Plant water use efficiency (WUE) links physiological processes to ecosystem-scale carbon and water cycles, making it a crucial parameter for climate change adaptation modelling. Climate and stratospheric ozone dynamics expose plants to varying intensity of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B), which affects stomatal function and transpiration. This meta-analysis evaluates UV-B effects on WUE using gas exchange and isotopic proxies. While UV-B radiation reduces stomatal conductance and transpiration, it also suppresses photosynthesis, particularly under non-saturating light. As a result, WUE remains unchanged or declines in UV-B exposed plants, depending on the measurement method. Instantaneous gas exchange-based WUE proxies indicate a decrease, whereas isotope-based proxies, integrating long-term fluxes, show no significant UV-B effect. The suppression of photosynthesis due to UV-B occurs only when UV-B lamps are used to increase the UV-B dose; when UV-B is excluded under field conditions there is no significant effect on WUE. Only some field studies report improved WUE under ambient UV-B, suggesting potential adaptive benefits. Overall, the findings challenge the assumption that UV-B-induced decreases in transpiration enhance WUE. Instead, they highlight a complex interplay between UV radiation, photosynthesis, and stomatal regulation, emphasizing the need to reconsider UV-B's role in plant water relations under future climate conditions.

• Klíčová slova
• photosynthesis, stable carbon isotopes, stomata, ultraviolet radiation,
• MeSH
• fotosyntéza účinky záření   MeSH
• klimatické změny MeSH
• průduchy rostlin účinky záření   fyziologie   MeSH
• rostliny * účinky záření   metabolismus   MeSH
• transpirace rostlin * účinky záření   fyziologie   MeSH
• ultrafialové záření * MeSH
• voda * metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• metaanalýza MeSH
• Názvy látek
• voda * MeSH

The escalation of anthropogenic activities contributes to the accumulation of chemicals in life-supporting ecosystems and water reserves, while nearly 80% of the global population faces a high risk of water insecurity. Therefore, advanced nanomaterials for environmental remediation and ecosystem preservation are essential. However, their adoption has been slow, mainly due to the need for water treatment strategies that comply with sustainability criteria. This work showcases the efficient removal of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants from water using functionalized graphenes and the direct upcycling of the used sorbents into electrodes for energy storage, without the need for any intermediate treatment. Remarkably, the performance of the repurposed sorbents as supercapacitor electrodes exceeds that of the parent functionalized graphenes by up to 100% in a full cell device. This enhanced performance and cycling stability are attributed to improved charge transport and redox activity induced by the strong adsorption of the pollutants, as supported by theoretical calculations. The findings open avenues for reclaiming the value of spent sorbents, mitigating the environmental and economic burden of their disposal or regeneration, while fostering sustainable resource management, and energy storage.

• Klíčová slova
• Decontamination, Energy storage, Estrogens, Pharmaceuticals, Repurposing, Supercapacitors, Upcycling,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Many freshwater ecosystems rely on the decomposition of organic matter as a key process for nutrient cycling and energy flow. Small lentic freshwater ecosystems, such as ponds, often derive a large amount of energy from allochthonous detritus due to their close connection with the terrestrial environment. However, the process of leaf litter decomposition in ponds remains poorly understood. We conducted a microcosm experiment in a pond environment to investigate intra- and inter-specific variation in organic matter processing by three shredders (Tipula sp., Sericostoma sp. and Gammarus fossarum) and to assess the effects of shredder community characteristics on the mass loss of black alder (Alnus glutinosa) leaf litter. We developed a novel approach to quantify functional traits directly related to litter processing. Detailed gut content analysis revealed significant inter- and intra-specific variation in the organic matter particles ingested by individual shredder taxa. Our results showed that neither taxonomic nor functional diversity reliably predicts leaf litter decomposition rates in ponds. Instead, the keystone shredder Sericostoma showed a pronounced effect on decomposition rates driven by their unique feeding behaviour and density-dependent shifts in particle size preferences. These findings highlight the importance of a detailed understanding of species-specific functional traits and behaviour in shaping ecosystem processes, as the role of keystone species can outweigh the contributions of overall diversity measures in driving ecosystem processes.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

While forest degradation persists across many regions, restoration efforts have predominantly targeted aboveground carbon, often overlooking critical belowground ecosystem functions. Plant-mycorrhizal associations - key connectors between aboveground and belowground biodiversity - can help to enhance both carbon storage and forest multifunctionality; yet their explicit integration into restoration frameworks remains limited. By synthesizing recent advancements, we highlight the role of plant-mycorrhizal diversity in enhancing soil carbon pools and supporting multiple ecosystem functions. By examining evidence-based restoration cases, we propose a framework linking plant-mycorrhizal associations to sustainably restore resilient and multifunctional forest ecosystems. Incorporating the functional traits of plant-mycorrhizal associations into restoration strategies provides a pathway to effectively address the interconnected biodiversity and climate crises.

