Showing papers by "Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences published in 2021"
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Daniel J. Klionsky1, Amal Kamal Abdel-Aziz2, Sara Abdelfatah3, Mahmoud Abdellatif4 +2980 more•Institutions (777)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes.
Abstract: In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.
1,129 citations
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TL;DR: The main focus is on promising chemical modification and nonmodification approaches, aiming to prospect this hot topic from novel aspects, including nanocellulose-, chemistry-, and process-oriented surface and interface engineering for advanced nano cellulosic materials.
Abstract: How do trees support their upright massive bodies? The support comes from the incredibly strong and stiff, and highly crystalline nanoscale fibrils of extended cellulose chains, called cellulose nanofibers. Cellulose nanofibers and their crystalline parts-cellulose nanocrystals, collectively nanocelluloses, are therefore the recent hot materials to incorporate in man-made sustainable, environmentally sound, and mechanically strong materials. Nanocelluloses are generally obtained through a top-down process, during or after which the original surface chemistry and interface interactions can be dramatically changed. Therefore, surface and interface engineering are extremely important when nanocellulosic materials with a bottom-up process are fabricated. Herein, the main focus is on promising chemical modification and nonmodification approaches, aiming to prospect this hot topic from novel aspects, including nanocellulose-, chemistry-, and process-oriented surface and interface engineering for advanced nanocellulosic materials. The reinforcement of nanocelluloses in some functional materials, such as structural materials, films, filaments, aerogels, and foams, is discussed, relating to tailored surface and/or interface engineering. Although some of the nanocellulosic products have already reached the industrial arena, it is hoped that more and more nanocellulose-based products will become available in everyday life in the next few years.
231 citations
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Norwegian University of Life Sciences1, University of Oxford2, University of Agder3, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies4, University of the Witwatersrand5, Norwegian Institute for Water Research6, Norwich University7, University of East Anglia8, University of Massachusetts Boston9, University of Arizona10, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology11, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences12, University of Oslo13, University of Canberra14, Queen's University15
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the outcomes of internationally-funded interventions aimed at climate change adaptation and vulnerability reduction and highlight how some interventions inadvertently reinforce, redistribute or create new sources of vulnerability.
221 citations
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TL;DR: This paper presented a global atlas of 4,728 metagenomic samples from mass-transit systems in 60 cities over three years, representing the first systematic, worldwide catalog of the urban microbial ecosystem.
123 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of different healthcare solid waste management strategies in different countries, the challenges faced during this management, and the possible solutions for overcoming these challenges are discussed, as well as a possible way forward.
121 citations
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University of Nottingham1, Shanghai Jiao Tong University2, University of Birmingham3, Utrecht University4, Centre national de la recherche scientifique5, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic6, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences7, Pennsylvania State University8, Rothamsted Research9, University of Adelaide10
TL;DR: In this article, the root growth in compacted soil is instead actively suppressed by the volatile hormone ethylene, which acts as an early warning signal for roots to avoid compacted soils, which is relevant to research into the breeding of crops resilient to soil compaction.
Abstract: Soil compaction represents a major challenge for modern agriculture. Compaction is intuitively thought to reduce root growth by limiting the ability of roots to penetrate harder soils. We report that root growth in compacted soil is instead actively suppressed by the volatile hormone ethylene. We found that mutant Arabidopsis and rice roots that were insensitive to ethylene penetrated compacted soil more effectively than did wild-type roots. Our results indicate that soil compaction lowers gas diffusion through a reduction in air-filled pores, thereby causing ethylene to accumulate in root tissues and trigger hormone responses that restrict growth. We propose that ethylene acts as an early warning signal for roots to avoid compacted soils, which would be relevant to research into the breeding of crops resilient to soil compaction.
107 citations
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McGill University1, Université du Québec à Rimouski2, Universidade Federal de Goiás3, King Juan Carlos University4, University of Alcalá5, Spanish National Research Council6, University of Nottingham7, Stellenbosch University8, University of California, Irvine9, Lancaster University10, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ11, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg12, University of Copenhagen13, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences14
TL;DR: The authors used experimentally-derived estimates of thermal tolerance limits for over 2000 terrestrial and aquatic species, and found that most of the variation in thermal tolerance can be attributed to a combination of adaptation to current climatic extremes, and the existence of evolutionary 'attractors' that reflect either boundaries or optima in temperature limits.
