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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 BotanyNewsPlant Science

Researchers discover a new plant species whose name tells a story

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…
Isabel
19/03/2024
Image: tropical forest. Credit: Antonios Ntoumas / Pixabay
The secret lives of roots: Tropical forest root systems are central to understanding the carbon stock change ForestryNews

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

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…
Isabel
18/03/2024
Image: Syntrichia ruralis moss. Credit: Jenna T. B. Ekwealor
Drying Without Dying: Tracing Water Scarcity Coping Mechanisms from Mosses to Flowering Plants BotanyNewsPlant Science

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

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,…
Isabel
14/03/2024
Image: Leaf with herbivores. Credit: Lisa Hülsmann
Overcrowding increases tree mortality, perhaps explaining higher biodiversity in tropical forests ForestryNewsPlant Science

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

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…
Isabel
13/03/2024