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Image: The newly discovered plant Relictithismia kimotsukiensis probably diverged at an early stage in the evolution of the whole family and retains ancestral characteristics. This history is reflected in the plant’s name. Credit: SUETSUGU Kenji (CC BY) 

Researchers discover a new plant species whose name tells a story

By | Botany, News, Plant Science

In a botanical breakthrough, researchers unveil a new plant species, Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, discovered in Kimotsuki, Kagoshima Prefecture. Divergent from Tanuki-no-shokudai, it constitutes a new genus within the Thismiaceae family, signifying a rare find in Japan’s well-explored botanical landscape. With environmental threats looming, further ecological research becomes imperative.

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The secret lives of roots: Tropical forest root systems are central to understanding the carbon stock change

By | Forestry, News

Tropical forest roots play a crucial role in climate change dynamics, yet they’re often overlooked. New research highlights the significance of understanding root function in tropical ecosystems. By integrating this knowledge into vegetation models, scientists aim to improve predictions of carbon stock changes, essential for mitigating climate impacts.

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Image: Syntrichia ruralis moss. Credit: Jenna T. B. Ekwealor

Drying Without Dying: Tracing Water Scarcity Coping Mechanisms from Mosses to Flowering Plants

By | Botany, News, Plant Science

In a groundbreaking study, researchers unravel the evolutionary secrets behind plants’ ability to survive harsh drought conditions. Exploring moss resilience mechanisms, akin to crop seed dormancy, sheds light on a 450-million-year-old adaptation. Insights could revolutionize crop resilience amidst climate change, offering hope for a greener future.

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Image: Leaf with herbivores. Credit: Lisa Hülsmann

Overcrowding increases tree mortality, perhaps explaining higher biodiversity in tropical forests

By | Forestry, News, Plant Science

New research reveals that tree mortality increases with overcrowding, especially in tropical forests. The study, involving 52 scientists worldwide, suggests specialized pathogens or herbivores as culprits. These findings shed light on why tropical forests harbor more species and underscore the importance of long-term forest studies for biodiversity conservation.

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Image: Ladybird on leaf. Credit: Hans / Pixabay

Predatory insects protect apples from pests when flowers are planted on farms, finds study

By | News, Plant Health, Plant Science

A recent study reveals the vital role of predatory insects, such as hoverflies and ladybirds, in safeguarding Britain’s apple orchards from pests. Planting wildflower strips near orchards significantly reduces fruit damage, potentially increasing premium apple yields by 6.9% while promoting sustainable farming practices and reducing reliance on pesticides.

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Orchids are one of the most species-rich families of flowering plants, rivalled only by the daisy family (Asteraceae). Pictured: Lepanthes cassicula. Credit: Oscar Perez, RBG Kew

Study shows orchid family emerged in northern hemisphere and thrived alongside dinosaurs for 20 million years

By | News, Plant Science

New research unveils orchid family’s 85-million-year-old origin on Laurasia, thriving with dinosaurs. Recent diversity explosion suggests speciation secrets crucial for conservation. Insights from scientists urge protection of these biodiversity gems amidst alarming extinction rates. Orchids, vital evolutionary enigmas, hold keys to Earth’s ecological tapestry.

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