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Khabre desk
Recent reporting, analysis and explainers from the ecology desk.
science
A bioRxiv preprint describes moisture-responsive seedpods that delay seed exposure and create a measurable air-filled microclimate around each seed. Indoor and field trials across several tree species reported faster early seedling emergence without penalising subsequent growth.
science
A bioRxiv preprint describes a convolutional neural network that measured Douglas-fir pollen germination and elongation across temperatures from 5 to 40°C. The study found narrow, distinct thermal optima for the two reproductive processes, mostly between 19 and 23°C.
science
A bioRxiv preprint reports reproducible shifts in seawater microbial community composition after controlled near-space exposure, while overall diversity remained relatively stable.
science
A bioRxiv preprint compares two landscape-scale restoration scenarios in the French Alps, finding that the configuration with greater ecological impact relied on actions local stakeholders considered harder to implement. Both scenarios affected about 14.5% of the landscape, while their modeled effects extended across much larger areas for connectivity-dependent ecosystem services.
science
A bioRxiv preprint reports that the palm pest Rhynchophorus ferrugineus established on mainland America through Uruguay, spread across nearly 80,000 square kilometres and reached Argentina. The weevil is now attacking several native South American palms.
science
A bioRxiv preprint comparing environmental DNA sampling with camera trapping found that water samples detected established coypu populations more reliably with less field effort in southern France. The researchers propose using eDNA for rapid screening and camera traps for information about animal activity and habitat use.