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The growing demand for novel enzyme producers to meet industrial and environmental needs has driven interest in lignocellulose-degrading fungi. In this study, lignocellulolytic enzyme production capabilities of environmental fungal isolates collected from boreal coniferous and nemoral summer green deciduous forests were investigated, using Congo Red, ABTS, and Azure B as indicators of cellulolytic and ligninolytic enzyme productions. Through qualitative and quantitative assays, the study aimed to identify promising species for lignocellulose-degrading enzyme secretion and assess their potential for biotechnological applications. Primary screening tests showed intensive enzyme secretion by certain isolates, particularly white rot fungi identified as Trametes pubescens and Cerrena unicolor. These fungi exhibited high efficiency in degrading Congo Red and Azure B. The isolates achieved up to a 93.30% decrease in Congo Red induced color intensity and over 78% decolorization of Azure B within 168 hours. Within 336 hours, these fungi reached nearly 99% removal of Congo Red and up to 99.79% decolorization of Azure B. Enzyme activity analysis confirmed the lignin-degrading capabilities of T. pubescens , which exhibited laccase activity exceeding 208 U/mL. Furthermore, Fomitopsis pinicola showed the highest cellulose-degrading potential among the studied fungi, achieving cellulase activity over 107 U/L during Congo Red decolorization. Previously undescribed enzyme-producing species, such as Peniophora cinerea , Phacidium subcorticalis , and Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides , also demonstrated promising lignocellulolytic enzyme production potential, achieving up to 98.65% and 99.80% decolorization of Congo Red and Azure B, respectively. The study demonstrates novel candidates for efficient lignocellulolytic enzyme production with broad biotechnological applications such as biomass conversion, wastewater treatment, textile dye and other complex chemical removal, and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenological shifts are well documented biological responses to warming. While many studies have focused on the mean timing of an event, there is growing appreciation that the height and width of the phenological distribution will also impact on species interactions. A temperate deciduous forest food chain of oak trees – arboreal caterpillars – insectivorous passerines has become paradigmatic in research on phenological mismatch. This focus on oak‐dominated woodlands means that we have limited insight into whether 1) caterpillar phenological distributions vary among tree taxa and habitats and 2) oak is an exceptional host, which has implications for the potential for buffering of interactions on a local and landscape scale. Here, we survey caterpillar abundance and mass throughout spring on 10 tree taxa for 10 years across 44 Scottish woodland sites. We found substantial variation in caterpillar abundance among host taxa, with oak, birch and willow yielding similarly high numbers of caterpillars, and evidence that caterpillar abundance increases with the density of oak foliage within a woodland stand, but not with the density of other taxa. Considering variation in the phenological distribution of caterpillars on different host taxa, we found the main axis of variation to be the maximum abundance/total biomass reached, which was highest on oak. We found significant variation in the mean timing of abundance and duration of abundance and total biomass among hosts, though effect sizes were quite small, and little evidence for among host variation in the phenological distribution of individual caterpillar mass. In woodlands where oak is abundant, our findings are consistent with the presence of other tree taxa providing little local buffering of phenological mismatch. Whereas, in the absence of oak, birch and willow have the potential to support similarly substantial caterpillar abundances. These findings have implications for conservation, resilient forestry planting and management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) deposition and climate change are both known to threaten global biodiversity. However, we still have a limited understanding of how interactions between these global change drivers affect individuals and populations of specialist species, such as geophytes, within their natural habitat. We explored possible interactive effects of N, drought, and warming on population vitality (mean leaf length, leaf density, flowering probability) and morpho‐physiological traits (e.g., leaf and bulb size, N allocation to leaves and bulbs) of the globally rare forest geophyte Gagea spathacea (Liliaceae) in deciduous forests of northern Germany by applying experimental N addition across a climate gradient over a 5‐year period. Mean leaf growth and leaf density were not affected by N addition but were enhanced by warmer and drier conditions in the months before leaf emergence. N addition increased N allocation of individual plants towards their subterranean bulbs. Importantly, effects of N addition on morpho‐physiological traits depended on warming and drought, with N‐fertilized plants showing increased leaf length and decreased specific leaf and bulb N concentration after drier autumns and warmer winters. This indicates that N deposition may partially compensate for increased N demands during warming‐induced growth, although this growth‐promoting interaction effect is not (yet) reflected in population vitality. Our results highlight the importance of considering multiple global environmental change drivers and a whole plant perspective (above‐ and belowground traits) to predict long‐term growth responses of (endangered) forest spring geophytes and to develop adapted long‐term protection strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overlap of ranges of Nilgiri langurs (Semnopithecus johnii Fischer, 1829) and tufted gray langurs (Semnopithecus priam Blyth, 1844) in the Western Ghats resulted in the formation of mixed-species groups (MSGs) with a notable presence of brown morphs and significant changes in group composition and population dynamics. Our study investigated the composition of MSGs and examine the vegetation in their ranges across the Western Ghats. We identified three new locations with MSGs in the Nilgiris and southern Western Ghats predominantly found in deciduous forests (∼50 %), at an average altitude of 621.01 m asl. The mean group size of MSGs was 10.9 ± 4.49SD The geographic variation in the abundance of Nilgiri and tufted gray langurs, driven by their ecological adaptability and dispersal patterns, provides important insights into their ecological niches in the Western Ghats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming has significantly altered plant phenology by advancing the timing of leaf emergence, impacting vegetation productivity and adaptability. Winter and spring temperatures have commonly been used to explain spring phenology shifts, but we still lack a solid understanding of the effects of interactions between conditions in different seasons. This study utilizes normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and meteorological data to examine the effects of changes in winter and spring temperatures and precipitation on the start of the vegetation growing season (SOS) at high latitudes in China from 1982 to 2015. We found that SOS in Northeast China, as a whole, showed a weak advancing trend (moving earlier in the year), but with obvious regional differences. Even within the same vegetation type, changes in SOS were faster in the cold north (1.9 days/decade) and the cold and dry northwest (1.6 days/decade) than the regional averages for deciduous needleleaf forests (DNF; 1.2 days/decade) and grasslands (0.6 days/decade). Increases in spring temperatures dominate forest SOS advancement, while grassland SOS is mainly influenced by winter and spring precipitation. Decreases in winter minimum temperature (Tmin) enhance the spring temperature sensitivity of SOS. The way that winter precipitation regulates the spring temperature sensitivity of SOS differs among vegetation types: increasing sensitivity in grasslands but suppressing it in DNF. The moderating effects of winter conditions account for the greatest part of the regional differences in the magnitude of change in SOS. Our findings highlight that, although rising spring temperatures significantly affect SOS, winter Tmin and precipitation are crucial for understanding spatial SOS differences, particularly in cold, arid high-latitude regions. Winter conditions play an essential role in regulating the response of vegetation SOS to spring climate at high latitudes. These results suggest that considering the moderating effect of winter climate can facilitate more accurate predictions of temperature-driven phenological changes under future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Introduction Methods Results Conclusions Ixodes ricinus, the castor bean tick, is the most prevalent tick species in Europe. It favours habitats such as shrubs, deciduous and mixed forests, but can also be found in urban environments. Due to its high vector competence, it is of enormous veterinary as well as medical importance, transmitting tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE) virus, Borrelia burgdorferi s. l., the causative agent of lyme borreliosis, Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum amongst many other pathogens. In Kosovo, I. ricinus is the predominant species and a few studies, mostly based on human and animal seroprevalences, indicate the circulation of tick‐borne pathogens. However, data on pathogens in I. ricinus are scarce in Kosovo, particularly in urban settings. This study aimed to provide first insights into the circulation of tic‐kborne pathogens in I. ricinus from urban and peri‐urban areas in Kosovo.Urban and peri‐urban areas were sampled by flagging 150 m transects. In total, 197 ticks were morphologicaly identified as I. ricinus, and consequently DNA and RNA were isolated. All individuals were screened for the presence of tick‐borne pathogens by using reverse line blotting (RLB) hybridisation.DNA of nine different pathogens from four genera including Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Babesia spp. was detected in 60 (33.5%) specimens. The most frequently detected pathogens were Rickettsia spp. (16.2%), followed by Borrelia spp. (11.7%). Altogether, 54 single infections, 11 double infections and 1 triple infection were observed.We provide first data on genotyping of B. burgdorferi sensu lato as well as