Leonardo Ziccardi | Trait coordination reveals the fast-slow plant economics spectrum along the vertical canopy profile in central Amazonian forests

In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post we get into the roof of rainforests as the author Leonardo Ziccardi guides us through the unique world of ancient Amazonian trees from the article ‘Trait coordination reveals the fast-slow plant economics spectrum along the vertical canopy profile in central Amazonian forests‘. By climbing into the canopy and studying trait variation across species and forest layers, Leonardo, a … Continue reading Leonardo Ziccardi | Trait coordination reveals the fast-slow plant economics spectrum along the vertical canopy profile in central Amazonian forests

Leonardo Ziccardi | A coordenação de traços revela o espectro econômico rápido-lento das plantas ao longo do perfil vertical do dossel em florestas da Amazônia centrals

Nesta semana, o post do blog nos leva ao topo das florestas tropicais, onde o autor Leonardo Ziccardi nos guia pelo mundo único das árvores anciãs da Amazônia, a partir do artigo “A coordenação de traços revela o espectro econômico rápido-lento das plantas ao longo do perfil vertical do dossel em florestas da Amazônia central”. Ao escalar o dossel e estudar a variação de traços … Continue reading Leonardo Ziccardi | A coordenação de traços revela o espectro econômico rápido-lento das plantas ao longo do perfil vertical do dossel em florestas da Amazônia centrals

Valentina Alaasam | What is the “hidden cost” of abandonment to rock sparrow offspring?

In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, we’re getting real about parenthood! From their recently published paper: “Mate desertion affects offspring survival, development and physiology in a songbird with multiple parental strategies“, author Valentina Alaasam explains the “hidden cost” of abandonment of rock sparrow offspring. In their research, Alaasam and team sought to understand the diversity of avian parental care by exploring rearing periods and … Continue reading Valentina Alaasam | What is the “hidden cost” of abandonment to rock sparrow offspring?

Shudong Zhang | Potential lasting effect of opportunistic parasitic fungi on coarse wood decomposition

In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, author Shudong Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher at Peking University, discusses his article  ‘Potential lasting effect of opportunistic parasitic fungi on coarse wood decomposition’. He points to the potential lasting influence of plant pathogens on forest carbon cycling, discusses deer disruptions in the field, and shares his love of photography. 1. About the Paper Forests store enormous amounts of … Continue reading Shudong Zhang | Potential lasting effect of opportunistic parasitic fungi on coarse wood decomposition

Mark Wong: Bonsaiing mangroves to uncover how traits shape – and flip – ant competition

In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, author Mark Wong, a Forrest Fellow at the University of Western Australia, discusses his new article  ‘Functional trait dissimilarity drives arboreal ant community assembly while competitive trait hierarchies shape colony performance in experimental mesocosms’. Mark delves into the world of ant community assembly, discusses how his team overcame unforeseen obstacles in the field, and how his childhood interest … Continue reading Mark Wong: Bonsaiing mangroves to uncover how traits shape – and flip – ant competition

Amy Kirkham: Hormones reflect the impacts of reproductive rest on subsequent pregnancy in a marine predator

In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, we’re doing things the Weddell seal way! In her recently published paper: “Hormones reflect the impacts of reproductive rest on subsequent pregnancy in a marine predator“, author Amy Kirkham, a biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Marine Mammals Management program in Alaska, shares interesting perspectives on optimal birth timings for Weddell seals. Read about the trade-off … Continue reading Amy Kirkham: Hormones reflect the impacts of reproductive rest on subsequent pregnancy in a marine predator

Dana Liebke | How spiders respond to changes in the agricultural landscape

In this week’s ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, we’re making a web to catch some knowledge on spiders and their habitats. From their new paper “Landscape diversity can promote functional diversity of spider assemblages while habitat characteristics filter for specific traits“, Dana Liebke, a museum educator and public relations manager at the Museum of Natural History in Magdeburg, and co-authors explore an often hidden and … Continue reading Dana Liebke | How spiders respond to changes in the agricultural landscape

Edith Singini | How rising CO2 reshapes savannas: Why some trees thrive while others struggle

In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, author Dr. Edith Singini, a lecturer at Rhodes University, delves into her new paper ‘Savanna tree species show contrasting acclimation responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and drought’. Edith shares her team’s research into why some trees are winning the encroachment race and discusses the logistical demands of a year-long experiment. 1. About the Paper Across Africa’s grass-dominated … Continue reading Edith Singini | How rising CO2 reshapes savannas: Why some trees thrive while others struggle

Qiwen Guo | Do trees adjust their underground schedule when living with different species?

In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, author Qiwen Guo, a PhD student in the Institute of Forest Ecology at BOKU University in Vienna, discusses her new article  ‘Above- and below-ground phenology of four tree species in mixed forests and monospecific stands’. Qiwen Guo delves into the underground world of roots, asking “do trees adjust their underground schedule when living with different species?”. She also … Continue reading Qiwen Guo | Do trees adjust their underground schedule when living with different species?

Kai Shi | Between Drought and Grazing: The Ecological Secret Behind Solanum rostratum Invasion

In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, author Kai Shi, a PhD student at Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delves into their article ‘Aridity and grazing are associated with reduced trait complementarity and higher invasion intensity of Solanum rostratum in native plant communities‘. Kai discusses how healthy, diverse plant communities are a natural defense against invasions and shares the unpredictable … Continue reading Kai Shi | Between Drought and Grazing: The Ecological Secret Behind Solanum rostratum Invasion