• Klíčová slova
• ecosystem multifunctionality, forest restoration, mineral-associated organic matter, particulate organic matter, plant–mycorrhizal associations, soil carbon sequestration,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

As part of an ongoing study of marine fungi associated with seagrasses, we discovered a novel root-fungus symbiosis in the Indo-Pacific species Thalassodendronciliatum from Mauritius. Culturing its mycobionts yielded dozens of morphologically and genetically uniform isolates, all representing a previously unknown fungus. A second undescribed fungus was isolated from saline soils in Czechia. Phylogenetic analyses based on three rDNA markers confirmed both taxa as distinct, hitherto unknown lineages within the Lulworthiales, which are introduced here as Thalassodendromycespurpureus gen. et sp. nov. and Halomyrmapluriseptata gen. et sp. nov., respectively. Both species developed characteristic structures under culture conditions that enabled their morphological characterisation: T.purpureus forms distinctive clusters of dark brown monilioid hyphae, while H.pluriseptata is characterised by holoblastic conidiogenesis and solitary, dark brown, multicellular conidia. Thalassodendromyces clustered in a strongly supported clade with Spathulospora, a parasitic genus of the red macroalga Ballia, while the closest relatives of Halomyrma were identified as the asexual genera Halazoon and Halophilomyces (nom. inval. Art. 40.7). An analysis of published metabarcoding ITS rDNA data from environmental samples in the GlobalFungi database indicated that H.pluriseptata is widely distributed across temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The species exhibits a strong preference for aquatic biomes, particularly marine and estuarine, with a few records in terrestrial ecosystems. In contrast, no record of T.purpureus was retrieved from GlobalFungi, suggesting narrower ecological specialisation, a close association with its seagrass host, and/or a restricted geographical range. Our findings expand the ecological and phylogenetic scope of the Lulworthiales, bridging marine and terrestrial fungal communities, and highlight seagrass roots as an important source of novel symbiotic marine fungi. Recent discoveries of the Lulworthiales in saline inland soils challenge their marine exclusivity and raise important questions about their ecological plasticity, dispersal mechanisms, and adaptive strategies. In light of current observations, we discuss the taxonomic challenges of the Spathulosporales and the lulworthialean fungi, integrating molecular and morphological perspectives. We address the importance of combining morphological and molecular approaches to accurately delineate new fungal taxa, as well as the value of environmental DNA metabarcoding for uncovering cryptic fungal diversity and enhancing our understanding of fungal distribution and ecological functions.

• Klíčová slova
• Dictyoconidia, Thalassodendron, holoblastic conidiogenesis, marine, monilioid, new taxa, phylogenetics, saprobic, symbiotic,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Due to ongoing climate change, extreme climatic events are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency. While individual species' responses to thermal extremes are widely studied, the impact of extreme heat events on species interactions and the key functions they provide in communities is understudied. As outcomes of species interactions depend on coordinated physiology and development, the consequences of heat exposure are likely impacted by its timing relative to the organisms' life history traits, but to what extent is unclear. In this study, we evaluate how the timing of heat exposure affects interactions among nine tropical Drosophila-parasitoid species combinations using laboratory microcosm experiments. Interactions were most affected when heat exposure coincided with parasitism, leading to decreased parasitism rates. Parasitism rates also dropped when extreme heat occurred after parasitism in one instance. Experiencing heat exposure before parasitism had little effect. Using a simulation model, we determined that the combined effects of parasitism and heat exposure are generally additive, with no evidence of delayed consequences of heat exposure early in development on parasitism outcomes. Furthermore, we found adult host flies and parasitoids more resistant to heat exposure than their larval stages. Thus, whether more frequent extreme heat events disrupt species interactions globally will depend on their exact timing relative to ontogenetic stages and interactions. Heat exposure impacts the two trophic levels differently. Thus, when heat exposure coincides with parasitism, it may diminish the ability of parasitoids to control their hosts, affecting both natural ecosystems and agricultural environments.

• Klíčová slova
• Climate change, Communities, Host–parasitoid, Ontogeny, Tropical ecology,
• MeSH
• Drosophila * parazitologie   MeSH
• extrémní horko * MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita * MeSH
• klimatické změny MeSH
• larva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Tire microplastics (TMPs) significantly contribute to global plastic pollution, entering aquatic environments primarily through runoff, where they pose potential threats to aquatic ecosystems. Beyond the particles themselves, TMPs-derived leachates further exacerbate environmental risks. Despite growing concern over plastic pollution, the influences of TMPs and their leachates on aquatic systems remain largely understudied. To address this gap, we systematically evaluated how TMPs and their leachate (0∼1 % w/v) affect the growth, physiochemical responses, and phyllosphere bacterial community of model aquatic macrophyte duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), using natural particulate wood as a control. Our findings reveal that both unleached TMPs and leachates exerted detrimental effects on the growth of S. polyrhiza and inhibited the production of photosynthetic pigments. Unleached TMPs and leachate exposures triggered oxidative stress, as evidenced by alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels. Notably, leached TMPs enhanced plant growth comparably to wood particulates, suggesting their potential to generate favorable conditions for aquatic plants at prevailing concentrations. Phyllosphere bacterial composition exhibited significant differences among treatments; TMPs exposures increased Aquabacterium abundance but induced a dose-dependent decrease in Pedobacter. Also, exposure to TMPs substantially altered the metabolic processes within phyllosphere bacterial communities, particularly affecting key microbial functions linked to nutrient metabolism, xenobiotic degradation, and stress adaptation. The correlations between plant properties and phyllosphere bacterial communities varied depending on the treatments, suggesting that the dual effects of TMPs may be attributed to the dissolved substances in the leachates. This study elucidates the complex interactions among TMPs, aquatic macrophytes, and phyllosphere microbiomes, highlighting the need for further investigation into the ecological consequences of TMP pollution in freshwater environments.