Abstract: Understanding how species' thermal limits have evolved across the tree of life is central to predicting species' responses to climate change. Here, using experimentally-derived estimates of thermal tolerance limits for over 2000 terrestrial and aquatic species, we show that most of the variation in thermal tolerance can be attributed to a combination of adaptation to current climatic extremes, and the existence of evolutionary 'attractors' that reflect either boundaries or optima in thermal tolerance limits. Our results also reveal deep-time climate legacies in ectotherms, whereby orders that originated in cold paleoclimates have presently lower cold tolerance limits than those with warm thermal ancestry. Conversely, heat tolerance appears unrelated to climate ancestry. Cold tolerance has evolved more quickly than heat tolerance in endotherms and ectotherms. If the past tempo of evolution for upper thermal limits continues, adaptive responses in thermal limits will have limited potential to rescue the large majority of species given the unprecedented rate of contemporary climate change.
106 citations
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TL;DR: Research across disciplinary boundaries is needed to address the challenges that lakes face in the Anthropocene because they may play an increasingly important role in harbouring unique aquatic biota as well as providing ecosystem goods and services in the future.
Abstract: The Anthropocene presents formidable threats to freshwater ecosystems. Lakes are especially vulnerable and important at the same time. They cover only a small area worldwide but harbour high levels of biodiversity and contribute disproportionately to ecosystem services. Lakes differ with respect to their general type (e.g. land-locked, drainage, floodplain and large lakes) and position in the landscape (e.g. highland versus lowland lakes), which contribute to the dynamics of these systems. Lakes should be generally viewed as 'meta-systems', whereby biodiversity is strongly affected by species dispersal, and ecosystem dynamics are contributed by the flow of matter and substances among locations in a broader waterscape context. Lake connectivity in the waterscape and position in the landscape determine the degree to which a lake is prone to invasion by non-native species and accumulation of harmful substances. Highly connected lakes low in the landscape accumulate nutrients and pollutants originating from ecosystems higher in the landscape. The monitoring and restoration of lake biodiversity and ecosystem services should consider the fact that a high degree of dynamism is present at local, regional and global scales. However, local and regional monitoring may be plagued by the unpredictability of ecological phenomena, hindering adaptive management of lakes. Although monitoring data are increasingly becoming available to study responses of lakes to global change, we still lack suitable integration of models for entire waterscapes. Research across disciplinary boundaries is needed to address the challenges that lakes face in the Anthropocene because they may play an increasingly important role in harbouring unique aquatic biota as well as providing ecosystem goods and services in the future.
103 citations
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TL;DR: The results of this study could provide a theoretical basis for optimization of existing treatment systems of different designs, and could significantly contribute to protecting recipient waters.
101 citations
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Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences1, University of Leeds2, James Hutton Institute3, Bangor University4, Durham University5, University of Birmingham6, Queen Mary University of London7, University of Western Australia8, Murdoch University9, University of Leicester10, Rothamsted Research11, Lancaster University12, Goethe University Frankfurt13
TL;DR: In this article, the mean annual effective water table depth (WTDe; that is, the average depth of the aerated peat layer) overcomes all other ecosystem and management-related controls on greenhouse gas fluxes.
Abstract: Global peatlands store more carbon than is naturally present in the atmosphere1,2. However, many peatlands are under pressure from drainage-based agriculture, plantation development and fire, with the equivalent of around 3 per cent of all anthropogenic greenhouse gases emitted from drained peatland3–5. Efforts to curb such emissions are intensifying through the conservation of undrained peatlands and re-wetting of drained systems6. Here we report eddy covariance data for carbon dioxide from 16 locations and static chamber measurements for methane from 41 locations in the UK and Ireland. We combine these with published data from sites across all major peatland biomes. We find that the mean annual effective water table depth (WTDe; that is, the average depth of the aerated peat layer) overrides all other ecosystem- and management-related controls on greenhouse gas fluxes. We estimate that every 10 centimetres of reduction in WTDe could reduce the net warming impact of CO2 and CH4 emissions (100-year global warming potentials) by the equivalent of at least 3 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year, until WTDe is less than 30 centimetres. Raising water levels further would continue to have a net cooling effect until WTDe is within 10 centimetres of the surface. Our results suggest that greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands drained for agriculture could be greatly reduced without necessarily halting their productive use. Halving WTDe in all drained agricultural peatlands, for example, could reduce emissions by the equivalent of over 1 per cent of global anthropogenic emissions. Halving average drainage depths in agricultural peatlands could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 1 per cent of all anthropogenic emissions.
