Common spatial patterns of trees in various tropical forests: Small trees are associated with increased diversity at small spatial scales

Tropical forests are notable for their high species diversity, even on small spatial scales, and right‐skewed species and size abundance distributions. The role of individual species as drivers of the spatial organization of diversity in these forests has been explained by several hypotheses and processes, for example, stochastic dilution, negative density dependence, or gap dynamics. These processes leave a signature in spatial distribution of small trees, particularly in the vicinity of large trees, likely having stronger effects on their neighbors. We are exploring species diversity patterns within the framework of various diversity‐generating hypotheses using individual species–area relationships. We used the data from three tropical forest plots (Wanang—Papua New Guinea, Barro Colorado Island—Panama, and Sinharaja—Sri Lanka) and included also the saplings (DBH ≥ 1 cm). Resulting cross‐size patterns of species richness and evenness reflect the dynamics of saplings affected by the distribution of large trees. When all individuals with DBH ≥1 cm are included, ~50% of all tree species from the 25‐ or 50‐ha plot can be found within 35 m radius of an individual tree. For all trees, 72%–78% of species were identified as species richness accumulators, having more species present in their surroundings than expected by null models. This pattern was driven by small trees as the analysis of DBH >10 cm trees showed much lower proportion of accumulators, 14%–65% of species identified as richness repellers and had low richness of surrounding small trees. Only 11%–26% of species had lower species evenness than was expected by null models. High proportions of species richness accumulators were probably due to gap dynamics and support Janzen–Connell hypothesis driven by competition or top‐down control by pathogens and herbivores. Observed species diversity patterns show the importance of including small tree size classes in analyses of the spatial organization of diversity.     

Understanding 3D structural complexity of individual Scots pine trees with different management history

Tree functional traits together with processes such as forest regeneration, growth, and mortality affect forest and tree structure. Forest management inherently impacts these processes. Moreover, forest structure, biodiversity, resilience, and carbon uptake can be sustained and enhanced with forest management activities. To assess structural complexity of individual trees, comprehensive and quantitative measures are needed, and they are often lacking for current forest management practices. Here, we utilized 3D information from individual Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees obtained with terrestrial laser scanning to, first, assess effects of forest management on structural complexity of individual trees and, second, understand relationship between several tree attributes and structural complexity. We studied structural complexity of individual trees represented by a single scale‐independent metric called “box dimension.” This study aimed at identifying drivers affecting structural complexity of individual Scots pine trees in boreal forest conditions. The results showed that thinning increased structural complexity of individual Scots pine trees. Furthermore, we found a relationship between structural complexity and stem and crown size and shape as well as tree growth. Thus, it can be concluded that forest management affected structural complexity of individual Scots pine trees in managed boreal forests, and stem, crown, and growth attributes were identified as drivers of it.     

A spectral analysis of stem bark for boreal and temperate tree species

The woody material of forest canopies has a significant effect on the total forest reflectance and on the interpretation of remotely sensed data, yet research on the spectral properties of bark has been limited. We developed a novel measurement setup for acquiring stem bark reflectance spectra in field conditions, using a mobile hyperspectral camera. The setup was used for stem bark reflectance measurements of ten boreal and temperate tree species in the visible (VIS) to near‐infrared (NIR) (400–1000 nm) wavelength region. Twenty trees of each species were measured, constituting a total of 200 hyperspectral reflectance images. The mean bark spectra of species were similar in the VIS region, and the interspecific variation was largest in the NIR region. The intraspecific variation of bark spectra was high for all studied species from the VIS to the NIR region. The spectral similarity of our study species did not correspond to the general phylogenetic lineages. The hyperspectral reflectance images revealed that the distributions of per‐pixel reflectance values within images were species‐specific. The spectral library collected in this study contributes toward building a comprehensive understanding of the spectral diversity of forests needed not only in remote sensing applications but also in, for example, biodiversity or land surface modeling studies.     

