Biogeochemical cycling traces the pathways by which elements pass through both biotic and abiotic steps on their journeys between the earth and the atmosphere. Plants are a critical step in this process for many elements; however, traditional biogeochemistry views typically take a top down approach, treating plants as a ‘green box’ and failing to appreciate…
Associate Editor Carol Thornber has edited a Virtual Issue, of papers published in the Journal of Ecology, focussed on marine ecology. You can access the Virtual Issue here. Executive Editor also interviewed Carol at ESA back in August about all things marine ecology.
With an estimated >27,000 species, the orchid family is one of the most speciose plant families within the Angiosperms. At the same time, it harbours a large number of threatened species, making it one of the most vulnerable plant families as well. Due to their spectacular floral diversity, orchids have long attracted wide attention from…
Why aren’t cushion plants always the best facilitators? Consequences of eco-evo processes in alpine systems. In recent decades facilitation in plant communities has moved from being largely neglected to a well-established phenomenon (Brooker et al. 2008). However, the simple picture of greater facilitation in stressful environments is gradually fading. Not only does abiotic stress change…
This is a guest post by Associate Editor Richard P. Shefferson, who recently also guest-edited a Special Feature for Journal of Ecology. The most recent issue of Journal of Ecology (July 2015) includes a Special Feature on Eco-evolutionary Dynamics in Plants. The Special Feature consists of five research papers and an editorial, and the themes…
Journal of Ecology is looking for an Associate Editor to join the Editorial team in order to run the Journal of Ecology blog. The blog was launched in 2012 and is intended to showcase Journal content in a more accessible format. It also serves as a platform for discussing topics that are of more general…
Issue 103:2 of Journal of Ecology will be online very soon. The Editor’s Choice paper for this issue is Early human impact (5000–3000 BC) affects mountain forest dynamics in the Alps by Schwörer et al. One of Journal of Ecology’s Editors, Amy Austin, has written a commentary about the paper below. Editor’s Choice 103:2 When we think about…
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…
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:…
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