Behind the paper

Zhe Chen: Colour differs between red flowers and red fruits

In this post, Zhe Chen—a postdoc at the CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences—share his recently published paper: “Red fruits exhibit lower colour diversity than red flowers as perceived by birds”. He discusses the patterns and potential mechanisms underlying the colour distinctions between red flowers and red fruits, and provides a glimpse … Continue reading Zhe Chen: Colour differs between red flowers and red fruits

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Key Concepts in Ecology

Key Concepts in Ecology: Landscape ecology and macroecology 

This blog post on ‘Landscape ecology and macroecology’ is part of the BES ‘Key Concepts in Ecology’ series, designed to help ecologists in learning the key topics in ecology! Take a look at the full blog series for a list of key topics you might typically find in an ecology textbook, each providing a quick introduction to the topic, and a list of suggested papers … Continue reading Key Concepts in Ecology: Landscape ecology and macroecology 

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Behind the paper

Petr Dostál: Invasion alters reproduction in a native perennial plant

In this new post, Petr Dostál—from the Institute of Botany, Czech Republic—presents his work ‘Reproductive strategies of native plant populations altered by a plant invasion’. He highlights the connection between native and exotic plant species, discusses how evolution can progress faster than expected, and shares the greenness of central European grasslands.  About the paper A dump site, brownfield, or an abandoned garage are sites where … Continue reading Petr Dostál: Invasion alters reproduction in a native perennial plant

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Key Concepts in Ecology

Key Concepts in Ecology: Mutualisms and Facilitation 

This blog post on ‘Mutualisms and facilitation’ is part of the BES ‘Key Concepts in Ecology’ series, designed to help ecologists in learning the key topics in ecology. See the full blog series for a list of key topics that you might typically find in an ecology textbook, each providing a short introduction to the topic, and a list of suggested papers for students to … Continue reading Key Concepts in Ecology: Mutualisms and Facilitation 

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Journal content, Journal Update, Meet the Editor

RESCHEDULED! Increasing the Reach of Your Research: A Two-Part Workshop for Latin American Researchers

Speaker: Emma Sayer Workshop 1: 6th February, 3:00-4:30 GMT (PM) – REGISTER HERE Workshop 2: 14th February 3:00-4:30 GMT (PM) – REGISTER HERE Are you a researcher in Latin America that wishes to maximise the impact of your research? Senior Editor for Functional Ecology, Emma Sayer, will be holding a two-part online workshop that will cover core writing skills for ensuring that your research reaches … Continue reading RESCHEDULED! Increasing the Reach of Your Research: A Two-Part Workshop for Latin American Researchers

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Postcards From The Field

Nate Anderson: My unexpected path to academia

In our latest post, Nate Anderson—a researcher at the University of Western Australia—discusses the healing and regenerative benefits of time spent in nature, working in majestic Red Tingle forests, and the dangerous aspects of fieldwork in his study site. Profile I have followed a roundabout path to research. In 2008, my best friend committed suicide. I didn’t know how to process my grief or come … Continue reading Nate Anderson: My unexpected path to academia

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Behind the paper

Chaoqing Song: Tree demography in a moist tropical forest: Response to water stress and associations with plant functional traits

In this new post, PhD candidate at University of Sun Yat-sen University, Chaoqing Song, presents his work ‘Differential tree demography mediated by water stress and functional traits in a moist tropical forest’. He shows the importance of water for tree survivability, highlights how functional traits can help us to understand demography, and thanks data collectors who help to enable science to advance.  About the paper … Continue reading Chaoqing Song: Tree demography in a moist tropical forest: Response to water stress and associations with plant functional traits

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Behind the paper

Camila Madeiros: What are you doing in a place like this? Connecting plants’ climate preferences with functional traits

Camila Medeiros—a post-doc at University of California Los Angeles, USA—presents her work ‘Predicting plant species climate preferences on the basis of mechanistic traits’. She discusses the connection between traits and niches, shows how to do ecology with small budgets, and highlights the need to transfer scientific knowledge to general audiences. About the paper By using mechanistic traits, our paper improves the ability to predict plant … Continue reading Camila Madeiros: What are you doing in a place like this? Connecting plants’ climate preferences with functional traits

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Behind the paper

Indra Boving: Plants and flammability—Deep inside the mechanisms of wild fires

In our newest post, Indra Boving—a PhD candidate at University of California-Santa Barbara, USA—shares her latest work ‘Live fuel moisture and water potential exhibit differing relationships with leaf-level flammability thresholds’. She explains when plants become most flammable, the challenges of making fires in a lab, and shares her journey in ecology. About the paper Our paper was inspired by patterns observed across the landscape in … Continue reading Indra Boving: Plants and flammability—Deep inside the mechanisms of wild fires

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