Insect defoliation modulates influence of climate on the growth of tree species in the boreal mixed forests of eastern Canada

Increasing air temperatures and changing precipitation patterns due to climate change can affect tree growth in boreal forests. Periodic insect outbreaks affect the growth trajectory of trees, making it difficult to quantify the climate signal in growth dynamics at scales longer than a year. We studied climate‐driven growth trends and the influence of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreaks on these trends by analyzing the basal area increment (BAI) of 2058 trees of Abies balsamea (L.) Mill., Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, Thuja occidentalis L., Populus tremuloides Michx., and Betula papyrifera Marsh, which co‐occurs in the boreal mixedwood forests of western Quebec. We used a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) to analyze species‐specific trends in BAI dynamics from 1967 to 1991. The model relied on tree size, cambial age, degree of spruce budworm defoliation, and seasonal climatic variables. Overall, we observed a decreasing growth rate of the spruce budworm host species, A. balsamea and P. glauca between 1967 and 1991, and an increasing growth rate for the non‐host, P. tremuloides, B. papyrifera, and T. occidentalis. Our results suggest that insect outbreaks may offset growth increases resulting from a warmer climate. The observation warrants the inclusion of the spruce budworm defoliation into models predicting future forest productivity.     

Effective distance of volatile cues for plant–plant communication in beech

In response to volatiles emitted from a plant infested by herbivorous arthropods, neighboring undamaged conspecific plants become better defended against herbivores; this is referred to as plant‒plant communication. Although plant‒plant communication occurs in a wide range of plant species, most studies have focused on herbaceous plants. Here, we investigated plant‒plant communication in beech trees in two experimental plantations in 2018 and one plantation in 2019. Approximately 20% of the leaves of a beech tree were clipped in half in the spring seasons of 2018 and 2019 (clipped tree). The damage levels to leaves in the surrounding undamaged beech trees were evaluated 90 days after the clipping (assay trees). In both years, the damage levels decreased with a reduction in the distance from the clipped tree. In 2019, we also recorded the damage levels of trees that were not exposed to volatiles (nonexposed trees) as control trees and found that those that were located <5 m away from clipped trees had significantly less leaf damage than nonexposed trees. By using a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer, ten and eight volatile compounds were detected in the headspaces of clipped and unclipped leaves, respectively. Among them, the amount of (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate in clipped leaves was significantly higher than that in nonclipped leaves. Our result suggests that green leaf volatiles such as (Z)‐3‐hexenol and (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate and other volatile organic compounds emitted from clipped trees induced defenses in the neighboring trees within the 5 m radius. The effective distances of plant‒plant communication in trees were discussed from the viewpoint of the arthropod community structure in forest ecosystems.     

How weak twining lianas adapt to competition with host tree trunks: Case of Merremia boisiana

Fierce competition exists between most stem‐twining lianas and the trunks of host trees. However, Merremia boisiana, a vigorous invasive twining liana, never strangles the host tree. Here, we investigated how M. boisiana stems adjust their twining growth to avoid intense competition with host trees, and how hydraulic conductivity is maintained for rapid asexual reproduction. We evaluated the effects of competition on twining M. boisiana stems (E_m) and host tree trunks (E_h), compared differences in secondary growth between twining and creeping M. boisiana stems, calculated the total number of vessels (N_t), vessel density (Vmm⁻²), average vessel diameter (VD_ave), and percentage of vessels wider than 300 μm in diameter (P₃₀₀) in the secondary xylem, and traced how these parameters change with increasing cross‐sectional area of stem (SA). The results showed that twining M. boisiana stems were competitively weaker, and mean E_m (14.3%) was 21 times greater than that of E_h (0.7%). Secondary growth along the normal direction of the contact surface was significantly inhibited in stems twining on host trees. The lateral secondary growth of these stems was active, forming secondary vascular rings and/or arcs with abundant large vessels. Secondary growth in the central vascular cylinder was also significantly limited in extremely flat twining stems. N_t was positively and linearly correlated with SA. Vmm⁻² and VD_ave fluctuated greatly in younger stems and tended to be stable in older stems. N_t and Vmm⁻² did not significantly differ between twining and creeping stems, while VD_ave and P₃₀₀ were both higher in twining stems compared to creeping stems of the same size. In conclusion, well‐developed lateral anomalous secondary growth prevents twining M. boisiana stems from fiercely competing with their host trees, while stable vessel density and wider, newly formed, vessels ensured sufficient hydraulic conductivity for the rapid asexual reproduction of twining M. boisiana stems.     