101 citations
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TL;DR: Recent research on ecosystem disservices of urban trees, including infrastructure conflicts, health and safety impacts, aesthetic issues, and environmentally detrimental consequences, as well as management costs related to ecological disturbances and risk management are discussed.
Abstract: The provision of ecosystem services is a prominent rationale for urban greening, and there is a prevailing mantra that ‘trees are good’. However, understanding how urban trees contribute to sustainability must also consider disservices. In this perspective article, we discuss recent research on ecosystem disservices of urban trees, including infrastructure conflicts, health and safety impacts, aesthetic issues, and environmentally detrimental consequences, as well as management costs related to ecological disturbances and risk management. We also discuss tradeoffs regarding species selection and local conservation concerns, as well as the central role of human perception in the interpretation of ecosystem services and disservices, particularly the uncritical assertion that ‘everybody loves trees’. Urban forestry decision-making that fails to account for disservices can have unintended negative consequences for communities. Further research is needed regarding life cycle assessments, stakeholder decision-making, return-on-investment, and framings of services and disservices in urban forestry.
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02 Oct 2021
TL;DR: Otolith chemistry has gained increasing attention as a tool for analyzing various aspects of fish biology, such as stock dynamics, migration patterns, hypoxia and pollution exposure, and connectivi...
Abstract: Otolith chemistry has gained increasing attention as a tool for analyzing various aspects of fish biology, such as stock dynamics, migration patterns, hypoxia and pollution exposure, and connectivi...
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TL;DR: The case for the critical role of local governance in coordinating pandemic response is made by examining how state authorities are attempting to bridge the gap between the need for rapid, vigorous response to the pandemic and local realities in three Indian states.
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Umeå University1, University of Copenhagen2, Uppsala University3, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich4, University of Geneva5, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences6, University of Southampton7, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research8, University of Milan9, Concordia University10, McGill University11, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research12, University of Potsdam13, University of Konstanz14, University of Tartu15, Queen Mary University of London16, University of Toledo17, University of Cambridge18, Curtin University19, Sapienza University of Rome20
TL;DR: In this article, the authors synthesize the state-of-the-art analytical procedures for effective sampling, extraction, amplification, quantification and/or generation of DNA inventories from sedimentary ancient DNA via high-throughput sequencing technologies.
Abstract: The use of lake sedimentary DNA to track the long-term changes in both terrestrial and aquatic biota is a rapidly advancing field in paleoecological research. Although largely applied nowadays, knowledge gaps remain in this field and there is therefore still research to be conducted to ensure the reliability of the sedimentary DNA signal. Building on the most recent literature and seven original case studies, we synthesize the state-of-the-art analytical procedures for effective sampling, extraction, amplification, quantification and/or generation of DNA inventories from sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) via high-throughput sequencing technologies. We provide recommendations based on current knowledge and best practises.
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TL;DR: This review synthesises the recent progress made in understanding the role of plant volatiles as mediators of plant interactions at the individual and community levels, highlighting the complexity of the plant receiver response to diverse volatile cues and signals and addressing how specific responses shape plant growth and survival.
Abstract: Volatile organic compounds are important mediators of mutualistic interactions between plants and their physical and biological surroundings. Volatiles rapidly indicate competition or potential threat before these can take place, and they regulate and coordinate adaptation responses in neighbouring plants, fine-tuning them to match the exact stress encountered. Ecological specificity and context-dependency of plant-plant communication mediated by volatiles represent important factors that determine plant performance in specific environments. In this review, we synthesise the recent progress made in understanding the role of plant volatiles as mediators of plant interactions at the individual and community levels, highlighting the complexity of the plant receiver response to diverse volatile cues and signals and addressing how specific responses shape plant growth and survival. Finally, we outline the knowledge gaps and provide directions for future research. The complex dialogue between the emitter and receiver based on either volatile cues or signals determines the outcome of information exchange, which shapes the communication pattern between individuals at the community level and determines their ecological implications at other trophic levels.
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Université du Québec en Outaouais1, Université du Québec à Montréal2, University of Freiburg3, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ4, Ghent University5, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg6, Food and Agriculture Organization7, University of Minnesota8, Leipzig University9, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte10, Université de Sherbrooke11, University of São Paulo12, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute13, University of Oxford14, University of the French West Indies and Guiana15, University of Bordeaux16, Royal Holloway, University of London17, University of Göttingen18, Central Maine Community College19, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven20, University of Alberta21, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center22, University of Western Australia23, Université catholique de Louvain24, McGill University25, University of Sydney26, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences27
TL;DR: In this article, the authors point out the increasing scientific evidence for increased resilience and ecosystem service provision of functionally and species diverse planted forests compared to monospecific ones and propose five concrete steps to foster the adoption of diverse planted forest.
Abstract: As of 2020, the world has an estimated 290 million ha of planted forests and this number is continuously increasing. Of these, 131 million ha are monospecific planted forests under intensive management. Although monospecific planted forests are important in providing timber, they harbor less biodiversity and are potentially more susceptible to disturbances than natural or diverse planted forests. Here, we point out the increasing scientific evidence for increased resilience and ecosystem service provision of functionally and species diverse planted forests (hereafter referred to as diverse planted forests) compared to monospecific ones. Furthermore, we propose five concrete steps to foster the adoption of diverse planted forests: (1) improve awareness of benefits and practical options of diverse planted forests among land-owners, managers, and investors; (2) incentivize tree species diversity in public funding of afforestation and programs to diversify current maladapted planted forests of low diversity; (3) develop new wood-based products that can be derived from many different tree species not yet in use; (4) invest in research to assess landscape benefits of diverse planted forests for functional connectivity and resilience to global-change threats; and (5) improve the evidence base on diverse planted forests, in particular in currently under-represented regions, where new options could be tested.
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Technische Universität München1, University of Zurich2, United States Forest Service3, University of Würzburg4, University of Toronto5, Australian National University6, University of Bayreuth7, National University of Tucumán8, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic9, Universidade Federal de Lavras10, Lancaster University11, Bavarian Forest National Park12, Goethe University Frankfurt13, University of the French West Indies and Guiana14, Environmental Change Institute15, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul16, Norwegian University of Life Sciences17, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad18, University of Marburg19, University of Toulouse20, University of Northern British Columbia21, National University of Benin22, University of Granada23, Queensland University of Technology24, Forest Research Institute Malaysia25, University of Salzburg26, Natural Resources Canada27, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences28, Chuo University29, University of Eastern Finland30, Bern University of Applied Sciences31, Chinese Academy of Sciences32, East China Normal University33, University of the Philippines Los Baños34, University of the Sunshine Coast35, National University of Mongolia36, Griffith University37, University College Cork38, Edge Hill University39, Tribhuvan University40, University of Haifa41, University of Canterbury42, Scion43, University of Antananarivo44, University of Hamburg45, Sao Paulo State University46, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg47, Murdoch University48, University of Tasmania49, Beijing Forestry University50
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a field experiment of wood decomposition across 55 forest sites and 6 continents and find that the deadwood decomposition rates increase with temperature, and the strongest temperature effect is found at high precipitation levels.
Abstract: The amount of carbon stored in deadwood is equivalent to about 8 per cent of the global forest carbon stocks1. The decomposition of deadwood is largely governed by climate2–5 with decomposer groups—such as microorganisms and insects—contributing to variations in the decomposition rates2,6,7. At the global scale, the contribution of insects to the decomposition of deadwood and carbon release remains poorly understood7. Here we present a field experiment of wood decomposition across 55 forest sites and 6 continents. We find that the deadwood decomposition rates increase with temperature, and the strongest temperature effect is found at high precipitation levels. Precipitation affects the decomposition rates negatively at low temperatures and positively at high temperatures. As a net effect—including the direct consumption by insects and indirect effects through interactions with microorganisms—insects accelerate the decomposition in tropical forests (3.9% median mass loss per year). In temperate and boreal forests, we find weak positive and negative effects with a median mass loss of 0.9 per cent and −0.1 per cent per year, respectively. Furthermore, we apply the experimentally derived decomposition function to a global map of deadwood carbon synthesized from empirical and remote-sensing data, obtaining an estimate of 10.9 ± 3.2 petagram of carbon per year released from deadwood globally, with 93 per cent originating from tropical forests. Globally, the net effect of insects may account for 29 per cent of the carbon flux from deadwood, which suggests a functional importance of insects in the decomposition of deadwood and the carbon cycle. Multi-year field experiments across six continents suggest that insects have an important contribution to decomposition and carbon release from forest deadwood.