the detection of Anaplasma, Babesia and Rickettsia from I. ricinus in this country. The data underline that particularly recreational (peri‐)urban areas could facilitate the spillover of zoonotic tick‐borne pathogens to humans in Kosovo and provide baseline data for future surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to determine whether species that are considered to be indicator species for former iron ore mining areas also have value as indicators for remnants of former lead ore mining areas. The study was conducted at an abandoned post-mining field dating from the sixteenth century with visible remains from the exploitation of lead ore deposits (post-mining mounds, PMM). In each of the 41 plots (21 on PMM and 21 in the surroundings of PMM), an inventory was conducted of all vascular plants growing in the vegetation layer indicating both their coverage in percent and analyzing them based on indicator species for former iron mining sites. Additionally, soil samples were taken from each, and chemical analyses were done: pH in H2O; contents of Ca, and Pb; and available forms of K, P, and Mg. Changes in the chemical properties of the soil impacted the diversity of the flora of the analyzed area. In the 21 research plots established on the PMM of the former lead ore mining area, as many as 18 species of mesophilic deciduous forest considered to be indicator species for former iron mining areas were identified. The analyses conducted indicate a strong preference for these species for the soil occurring on the lead PMM. Indicator species for former iron mining areas can also be a good indicator for former lead ore mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Mixed forest plantations are increasingly recognized for their role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Yet, there remains a significant gap in understanding the early-stage dynamics of species trait diversity and interspecies interactions, particularly in pure deciduous mixtures. This study aims to explore the timing and mechanisms by which trait diversity of deciduous species and competitive interactions influence yield, carbon allocation and space occupation in mixed forests, both above and below ground. Methods A forest inventory was conducted in planted monocultures, two-species and four-species mixtures of European Acer , Tilia , Carpinus and Quercus , representing a spectrum from acquisitive to conservative tree species. Effects of competition were assessed with linear mixed-effects models at the level of biomass and space acquisition, including leaf, canopy, stem and fine root traits. Key Results Early above-ground growth effects were observed 6 years post-planting, with significant biomass accumulation after 8 years, strongly influenced by species composition. Mixtures, especially with acquisitive species, exhibited above-ground overyielding, 1.5–1.9 times higher than monocultures. Fine roots showed substantial overyielding in high-diversity stands. Biomass allocation was species specific and varied markedly by tree size and the level of diversity and between acquisitive Acer and the more conservative species. No root segregation was found. Conclusions Our findings underscore the crucial role of species trait diversity in enhancing productivity in mixed deciduous forest plantations. Allometric changes highlight the need to differentiate between (active) acclimatizations and (passive) tree size-related changes, but illustrate major consequences of competitive interactions for the functional relationship between leaves, stem and roots. This study points towards the significant contributions of both above- and below-ground components to overall productivity of planted mixed-species forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the abundant data on habitat use of Vipera ammodytes, most studies are purely descriptive, merely listing the habitats in which the species is most often found. More complete studies evaluating the habitat preference of the species are lacking. The intraspecific variation (i.e., interpopulation or seasonal) in habitat and microhabitat utilization of the species also remains a poorly studied topic. In the current study, we assessed the general patterns of habitat and microhabitat use of V. ammodytes and their interpopulation and seasonal variations, based on habitat/microhabitat availability. To achieve that, we studied five different populations along a latitudinal gradient in western Bulgaria. In all of the studied areas, V. ammodytes showed a clear preference for various stony and rocky habitats and microhabitats, overgrown with herbaceous and shrub vegetation, while it avoided bare habitats, dark deciduous forests as well as cultivated agricultural lands. There were clear interpopulation and seasonal variations in habitat and microhabitat preference and spatial niche utilization. Our results suggest that habitat and microhabitat use of V. ammodytes depend on a combination of many factors such as season, locally specific characteristics like habitat structure and availability, population dynamics, food availability, physical and microclimatic conditions, and possibly on the extent of the interspecific competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing makes it possible to understand the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of a forest system, indirectly, which has been a challenge in several studies. Correlating data from these sensors with field-acquired sample data, through forest formations collection and measurements, can be a highly effective strategy in comprehending forest structure and the entire fragment under study. A literature review on the subject enabled an analysis and discussion about methodologies used in academic studies, particularly vegetation indices extracted from satellite image data, as well as their correlation with primary forest inventory data, using the statistical model of linear regression. The practical development of the work took place in a forest fragment of a phytogeographic formation called Seasonal Deciduous Forest (Dry Forest) in Funilândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil, where 8 (eight) sampled plots were duly inventoried and subjected to statistical analyses in the office. In this research it was found a strong correlation between vegetation indices, especially the GNDVI (0,82), and the wood volumes of the samples collected in the field. This fact allowed the main objective of this research to be achieved, which was to extrapolate the volume of the entire forest fragment studied using the predictive model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is unequally distributed across space and time, with inputs to terrestrial ecosystems impacted by industry regulations and variations in human activity. Soil carbon (C) content normally controls the fraction of mineralized N that is nitrified (ƒnitrified), affecting N bioavailability for plants and microbes. However, it is unknown whether N deposition has modified the relationships among soil C, net N mineralization, and net nitrification. To test whether N deposition alters the relationship between soil C and net N transformations, we collected soils from coniferous and deciduous forests, grasslands, and residential yards in 14 regions across the contiguous United States that vary in N deposition rates. We quantified rates of net nitrification and N mineralization, soil chemistry (soil C, N, and pH), and microbial biomass and function (as beta‐glucosidase (BG) and N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity) across these regions. Following expectations, soil C was a driver of ƒnitrified across regions, whereby increasing soil C resulted in a decline in net nitrification and ƒnitrified. The ƒnitrified value increased with lower microbial enzymatic investment in N acquisition (increasing BG:NAG ratio) and lower active microbial biomass, providing some evidence that heterotrophic microbial N demand controls the ammonium pool for nitrifiers. However, higher total N deposition increased ƒnitrified, including for high soil C sites predicted to have low ƒnitrified, which decreased the role of soil C as a predictor of ƒnitrified. Notably, the drop in contemporary atmospheric N deposition rates during the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic did not weaken the effect of N deposition on relationships between soil C and ƒnitrified. Our results suggest that N deposition can disrupt the relationship between soil C and net N transformations, with this change potentially explained by weaker microbial competition for N. Therefore, past N inputs and soil C should be used together to predict N dynamics across terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To monitor insect diversity and community changes, it is necessary to select traps with a high sampling efficiency. We examined the effects of a flight interception window on a small yellow pan trap (flight interception pan; FIP). Our results showed that fewer Hymenoptera individuals were captured by the FIP than by the non‐FIP (NFIP) traps. Fewer Aculeata, Diptera and Hemiptera individuals were captured by the FIP than by the NFIP traps, whereas more Coleoptera individuals were captured by the FIP than by the NFIP traps. The flight interception window did not affect the Aculeata species composition. Considering the labor involved in attaching windows and the reduced ease of trap transport and setting, the NFIP traps are better for sampling Hymenoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera, whereas the FIP traps are better for sampling Coleoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree microhabitats have been identified as structure-based indicators of biodiversity in temperate forests. However, information on diversity and abundance of these structures are minimal from the tropical regions. To address this, an inventory was conducted to document the distribution pattern of tree microhabitats in the Western Ghats, India. Tree microhabitats belonging to nine categories and 33 sub-categories in the evergreen and moist deciduous habitats were documented and horizontal and vertical distribution patterns were assessed. The evergreen habitat exhibited higher occurrences, with the abundance of injuries at 16.64 ± 6.31 per ha, epiphytes 20.48 ± 12.02 per ha, fungal fruiting bodies 2.68 ± 1.84 per ha, crown deadwood 5.12 ± 2.82 per ha, cavities 6.59 ± 1.37 per ha, growth forms 20.65 ± 3.96 per ha, deadwood 5.94 ± 1.97 per ha, and fresh exudates 0.99 ± 0.46 per ha. In deciduous forests, the abundance of injuries was 10.55 ± 2.95 per ha, epiphytes 6.88 ± 2.01 per ha, fungal fruiting bodies 2.75 ± 