Environmental factors regulate the regeneration of mountain spruce forests, with drought, wind, and bark beetles causing the maximum damage. How these factors minimise spruce regeneration is still poorly understood. We conducted this study to investigate how the phenology and population dynamics of bilberry ( L.), a dominant understory species of mountain spruce forests, are related to selected environmental factors that are modified by natural disturbances (bark beetle and wind). For this, we analysed bilberry at different sites affected by bark beetles and adjacent undisturbed forests in the Tatra National Park (TANAP) during the growing season (April-September) in 2016-2021, six years after the initial bark beetle attack. The observations were taken along an altitudinal gradient (1100-1250-1400 m a.s.l.) in two habitats (disturbed spruce forest-D, undisturbed spruce forest-U). We found that habitat and altitude influenced the onset of selected phenological phases, such as the earliest onset at low altitudes (1100 m a.s.l.) in disturbed forest stands and the latest at high altitudes (1400 m a.s.l.) in undisturbed stands. Although there were non-significant differences between habitats and altitudes, likely due to local climate conditions and the absence of a tree layer, these findings suggest that bilberry can partially thrive in disturbed forest stands. Despite temperature fluctuations during early spring, the longer growing season benefits its growth.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants13172406 | DOI Listing |
Breast Cancer
December 2024
The Comprehensive Breast Care Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
Background: In patients with breast cancer staged ypN1 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), there is limited evidence-based guidance regarding exemption from axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).
Methods: This study analyzed ypN1 breast cancer patients post-NAC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results databases. Patients were categorized into the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) group and the total mastectomy (TM) group, and further divided by the number of positive lymph nodes (LNs).
Ambio
December 2024
Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research, Zhongli District, National Central University, Taoyuan City, 32001, Taiwan.
Unsustainable land use practices have led to increased forest loss rates. Implementing cacao agroforestry can reduce forest loss by preventing the clear-cutting of forests for monoculture plantations. However, research is needed on its effectiveness in preventing forest loss and the factors influencing its adoption between full-time and part-time farmers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Neural Transm (Vienna)
December 2024
Department of Neurology, Clinical Research Centre, Saiseikai Imabari Hospital, Ehime, 799- 1592, Japan.
Recent advancements in neurology have shifted focus from mere diagnosis to comprehensive management of movement disorders, particularly Parkinson's Disease (PD), which is rapidly increasing in prevalence due to global ageing trends. While age is a key risk factor for PD, centenarians often exhibit a remarkably low prevalence of the disease, presenting an intriguing paradox. This viewpoint explores potential reasons for this low prevalence, drawing on studies from regions with high centenarian populations, known as Blue Zones.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
December 2024
Department of Infectious Diseases, Saint-Pierre University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
To assess the prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) carriage among men who have sex with men (MSM) and examine potential risk factors associated with colonization. This was an observational, cross-sectional, monocentric study. Inclusion criteria were asymptomatic adult MSM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
December 2024
Institute of Marine Economics and Management, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Lixia District, Second Ring East Road, Jinan, 7366250000, China.
Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability and achieving sustainable development. However, global biodiversity loss is a common challenge faced by most countries. Therefore, based on the data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and the Eora database, we used the multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model to calculate biodiversity loss in 188 countries.
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