Understanding crown shyness from a 3-D perspective

Background and AimsCrown shyness describes the phenomenon whereby tree crowns avoid growing into each other, producing a puzzle-like pattern of complementary tree crowns in the canopy. Previous studies found that tree slenderness plays a role in the development of crown shyness. Attempts to quantify crown shyness have largely been confined to 2-D approaches. This study aimed to expand the current set of metrics for crown shyness by quantifying the characteristic of 3-D surface complementarity between trees displaying crown shyness, using LiDAR-derived tree point clouds. Subsequently, the relationship between crown surface complementarity and slenderness of trees was assessed.MethodsFourteen trees were scanned using a laser scanning device. Individual tree points clouds were extracted semi-automatically and manually corrected where needed. A metric that quantifies the surface complementarity (S_c) of a pair of protein molecules is applied to point clouds of pairs of adjacent trees. Then 3-D tree crown surfaces were generated from point clouds by computing their α shapes.Key ResultsTree pairs that were visually determined to have overlapping crowns scored significantly lower S_c values than pairs that did not overlap (n = 14, P < 0.01). Furthermore, average slenderness of pairs of trees correlated positively with their S_c score (R² = 0.484, P < 0.01), showing agreement with previous studies on crown shyness.ConclusionsThe characteristic of crown surface complementarity present in trees displaying crown shyness was succesfully quantified using a 3-D surface complementarity metric adopted from molecular biology. Crown surface complementarity showed a positive relationship to tree slenderness, similar to other metrics used for measuring crown shyness. The 3-D metric developed in this study revealed how trees adapt the shape of their crowns to those of adjacent trees and how this is linked to the slenderness of the trees.     

Root biomechanics in Rhizophora mangle: anatomy,morphology and ecology of mangrove’s flying buttresses

Background and Aims Rhizophora species of mangroves have a conspicuous system of stilt-like roots (rhizophores) that grow from the main stem and resemble flying buttresses. As such, the development of rhizophores can be predicted to be important for the effective transmission of dynamic loads from the top of the tree to the ground, especially where the substrate is unstable, as is often the case in the habitats where Rhizophora species typically grow. This study tests the hypothesis that rhizophore architecture in R. mangle co-varies with their proximity to the main stem, and with stem size and crown position.Methods The allometry and wood mechanical properties of R. mangle (red mangrove) trees growing in a mangrove basin forest within a coastal lagoon in Mexico were compared with those of coexisting, non-buttressed mangrove trees of Avicennia germinans. The anatomy of rhizophores was related to mechanical stress due to crown orientation (static load) and to prevailing winds (dynamic load) at the study site.Key Results Rhizophores buttressed between 10 and 33 % of tree height. There were significant and direct scaling relationships between the number, height and length of rhizophores vs. basal area, tree height and crown area. Wood mechanical resistance was significantly higher in the buttressed R. mangle (modulus of elasticity, MOE = 18·1 ± 2 GPa) than in A. germinans (MOE = 12·1 ± 0·5 GPa). Slenderness ratios (total height/stem diameter) were higher in R. mangle, but there were no interspecies differences in critical buckling height. When in proximity to the main stem, rhizophores had a lower length/height ratio, higher eccentricity and higher xylem/bark and pith proportions. However, there were no directional trends with regard to prevailing winds or tree leaning.Conclusions In comparison with A. germinans, a tree species with wide girth and flare at the base, R. mangle supports a thinner stem of higher mechanical resistance that is stabilized by rhizophores resembling flying buttresses. This provides a unique strategy to increase tree slenderness and height in the typically unstable substrate on which the trees grow, at a site that is subject to frequent storms.     

Phylogeography and genetic diversity of the widespread katydid Ducetia japonica (Thunberg, 1815) across China

Habitat fragmentation can lower migration rates and genetic connectivity among remaining populations of native species. Ducetia japonica is one of the most widespread katydids in China, but little is known about its genetic structure and phylogeographic distribution. We combined the five‐prime region of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI‐5P), 11 newly developed microsatellite loci coupled with an ecological niche model (ENM) to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of D. japonica in China and beyond to Laos and Singapore. Both Bayesian inference (BI) and haplotype network methods revealed six mitochondrial COI‐5P lineages. The distribution of COI‐5P haplotypes may not demonstrate significant phylogeographic structure (N _ST > G _ST, p > .05). The STRUCTURE analysis based on microsatellite data also revealed six genetic clusters, but discordant with those obtained from COI‐5P haplotypes. For both COI‐5P and microsatellite data, Mantel tests revealed a significant positive correlation between geographic and genetic distances in mainland China. Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) analyses indicated that the population size of D. japonica''s three major mitochondrial COI‐5P lineages were seemingly not affected by last glacial maximum (LGM, 0.015–0.025 Mya). The ecological niche models showed that the current distribution of D. japonica was similar to the species’ distribution during the LGM period and only slightly extended in northern China. Further phylogeographic studies based on more extensive sampling are needed to identify specific locations of glacial refugia in northern China.     

Pollinator individual‐based networks reveal the specialized plant–pollinator mutualism in two biodiverse communities

Generalization of pollination systems is widely accepted by ecologists in the studies of plant–pollinator interaction networks at the community level, but the degree of generalization of pollination networks remains largely unknown at the individual pollinator level. Using potential legitimate pollinators that were constantly visiting flowers in two alpine meadow communities, we analyzed the differences in the pollination network structure between the pollinator individual level and species level. The results showed that compared to the pollinator species‐based networks, the linkage density, interaction diversity, interaction evenness, the average plant linkage level, and interaction diversity increased, but connectance, degree of nestedness, the average of pollinator linkage level, and interaction diversity decreased in the pollinator individual‐based networks, indicating that pollinator individuals had a narrower food niche than their counterpart species. Pollination networks at the pollinator individual level were more specialized at the network level (H′₂) and the plant species node level (d′) than at the pollinator species‐level networks, reducing the chance of underestimating levels of specialization in pollination systems. The results emphasize that research into pollinator individual‐based pollination networks will improve our understanding of the pollination networks at the pollinator species level and the coevolution of flowering plants and pollinators.     

Molecular insights into the primary nucleation of polymorphic amyloid β dimers in DOPC lipid bilayer membrane

Alzheimer''s disease (AD) pathology is characterized by loss of memory cognitive and behavioral deterioration. One of the hallmarks of AD is amyloid β (Aβ) plaques in the brain that consists of Aβ oligomers and fibrils. It is accepted that oligomers, particularly dimers, are toxic species that are produced extracellularly and intracellularly in membranes. It is believed that the disruption of membranes by polymorphic Aβ oligomers is the key for the pathology of AD. This is a first study that investigate the effect of polymorphic “α‐helix/random coil” and “fibril‐like” Aβ dimers on 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC) membrane. It has been found that the DOPC membrane promotes Aβ_1–42 “fibril‐like” dimers and impedes Aβ_1–42 “α‐helix/random coil” dimers. The N‐termini domains within Aβ_1–42 dimers play a role in Aβ aggregation in membrane milieus. In addition, the aromatic π–π interactions (involving residues F19 and F20 in Aβ_1–42) are the driving forces for the hydrophobic interactions that initiate the primary nucleation of polymorphic Aβ_1–42 dimers within DOPC membrane. Finally, the DOPC bilayer membrane thickness is locally decreased, and it is disrupted by an embedded distinct Aβ_1–42 dimer, due to relatively large contacts between Aβ_1–42 monomers and the DOPC membrane. This study reveals insights into the molecular mechanisms by which polymorphic early‐stage Aβ_1–42 dimers have distinct impacts on DOPC membrane.     