1.59 per ha, crown deadwood 6.58 ± 2.79 per ha, cavities 4.2 ± 1.51 per ha, growth forms 6.51 ± 2.19 per ha, deadwood 4.29 ± 1.52 per ha and fresh exudates 0.86 ± 0.96 per ha. Co-occurrence of tree cavities with other tree microhabitats were also presented. Injuries, growth forms, fungal fruiting bodies and deadwood were observed to have strongly correlated with the formation of cavities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Araguaia Pantanal is characterized by a mosaic of vegetation with high biodiversity. However, our understanding of this biodiversity remains limited and understudied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution patterns of dung beetles in different vegetation types (Deciduous Forest, Savanna, Riparian Forest, Murundu Fields, and Exotic Pastures). In addition, we analyzed how forest cover influence the species richness, abundance, and species composition of dung beetles. A total of 12,746 dung beetles representing 67 different species were captured and examined. Our findings revealed that the Murundu Fields exhibited lower species richness and abundance of dung beetles, indicating the influence of distinct vegetation types directly associated with flood pulses in the region. Furthermore, the species composition of the Murundu Fields was found to be a subset of the adjacent vegetation, primarily composed of Savanna and Deciduous Forest species. Additionally, our results demonstrated that tree cover played a significant role in driving dung beetle species turnover among the studied sites, highlighting the species' response to the existing gradient of vegetational changes within the region. We believe that our study contributes valuable insights into the distribution and ecological dynamics of dung beetles in the Araguaia Pantanal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate delineation of spring phenology (e.g., start of growing season, SOS) of deciduous forests is essential for understanding its responses to environmental changes. To date, SOS dates from analyses of satellite images and vegetation index (VI) −based phenological models have notable discrepancies but they have not been fully evaluated, primarily due to the lack of ground reference data for evaluation. This study evaluated the SOS dates of a deciduous broadleaf forest estimated by VI-based phenological models from three satellite sensors (PlanetScope, Sentinel-2A/B, and Landsat-7/8/9) by using ground reference data collected by a small unmanned aerial vehicle (sUAV). Daily sUAV imagery (0.035-meter resolution) was used to identify and generate green leaf maps. These green leaf maps were further aggregated to generate Green Leaf Fraction (GLF) maps at the spatial resolutions of PlanetScope (3-meter), Sentinel-2A/B (10-meter), and Landsat-7/8/9 (30-meter). The temporal changes of GLF differ from those of vegetation indices in spring, with the peak dates of GLF being much earlier than those of VIs. At the SOS dates estimated by VI-based phenological models in 2022 (Julian days from 105 to 111), GLF already ranges from 62% to 96%. The moderate accuracy and large uncertainties of SOS dates from VI-based phenological models arise from the limitations of vegetation indices in accurately tracking the number of green leaves and the inherent uncertainties of the mathematical models used. The results of this study clearly highlight the need for new research on spring phenology of deciduous forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a global problem that is accompanied by the significant changes in humidification conditions in many regions all over the world. The study examined spatiotemporal changes in humidification zones in southern Russia in the period 1961–2020. Humidification zones were determined in accordance with the classification of the Selyaninov hydrothermal coefficient. During the research period, a significant increase in average annual temperatures was noted for the region (+ 0.31 °C/decade) and generally positive, but insignificant, dynamics of annual precipitation (+ 4.80 mm/decade). These changes were accompanied by a significant shift in the humidification zones. Despite some periods of decline, the territories of semi-desert and desert zones, as well as dry steppes, have significantly expanded from the east of the region to the west in the last decade. The expansion of these zones was primarily due to a reduction in the area of the more humid steppe zone, with a lesser contribution from the forest-steppe zone. Overall, during the study period, the area of semi-desert and desert zone expanded by an average of + 5.505 thou km2/decade. The zone of the Taiga and deciduous forests has not undergone significant changes. The results obtained indicate arid warming and a general deterioration in humidification conditions in most of southern Russia in the period 1961–2020. According to calculations, further warming, other things being equal, can lead to an even greater expansion of the semi-desert and desert bioclimatic zone, which can provoke a number of socio-economic and environmental problems, especially in the eastern part of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To quantify the intra‐community variability of leaf‐out (ICVLo) among dominant trees in temperate deciduous forests, assess its links with specific and phylogenetic diversity, identify its environmental drivers and deduce its ecological consequences with regard to radiation received and exposure to late frost. Location: Eastern North America (ENA) and Europe (EUR). Time Period: 2009–2022. Major Taxa Studied: Temperate deciduous forest trees. Methods: We developed an approach to quantify ICVLo through the analysis of RGB images taken from phenological cameras. We related ICVLo to species richness, phylogenetic diversity and environmental conditions. We quantified the intra‐community variability of the amount of radiation received and of exposure to late frost. Results: Leaf‐out occurred over a longer time interval in ENA than in EUR. The sensitivity of leaf‐out to temperature was identical in both regions (−3.4 days per °C). The distributions of ICVLo were similar in EUR and ENA forests, despite the latter being more species‐rich and phylogenetically diverse. In both regions, cooler conditions and an earlier occurrence of leaf‐out resulted in higher ICVLo. ICVLo resulted in ca. 8% difference of radiation received from leaf‐out to September among individual trees. Forest communities in ENA had shorter safety margins as regards the exposure to late frosts, and were actually more frequently exposed to late frosts. Main Conclusions: We conducted the first intercontinental analysis of the variability of leaf‐out at the scale of tree communities. North American and European forests showed similar ICVLo, in spite of their differences in terms of species richness and phylogenetic diversity, highlighting the relevance of environmental controls on ICVLo. We quantified two ecological implications of ICVLo (difference in terms of radiation received and exposure to late frost), which should be explored in the context of ongoing climate change, which affects trees differently according to their phenological niche. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A PolInSAR decomposition integrates generalized scattering models. • All model parameters are simultaneously solved using the cross-correlation matrix. • Performance is evaluated with simulated and real PolInSAR data. In this study, a general three-component polarimetric SAR interferometry (PolInSAR) target decomposition framework is proposed by modifying the existing generalized surface, double-bounce, and volume models. The resulting general models are then compared to the original Freeman-Durden modeling strategy. Three types of generalized volume scattering models (generalized volume scattering model (GVSM), simplified Neumann volume scattering model (SNVSM) and simplified adaptive volume scattering model (SAVSM)) were employed. Simulated L-band PolInSAR data over deciduous and pine forest stands generated by PolSARpro and DLR P-band airborne PolInSAR data over a tropical forest area from the AfriSAR 2016 campaign were used for performance analysis. A qualitative comparison of the decomposition results shows that the three generalized volume scattering models generally deviate from the Freeman-Durden model, showing that the GVSM and SNVSM models have very similar results. In the case of airborne data over tropical forests, a tomographic synthetic aperture radar (TomoSAR) profile was also computed and used as a benchmark for comparison with the phase-center profiles of all four volume-scattering components. Not only do the GVSM and SNVSM models exhibit similar results between them (as with simulated data), but also a better match with the HV TomoSAR profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Eribidae), is a serious pest of deciduous forests and causes widespread defoliation. Despite this, few studies have evaluated the wide-ranging surveillance of adult male L. dispar using different types of pheromone-baited traps. We evaluated the effect of trap type on captures of adult male L. dispar at 18 sites in Europe; two in Slovenia, two in Spain, 12 in Greece, one in Hungary, and one in Croatia. Seven different trap types, G trap and eGymer 1–6, were evaluated June–September 2022 and 2023. Generally, captures of L. dispar started in late June and lasted until mid-August. Trap type affected captures. The G trap (consisting of a dark brown plastic rectangular parallel-piped body) caught significantly more L. dispar than other trap types in many instances, particularly when the peak of the flight period occurred. Captures of L. dispar in pairs of different trap types showed a significant correlation in trap catch in most investigations, suggesting that most detected comparable fluctuations in L. dispar abundance. We recommend that the G trap be used for wide-ranging surveillance of L. dispar in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive shrubs dramatically reduce the biodiversity of native plants, making invaded areas important targets of conservation and restoration. Adding seeds of native plant species, in addition to the removal of invasive plants, is a potentially promising means for restoration of native plant communities. However, because seed survival may vary among seasons, it is essential to understand temporal patterns of seed survival. For example, dense habitats created by invasive shrubs exhibit seasonal changes in structure and food resources that could create seasonal variation in seed survival by altering the activity and abundance of native seed‐eating