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University of Tartu1, University of Manchester2, Qatar University3, King Saud University4, Russian Academy of Sciences5, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences6, University of Alberta7, National University of Río Cuarto8, University of Pennsylvania9, University of Aveiro10, Thompson Rivers University11, University of Namibia12, University of California, Riverside13, University of Western Ontario14, Beni-Suef University15, Charles University in Prague16, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic17, Estonian University of Life Sciences18, Stellenbosch University19, Murdoch University20, National University of Rwanda21, University of Bern22, Botswana International University of Science and Technology23, Nakhon Phanom University24, American Museum of Natural History25, University of Palermo26, Sao Paulo State University27, Radboud University Nijmegen28
TL;DR: In this article, the realised niches of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) virtual taxa (VT; approximately species-level phylogroups) were modelled and found that environmental and spatial variables jointly explained VT distribution worldwide, with temperature and pH being the most important abiotic drivers.
Abstract: The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are a globally distributed group of soil organisms that play critical roles in ecosystem function. However, the ecological niches of individual AM fungal taxa are poorly understood.
We collected > 300 soil samples from natural ecosystems worldwide and modelled the realised niches of AM fungal virtual taxa (VT; approximately species‐level phylogroups).
We found that environmental and spatial variables jointly explained VT distribution worldwide, with temperature and pH being the most important abiotic drivers, and spatial effects generally occurring at local to regional scales. While dispersal limitation could explain some variation in VT distribution, VT relative abundance was almost exclusively driven by environmental variables. Several environmental and spatial effects on VT distribution and relative abundance were correlated with phylogeny, indicating that closely related VT exhibit similar niche optima and widths. Major clades within the Glomeraceae exhibited distinct niche optima, Acaulosporaceae generally had niche optima in low pH and low temperature conditions, and Gigasporaceae generally had niche optima in high precipitation conditions.
Identification of the realised niche space occupied by individual and phylogenetic groups of soil microbial taxa provides a basis for building detailed hypotheses about how soil communities respond to gradients and manipulation in ecosystems worldwide.
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13 Jan 2021
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assessed the impact of crop diversification on soil microbial diversity, soil multifunctionality and crop yields in 155 cereal fields across a 3,000 km north-south European gradient.
Abstract: In natural ecosystems, positive effects of plant diversity on ecosystem functioning have been widely observed, yet whether this is true in cropping systems remains unclear. Here we assessed the impact of crop diversification on soil microbial diversity, soil multifunctionality (SMF) and crop yields in 155 cereal fields across a 3,000 km north–south European gradient. Overall, crop diversity showed a relatively minor effect on soil microbial diversity, SMF and yields. In contrast, the proportion of time with crop cover (including cash crops, cover crops or forage leys) during the past ten-year crop rotation had a much stronger impact. This suggests that increasing crop cover can enhance both yields and soil functioning, while also providing habitat for soil microorganisms. We found that SMF did not positively contribute to crop yields, highlighting that care must be taken to balance the provision of food with environmentally beneficial functions and services, since they do not always go hand in hand. System-level analysis on the effects of soil biodiversity on cropping system is lacking. Across conventionally managed European fields, the proportion of time with crop cover during the past ten-year rotation has a greater impact than crop diversity on soil microbial diversity, soil multifunctionality and crop yield.
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TL;DR: The data point to an increase in the distribution of ARGs among bacteria and their increasing resistance to various antibiotics, implying the susceptibility of aquatic environment to industrial pollution.
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TL;DR: The major natural auxin in plants, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), orchestrates a plethora of developmental responses that largely depend on the formation of auxin concentration gradients within plant tissues as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The major natural auxin in plants, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), orchestrates a plethora of developmental responses that largely depend on the formation of auxin concentration gradients within plant tissues. Together with inter- and intracellular transport, IAA metabolism-which comprises biosynthesis, conjugation, and degradation-modulates auxin gradients and is therefore critical for plant growth. It is now very well established that IAA is mainly produced from Trp and that the IPyA pathway is a major and universally conserved biosynthetic route in plants, while other redundant pathways operate in parallel. Recent findings have shown that metabolic inactivation of IAA is also redundantly performed by oxidation and conjugation processes. An exquisite spatiotemporal expression of the genes for auxin synthesis and inactivation have been shown to drive several plant developmental processes. Moreover, a group of transcription factors and epigenetic regulators controlling the expression of auxin metabolic genes have been identified in past years, which are illuminating the road to understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the coordinated responses of local auxin metabolism to specific cues. Besides transcriptional regulation, subcellular compartmentalization of the IAA metabolism and posttranslational modifications of the metabolic enzymes are emerging as important contributors to IAA homeostasis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on (1) the pathways for IAA biosynthesis and inactivation in plants, (2) the influence of spatiotemporally regulated IAA metabolism on auxin-mediated responses, and (3) the regulatory mechanisms that modulate IAA levels in response to external and internal cues during plant development.
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University of Portsmouth1, Stockholm University2, Baylor University3, Jinan University4, United States Environmental Protection Agency5, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences6, Environment Agency7, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment8, Goethe University Frankfurt9, Griffith University10, University of Lethbridge11, Environment Protection Authority12, United States Geological Survey13, Wageningen University and Research Centre14, Leibniz Association15, Monash University16, University of Tübingen17
TL;DR: In this paper, a workshop with international representatives from the fields of behavioral ecology, ecotoxicology, regulatory toxicology, neurotoxicology and risk assessment resulted in the formation of consensus perspectives and recommendations which promise to serve as a roadmap to advance interfaces among the basic and translational sciences, and regulatory practices.
Abstract: For decades, we have known that chemicals affect human and wildlife behavior. Moreover, due to recent technological and computational advances, scientists are now increasingly aware that a wide variety of contaminants and other environmental stressors adversely affect organismal behavior and subsequent ecological outcomes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. There is also a groundswell of concern that regulatory ecotoxicology does not adequately consider behavior, primarily due to a lack of standardized toxicity methods. This has, in turn, led to the exclusion of many behavioral ecotoxicology studies from chemical risk assessments. To improve understanding of the challenges and opportunities for behavioral ecotoxicology within regulatory toxicology/risk assessment, a unique workshop with international representatives from the fields of behavioral ecology, ecotoxicology, regulatory (eco)toxicology, neurotoxicology, test standardization, and risk assessment resulted in the formation of consensus perspectives and recommendations, which promise to serve as a roadmap to advance interfaces among the basic and translational sciences, and regulatory practices.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the mutation and screening of seven putative S-genes in potatoes, including two DMR6 potato homologues, using a CRISPR/Cas9 system, which conferred co-expression of two guide RNAs.
Abstract: The use of pathogen-resistant cultivars is expected to increase yield and decrease fungicide use in agriculture. However, in potato breeding, increased resistance obtained via resistance genes (R-genes) is hampered because R-gene(s) are often specific for a pathogen race and can be quickly overcome by the evolution of the pathogen. In parallel, susceptibility genes (S-genes) are important for pathogenesis, and loss of S-gene function confers increased resistance in several plants, such as rice, wheat, citrus and tomatoes. In this article, we present the mutation and screening of seven putative S-genes in potatoes, including two DMR6 potato homologues. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 system, which conferred co-expression of two guide RNAs, tetra-allelic deletion mutants were generated and resistance against late blight was assayed in the plants. Functional knockouts of StDND1, StCHL1, and DMG400000582 (StDMR6-1) generated potatoes with increased resistance against late blight. Plants mutated in StDND1 showed pleiotropic effects, whereas StDMR6-1 and StCHL1 mutated plants did not exhibit any growth phenotype, making them good candidates for further agricultural studies. Additionally, we showed that DMG401026923 (here denoted StDMR6-2) knockout mutants did not demonstrate any increased late blight resistance, but exhibited a growth phenotype, indicating that StDMR6-1 and StDMR6-2 have different functions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the mutation and screening of putative S-genes in potatoes, including two DMR6 potato homologues.
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TL;DR: In this article, a mixture of 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) with the biomass Ayous wood sawdust (AW) was used to remove reactive blue 4 (RB-4) from water.
Abstract: Background Biomass-based materials present low sorption capacity. In order to overcome this disadvantage, chemical modification of these materials is required. Methods Hybrids of biomass-based materials were obtained by reacting (25%-200% weight) 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) with the biomass Ayous wood sawdust (AW), obtaining the hybrid materials AW@APTES-0.25, AW@APTES-0.50, AW@APTES-1.0, AW@APTES-1.5, and AW@APTES-2.0, that were characterized by hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, CHN elemental analysis, surface area, TGA, FTIR, and pHpzc. Significant findings For screening purposes, the five materials were tested as adsorbents to remove reactive blue 4 (RB-4) from water. The results showed that AW@APTES-0.5 attained the maximum removal of RB-4. The kinetics and equilibrium data were suitably fitted by the nonlinear General-order kinetic (GO) and Liu equilibrium adsorption models. The maximum amount adsorbed of RB-4 dye was 415.1 mg g − 1 using AW@APTES-0.5 (50 °C). An increase in the Qmax value of AW@APTES-0.5 concerning unmodified AW attained up to 21.6 times. The ΔG° and ΔH° indicated that the adsorption processes of RB-4 onto adsorbents are endothermic and spontaneous, and the magnitude of enthalpy of adsorption (25.10 kJ mol−1) is compatible with the electrostatic attraction mechanism. The adsorbents’ applicability for treating simulated dye effluents showed an excellent efficiency attaining 98.66% removal of the effluent.