A new method to estimate branch biomass from terrestrial laser scanning data by bridging tree structure models

Background and AimsBranch biomass and other attributes are important for estimating the carbon budget of forest stands and characterizing crown structure. As destructive measuring is time-consuming and labour-intensive, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) as a solution has been used to estimate branch biomass quickly and non-destructively. However, branch information extraction from TLS data alone is challenging due to occlusion and other defects, especially for estimating individual branch attributes in coniferous trees.MethodsThis study presents a method, entitled TSM_tls, to estimate individual branch biomass non-destructively and accurately by combining tree structure models and TLS data. The TSM_tls method constructs the stem-taper curve from TLS data, then uses tree structure models to determine the number, basal area and biomass of individual branches at whorl level. We estimated the tree structural model parameters from 122 destructively measured Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees and tested the method on six Scots pine trees that were first TLS-scanned and later destructively measured. Additionally, we estimated the branch biomass using other TLS-based approaches for comparison.Key ResultsTree-level branch biomass estimates derived from TSM_tls showed the best agreement with the destructive measurements [coefficient of variation of root mean square error (CV-RMSE) = 9.66 % and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.99], outperforming the other TLS-based approaches (CV-RMSE 12.97–57.45 % and CCC 0.43–0.98 ). Whorl-level individual branch attributes estimates produced from TSM_tls showed more accurate results than those produced from TLS data directly.ConclusionsThe results showed that the TSM_tls method proposed in this study holds promise for extension to more species and larger areas.     

20‐HETE synthesis inhibition attenuates traumatic brain injury–induced mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis via the SIRT1/PGC‐1α pathway: A translational study

Objectives20‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20‐HETE) is a metabolite of arachidonic acid catalysed by cytochrome P450 enzymes and plays an important role in cell death and proliferation. We hypothesized that 20‐HETE synthesis inhibition may have protective effects in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and investigated possible underlying molecular mechanisms.Materials and methodsNeurologic deficits, and lesion volume, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and cell death as assessed using immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting were used to determine post‐TBI effects of HET0016, an inhibitor of 20‐HETE synthesis, and their underlying mechanisms.ResultsThe level of 20‐HETE was found to be increased significantly after TBI in mice. 20‐HETE synthesis inhibition reduced neuronal apoptosis, ROS production and damage to mitochondrial structures after TBI. Mechanistically, HET0016 decreased the Drp1 level and increased the expression of Mfn1 and Mfn2 after TBI, indicating a reversal of the abnormal post‐TBI mitochondrial dynamics. HET0016 also promoted the restoration of SIRT1 and PGC‐1α in vivo, and a SIRT1 activator (SRT1720) reversed the downregulation of SIRT1 and PGC‐1α and the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics induced by 20‐HETE in vitro. Furthermore, plasma 20‐HETE levels were found to be higher in TBI patients with unfavourable neurological outcomes and were correlated with the GOS score.ConclusionsThe inhibition of 20‐HETE synthesis represents a novel strategy to mitigate TBI‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis by regulating the SIRT1/PGC‐1α pathway.     

The demography of range boundaries versus range cores in eastern US tree species

Regional species–climate correlations are well documented, but little is known about the ecological processes responsible for generating these patterns. Using the data from over 690 000 individual trees I estimated five demographic rates—canopy growth, understorey growth, canopy lifespan, understorey lifespan and per capita reproduction—for 19 common eastern US tree species, within the core and the northern and southern boundaries, of the species range. Most species showed statistically significant boundary versus core differences in most rates at both boundary types. Differences in canopy and understorey growth were relatively small in magnitude but consistent among species, being lower at the northern (average −17%) and higher at the southern (average +12%) boundaries. Differences in lifespan were larger in magnitude but highly variable among species, except for a marked trend for reduced canopy lifespan at the northern boundary (average −49%). Differences in per capita reproduction were large and statistically significant for some species, but highly variable among species. The rate estimates were combined to calculate two performance indices: R₀ (a measure of lifetime fitness in the absence of competition) was consistently lower at the northern boundary (average −86%) whereas Z^* (a measure of competitive ability in closed forest) showed no sign of a consistent boundary–core difference at either boundary.     

