the retention of organic C in soil. Furthermore, the C and P limitations varied significantly between the bulk and rhizosphere soils at the high altitudes (3200–3500 m), but not at the low altitudes. This indicated the influences of vegetation on the microbial metabolisms, while the influences could decrease under the scenario of global warming.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our study suggests that the alpine ecosystems with high organic C storage harbour abundant microbial populations limited by relative C and P, which have sensitive metabolic characteristics. This could thus potentially lead to large fluctuations in the soil C turnover under climate change. The study provides important insights linking microbial metabolisms to the environmental gradients, and improves our understanding of C cycling in alpine ecosystems.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Nitrogen (N) deposition affects litter decomposition. However, how nutrients, especially deposited N are immobilized and released in decomposing litters with different qualities (C/N and C/P) remains unclear.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We conducted a laboratory microcosm experiment with four litter types and a combination of a coniferous and deciduous litter treated with N addition (6 mg 99.99% 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 litter) and control by measuring N-deposition effect on mass (NDEM), N (NDEN), and P remaining percentages (NDEP), deposited 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N immobilized abundance, and microbial composition and enzyme activities in decomposing litters during two years of incubation.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The values of NDEM, NDEN, and NDEP were generally greater for the litters with intermediate C/N and C/P than those with the highest and lowest ratios after 360 days, although these parameters varied among different quality litters before 180 days. Immobilized exogenous 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N abundance by microbes showed an increasing trend with increasing litter C/N and C/P across the whole 720-day period. Both C/N and C/P were generally correlated with decomposition rate, 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N immobilization abundance, the microbial richness, and main enzyme activities in decomposing litters.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉N-deposition effects on N and P dynamics in decomposing litters varied with their C/N and C/P, generally exerting an unimodal curve at later decomposition stages. Lower quality litter with higher C/N and C/P favoured N immobilization in response to N addition.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉The information of nitrogen uptake by subtropical, ever-green broad-leaf plants at cold temperatures of winter is very limited. The present field experiment was conducted to investigate whether 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N is taken up by tea (〈em〉Camellia sinensis〈/em〉 L.) plants in winter dormancy in the absence of active shoot growth and utilization in young spring shoots.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We applied 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N-labeled urea to soil at five different times i.e. mid-January, early February, mid-February, and early and mid-March. 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N abundance was determined in fibrous roots, twigs and mature leaves after 3, 7 and 15 days after application and in young shoots the following spring.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N was taken up by fibrous roots and transported to above-ground tissues within 3 days after application under low winter temperatures. Earlier application significantly increased nitrogen derived from 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N-urea (N〈sub〉dff〈/sub〉) and 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N amount in young spring shoots. N〈sub〉dff〈/sub〉 values and 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N amount in young spring shoots were described well by quadratic or linear regressions against soil growing degree days (GDD, T ≥ 8 °C, depth 20 cm) between 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N application and harvesting dates (R〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 = 0.58–0.90, 〈em〉p〈/em〉 〈 0.001).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Nitrogen was absorbed and translocated in dormant tea plants in the absence of active root and shoot growth throughout the late winter until early spring. Absorbed N was stored and remobilized to support shoot growth the following spring. Soil GDD between N application and harvesting could predict N〈sub〉dff〈/sub〉 and 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N amount in young spring shoots.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉To identify the rhizobia nodulating 〈em〉Vicia sativa〈/em〉 in Northwestern China and to estimate their geographic distribution.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Rhizobia trapped with 〈em〉V. sativa〈/em〉 plants from soils at six sites in the northwest of China were classified into genotypes by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer (IGS) and 16S rRNA genes, and phylogenetic analyses of housekeeping (16S rRNA, 〈em〉recA〈/em〉, 〈em〉atpD〈/em〉) and symbiotic genes were performed for the representative strains. Soil physicochemical characteristics were recorded and canonical correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlations between soil features and distribution of rhizobial genotypes.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉A total of 202 rhizobial isolates were discriminated by RFLP analyses into 15 IGS types and a single 16S rRNA type, which were identified as 〈em〉Rhizobium〈/em〉 by 16S rRNA gene phylogeny and as four clusters by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). Cluster 1 covering 86 strains and 7 IGS types prevalent in all sites was identified as 〈em〉Rhizobium laguerreae〈/em〉; cluster 2 was 〈em〉R. sophorae〈/em〉 with 18 strains in 2 IGS types found in the site Q-GD. Each of cluster 3 and cluster 4 contained three IGS types representing two novel 〈em〉Rhizobium〈/em〉 genospecies specific to Gansu Province and Shanxi Province, respectively. Four 〈em〉nodC〈/em〉 phylogenetic clades were defined among the isolates.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈em〉R. sophorae〈/em〉, 〈em〉R. laguerreae〈/em〉, and two novel 〈em〉Rhizobium〈/em〉 genospecies with diverse symbiotic genotypes are associated with 〈em〉Vicia sativa〈/em〉 L. in Northwest China. Their biogeographic patterns are mainly directed by soil pH and salinity. This is the first study on the diversity of rhizobia nodulating 〈em〉Vicia sativa〈/em〉 in China.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aim〈/h3〉 〈p〉Root-associated microbial communities influence plant phenotype, growth and local abundance, yet the factors that structure these microbial communities are still poorly understood. California landscapes contain serpentine soils, which are nutrient-poor and high in heavy metals, and distinct from neighboring soils making them ideal for studying the factors that structure root microbiomes and their functions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Method〈/h3〉 〈p〉Here, we surveyed the rhizoplane of serpentine-indifferent plants, which grow on and off serpentine soil, to determine the relative influence of plant identity and soil chemistry on rhizoplane microbial community structure using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. Additionally, we experimentally examined if serpentine vs. non-serpentine microorganisms differentially affected plant growth in serpentine soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Rhizoplane bacterial communities differed among plant species, soil types, and the interaction between them in both the field and experimental soils. In the experiment, soil microbial community source influenced seedling survival, but plant growth phenotypes were largely invariant to microbial community with a few exceptions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Rhizosplane bacterial species composition differed between plant species and soil types, and Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) from the phyla Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria (Genus: 〈em〉Microvirga〈/em〉) were characteristic of serpentine soils. While soil microbial community composition influenced seedling survival in the current study, further study is required to disentangle the role of microbial associations and plant tolerance to serpentine.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Plants can optimize the allocation of phosphorus (P) among their foliar P fractions to increase the P utilization efficiency (PUE). Identifying the genetic relationships between foliar P fractionation and PUE could provide opportunities to improve the P efficiency of barley (〈em〉Hordeum vulgare〈/em〉 L.).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉The differences in the concentrations and proportions of inorganic P, ester P, nucleic acid P and insoluble P between a wild barley cultivar CN4027 and a commercial cultivar Baudin were studied, and their quantitative trait loci (QTLs) at normal P (NP) and low P (LP) fertilisations were mapped. The PUE that was determined in the previous study was used to analyze the relationship between PUE and foliar P fractionation in this research.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Both cultivars of barley could increase their metabolic P fractions as an LP stress tolerance strategy to ensure their continued metabolic activities in response to LP stress. Cultivar CN4027 showed higher nucleic acid P concentration (NPC), nucleic acid P proportion (NPP) and insoluble P proportion (IPP) than cultivar Baudin under LP stress. This abundant organic P (Po) pool of CN4027 ensured the normal functioning of its metabolic pathways under LP stress. The close relationships between the foliar P fractionation and PUE could be explained by two QTL clusters, 〈em〉Cl-3H.02〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Cl-5H.01〈/em〉. The QTL cluster 〈em〉Cl-3H.02〈/em〉 is flanked by the markers 〈em〉bPb3256099-bPb3255630〈/em〉 on chromosome 3H and controls the ester P concentration (EPC), ester P proportion (EPP), insoluble P concentration (IPC) and IPP.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉The QTL cluster 〈em〉Cl-3H.02〈/em〉 might have great potential for the future genetic improvement of barley PUE and may offer clues for the genetic relationships between the foliar P fractionation and PUE.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Roots are vital organs for plants, but the assessment of root traits is difficult, particularly in deep soil layers under natural field conditions. A popular technique to investigate root growth under field or semi-field conditions is the use of minirhizotrons. However, the subsequent manual quantification process is time-consuming and prone to error.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We developed a multispectral minirhizotron imaging system and a subsequent image analysis strategy for automated root detection. Five wavelengths in the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) spectrum are used to enhance living roots by a multivariate grouping of pixels based on differences in reflectance; background noise is suppressed by a vesselness enhancement filter. The system was tested against manual analysis of grid intersections for both spring barley (〈em〉Hordeum vulgare L.〈/em〉) and perennial ryegrass (〈em〉Lolium perenne L.)〈/em〉 cultivars at two time-points. The images of living roots were captured in wet subsoil conditions with dead roots present from a previous crop.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Under the soil conditions used in the study, NIR reflectance (940 nm), provided limited ability to separate between rhizosphere components, compared to reflectance in the violet and blue light spectrum (405 nm and 450 nm). Multivariate image analysis of the spectral data, combined with vesselness enhancement and thresholding allowed for automated detection of living roots. Automated image analysis largely replicated the root intensity found during manual grid intersect analysis of the same images. Although some misclassification occurred, caused by elongated structures of dew and chalkstone with similar reflectance pattern as living root, the system provided similar or in some cases improved detection of genotypic differences in the total root length within each tube.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉The multispectral imaging system allows for automated detection of living roots in minirhizotron studies. The system requires considerably less time than traditional manual recording using grid intersections. The flexible training strategy used for root segmentation offers hope for the transfer to other rhizosphere components and other soil types of interest.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉The objective of this research was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) rhizosphere modeling capability for plant-soil interactions by integrating plant biophysics, water and ion uptake and release from individual roots, variably saturated flow, and multicomponent reactive transport in soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We combined open source software for simulating plant and soil interactions with parallel computing technology to address highly-resolved root system architecture (RSA) and coupled hydrobiogeochemical processes in soil. The new simulation capability was demonstrated on a model grass, 〈em〉Brachypodium distachyon〈/em〉.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉In our simulation, the availability of water and nutrients for root uptake is controlled by the interplay between 1) transpiration-driven cycles of water uptake, root zone saturation and desaturation; 2) hydraulic redistribution; 3) multicomponent competitive ion exchange; 4) buildup of ions not taken up during kinetic nutrient uptake; and 5) advection, dispersion, and diffusion of ions in the soil. The uptake of water and ions by individual roots leads to dynamic, local gradients in ion concentrations.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉By integrating the processes that control the fluxes of water and nutrients in the rhizosphere, the modeling capability we developed will enable exploration of alternative RSAs and function to advance the understanding of the coupled hydro-biogeochemical processes within the rhizosphere.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: Attempts to study shifting cultivation landscapes are fundamentally impeded by the difficulty in mapping and distinguishing shifting cultivation, settled farms and forests. There are foundational challenges in defining shifting cultivation and its constituent land-covers and land-uses, conceptualizing a suitable mapping framework, and identifying consequent methodological specifications. Our objective is to present a rigorous methodological framework and mapping protocol, couple it with extensive fieldwork and use them to undertake a two-season Landsat image analysis to map the forest-agriculture frontier of West Garo Hills district, Meghalaya, in Northeast India. We achieve an overall accuracy of ~80% and find that shifting cultivation is the most extensive land-use, followed by tree plantations and old-growth forest confined to only a few locations. We have also found that commercial plantation extent is positively correlated with shortened fallow periods and high land-use intensities. Our findings are in sharp contrast to various official reports and studies, including from the Forest Survey of India, the Wastelands Atlas of India and state government statistics that show the landscape as primarily forested with only small fractions under shifting cultivation, a consequence of the lack of clear definitions and poor understanding of what constitutes shifting cultivation and forest. Our results call for an attentive revision of India’s official land-use mapping protocols, and have wider significance for remote sensing-based mapping in other shifting cultivation landscapes.

Description: Land restitution carries implicit recognition of some previous claim to ownership, but when are first claims recognized? The concepts of first possession and original acquisition have long been used as entry points to Western concepts of property. For Austronesia, the concept of precedence is used in customary systems to justify and describe land claims and Indigenous authority. Conflict and political change in Timor-Leste have highlighted the co-existence of multiple understandings of land claims and their legitimacy. Considering customary principles of precedence brings into relief important elements of first possession important in land restitution processes. This paper juxtaposes the concept of original acquisition in property theory to two different examples of original claims from Timor-Leste: a two-part customary origin narrative from Oecusse and the development of a national land law for the new state. In these three narratives, we identify three different establishment events from which land authority develops. The article then uses this idea of the establishment event to explore five points of customary-statutory intersection evident from the land restitution process: (1) legitimate sources of land authority; (2) arbitrary establishment dates; (3) privileging of social order; (4) recognition of spiritual ties to land; and (5) the possibility for reversal.

Description: This paper uses the tripartite place attachment framework to examine six rural parishes across Estonia and Latvia. Existing analyses/frameworks on participatory processes often neglect the complexity of relationships that rural residents have to their local environments. From a qualitative analysis of face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with case study area inhabitants (23 interviews in Estonia and 27 in Latvia), we depict varying degrees of attachment of individuals to each other and to the place in which they live and their readiness to participate in terms of willingness and ability to participate in a landscape-scale management process. Attachment to the local area was strongest where the social ties were strongest, independent of their sociogeographical features. Social ties were strong where there were good family connections or strong religious or cultural institutions. Taking individual parishes and engaging inhabitants through in-depth interviews using place attachment analysis gives an overall perspective of life in that rural location. These findings reveal important connections within the communities with the potential for planners to engage with local inhabitants and possible barriers to participation.

Description: Across the United States, there has been a growing interest in local food production, which provides an alternative way to increase self-sufficiency and support greater well-being and food security at the community level. This study focused on the Northern Panhandle region of Idaho, where opportunities derived from the local food movement have emerged in several resort and college towns. This research integrated spatial analysis and modeling in a geographic information system (GIS) environment and a linear-programming (LP) optimization approach to identify, quantify, and map these potential opportunities. The obtained results show that existing local food producers are located in the urban fringe and on productive cropland. The foodshed model further suggests that Northern Idaho has enough farmland to feed its whole population within an average distance of 49 km or 31 miles. An alternative land use scenario was explored that involves removing marginal cropland with high soil erodibility from commodity cropping to improve the ecological benefits of local food production. The results of the study, including nuanced evidence of growing demand for local-food products, the existence of enough cropland capacity to meet demand, and potential environmental benefits, are quite encouraging to local food advocates in Northern Idaho and other areas and demonstrate the utility of land-based foodshed analysis.