rodents. Despite the potential for invasive shrubs to generate seasonal changes in granivory, we lack experimental studies to evaluate changes in granivory caused by invasive plants over a full year. We mechanically removed the widespread invasive species common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) from half of 14 sites (20 × 20 m) in a deciduous oak‐maple forest to track rodent and arthropod granivory of three native tree species, basswood (Tilia americana), black cherry (Prunus serotina), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and the invasive shrub R. cathartica over a year. Our results reveal that the effect of invasive shrubs on granivory changed across seasons. Seeds in invaded habitats experienced, on average, 25.9% higher seed removal than seeds in areas with R. cathartica removed, with the largest difference in removal occurring in winter. Seed removal was almost entirely due to rodent granivores that removed seeds at similar rates among species. These results indicate that, following removal of invasive shrubs, sowing seeds in winter may optimize seedling establishment by minimizing granivory. Our findings further reinforce the importance of removing invasive shrubs as an important restoration tool because invasions may amplify granivory throughout the year. Understanding the mechanisms that could be affecting seasonal granivory within invaded systems, the important role of rodent granivores, and the similarities in seed consumption between native and nonnative seeds is critical for continual conservation and restoration efforts aimed at promoting forest regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant functional traits help determine resource acquisition strategies. Global trends at the interspecific scale suggest independence between leaf and root traits described by three functional dimensions: resource acquisition above‐ and belowground and degree of mycorrhizal collaboration belowground. However, there are ecological and evolutionary reasons to expect different patterns of variation within species, especially within seedlings—the stage at which most tree mortality occurs. Describing the intraspecific patterns of trait variation in seedlings will improve the understanding of tree populations' ability to cope with environmental change. We ask the following questions: (1) How do traits above‐ and belowground co‐vary within species? (2) How do traits relate to soil nutrients and light conditions? We collected root and leaf traits on 131 seedlings from four naturally occurring woody species across eight sites in a temperate, deciduous broadleaf forest in the USA. We measured traits reflecting resource use strategies—specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen, root nitrogen, and root tissue density—and those defining the collaboration axis—specific root length and root diameter. We measured light conditions for each seedling and soil nitrogen and phosphorus to examine the relationship between traits and abiotic conditions using a novel multivariate regression analysis approach. We found that above‐ and belowground traits segregated into independent functional axes and that the collaboration axis merged with the belowground resource‐acquisition axis. We found limited associations between abiotic factors and traits. Our findings suggest that within species, there might be additional constraints to adjust to soil conditions and therefore impact response to environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests in Europe experienced record-breaking dry conditions during the summer of 2022. The direction in which various forest types respond to climate extremes during their growing season is contingent upon an array of internal and external factors. These factors include the extent and severity of the extreme conditions and the tree ecophysiological characteristics adapted to environmental cues, which exhibit significant regional variations. In this study, we aimed to (1) quantify the extent and severity of the extreme soil and atmospheric dryness in 2022 in comparison to the two most extreme years in the past (2003 and 2018), (2) quantify the response of different forest types to atmospheric and soil dryness in terms of canopy browning and photosynthesis, and (3) relate the functional characteristics of the forests to the emerging responses observed remotely at the canopy level. For this purpose, we used spatial meteorological datasets between 2000 and 2022 to identify conditions with extreme soil and atmospheric dryness. We used the near-infrared reflectance of vegetation (NIRv), derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and the global OCO-2 solar-induced fluorescence (GOSIF) as an observational proxy for ecosystem gross productivity to quantify the response of forests at the canopy level. In summer 2022, southern regions of Europe experienced exceptionally pronounced atmospheric and soil dryness. These extreme conditions resulted in a 30 % more widespread decline in GOSIF across forests compared to the drought of 2018 and 60 % more widespread decline compared to the drought of 2003. Although the atmospheric and soil drought scores were more extensive and severe (indicated by a larger observed maximum z score) in 2018 compared to 2022, the negative impact on forests, as indicated by declined GOSIF, was significantly larger in 2022. Different forest types were affected to varying degrees by the extreme conditions in 2022. Deciduous broadleaf forests were the most negatively impacted due to the extent and severity of the drought within their distribution range. In contrast, areas dominated by evergreen needleleaf forest (ENF) in northern Europe experienced a positive soil moisture (SM) anomaly and minimal negative vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in 2022. These conditions led to enhanced canopy greening and stronger solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) signals, benefiting from the warming. The higher degree of canopy damage in 2022, despite less extreme conditions, highlights the evident vulnerability of European forests to future droughts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, conducted in fire‐prone dry deciduous forests of Ajodhya and Susunia hills, aims to assess the diverse impacts of forest fire events on vegetation health, soil nutrient balance, and availability of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) that conjointly modulate the livelihoods of local communities. Vegetation health and soil nutrient pool were assessed through transect sampling at both fire‐affected (FA) and fire‐unaffected (FU) forest plots of the study area. Two depths (D1: 0–15 cm, D2: 15–30 cm) were considered for soil sampling. Vegetation parameters like basal area, canopy cover, above‐ground biomass, species diversity, and tree density were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in FA compared to FU. Organic C and available N were significantly lower (p < 0.01) at D1 of soils in FA than in FU. Significant differences were found in organic C (p < 0.01), available N (p < 0.001), and available P (p < 0.01) contents of FA and FU plots at D2. Participatory appraisals conducted among the neighboring forest‐dependent communities indicated that almost every forest fire event was human‐induced. These adversely affected extraction of Shorea robusta leaves, fuelwood, wild mushrooms, Madhuca indica fruits, etc. Conversely, Diospyros melanoxylon leaf production increased after 2–3 weeks of fire due to clearing up of hitherto untapped forestlands. Cumulatively, this study uniquely attempts to contextualize the environmental impacts of fire with its socio‐economic ramifications as evident from degrading natural resources, scarcity of essential NTFPs, and escalation in number plus intensity of human–animal conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests are the largest terrestrial carbon reservoirs and the most cost-effective carbon sinks. Accurate estimation of forest aboveground biomass (AGB) can significantly reduce uncertainty in carbon stock assessments. However, due to the limitations of timely and reliable forestry surveys, as well as high-resolution remote sensing data, mapping high-resolution and spatially continuous forest AGB remains challenging. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) is a remote sensing mission led by NASA, aimed at obtaining global forest three-dimensional structural information through LiDAR data, and has become an important tool for estimating forest structural parameters at regional scales. In 2019, the GEDI L4A product was introduced to improve AGB estimation accuracy. Currently, forest AGB maps in China have not been consistently evaluated, and research on biomass at the provincial level is still limited. Moreover, scaling GEDI's footprint-based data to regional-scale gridded data remains a pressing issue. In this study, to verify the accuracy of GEDI L4A data and the reliability of the filtering parameters, the filtered GEDI L4A data were extracted and validated against airborne data, resulting in a Pearson correlation coefficient ( ρ ) of 0.69 (p < 0.001, statistically significant). This confirms the reliability of both the GEDI L4A data and the proposed filtering parameters. Taking Liaoning Province as an example, this study evaluated three forest AGB maps (Yang's, Su's, and Zhang's maps), which were obtained as nationwide AGB product maps, using GEDI L4A data. The comparison with Su's map yields the highest ρ value of 0.61. To enhance comparison accuracy, Kriging spatial interpolation was applied to the extracted GEDI footprint data, yielding continuous data. This ρ value increased to 0.75 when compared with Su's map, with significant increases also observed against Yang's and Zhang's maps. The study further proposes a method to subtract the extracted GEDI data from the AGB values of the three maps, followed by Kriging interpolation, resulting in ρ values of 0.70, 0.80, and 0.69 for comparisons with Yang's, Su's, and Zhang's maps, respectively. Additionally, comparisons with field measurements from the Mudanjiang Ecological Research Station yielded ρ values of 0.66, 0.65, and 0.50, indicating substantial improvements over direct comparisons. All the ρ values were statistically significant (p < 0.001). This study also conducted comparisons across different cities and forest cover types. The results indicate that cities in eastern Liaoning Province, such as Dalian and Anshan, which have larger forest cover areas, produced better results. Among the different forest types, evergreen needle-leaved forests and deciduous needle-leaved forests yielded better