What is so special about peat? To the untrained eye, these ecosystems appear to be desolate swamps, with limited value, biodiversity- or other-wise. To the seasoned wetland ecologist, the more apt question is what isn’t special about peat? These long-neglected ecosystems are vital reservoirs of fresh water for us thirsty humans; they contain 10 times…
How capable are forests in bouncing back from disturbances? Are they becoming less resilient during this time of rapid environmental change? Can forests deal with the changes, or are they approaching critical thresholds (i.e., tipping points) that will result in a permanent shift towards a different ecosystem state? These critical questions in forest research have…
Last week quite a few members of Journal of Ecology’s Editorial team were in Lille for the joint BES/SFE Annual Meeting. It was a fantastic few days. Associate Editor Ignasi Bartomeus has written about his highlights below. #BESsfe Quick summary of the talks that surprised me most: Lots of Pollination biology talks: the most surprising…
Editor’s Choice 103:1 Issue 103:1 of the Journal will be online soon. The latest Editor’s Choice paper is “Earthworm invasion, white-tailed deer and seedling establishment in deciduous forests of north-eastern North America” by Dobson & Blossey. Associate Editor Frank S. Gilliam has written a commentary on the paper below. The herbaceous layer of eastern hardwood forests:…
Ho ho ho, off to Lille we go! Well, this is exciting the BES is in France! Obviously there are talks and lots of conference things happening but there’s also a Christmas market with wooden chalets selling Christmas decorations and festive food, and an exciting museum which I’m hoping I can visit between talks. For…
Soils Virtual Issue On Friday 5 December it is World Soil Day and in celebration Journal of Ecology has published a Virtual Issue on soils http://bit.ly/1rMUXyI. The Virtual Issue has been edited by Journal of Ecology’s Richard Bardgett and Amy Austin. For more information about the VI see the below blurb, then visit the Journal homepage…
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