• Klíčová slova
• Aquatic macrophyte, Microplastic pollution, Phyllosphere microbiomes, Phytotoxicology, Tire leachate,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Pollinators receive considerable interest due to their fundamental role in ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Unlike farmlands, studies of urban pollinator-promoting interventions are scarce and have not been synthesised, hampering policy implementation. To fill this gap, we compared pollinator-promoting interventions (treatment) with conventionally managed (control) sites regarding vegetation, floral resources, and pollinators. Our synthesis investigated 1051 sampling sites with different interventions (abandonment, extensive mowing, flower sowing, and combined practices) and habitats (parks, grasslands, road verges, private and public gardens) from 28 European datasets at pooled- and study-levels. Urban pollinator-promoting interventions generally benefited plants and pollinators with taxon, intervention, habitat, and spatio-temporal specific differences. Pooled analyses showed mostly positive and never negative treatment effects, while study-level details described primarily positive and neutral but rarely negative effects. Bumblebees and butterflies benefited most from the interventions. Some effects were stronger for interventions involving flower sowing, interventions occurring in road verges, and interventions located in Northwestern Europe. Although regulations, guidelines, and monitoring are improving, knowledge gaps remain for some pollinator taxa (e.g., beetles), regions (e.g., Mediterranean), and novel interventions (e.g., for ground-nesting insects). Further collaborative studies from around the world could help cities bring people, plants, and pollinators together by creating resilient, multi-functional urban spaces.

• Klíčová slova
• city, conservation, data synthesis, extensive mowing, flower sowing, green infrastructure, meta‐analysis, pollinator‐promoting interventions, restoration measures, urban areas,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Climate change is altering associations between plants and soil microbiota, threatening ecosystem functioning and stability. Predicting these effects requires understanding how concomitant changes in temperature and precipitation influence plant-soil microbiota associations. We identify the pathways via which temperature and precipitation shape prokaryote and fungal rhizosphere and root-associated networks of the perennial grass Festuca rubra in cold-climate ecosystems. We found that joint effects of temperature and precipitation are key in shaping plant-soil microbiota associations, with the start of the growing season as a critical mediating factor. Specifically, the start of the growing season is advanced by increasing temperature but delayed by increasing precipitation. This joint pathway particularly shaped rhizosphere organic matter degrading microbiota and root-associated putative plant pathotroph-saprotrophs and beneficial microbiota. We conclude that understanding local temperature, precipitation, and seasonal changes is crucial to accurately predict how the unique plant-microbiota interactions shaping cold-climate ecosystems are evolving with the ongoing change in climate.

• Klíčová slova
• microbial co‐occurrence networks, precipitation, rhizosphere microbiome, root microbiome, seasonality, snow cover, temperature,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Humans have spread plants globally for millennia, inadvertently causing ecological disruptions. Apart from their negative effects, biological invasions provide a unique opportunity to study how species modify their niche when confronted with novel environments. Focusing on the Mediterranean Basin, we assessed (1) which traits influence niche dynamics, and (2) whether niche conservatism or niche shift promotes invasion success. We selected the 80 most widespread alien vascular plant species in Mediterranean Europe and compiled data on their distributions in their native and invaded ranges. We then tested how a species' residence time, biogeographic origin, dispersal ability, functional traits, and intraspecific trait variability (ITV) influence its niche dynamics following invasion. Using already published independent data, we finally assessed whether niche dynamics can explain different dimensions of invasion success (quantified as regional spread or local abundance). We found that niche shifts were common (71% of species) and were mostly driven by species failing to occupy all suitable environments in their invaded range (unfilling), regardless of residence time. Niche unfilling and niche expansion were more important in species with high intraspecific trait variability introduced from non-Mediterranean biomes (temperate or tropical). Niche expansion was also greater in species with long-distance dispersal, a narrow native niche, and bigger seeds. Interestingly, invasion success correlated more with a species' ability to conserve its niche and residence time than with niche expansion. Niche shifts were better predicted by species traits than residence time. For example, high adaptive and acclimatization potential (inferred from high intraspecific trait variability) favored niche shifts in general, and long-distance dispersal favored niche expansion. Understanding how these traits relate to niche dynamics is important since a species' ability to conserve and fill its niche is, in turn, a good predictor of invasion success.

• Klíčová slova
• acclimatization, invasion success, invasive species, niche dynamics, niche filling, phenotypic plasticity, rapid adaptation, species traits,
• MeSH
• distribuce rostlin * MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• rostliny * klasifikace   MeSH
• zavlečené druhy * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Středomoří MeSH