Catapults are often associated with a medieval means of destruction, but for some plants, they are an effective way to launch new life. Dispersing seeds greater distances by catapulting can provide selective advantages, including ...
Plants & Animals
Nov 3, 2010
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GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms, may raise concerns of genes escaping from crops and having unknown effects on natural, wild species. But what is the real risk that traits associated with GMOs will actually migrate ...
Ecology
Nov 1, 2010
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A potential solution for global energy demands is the use of Poplar, a fast-growing tree with high yields, for biofuels. To get the most out of Poplar plantations, varieties that are the best fit for the conditions—ones ...
Ecology
Oct 14, 2010
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Diversity of life would be impossible if the ancestors of modern plants had stayed in the water with their green algal cousins. Moving onto dry land required major changes to adapt to this new "hostile" environment, and helped ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 15, 2010
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Could a "hot" flower attract pollinators by serving as a reward in a plant-pollinator mutualism? Many flowering plants produce nectar and pollen as rewards in exchange for pollination services by insects and other animals. ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 28, 2010
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Ferns play an important role in California's redwood forests by transferring moisture from fog to the forest floor -- even when it's not raining. If these plants can successfullly adapt to reduced rainfall, ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 19, 2010
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As the mercury rises outdoors, it's a fitting time to consider the effects of summertime droughts and global warming on ecosystems. Complex interactions among temperature, water cycling, and plant communities create a tangled ...
Ecology
Jul 8, 2010
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How tall can a tree grow? Does sunlight or water limit the size and photosynthetic capacity of a leaf? Could constraints on leaf growth really determine the height of a tree? These are all questions that Alana Oldham of ...
Ecology
Jun 28, 2010
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When a plant endemic to several islands in the Western Pacific Ocean taps the services of a helpful insect, a double-dose of benefits comes its way.
Plants & Animals
Jun 9, 2010
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Although Charles Darwin is most well-known both for his book "On the Origin of Species" and his theories on natural selection, he once stated, "I do not think anything in my scientific life has given me so much satisfaction ...
Plants & Animals
Apr 29, 2010
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