Description: Between Vietnam’s independence and its reunification in 1975, the country’s socialist land tenure system was underpinned by the principle of “land to the tiller”. During this period, government redistributed land to farmers that was previously owned by landlords. The government’s “egalitarian” approach to land access was central to the mass support that it needed during the Indochinese war. Even when the 1993 Land Law transitioned agricultural land from collectivized to household holdings with 20-year land use certificates, the “land to the tiller” principle remained largely sacrosanct in state policy. Planned amendments to the current Land Law (issued in 2013), however, propose a fundamental shift from “land to the tiller” to the concentration of land by larger farming concerns, including private sector investors. This is explained as being necessary for the modernization of agricultural production. The government’s policy narrative concerning this change emphasizes the need to overcome the low productivity that arises from land fragmentation, the prevalence of unskilled labor and resource shortages among smallholders. This is contrasted with the readily available resources and capacity of the private sector, together with opportunities for improved market access and high-tech production systems, if holdings were consolidated by companies. This major proposed transition in land governance has catalyzed heated debate over the potential risks and benefits. Many perceive it as a shift from a “pro-poor” to “pro-rich” policy, or from “land to the tiller” to the establishment of a “new landlord”—with all the historical connotations that this badge invokes. Indeed, the growing level of public concern over land concentration raises potential implications for state legitimacy. This paper examines key narratives on the government-supported land concentration policy, to understand how the risks, benefits and legitimacy of the policy change are understood by different stakeholders. The paper considers how the transition could change land access and governance in Vietnam, based on early experience with the approach.

Description: This paper discusses how and where technologies supporting decision-making can play, or are already playing, a role in both urban development and land management. The review analyzes and compares three types of technologies: cellular automata (CA), artificial intelligence (AI), and operational research (OR), and evaluates to which extent they can be useful when dealing with various land planning objectives and phases. CA is one of the most useful models for simulating urban growth, AI displays great potential as a solution to capture the dynamics of land change, and OR is useful in decision-making, for example to conduct locational analyses. The evaluation relies on a collection of relevant articles, selected on the basis of both content and actuality. The paper offers new perspectives towards innovative methods in urban planning and land management and highlights where and when which type of tool can be considered useful and valid. The existing gaps, i.e., phases or areas in spatial planning or land management where the methods have not been applied, are also discussed.

Description: Savannas are extremely important socio-economic landscapes, with pastoralist societies relying on these ecosystems to sustain their livelihoods and economy. Globally, there is an increase of woody vegetation in these ecosystems, degrading the potential of these multi-functional landscapes to sustain societies and wildlife. Several mechanisms have been invoked to explain the processes responsible for woody vegetation composition; however, these are often investigated separately at scales not best suited to land-managers, thereby impeding the evaluation of their relative importance. We ran six transects at 15 sites along the Kalahari transect, collecting data on species identity, diversity, and abundance. We used Poisson and Tobit regression models to investigate the relationship among woody vegetation, precipitation, grazing, borehole density, and fire. We identified 44 species across 78 transects, with the highest species richness and abundance occurring at Kuke (middle of the rainfall gradient). Precipitation was the most important environmental variable across all species and various morphological groups, while increased borehole density and livestock resulted in lower bipinnate species abundance, contradicting the consensus that these managed features increase the presence of such species. Rotating cattle between boreholes subsequently reduces the impact of trampling and grazing on the soil and maintains and/or reduces woody vegetation abundance.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉As a major plant-derived soil organic carbon (SOC) component, lignin-derived phenolic compounds show varying biogeochemical characteristics compared to plant-derived lipid moieties. Comparing their distribution patterns can provide information on mechanisms governing SOC preservation and dynamics. However, the large-scale distribution pattern and stability of lignin versus plant-derived lipids are still poorly constrained. Here we investigated the distribution of lignin phenols versus plant-derived lipids in the surface soils across the alpine versus temperate grasslands of China and Mongolia.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Lignin phenols were isolated by cupric oxide oxidation method and compared with the previously analyzed plant-derived lipids (cutin and suberin). A comprehensive list of environmental variables was compiled to disentangle the climatic, edaphic and vegetation influences on lignin phenols’ distribution in the soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Lignin phenols showed similar SOC-normalized concentrations in the alpine and temperate grassland soils despite a higher plant input to the latter, suggesting better lignin preservation in the cold region. However, compared with plant-derived lipids (cutin and suberin), lignin seems to be less stabilized. The variation of lipid versus lignin components is mainly related to climate (particularly aridity) in the alpine grassland soils, while the relative abundance of plant lipids and lignin phenols is more related to reactive mineral contents in the temperate grassland soils.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Lignin contributes differentially to SOC accumulation in the alpine and temperate soils: while lignin seems to be better preserved in the cold region, lignin phenols decrease relative to other carbon components with SOC accrual in the temperate region. Overall, lignin distribution and fate may be more sensitive to carbon source variations than temperature shifts in the grasslands.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉A century of atmospheric deposition of sulfur and nitrogen has acidified soils and undermined the health and recruitment of foundational tree species in the northeastern US. However, effects of acidic deposition on the forest understory plant communities of this region are poorly documented. We investigated how forest understory plant species composition and richness varied across gradients of acidic deposition and soil acidity in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We surveyed understory vegetation and soils in hardwood forests on 20 small watersheds and built models of community composition and richness as functions of soil chemistry, nitrogen and sulfur deposition, and other environmental variables.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Community composition varied significantly with gradients of acidic deposition, soil acidity, and base cation availability (63% variance explained). Several species increased with soil acidity while others decreased. Understory plant richness decreased significantly with increasing soil acidity (〈em〉r〈/em〉 = 0.60). The best multivariate regression model to predict richness (〈em〉p〈/em〉 〈 0.001, adjusted〈em〉-R〈/em〉〈sup〉〈em〉2〈/em〉〈/sup〉 = 0.60) reflected positive effects of pH and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉The relationship we found between understory plant communities and a soil-chemical gradient, suggests that soil acidification can reduce diversity and alter the composition of these communities in northern hardwood forests exposed to acidic deposition.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: In conflict situations, many people are displaced because of hostility and arms in the area. Displaced people are forced to leave behind their properties, and this in turn interrupts the relationship between people and their land. The emergency period in particular has been identified as a weak point in the humanitarian response to land issues in post-conflict situations. In addition, during this period of response, most post-conflict governments do not prioritize land administration as an emergency issue due to other social, economic, security, and political challenges, which countries face in the immediate aftermath of the conflict. In the longer run, this results in post-conflict illegal land occupation, secondary occupation, numerous disputes and claims over land, and dysfunctional government institutions that legalize these illegal and secondary occupations. This research explores the nexus between displacement and land administration in a post-conflict context. It uses empirical data from fieldwork in Rwanda, and discusses how government interventions in land administration in emergency and early recovery periods of post-conflict situations affect future land administration during the reconstruction phase. The post-conflict Rwandan government envisaged proper land administration as a contributor to sustainable peace and security as it enhances social equity and prevents conflicts. Thus, it embarked on a nationwide systematic land registration program to register land all over the country with the aim of easing land administration practices and reducing successive land-related claims and disputes. However, the program faced many challenges, among which were continuous land claims and disputes. Our research anticipates these continued land claims and disputes are due to how land issues were handled in the emergency and early recovery period of the post-conflict Rwanda, especially during land sharing initiatives and Imidugudu (collective settlement policy).

Description: The expansion of oil palm plantations in Papua province, Indonesia, involves the conversion of forests, among other land types in the landscapes, which are a source of clan members’ livelihoods. The way in which this expansion occurs makes it necessary to understand the factors associated with why companies look for frontier lands and what externalities are generated during both the land acquisition and plantation development periods. Using a spatial analysis of the concession areas, along with data from household surveys of each clan from the Auyu, Mandobo, and Marind tribes who release land to companies, we find that investors are motivated to profit from timber harvested from the clearing of lands for plantations, activity that is facilitated by the local government. Land acquisition and plantation development have resulted in externalities to indigenous landowners in the form of time and money lost in a series of meetings and consultations involving clan members and traditional elders. Other externalities include the reduced welfare of people due to loss of livelihoods, and impacts on food security.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Endophytic fungi colonization is an eco-friendly strategy to respond to environmental stresses and confer tolerance to the host plant. Here, the responses of wheat plant inoculated with an indole acetic acid (IAA) -producing endophytic fungus to drought stress and water recovery were evaluated.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉The inoculation of wheat plants with 〈em〉Alternaria alternata〈/em〉 (LQ1230) was conducted to evaluate drought resistance under adequate water, water deficit and water recovery conditions by examining the growth parameters and various physiological indicators of wheat seedlings.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The LQ1230 isolated from 〈em〉Elymus dahuricus〈/em〉 Turcz could secrete indole acetic acid (IAA) by both the tryptophan-dependent (319.24 ± 14.88 μg/mL) and independent (40.12 ± 8.59 μg/mL) pathways. LQ1230 inoculation enhanced wheat growth and drought tolerance through regulation of antioxidant enzyme activities and the content of compatible solutes such as soluble sugars and proline. Additionally, LQ1230 inoculated plants demonstrated significantly improved photosynthesis, C and N accumulation of wheat plants, leading to a positive relationship with plant dry biomass under water deficit and re-watering conditions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉We found that the improved wheat plant growth, photosynthesis and nutrient accumulations by the inoculation of 〈em〉Alternaria alternata〈/em〉 LQ1230 might be attributed to the reprogramming of wheat plant metabolism, thus enhancing wheat drought tolerance. Inoculation with fungal endophytes such as LQ1230 has the potential to increase crop drought resistance.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Subtropical ecosystems are generally characterized by phosphorus (P)-deficient soils; however, extreme P-rich soils develop on phosphate rocks. We aimed to integrate metabolomic and ionomic analyses to survey how in situ trees adaptively respond to such contrasting P soils.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Gas (GC-MS) or liquid (LC-MS) chromatography-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) were used to analyze leaf metabolome and ionome of 〈em〉Quercus variabilis〈/em〉, which grew at two geologic P-rich and P-deficient sites in subtropical China.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Two 〈em〉Q. variabilis〈/em〉 populations were significantly discriminated in terms of metabolome and ionome, with major contributions from 25 identified metabolites (e.g. sugars and P-containing compounds) and P and four other chemical elements. And of these 25 metabolites, orthophosphate was predominant in influencing the variation in the metabolomes of 〈em〉Q. variabilis〈/em〉 between the two P-type sites. Moreover, orthophosphate was correlated with leaf P (〈em〉r〈/em〉 = 0.85, 〈em〉p〈/em〉 〈 0.001), while leaf P was significantly influenced only by soil resident P at the P-rich site. Furthermore, the metabolic pathway analysis indicated four critical metabolic pathways: galactose metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉These findings suggested that there were distinct ionome-metabolome interactions in 〈em〉Q. variabilis〈/em〉 populations, between P-rich and P-deficient sites, which contributed to novel insights into how plants interactively adapt to P-limiting soils.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Although nitrogen (N) fertilization is widely used to increase rice yield, its impact on the distribution, transformation, and fates of photosynthetic carbon (C) in rice–soil systems is poorly understood. To address this, we quantified the C flows into various pools in a rice–soil system.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Rice (〈em〉Oryza sativa〈/em〉 L.) was pulse-labeled with 〈sup〉13〈/sup〉CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 at the tillering stage. Samples were collected six times during the 26 days following labeling. We quantified the partitioned photosynthesized C into various pools using stable isotopic techniques and estimated C flows.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Although the net distribution of assimilated C to belowground pools did not change, N fertilization promoted C assimilation in aboveground biomass. C allocation into soil was enhanced by N fertilization during early growth, but decreased during late growth. N fertilization induced higher mass-specific rhizodeposition (per unit root dry weight) and its turnover rate compared with the unfertilized system. However, with higher microbial turnover, the daily C allocation from roots to soil was similar at both fertilization levels.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Although total C input into soil is enhanced by N fertilization, its further fate is N fertilization independent, thus leading to a net accumulation of C input in rice paddy soil similar to that observed unfertilized soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Long-duration drought can alter ecosystem plant species composition with subsequent effects on carbon cycling. We conducted a rainfall manipulation field experiment to address the question: how does drought-induced vegetation change, specifically shrub encroachment into grasslands, regulate impacts of subsequent drought on soil CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 efflux (R〈sub〉s〈/sub〉) and its components (autotrophic and heterotrophic, R〈sub〉a〈/sub〉 and R〈sub〉h〈/sub〉)?〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We conducted a two-year experiment in Inner Mongolia plateau, China, using constructed steppe communities including graminoids, shrubs and their mixture (graminoid + shrub) to test the effects of extreme-duration drought (60-yr return time) on R〈sub〉s〈/sub〉, R〈sub〉h〈/sub〉 and R〈sub〉a.〈/sub〉〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our results indicated that extreme-duration drought reduced net primary production, with subsequent effects on R〈sub〉s〈/sub〉, R〈sub〉h〈/sub〉 and R〈sub〉a〈/sub〉 in all three vegetation communities. There was a larger relative decline in R〈sub〉a〈/sub〉 (35–54%) than R〈sub〉s〈/sub〉 (30–37%) and R〈sub〉h〈/sub〉 (28–35%). Interestingly, we found R〈sub〉s〈/sub〉 in graminoids is higher than in shrubs under extreme drought. Meanwhile, R〈sub〉h〈/sub〉 declines were largest in the shrub community. Although R〈sub〉a〈/sub〉 and R〈sub〉h〈/sub〉 both decreased rapidly during drought treatment, R〈sub〉h〈/sub〉 recovered quickly after the drought, while R〈sub〉a〈/sub〉 did not, limiting the 〈em〉R〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉s〈/em〉〈/sub〉 recovery.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉This study suggests that plant species composition regulates several aspects of soil CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 efflux response to climate extremes. This regulation may be limited by above- and below-ground net primary production depending on soil water availability〈em〉.〈/em〉 The results of this experiment address a critical knowledge gap in the relationship between soil respiration and plant species composition. With shrub encroachment into grasslands, total soil respiration is reduced and can partly offset the effect of reduction in productivity under drought stress.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: We consider the different types of rent-seeking practices in emerging oil economies, and discuss how they contribute to social conflict and a local resource curse in the Albertine Graben region of Uganda. The rent-seeking activities have contributed to speculative behavior, competition for limited social services, land grabbing, land scarcity, land fragmentation, food insecurity, corruption, and ethnic polarization. Local people have interpreted the experience of the consequent social impacts as a local resource curse. The impacts have led to social conflicts among the affected communities. Our research used a range of methods, including 40 in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and document analysis. We argue there is an urgent need by all stakeholders—including local and central governments, oil companies, local communities, and civil society organizations—to address the challenges before the construction of oil infrastructure. Stakeholders must work hard to create the conditions that are needed to avoid the resource curse; otherwise, Uganda could end up suffering from the Dutch Disease and Nigerian Disease, as has befallen other African countries.

