Selection Of Species Research Articles

Quantitative Assessment of Bony Fish Tropomyosin Using a Monoclonal Antibody Competitive ELISA.

Bony fish is one of the big-nine allergenic foods in the US. This study established a monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of bony fish tropomyosin (TM), a fish allergen. Immunoassay (Western blot and ELISA) was performed to characterize anti-TM mAb8F5 (target configuration, immunoaffinity, and species selectivity). Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) tropomyosin (CTM) and mAb8F5 were used for assay development. The immunosignal was captured by two light sources, i.e., colorimetry (cELISA) and luminescence (lELISA). During assay validation, cELISA had a wider working range (1-250 ng/μL) than lELISA (0.5-62.5 ng/μL). However, lELISA showed better sensitivity because of its lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50, 8.8 ng/μL) than cELISA (37.1 ng/μL). The optimal cELISA was applied to measure CTM-equivalents in 21 bony fish samples (0.03-4.2 mg/g) and laboratory-spiked samples (recovery rates of CTM-spiked shrimp samples ranged from 104.7 to 120.8%). lELISA was used to quantify 5.25 μg CTM residues on four food contact surfaces (3.4-6.9 μg from CTM residues and 3.2-4.8 μg from Atlantic cod were detected). This immunoassay has the potential to surveil undeclared allergenic bony fish residues and validate the hygiene of food contact surfaces.

Evaluation of Soil Quality in Different Bletilla striata Agroforestry Systems in Eastern China

Agroforestry is being promoted as a feasible land use management to improve understory economic benefits. However, there are few studies on species selection and the comprehensive evaluation of soil quality change in rhizoma bletillae (Bletilla striata) agroforestry systems. The soil quality index (SQI) and minimum dataset (MDS) methods can reflect the overall condition and were effective tools for understanding different cultivation systems. In this study, we evaluated the soil quality of four cultivation models (including three agroforestry systems: PeB, moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)–rhizoma bletillae; PoB, plane trees (Platanus orientali)–rhizoma bletillae; CcB, pecan trees (Carya cathayensis)–rhizoma bletillae; and CK, rhizoma bletillae monoculture. The total dataset (TDS) consisted of 15 soil parameters containing physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The results showed that soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) were finally selected and established as the MDS. Agroforestry could significantly influence soil quality. Compared with CK, the SQI in CcB significantly increased and decreased in PeB and PoB. Soil water content (SWC), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), SOC, TN, and TP contents were higher in CcB than in the other cultivation models. Based on various soil indicators and SQI analysis, the CcB was the best in improving soil quality. These findings showed that the soil quality index based on the MDS can be used as an effective indicator for agroforestry systems selection. It provides theoretical guidance for the practice of bionic cultivation and the sustainable management of rhizoma bletillae.

Anatomical adaptations of mangroves to the intertidal environment and their dynamic responses to various stresses.

Mangroves are intertidal plants that survive extreme environmental conditions through unique adaptations. Various reviews on diverse physiological and biochemical stress responses of mangroves have been published recently. However, a review of how mangroves respond anatomically to stresses is lacking. This review presents major mangrove anatomical adaptations and their modifications in response to dynamic environmental stresses such as high salinity, flooding, extreme temperatures, varying light intensities, and pollution. The available research shows that plasticity of Casparian strips and suberin lamellae, variations in vessel architecture, formation of aerenchyma, thickening of the cuticle, and changes in the size and structure of salt glands occur in response to various stresses. Mangrove species show different responses correlated with the diversity and intensity of the stresses they face. The flexibility of these anatomical adaptations represents a key feature that determines the survival and fitness of mangroves. However, studies demonstrating these mechanisms in detail are relatively scarce, highlighting the need for further research. An in-depth understanding of the structural adaptations of individual mangrove species could contribute to appropriate species selection in mangrove conservation and restoration activities.