results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban industrial area, mining activity directly affects the dynamic of carbon, and consequently, the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. The main objective of this research is to study the impact of most important abiotic environmental factors on soil respiration in post-coalmine ecosystems. The moisture and temperature of the soil, along with CO2 outflow from the soil, were measured over three consecutive seasons, using 92 samples from coalmine heaps and 10 samples from deciduous forests in the same urban industrial region. Based on a survey of 396 species, a cluster analysis distinguished all deciduous and 22 forest plots grown on coalmine heaps from herbaceous plots from same coalmine heaps. The lowest soil respiration rate (0.62 mg CO2 per hour per square meter) was recorded in the herbaceous vegetation class on coalmine heaps, compared to (0.76 mg and 0.96 mg) from coalmine-heap forests and deciduous forests, respectively. Species richness and diversity positively affected soil respiration in heap herbaceous plots, though this effect was less pronounced in forests grown on coalmine heaps and in deciduous mixed forests. Unlike soil water content, soil temperature negatively correlated with soil respiration on coalmine heaps, diverging from the well-studied positive impact of soil temperature and respiration in deciduous mixed forests. Our spatial and temporal analyses emphasize that the water content of the substrate is the most significant abiotic element that affects the soil respiration on coalmine heaps positively during early vegetation succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed three-dimensional (3D) radiative transfer models (RTMs) enable a clear understanding of the interactions between light, biochemistry, and canopy structure, but they are rarely explicitly evaluated due to the availability of 3D canopy structure data, leading to a lack of knowledge on how canopy structure/leaf characteristics affect radiative transfer processes within forest ecosystems. In this study, the newly released 3D RTM Eradiate was extensively evaluated based on both virtual scenes reconstructed using the quantitative structure model (QSM) by adding leaves to point clouds generated from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data, and real scenes monitored by Sentinel-2 in a typical temperate deciduous forest. The effects of structural parameters on reflectance were investigated through sensitivity analysis, and the performance of the 3D model was compared with the 5-Scale and PROSAIL radiative transfer models. The results showed that the Eradiate-simulated reflectance achieved good agreement with the Sentinel-2 reflectance, especially in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions. Furthermore, the simulated reflectance, particularly in the blue and shortwave infrared spectral bands, was clearly shown to be influenced by canopy structure using the Eradiate model. This study demonstrated that the Eradiate RTM, based on the 3D explicit representation, is capable of providing accurate radiative transfer simulations in the temperate deciduous forest and hence provides a basis for understanding tree interactions and their effects on ecosystem structure and functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high‐resolution palynological record from northwest Belgium is presented. The record encompasses the second part of the Younger Dryas and the Early Holocene. The basal part of the pollen record reflects a relatively open landscape, characteristic for the Younger Dryas. The transition to the Holocene is marked by an expansion of birch woodland, followed by an expansion of pine in the Late Preboreal (~11.2–10.7 cal. ka BP). Subsequently, the record shows an expansion of mixed deciduous forest with hazel, elm and oak, characteristic for the Boreal (~10.7–8.6 cal. ka BP). Early Holocene forest expansion was interrupted by a number of short‐lived fluctuations, presumably driven by climatic changes. The most distinct event is the Rammelbeek phase (~11.4–11.2 cal. ka BP), during which forest development was temporarily interrupted in favour of grasses, while wildfires increased. Following this climatic event, hunter‐gatherers returned to the area after a period of almost 1.5 millennia of low population density. They most likely were attracted by the increased temperatures and abundance of edible plants present in the birch‐pine forests and on the banks of the river Kale/Durme. A temporary expansion of pine during the Boreal (~10.7–8.6 cal. ka BP) may correspond with the 9.3‐ka event. At this time, superimposed on a trend of gradual infilling of the channel, a temporary change to drier conditions is observed. The significant drop in the number of prehistoric sites in the Moervaart region clearly cannot be attributed to this short‐term climatic event alone but was most likely caused by a combination of environmental changes, such as the decreasing availability of hazelnuts as well as freshwater and edible (semi‐)aquatic plants as the Kale/Durme river gradually turned dry. The study provides insight into, partly climate‐driven, Early Holocene environmental changes and the effect this may have had on human occupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological equilibrium has been disturbed by significant land use changes in recent years in the Eastern Ghats of India, which has worsened soil quality and compromised vital ecosystem services. To determine the effect of changes in land use on the balance of soil carbon, this study was carried out in Kolli hills, a portion of the Eastern Ghats that includes six distinct ecosystems: evergreen forest (EF), deciduous forest (DF), thorn forest (TF), agricultural system (AS), horticultural system (HS), and plantation system (PS). Soil from 40 sites each within six ecosystems at two depths were collected to give a total of 480 soil samples, and the samples were analyzed. The results showed that soil organic carbon, carbon stock, microbial biomass carbon, and microbial biomass nitrogen were more significant in EF > DF > TF and lower in AS. The observed carbon stocks in EF, DF, and TF were 179.96, 146.80 and 128.99 t ha−1, respectively, at 15 cm and decreased at 30 cm. Among the carbon pools, the water-soluble, less labile, very labile, non-labile, labile, and particulate organic carbon were greater in EF and lower in AS. The EF had higher soil microbial biomass, carbon, nitrogen, and dehydrogenase enzyme activity levels than the DF and TF. Finally, it is determined that AS, HS, and PS must immediately implement carbon management measure to restore productivity and ecosystem function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraguild interactions influence the structure and local dynamics of carnivore mammals' assemblages. The potential effects of these interactions are often determined by the body size of competing members and may result in negative relationships in their abundance and, ultimately, lead to species exclusion or coexistence. The relative importance of interspecific interactions along with landscape characteristics in determining population patterns of understudied and threatened sympatric small carnivores, such as skunks, remains poorly documented. Therefore, we assessed the spatiotemporal variation in the abundance of American hog-nosed skunks Conepatus leuconotus and pygmy spotted skunks Spilogale pygmaea and the effect of interspecific interactions, resource availability, and habitat complexity on their local abundance in areas with the deciduous tropical forest south of the Mexican Pacific slope. We used presence-absence data for skunk species from three camera-trapping surveys between 2018 and 2020 in combination with Royle-Nichols occupancy models fitted in a Bayesian framework to estimate abundance, incorporating the effects of covariates related to the factors evaluated. We analyzed the relationship between the abundances of skunks using Bayesian Generalized Linear Models. Both skunk species showed significant differences in their abundances between seasons and between study sites. Overall, pygmy skunks were more abundant than hog-nosed skunks. We found negative relationships among the relative abundances of skunks during the dry seasons, but no evidence that local abundance is governed by the competitive dominance of the larger species. Patterns of skunk abundance were better explained by prey availability and other predictors related to habitat complexity, rather than interspecific interactions, since these models showed the highest predictive accuracies and strong positive and negative relationships. Our study highlights the underlying factors that determine the local abundance of these understudied and threatened small carnivores, allowing us to better understand the mechanisms that govern their coexistence for effective management and conservation of species in seasonal environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yenice district of Çanakkale stands out due to its diverse land features, being part of the Kaz Dağı (Mount Ida), its expansive coniferous and deciduous forests, and its potential for high biological diversity and endemism. It also provides highly suitable habitats for liverworts. However, the absence of legally protected areas highlights the need for a detailed assessment of the region's biodiversity. Liverworts are key components of floristic biological richness. Nevertheless, studies on the liverwort flora in both Çanakkale province and Yenice district are quite limited. Based on these considerations, this study aimed to investigate the liverwort flora of the Yenice district. During the study, a total of 295 liverwort specimens were collected from 74 different sites representative of the district’s various regions. The collected specimens were identified using appropriate methods and preserved as herbarium material. As a result of the study, 29 liverwort species from 17 families and 1 hornwort species were identified from the area. Of the identified species, 7 taxa are new records for the B6 grid square according to Henderson’s grid system (1961), and 13 taxa are new records for Çanakkale province [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: How do local forest conditions and characteristics at the forest patch ‐ scale and landscape ‐ scale affect plot‐scale plant diversity in Europe? Do these patterns vary between forest specialists and generalists? Do community saturation patterns differ between forests varying in their surrounding landscape type? Location: Deciduous forests sampled along a European gradient from southwest to