Sphagnum Research Articles

Last millennium hydroclimate and atmospheric circulation change in Northeast China: A dual δ13C and δ18O approach from a mountaintop Sphagnum bog

Northeast China receives most moisture through warm air masses from the western Pacific Ocean and some moisture from the Eurasian Continent predominantly through the westerlies. Changes in the contribution of these different moisture sources affect the amount and isotopic composition of precipitation, which would in turn influence peatland surface moisture and peat moss (Sphagnum) growth. Recently a dual δ13C and δ18O approach from peat-core archive has been used not only as a proxy for peatland moisture/wetness but also as a constraint for interpreting isotope in precipitation and moisture trajectories. Here we used the coupled δ13C and δ18O measurements of peat moss cellulose, along with macrofossil and other proxy data, from a well-dated peat core retrieved from a Sphagnum-dominated ombrotrophic (meteoric water-fed) bog in Northeast China to reconstruct regional climate and moisture sources of precipitation over the last millennium.Our results show no sign of extremely negative δ13C signals that would have been caused by the uptake of respired CO2 by peat moss for photosynthesis, thus we argue that the cellulose δ13C signatures document the peatland moisture conditions, owing to water-film effect. We found a positive correlation between δ13C and δ18O, suggesting that δ18O primarily reflects the δ18O signal in precipitation rather than evaporative 18O-enrichment, because the evaporative enrichment would result in a negative correlation between these isotopes as documented in modern process studies along the hummock-hollow moisture gradients. We propose that the positive δ13C-δ18O correlation is a general feature in regions that are influenced by both summer monsoon and the westerlies, as warm Pacific moisture that has high δ18O values also brings abundant precipitation, resulting in wet conditions that induce high δ13C values, and vice versa. The δ13C results show a decrease of ca. 6‰ from −23 to −29‰, with large-magnitude fluctuations, over the last 1000 years, suggesting a long-term drying trend. An abrupt decrease at 1370 CE of 4‰ in δ18O from >21‰ to ca. 17‰ represents the transition from the warm and wet Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) at 815–1370 CE to the cold and dry Little Ice Age (LIA) at 1370–1940 CE, reaching the lowest δ18O value of ca. 15‰ at around 1850 CE. The increase in δ18O to 19‰ after 1900 CE reflects post-LIA climate warming. Enhanced moisture transport from the western Pacific might have contributed to the warm and wet MCA. Three short intervals with pronounced low δ13C and δ18O values occurred at 1370–1450 CE, the 19th Century, and the 1990s, suggesting extreme dry periods with reduced Pacific moisture inputs. The driest period with consistently low δ13C value of < -25‰ (Suess effect-corrected value of −23‰) occurred after 1990 CE, with a corresponding increase in dry-adapted moss Polytrichum.Variability in the regional atmospheric circulation—the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH)—might have explained the change in moisture sources. The westward extension of the WPSH—often corresponding with the El Niño-like conditions—would block the Pacific moisture from transporting to Northeast China. Our record, together with other paleo-records over monsoon-influenced regions in East Asia, shows synchronous but opposite shifts of summer rainfall anomalies in North or Northeast China and South China on decadal to centennial scales, substantiating a coherent atmospheric circulation pattern associated with WPSH and ENSO variability. We argue that there were major shifts in synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation and associated hydroclimate change during the MCA, LIA, and Current Warming Period in Northeast China.

Effect of vermicompost on vegetative growth and nutrient status of acclimatized Grand Naine banana plants

Novel approach for introducing vermicompost as an acclimatization soil for banana plants was conducted. Different potting mixture of vermicompost, vermiculite, peatmoss and sand at different ratios were used to study the effect of different agricultural media on vegetative growth and leaf mineral content of banana tissue culture plantlets, after acclimatization stage. Two different trial periods were studied; 12 and 24 weeks in these agricultural media for two seasons. Results indicated that using vermicompost combined with vermiculite and sand (33.3% for each) recorded the best results for the most vegetative growth studied parameters (plant height, plants and roots length, stem diameter, leaf width and shoot and root fresh and dry weight). Moreover, vermicompost at 50% + peat moss at 50% significantly increased total chlorophyll content in banana plants. Furthermore, N, P and K plant analysis has shown that vermicompost at 75% with peat moss gave the highest mineral content values at the two periods. Addition of vermicompost to the culture media improved in vitro-produced banana plants in greenhouse.

