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2016

Whole genome metagenomics to determine land use effects on soil ecosystem services

Whole genome metagenomics to determine land use effects on soil ecosystem services 400 x 400 px

Alongside being a media for plant growth soils provide many other essential ecosystem services, such as: storing carbon, regulating greenhouse gases, recycling nutrients, buffering pollutants and purifying waters. Many of these services are carried out by microorganisms yet there are uncertainties as to how biodiversity itself contributes to soil service provision. With increasing pressures on […]

January 16, 2017 2016

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Understanding population declines in Afro-Palearctic migrant birds

Understanding population declines in Afro-Palearctic migrant birds 400 x 400 px

The decline of Afro-Palearctic migrant bird populations is a major challenge facing European biodiversity. Avian population trends are important indicators of environmental change and used by the UK government to measure ‘quality of life’, so reversing these declines is high on scientific and political agendas. Migrants are more vulnerable to environmental change than residents because […]

January 16, 2017 2016

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Tracking trends in upper ocean mixing around Antarctica

Tracking Trends in Upper Ocean Mixing around Antarctica 400 x 400 px

In the last decade, polar regions have seen rapid climate change. From the sea ice loss and impact on polar bears in the Arctic to rising Antarctic sea level and temperatures and the calving of continent-sized chunks of Antarctic ice sheets. The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctic is a major source of heat for the region […]

January 16, 2017 2016

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The dynamics of “ness” sediment spits

The dynamics of “ness” sediment spits 400 x 400 px

We mostly enjoy the coast by visiting the beach, which, apart from the waves and tides, can seem quite static. Viewed from the air, however, the coastline is dynamic and complex, exhibiting many curious shapes, for no apparent reason. One feature quite common on our coasts is a sort of blunt spit, usually composed of […]

January 16, 2017 2016

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Spatial and temporal patterns of liana success in Malaysia

Spatial and temporal patterns of liana success in Malaysia 400 x 400 px

Tropical forests are a major global carbon sink and account for a third of the carbon fixed globally by photosynthesis. Recent research in South America shows that these forests are changing, including increases in abundance and biomass of lianas (woody vines), which may be a results of changing climatic conditions. Lianas reduce growth and increase […]

January 16, 2017 2016

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Risks to global water resources from geoengineering the climate with solar radiation management

Risks to global water resources from geoengineering the climate with solar radiation management 400 x 400 px

Global warming poses grave risks for society and ecosystems. To date, mitigation efforts have been insufficient to prevent greenhouse gas emissions from continuing to rise. Solar radiation management geoengineering has been proposed as a means to slow or reverse global warming by reflecting incoming sunlight back to space. Solar radiation management is receiving growing attention […]

January 16, 2017 2016

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Quantifying the function of mycorrhizal associations under altered resource availability

Quantifying the function of mycorrhizal associations under altered resource availability 400 x 400 px

Why is this research exciting? The relationship between plants and mycorrhizal fungi is central to the maintenance of plant growth and ecosystem productivity worldwide. Mycorrhizal fungi also play an important role in ecosystem carbon dynamics, but the contributions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi to soil carbon storage can differ substantially. Recent evidence suggests […]

January 16, 2017 2016

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