Trends in Current Biology

Floristic inventory of urban afforestation in the city of Nepomuceno - MG

2024-08-12T17:02:04-06:00

Urban afforestation refers to the vegetation cover present in urban areas, which plays an important role in man's relationship with the environment, ensuring a better quality of life, as well as visually enhancing and ornamenting the urban space. The vegetation found in urban areas, when implemented correctly, is responsible for minimizing the environmental impact caused by anthropic action to expand cities. With this in mind, a survey was carried out of the species present in the tree planting on public roads in the municipality of Nepomuceno, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A census-type inventory was carried out, covering streets, avenues and lanes, except for private gardens. Individuals over 1.5 m were analyzed and species identification was based on specialized bibliography, as well as comparative analysis with botanical material from the ESAL Herbarium (Herbarium of the Department of Biology-DBI of the Institute of Natural Sciences-ICN of the Federal University of Lavras-UFLA, Lavras - MG, Brazil). The presence of 54 species was verified, among the most representative species: Sibipiruna (Cenostigma pluviosum var. peltophoroides (Benth.) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis - Fabaceae), followed by Sete-copas (Terminalia cattapa L. - Combretaceae). Therefore, studies such as this one are essential for guiding appropriate management practices, selecting species suitable for local conditions and promoting awareness of the importance of urban vegetation in building more sustainable and resilient cities.

Acclimatory responses of seed pretreatment to modulate organic acid production associated with Krebs’ cycle in NaCl-stressed legumes

2024-08-28T09:33:26-06:00

Salinity hampers stand establishment of legumes at early growth stages that affect their yield. Seed pretreatment is an indispensable method for boosting tolerance to abiotic stresses and raising seed performance under salinity. Present study was aimed to evaluate whether seed pretreatment with mild dose of NaCl (sodium chloride) triggers ameliorative effects on growth and respiratory cycle of Cajanus cajan and Vigna mungo under salinity. Seedlings were raised hydroponically from non-pretreated and pretreated seeds under NaCl stress for three weeks. Non-pretreated Cajanus and Vigna seedlings exhibited reduction in root and shoot growth under salinity. Salt stress affected activities of enzymes associated with respiratory cycle specifically dehydrogenases, increased organic acid accumulation which played a versatile role to maintain cellular functions by balancing excess ions. Regardless of NaCl dose, the efficacy of seed pretreatment proved substantially beneficial to modulate the toxic effects of NaCl in both the test varieties. Lower perturbations of Krebs’ cycle in pretreated seedlings caused lower accumulation of organic acids due to prior seed acclimation conferring improved defence to thrive under salinity. Conclusively, since seed pretreatment contributes to minimize salt stress in both the test varieties, present study could be extended to legumes grown on soil to confirm the eco-friendly, cost-effective and ameliorative role of seed pretreatment to combat salt stress in saline prone agricultural fields.

Unveiling nature's worth: Embracing social valuation in ecosystem services assessment

2024-09-12T19:38:15-06:00

The concept of ecosystem services (ES), which highlights the direct and indirect benefits ecosystems provide to human well-being, has gained prominence in science and policy over the last few decades. This opinion article emphasizes the importance of social valuation in ES assessment, particularly in developing countries where communities rely heavily on natural resources. While economic valuation dominates ES assessments due to its ease in communication with policymakers and business sectors, it often overlooks non-monetary values such as cultural, spiritual and ethical dimensions. Social valuation captures these broader values, fostering community engagement and recognizing diverse perspectives. By integrating social values into ES assessments, decision-making becomes more equitable and inclusive, promoting sustainable management practices that align environmental conservation with socioeconomic development. This article advocates for the widespread adoption of social valuation to enhance the understanding of human-nature relationships and improve policy outcomes for sustainable resource management.

Notes on the taxonomic status and typification of Litsea nicobarica (Lauraceae)

2024-12-06T02:16:48-07:00

The name Litsea nicobarica Bhuinya & P.Singh is lectotypified and is synonymized under L. glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Rob.

Insights and applications of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

2024-09-07T23:14:36-06:00

In natural ecosystems, rhizospheric soils are teeming with diverse biological organisms that enhance plant growth, nutrient absorption, stress tolerance and disease prevention. Among these organisms, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are particularly significant due to their symbiotic relationships with plants. Their application extends beyond natural ecosystems into agricultural and horticultural practices, where they contribute to improved soil health and plant productivity. This review discusses the benefits of incorporating AM fungi into modern agricultural systems to improve nutrient uptake, soil structure and plant resilience. It emphasizes the need for strategies to restore and maximize AM fungi's efficacy, ensuring sustainability and productivity in agriculture, industry and natural ecosystems.