WisDM Green: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Design and Prioritize Compound Combinations in Peat Moss for Sustainable Farming Applications

Artificial Intelligence In article number 2200095, Agata Blasiak, Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Dean Ho, and co-workers harness an AI-derived platform, termed WisDM Green, to design and prioritize compound combinations for sustainable food yield enhancement in red spinach. WisDM Green-designed combinations achieve yield enhancement without compromising the nutrition content. Image Credit: Zac Goh

Использование и особенности культивирования мха сфагнума в биотехнологической системе для естественной фильтрации, очистки воздуха в городских условиях

This article presents the results of a study of a literature review on the use of mosses as natural filters for air purification in polluted locations; provides information on the features of the cultivation of sphagnum moss by vertical and horizontal methods in the future design of a biotechnological system; describes the necessary conditions to achieve the maximum effect of air purification using this type of plant culture. The study results will be used in the development of unique equipment, namely a pilot prototype of a biotechnological system — a filter using sphagnum moss as a natural filter for air purification in a certain area. This development involves the use of automated control systems to create artificial conditions for plant culture — moss, which, for natural reasons, cannot exist in urban environments. In the long term, a biotechnological filter will effectively clean the air, cool the environment and reduce the noise level in those locations where it is impossible to plant many trees due to large buildings. Currently, groups of scientists around the world are conducting research and experimental development of various solutions, including technologies that can significantly improve the urban environment using natural filters. Using mosses as a natural filter will absorb fine dust, purify the air, and create a favorable space.

PERFORMANCE OF STRAWBERRY IN A CLOSED LOOP AQUAPONICS SYSTEM

Aquaponics is an innovative technology and a sustainable source of organic food in agriculture that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant cultivation). To determine the performance of strawberry in closed loop aquaponics system, an experiment was carried out at newly established aquaponics system at Ornamental plants nursery, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar in 2019.Strawberry cv. Chandler was raised from runners in peat moss and seedlings were transplanted at different times in the Aquaponics system i.e., 15th January, 15th February and 15th March. The Experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with single factor i.e. Transplantation times with five replications. The analysis of data showed that different transplantation times significantly affected the growth, yield and quality of strawberry. However transplantation of plants on 15th February, resulted in maximum number of leaves plant-1 (7.79), fresh &amp; dry leaves weight plant-1 (29.39 &amp; 4.04 g ), number of fruits plant-1 (20.0), fruit weight plant-1 (140 g), root length (16.69 cm) with maximum fresh &amp; dry root weight (35.74 &amp; 6.32 g). Whereas transplantation of strawberry plants on 15th January took maximum days (100.20) to fruit maturity and produced fruits with minimum fruit weight plant-1 (4.66).However transplantation of strawberry plants on 15th march took maximum days to first flowering (35.00) and produced minimum root length (10.51 cm). It was concluded from the results of experiment that Strawberry cv. Chandler could be transplanted in growing beds of aquaponics system on 15th February for better production under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar.

Protonema induction, transient transformation, and protoplast regeneration in the peat moss Sphagnum papillosum

Sphagnum mosses are important carbon sequesters and emerging model organisms. However, induction and long-term cultivation of thalloid protonema in several species was not achievable so far. Here, we provide protocols for a set of new tools relevant for Sphagnum molecular biology: a new way for Sphagnum protoplast isolation and regeneration, and a first protocol for transient protoplast transformation. Together, these protocols will support the emerging Sphagnum research community in basic and applied science.