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Leibniz Association1, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University2, Humboldt University of Berlin3, University of Bucharest4, Free University of Berlin5, University of New Brunswick6, Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute7, University of Barcelona8, University of Leeds9, Chinese Academy of Sciences10, Norwegian University of Life Sciences11, American Museum of Natural History12, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos13, Carleton University14, IMDEA15, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven16, Naturalis17, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology18, University of Hong Kong19, Ateneo de Manila University20, Museum für Naturkunde21, Technische Universität München22, Ghent University23, Zoological Society of London24, University of Ghana25, University of Potsdam26, University of Costa Rica27, University of Duisburg-Essen28, University of Koblenz and Landau29, Utah State University30, Finnish Environment Institute31, University of Nevada, Reno32, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications33, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences34, Kabale University35, EARTH University36, Trinity College, Dublin37, Stockholm Resilience Centre38, University of Münster39, Norwegian Institute for Water Research40, University of Otago41, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources42, University of the Philippines Diliman43, National Institute for Environmental Studies44, Ilia State University45, University of Douala46, University of Mississippi47, Rhodes University48, World Wide Fund for Nature49, University of Giessen50, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies51, North Carolina State University52, University of the South Pacific53, Stellenbosch University54, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna55, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology56, University of Bern57, Tribhuvan University58, Kathmandu University59, University of Helsinki60, University of Vermont61, Braunschweig University of Technology62, François Rabelais University63, University of Kansas64, Goethe University Frankfurt65, University of Canterbury66, University of California, Santa Barbara67, Federal University of Paraná68, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ69
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identified 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity, and proposed a global biodiversity research agenda aiming to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally.
Abstract: Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors advocate for the development of integrated hydro-biogeochemical theories across gradients of climate, vegetation, and geology conditions to understand the characteristics of hydrological flow at the catchment scale.
Abstract: Headwater catchments are the fundamental units that connect the land to the ocean. Hydrological flow and biogeochemical processes are intricately coupled, yet their respective sciences have progressed without much integration. Reaction kinetic theories that prescribe rate dependence on environmental variables (e.g., temperature and water content) have advanced substantially, mostly in well-mixed reactors, columns, and warming experiments without considering the characteristics of hydrological flow at the catchment scale. These theories have shown significant divergence from observations in natural systems. On the other hand, hydrological theories, including transit time theory, have progressed substantially yet have not been incorporated into understanding reactions at the catchment scale. Here we advocate for the development of integrated hydro-biogeochemical theories across gradients of climate, vegetation, and geology conditions. The lack of such theories presents barriers for understanding mechanisms and forecasting the future of the Critical Zone under human- and climate-induced perturbations. Although integration has started and co-located measurements are well under way, tremendous challenges remain. In particular, even in this era of "big data," we are still limited by data and will need to (1) intensify measurements beyond river channels and characterize the vertical connectivity and broadly the shallow and deep subsurface; (2) expand to older water dating beyond the time scales reflected in stable water isotopes; (3) combine the use of reactive solutes, nonreactive tracers, and isotopes; and (4) augment measurements in environments that are undergoing rapid changes. To develop integrated theories, it is essential to (1) engage models at all stages to develop model-informed data collection strategies and to maximize data usage; (2) adopt a "simple but not simplistic," or fit-for-purpose approach to include essential processes in process-based models; (3) blend the use of process-based and data-driven models in the framework of "theory-guided data science." Within the framework of hypothesis testing, model-data fusion can advance integrated theories that mechanistically link catchments' internal structures and external drivers to their functioning. It can not only advance the field of hydro-biogeochemistry, but also enable hind- and fore-casting and serve the society at large. Broadly, future education will need to cultivate thinkers at the intersections of traditional disciplines with hollistic approaches for understanding interacting processes in complex earth systems.This article is categorized under:Science of Water > Methods
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TL;DR: Differential colonization of forages by rumen microbiota suggests that taxonomic and metabolic diversification is an evolutionary adaptation to diverse lignocellulosic substrates constituting a major component of the cattle's diet.
