Month: May 2024

Behind the paper

Zhenlong Xing: Plants may exploit herbivore-induced flavonoids to regulate AM fungal symbiosis 

In our latest post, Zhenlong Xing—a researcher at Henan University, Kaifeng, China—presents his work ‘Foliar herbivory modifies arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization likely through altering root flavonoids’. He discusses the inspiration behind this paper and the path he took to become an ecologist.  About the paper  In June 2018, I obtained my PhD degree and I was lucky to start my new research career in Jianqing … Continue reading Zhenlong Xing: Plants may exploit herbivore-induced flavonoids to regulate AM fungal symbiosis 

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Behind the paper

Wayne Dawson: Unearthing the ‘hidden half’ of plant trait variation in a globally widespread herb.

In our new post, Professor Wayne Dawson from the University of Liverpool presents his work ‘Root traits vary as much as leaf traits and have consistent phenotypic plasticity among 14 populations of a globally widespread herb’. He highlights the importance of belowground traits, discusses the role of AMF on plants, and shares the relaxing power of greenhouse and lab work. About the paper Our study … Continue reading Wayne Dawson: Unearthing the ‘hidden half’ of plant trait variation in a globally widespread herb.

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Behind the paper

Fuqiang Song: The effects of long-term in situ N addition on the Korean pine plantation soil microbes and their regulation of soil priming effect 

In this new post, Professor Fuqiang Song of Heilongjiang University presents his work ‘Nitrogen addition suppresses soil positive priming effect in temperate plantations: evidence from an 8-year in situ field experiment’. He shows the effects of long-term in situ N addition on temperate plantation soil microbes and their regulation of soil priming effect.  About the paper  The rate of soil organic carbon decomposition is altered … Continue reading Fuqiang Song: The effects of long-term in situ N addition on the Korean pine plantation soil microbes and their regulation of soil priming effect 

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Journal content, Journal Update

Associate Editor (Blog) – Functional Ecology

Functional Ecology is seeking a new Editor to help run its highly successful blog site, Functional Ecologists We are currently looking for a new Blog Editor, with a broad interest in animal ecology, to continue delivering high-quality content on the blog. As well as highlighting journal content, the blog is a platform for discussing topics of more general interest to our readership and ecologists in general. … Continue reading Associate Editor (Blog) – Functional Ecology

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Behind the paper

Pablo Castro Sánchez-Bermejo: Tree and mycorrhizal fungal diversity affect leaf functional traits in trees 

In this blog post, Pablo Castro Sánchez-Bermejo presents his work ‘Tree and mycorrhizal fungal diversity drive intraspecific and intraindividual trait variation in temperate forests: Evidence from a tree diversity experiment’. He discusses the effects of tree and mycorrhizal fungal diversity on leaf functional traits, the challenges of leaf sampling in tall trees, and how his love for the outdoors has led to an interest in … Continue reading Pablo Castro Sánchez-Bermejo: Tree and mycorrhizal fungal diversity affect leaf functional traits in trees 

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