Saving CO2 Emissions by Reusing Organic Growing Media from Hydroponic Tomato Production as a Source of Nutrients to Produce Ethiopian Kale (Brassica carinata)

Large quantities of growing media residues that are rich in nutrients are disposed of after their use in hydroponics. The objective of this study was to investigate the benefits of different organic growing media (wood fibers, hemp fibers, sphagnum moss) residues from hydroponic tomato production as a nutrient source to produce Ethiopian kale. The amount of nutrients that can be reused as fertilizer and the associated CO2 savings have been calculated. Kale was cultivated in sand-residue mixtures, either with 25 or 50 vol% of the mentioned growing media residues. Control treatments with sand with or without nutrient addition were cultivated too. The incorporation of all growing media residues to sand increased the field capacity and growth. Plants that were supplemented with hemp fiber residues showed the strongest growth and highest yields. However, the hemp fiber residues that are used are not suitable for use in the open field due to its excessive content of certain nutrients, which restrict the output quantity. Regarding the fertilization effect of growing media residues, it was calculated that 11–300 kg nutrients ha−1 (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S), with an average primary energy demand of 90–3435 MJ and 6–317 kg CO2 eq, could potentially be saved when different crops were considered.

Searching of Underground Host Patches by a Pupal Parasitoid.

When hosts are distributed in discrete patches, ways in which parasitoids search and move between patches affect variability in parasitism risk among hosts and host-parasitoid population dynamics. This study examined the patch searching behavior of the solitary pupal parasitoid Dirhinus giffardii (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) on its host Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) which pupates underground. In a series of two laboratory experiments, host patches were created by burying pupae in peat moss, and the foraging behavior of the parasitoid was recorded. If D. giffardii can detect underground patches, the parasitoid would preferentially exploit high quality patches where the quality of a patch is represented by the number of unparasitized hosts in the patch. The first experiment investigated the effect of patch size (i.e., number of hosts) and host status (whether hosts are parasitized or unparasitized) on patch searching behavior. Results showed parasitoids were more likely to exploit a large patch than a small patch regardless of host status. The second experiment examined the effect of relative locations of patches by establishing three patches (one large patch and two small patches with unequal inter-patch distances from the large patch). The probability of parasitism was lower for the small patch close to the large patch than the small patch far from the large patch. The parasitism patterns described in the experiments have important implications on the distribution of parasitism risk among hosts and population dynamics.

Draft Metagenome Sequences of the Sphagnum (Peat Moss) Microbiome from Ambient and Warmed Environments across Europe.

ABSTRACTWe present 49 metagenome assemblies of the microbiome associated with Sphagnum (peat moss) collected from ambient, artificially warmed, and geothermally warmed conditions across Europe. These data will enable further research regarding the impact of climate change on plant-microbe symbiosis, ecology, and ecosystem functioning of northern peatland ecosystems.

Sphagnum capillifolium holobiont from a subarctic palsa bog aggravates the potential of nitrous oxide emissions.

Melting permafrost mounds in subarctic palsa mires are thawing under climate warming and have become a substantial source of N2O emissions. However, mechanistic insights into the permafrost thaw-induced N2O emissions in these unique habitats remain elusive. We demonstrated that N2O emission potential in palsa bogs was driven by the bacterial residents of two dominant Sphagnum mosses especially of Sphagnum capillifolium (SC) in the subarctic palsa bog, which responded to endogenous and exogenous Sphagnum factors such as secondary metabolites, nitrogen and carbon sources, temperature, and pH. SC's high N2O emission activity was linked with two classes of distinctive hyperactive N2O emitters, including Pseudomonas sp. and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, whose hyperactive N2O emitting capability was characterized to be dominantly pH-responsive. As the nosZ gene-harboring emitter, Pseudomonas sp. SC-H2 reached a high level of N2O emissions that increased significantly with increasing pH. For emitters lacking the nosZ gene, an Enterobacteriaceae bacterium SC-L1 was more adaptive to natural acidic conditions, and N2O emissions also increased with pH. Our study revealed previously unknown hyperactive N2O emitters in Sphagnum capillifolium found in melting palsa mound environments, and provided novel insights into SC-associated N2O emissions.