Abstract: Rumen microbiota play a key role in the digestion and utilization of plant materials by the ruminant species, which have important implications for greenhouse gas emission. Yet, little is known about the key taxa and potential gene functions involved in the digestion process. Here, we performed a genome-centric analysis of rumen microbiota attached to six different lignocellulosic biomasses in rumen-fistulated cattle. Our metagenome sequencing provided novel genomic insights into functional potential of 523 uncultured bacteria and 15 mostly uncultured archaea in the rumen. The assembled genomes belonged mainly to Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobiota, and Fibrobacterota and were enriched for genes related to the degradation of lignocellulosic polymers and the fermentation of degraded products into short chain volatile fatty acids. We also found a shift from copiotrophic to oligotrophic taxa during the course of rumen fermentation, potentially important for the digestion of recalcitrant lignocellulosic substrates in the physiochemically complex and varying environment of the rumen. Differential colonization of forages (the incubated lignocellulosic materials) by rumen microbiota suggests that taxonomic and metabolic diversification is an evolutionary adaptation to diverse lignocellulosic substrates constituting a major component of the cattle's diet. Our data also provide novel insights into the key role of unique microbial diversity and associated gene functions in the degradation of recalcitrant lignocellulosic materials in the rumen.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose to accelerate efforts to improve conferences in virtual formats, which can lead to a more equitable and sustainable conference culture, and demonstrate that online meetings are a viable alternative to large in-person meetings.
Abstract: Conferences are a pivotal part of the scientific enterprise, but large in-person meetings have several disadvantages. As the pandemic experience has shown, online meetings are a viable alternative. Accelerating efforts to improve conferences in virtual formats can lead to a more equitable and sustainable conference culture.
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Amanda E. Bates1, Richard B. Primack2, Brandy S. Biggar1, Tomas J. Bird3 +343 more•Institutions (106)
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report immediate impacts of changes in human activities on wildlife and environmental threats during the early lockdown months of 2020, based on 877 qualitative reports and 332 quantitative assessments from 89 different studies.
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TL;DR: SAPFLUXNET as mentioned in this paper is a global compilation of whole-plant transpiration data from sap flow measurements, which includes sub-daily time series of sap flow and hydrometeorological drivers, as well as metadata on the stand characteristics, plant attributes, and technical details of the measurements.
Abstract: . Plant transpiration links physiological responses of
vegetation to water supply and demand with hydrological, energy, and carbon
budgets at the land–atmosphere interface. However, despite being the main
land evaporative flux at the global scale, transpiration and its response to
environmental drivers are currently not well constrained by observations.
Here we introduce the first global compilation of whole-plant transpiration
data from sap flow measurements (SAPFLUXNET, https://sapfluxnet.creaf.cat/ , last access: 8 June 2021).
We harmonized and quality-controlled individual datasets supplied by
contributors worldwide in a semi-automatic data workflow implemented in the
R programming language. Datasets include sub-daily time series of sap flow
and hydrometeorological drivers for one or more growing seasons, as well as
metadata on the stand characteristics, plant attributes, and technical
details of the measurements. SAPFLUXNET contains 202 globally distributed
datasets with sap flow time series for 2714 plants, mostly trees, of 174
species. SAPFLUXNET has a broad bioclimatic coverage, with
woodland/shrubland and temperate forest biomes especially well represented
(80 % of the datasets). The measurements cover a wide variety of stand
structural characteristics and plant sizes. The datasets encompass the
period between 1995 and 2018, with 50 % of the datasets being at least 3 years long. Accompanying radiation and vapour pressure deficit data are
available for most of the datasets, while on-site soil water content is
available for 56 % of the datasets. Many datasets contain data for species
that make up 90 % or more of the total stand basal area, allowing the
estimation of stand transpiration in diverse ecological settings. SAPFLUXNET
adds to existing plant trait datasets, ecosystem flux networks, and remote
sensing products to help increase our understanding of plant water use,
plant responses to drought, and ecohydrological processes. SAPFLUXNET version
0.1.5 is freely available from the Zenodo repository ( https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3971689 ; Poyatos et al., 2020a). The
“sapfluxnetr” R package – designed to access, visualize, and process
SAPFLUXNET data – is available from CRAN.