Agroforestry Systems: A Pathway to Resilient and Productive Landscapes

Agroforestry, the integration of trees, crops, and livestock on the same land, offers a sustainable approach to enhancing agricultural productivity while mitigating environmental challenges. This review highlights the important role agroforestry systems play in promoting resilient and productive landscapes, particularly in the face of climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. Agroforestry systems, including alley cropping, silvopasture, and home gardens, provide significant ecological benefits such as carbon sequestration, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved soil health, water conservation, and enhanced biodiversity. These systems not only stabilize microclimates and reduce soil erosion but also improve soil fertility and water infiltration, making them vital for climate adaptation. Socio-economically, agroforestry diversifies income sources for smallholder farmers by generating products like timber, fruits, and fodder, while contributing to food security through year-round crop availability and improved nutrition. Despite these benefits, the adoption of agroforestry faces substantial barriers, including socio-cultural resistance, knowledge gaps, inadequate policy support, and limited access to markets and credit. High initial costs, perceived risks, and competition for resources between trees and crops further impede its widespread implementation. Addressing these challenges requires enhancing extension services, policy reforms, financial incentives, and market access to support smallholder farmers. Future directions emphasize integrating agroforestry into national agricultural policies and climate action plans, supported by research on optimizing species selection, pest management, and sustainable resource use. By the synergies between agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and Sustainable Development Goals, agroforestry presents a viable pathway for transforming agricultural systems into more resilient, productive, and sustainable models. Scaling up agroforestry can help restore degraded lands, sequester carbon, and enhance the livelihoods of rural communities, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

Turfgrass species and sward age influence soil carbon pools near the soil surface

AbstractEnhancing soil carbon (C) sequestration helps reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Turfgrasses are important crops in the urban environment and have shown potential for C sequestration. However, little is known about how turfgrass species selection affects soil C concentration or how this varies over time. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of three turfgrass species, sward age, and soil sampling depth on total soil C and N, soil organic matter (SOM), and labile soil C. A total of 25 locations throughout Indiana were sampled from established swards of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.], and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) with varying sward age. Turfgrass species affected soil total C and labile C concentrations but had no effect on soil total nitrogen (N) or SOM. Differences between the C pools of soils under turf 0–10 years in age compared to those 11–25 years in age only occurred near the soil surface. As turf swards age, total soil C, total soil N, and SOM increased near the soil surface (0‐ to 7.5‐cm depth) and little beyond the 7.5 cm in depth. The strong relationship (p ≤ 0.0001, R2 > 0.57) between total N, SOM, and labile C highlighted their interplay in the mineralization of N from SOM and changes in the short‐term C pool of a turfgrass system.

Is it possible to shape the microalgal biomass composition with operational parameters for target compound accumulation?

Microalgae, as photosynthetic microorganisms, offer a sustainable source of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, pigments, vitamins, and antioxidants. Leveraging their advantages, such as fast growth, CO2 fixation, cultivation without arable land, and wastewater utilisation, microalgae can produce a diverse range of compounds. The extracted products find applications in bioenergy, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries. The selection of microalgal species is crucial, and their biochemical composition varies during growth phases influenced by environmental factors like light, salinity, temperature, and nutrients. Manipulating growth conditions shapes biomass composition, optimising the production of target compounds. This review synthesises research from 2019 onwards, focusing on stress induction and two-stage cultivation in microalgal strategies. This review takes a broader approach, addressing the effects of various operating conditions on a range of biochemical compounds. It explores the impact of operational parameters (light, nutrient availability, salinity, temperature) on biomass composition, elucidating microalgal mechanisms. Challenges include species-specific responses, maintaining stable conditions, and scale-up complexities. A two-stage approach balances biomass productivity and compound yield. Overcoming challenges involves improving upstream and downstream processes, developing sophisticated monitoring systems, and conducting further modelling work. Future efforts should concentrate on strain engineering and refined monitoring, facilitating real-time adjustments for optimal compound accumulation. Moreover, conducting large-scale experiments is essential to evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of the process through techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessments.

Micronutrient Content of Aboveground Biomass as Influenced by Different Proportions of Medicago media Pers. in Two-Component Alfalfa–Grass Mixtures

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different proportions of hybrid alfalfa (Medicago media Pers.) in two-component mixtures with festulolium (Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus) and orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) on the micronutrient content of aboveground biomass. The study was conducted in 2011–2013 in Poland. The experiment had a split-plot design with four replications, and the experimental variables were as follows: (i) mixtures: Dactylis glomerata (Dg) + Medicago media (Mm) and Festulolium braunii (Fb) + Medicago media (Mm), and (ii) proportion of Medicago media seeds in the mixture: 30%, 50%, and 70%. Pure-sown Dactylis glomerata and pure-sown Festulolium braunii were the control treatments. The proportion of hybrid alfalfa in the biomass yield of mixtures increased throughout the study, and this species was the dominant component of the sward already in the second year, regardless of the proportion of sown seeds. Orchard grass exerted greater competitive pressure on alfalfa than festulolium. Pure-sown Dactylis glomerata accumulated more manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) than pure-sown Festulolium braunii; no significant differences in the copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) content of aboveground biomass were found between species. The aboveground biomass of mixtures was characterized by higher Cu content and lower Mn content than the biomass of grass monocultures. As a component of mixtures, alfalfa had a negative influence on the Fe content of aboveground biomass (dry matter basis). No significant differences in Cu and Mn content were observed between the mixtures. The Fb50% + Mm50% mixture had the highest Zn content, and the Fb70% + Mm30% mixture had the highest Fe content. The present findings suggest that practical two-component alfalfa–grass mixtures should be composed based on species competitiveness and selection of a grass component adapted to local agroecological conditions, rather than on the proportion of alfalfa seeds in the mixture.

Factors influencing nest site selection of the Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) in an urban area in Karaj, Iran

Abstract Urban habitats are rapidly changing, making the conservation and management of species adapted to these environments challenging. Nest site selection is a pivotal point in the process of habitat selection and breeding for bird species. We measured 10 structural and spatial characteristics at 32 nest presence sites and 64 randomly selected nest absence sites of Laughing Doves (Spilopelia senegalensis) in an urban environment in Karaj, Iran. To model the nest site selection, we performed spline binary logistic regression. Two variables significantly influenced the nest site selection of Laughing Doves: nest height above ground, with an optimal range of ~286–347 cm, and nest concealment, favoring invisible places from the front and sides. Distance to opposite building, with an optimal range of ~16–34 m, was marginally significant. Additionally, we surveyed the feasibility of occupying artificial nestboxes (n = 17) by Laughing Doves between February and September 2019. The occupancy rate of the artificial nestboxes was ~35%. Overall, these results suggest that despite the relatively high structural heterogeneity of our urban environment, Laughing Doves exhibit distinct preferences for certain nest site characteristics, which may reflect a dependence on close proximity to humans for safety and access to food and water.

Development and characterization of functional beverage based on soursop (Annona muricata L.), inulin, and whey powders

This study aimed to develop and evaluate "functional" beverages made from a blend of soursop (Annona muricata L.), whey, and/or inulin using a selected Lactobacillus strain. To achieve this objective, various steps were conducted: 1) analysis of soursop powder in its chemical proximal, physicochemical, and antioxidant properties, 2) selection of Lactobacillus species with the highest ability to grow in a formulated beverage, 3) evaluation of several beverages based on soursop, whey, and/or inulin in their physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant capacity, probiotic survival, and sensory acceptance to choose the one with the highest quality characteristics, 4) analyze the effect of storage time (20 days at 4°C) on the quality characteristics of chosen beverage. The results indicated that soursop contains functional compounds like dietary fiber (2.41 %), total phenolic compounds (370.26 mg GAE/100 g), and antioxidant capacity (2260.72 mg Trolox/100 g). Although LAB grew (6.88-7.73 log cycles) in formulated beverage, L. acidophilus presented the highest microbial count (7.73 log cycles, p < 0.05) after 12 h of fermentation; therefore, it was used to ferment soursop solutions. On the other hand, among fermented beverages, the one formulated with soursop, whey, and inulin presented the highest probiotic growth and antioxidant capacity. Therefore, it was analyzed during the storage at 4°C. After storage time, the fermented beverage maintained a high probiotic count (> 7.5 log cycles) and antioxidant capacity (even more than at the beginning of storage), with a good sensory acceptance (like it). Thus, this study successfully developed a probiotic beverage using soursop, whey, and inulin, which have favorable functional properties and sensory acceptance.

Absorption and partitioning mechanism of nitrogen oxides by typical greening species of tree in Beijing

In this study, we analyzed the uptake of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and its processes of distribution in various organs of different typical greening species of trees and the differences in its uptake by these different species using the 15N stable isotope tracer method under the gradient of three NO2 concentration treatments, namely, low, medium and high. These experiments were conducted using one-time artificial fumigation to provide necessary data and theoretical support for the selection and application of species of greening trees in urban gardens. The treatments of fumigation with different concentrations of NO2 showed that the leaves of the six species of trees had the highest content of 15N. The organs that were the most effective at taking up 15N were the leaves in broadleaf trees and the branches in conifers. The content of 15N per unit of the leaves (0.0058~2.0486μg/g) increased in parallel with the concentration of fumigant and then was rapidly transported to various organs in the tree. This caused different degrees of changes in other organs. The total content of 15N per unit was higher in the broadleaf species (0.0129~2.3171μg/g) than in the conifers (0.0296~0.1260μg/g). The leaves of broadleaf trees were the most effective at taking up 15N (0.0054~1.3228%) under medium and high concentrations of fumigant with the exception of ginkgo. The ability of each organ of the other broadleaf species was leaves>branches>trunks>roots, and the branches of conifers were the most effective parts of the trees at taking up NO2 under three concentrations of fumigants (0.0789~0.4005%). The highest rate of distribution of 15N was found in the leaves (48.14~99.53%) in all six species under different concentrations of fumigant, and the distribution in the other organs varied to different degrees.

Comparison and diversity of phytochemical profiles of Spondias mombin and S. tuberosa using LC-MS and multivariate statistical analysis

The species Spondias mombin and Spondias tuberosa are fruit plants from the family Anacardiaceae, and the fruits of these plants are popularly known as “cajá” and “umbu”, respectively, and are marketed as exotic fruits in Brazil. The promoted marketing of these species in the market is hampered by their genetic variability and a lack of knowledge of techniques for reproduction, harvesting, and conservation. Therefore, active germplasm banks (AGBs) were created by The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) to conserve genetic resources and optimize the use of these species. One of the approaches to the selection of species is metabolomics studies. In this work, using liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, multivariate statistical analysis was used to correlate the metabolomic profiles of the bark, branches, and leaves of S. mombin and S. tuberosa. Thus, the compounds that most influenced the observed groups were identified and indicated as chemical markers of these species. To carry out the dereplication of the metabolomic profiles, a library of chemical structures of the Anacardiaceae family was constructed, which enabled the identification of 40 compounds, 10 of which were at level 1 using the library and reference standards and 30 at level 2 using only the library. The results of the present study showed that the branches and bark contain gallic acid and citric acid as chemical markers, and their profiles are similar between species. In the case of the leaves of S. mombin, the anacardic acid C17:3 and quercetin derivatives were identified as chemical markers, while the leaves of S. tuberosa contained the anacardic acids C17:1, C17:2, and C13 as chemical markers. Meteorological factors had a greater influence on the metabolic profile of the leaves than did genetic variability. In the case of S. mombin leaves, flavonoids are inversely correlated with cloudiness and directly correlated with the temperature at the collection site.

A Pipeline and Recommendations for Population and Individual Diagnostic SNP Selection in Non-Model Species.

Despite substantial reductions in the cost of sequencing over the last decade, genetic panels remain relevant due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility across a variety of sample types. In particular, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels are increasingly favoured for conservation applications. SNP panels are often used because of their adaptability, effectiveness with low-quality samples, and cost-efficiency for population monitoring and forensics. However, the selection of diagnostic SNPs for population assignment and individual identification can be challenging. The consequences of poor SNP selection are under-powered panels, inaccurate results, and monetary loss. Here, we develop a novel anduser-friendly SNP selection pipeline (mPCRselect) that can be used to select SNPs for population assignment and/or individual identification. mPCRselect allows any researcher, who has sufficient SNP-level data, to design a successful and cost-effective SNP panel for a diploid species of conservation concern.

Consumers’ risk perceptions of production practices to enhance the nutrient content of microgreens

Microgreens are functional foods whose nutritional content varies depending upon the production methods used when grown. Consumers may perceive different microgreen production practices as carrying varying levels of risk. Here, an online survey of 820 Tennesseans indicated their perceived risk of consumption and environmental impacts for nutritionally enhanced microgreens grown using eight different production methods (e.g., plant breeding, gene editing, lighting, etc.). Probit models were used to analyze data. Results demonstrate that the different production methods were associated with different risk perceptions. Species selection and lighting were perceived as the safest practice for consumption and the environment. Gene editing and genetic modification were perceived as the least safe for consumption and the environment. Production strategies selected as the best option to enhance nutrition improved perceptions of production practice safety. Existing subjective knowledge of the production methods positively influenced consumers’ safety perceptions. Gender, education and urban residency all impacted perceived risk but varied by production method. Given the heightened interest in nutritious food and environmental health, it is important to understand how consumers perceive different production methods to better inform them about their food choices and encourage sustainable consumption behaviors. In turn, results can aid growers, retailers and other stakeholders as they consider alternative production methods and marketing strategies.

NIR‐II Fluorescence/Photoacoustic Dual Ratiometric Probes with Unique Recognition Site for Quantitatively Visualizing H2S2in Vivo

AbstractHydrogen persulfide (H2S2) plays a significant role in redox biology and signal transduction; therefore, quantitative visualization of H2S2 in the deep tissue of living organisms is essential for obtaining reliable information about relevant pathophysiological processes directly. However, currently reported H2S2 probes are unsuitable for this purpose because of their poor selectivity for many polysulfide species or their short wavelength, which hinders precise imaging in deep tissues. Herein, for the first time, we report a unique H2S2‐mediated dithiole formation reaction. Based on this reaction, we construct the first NIR‐II fluorescence (FL) and photoacoustic (PA) dual‐ratiometric probe (NIR‐II‐H2S2) for quantitatively visualizing H2S2 in vivo. This probe shows dual‐ratiometric NIR‐II fluorescence (I840/I1000, 107‐fold) and photoacoustic (PA800/PA900, 6.5‐fold) responses towards Na2S2 species with high specificity, excellent sensitivity (1.8 nM), improved water solubility, and deep‐tissue penetration. More importantly, using NIR‐II dual‐ratiometric FL/PA imaging, we successfully demonstrated that the probe could be used to accurately quantify the fluctuating H2S2 levels in the liver‐injury mouse models induced by lipopolysaccharides or metformin drugs. Overall, this study not only presents a promising tool for H2S2‐related pathological research, but also provides a unique recognition site that may be generalized for designing more useful H2S2 imaging agents in the future.

Effects of Urban Tree Species and Morphological Characteristics on the Thermal Environment: A Case Study in Fuzhou, China

Trees and their morphology can mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect, but the impacts of tree species and their two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) morphological characteristics on the thermal environment of residential spaces at the building scale have not been effectively evaluated. This research extracted the data of trees in the spatial range of a 50 m radius of the sampling sites located in a subtropical humid city’s residential area based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and field measurements. It included Ficus microcarpa L. f., Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl, and Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. as three typical evergreen tree species and six quantitative indicators of trees, with the number of trees (N) serving as fundamental indicator and mean canopy width (MCW), mean canopy height (MCH), mean tree height (MTH), canopy biomass (CV), and mean canopy biomass (MCV) as morphological characteristic indicators. We analyzed the impact of the six indicators above on two thermal environment parameters: Air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH), by correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results showed that: (1) F. microcarpa, as a dominant local species, provided more than 65% of the tree canopy volume within the study area (50 m radius buffer zones), and its contribution to cooling and humidification effects was superior to those of C. camphora and A. scholaris. (2) The MTH and CV of F. microcarpa are the key factors influencing daytime AT and RH, respectively, with temporal fluctuation in impact intensity during the spring (May) daytime. (3) The MTH and N of F. microcarpa show the best cooling effect (adjusted R2 = 0.731, p &lt; 0.05) during midday (13:00–14:00 p.m.), while its CV and MTH have the best humidification effect (adjusted R2 = 0.748, p &lt; 0.05) during the morning (9:00–10:00 a.m.) among three typical tree species. The 2D and 3D morphological characteristic indicators effectively describe the impact and variation of tree species on the spring microclimate within small-scale residential spaces. This work provides new insights into the thermal benefits brought by the spatial growth features of trees at the building scale and offers reference for urban residential areas in the planning and management related to tree species selection, canopy maintenance, and the improvement of thermal comfort for inhabitants.

Assessing the potential impacts of floating Offshore Wind Farms on policy-relevant species: A case study in the Gulf of Roses, NW Mediterranean

Our study investigates for the first time how floating Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) technologies could impact policy-relevant Mediterranean species, focusing on planned OWFs in the Cape Creus/Gulf of Roses (Spain, NW Mediterranean). Using the Generalized Impact Assessment framework, we identified pressure on diverse taxonomic groups. Our species selection prioritized species under European policy (Birds and Habitats Directives) and international/local conventions protecting flora and fauna, as they are vital biodiversity indicators. Our analysis identified 135 policy-relevant species susceptible to OWF-induced stressors, notably marine mammals, seabirds, elasmobranchs, and benthic macroinvertebrates at the highest risk. Among the different stressors, noise and vibration, along with habitat loss, pose the greatest potential impacts. While decarbonizing energy production is crucial for addressing climate change, preserving ocean biodiversity is equally vital. Our study pioneers the assessment of emerging OWFs potential impacts on Mediterranean species, offering valuable insights for decision-makers during OWF planning.

Telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of a male goat reveals variants associated with cashmere traits

A complete goat (Capra hircus) reference genome enhances analyses of genetic variation, thus providing insights into domestication and selection in goats and related species. Here, we assemble a telomere-to-telomere (T2T) gap-free genome (2.86 Gb) from a cashmere goat (T2T-goat1.0), including a Y chromosome of 20.96 Mb. With a base accuracy of >99.999%, T2T-goat1.0 corrects numerous genome-wide structural and base errors in previous assemblies and adds 288.5 Mb of previously unresolved regions and 446 newly assembled genes to the reference genome. We sequence the genomes of five representative goat breeds for PacBio reads, and use T2T-goat1.0 as a reference to identify a total of 63,417 structural variations (SVs) with up to 4711 (7.42%) in the previously unresolved regions. T2T-goat1.0 was applied in population analyses of global wild and domestic goats, which revealed 32,419 SVs and 25,397,794 SNPs, including 870 SVs and 545,026 SNPs in the previously unresolved regions. Also, our analyses reveal a set of selective variants and genes associated with domestication (e.g., NKG2D and ABCC4) and cashmere traits (e.g., ABCC4 and ASIP).

Using plant–pollinator interactions to identify key species for planning tropical forest restoration

There is still a lack of practical guidelines for understanding species roles and planning restoration strategies to enhance plant–pollinator interactions and support ecosystem functioning. We applied a network approach to understand the evolution of plant–pollinator restoration patterns and identify priority species, thus advancing restoration planning. Specifically, we compared species composition and network metrics along a gradient of time postdisturbance, from the initial stage of restoration to pristine forest in the Eastern Amazon. We found that mining type is a predictor of species composition. We observed the recovery of interaction diversity and pollinator specialization in the early stages of restoration. Mining type affected connectance, interactions, and species richness, and the restoration stage affected the number of links. From the interactions, we built a trait‐based framework to select manageable native species for initial restoration. The species selection framework proposed here is useful not only for forest restoration but also for the restoration of other areas and case studies (e.g. agroecosystems, conservation units, and ecological corridors) and can be adapted depending on the goals of each project. Here, we provide practical information for the management of mined land restoration in the Eastern Amazon and for restoration planning across broader scales.

Rapid Development of Small Rodent Animal Models for Infectious Disease Research Through Vectorized Receptor Molecule Expression.

The emergence and re-emergence of pathogens with pandemic potential has been a persistent issue throughout history. Recent decades have seen significant outbreaks of zoonotic viruses from members of the Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Flaviviridae, and Togaviridae families, resulting in widespread infections. The continual emergence of zoonotic viral pathogens and associated infections highlights the need for prevention strategies and effective treatments. Central to this effort is the availability of suitable animal models, which are essential for understanding pathogenesis and assessing transmission dynamics. These animals are also critical for evaluating the safety and efficacy of novel vaccines or therapeutics and are essential in facilitating regulatory approval of new products. Rapid development of animal models is an integral aspect of pandemic response and preparedness; however, their establishment is fraught by several rate-limiting steps, including selection of a suitable species, the logistical challenges associated with sharing and disseminating transgenic animals (e.g., the time-intensive nature of breeding and maintaining colonies), the availability of technical expertise, as well as ethical and regulatory approvals. A method for the rapid development of relevant animal models that has recently gained traction, in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the use of gene therapy vectors to express human viral receptors in readily accessible laboratory animals to enable virus infection and development of clinical disease. These models can be developed rapidly on any genetic background, making mechanistic studies and accelerated evaluation of novel countermeasures possible. In this review, we will discuss important considerations for the effective development of animal models using viral vector approaches and review the current vector-based animal models for studying viral pathogenesis and evaluating prophylactic and therapeutic strategies, with an emphasis on models of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the vectorized expression of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2.

Effects of Species-Rich Perennial Inter-Row Cover on Weed Flora and Soil Coverage in an Apple Orchard: A Case Study of Opportunities and Limitations in a Dry Continental Climate

The planting of inter-row cover vegetation has long been practised in Western European fruit-growing regions, yet research in this area remains limited in many countries. With the rise of organic farming, the role and selection of inter-row cover species are becoming increasingly important. Proper species selection enhances weed control and promotes biodiversity, supporting flowering plants and beneficial insects in orchards. The six-year research aimed to develop a multi-species, perennial, multifunctional inter-row cover species mixture for a dry continental climate, which is suitable for soil protection and the displacement of heat-loving, drought-tolerant, invasive weed species. There was another expectation for this native seed mixture to be able to regenerate spontaneously and to be sustainable in the orchard for a long time with minimal maintenance. Based on our results, the two multi-species mixtures (15 and 18 species) successfully reduced the cover of weed species, and their composition changed in the direction of the natural flora characteristic of the area. According to general management practices, native species could not widely appear in the control rows created by mowing the local weed flora.