Habitat diversity and peat moss cover drive the occurrence probability of the threatened ground beetle Carabus menetriesi (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a Bavarian mire

Within the Natura 2000 network, there is a legal imperative to protect endangered species. A lack of knowledge about habitat requirements for these species undermines the ability to make informed decisions about appropriate conservation measures, especially for isolated populations that may have developed habitat preferences specific to their region. Carabus menetriesi is an endangered ground beetle found in Europe and warrants protection under EU law. We collected occupancy data of C. menetriesi using live pitfall traps over two seasons in 2016 and 2018 at a protected nature reserve in southern Bavaria, Germany. Here, we present the results of a patch-occupancy modeling approach to determine habitat preferences for C. menetriesi at this site. Our model shows that increasing Sphagnum cover and habitat diversity led to higher occupancy levels for C. menetriesi at this site, while tree cover was negatively correlated with occupancy, but increased the detectability of the species.Implications for insect conservationMeasures for protecting the C. menetriesi population at the study site were taken in accordance with our results. Areas with high tree cover were thinned at several sites, although the success of this measure has yet to be determined. Our findings about habitat diversity suggest that expansion of low intensity grazing in the area, a measure that was suggested as a result of our survey and is currently in process of implementation, might benefit the species. Whether our results can be transferred to C. menetriesi populations in different habitats remains to be investigated, however, our methodological approach with regard to both the data collection and analysis can be used to assess other populations and provide important information about relevant habitat parameters for that population. This will allow conservation managers to make well-informed decisions about conserving C. menetriesi, or indeed other similar carabid species with isolated populations.

Influência de substratos orgânicos na qualidade de mudas de melancia

ABSTRACT Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a succulent fruit and vine-like plant that is cultivated in Mexico and it generates employment and currency for the country. However, there is the need to research what local organic substrates can substitute peat moss as a culture medium to produce watermelon seedlings of good quality and at low cost. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of five local organic substrates as substitutes of the commercial substrate “Peat Moss”, for the production of seedlings of two watermelon cultivars, Sun Sweet and Jubilee. Five local organic substrates were studied: cacao husk, compost, vermicompost, bovine manure, coconut fiber and the commercial substrate “Peat Moss” as control. The response variables were percentage of germination, indicators of morphological quality and morphological quality indexes, stability of the clod, and relative efficiency of the local substrates. The best morphological indicators and morphological quality index of the seedlings were found with the substrates cacao husk and vermicompost, with a seedling quality similar to those obtained with the commercial substrate. Compost presented the lowest stability of the clod and relative efficiency. The substrates of cacao husk and vermicompost can substitute the commercial substrate “Peat Moss”, in addition to being easy to obtain and of low cost; so they are a viable alternative for rural farmers in the production of watermelon seedlings.

Carbon, nitrogen and their stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) records in two peat deposits of Central Siberia: raised bog of middle taiga and palsa of forest-tundra ecotone

The peatlands in the northern hemisphere accumulated substantially more atmospheric carbon (C) during the Holocene than other terrestrial ecosystems. In this study we applied a multi-proxy record to distinguish variations in dynamics of two peatlands in the boreal belt (raised bog) and the forest-tundra ecotone (palsa mire) in Central Siberia. Carbon and nitrogen content in peatland soils and their stable isotope composition δ13C and δ15Μ) were used to trace likely changes of hydrothermal regimes, vegetation shifts and diagenetic alteration of accumulated peat. Several inter-related allogenic and autogenic forcings have influenced the changes in macroelement content and stable isotope composition of peat with depth. In particular, there were climate-induced and succession-driven vegetation community shifts in domination of plants characterized by specific nutrient requirements, nutrient stoichiometry and fractionation of stable isotope values. The climate and permafrost-mediated processes like hummock uplift affected 13C uptake by Sphagnum mosses in wet and dry periods and changing hydrothermal conditions in peat profiles resulted in perturbations of the nitrogen cycle inducing N loss and enrichment 15N abundance, as well as enhanced decomposition was responsible for enrichment of organic matter in the heavier isotopes. These findings confirm the hypothesis that combined use of elemental and stable isotope composition provide meaningful insights in tracing the hydrothermal conditions and the functional state of peatbogs for paleoecological and paleoclimate reconstructions.

Characteristics of pigment complex of sphagnum mosses of south-belomorian bogs on example of Ilas bog massif

Sphagnum mosses play a significant role in the plant communities of the south-belomorian bogs. The adaptation of these plants to environmental conditions can be traced through changes in the pigment complex. In this work, the content of chlorophylls a and b and carotenoids was determined in some ridge species (Sphagnum fuscum, S. rubellum) and hollow species (S. lindbergii and S. majus) in June and September. An increase in total pigments in species growing on ridges is observed in autumn and that can be explained by the formation of comfortable conditions for photosynthesis. The growth of algal biomass can cause a decrease in the pigment content in the species of hollows.