Description: The annual budget for the United States National Park Service was roughly $3 billion in 2016. This is distributed amongst 405 National Parks, 23 national scenic and historic trails, and 60 wild and scenic rivers. Entrance fees and concessions generate millions of dollars in income for the National Park Service; however, this metric fails to account for the total value of the National Parks. In failing to consider the value of the ecosystem services provided by the National Parks, we fail to quantify and appreciate the contributions our parks make to society. This oversight allows us to continue to underfund a valuable part of our natural capital and consequently damage our supporting environment, national heritage, monetary economy, and many of our diverse cultures. We explore a simple benefits transfer valuation of the United States’ national parks using National Land Cover Data from 2011 and ecosystem service values determined by Costanza et al. This produces an estimate suggesting the parks provide $98 billion/year in ecosystem service value. If the natural infrastructure ‘asset’ that is our national park system had a budget comparable to a piece of commercial real estate of this value, the annual budget of the National Park Service would be roughly an order of magnitude larger at something closer to $30 billion rather than $3 billion.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉The effects of root glutathione (GSH) supplementation on leaf chlorophyll, Fe concentrations and contents in leaves, stems and roots, and traits associated to Fe deficiency were studied in 〈em〉Medicago scutellata〈/em〉 plants grown in rock sand under conditions of Fe deficiency, in the presence of different concentrations of bicarbonate.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Plants were grown in acid-washed rock sand irrigated with a zero Fe solution (pH 7.8 with 0.5 g L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 CaCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉) or a 45 μM Fe(III)-EDDHA solution (5 mM MES, pH 5.5), with 0, 5 or 15 mM NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉, and 250 mL of 1 mM GSH was added daily to half of the pots.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Iron deficiency caused characteristic symptoms in plants, with GSH supplementation relieving them. Glutathione supplementation led to increases in total Fe, chlorophyll and leaf total and extractable Fe, whereas root Fe concentrations decreased. Traits associated to Fe deficiency, including changes in biomass, root morphology, carboxylate contents and antioxidant parameters became less intense with GSH supplementation.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Glutathione supplementation allowed plants to take up Fe from the rock sand via a reductive solubilization mechanism. Also, the distribution of Fe within the plant changed, with more Fe being allocated to the shoot tissues and less to the roots.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Mycorrhizae and root exudates have been considered the two important pathways for nitrogen (N) transfer from legume to non-legume plants. The present study aimed to investigate contribution of the relative importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and root exudates in short-term N transfer.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉A field experiment was conducted to explore N transfer from alfalfa to maize under two different N application levels using 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N leaf labeling.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉N transfer amount ranged from 7 to 10 mg N plant〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 from alfalfa to maize and significantly decreased (by 11%–22%) with N fertilizer application. Intercropping of 4 rows of maize and 6 rows of alfalfa with 30 cm intra-row spacing (IMA43) was the optimal intercropping mode, which increased N transfer, total N uptake and yield by 18%, 15% and 11%, respectively. The relative importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and root exudates on N transfer was dependent on soil N availability. Under no N addition, hyphal length density (HLD) of rhizosphere soil explained the largest significant amount (50%) of the variability in N transfer and crop yield. However, root exudates explained 77% of the variability in N transfer and crop yields with N fertilizer application.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our findings highlighted that N transfer is reliant more on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi than root exudates in N-deficient soil, whereas root exudates play a more important role in N-fertilized soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Magnesium (Mg) deficiency impacts many metabolic processes in 〈em〉Brassica napus〈/em〉 (〈em〉B. napus〈/em〉), leading to yield loss. However, the mechanism of Mg〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 uptake and translocation in 〈em〉B. napus〈/em〉 remains unknown.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉After screening 39 genotypes of 〈em〉B. napus〈/em〉 under Mg-deficient conditions, the cultivars P160 and P153 were selected according to their Mg transfer factor (TF) from root to shoot. We further characterized these two genotypes under Mg-deficiency by analyzing chlorophyll concentration, malondialdehyde and peroxidase activity, and reducing sugar concentration in leaves. Additionally, we performed transcriptomics and qRT-PCR assays on P153 and P160 shoots and roots. The identified functional genes involved in Mg transport were characterized by functional assays in yeast and Arabidopsis mutants.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The physiological analysis revealed that P160 (Mg tolerance cultivar; Mg-T) is more tolerant than P153 (Mg sensitive cultivar; Mg-S) under magnesium-deficient environments. Transcriptomics and qRT-PCR assays revealed that transcript levels of 〈em〉BnMGT1–2〈/em〉 and 〈em〉BnMGT6–1〈/em〉 were more significantly up-regulated in the shoot of Mg-T cultivar than that of the Mg-S cultivar under Mg limitation. Functional assays of BnMGT1–2 and BnMGT6–1 reveals that BnMGT1–2 and BnMGT6–1 are the two main functional Mg transporters mediating Mg translocation from root to shoot under low Mg conditions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉Mg-T is more efficient in the translocation of Mg from root to shoot than Mg-S. BnMGT1–2 and BnMGT6–1 should be the two main Mg transporters associated with Mg translocation under Mg deficiency condition, which caused the different Mg efficiency between the Mg-T and Mg-S.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Global climate change is characterized by enhanced atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉]) and temperature, with unknown consequences for soil nematode communities. Soil nematode in response to elevated [CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉], warming and their interaction in paddy field remain largely unknown. Here we aimed to understand how factorial combinations of elevated [CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉] and canopy warming affect soil nematode in a rice paddy field.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉A rice paddy field was consistently treated with elevated [CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉] (500 ppm), canopy warming (+2 °C) or their combinations. Soil samples after a two-year treatment were collected during the rice growing season and nematode communities were extracted with a modified Baermann funnel extraction to examine the changes in nematode abundance and composition under climate change.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Soil nematode communities were altered by elevated [CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉] and warming, but these responses were dependent on rice growing stages. When averaged over the four stages, total nematode abundances were increased by 31.5% under elevated [CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉], and by 25.7% under warming. Elevated [CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉] had no effect on nematode diversity, but slightly altered the composition of different trophic groups. In contrast, warming decreased nematode diversity, but increased plant parasite index, which was negative correlated with crop production. This was attributed to increases in the relative abundance of herbivores under simulated climate change conditions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Elevated [CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉] and warming had a positive effect on nematode abundance, but potentially reduced nematode diversity and soil health. These results suggest that multi-factors interactively affect the responses of soil nematode communities, which is important for food productivity under climate change.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition alters the priming effect (PE), which is defined as the change in native soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition by exogenous C inputs. However, how the priming intensity varies under chemically heterogeneous N deposition, particularly with increasing labile C input, remains unclear.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We collected soils from a temperate forest in northeastern China that had received simulated organic and/or inorganic N deposition for 6 years. The soils were incubated with or without three levels of 〈sup〉13〈/sup〉C-labelled glucose solution for 152 days. CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 emission and its 〈sup〉13〈/sup〉C value were continuously measured to calculate the PE.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Enhanced SOC decomposition (i.e., a positive PE) was observed after glucose addition, regardless of the N deposition form. The PE intensity increased with the increase in the glucose addition level. However, organic N decreased the PE by 12.3-23.2%. The SOC-derived microbial biomass was 16.2-34.3% lower in organic N-treated soil, indicating that preferential utilization of exogenous labile C by microorganisms was responsible for the decrease in PE. The PE inhibition by organic N increased nonlinearly as a function of glucose level. Furthermore, the net annual change in SOC as a balance between the replenishment of added glucose-C and primed C was larger in organic N-treated soil due to a decrease in soil microbial metabolic quotient.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉In this study, we found that organic N deposition inhibited the PE, and the inhibition effect was intensified with increasing C inputs, favouring SOC sequestration.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Despite the high economic benefits of using an intensive agriculture system, the sustainable development of 〈em〉Lycium barbarum〈/em〉 L〈em〉.〈/em〉 cultivation in Northwest China is hindered by serious negative plant–soil feedback, which may be paralleled by the variation in the microbial rhizosphere community.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Here, we assessed the shift in the bacterial and fungal rhizosphere communities of 〈em〉L. barbarum〈/em〉 across a 20-year-old chronosequence of stands at two independent experimental sites in Ningxia, China via real-time PCR and high-throughput sequencing.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Stand age significantly influenced the α-diversity and abundance of the fungal rhizosphere community (〈em〉p〈/em〉 〈 0.05) but did not affect the bacterial community. Phytopathogenic fungi, including 〈em〉Alternaria〈/em〉, 〈em〉Fusarium〈/em〉, 〈em〉Gibberella〈/em〉, and 〈em〉Stemphylium〈/em〉, were progressively enriched in the rhizosphere as the plant aged. Structure equation model suggested that soil abiotic properties were the direct drivers for bacterial community, whereas stand age and edaphic factor coexplained the succession of the fungal rhizosphere community.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉Long-term monocropping decoupled plant–bacteria interaction and strengthened the colonization of fungal phytopathogens in 〈em〉L. barbarum〈/em〉 rhizosphere. This study presents novel assessments of the links between the shifts in microbial rhizosphere community and the negative plant–soil feedback of 〈em〉L. barbarum〈/em〉.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Twenty-four species of eucalypts were studied regarding their ability to grow under low P and their responsiveness to P inputs.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Growth and photosynthesis-related parameters were evaluated.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Growth of all species was influenced by low P availability. No significant correlation was found between leaf P concentration and biomass, indicating that P concentrations in leaves cannot be solely considered an indication of the responsiveness to P in eucalypts. Species responsive to P-input (high agronomic P efficiency values, APE) were those with low P use efficiency - PUE (here assessed as relative efficiency of P-use, REP) and low P uptake efficiency (PUpE). But, non-responsive species were related to higher P-efficiency under low soil P-availability. 〈em〉Eucalyptus tereticornis〈/em〉, 〈em〉E. cladocalyx〈/em〉, 〈em〉E. globulus〈/em〉 and 〈em〉E. camaldulensis〈/em〉 were efficient under low-P availability. Whereas, 〈em〉E. crebra〈/em〉 and 〈em〉E acmenoides〈/em〉 were the most responsive species, with high APE, suggesting that for these species P-inputs are needed to guarantee plant growth. The root:shoot ratio remained constant at different P availabilities, suggesting that biomass allocation towards the root in response to P and greater investment in roots were not correlated with greater PUE. Under limited P, 〈em〉E. robusta〈/em〉 and 〈em〉E. botryoides〈/em〉 exhibited low foliar P contents and higher root:shoot ratios than those of other species with higher P contents, indicating that greater root investment does not necessarily result in greater PUE.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉The results suggest that the divergence among species is probably related to different mechanisms, which may improve P-use efficiency.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Excessive boron (B) can pose toxicity to many plant species, and consequently restricts land utilization in B-laden regions. The purpose of this study was to identify “agretti” (〈em〉Salsola soda〈/em〉) as an alternative B-tolerant food crop.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Both pot and hydroponic experiments were conducted for measuring biomass, total phenolic content and B absorption of 〈em〉S. soda〈/em〉 exposed to varied B treatments. Mineral element accumulation in 〈em〉S. soda〈/em〉 growing in pots was also determined.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉No typical B toxicity symptoms were observed in pot experiment, and only slight B toxicity symptoms were observed in hydroponically-grown plants at 50, 100 and 200 mg B L〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 treatments. Biomass production was not affected in either experiment. The response of total phenolic content to B exposure varied with growing medium, parts of tissues, B treatments, and exposure times. Boron predominantly accumulated in leaves and increased with increasing B treatments in both experiments. Increased exposure time increased the transport of B from root to shoot. Increasing B treatment generally reduced the accumulation of phosphorus, manganese, selenium and arsenic, but increased the accumulation of B, molybdenum and cadmium in 〈em〉S. soda〈/em〉 under specific B treatments, even the accumulation of such elements was still safe for human consumption.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈em〉S. soda〈/em〉 appears to be a promising alternative crop to grow in B-laden regions such as the western SJV of Central California.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: The ejido system, based on communal land in Mexico, was transformed to private ownership due to neoliberal trends in the 1990s. Based on the theory of stakeholders being agents of change, this study aimed to describe the land policies that changed the ejido system into private development to show how land tenure change is shaping urban growth. To demonstrate this, municipalities of San Andrés Cholula and Santa Clara Ocoyucan were selected as case studies. Within this context, we evaluated how much ejido land is being urbanized due to real estate market forces and what type of urbanization model has been created. These two areas represent different development scales with different stakeholders—San Andrés Cholula, where ejidos were expropriated as part of a regional urban development plan and Santa Clara Ocoyucan, where ejidos and rural land were reached by private developers without local planning. To analyze both municipalities, historical satellite images from Google Earth were used with GRASS GIS 7.4 (Bonn, Germany) and corrected with QGIS 2.18 (Boston, MA, US). We found that privatization of ejidos fragmented and segregated the rural world for the construction of massive gated communities as an effect of a disturbing land tenure change that has occurred over the last 30 years. Hence, this research questions the roles of local authorities in permitting land use changes with no regulations or local planning. The resulting urbanization model is a private sector development that isolates rural communities in their own territories, for which we provide recommendations.