Mesenchymal stem cell‐conditioned medium attenuates the retinal pathology in amyloid‐β‐induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease: Underlying mechanisms

Amyloid‐beta (Aβ) oligomer is known to contribute to the pathophysiology of age‐related macular degeneration. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the in vivo and in vitro effects of Aβ_1‐42 application on retinal morphology in rats. Our in vivo studies revealed that intracerebroventricular administration of Aβ_1‐42 oligomer caused dysmorphological changes in both retinal ganglion cells and retinal pigment epithelium. In addition, in vitro studies revealed that ARPE‐19 cells following Aβ_1‐42 oligomer application had decreased viability along with apoptosis and decreased expression of the tight junction proteins, increased expression of both phosphor‐AKT and phosphor‐GSK3β and decreased expression of both SIRT1 and β‐catenin. Application of conditioned medium (CM) obtained from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) protected against Aβ_1‐42 oligomer‐induced retinal pathology in both rats and ARPE‐19 cells. In order to explore the potential role of peptides secreted from the MSCs, we applied mass spectrometry to compare the peptidomics profiles of the MSC‐CM. Gene ontology enrichment analysis and String analysis were performed to explore the differentially expressed peptides by predicting the functions of their precursor proteins. Bioinformatics analysis showed that 3‐8 out of 155–163 proteins in the MSC‐CM maybe associated with SIRT1/pAKT/pGSK3β/β‐catenin, tight junction proteins, and apoptosis pathway. In particular, the secretomes information on the MSC‐CM may be helpful for the prevention and treatment of retinal pathology in age‐related macular degeneration.     

Cardiolipin interacts with beta‐2‐glycoprotein I and forms an open conformation–Mechanisms analyzed using hydrogen/deuterium exchange

Beta‐2‐glycoprotein I (β₂GPI) is the major antigen for the antiphospholipid antibodies in the antiphospholipid syndrome. The exposed epitope in domain I of β₂GPI can be recognized by the anti‐β₂GPI antibody. Here, we prepared the anionic di‐oleoyl‐phosphatidylserine (DOPS) and cardiolipin (CL) liposomes to interact with the β₂GPI. The conformational changes of β₂GPI upon binding with the liposomes were analyzed using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. The exchange level of sequences 21–27 significantly increased after β₂GPI had interacted with DOPS. This change indicated a reduced interaction between domain I and domain V, inferring to a protrusion of the sequences 21–27 from the ring conformation. After β₂GPI had interacted with CL for 30 min, the exchange levels in 4 of the 5 domains increased significantly. The deuteration levels of sequences 1–20, 21–27, 196–205, 273–279 and 297–306 increased, suggesting that these regions had become more exposed, and the domain I was no longer in contact with domain V. The increasing deuteration levels in sequences 70–86, 153–162, 191–198, 196–205 and 273–279 indicated β₂GPI undergoing conformational changes to expose these inner regions, suggesting a structural transition. Overall, DOPS and CL induced minor conformational changes of β₂GPI at sequences 21–27 and forms an intermediate conformation after 10 min of interaction. After a complete protein–lipid interaction, high negatively charged CL membrane induced a major conformation transition of β₂GPI.     

Seawater exposure causes hydraulic damage in dying Sitka-spruce trees

Sea-level rise is one of the most critical challenges facing coastal ecosystems under climate change. Observations of elevated tree mortality in global coastal forests are increasing, but important knowledge gaps persist concerning the mechanism of salinity stress-induced nonhalophytic tree mortality. We monitored progressive mortality and associated gas exchange and hydraulic shifts in Sitka-spruce (Picea sitchensis) trees located within a salinity gradient under an ecosystem-scale change of seawater exposure in Washington State, USA. Percentage of live foliated crown (PLFC) decreased and tree mortality increased with increasing soil salinity during the study period. A strong reduction in gas exchange and xylem hydraulic conductivity (K_s) occurred during tree death, with an increase in the percentage loss of conductivity (PLC) and turgor loss point (π_tlp). Hydraulic and osmotic shifts reflected that hydraulic function declined from seawater exposure, and dying trees were unable to support osmotic adjustment. Constrained gas exchange was strongly related to hydraulic damage at both stem and leaf levels. Significant correlations between foliar sodium (Na⁺) concentration and gas exchange and key hydraulic parameters (K_s, PLC, and π_tlp) suggest that cellular injury related to the toxic effects of ion accumulation impacted the physiology of these dying trees. This study provides evidence of toxic effects on the cellular function that manifests in all aspects of plant functioning, leading to unfavourable osmotic and hydraulic conditions.

Hydraulic and osmotic shifts during tree death under seawater exposure are related to the toxic effects of ion accumulation on the maintenance of cellular function.     

