HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Some plants may compensate for herbivore damage by stimulating nutrient release in the soil

Browsing by mammals often has a serious impact on the growth of tree saplings and the regeneration of forests. However, there is much uncertainty with regard to effects on soil nutrient cycling and in turn, potential consequences for the growth of plants.

In a paper to be published in the June issue of Ecology Letters, researchers from Lancaster University and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology have demonstrated a direct link between above-ground herbivory and below-ground nutrient cycling. Partial defoliation of tree saplings (European beech and silver fir) stimulated micro-organisms in the soil to release inorganic nitrogen (which is potentially readily available for plant use) at an increased rate.

Beech responded to the increased nitrogen availability by producing larger leaves with a greater photosynthetic capacity, compensating for the initial defoliation. Fir saplings showed no such compensatory responses, and growth was dramatically reduced. Such processes could potentially alter the ability of trees to tolerate herbivory and may also influence the competitive balance between tree species, particularly in regenerating forests subject to browsing.


'"/>

Contact: Kate Stinchcombe
kate.stinchcombe@oxon.blackwellpublishing.com
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
13-May-2004


Page: 1

Related biology news :

1. New research shows plants can shuffle and paste gene pieces to generate genetic diversity
2. Pollutant causes delayed flowering in plants
3. Purdue study finds antioxidant protects metal-eating plants
4. New discovery may help transplants survive
5. Genetic discovery could dramatically reduce need for liver transplants in children
6. Ants protect plants better when jacked up on nectar
7. Briggs takes to the molecular level Darwins findings on plants sensing the direction of light
8. Growing new breed of vaccine-producing plants to fight human diseases worldwide
9. Significant strides in small regulatory RNA research in plants
10. NASA data shows hurricanes help plants bloom in ocean deserts
11. Medical implants work better when you rough them up, study finds

Post Your Comments:
(Date:5/22/2013)... in a major new effort to educate the public ... people with clean water that looms ahead in the ... in the current edition of Chemical & Engineering ... Society (ACS), the world,s largest scientific society. , Bassam ... L. Schnoor, Ph.D., explain that shortages of reliable supplies ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... bacteria is responsible for legionellosis, an infectious disease that ... this pathogen has developed a complex method enabling it ... thus avoiding these acting against the infectious bacteria. , ... bioGUNE, in which teams from the National Institute of ... Centre in Barcelona (BSC) have also participated, has described ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... known for a long time that some creatures evolve ... particularly for plants. But it may be that height ... University and the U. S. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center. ... May in the journal Nature Communications , Lanfear ... , Drawing from a database of global patterns in ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Mechanism discovered which aids Legionella to camouflage itself in the organism 2Small but speedy: Short plants live in the evolutionary fast lane 2
(Date:5/22/2013)... YORK , May 22, 2013   ... the development of disease modifying therapeutics for Alzheimer,s ... the completion of its Series B financing, which ... and warrants that would represent approximately $2.8M in ... and new investors supported the raise. ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... 22, 2013  Superior Controls, Inc. has been ... Business NH Magazine.  For the past 22 years, ... distinguish themselves with extraordinary business and civic excellence. ... this honor," said Rick Pierro ... recognition, this award is a reflection of Superior ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... Switzerland (PRWEB) May 22, 2013 ... for industrial biotechnology, drug discovery, and life science ... Genedata Selector ™ as its bioinformatics platform ... production-relevant organisms. Genedata will provide AB Enzymes, one ... with a hosted solution of Genedata Selector accompanied ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... Ontario (PRWEB) May 22, 2013 ... advanced sound therapy for tinnitus treatment. AudioNotch is ... Hearing . With clinic locations in both British ... provider of audiology and hearing services. AudioNotch's tinnitus ... locations. , Upon entering a Destination Hearing clinic, ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Oligomerix, Inc. Completes Series B Financing 2Oligomerix, Inc. Completes Series B Financing 3Superior Controls of Seabrook, NH named Business of the Year for 2013 by Business NH Magazine 2AB Enzymes Chooses Genedata Selector for Production Strain Development and Optimization 2AB Enzymes Chooses Genedata Selector for Production Strain Development and Optimization 3AB Enzymes Chooses Genedata Selector for Production Strain Development and Optimization 4AudioNotch Tinnitus Treatment Launches Partnership With Destination Hearing 2
Cached News: