Defense against multiple enemies changes differently across latitudes in an invasive plant and its native congener
Xinmin Lu, Huazhong Agricultural University, Joshua Lynn, Manchester University, and Evan Siemann, Rice University, discuss their article: Latitudinal patterns in growth and defense against multiple enemies of an invasive species and its native congener Why are some plant species more successful invaders than others? A long-standing hypothesis is that invasive plants differ from native species…...
[read more]Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:13:21 +0000
Around the hillside: How terrain offers trees a local refuge from climate change
Lauren Jenkins, Duke University, discusses her article: Fecundity and terrain-climate interactions that shape tree niche differences across North America and Europe Terrain shapes tree reproduction When you think about climate change threatening forests, you may picture species migrating miles northward or upslope. But what if refuge is just around the hillside? In forests of the…...
[read more]Tue, 11 Aug 2026 03:34:03 +0000
Spring starts in autumn: How stored nutrients shape spring leaf out in woody species
Heng Ge, Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, discusses her article: Autumn nutrient resorption and twig storage shape spring phenology in woody species When we think about spring phenology, we usually notice the visible signs first: buds swelling, leaves unfolding, and flowers opening. Spring phenology is often discussed as a response to…...
[read more]Thu, 06 Aug 2026 03:29:53 +0000
Are there patterns behind allocation to clonal offspring?
Curtis Lubbe, Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, discusses their article: Trade-offs and bet-hedging in clonal offspring allocation What about clones? Most angiosperms reproduce clonally in addition to the production of seeds. That is, they form new units of their bodies (rooting units, or ramets): vegetative clonal reproduction, using rhizomes (horizontal belowground stems)…...
[read more]Tue, 04 Aug 2026 03:53:03 +0000
A global invasion and divergence in plant-pathogen interactions
Ylva Lekberg, from MPG Ranch, discusses her article: Eco-evolutionary shifts in interactions between a globally invasive plant and belowground putative pathogens coincide with shifts in plant performance Some plant species become invasive in non-native ranges and outcompete native plants, reduce biodiversity, and alter ecosystem functions. Altogether, invasive species cost billions of dollars to manage. We…...
[read more]Fri, 31 Jul 2026 03:02:28 +0000
Shifting plant investment strategies along climatic gradients drive ecosystem carbon cycling in alpine grasslands
Inge Althuizen, Norwegian Research Center AS (NORCE), discusses her article: Climate-induced shifts in plant investment strategies regulate ecosystem carbon cycling across alpine grasslands Alpine ecosystems provide a diversity of ecosystem services, including carbon storage. These cold ecosystems and carbon stored in them are particularly sensitive to climate change. But what are the mechanisms underlying carbon…...
[read more]Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:02:05 +0000
Welcome to our new Associate Editors!
Journal of Ecology is delighted to welcome 63 new Associate Editors to the Editorial Board following our latest open call. Spanning 18 countries, they bring valuable expertise that will help us to continue publishing high-quality, influential papers where plant ecology is central. Find out more about our new editors below: George AdamidisUniversity of Patras, Greece George is…...
[read more]Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000
Climate warming doesn’t feel the same for everyone: The contrasted responses of tree saplings to global warming.
Benjamin Roux, University of Bordeaux in France, discusses his article: Tree canopy shapes the survival of oak and beech saplings during the regeneration stage along an elevation-driven temperature gradient The challenges of heatwaves for forest ecosystems As western Europe experiences yet another heatwave, most of the public discussion focuses on how human societies can adapt…...
[read more]Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:03:53 +0000
Beyond species interaction networks: The hidden role of individuals in community assembly
Liedson Carneiro, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, discusses his article: Structural differences in individual pollinator networks across bee species reveal the importance of population-level processes in the assembly of species interactions Plant–pollinator interactions are often described as networks; plant species are connected to pollinator species through their visits to flowers. This approach has advanced our understanding…...
[read more]Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:03:07 +0000
Life stage influences the performance of low and high elevation plants in a high elevation garden, but not as one might expect
Brandie Quarles-Chidyagwai, University of California, Davis, discusses her article: Adaptational lag at high elevations depends on life stage in a California wildflower With ongoing climate change, many plant species will have to track environmental changes through adaptation or poleward/upslope dispersal. High elevations in particular are experiencing warming temperatures, reduced snowpack, and shifting growing seasons. With…...
[read more]Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:11:40 +0000