northeast comprising eight regions in five countries (France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Estonia). Methods: We examined the effects of local conditions assessed by means of Ellenberg indicator values (soil moisture, soil nitrogen, soil pH, light availability), patch‐scale characteristics (patch‐scale plant diversity, forest patch age, forest patch size) and a landscape‐scale variable (representing low and high connectivity of forest patches) on plot‐scale plant diversity, separately for forest specialist and generalist species. Additionally, we ran regression models to examine community saturation patterns. Results: We found patterns of niche partitioning among forest specialists and generalists. Low light availability and medium soil moisture favored forest specialists, while generalists were mostly present at higher light availability and medium and high soil moisture. In general, we found the highest plot‐scale diversity at medium soil pH. Patch‐scale diversity showed a positive impact on plot‐scale diversity and plots in the high‐connectivity landscape had a higher diversity than plots in the low‐connectivity landscape. Further, we observed a high degree of community saturation in both landscape types. Conclusion: The positive impact of a high connectivity of forest patches on local plant diversity emphasizes the importance of small semi‐natural habitats like tree lines, unused field margins and hedgerows to enhance the potential dispersal of forest plants across agricultural landscapes. Community saturation patterns revealed the increasing relevance of local conditions and processes for plot‐scale diversity when patch‐scale diversity increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen analysis was carried out on the infilling succession of the Fossa San Vito sinkhole, at the NE foothills of the Sarno Plain (Italy). Four 14C dates and six tephra layers constrain the pollen sequence between ca. 6000 and 500 cal yr BP. A forested environment, with a few signs of human activities, characterizes the pre-protohistoric period (ca. 6000–2750 yr BP). Stability of the arboreal pollen grains to non-arboreal pollen grains (AP/NAP) curve is due to climate-related opposite oscillations of deciduous and evergreen forest. In this period, the pyroclastic products from Neapolitan volcanoes that reached the upper Sarno Plain seem to have affected neither vegetation nor human activities. In the archaic and classic periods (ca. 2750–1500 yr BP), intensive deforestation and increase in anthropogenic indicators indicate the occurrence of grazing and crop activities managed by the main urban centers located in the plain: Pompeii, Stabiae, and Nuceria. After the Pompeii eruption in CE 79, a rapid re-afforestation and decline in all anthropogenic indicators testify to the temporary abandonment of the area, linked to the disastrous demise of the main economic centers. The upper plain was repopulated and exploited in the Late Ancient and Middle Ages (ca. 1700–500 yr BP), as indicated by the increase in all crop and grazing indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes a new unsupervised method to evaluate the behavior of urban green areas in the presence of heatwave scenarios by analyzing three indices extracted from satellite data: the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST). The aim of this research is to analyze the behavior of urban vegetation types during heatwaves through the analysis of these three indices. To evaluate how these indices characterize urban green areas during heatwaves, an unsupervised classification method of the three indices is proposed that uses the Elbow method to determine the optimal number of classes and the Jenks classification algorithm. Each class is assigned a Gaussian fuzzy set and the green urban areas are classified using zonal statistics operators. The membership degree of the corresponding fuzzy set is calculated to assess the reliability of the classification. Finally, for each type of greenery, the frequencies of types of green areas belonging to NDVI, NDMI, and LST classes are analyzed to evaluate their behavior during heatwaves. The framework was tested in an urban area consisting of the city of Naples (Italy). The results show that some types of greenery, such as deciduous forests and olive groves, are more efficient, in terms of health status and cooling effect, than other types of urban green areas during heatwaves; they are classified with NDVI and NDMI values of mainly High and Medium High, and maximum LST values of Medium Low. Conversely, uncultivated areas show critical behaviors during heatwaves; they are classified with maximum NDVI and NDMI values of Medium Low and maximum LST values of Medium High. The research results represent a support to urban planners and local municipalities in designing effective strategies and nature-based solutions to deal with heat waves in urban settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining the seed dormancy profile (SDP) of plant communities may provide insight into species adaptive mechanisms, community structure, and dynamics. Golestan National Park (GNP) in Iran consists of different types of vegetation, namely deciduous temperate forest, matorral, and steppe in close proximity but with variability of environmental factors. Plant species, life forms, and kinds of seed dormancy were determined in the three vegetation types, and a SDP of types was generated and compared with corresponding ones in the world database. In all GNP vegetation types, 80%–82% and 2%–3% of the species had dormant (D), and nondormant (ND) seeds, respectively, but in 17% the class of dormancy was unknown. Physiological dormancy (PD) was the most abundant followed by physical dormancy (PY). The species percentage with ND seeds in GNP was significantly two or three times lower than that in the world database. The PD percentage in the matorral was significantly higher than that in the world database. The PY percentage was higher in the forests but lower in the matorral and steppe compared with the world database. The morphophysiological (MPD) dormancy percentage was significantly lower in the forests but higher in the matorral and steppe than in the global database. Seed dormancy profiles were not affected by the proximity of vegetation types in the GNP, but they differed from those of the world database for each vegetation type. The past climatic fluctuations associated with the present‐day seasonality of the region might be the selective pressure for the increased percentage of species with D seeds in the GNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil degradation can negatively impact its physical and chemical properties over the long term. We investigated the natural recovery of physical properties of disturbed soils on an abandoned machine operating trail in a deciduous mountain forest in northern Iran. The machine operating trail hadn't been used for the last 20 years. Dry bulk density and total porosity were assessed for three levels of traffic intensity (light, moderate, and heavily trafficked trails) and two levels of slope gradients (gentle, ≤20%, and steep, >20%), in four different soil depths (0–10, 10.1–20, 20.1–30, and 30.1–40 cm) as well as in undisturbed (control) areas. Over the course of the 20-year recovery period, it was observed that in the depth intervals of 0–10, 10.1–20, 20.1–30, and 30.1–40 cm, trails subjected to heavy traffic on gently sloping terrain displayed mean values that exhibited an increase of 78%, 62%, 55%, and 47% in bulk density, respectively, and a decrease of 27%, 26%, 28%, and 27% in total porosity, respectively, when compared to undisturbed soil. In the case of steep slopes, analogous assessments indicated an increase of 82%, 69%, 39%, and 31% in bulk density, respectively, and a reduction of 28%, 29%, 26%, and 24% in total porosity, respectively, within the aforementioned depth intervals. However, in the case of lightly trafficked trails situated on gentle slopes, there was a discernible amelioration in surface soil compaction. Our findings consequently suggest that the natural recovery of soil physical properties in the study area extends beyond the examined timeframe of twenty years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The habitat quality of urban forest patches is determined by the composition and structure of vegetation which in turn affects the quality of trophic resources and shelter provided for wildlife species. In addition, urban development in the landscape surrounding forest patches can affect species' movement between patches, further influencing habitat quality. Understanding how species respond to variation in habitat quality among urban forest patches is especially important for species that contribute to ecosystem services and disservices for urban residents. Here, we assessed habitat quality provided by urban forest patches for white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) because they are one of the key reservoir species for Lyme disease and they influence disease dilution ecosystem services provided by mammal communities. We examined variation in vegetation composition and structure in forest patches across a gradient of landscape‐scale urban development in and around Philadelphia, PA, USA. In particular, we focused on shifts in vegetation composition and structure associated with invasive understory shrubs given their prevalence in our study system. We then quantified the numerical (index of relative abundance) and morphological responses of white‐footed mice to variation in habitat quality. While we observed no significant effects of environmental variables on our index of mouse relative abundance in forest patches, environmental variables associated with vegetation structure and composition were associated with shifts in mouse morphology. Most notably, mice were larger at sites with more invasive shrub species. This indicates that invasive understory shrubs may be creating higher‐quality habitat for white‐footed mice. Because larger‐bodied mice are likely to feed more ticks, this result has significant implications for Lyme disease dynamics in urban areas, such as amplified transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Since its introduction into Europe in the first half of the 20th century, Cryphonectria parasitica has been gradually spreading across the natural range of the sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), infecting the trees and causing lethal bark cankers. Serendipitously, a hyperparasitic Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1), which attenuates C. parasitica virulence in combination with