Description: If distinguishing between spatial planning systems and practices, the latter reflect on the continuity and perspective of planning cultures and are concerned with the values, attitudes, mindsets and routines shared by those taking part in concrete planning processes. Some recent studies demonstrated comparative assessment of European spatial planning. Thus, the coexistence of continuity and change, as well as convergence and divergence concerning planning practices, was delineated. Moreover, the trends and directions in the evolution of spatial planning and territorial governance were explored when focusing on linkages between diverse national planning perspectives and EU policies. The relevant outcome of European projects met their visionary statements in general and are towards the inspiration of policymaking by territorial evidence. However, it showed a highly differential landscape for territorial governance and spatial planning across Europe in terms of terminology, concepts, tools and practices. Therefore, the paper focuses on how the most relevant outcome of European research may initiate a reasonable in-depth study of concrete planning practices and substantiate an effective planning approach. Mainly based on critical literature review and comparative analysis and synthesis techniques, the overviewed key research results led (1) to agenda-setting for comprehensive evidence gathering (CEG) if exploring spatial planning practices and territorial governance in selected European countries, and (2) to a set of objectives for a values-led planning (VLP) approach to be introduced for improvement of land use management.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Rhizosheath is known as a layer of adhering soil particle to the root surface. Despite several speculations, the positive function of rhizosheath in acquisition of water and nutrients from drying soil has not yet been experimentally proven. The objective of this study was to experimentally show whether an enhanced rhizosheath formation could help plants to better access water from drying soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Eight wheat cultivars were grown in a sandy-loam soil. When plants were 35 days old let dry soil to a water content at which evident wilting symptoms appeared on the plant leaves. During this drying cycle, soil water content and transpiration rate of plants were gravimetrically measured by weighing the plant pots. At the end of this drying cycle, the roots were excavated out of the soil and the rhizosheath formation was gravimetrically quantified by weighing the soil attached to the root system.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The results showed that plant cultivars with greater rhizosheath formation could sustain higher transpiration rates at dry condition (water content of 0.07 cm〈sup〉3〈/sup〉 cm〈sup〉−3〈/sup〉) while the plant cultivars with lower rhizosheath formation suffered from drought stress and reached their permanent wilting points at the same water content.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉The findings of this study gathered evidence that under severe drought condition plant cultivars with an enhanced rhizosheath formation could better survive by sustaining their transpirational and nutritional demands.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background〈/h3〉 〈p〉Agroforestry systems have enhanced diversity of cultivated plants compared to monocultures, and are expected to affect associated biodiversity. Despite a growing body of literature on the importance of soil fauna, the known effects of different agroforestry types on soil fauna communities and functions have not yet been synthesized.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Scope〈/h3〉 〈p〉We scanned publications on soil fauna in agroforestry systems. Our aim was to give an overview of strengths and weaknesses of the existing data, in terms of spatial coverage and representation of diverse agroforestry types and soil fauna groups and functions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our database includes sixty-seven articles, mostly focusing on tropical regions and perennial crop agroforestry systems. Soil macrofauna are the most studied fauna group. The most common question addressed is the comparison of the effect of land use types on communities. Effects on fauna abundance and diversity are mainly positive when agroforestry is compared to cropland, and neutral or negative when compared to forests. Few publications actually measure soil fauna functions, or characterize their interactions and evolution in time and space depending on system design and management. Further work on soil fauna in agroforestry should harness ecological theory and address questions of spatial structure and scale, temporal dynamics and ecological interaction networks and how they determine ecosystem functioning.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈p〉Rising atmospheric CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 causes an increase in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) availability in aquatic ecosystems, further affecting plant growth and aquatic ecosystem production. Belowground carbon input can strongly influence microbial processes (carbon or nitrogen cycling). However, changes in sediment microbial abundance and community structure have not been thoroughly assessed in freshwater ecosystems under rising atmospheric CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. A pot experiment was conducted using fragments of the submerged macrophyte 〈em〉Myriophyllum spicatum〈/em〉 L. to study plant and sediment microbial responses to increasing aquatic carbon availability under rising atmospheric CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. Three DIC levels of overlying water were set up by continuous bubbling with different concentrations of CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. Higher biomass accumulation, chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase activity, and leaf N content were observed in 〈em〉M. spicatum〈/em〉 under high DIC level in CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 treatment. The increased DIC level in CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 treatment reduced sediment ammonium nitrogen, dissolved organic nitrogen content, microbial biomass carbon content and phenol oxidase activity, but not microbial biomass nitrogen content, urease and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activities. 〈em〉NifH〈/em〉 abundance significantly decreased with the increasing DIC levels in CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 treatment, while bacterial 16S rRNA abundance was not affected. Redundancy analysis results indicated a modest but obvious shift in sediment microbial community compositions among different levels of DIC. Variation partitioning revealed a strong interaction between plant traits and sediment properties and their regulation of sediment microbial compositions at different DIC levels. It seemed that an intensified competition for essential resources between 〈em〉M. spicatum〈/em〉 and sediment microbes occurred under increased aquatic DIC availability caused by rising atmospheric CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉.〈/p〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Aim to unveil the functions of VcLon1 in plant Fe use efficiency.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉RT-PCR was used to analyze the expression profile of 〈em〉VcLon1〈/em〉. 〈em〉VcLon1〈/em〉 was expressed in 〈em〉Nicotiana benthamiana〈/em〉, and its homologous tobacco gene was silenced using RNAi. The differences in biomass growth, oxidative stress and chloroplast ultrastructure between wild type and transgenic 〈em〉Nicotiana benthaminana〈/em〉 were analyzed after being subjected to Fe deficiency stress〈em〉.〈/em〉〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The RT-PCR showed that the expression of 〈em〉VcLon1〈/em〉 was significantly higher in young leaves than in old leaves or in leaves treated with Fe deficiency stress, indicating that VcLon1 is involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis induced by senescence or Fe deficiency. Compared with wild-type, overexpression of 〈em〉VcLon1〈/em〉 in 〈em〉Nicotiana benthamiana〈/em〉 reduced damage to chloroplast structure induced by Fe deficiency. Furthermore, the contents of H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, MDA and carbonylated protein in leaves were kept at a low level, and antioxidant enzyme activities in chloroplasts such as SOD and APX are also generally higher in chloroplasts with 〈em〉VcLon1〈/em〉 overexpression. In contrast, the oxidative stress levels in 〈em〉NbLon1〈/em〉 RNAi silenced 〈em〉Nicotiana benthamiana〈/em〉 leaves showed opposite trends.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Under Fe deficiency stress, VcLon1 reduces oxidative damage in plants by degrading carbonylated proteins in organelles such as chloroplasts and effectively maintains the structure and function of organelles and the activity of functional proteins, contributing to Fe use efficiency in plants.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aim〈/h3〉 〈p〉Plant-endophytic associations exist only when equilibrium is maintained between both partners. This study analyses the properties of endophytic fungi inhabiting a halophyte growing in high soil salinity and tests whether these fungi are beneficial or detrimental when non-host plants are inoculated.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Method〈/h3〉 〈p〉Fungi were isolated from 〈em〉Salicornia europaea〈/em〉 collected from two sites differing in salinization history (anthropogenic and naturally saline) and analyzed for plant growth promoting abilities and non-host plant interactions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Most isolated fungi belonged to Ascomycota (96%) including dematiaceous fungi and commonly known plant pathogens and saprobes. The strains were metabolically active for siderophores, polyamines and indole-3-acetic acid (mainly 〈em〉Aureobasidium〈/em〉 sp.) with very low activity for phosphatases. Many showed proteolytic, lipolytic, chitinolytic, cellulolytic and amylolytic activities but low pectolytic activity. Different activities between similar fungal species found in both sites were particularly seen for 〈em〉Epiccocum〈/em〉 sp., 〈em〉Arthrinium〈/em〉 sp. and 〈em〉Trichoderma〈/em〉 sp. Inoculating the non-host 〈em〉Lolium perenne〈/em〉 with selected fungi increased plant growth, mainly in the symbiont (〈em〉Epichloë〈/em〉)-free variety. 〈em〉Arthrinium gamsii〈/em〉 CR1-9 and 〈em〉Stereum gausapatum〈/em〉 ISK3-11 were most effective for plant growth promotion.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉This research suggests that host lifestyle and soil characteristics have a strong effect on endophytic fungi, and environmental stress could disturb the plant-fungi relations. In favourable conditions, these fungi may be effective in facilitating crop production in non-cultivable saline lands.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉To optimize assay conditions of two common methods for measuring potential free-living nitrogen-fixation (FLNF), acetylene reduction assay (ARA) and 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-incorporation (〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉), for use with soil/rhizosphere samples.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We tested the impact of different carbon (C) sources, oxygen concentrations (O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉), and incubation times on FLNF rates of two low-fertility Michigan soils via ARA and 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉FLNF rates were greatest with addition of a C cocktail, at low O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, and with 7-day incubations for both methods. FLNF via ARA was 1700x greater with a C cocktail versus glucose only and via 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 was 17x greater with a C cocktail compared to other C sources and no-C controls. Specific O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 optimum varied by method and site. A 7-day incubation was needed for the ARA, but a 3-day incubation was suitable for 〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. Lastly, we confirm previously identified issues with the ARA of acetylene-independent ethylene production/consumption resulting in potential FLNF measurement error of 1.3–52.3 μg N g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 day〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉We present an optimized method for measuring potential FLNF in soil/rhizosphere samples which will allow for consistent and comparable FLNF rate measurements. Researchers should account for C source, O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, and incubation time when assessing FLNF and use the ARA method with caution.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Backgrounds〈/h3〉 〈p〉There are growing concerns regarding the restoration of karst rocky desertification (KRD) areas. However, the soil conditions and its residing microorganisms, which are essential for the plants, remain largely unclear.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We studied soil characteristics and microbial communities in natural forests (non-KRD) and shrubs with eroded soil and surface soil run-off, using Illumina Miseq sequencing.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our results showed that despite KRD reduced soil fertility and altered microbial community structures, microbial diversity did not diminish. Interestingly, bacterial OTU richness and diversity were greater in the KRD areas than in the non-KRD areas, which had relatively greater plant density and diversity. Fungal OTU richness and diversity remained unchanged by KRD. Although the KRD areas had been clear-cut and trees were mostly absent, ectomycorrhizal fungi did not differ in diversity and relative abundance between the two land types, indicating that the KRD shrubs hosted surprisingly diverse and abundant ectomycorrhizal fungi.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our results highlight the highly diverse microbes under environmental and anthropogenic stresses in KRD areas. Despite the fact that degraded soil properties and an altered microbial community structure remain, KRD did not erode ectomycorrhizal fungal species richness, which is crucial in the revegetation of trees in KRD areas.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: Ticks are responsible for the largest number of transmissions of vector-borne diseases in the northern hemisphere, which makes the risk from tick bites a serious public health problem. Biological scientific research and prevention studies are important, but they have not focused on the population’s perception of tick bite risk, especially at a spatial level. This exploratory article sets out to study this point through an innovative methodology involving the collection of 133 mental maps associated with a semi-structured interview and a socio-demographic questionnaire collected in the Massif Central region, France. The results show a strong link between the representation of the tick bite risk and the representation of particular landscapes. Forests appear as dangerous for the population, especially in the traditional activities of family walking or hiking. This calls into question overly anxiogenic prevention approaches that neglect the impact on practices in risk-prone spaces. It accentuates the need for localized education measure to improve knowledge about tick biology and avoid stereotypical and unnecessary negative representations associated with the environment.

Description: Extensive land use changes in forest frontier landscapes are leading to trade-offs in the supply of ecosystem services (ES) with, in many cases, as yet unknown effects on human well-being. In the Tanintharyi Region of Myanmar, a forest frontier landscape facing oil palm and rubber expansion, little is known about local perspectives on ES and the direct impact of trade-offs from land use change. This study assessed the trade-offs experienced with respect to 10 locally important ES from land user perspectives using social valuation techniques. The results show that while intact forests provide the most highly valued ES bundle, the conversion to rubber plantations entails fewer negative trade-offs than that to oil palm. Rubber plantations offer income, fuelwood, a good microclimate, and even new cultural identities. By contrast, oil palm concessions have caused environmental pollution, and, most decisively, have restricted local people’s access to the respective lands. The ES water flow regulation is seen as the most critical if more forest is converted; other ES, such as non-timber forest products, can be more easily substituted. We conclude that, from local perspectives, the impact of ES trade-offs highly depends on access to land and opportunities to adapt to change.

