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How Does Canopy Cover in Deserts Impact Soil, Biodiversity, and Urban Climates?
Vegetation in deserts is patchy and acts as islands of resources. Plant canopy can increase soil fertility, moisture, and microbial diversity. The tree canopy has several benefits for urban settlements in deserts, such as reducing temperatures, air pollutants, and carbon emissions. Deserts make up 33% of terrestrial ecosystems and are present on nearly every continent. They… Continue reading…
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Why is Riparian Canopy Cover important for Water Quality and Wildlife
Riparian zones are the transitional areas between water bodies and uplands. Riparian zones provide several ecosystem benefits, such as bank stabilization, water quality and temperature maintenance, lowered downstream flood risks, and wildlife habitat and food. Many of the riparian zone benefits depend on a healthy old-growth canopy cover. Canopy cover and shade of riparian zones… Continue reading…
Adapted Plant Traits in Riparian Zones
Riparian plants have anatomical and morphological adaptations that help them persist in the dynamic and variable conditions of the ecotone. Plant adaptations in the riparian ecotones occur in response to periodic flooding, anoxia, low luminosity, and unstable substrate. The adaptations can be in the shoot, leaves, and root systems. Adaptations vary based on life forms,… Continue reading…
How Leaf Area Index Affects Yield
Leaf Area Index (LAI) varies with species, cultivars, growing conditions, and crop stages. The influence of LAI on yield will depend on the harvested portion of crops. An increase in LAI above a specific optimum value for fruits and seed crops will decrease yield. Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a standard vegetative trait correlated with… Continue reading…
How Does the Role of Senescence Affect Crop Productivity?
Senescence can determine and increase crop productivity. Selecting for cultivars with delayed senescence improves yield only in some species. Senescence increases plant phenotypic plasticity, helping it to adapt to abiotic stress. Senescence is a significant agricultural trait that affects crop growth, stress adaptation, yield, and postharvest storage. Plants are unusual as they can time senescence… Continue reading…
Five Important Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Research Studies in 2024
In 2024, many studies will explore frameworks and concepts to fill in gaps in our understanding of the basics of mycorrhizal composition and functions, from microscopic to large scales. The Mycorrhizal fungi benefits in agriculture are a key focus, with studies aimed at improving the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance soil health… Continue reading…
How Minirhizotrons for Nematode Detection Improve Root Health Monitoring
Early studies used minirhizotron to understand how nematode-roots interaction impacts yield. Minirhizotrons have also been used to quantify nematode damage and cultivar selection. Minirhizotrons can show symptoms like root swelling and root trait changes at infection sites. Root studies have increased in number recently due to novel data collection techniques, such as imaging through minirhizotron… Continue reading…