more tolerant European chestnut species, was able to ward off the worst effect of the disease. In North America, unfortunately, the native Castanea dentata is now functionally extinct since it occurs only as root sprouts in eastern deciduous forests where it was once dominant. In our work, we investigated changes in C. parasitica populations over time and the regional variability in chestnut populations' tolerance toward the blight disease. While vegetative compatibility (vc) type diversity and prevalence of hypovirulence remained similar as in previous studies, in the Buje population, unlike in previous studies, we were unable to find any hypovirulent fungal strains. The most common vegetative compatibility types (vc types) were EU-1, EU-2 and EU-12. However, several rare EU-types were found, including one previously unreported: EU-46. By inoculating several C. parasitica strains on tree stems from several chestnut populations, we observed that the induced lesion size was affected by the type of inoculum (CHV1-free or CHV1-infected), genotype-related individual chestnut stem and chestnut stem population of origin-related variability. The largest lesions were induced by CHV1-free fungal isolate DOB-G: 20.13 cm2 (95% C.I. 18.10–22.15) and the smallest by CHV1-infected L14/EP713: 2.49 cm2 (95% C.I. 1.59–3.39). Surprisingly, the size of the lesions induced by other CHV1-infected strains fell somewhere in between these extremes. The size of induced lesions was dependent on the population of origin as well and ranged from 11.60 cm2 (95% C.I. 9.87–13.33) for stems from the Moslavačka gora population to 17.75 cm2 (95% C.I. 15.63–19.87) for stems from Ozalj. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia (NH3) has received considerable attention as a major reduced nitrogen. However, accurate estimates of the deposition amount are difficult due to its complex behavior characterized by bidirectional exchange between the atmosphere and the surface. We observed the vertical profile of NH3 concentration in a deciduous forest in Japan for 1 year to further advance the studies on NH3 bidirectional exchange in Asia, especially focusing on the process near the forest floor. The observation period lasted from September 29, 2020, to September 28, 2021, including leafy and leafless periods. Using the denuder sampling technique, we measured NH3 concentration in the forest at three heights (above the forest canopy, 30 m, and near the forest floor, 2 m and 0.2 m). NH3 concentrations tended to be highest at the top of the canopy (30 m). Focusing on the concentration near the forest floor, the concentrations at 0.2 m were frequently higher than those at 2 m regardless of the leafy and leafless period, thus suggesting NH3 emissions from the forest floor. NH3 concentration near the forest floor showed strong positive correlations with air temperature during the leafy period. The NH3 emissions from the forest floor during the leafy period were possibly due to the decomposition of leaf litter with increased air temperature. The decrease in leaf area index might induced the increase in NH3 concentration and emission. NH3 emission during the leafless period was also possibly dependent on the state of the deposition surface, apart from air temperature, relative humidity, and leaf area index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is a global conservation issue that undermines the conservation of an endangered species. HEC and the factors influencing crop-raiding behaviour were studied in the tropical forests of south India from Nov 2006 to Mar 2008. Crop depredation, protection methods, and land use changes were studied at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (TR). A total of 297 incidents of crop damage were recorded, with peaks in the raiding during the monsoon season. Spatial analysis of HEC showed peripheral farms are more vulnerable (1.51%) than village centers (0.18%). Temporally, cropping patterns have changed from food crops to commercial crops. The elephant-damaged area was positively correlated with the effective perimeter (pe-rimeter with crops), total cultivated area, and area of degradation around the village. Logistic regression of crop raiding incidence with independent predictors showed that the incidence of raiding was 95% greater in moist deciduous forests than in thorny forests. Palatable crops were likely to be raided more frequently (391 times). Crops with protection methods were 22 times less likely to be targets of raids. In the areas adjacent to the Mudumalai TR, crop species, improvements in protection, and land use change reduced the HEC. Relocating villages from the core reserve and existing corridors in the eastern region is essential for conserving elephants in the Nilgiris, Western Ghats landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the impact of soil properties and land use systems on earthworm diversity in the biodiversity-rich Eastern Ghats Highlands of India, the present study was carried out in six land use systems i.e., moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, fallow land, cropland, compost pit, and, sewage soil. The study area has been divided into 10 × 10 km2 grids and 25% grids were randomly selected for sampling from April to December 2022. A total of 16 species of earthworms under 14 genera and 8 families were recorded, out of which 15 species are new records for the region. The most taxonomically rich family was the Megascolecidae. The most abundant species are endogeic followed by epigeic and anecic. Based on Hill numbers, the highest values of Shannon index (1D = 9.89) and Simpson diversity (2D = 9.14) were found for the fallow land. Earthworm abundance showed a significant difference among six land use systems [F (5,84) = 3.256, p < 0.05] and seasons [F (2,87) = 46.463, p < 0.01]. Furthermore, earthworms showed a significant positive relationship with moisture (r = 0.538, p < 0.01), organic carbon (r = 0.560, p < 0.01), available Nitrogen (r = 0.525, p < 0.01), and clay content (r = 0.535, p < 0.01), whereas negatively correlated with sand content (r = − 0.513, p < 0.01) of soil. Cropland showed high species richness, and fallow land exhibited increased diversity due to elevated moisture, moderate edaphic factors, and proximity to pristine forests. The presence of a high number of native species urges their conservation in this region through land management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) population on the Bruce Peninsula in southern Ontario, Canada, is small (∼300 bears), genetically isolated from the closest bears in other parts of Ontario because of geography and urban development, and it is at risk because of habitat loss. The Bruce Peninsula is underlain by dolostone, and soils over much of the Peninsula are shallow. The bedrock is karstic with extensive networks of rock fissures and underground drainage systems created by solutional processes. During the nondenning season bears select dense mixed forest and dense deciduous forest stands. From May 1998 to February 2004, we documented the habitat requirements of denning black bears on the Bruce Peninsula and described the characteristics of winter dens in this unique substrate. Thirteen of 30 (43%) dens were located in dense mixed forests, 12 of 30 (40%) were located in dense coniferous forests, and 4 of 30 (13%) were located in dense deciduous forests. Eighty-one percent of dens (25 of 31) were within rock crevices often >2 m deep and ending in a subsurface chamber. Of the remaining dens, 3 were excavated, 2 were under brush piles, and 1 was under a large boulder on a steep talus slope. Twenty-one of 29 dens were located with potential sanctuary trees (>30 cm diameter at breast height) within 30 m of the den. Population viability analysis determined the most effective management action that would ensure persistence of black bears on the Peninsula to be conserving habitat outside of Bruce Peninsula National Park. The importance of dense mixed and dense coniferous stands for denning shown in this study emphasizes that point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Habitat selection in animals is a hierarchal process that operates across multiple temporal and spatial scales, adapting to changes in environmental conditions, human disturbances, and predation risks. Despite its significance, previous research often oversimplifies temporal dynamics by categorizing them into broad seasonal and diel patterns, overlooking the continuous nature of temporal variability and habitat specificity. Methods: We investigated the temporal patterns in habitat selection of moose (Alces alces) in highly heterogenous landscapes at the southwestern edge of their European range using step-selection functions. Utilizing over 700,000 GPS locations from 34 adult moose, we aimed to assess seasonal and diel patterns in their selectivity for both natural and human-related habitats. Results: Our findings revealed significant overall temporal variation in moose habitat selection at both seasonal and diel scales. Moose selectivity toward different habitats showed low repeatability over time, with 35% of cases displaying negative correlation between selectivity in different time windows. Diel changes were more pronounced, showing 5.6-fold difference in cumulative selectivity, compared to 1.4-fold difference in seasonal dynamics. Notably, moose exhibited lower selectivity during nighttime hours throughout the year compared to daytime hours. The study also highlighted distinct habitat selection patterns across different habitat types: natural habitats (deciduous forests, coniferous forests, wetlands) exhibited pronounced seasonal variation, while anthropogenic habitats (grasslands, arable land, roads and settlements) showed more diel variability. Moose generally avoided human-related habitats during daytime hours, but their preferences during nighttime varied depending on the habitat type and time of year. Conclusion: This research advances our understanding of the complex temporal patterns in habitat selection by large herbivores and underscores the importance of considering temporal dynamics in habitat selection modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-accelerating dynamics of the evolution of human civilization requires that the role of beekeeping be accentuated and diversified in proportion to the needs of man and the environment. Bees provide a wide range of ecosystem services and human well-being, contributing greatly to sustaining life on Earth. Currently, in the context of globalization, beekeeping takes on new values, with a role in biology, ecology, economy, social life and, finally, in maintaining