Interplay of protein primary sequence,lipid membrane,and chaperone in β‐barrel assembly

The outer membrane of a Gram‐negative bacterium is a crucial barrier between the external environment and its internal physiology. This barrier is bridged selectively by β‐barrel outer membrane proteins (OMPs). The in vivo folding and biogenesis of OMPs necessitates the assistance of the outer membrane chaperone BamA. Nevertheless, OMPs retain the ability of independent self‐assembly in vitro. Hence, it is unclear whether substrate–chaperone dynamics is influenced by the intrinsic ability of OMPs to fold, the magnitude of BamA–OMP interdependence, and the contribution of BamA to the kinetics of OMP assembly. We addressed this by monitoring the assembly kinetics of multiple 8‐stranded β‐barrel OMP substrates with(out) BamA. We also examined whether BamA is species‐specific, or nonspecifically accelerates folding kinetics of substrates from independent species. Our findings reveal BamA as a substrate‐independent promiscuous molecular chaperone, which assists the unfolded OMP to overcome the kinetic barrier imposed by the bilayer membrane. We additionally show that while BamA kinetically accelerates OMP folding, the OMP primary sequence remains a vital deciding element in its assembly rate. Our study provides unexpected insights on OMP assembly and the functional relevance of BamA in vivo.     

Tree identity and diversity directly affect soil moisture and temperature but not soil carbon ten years after planting

1. Soil C is the largest C pool in forest ecosystems that contributes to C sequestration and mitigates climate change. Tree diversity enhances forest productivity, so diversifying the tree species composition, notably in managed forests, could increase the quantity of organic matter being transferred to soils and alter other soil properties relevant to the C cycle.
2. A ten‐year‐old tree diversity experiment was used to study the effects of tree identity and diversity (functional and taxonomic) on soils. Surface (0–10 cm) mineral soil was repeatedly measured for soil C concentration, C:N ratio, pH, moisture, and temperature in twenty‐four tree species mixtures and twelve corresponding monocultures (replicated in four blocks).
3. Soil pH, moisture, and temperature responded to tree diversity and identity. Greater productivity in above‐ and below‐ground tree components did not increase soil C concentration. Soil pH increased and soil moisture decreased with functional diversity, more specifically, when species had different growth strategies and shade tolerances. Functional identity affected soil moisture and temperature, such that tree communities with more slow‐growing and shade‐tolerant species had greater soil moisture and temperature. Higher temperature was measured in communities with broadleaf‐deciduous species compared to communities with coniferous‐evergreen species.
4. We conclude that long‐term soil C cycling in forest plantations will likely respond to changes in soil pH, moisture, and temperature that is mediated by tree species composition, since tree species affect these soil properties through their litter quality, water uptake, and physical control of soil microclimates.

     

��13C signature of tree rings and radial increment of Fagus sylvatica trees as dependent on tree neighborhood and climate

We conducted dendroecological analyses in 80-year-long tree ring chronologies to detect neighborhood effects (competition intensity, species identity) on the δ¹³C signature of tree rings and radial stem increment of Fagus sylvatica trees growing either in monospecific or mixed patches of a temperate forest. We hypothesized that tree ring δ¹³C is a more sensitive indicator of neighborhood effects and the impact of climate variability on growth than is ring width. We found a closer correlation of summer precipitation to δ¹³C than to ring width. While the ring width showed a decline over the test period (1926–2005), the mean curve of δ¹³C increased until the mid of the 1970s, remained high until about 1990, and markedly decreased thereafter. Possible explanations related to ontogeny and environmental change (‘age effect’ due to canopy closure; elevated atmospheric SO₂ concentrations in the 1960s–1980s) are discussed. Beech target trees surrounded by many allospecific trees had a significantly lower mean δ¹³C in the period 1926–1975 than beech with predominantly or exclusively conspecific neighborhood, possibly indicating a more favorable water supply of beech in diverse stands. Contrary to expectation, trees subject to more intense competition by neighboring trees (measured by Hegyi’s competition index) had lower δ¹³C values in their tree rings, which is thought to reflect denser canopies being linked to increased shading. We conclude that tree ring δ¹³C time series represent combined archives of climate variability, stand history and neighborhood effects on tree physiology and growth that may add valuable information to that obtained from conventional tree ring analysis.