Description: Intensive land use activities worldwide have caused considerable loss to many ecosystem services. The dynamics of these threats must be quickly investigated to ensure timely update of management strategies and policies. Compared with complex models, mapping approaches that use scoring matrices to link land use/land cover and landscape properties with ecosystem services are relatively efficient and easier to apply. In this study, scoring matrices are developed and spatially explicit assessments of five ecosystem services, such as erosion control, water flow regulation, water quality maintenance, soil quality maintenance, and biodiversity maintenance, are conducted for a region under intense land use along the southern coast of South Africa. The complex interaction of land use/land cover and ecosystem services within a particular landscape is further elucidated by performing a spatial overview of the high-risk areas that contribute to the loss of ecosystem services. Results indicate that both agricultural activities and urban development contribute to the loss of ecosystem services. This study reveals that with sufficient knowledge from previous literature and inputs from experts, the use of scoring matrices can be adapted to different regional characteristics. This approach can be improved by adding additional landscape properties and/or adapting the matrix values as new data become available.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Initial substrate chemical characteristics are the most important factor in the regulation of fine root decomposition. However, it remains unclear how nitrogen (N) deposition changes the decomposition process by affecting initial substrate chemical characteristics with different fine root diameter sizes.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We compared the root decomposition processes across three diameter sizes (very fine roots, 〈 0.5 mm; intermediate fine roots, 0.5–1.0 mm; largest fine roots, 1.0–2.0 mm) of 〈em〉Pinus tabulaeformis〈/em〉 treated with N addition (control, low, medium, high N are 0, 3, 6, and 9 g N m〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 y〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 respectively) for two years.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉(1) The root decomposition rates, which were mainly determined by initial N, phosphorus (P), cellulose and lignin concentrations, and carbon (C)/N and lignin/N ratios, increased with the root diameters. (2) The effect of N addition on fine root decomposition rate was not significant (〈em〉P〈/em〉 〉 0.05), but low N addition enhanced the correlation coefficients between initial chemical indexes and decomposition rates. (3) Low N addition increased the release rates of C and cellulose in the very fine roots but not intermediate fine and largest fine roots, while the medium and high N addition decreased the release rates of N, P, cellulose and lignin in the very fine and intermediate fine roots by affecting the initial C, N, P, starch, cellulose and lignin concentrations. (4) Release of compounds from large diameter fine roots is less responsive to N addition than that from the small ones.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉The initial substrate chemistry plays an important role during the N addition affecting fine root decomposition and release of chemical compounds. Our results suggest that N deposition may change the biogeochemical processes of forest ecosystems by affecting the release of compounds from fine roots.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Root niche partitioning among trees/shrubs and grasses facilitates their coexistence in savannas, but little is known regarding root distribution patterns of co-occurring woody plants, and how they might differ on contrasting soils.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We quantified root distributions of co-occurring shrubs to 2 m on argillic and non-argillic soils.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Root biomass in the two shrub communities was 3- to 5- fold greater than that in the grassland community. 〈em〉Prosopis glandulosa〈/em〉, the dominant overstory species was deep-rooted, while the dominant understory shrub, 〈em〉Zanthoxylum fagara〈/em〉, was shallow-rooted (47% vs. 25% of root density at depths 〉0.4 m). Shrubs on argillic soils had less aboveground and greater belowground mass than those on non-argillic soils. Root biomass and density on argillic soils was elevated at shallow (〈 0.4 m) depths, whereas root density of the same species on non-argillic soils were skewed to depths 〉0.4 m. Root density decreased exponentially with increasing distance from woody patch perimeters.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Belowground biomass (carbon) pools increased markedly with grassland-to-shrubland state change. The presence/absence of a restrictive barrier had substantial effects on root distributions and above- vs. belowground biomass allocation. Differences in root distribution patterns of co-occurring woody species would facilitate their co-existence.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉In this study, we investigated the effects of reduced snow depth on plant phenology, productivity, nitrogen (N) cycling, and N use in canopy and understory vegetation. We hypothesized that decreased snow depth would hasten the timing of leaf flushing and N uptake in understory vegetation, increasing its N competitive advantage over canopy trees.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Snow removal did not directly affect the phenology of either canopy or understory vegetation. Understory vegetation took up more N in the snow removal plots than in the control plots, particularly in the mid- to late-growing season. Leaf production and N uptake in canopy trees also did not differ between the control and snow removal plots, but N resorption efficiency in the snow removal plots (57.6%) was significantly higher than those in control plots (50.0%).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Increased N uptake by understory plants may induce N limitation in canopy trees, which in turn may cause canopy trees to increase their N use efficiency. Such competitive advantage of understory vegetation over canopy trees against snow reduction may affect N cycling via litter quality and quantity not only just after the growing season but also in subsequent seasons.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Whilst several studies have shown that edaphic variability influences species composition in nutrient-poor tropical forests, the determinants of local species distributions and, in particular, how these change from younger to mature individuals in such forests are still under debate, and have been poorly explored in tropical heath forests that are among the least fertile tropical forest ecosystems.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We investigated the influence of soil fertility and topography on a Bornean heath forest species composition, α-, β-diversity and tree size structure among size classes by recording all trees ≥1 cm DBH in 16 forest plots totalling 0.36 ha.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Tree species distributions generally followed gradients in available Al and soil depth; α- and β-diversity were linked to soil depth, and to some extent also to pH and the H:Al ratio. In contrast, forest structural attributes (basal area and stem density) were negatively correlated with both available and total P and a wider suite of soil nutrients, although trees ≥10 cm DBH were positively correlated with total P.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our study shows that heath forest species distribution, richness and structure is related to both edaphic and topographic characteristics and that soil acidity might have a strong influence in shaping these forests’ features. Among size classes, small trees are less influenced by soil and topography, whereas the sensitivity to these variables increases with tree size. We thus highlight that multiple edaphic factors influence different aspects of tropical forest structure, including different tree life stages, and species composition.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉The trend of soil degradation in intensive open coffee systems is well-documented. This study highlights the impact of young shade trees on soil quality only 4 years after their intercropping with coffee.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉18 young shade trees belonging to three tree species (〈em〉Cinnamomum camphora〈/em〉, 〈em〉Bishofia javanica〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Jacaranda mimosifolia〈/em〉) were selected in an intensive coffee system in Southern Yunnan. Soil samples (0–20 cm) were tested for chemical composition, soil communities and soil enzyme activities under their canopies and in open areas, both in coffee rows and inter-rows, once during the rainy and once during the dry season. Additionally, root systems were characterized using trenches. Soil water profiles and litterfall were monitored along the production cycle. Coffee yield was recorded for two consecutive years.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉We detected a positive impact of all shade tree species on soil chemical, biological and biochemical components, especially during the dry season. This positive impact included higher soil organic matter (+10%) and more abundant soil microbial communities (+64%) under shaded coffee than under open coffee. Furthermore, shaded coffee trees yielded as much as open coffee trees, except under 〈em〉C. camphora〈/em〉, probably due to high below-ground competition.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉These results demonstrate that carefully selected shade trees can rapidly contribute to preserving and/or restoring soil quality in intensive coffee systems, while maintaining high coffee yield.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Traits of the plant root system architecture (RSA) play a key role in crop performance. Therefore, architectural root traits are becoming increasingly important in plant phenotyping. In this study, we use a mathematical model to investigate the sensitivity of characteristic root system measures, obtained from different classical field root sampling schemes, to RSA parameters.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Root systems of wheat and maize were simulated and sampled virtually to mimic real field experiments using the root system architecture (RSA) model CRootBox. By means of a sensitivity analysis, we found RSA parameters that significantly influenced the virtual field sampling results. To identify correlations between sensitivities, we carried out a principal component analysis.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉We found that the parameters of zero order roots are the most sensitive, and parameters of higher order roots are less sensitive. Moreover, different characteristic root system measures showed different sensitivity to RSA parameters. RSA parameters that could be derived independently from different types of field observations were identified.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Selection of characteristic root system measures and parameters is essential to reduce the problem of parameter equifinality in inverse modeling with multi-parameter models and is an important step in the characterization of root traits from field observations.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Moso bamboo (〈em〉Phyllostachys edulis〈/em〉) invasions into adjacent forests are becoming increasingly common. Moso bamboo invasions affect litter quality, soil nutrients, and microbial community composition. Although these effects likely vary among invaded sites and forest types, this has not been investigated.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We investigated moso bamboo invasion effects on carbon (C) and other major nutrients of litter and soil, as well as soil microbial community composition determined by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) in broadleaf or coniferous forests at three different sites in China.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Ordinations indicated that the effects of invasions on soil nutrients, litter nutrients, and soil microbial composition each varied among forest types and sites. Invasions consistently decreased litter C. Invasions tended to have larger effects on soil nutrients in coniferous forests. Except for bacterial groups in one coniferous forest site, invasions had positive effects on every soil group.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Variations in direction and magnitude of invasion effects on litter properties, soil properties, and soil communities among community types and sites suggest that studies of effects of invasions on soils in a single invaded community may not be able to predict effects of an invasion at other locations, even when the original community is similar or occurs in the same site.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: Deforestation is recognized as a major driver of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It also disturbs natural processes such as biogeochemical, hydrological, and ecological cycles. In Malawi, deforestation is estimated to be responsible for the loss of 33,000 hectares per year, and is mainly attributed to agriculture expansion, tobacco growing, and excessive use of biomass. However, little research has been conducted at either the local level or that of forests located on customary land. This research aimed to identify and analyze the underlying driving factors associated with the proximate factors of agriculture expansion, tobacco growing, and brick burning in Mwazisi. Landsat images for 1991, 2004, and 2017 were downloaded from the United States Geological Survey website and used to analyze changes in forest cover. Interviews with households (n = 399) and Natural Resource Committee members, a focus group discussion with key officers, and observations were conducted during field data collection in 2017. The results of the land cover analysis showed that forest covered 66% of the study area in 1991, and by 2017 it had decreased to 45.8%. Most households depend on wood from customary land forests for tobacco curing (69%) and brick burning (68%). Furthermore, 47.6% of the households have expanded their agriculture land by approximately 0.57 hectares during the past 15 years. The interview survey and the focus group discussion identified that the underlying driving factors towards these anthropogenic activities are: (a) population growth, (b) poverty, (c) expensive alternative building materials, (d) lack of awareness, (e) lack of resources, (f) lack of commitment from the tobacco companies, and (g) market system of the cash crops grown in the area. In conclusion, a set of economic, institutional, social, and demographic factors, which are associated with imbalanced relationship between rural and urban areas, underpin agriculture expansion, tobacco growing, and brick burning, and have thereby contributed to the decline of the forest cover in Mwazisi, Malawi.

