Symbiotic digestion of lignocellulose in termite guts

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 12(3), P. 168 - 180

Published: Feb. 3, 2014

Language: Английский

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Research trends in ecosystem services provided by insects

Basic and Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 26, P. 8 - 23

Published: Sept. 14, 2017

Language: Английский

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Termite mounds can increase the robustness of dryland ecosystems to climatic change

Science, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 347(6222), P. 651 - 655

Published: Feb. 5, 2015

Termites can stabilize tropical grasslands Spotty vegetation patterns in savannas and be a warning sign of imminent desertification. However, Bonachela et al. find that termites also produce spotty patterns. Their theoretical study, confirmed by field data from Kenya, shows produced termite mounds are not harbingers Indeed, the presence buffers these ecosystems against climate change. Science , this issue p. 651

Language: Английский

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Why is the influence of soil macrofauna on soil structure only considered by soil ecologists?

Soil and Tillage Research, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 146, P. 118 - 124

Published: March 9, 2014

Language: Английский

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The Cockroach Origin of the Termite Gut Microbiota: Patterns in Bacterial Community Structure Reflect Major Evolutionary Events

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 80(7), P. 2261 - 2269

Published: Feb. 1, 2014

ABSTRACT Termites digest wood and other lignocellulosic substrates with the help of their intestinal microbiota. While functions symbionts in digestive process are slowly emerging, origin bacteria colonizing hindgut bioreactor is entirely unknown. Recently, our group discovered numerous representatives bacterial lineages specific to termite guts a closely related omnivorous cockroach, but it remains unclear whether they derive from microbiota common ancestor or were independently selected by gut environment. Here, we studied 34 species termites cockroaches using pyrotag analysis 16S rRNA genes. Although community structures differed greatly between major host groups, dramatic changes relative abundances particular taxa, found that majority sequence reads belonged shared among most species. When mapped onto tree, structure coincided events evolution, such as acquisition loss cellulolytic protists ensuing dietary diversification. UniFrac core construction phylogenetic tree individual genus level revealed general signal, whereas branching order often did not match detailed phylogeny host. It question have been associated ancestral cockroach since early Cretaceous (cospeciation) diet-specific acquired environment (host selection).

Language: Английский

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Ecosystem Engineers in a Self-organized Soil

Soil Science, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 181(3/4), P. 91 - 109

Published: March 1, 2016

Soils are self-organized ecological systems within which organisms interact a nested suite of discrete scales. Microorganisms form communities and physical structures at the smallest scale (microns), followed by community their predators organized in microfoodwebs (tens microns), functional domains built ecosystem engineers (centimeters to meters), ecosystems, landscapes. Ecosystem engineers, principally plant roots, earthworms, termites, ants, play key roles creating habitats for other controlling activities through biochemical processes. The biogenic, organic, organomineral that they produce accumulate soil space three-dimensional mosaics domains, inhabited specific smaller (microfauna mesofauna, microorganisms) drive processes pathways. also signaling energy-rich molecules act as mediators biological engineering Energy-rich may selectively activate microbial populations trigger priming effects, resulting degradation, synthesis, sequestration organic substrates. Signaling inform producers' respective presences change physiologies modifying gene expression eliciting hormonal responses. Protection plants against pests diseases is largely achieved via these At highest scales, delivery services emerges functioning each other. integrity different subsystems quality interconnections precondition an optimum sustainable services. Lastly, we present seven general research questions whose resolution will provide firmer base proposed conceptual framework while offering new insights use resource.

Language: Английский

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Discovery of fairy circles in Australia supports self-organization theory

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 113(13), P. 3551 - 3556

Published: March 14, 2016

Significance Pattern-formation theory predicts that vegetation gap patterns, such as the fairy circles of Namibia, emerge through action pattern-forming biomass–water feedbacks and patterns should be found elsewhere in water-limited systems around world. We report here exciting discovery fairy-circle remote outback Australia. Using fieldwork, sensing, spatial pattern analysis, mathematical modeling, pattern-formation we show Australian share with their Namibian counterparts same characteristics but are driven by a different feedback. These observations line central universality principle support applicability this to wider contexts self-organization ecology.

Language: Английский

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The State of the World's Insects

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 45(1), P. 61 - 82

Published: May 26, 2020

This article reviews the present state of insects, describing their taxonomic position, cost, and value as well threats to well-being. Insects are an important source both ecosystem services disservices. Recent studies have indicated a worrying decline in insect species, especially flying insects northern temperate region, this has spawned much media attention. Some occurred, it is clear, due agricultural intensification, urbanization, overuse pesticides, global climate change. A would seriously affect that provide. However, there too little data warrant belief all declining everywhere. There pressing need for more basic research on diversity context changing world.

Language: Английский

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Deep-C storage: Biological, chemical and physical strategies to enhance carbon stocks in agricultural subsoils

Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 170, P. 108697 - 108697

Published: May 17, 2022

Due to their substantial volume, subsoils contain more of the total soil carbon (C) pool than topsoils. Much this C is thousands years old, suggesting that offer considerable potential for long-term sequestration. However, knowledge subsoil behaviour and manageability remains incomplete, storage has yet be realised at a large scale, particularly in agricultural systems. A range biological (e.g. deep-rooting), chemical biochar burial) physical deep ploughing) sequestration strategies have been proposed, but are assessed. In review, we identify main factors regulate cycling critically evaluate evidence mechanistic basis designed promote greater storage, with particular emphasis on agroecosystems. We assess barriers opportunities implementation enhance 5 key current gaps scientific understanding. conclude subsoils, while highly heterogeneous, many cases suited The proposed may also bring other tangible benefits cropping systems enhanced water holding capacity nutrient use efficiency). Furthermore, reviewed potential, studies needed across diverse soils climates, conjunction chronosequence space-for-time substitutions. Also, it vital consistently included modelled estimations stocks subsoil-explicit models developed specifically reflect processes. Finally, further mapping specific regions Middle East, Eastern Europe, South Central America, Asia Africa). Conducting both immediate will fill devise appropriate policies help global fight against climate change decline quality. conclusion, our evidence-based analysis reveals an untapped terrestrial ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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From rhizosphere to detritusphere – Soil structure formation driven by plant roots and the interactions with soil biota

Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 193, P. 109396 - 109396

Published: March 9, 2024

Roots and the associated soil directly affected by root activity, termed rhizosphere, have both been extensively studied recognized for their crucial role in functioning. The formation of rhizosphere is primarily driven effect roots on shaping physical structure soil, which turn has direct feedbacks interactions between physical, biological chemical processes. As a result, hot spot microbial cycling nutrients turnover organic matter. Despite pivotal controlling processes, we still lack quantitative description understanding interrelationships root-systems creation stabilization structure. We provide comprehensive review current knowledge novel insights into processes that drive rhizosphere. These are regulated multiple indirect pathways, involving growth, production rhizodeposits hairs, as well activity microorganisms fauna. Further, highlight may persist evolve after death to an extent currently largely unknown. Finally, identify five pertinent challenges should be addressed fully apprehend thus harness potential resilience plant-soil interactions. include refining structural assessment sampling rhizosheaths, examining in-situ bridging gap solid phase pore scale research. In our view, overcoming these obstacles can accomplished combining power imaging isotopic approaches, especially at field scale, encompassing diverse soils plant species. ultimate objective future research upscale conducting more experiments concert with modeling efforts, under umbrella collaborative interdisciplinary

Language: Английский

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