the health of the population. In this context, api-tourism, as a niche tourism, appears as a new phenomenon, supporting the culture and traditions of rural communities in a sustainable way. Api-tourism, as an innovative form of tourism, plays an important role in maintaining the health of human society, starting from the consumption of beehive products to the prevention and amelioration of human diseases. The purpose of the work is to promote the village of Sibiel, as a locality conducive to the practice and expansion of beekeeping, with the stimulation of api-tourism. Its geographical location, floristic biodiversity, with the famous orchards of fruit trees with local varieties, deciduous and resinous forests, special spontaneous flora support the practice of beekeeping at the local level. The beekeeping in the area combines harmoniously and profitably with the agritourism activities carried out in the dozens of guesthouses in the village of Sibiel, where the local honey has a place of honour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To reveal the vertical distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon? nitrogen? and phosphorus content, soil stoichiometric characteristics (C/N, C/1y, N/P), enzyme activity, microorganisms, and their seasonal responses of forest stand types in Liziping Nature Reserve. _Methods］ The soils of Cyclobalanopsis and populus szechuanica broad-leaved mixed forest, Oriental oak deciduous broad-leaved forest, Fir-spruce coniferous mixed forest, and Yushania lineolata forest in the dry and rainy seasons were selected as the study objects to elucidate the effects of forest stand types on the stoichiometric characteristics of the soils, the enzyme activities, the microorganisms, and their seasonal dynamic response characteristics. Results] (1) The soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activity of the four forest stand types are higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, (2) The soil C/N in the Cyclobalanopsis-populus szechuanica broad-leaved mixed forest is higher in the dry season than in the rainy season, while the other three stands show the opposite trend. Dry season's C/1y are higher than the rainy season in Cyclobalanopsis and populus szechuanica broad-leaved mixed forest and Fir-spruce coniferous mixed forest, while the other two stands are the opposite. Dry season's N/P are higher than the rainy season in Oriental oak deciduous broad-leaved forest and Fir-spruce coniferous mixed forest, while the other two stands are the opposite. (3) Different forest types' value variation of soil C/N, C/I\and N/P are 17.0()〜37.33, 62.72〜114.5(), 3.09〜 5.18 in the dry season, and 17.72〜39.16, 63.21 〜9().72, 2.39〜5.8() in the rainy season. (4) The C/N and C/1y values during the dry and rainy seasons are higher than the national average (11.90, 61.00), indicating that nitrogen is limited during nutrient cycling and the potential for releasing I〉is low； The N/P values for both seasons were lower than the national average soil level (5.20)，indicating that the soil is more susceptible to N limitation； (5) The soil microbial activity of the four forest stand types is better in the rainy season than in the dry season, and the soil ecological stoichiometric characteristics are mainly influenced by enzyme activity and microorganisms. Conclusion] The results of this study can provide important theoretical basis for exploring the seasonal response mechanisms of regional soil nutrient decomposition, supply and limitation, as well as nutrient cycling processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the link between plant species diversity and biomass has been well‐studied, the impact of evolutionary diversity on community biomass across long timescales or ongoing change remains a subject of debate. We elucidated the association between evolutionary diversity and community aboveground biomass (AGB) using an ideal experimental system with over 150‐year history of natural vegetation regeneration. Higher phylogenetic diversity facilitated the sampling effect under the influence of environmental filtering, and caused an increase in AGB. Phylogenetic structure varied from aggregation to dispersion during the later period of vegetation recovery (70–150 years), which was correlated with increases in niche complementarity and increasing AGB. Woody plant evolutionary diversity was used as a key to predict the relationship between vegetation recovery and AGB, with a total explanatory power of ~84.7%. Mixed forests composed of evergreen conifers and deciduous broadleaf forests had higher carbon sequestration potential than that of pure forests, which is advantageous for increasing top‐stage AGB. This research expands our knowledge of the causes and effects of biodiversity and ecosystem function dynamics over time and space, which is important for accurately predicting future climate change effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subantarctic Nothofagus forests are the southernmost forests in the world, with negligible atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. Most paradigms about the role of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in N cycling and plant N uptake at high latitudes have been tested in boreal coniferous forests, while in the southern hemisphere, ECM hosts are primarily angiosperms. Using ITS1 meta‐barcoding, we characterized ECM and saprotrophic fungal communities in evergreen and deciduous Nothofagus forests forming monodominant and mixed stands in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego (Chile and Argentina). We assessed the N economy of Nothofagus by correlating host species with fungal relative abundances, edaphic variables, net N mineralization, microbial biomass N and the activity of eight extracellular soil enzymes activities. The N economy of deciduous N. pumilio forests was strikingly similar to boreal coniferous forests, with the lowest inorganic N availability and net N mineralization, in correlation to higher relative abundances of ECM fungi with enzymatic capacity for organic N mobilization (genus Cortinarius). In contrast, the N economy of evergreen N. betuloides forests was predominantly inorganic and correlated with ECM lineages from the family Clavulinaceae, in acidic soils with poor drainage. Grassy understory vegetation in deciduous N. antarctica forests likely promoted saprotrophic fungi (i.e., genus Mortierella) in correlation with higher activities of carbon‐degrading enzymes. Differences between Nothofagus hosts did not persist in mixed forests, illustrating the range of soil fertility of these ECM angiosperms and the underlying effects of soil and climate on Nothofagus distribution and N cycling in southern Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a major problem in the control of infectious diseases. To overcome this obstacle, a common approach is to search for novel antimicrobial drugs from natural sources, especially microorganisms such as Streptomyces. Streptomyces has long been demonstrated to produce bioactive secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activities. The objectives of this research were to isolate and characterize Streptomyces strains from the deciduous dipterocarp forest soils in the University of Phayao, and to evaluate their metabolites for antibacterial activities. The results show that the morphological and physiological characteristics of PA5.6 are consistent with those of the genus Streptomyces. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the whole genome sequence verified that PA5.6 represents a novel species within the genus Streptomyces. The genome sequence analysis of Streptomyces sp. PA5.6 revealed a total length of 9,146,340 bp, a G + C content of 71.1 %, and an N50 scaffold of 320,345 bp. The antiSMASH analysis revealed putative secondary metabolite Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs) involved in the biosynthesis of antimicrobial metabolites, including terpene, Type I PKS, NRPS and lassopeptide gene clusters. Functional prediction of these gene clusters indicates that they are involved in the biosynthesis of several antimicrobial-associated metabolites, such as albaflavenone, monensin and citrulassin D. Streptomyces sp. PA5.6 culture supernatant and its crude ethyl acetate extract exhibited antibacterial activity against several drug-resistant, bacterial pathogens, including S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, MRSA, VREF, ESBL-E. coli and CRPA. The GC-MS analysis of the crude ethyl acetate extracts revealed benzeneacetic acid, benzeneacetic acid, 4-hydroxy and benzeneacetamide as major active compounds metabolites. In conclusion, Streptomyces sp. PA5.6 exhibited promising potential for producing bioactive compounds against bacterial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiative transfer models (RTMs) are often used to retrieve biophysical parameters from earth observation data. RTMs with multi-temporal and realistic forest representations enable radiative transfer (RT) modeling for real-world dynamic processes. To achieve more realistic RT modeling for dynamic forest processes, this study presents the 3D-explicit reconstruction of a typical temperate deciduous forest in 2015 and 2022. We demonstrate for the first time the potential use of bitemporal 3D-explicit RT modeling from terrestrial laser scanning on the forward modeling and quantitative interpretation of: (1) remote sensing (RS) observations of leaf area index (LAI), fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR), and canopy light extinction, and (2) the impact of canopy gap dynamics on light availability of explicit locations. Results showed that, compared to the 2015 scene, the hemispherical-directional reflectance factor (HDRF) of the 2022 forest scene relatively decreased by 3.8% and the leaf FAPAR relatively increased by 5.4%. At explicit locations where canopy gaps significantly changed between the 2015 scene and the 2022 scene, only under diffuse light did the branch damage and closing gap significantly impact ground light availability. This study provides the first bitemporal RT comparison based on the 3D RT modeling, which uses one of the most realistic bitemporal forest scenes as the structural input. This bitemporal 3D-explicit forest RT modeling allows spatially explicit modeling over time under fully controlled experimental conditions in one of the most realistic virtual environments, thus delivering a powerful tool for studying canopy light regimes as impacted by dynamics in forest structure and developing RS inversion schemes on forest structural changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]