Description: Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is one of the pioneering cities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region that have recently prepared urban sustainability agendas for their cities. Nonetheless, the recently developed urban neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi mostly rely on Land Use planning and their urban forms are still missing essential sustainability qualities. The Form-Based Code (FBC), a sustainable planning tool that helps realize sustainable urban forms, is suggested in this research as an alternative for the conventional Land Use planning currently applied for new urban neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi. The research adopted a method for ‘localizing’ the global tenets and initiation processes of FBCs that outfit the local urban conditions. The investigation of the locally applied form-related regulations and guidelines revealed that they could be transformed into a localized FBC, but still lack some essential components of the FBC’s principles while the community involvement in initiating them was fairly limited. The research examined the applicability of this localized FBC model through interviewing the concerned stakeholders to identify the challenges that might face the adoption of it. The research concluded with recommending a set of actions for implementing the model in Abu Dhabi and other cities sharing similar urban circumstances.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Mine tailings are challenging substrates for ecological restoration, as the establishment of diverse native plant communities can be constrained by a range of edaphic factors. Thus, the ability to restore native vegetation communities will depend upon developing a clear evidence-base as to what types of species and communities are likely sustainably reinstated on such altered substrates. As global tailings production and the cumulative footprint of tailings storage facilities continue to grow, understanding the effect of edaphic filters on community establishment is foundational for developing effective restoration solutions for tailings.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We standardised growth rate estimates derived from nine root and shoot parameters for plants grown in magnetite tailings and natural topsoil, using crops (eight species) to characterise previously identified plant responses and native plants (40 species) to understand the impact of edaphic conditions on the species pool available for restoration.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The edaphic conditions of unweathered magnetite tailings select against the majority of native plant species and nutrient-acquisition guilds (approximately 75% of reference floristic biodiversity), with plant development on tailings compared with natural topsoil compromised in a number of variables in all but six species. Plant growth on tailings was limited by a lack of available nitrogen (N) and high alkalinity (pH 〉9), and seedling growth and development was positively associated with seed N concentration. Calcicole species and species from N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-fixing and cluster root-producing strategies performed better on tailings than calcifuge species and species without specialised nutrient-acquisition strategy or those reliant upon mycorrhizal associations.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉The return of plant communities native to highly weathered, acidic soils on magnetite tailings is likely unsuccessful, unless strategies to ameliorate substrate hostility through acidification of the soil profile and improving N availability are prioritised.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉The low phosphorus (P) fertilizer use efficiency in weathered, P deficient soils calls for better fertilizer formulations. We previously formulated nanoparticles containing P (NP-P) that were a successful fertilizer in nutrient solution. This study was set up to test the fate and the bioavailability of nanofertilizer-P and of that of native (colloid) P naturally present in soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉The NP-P consisted of nano-ferrihydrite (~ 10 nm) loaded with phosphate (P-〈em〉n〈/em〉Fh) and stabilized with either natural organic matter (NOM) or hexametaphosphate (HMP). Natural colloid concentrations were increased with KOH addition, as deflocculating agent, to soil; all tests used samples from P deficient, highly weathered soils.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Pot trials with rice seedlings did not reveal larger P uptake in the NP-P amended soils compared to equal doses of soluble PO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 or soluble HMP. Total Fe concentrations in soil solutions were unaffected by NP-P addition, whereas natural colloidal Fe and P markedly increased by KOH addition. The bioavailability of native colloidal P, mobilized by KOH addition, could not be assessed due to lack of growth, likely related to collapse of the soil structure.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉This study showed that P-loaded iron oxyhydroxide NPs insufficiently enhanced soluble P in soil to offer benefits over soluble fertilizers, likely because of a combined effect of lower diffusivity of NPs compared to P〈sub〉i〈/sub〉 and lower bioavailability of NP-P than P〈sub〉i〈/sub〉. Smaller particles or small labile organic colloids might offer an improvement in both aspects.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Wetlands play vital roles as sinks for metal contaminants. Some wetland plants accumulate manganese (Mn) oxides in the black biofilm around roots and rhizomes, although the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Our aim is to determine the role of endophytic bacteria in the formation of Mn deposits in the wetland plant 〈em〉Suaeda salsa〈/em〉 Pall. as well as the underlying chemical and molecular mechanisms.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Manganese-oxidizing endophytic bacteria were isolated with leucoberbeline blue (LBB) and further identified via the phylogenetic analysis. The Mn content and black deposit characteristics of laboratory-cultivated plants before/after co-cultivation of bacteria were investigated by inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopye (SEM-EDX), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The chemical structures of the biogenic Mn minerals were characterized via spectra of X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Proteomic analyses, coupled with the enzymic assays were performed to identify the enzymes involved in the Mn oxidation.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉We observed black deposits containing Mn oxides in the belowground and aboveground tissues of 〈em〉S. salsa〈/em〉. Three Mn-tolerant bacterial strains were isolated from the plants, and two of them possessed Mn(II) oxidation capacities, which were identified as 〈em〉Pantoea eucrina〈/em〉 SS01 and 〈em〉Pseudomonas composti〈/em〉 SS02. Co-cultivation of the two isolates with 〈em〉S. salsa〈/em〉 showed promoted plant growth and facilitated the formation of black precipitations on roots. Further results showed the different chemical compositions and cellular localizations of biogenic Mn oxides from the two strains. Hydrogen peroxide-detoxifying enzymes were involved in Mn oxidation, most likely mitigating oxidative stresses.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉We suggest a role of endophytic bacteria in Mn uptake and accumulation in the wetland plant 〈em〉S. salsa〈/em〉; our study thereby contributes to a better understanding of the plant-endophyte symbiosis in biogeochemical Mn cycling and wetland soil phytoremediation.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Northern peatlands store large amounts of soil organic carbon (C) that can be very sensitive to ongoing global warming. Recently it has been shown that temperature-enhanced growth of vascular plants in these typically moss-dominated ecosystems may promote microbial peat decomposition by increased C input via root exudates. To what extent different plant functional types (PFT) and soil temperature interact in controlling root C input is still unclear. In this study we explored how root C input is related to the presence of ericoid shrubs (shrubs) and graminoid sedges (sedges) by means of a factorial plant clipping experiment (= PFT effect) in two peatlands located at different altitude (= temperature effect).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉By selective clipping of shrub and sedge shoots in mixed vegetation at two Alpine peatland sites we interrupted the above- to belowground translocation of C, thus temporarily inhibiting root C release. Subsequent measurements of soil respiration, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and stable isotope composition (〈sup〉13〈/sup〉C) of DOC in pore water were used as proxies to estimate the above- to belowground transfer of C by different PFT.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉We found that soil respiration rates and DOC concentrations temporarily decreased within 24 h after clipping, with the decrease in soil respiration being most pronounced at the 1.4 °C warmer peatland after clipping shrubs. The transient drop in DOC concentration coincided with a shift towards a heavier C isotope signature, indicating that the decrease was associated with inhibition of a light C source that we attribute to root exudates. Together these results imply that shrubs translocated more C into the peat than sedges, particularly at higher temperature.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉We showed that plant functional type and temperature interact in controlling root C input under field conditions in peatlands. Our results provide a mechanistic evidence that shrubs may potentially promote the release of stored soil C through root-derived C input.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Root-rot disease, a catastrophic disease of 〈em〉Panax quinquefolium〈/em〉 L. causes yield reduction and serious economic losses. However, knowledge of the relationship between rhizosphere microbial community and root-rot disease is limited. This study is aim to test whether the bacteria and fungi community differed between the soil attached to healthy and rotten roots of American ginseng. Moreover, the effects of American ginseng cultivation for 4 years on changes of soil physiochemical properties and microbial community were also investigated.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉High-throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeq) was used to investigate the difference of microbial communities in the soils of new farmland (C) and the rhizosphere soils around healthy (H) and root rot diseased ginseng (R).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Cultivation of American ginseng for 4 years not only changed the soil physicochemical properties, but also significantly increased the richness of the soil bacteria and decreased the fungal richness and diversity. Compared with other genera, the bacterial genera 〈em〉Nitrospira〈/em〉 and the fungal genera 〈em〉Gibberella〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Podospora〈/em〉 were strongly enriched in the soil of new farmland. However, the relative abundance of 〈em〉Janthinobacterium, Nitrospira〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Pedomicrobium〈/em〉 in bacterial community, and 〈em〉Mrakia, Paradendryphiella, Sporopachydermia, Myrothecium〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Racocetra〈/em〉 in fungal community were significantly decreased after culture of American ginseng. The results also showed that the bacteria and fungi community differs between the soil attached to healthy and rotten roots of American ginseng. The richness indices of fungal community showed a significant decrease in rhizosphere soils of R comparing with H. The bacteria 〈em〉Rhodoplanes〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Kaistobacter〈/em〉 were the dominant genera in the H sample, whereas 〈em〉Sphingobium〈/em〉 was dominant in the R sample. Notably, 〈em〉Monographella〈/em〉 was significantly higher in the R sample (23.13%) than that of H sample (2.90%). In addition, the fungi 〈em〉Melanophyllum〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Staphylotrichum〈/em〉 were the most differently abundant in the H sample, whereas 〈em〉Mortierella〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Cistella〈/em〉 were the differently abundant genera in the R sample.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our results indicate that cultivation of American ginseng changed the edaphic factors and the soil microbial community, and there are significant differences in the microbial community between the soil attached to healthy and rotten roots of American ginseng.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉 We evaluated the effect of 〈em〉Azospirillum brasilense〈/em〉 strain HM053 inoculation on maize seeds, a spontaneous mutant that excrete ammonium and fix nitrogen constitutively.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Maize was grown with different nitrogen (urea) concentration and inoculated with 〈em〉A. brasilense〈/em〉 Ab-V5 (Brazilian commercial strain) or HM053 strain in four field experiments, in three regions of Parana State, Southern Brazil. We evaluated yield components, nutrient content on leaves and grains and productivity during the crop cycle.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Inoculation with 〈em〉A. brasilense〈/em〉 strain Ab-V5 and HM053 associated with base fertilization (30 kg ha〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 N) improved crop yield in all trials. Ab-V5 increased production between 2.2 to 10.4%, or 178.0 to 759.9 kg ha〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, respectively. HM053, by itself, increased production between 4.7 to 29%, or 460.5 to 1769.3 kg ha〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, respectively.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉The new strain HM053 showed to be a great biofertilizer for maize seeds and a new alternative for a more sustainable agriculture.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉X-ray computed tomography (CT) is widely recognized as a powerful tool for in-situ quantification of root system architecture (RSA) in soil. However, employing X-ray CT to identify the spatio-temporal dynamics of RSA still remains a challenge due to non-automatic, time-consuming image processing protocols and their poor recovery of fine roots in soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Here we present a new protocol (Rootine) to segment roots rapidly and precisely down to fine roots with two voxels in diameter (90 μm in pots with 70 mm in diameter). This is facilitated by feature detection of the tubular shape of roots, an approach that was originally developed for detecting blood vessels in medical imaging.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉In comparison to established root segmentation methods, Rootine produced a more accurate root network, i.e. more roots and less over-segmentation. Root length quantified by X-ray CT showed high correlation with results by root washing combined with 2D light scanning (R〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 = 0.92). Tests with different soil materials showed that the recovery of roots depends on signal-to-noise ratio but can be up to 99% for a favorable contrast between fine roots and background.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉This new protocol provides great efficiency to study RSA in undisturbed soil. As it is fully automated it has the potential for high-throughput root phenotyping and related modelling.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Litter inputs are closely related to both forest productivity and nutrient cycling under climate change and local management. This study investigated the effect of litter inputs on litter decomposition, changes in litter chemistry and nitrogen (N) dynamics during eucalyptus leaf litter decomposition.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Two parallel in situ litter decomposition experiments were conducted at two sites with high-quality (HQ) and low-quality (LQ) litters in a eucalyptus-dominated forest of southeast Queensland, Australia. At each site, leaf litters with either a single (SL) or double mass load (DL) of litter inputs were decomposed for 15 months. Litter mass loss, chemical composition and N content of decomposing litters were measured seasonally during the decomposition period. The chemical composition of the collected litters was determined by solid-state 〈sup〉13〈/sup〉C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The HQ litters decomposed faster than the LQ litter, with a decomposition constant of 0.53 and 0.33 y〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at the HQ and LQ site, respectively. Litter addition rates had no effect on litter decomposition, changes in chemical composition and N content during decomposition regardless of differences in initial litter quality. The HQ and LQ litters showed the same pattern of chemical changes during decomposition, with an increase in alkyl C and a decrease in di-O-alkyl C and aryl C. The relative intensity of O-aryl C and carboxyl C converged, while the relative intensity of di-O-alkyl C and 〈em〉δ〈/em〉〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N diverged as the decomposition progressed. N immobilization during decomposition depended on litter quality, with N consistently immobilized in LQ litters over the whole decomposition period.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉In subtropical eucalyptus-dominated forests, the dynamics of organic C and N during litter decomposition were resistant to the increased inputs of aboveground litters. Litter chemistry of different initial qualities converged at the early stages of decomposition, and the implications of chemical convergence on the formation and stabilization of soil organic matter need to be assessed in the future.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Previous studies suggest that organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) can stimulate soil nitrification, but whether autotrophic or heterotrophic nitrification is stimulated and who are active nitrifiers for the nitrification activity is still in debate. We elucidated which nitrification dominated and the active nitrifiers during the decomposition of rice callus.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈sup〉15〈/sup〉N-labeled callus and acetylene (C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) inhibition were used to explore the autotrophic or heterotrophic nitrification during the decomposition of callus and DNA-based stable isotope probing (SIP) and high-throughput sequencing were used to investigate the active nitrifiers.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Autotrophic nitrification dominated the nitrification activity, driven by oxidation of ammonia (NH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉) produced from mineralization of the callus-derived organic N. Callus significantly stimulated nitrification activity, which was paralleled by changes in the abundance and community composition of AOA. DNA-SIP further demonstrated that the active AOA outnumbered their bacterial counterparts in the 〈sup〉13〈/sup〉C-DNA from the soil with callus amendment. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the functional importance of soil fosmid 29i4-like and 54d9-like AOA within soil group 1.1b during the active nitrification with callus cells.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉NH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 released from the mineralization of callus was the main substrate for autotrophic nitrification and preferentially stimulated the growth of AOA within group 1.1b in the paddy soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: Land plays an important role in the economies of developing countries, and many theories connecting land inequality with different dimensions of economic development already exist. Even though efficacious land distribution allows societies to transition from poverty to a human capital-based developed economy, ongoing issues related to property rights, inequality, and the political economy of land distribution are unavoidable. The general objective of this paper is to explore the nexus between land distribution and economic development. The specific objectives are to: (i) identify which land distribution programs/activities contribute to economic development; (ii) investigate the role of stakeholders in land distribution programs that affect the growth of productivity; and (iii) assess the deficiencies of current land distribution policies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to explore how economic development theories contribute to decreasing income inequality. This paper provides an overview of land distribution history and the main economic development theories. It also highlights the links between land distribution and the main elements of economic development. Finally, it provides a comparative review of the most recent empirical works regarding the characteristics, limitations, and potential (mutual) effects of land distribution and economic development settings on developing countries worldwide.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Rare earth elements (REE) are a group of the periodic table formed by 17 chemical elements (lanthanoids plus yttrium and scandium). They have been used in different field applications. In agriculture, they can be found in some phosphate fertilizers at levels one or two orders of magnitude higher than those found in normal agricultural soils. Citrus plants are known to present high levels of REE when compared to most other species, however, there is little information about bioavailability of REE in phosphate fertilizers for citrus plants. This work focuses on the study of REE behavior by the application of increasing doses of single superphosphate fertilizer in Rangpur lime (〈em〉Citrus limonia〈/em〉 Osbeck) plants in a greenhouse study.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉The technique used was instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The results showed that the fertilizer has caused significant increases in the content of REE in the citrus plant tissues, with higher concentrations in leaves than in branches. The highest substrate-leaf transfer factor was observed for La (0.0047), though the concentrations in the plants followed the same order found in the substrate, i.e. Ce 〉 La 〉 Sm 〉 Eu 〉 Sc.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉There was an increase of rare earth elements concentrations in Rangpur lime plants by superphosphate fertilizer application.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Soil alkalization imposes severe ion toxicity, osmotic stress, and high pH stress to plants, inhibiting their growth and productivity. NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 is a main component of alkaline soil. However, knowledge of the NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-responsive proteomic pattern of alkaligrass is still lacking. Alkaligrass (〈em〉Puccinellia tenuiflora〈/em〉) is a monocotyledonous halophyte pasture widely distributed in the Songnen Plain in Northeastern China. This study aims to investigate the NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-responsive molecular mechanisms in the alkaligrass plants.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉An integrative approach including photosynthetic and redox physiology, and comparative proteomics was used.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 decreased photosynthesis, but increased nonphotochemical quenching, increased membrane electrolyte leakage of alkaligrass, and increased proline and glycine betaine concentrations in leaves. In addition, the NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 stress increased Na〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 concentration and decreased K〈sup〉+〈/sup〉/Na〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 ratio in leaves, while Ca〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 and Mg〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 concentrations were maintained, contributing to signaling and homeostasis of ion and enzyme activity. Furthermore, O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉〈sup〉−〈/sup〉 generation rate and H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 concentration were increased, and the activities of ten antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant concentrations were changed in response to the NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 stress. Proteomics revealed 90 NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-responsive proteins, 54% of which were localized in chloroplasts. They were mainly involved in signaling, photosynthesis, stress and defense, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, as well as protein synthesis, processing and turnover. Some protein abundances did not correlate well with their activities, implying that the enzyme activities were affected by NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-induced post-translational modifications.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉To cope with the NaHCO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 stress, alkaligrass deployed multiple strategies, including triggering phospholipase D (PLD)-mediated Ca〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 signaling pathways, enhancing diverse reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging pathways, and regulating chloroplast protein synthesis and processing.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: Recent debates in social anthropology on land acquisitions highlight the need to go further back in history in order to analyse their impacts on local livelihoods. The debate over the commons in economic and ecological anthropology helps us understand some of today’s dynamics by looking at precolonial common property institutions and the way they were transformed by Western colonization to state property and then, later in the age of neoliberalism, to privatization and open access. This paper focuses on Africa and refers to the work of critical scholars who show that traditional land tenure was misinterpreted as customary tenure without full property rights, while a broader literature on the commons shows that common-pool resources (pasture, fisheries, wildlife, forestry etc.) have been effectively managed by locally-developed common property institutions. This misinterpretation continues to function as a legacy in both juridical and popular senses. Moreover, the transformation of political systems and the notion of customary land tenure produced effects of central importance for today’s investment context. During colonial times a policy of indirect rule based on new elites was created to manage customary lands of so-called native groups who could use the land as long as it was of no value to the state. However, this land formally remained in the hands of the state, which also claimed to manage common-pool resources through state institutions. The neoliberal policies that are now demanded by donor agencies have had two consequences for land and land-related common-pool resources. On the one hand, states often lack the financial means to enforce their own natural resource legislation and this has led to de facto open access. On the other hand, land legally fragmented from its common-pool resources has been transformed from state to private property. This has enabled new elites and foreign investors to claim private property on formerly commonly-held land, which also leads to the loss of access to land related common-pool resources for more marginal local actors. Thus, the paper argues that this process does not just lead to land grabbing but to commons grabbing as well. This has furthermore undermined the resilience and adaptive capacity of local populations because access to common-pool resources is vital for the livelihoods of more marginal groups, especially in times of crisis. Comparative studies undertaken on floodplains in Botswana, Cameroon, Mali, Tanzania and Zambia based on a New Institutional Political Ecology (NIPE) approach illustrate this process and its impacts and show how institutional transformations are key to understanding the impacts of large-scale land acquisitions (LSLA) and investments in Africa.