Scale‐dependent responses of understory vegetation to the physical structure of undisturbed tundra shrub patches

Much of the Arctic is experiencing rapid change in the productivity and recruitment of tall, deciduous shrubs. It is well established that shrub expansion can alter tundra ecosystem composition and function; however, less is known about the degree to which variability in the physical structure of shrub patches might mediate these changes. There is also limited information as to how different physical attributes of shrub patches may covary and how they differ with topography. Here, we address these knowledge gaps by measuring the physical structure, abiotic conditions, and understory plant community composition at sampling plots within undisturbed green alder patches at a taiga–tundra ecotone site in the Northwest Territories, Canada. We found surprisingly few associations between most structural variables and abiotic conditions at the plot scale, with the notable exceptions of canopy complexity and snow depth. Importantly, neither patch structure nor abiotic conditions were associated with the vegetation community at the plot scale when among-patch variation was accounted for. However, among-patch variation in plant community composition was significant and represented a gradient in the richness of tundra specialists and Sphagnum moss abundance. This gradient was strongly associated with mean patch snow depth, which was likely controlled at least in part by mean patch canopy complexity. Overall, natural variability in green alder patch structure had less of an association with abiotic conditions than expected, suggesting future changes in physical structure at undisturbed sites may have limited environmental impact at the plot scale. However, at the patch scale, increases in snow depth, likely related to canopy complexity, were negatively associated with tundra specialist richness, potentially due to phenological limitations associated with shortened growing seasons. In summary, our data suggest emergent properties exist at the patch scale that are not apparent at the plot scale such that plot-scale measurements do not represent variation in understory community composition across the landscape. The results presented here will inform future work addressing spatial variability in shrub impacts on ecosystem function and increase our understanding of understory community variation within alder patch habitats at the taiga–tundra ecotone.

Conservation Horticulture: In Vitro Micropropagation and Acclimatization of Selected Florida Native Orchids

Florida is home to 106 native orchid species, of which 77 are listed as endangered or threatened by the State of Florida. The Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) has classified 62 of these species as either critically imperiled, imperiled, or rare in South Florida. Because of lack of endosperm, orchid germination rates are very low in nature, as they depend on an obligate relationship with mycorrhizal fungi for nutrients. Most orchid seeds can be germinated in vitro without the need for specific mycorrhizal fungi. This study aims are to establish a fast and efficient protocol for in vitro seed germination using different nutrient media and plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations, and to optimize seedling acclimatization protocols using different greenhouse media. To determine germination preferences, three different in vitro seed germination media were tested supplemented with PGRs, including 1) Murashige &amp; Skoog (MS) (control), 2) MS supplemented with 1.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and 3) MS supplemented with 1 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) on Cyrtopodium punctatum, a state-listed endangered, IRC critically imperiled epiphytic orchid. There was no significant difference amongst the treatments after 2 and 6 weeks of seed sowing culture. To understand post-culture survivorship, two epiphytic and one terrestrial native species (Trichocentrum undulatum, Encyclia tampensis, and Oncidium ensatum) were chosen for the acclimatization study with two commercially available potting substrates (coir, sphagnum). To measure seedling growth rates, phenotypic measurements [leaf number, leaf length, root length, plantlet height, light intensity, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC)] and Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values were recorded monthly for five months. All media/PGR combinations resulted in an initial high percentage of stage I growth but inhibited Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) development, suggesting more research is necessary to determine later improvements or detriments to MS basal media with BAP and NAA. Comparing acclimatization media with the three species of orchid chosen for this experiment, neither O. ensatum nor E. tampensis showed a marked preference for sphagnum moss or coir. However, T. undulatum did perform better with coir compared with sphagnum. This research will help botanical gardens and commercial plant tissue culture laboratories to have a better understanding on selection of PGR combinations for in vitro cell culture and acclimatization media on increasing the viability and plant health and decreasing the mortality of endangered plants.

