Recent Articles

Open access

ISSN: 2197-5620
CN: 10-1166/S
p-ISSN: 2095-6355

Contrasting controls on symbiotic and asymbiotic nitrogen fixation rates along altitudinal gradients in subtropical forests

Symbiotic and asymbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF and ANF), two forms of biological nitrogen (N) fixation, are the main pathways for external N inputs into natural terrestrial ecosystems. However, the...

Share article

Patterns and determinants of ecological integrity in a temperate forest region

As the impact of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance continues to intensify around the world, the ecological integrity (EI) of forest ecosystems is compromised in various ways. This study aims...

Share article

Quantifying spatiotemporal inconsistencies in runoff responses to forest logging in a subtropical watershed, China

Global forest cover is undergoing significant transformations due to anthropogenic activities and natural disturbances, profoundly impacting hydrological processes. However, the inherent spatial heterogeneity...

Share article

Biotic and abiotic factors jointly drive the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in forests worldwide

The sensitivity of soil respiration (Rs) to temperature (Q10) is a key parameter for benchmarking the carbon (C) cycle and climate feedbacks in the context of global warming. However, previous studies...

Share article

Disentangling drivers of organic layer and charcoal carbon stocks in boreal pine and spruce forests with different fire histories

A key property of the boreal forest is that it stores huge amounts of carbon (C), especially belowground in the soil. Amounts of C stored in the uppermost organic layer of boreal forest soils vary greatly...

Share article

Effects of environmental variables on canopy transpiration in two coniferous forests at different growing-season stages

Soil water content (SWC) and meteorological conditions, as key environmental variables influencing tree water use, vary highly within the growing season, hindering a better understanding of environmental...

Share article

Microbial life strategies-mediated differences in carbon metabolism explain the variation in SOC sequestration between Kandelia obovata and Sonneratia apetala

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a crucial role in mangrove blue carbon formation, yet the differences in microbe-mediated underlying SOC sequestration between introduced and native mangroves remain...

Share article

Migrating Populus with climate change: Phenology, coppice management, cold spell susceptibility, leaf dynamics, and biomass production

Understanding the phenology and productivity of Populus species is crucial for effective management and conservation strategies amid climate change. We investigated leaf budbreak timing, susceptibility...

Share article

Optimizing competitor definitions for the sustainable management of dominant silver fir trees (Abies alba Mill.) in uneven-aged mixed Dinaric forests

Understanding competition between trees is essential for sustainable forest management as interactions between trees in uneven-aged mixed forests play a key role in growth dynamics. This study investigated...

Share article

Relationship between topographic variables and live aboveground tree biomass on a large temperate forest plot

Understanding local variation in forest biomass allows for a better evaluation of broad-scale patterns and interpretation of forest ecosystems’ role in carbon dynamics. This study focuses on patterns...

Share article

The origin and beginnings of modern Continuous Cover Forestry in Europe

Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is a type of forest management that is based on ecological, environmental, and biological principles. Specific definitions of CCF greatly vary and the concept usually...

Share article

A two-scale framework for mapping site productivity of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantations in northern Spain in the context of climate change and using spatially explicit environmental variables as predictors

This research aimed to obtain accurate estimates of the productivity of eucalyptus plantations under different climate change scenarios without the need for additional fieldwork. Thus, we used tree...

Share article

Minimal expansion of shrubland on the Tibetan Plateau over the past three decades

Shrubland expansion is a globally occurring phenomenon under global change and has caused a wide range of ecological consequences. However, due to the visual similarity between shrubland and grassland,...

Share article

Leaf morphological trait integration and modularity provide insights into ecological adaptation in evergreen oaks

The integration and modularity of leaf morphological traits are fundamental to plant adaptations, yet their responses to diverse environmental pressures remain unclear. In this study, we investigate...

Share article

Causes of co-existence of cool-temperate Fagus and warm-loving evergreen Quercus forests in central Italy during the Holocene thermal maximum

Mediterranean forest communities are particularly diverse but at risk due to their sensitivity to global warming. Understanding the long-term vulnerability of Mediterranean vegetation to climate change...

Share article

Increased positive tree species mixture effects on the abundance and richness of Collembola with stand development in Canadian boreal forests

It is well established that species mixtures could enhance ecosystem functioning in diverse ecosystem types, with these benefits increasing over time. However, the impact of tree mixtures on Collembola...

Share article

Species-specific influences of competition and tree size on drought sensitivity and resistance for three planted conifers in northern China

Droughts have caused tree growth decline and high tree mortality across temperate forests, however, how to manage planted forests to alleviate drought stress is still challenging. We used tree-ring...

Share article

The influence of the Eurasian beaver's gnawing activity on the structure of riparian forests in three Italian rivers

The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758) can be considered a hydrological ecosystem engineer as it shapes environmental characteristics through its building activities and feeding behaviour....

Share article

Demystifying field application of Critical Height Sampling in estimating stand volume

Critical Height Sampling (CHS) estimates stand volume free from any model and tree form assumptions. Despite its introduction more than four decades ago, CHS has not been widely applied in the field...

Share article

Optimal integration of forest inventory data and aerial image-based canopy height models for forest stand management

Accurate, reliable, and regularly updated information is necessary for targeted management of forest stands. This information is usually obtained from sample-based field inventory data. Due to the time-consuming...

Share article

Utilizing quantile regressions to predict vertical distribution of branch size in Larix olgensis Henry: Capturing the differentiated responses of varying branch sizes to stand and tree factors

Branch size is a crucial characteristic, closely linked to both tree growth and wood quality. A review of existing branch size models reveals various approaches, but the ability to estimate branch diameter...

Share article

Long-term forest damage due to an extreme weather event: An ice storm mediated by elevation causes tree breakage in sub-tropical China

Extreme weather events pose an ever-greater threat to people, infrastructure, and nature. Forest ecosystems are highly sensitive to extreme cold events that can disrupt ecosystem functions, especially...

Share article

Foliar resorption of beech and maple along an elevation gradient in a northern hardwood forest

Foliar resorption is a principal nutrient conservation mechanism in terrestrial vegetation that could be sensitive to ongoing changes in climate and atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. We quantified...

Share article

Understanding visitor preferences: Perceived importance of anthropogenic and natural forest features in supplying cultural ecosystem services

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided by urban green infrastructure are essential for enhancing social well-being and resilience. Identifying and mapping CES at a local scale is crucial for informed...

Share article

Neighborhood competition improves biomass estimation for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) but not Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) in young mixed forest stands

Neighborhood competition is a critical driver of individual tree growth, and aboveground biomass (AGB) accumulation, which together play key roles in forest dynamics and carbon storage. Therefore, accurate...

Share article

Stay Informed

Register your interest and receive email alerts tailored to your needs. Sign up below.