Description: Uyo is one of the fastest-growing cities in Nigeria. In recent years, there has been a widespread change in land use, yet to date, there is no thorough mapping of vegetation change across the area. This study focuses on land use change, urban development, and the driving forces behind natural vegetation loss in Uyo. Based on time series Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)/Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+)/Operational Land Imager (OLI) image data, the relationships between urban land development and its influencing factors from 1985 to 2018 were analyzed using remote sensing (RS) and time series data. The results show eight land use cover classes. Three of these (forest, swamp vegetation, and mixed vegetation) are related to natural vegetation, and three (sparse built-up, dense built-up, and borrow pit) are direct consequences of urban infrastructure development changes to the landscape. Swamp vegetation, mixed vegetation, and forest are the most affected land use classes. Thus, the rapid growth of infrastructure and industrial centers and the rural and urban mobility of labor have resulted in an increased growth of built-up land. Additionally, the growth pattern of built-up land in Uyo corresponds with socioeconomic interviews conducted in the area. Land use changes in Uyo could be attributed to changes in economic structure, urbanization through infrastructure development, and population growth. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) analysis shows a trend of decreasing vegetation in Uyo, which suggests that changes in economic structure represent a key driver of vegetation loss. Furthermore, the implementation of scientific and national policies by government agencies directed at reducing the effects of urbanization growth should be strengthened, in order to calm the disagreement between urban developers and environmental managers and promote sustainable land use.

Description: To gain a social license to operate and grow, companies should have effective community engagement activities, social impact assessment processes, environmental and social impact management procedures, and human rights-compatible grievance redress mechanisms in place. In this way, environmental impacts and social impacts would likely be identified and addressed before issues escalate and social risk amplifies. Companies also need to treat communities with respect and be mindful of local culture. Where these things are not done, there will be no social license to operate. Protests are mechanisms by which affected communities express their concerns and signal there is no social license. As argued in our previous work on conceptualizing social protests, protests are warning signs, as well as opportunities for companies to improve. Rather than let protest actions escalate, leading to violent confrontation and considerable cost and harm, companies should engage in meaningful dialogue with protesters. Unfortunately, company response is often inadequate or inappropriate. In this paper, we identify around 175 actions companies might take in relation to community protest, and we discuss how these actions variously have the potential to escalate or de-escalate conflict, depending on whether the company engages in appropriate and genuine interaction with protesters or if repressive measures are used. While effective engagement will likely de-escalate conflict, ignoring or repressing protests tends to provoke stronger reactions from groups seeking to have their concerns heard. When companies address community concerns early, their social license to operate is enhanced. We also outline the primary international standards companies are expected to comply with, and we identify the key environmental, social, and governance issues (ESG principles) that should be respected.

Description: This paper shows how the slow process of forestland restitution, which is unfolding in Romania since 1991 has eroded the threads of sustainable forest management by an insidious institutional amnesia (IA). The four symptoms of this harmful process (frequent reorganization, transition from paperwork to electronic media, fewer people motivated to join public services, and popularity of radical changes) were analyzed from the legal standing point as well as from practitioners’ perspective. After having described the legal process and the relative dependencies between laws and government ordinances we also showed that the three laws on forestland restoration (three fully operational laws and two bills submitted in 2019, one year before general elections) were produced by unintended policy arrangements. The legal loopholes of forestland restitution were described in details as well as the challenges brought about by nature conservation policy (Natura 2000 management plans v traditional forest planning), and the overwhelming bureaucratic burden developed to deter illegal logging, instead of fully implementing a modern system of forest watching based on volunteering. However, the main cause of IA is institutional unsteadiness which was inherited from the communist regime, and cannot be alleviated unless more involvement of professional foresters in politics.

Description: The denitrification rate in C2H2-amended intact soil cores and soil N2O fluxes in closed static chambers were monitored in a Mediterranean irrigated maize-cropped field. The measurements were carried out during: (i) a standard fertilization management (SFM) activity and (ii) a manipulation experimental (ME) test on the effects of increased and reduced application rates of urea at the late fertilization. In the course of the SFM, the irrigations following early and late nitrogen fertilization led to pulses of denitrification rates (up to 1300 μg N2O-N m−2 h−1) and N2O fluxes (up to 320 μg N2O-N m−2 h−1), thanks to the combined action of high soil temperatures and not limiting nitrates and water filled pore space (WFPS). During the ME, high soil nitrates were noted in all the treatments in the first one month after the late fertilization, which promoted marked N-losses by microbial denitrification (from 500 to 1800 μg N2O-N m−2 h−1) every time the soil WFPS was not limiting. At similar maize yield responses to fertilizer treatments, this result suggested no competition for N between plant roots and soil microbial community and indicated a probable surplus of nitrogen fertilizer input at the investigated farm. Correlation and regression analyses (CRA) on the whole set of data showed significant relations between both the denitrification rates and the N2O fluxes with three soil physical-chemical parameters: nitrate concentration, WFPS and temperature. Specifically, the response functions of denitrification rate to soil nitrates, WFPS and temperature could be satisfactorily modelled according to simple Michaelis-Menten kinetic, exponential and linear functions, respectively. Furthermore, the CRA demonstrated a significant exponential relationship between N2O fluxes and denitrification and simple empirical functions to predict N2O emissions from the denitrification rate appeared more fitting (higher concordance correlation coefficient) than the predictive empirical algorithm based on soil nitrates, WFPS and temperature. In this regard, the empirically established relationships between the denitrification rate on intact soil cores under field conditions and the soil variables provided local-specific threshold values and coefficients which may effectively work to calibrate and adapt existing N2O process-based simulation models to the local pedo-climatic conditions.

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉The selection and breeding of low grain-cadmium (Cd)-accumulating rices is a promising approach for reducing the Cd concentration in grains. A cadmium-safe rice line designated D62B (〈em〉Oryza Sative〈/em〉 L.) accumulated a low Cd concentration in brown rice for safe consumption (〈 0.2 mg kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉). D62B was a great potential breeding material with a weaker translocation capacity of Cd to shoot compared with common rice lines. A prior understanding of the Cd translocation mechanisms in D62B offered theoretical basis for breeding new low-Cd-accumulating rice cultivars in the future.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the changes of non-protein thiols in shoot and root of D62B in comparison with a common rice line (Luhui17), and then the relationship between the Cd translocation via xylem and organic acids in xylem sap of two rice lines was explored by a hydroponic experiment.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉D62B showed lower Cd translocated to shoot in comparison with Luhui17. The translocation factor (TF) of D62B varied from 0.11 to 0.15. Cd exposure promoted the synthesis of non-protein thiols in two rice lines, particularly in roots. Syntheses of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) in root of D62B were greater than those of Luhui17. Cd concentration in xylem sap of D62B was significant positively correlated with the malic acid, citric acid and tartaric acid concentrations. The citric acid and tartaric acid concentrations in xylem sap of D62B were significantly lower than those of Luhui17. There was no significant difference for malic acid between two rice lines.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉More GSH and PCs in root of D62B was beneficial to Cd retention in root. Furthermore, the involvement of lower citric acid and tartaric acid in Cd translocated in xylem sap of D62B resulted in lower Cd accumulation in shoot.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Microbial denitrification is the primary driver of nitrogen losses from the plant-soil system and the key process for the closure of the global N cycle. All major controls of denitrification might be directly or indirectly affected by plants. However, there is a lack of research of the direct effects of plants on soil denitrification and how this effect might be mediated by soil properties. This study assesses the effect of three common crop species and two agricultural soils on denitrification potentials.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We conducted a factorial experiment under controlled conditions to analyze the effects of (1) different plant species (barley, wheat or ryegrass), (2) two different soils (texture/ SOC) and (3) two different soil moisture levels on Denitrification Enzyme Activity (DEA) in bulk and rhizosphere soil.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The SOC richer clay loam soil showed on average higher DEA (+81%) compared to the SOC poorer silty loam soil. All three plants were found to stimulate denitrification with significant differences between certain species: rye grass (+92% ± 14%) ≥ barley (+75% ± 26%) ≥ wheat (+50% ± 19%).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉DEA in agricultural soils is interactively controlled by plant species and soil type with an overall stimulating effect of plants on the denitrification potential. Future research should focus on disentangling single mechanisms of plant control on actual denitrification rates and N gas product ratios.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background〈/h3〉 〈p〉Biocrusts are important functional units in dryland ecosystems. Regarded as ecosystem engineers, cyanobacteria in biocrusts contribute several major physico-chemical and biological processes. However, the role of cyanobacteria in the process of loess formation has been underestimated. Recently, their contribution to sediment development was presented in the BLOCDUST model of loess formation.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Scope〈/h3〉 〈p〉This 〈em〉perspective paper〈/em〉 features the environmental impact of cyanobacteria and biocrusts with a focus on processes involved in the formation of loess sediments. We propose that the formation of loess can be mediated by cyanobacteria, including initial trapping, and the accumulation and preservation of loess-forming particles. Moreover, the initial structure may be further altered by weak mineral weathering, dissolution and mineral re-precipitation due to cyanobacterial metabolic processes. Possible negative aspects of environmental impact related to the potential toxicity of cyanobacterial biocrusts are also discussed. We highlight specific biotic-abiotic interactions between biocrusts and loess (e.g. exudation of organic polymers, carbonate dissolution and re-precipitation, and dust-dependent metabolic activities of cyanobacteria) which are essential for the formation of stabilized loess and propose the term “synergosis” to comprise these interactions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉The role of cyanobacteria in loess formation has only recently been recognized and the possible biogenic nature of loessification is underestimated as compared to their eolian nature. Mineral weathering and mineral precipitation processes as well as mineral dust flux between litho- and atmosphere mediated by cyanobacteria and biocrusts require more attention due to their significant contribution to ecosystem properties.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉The objective of this paper was to develop a method based on infrared spectroscopy to compare mineral content in soils and apply it to evaluate soil mineralogical variations in pairs of inter-patch and patch soils in a semi-arid area.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉Mixtures of several minerals were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, the second derivative of the spectra was calculated and the spectra normalized respect to calcite or quartz signals (711 cm〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 or 800 cm〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 respectively). The intensities of representative signals of each mineral were related to their concentration in the mixtures. Pairs of patch and inter-patch soils from five different sites were analyzed by this method. Elemental analysis and total lime analysis were performed in some soil pairs.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Soils were dominated by calcite and quartz, or by montmorillonite and kaolinite. Inter-patch soils were richer in calcite and poorer in quartz or clays than patch soils. Calcite losses in patch soils might be related to soil acidification by CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 from respiration and/or organic matter. Elemental analysis showed high values of S, Cl, and K in patch soils with respect to inter-patch soils.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉The proposed FTIR method was useful to compare soil mineralogy in specific areas. Fertile spots by accumulation of water, soluble salts and sediments may favor plant growth in semi-arid regions and these plants may increase the fertility of the spot. Changes in soil mineral composition could be used to monitor the biological activity of soil in arid and semi-arid zones.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Waterlogging is a common natural disturbance that has negative impacts on dry-land plant species. However, few studies have focused on how waterlogging influences the invasiveness of non-native plant species on dry lands. 〈em〉Bidens pilosa〈/em〉 is an invasive dry-land plant of the Asteraceae family that causes serious damage to biodiversity and agricultural production in southern China. To date, it remains unclear how waterlogging affects the competitiveness and growth of 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉. The goal of this study is to determine whether waterlogging promotes the competitiveness of invasive 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉The growth and physiological responses of invasive 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉 and native 〈em〉B. biternata〈/em〉 and the competition effects between them were studied after 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, and 20 days of waterlogging stress (wherein the water level was maintained at the soil surface level).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉After short-term waterlogging stress, the competitive balance index of invasive 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉 significantly increased, indicating that short-term waterlogging on dry lands could significantly improve the competitiveness of invasive 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉. Invasive 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉 maintained more rapid adventitious root generating capacity and higher root dehydrogenase activity under waterlogging conditions than native 〈em〉B. biternata〈/em〉, which allowed 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉 to adapt to the anoxic conditions much more rapidly. The smaller reductions in net photosynthetic rate, actual quantum yield of photosystem II and relative growth rate in 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉 than in 〈em〉B. biternata〈/em〉 showed that invasive 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉 had stronger tolerance to waterlogging than native 〈em〉B. biternata〈/em〉.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉Our results indicate that invasive 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉 has stronger tolerance to waterlogging than native 〈em〉B. biternata〈/em〉 and that short-term waterlogging on dry lands can significantly improve the competitiveness of invasive 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉. Short-term waterlogging on dry lands caused by extreme precipitation during the rainy season is expected to promote the invasive potential of exotic 〈em〉B. pilosa〈/em〉.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Endophytes benefit host plants by increasing biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. The aims of this study were to evaluate endophytic community (EC) of 〈em〉Arabis alpina〈/em〉, a Pb-Zn hyperaccumulator and investigate role of EC in host plants metal tolerance.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉EC of 〈em〉A. alpina〈/em〉 growing at Pb–Zn mining area was evaluated by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Pot experiments were conducted for the role of EC in metal accumulation and tolerance of host.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Fungal EC of shoots showed greater similarity to roots than to seeds; and Chao1 and Shannon indices for shoots and roots were significantly higher than for seeds. Inoculation of EC significantly improved host plants growth under multi-metal stress (〈em〉p〈/em〉 〈 0.05, T test). The shoot length, root length and dry biomass of the treatment were improved when compared with the control. EC inoculation significantly altered accumulation of Pb, Cd and Zn in plant tissues. Particularly decreased the accumulation of Pb (〈em〉p〈/em〉 〈 0.05) and Cd (〈em〉p〈/em〉 〉 0.05) in the shoots of the treatment.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Hyperaccumulator 〈em〉A. alpina〈/em〉 growing in metals contaminated soils was colonized by a diverse assemblage of endophytic fungi, and the EC played a key role in increasing host plants metal tolerance.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉The incidence of extreme weather events, particularly drought is predicted to increase in the future and alter the ecosystem process. Despite that the interplay between plant species play a critical role in reducing the vulnerability of soil ecosystem to drought, whether the presence of legumes in plant community could maintain nutrient uptake of focal species by stabilizing soil biota and ecosystem processes under drought conditions remains essentially unexplored.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉In a field experiment, the soil biota community and ecosystem processes were studied using four planting systems contain monoculture of focal species 〈em〉Zanthoxylum bungeanum〈/em〉, mixed cultures of 〈em〉Z. bungeanum〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Capsicum annuum〈/em〉, 〈em〉Z〈/em〉. 〈em〉bungeanum〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Medicago sativa,〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Z. bungeanum〈/em〉 and 〈em〉Glycine max〈/em〉 subjected to drought.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉Drought had no significant effects on soil microbial biomass in monoculture and mixed cultures, but significantly increased microbial stress indices. Drought significantly increased the densities of total nematodes, herbivores, bacterivores and fungivores in 〈em〉Z〈/em〉. 〈em〉bungeanum〈/em〉 and 〈em〉M. sativa〈/em〉 mixed culture, but significantly decreased the total nematodes, bacterivores and fungivores in 〈em〉Z. bungeanum〈/em〉 and 〈em〉G. max〈/em〉 mixed culture. Under drought stress, leaf nitrogen concentrations of 〈em〉Z. bungeanum〈/em〉 were significantly higher in 〈em〉Z. bungeanum〈/em〉 and 〈em〉M. sativa〈/em〉 mixed culture than 〈em〉Z. bungeanum〈/em〉 monoculture and the other mixed cultures, this is mainly due to higher microbial activity and net nitrogen mineralization rate.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉Differences in resistance traits of neighbors had additive effects and rapidly reflected in different soil ecosystem processes and nutrient uptake of focal species. Our results revealed that specific legume species intercropping management could stabilize focal species by maintaining soil ecosystem processes under drought condition.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉Although aluminum (Al) exclusion via root exudation of organic matters is a common resistance mechanism adopted by many plant species, whether root exudation of benzoxazinoids, such as hydroxamic acids (HAs), confers Al resistance remains unclear.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉We performed physiological characterization for an Al-resistant maize cultivar TY and a sensitive maize cultivar ZD.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉First, Al exposure induced HA exudation from the root tip of TY, but not from ZD. Second, HAs formed non-toxic Al chelation complexes in vitro and exogenous HAs alleviated root damage and improved root growth under Al stresses. Third, both Al and exogenous salicylic acid (SA) treatments induced accumulation of endogenous SAs in the root apices of TY, which in turn enhanced root HA exudation and Al resistance in TY. Furthermore, an SA biosynthesis inhibitor significantly decreased Al resistance in TY and abolished the beneficial effects of exogenous SA on Al resistance, suggesting a key role of the endogenous SAs in induction of Al resistance. Finally, it was the root-tip HA exudation but not the root-tip HA contents that determined Al resistance in maize.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusion〈/h3〉 〈p〉We have revealed a unique Al exclusion mechanism underlying Al resistance via Al and SA-mediated root HA efflux in maize.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Aims〈/h3〉 〈p〉〈em〉Dicranopteris linearis〈/em〉 is a fern that accumulates unusually high concentrations (up to 0.3% dry weight) of rare earth elements (REEs) in China. Previously, we reported that 〈em〉D. linearis〈/em〉 accumulates high concentrations of aluminium (Al) and silicon (Si) in the fronds, but the interactions between these elements and REEs were unknown.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉In this study, a range of analytical techniques, including chemical extractions, Scanning-Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were used to study the association of REEs with Al and Si.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉The results show that 〈em〉D. linearis〈/em〉 accumulates high concentrations of REEs (up to 3830 mg kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), Al (up to 9660 mg kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) and Si (up to 20,300 mg kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), with concentrations increasing with age and frond order of pinna. The extraction patterns suggest the existence of REEs-Si and Al-Si complexes. The SEM-EDS analysis confirmed the existence of phytoliths (Al) deposits in the protoplast and apoplast of the pinna cells. The upper epidermis of the pinnule and the pericycle of the midvein are more concentrated in phytoliths (Al) particles. The LA-ICP-MS analysis revealed that REEs and Al are preferentially compartmentalized within bio-inactive tissues of the pinnules, e.g. necrotic tissues (REEs) and in the margins (Al).〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉Co-deposition of Si with REEs and Al may be a mechanism for dealing with the high concentrations of REEs and Al in 〈em〉D. linearis〈/em〉 fronds.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: 〈h3〉Abstract〈/h3〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Background and aim〈/h3〉 〈p〉Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) use odor cues to locate and infect their insect hosts in the soil, making them an important tool in sustainable management of agricultural insect pests. However, very little information is available on the role of soil bacteria in mediating belowground interactions between plants, herbivores and the EPN. In this study, a maize-herbivore-entomopathogenic nematode complex was used to investigate the effect of plant root colonization by a soil bacterium on belowground tritrophic interactions.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Methods〈/h3〉 〈p〉The impact of maize root colonization by 〈em〉Bacillus pumilus〈/em〉 strain INR-7 on the preference of the EPN, 〈em〉Heterorhabditis bacteriophora〈/em〉 was tested in four arm olfactometer bioassays in the presence or absence of the root herbivore 〈em〉Diabrotica virgifera〈/em〉 LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Plant volatiles were collected for profile characterization. Further preference assays were performed using plant volatile extracts and synthetic volatiles.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Results〈/h3〉 〈p〉In the absence of the root herbivore, the nematodes were attracted to maize roots whose seeds were coated with dead and living bacteria. In the presence of the herbivore, the nematodes selectively oriented towards infested plants whose seeds were treated with 〈em〉B. pumilus〈/em〉 strain INR-7 than dead bacteria treated, untreated plants or sunshine sand mix. In contrast, plant volatile extracts or pure compounds did not reproduce the observed behavior.〈/p〉 〈/span〉 〈span〉 〈h3〉Conclusions〈/h3〉 〈p〉The study showed that bacterial coating of maize seeds with the tested strain may play an important role in shaping belowground tritrophic interactions through mechanisms that would require further investigations. The potential of 〈em〉B. pumilus〈/em〉 strain INR-7 integration in maize rootworm management program is discussed.〈/p〉 〈/span〉

Description: The growing demand for biofuel production increased agricultural activities in South Dakota, leading to the conversion of grassland to cropland. Although a few land change studies have been conducted in this area, they lacked spatial details and were based on the traditional bi-temporal change detection that may return incorrect rates of conversion. This study aimed to provide a more complete view of land conversion in South Dakota using a trajectory-based analysis that considers the entire satellite-based land cover/land use time series to improve change detection. We estimated cropland expansion of 5447 km2 (equivalent to 14% of the existing cropland area) between 2007 and 2015, which matches much more closely the reports from the National Agriculture Statistics Service—NASS (5921 km2)—and the National Resources Inventory—NRI (5034 km2)—than an estimation from the bi-temporal approach (8018 km2). Cropland gains were mostly concentrated in 10 counties in northern and central South Dakota. Urbanizing Lincoln County, part of the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, is the only county with a net loss in cropland area over the study period. An evaluation of land suitability for crops using the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) indicated a scarcity in high-quality arable land available for cropland expansion.

Description: The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) established one of the largest solar energy projects in the world through a public–private partnership. It is on communal land previously owned by a Moroccan Amazigh (Berber) clan in the Ghessate rural council area, 10 km away from Ouarzazate. The land for the energy project comprises a surface area of more than 3000 hectares. This large-scale land acquisition has led to the loss of access to common-pool resources (land, water, and plants), which were formerly managed by local common property institutions, due to its enclosure, and the areas themselves. This paper outlines how the framing of the low value of land by national elites, the state administration, MASEN, and the subsequent discourses of development, act as an anti-politics machine to hide the loss of land and land-related common-pool resources, and thus an attack on resilience—we call it in our scientific discipline a process of ‘resilience grabbing’ (Resilience is the ability of a person and/or a household to restore basic livelihood capacities after shocks and hazards. Such capacities need to be available over time and remain high for the unit (household, community) to be resilient), especially for women. As a form of compensation for the land losses, economic livelihood initiatives have been introduced for local people based on the funds from the sale of the land and revenue from the solar energy project Noor Ouarzazate. The loss of land representing the ‘old’ commons is—in the official discourse—legitimated by what the government and the parastatal company call the development-related ‘fruits of growth’, and should serve as ‘new forms of commons’ to the local communities. The investment therefore acts as a catalyst through which natural resources (land, water, and plants) are institutionally transformed into new monetary resources that local actors are said to be able to access, under specific conditions, to sustain their livelihood. There are, however, pertinent questions of access (i.e., inclusion and exclusion), regulation, and equality of opportunities for meeting the different livelihood conditions previously supported by the ‘old’ commons.

Description: At the 2018 meeting of the Permanent European Conference for the Study of the Rural Landscape (PECSRL), that took place in Clermont-Ferrand and Mende in France, the Institute for Research on European Agricultural Landscapes e.V. (EUCALAND) Network organized a session on traditional landscapes. Presentations included in the session discussed the concept of traditional, mostly agricultural, landscapes, their ambiguous nature and connections to contemporary landscape research and practice. Particular attention was given to the connection between traditional landscapes and regional identity, landscape transformation, landscape management, and heritage. A prominent position in the discussions was occupied by the question about the future of traditional or historical landscapes and their potential to trigger regional development. Traditional landscapes are often believed to be rather stable and slowly developing, of premodern origin, and showing unique examples of historical continuity of local landscape forms as well as practices. Although every country has its own traditional landscapes, globally seen, they are considered as being rare; at least in Europe, also as a consequence of uniforming CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) policies over the last five decades. Although such a notion of traditional landscapes may be criticized from different perspectives, the growing number of bottom-up led awareness-raising campaigns and the renaissance of traditional festivities and activities underline that the idea of traditional landscapes still contributes to the formation of present identities. The strongest argument of the growing sector of self-marketing and the increasing demand for high value, regional food is the connection to the land itself: while particular regions and communities are promoting their products and heritages. In this sense, traditional landscapes may be viewed as constructed or invented, their present recognition being a result of particular perceptions and interpretations of local environments and their pasts. Nevertheless, traditional landscapes thus also serve as a facilitator of particular social, cultural, economic, and political intentions and debates. Reflecting on the session content, four aspects should be emphasized. The need for: dynamic landscape histories; participatory approach to landscape management; socioeconomically and ecologically self-sustaining landscapes; planners as intermediaries between development and preservation.

Description: Recreation and tourism are important ways that people interact with and derive benefits from natural environments. Understanding how and where nature provides recreational opportunities and benefits is necessary for management decisions that impact the environment. This study develops and tests an approach for mapping tourism patterns, and assessing people’s preferences for cultural and natural landscapes, using user-generated geographic content. The volume of geotagged images and tweets shared publicly on Flickr and Twitter and proprietary mobile phone traffic provided by a telecommunications company, are used to map visitation rates to potential tourist destinations across Jeju Island, South Korea. We find that densities of social media posts and mobile phone traffic are all correlated with ticket sales and counts of gate entries at tourist sites. Using multivariate linear regression, we measure the degree to which attributes of the natural and built environment explain variation in visitation rates, and find that tourists to Jeju Island prefer to recreate near beaches, sea cliffs, golf courses and hiking trails. We conclude that high-resolution and spatially-explicit visitation data provided by user-generated content open the door for statistical models that can quantify recreation demand. Managers and practitioners could combine these flexible and relatively inexpensive user-generated data with more traditional survey data to inform sustainable tourism development plans and policy decisions. These methods are especially useful in the context of landscape or regional-scale ecosystem service assessments, where there is a need to map the multiple ecological, economic, and cultural benefits of the environment.

Description: Societies undergo continuous dynamics and change. By investigating the spatial structure of societal remains and material culture, we tried to get insights into the processes of their landscapes creation. Ritual practices, economic strategies, or the societal structure are stored in the landscape as a form of cultural contextualization. We presumed that changes of these will be strongest during phases of transformation and investigated to which degree transformation processes are mirrored in the spatial structure of material remains. Absolute and relative locations were investigated using data from Neolithic domestic and ritual sites in Wagrien, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The results showed that transformations have a different influence on ritual and domestic locations: There are no discernible influences on the choice of relative domestic site locations, in contrast to ritual sites, whose relative location changes as a result of sociocultural transformations. This illustrates the importance of cultural and socioeconomic functions of individual sites and shows that transformations, even when they impact the fundamental structure of a society, do act on different relative and absolute scales and spheres.

Description: The evaluation of resource and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) is the foundation for the rationale behind the arrangement of land spaces for production, living, and ecological uses. In this study, based on various natural, economic, and social factors, an integrated Multi-Factor assessment model was developed to evaluate the RECC of Xinbei district of Changzhou. Meanwhile, we also calculated the population carrying capacity estimation model restricted by food security. The study comprehensively analyzed the current status and land resource characteristics of a rapid urbanization area and the RECC restrictions for protection and development. The results indicate that the comprehensive carrying capacity of Xinbei showed distinct spatial heterogeneity, with a decreasing trend from the riverside protection area to urban areas, then to mountain areas. Combined with the secure food supply provided by future land resources, it was estimated that the population carrying index of Xinbei would be as high as 1.25 and 1.22 in 2035 and 2050, respectively, indicating that both years would experience a population overload. Therefore, an urgent adjustment to the structure and layout of territorial space and resources of the Xinbei District is necessary.

Description: Nowadays, the issue of land plot selection for linear facilities is relevant because of high land load rate world-wide. The given research into establishing a rationale for linear facilities location focuses on the determination of an optimum alternative. The method used is based on the expert analytic hierarchy process to improve the economic, technical and ecological justification of projects of land allocation for linear facilities of utility equipment. The method was applied in order to select a land plot for a gas pipeline. A number of factors have been proven to be crucial for decision-making, such as negative impact on agricultural activities, area and type of agricultural land, straightness of gas pipeline, construction costs, area of land with restricted use regime and to-be-reclaimed zones. A case study of land allocation for gas pipeline illustrates the solution of the task to find the most appropriate plot of land.

Description: The existence of a “young farmer problem” in Europe has been recognized by scientists and policy-makers and is based on the widespread acknowledgement of the poor generational renewal rates in the farming sector and in particular in farmland management across the European Union. Despite existing support policy measures, young farmers (YF) face barriers which hamper the establishment and consolidation of their farming enterprises. Focusing on Alentejo (NUTS II), in Portugal, this paper identifies the difficulties YF face to accessing land, the high investment costs required to set up a farming unit, and the insufficient access to credit as the main reasons why young people are prevented from setting up their farming enterprises. Existing policy support measures targeting YF are widely perceived as inefficient with regard to triggering generational renewal. Hence, our findings suggest that not only is it necessary to pay greater attention to the complex question of land tenure, but that also the impact of policies implemented in the past should be examined in detail in order to develop and implement more effective measures that are sensitive to the different national and regional contexts.