Edge effects on decomposition in Sphagnum bogs: Implications for carbon storage

AbstractPeatlands provide multiple ecosystem services, including extensive carbon sequestration and storage, yet many peatlands have been degraded or destroyed. Peatlands' carbon storage capacity is connected to inherently low decomposition rates, causing the buildup of organic matter. This pattern could be explained by waterlogged conditions that reduce the amount of available oxygen for the decomposer community, a low pH that inhibits bacterial decomposition, or colder temperatures lowering metabolic rates. This study focused on edge effects on decomposition in the transition zone (lagg) between Sphagnum bogs and the surrounding forest, with the expectation that decomposition is lowest in the bog and highest in the forest but with a mix of factors causing intermediate decomposition rates near the bog edge. Transitional decomposition rates were measured across six bogs in central Sweden during the summer of 2021, following the Tea Bag Index. Three 20‐m transects, each containing seven pairs of tea bags, were buried across the margins of each bog, centered at the edge of the Sphagnum moss. Soil moisture content, pH, and plant composition were also recorded at each burial site, and temperature loggers placed evenly among four of the bogs. Our results confirmed our hypothesis regarding edge effects, with soil moisture levels showing a strong negative interaction with decomposition rate. The interaction between pH and decomposition rate was significant, but with an unexpected negative relation, most likely due to low pH in the surrounding forest. Temperature displayed no significance, and plants indicative of low decomposition rates included Vaccinium oxycoccos, Drosera rotundifolia, and Sphagnum species. In contrast to other studies, we did not find an increase in decomposition with increased species richness among the studied bog ecosystems. In conclusion, there is an edge effect on decomposition, and maintaining, or restoring, the hydrology of a peatland is the most important factor for continued carbon storage, with a rough estimation of an area decomposition rate possible to be estimated based on its vegetation.

SELECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PEAT AND PLANT MATERIALS FOR BIOCIDAL PREPARATIONS

Sphagnum moss and peat formed on its basis is estimated by experts as ecologically pure raw material resource for development of new effective medicines as their structure contains a wide set of biologically active compounds of different classes: polysaccharides, uronic acids, flavonoids, phenocarboxylic acids, aldehydes, coumarins, triterpene&#x0D; compounds, organic acids, mineral salts, and in peat also humic substances. The objects of the study were sphagnum&#x0D; magellanicum and sphagnum fuscum peat and 4 samples of sphagnum moss: Sph. magellanicum, Sph. fuscum, Sph. angustifolium and Sph. apiculatum which in the future is supposed to be used as a raw material for preparation of biocidal&#x0D; agents. The geobotanical and physico-chemical characteristics of the selected samples was carried out. All of them are characterized by low ash content (1.32–3.59 %), high content of organic substances and their active acidity is within the range 3.8–4.4 units, which is typical for sphagnum-type raised peat and sphagnum moss. In the infrared spectra of all samples observed absorption bands due to valence and strain vibrations of hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, amide and other functional groups of carbohydrates, phenols, alcohols, organic acids, esters of aliphatic and aromatic nature, typical for&#x0D; plants-peat formers and upper peats of low degree of decomposition. It has been established that samples of sphagnum&#x0D; mosses and sphagnum peat are labile hemicellulose-containing raw materials; the amount of easily hydrolyzable polysaccharides in mosses reaches 55 %, in peats – 45 % of organic matter. The content of reducing substances in hydrolysates of hemicelluloses of mosses is 55–59 %, that of peat is 53–54 %. The mass fraction of cellulose in the organic matter of sphagnum mosses is 23–26 %, in peat 22–24, in humic substances 17.7–20.9 %. All samples contain small amounts&#x0D; (0.8–2.3 %) of extractive substances extracted by organic solvents and 7.1–13.0 % of lignin. Literature data, as well as the&#x0D; performed spectral and chemical characteristics of the selected samples showed that among the biologically active substances found in their composition, the most interesting are polysaccharide and phenolic complexes, since the pharmacological properties of sphagnum mosses and low-degradation peat can be attributed to the presence of these compounds.

Will climate change cause the global peatland to expand or contract? Evidence from the habitat shift pattern of Sphagnum mosses.

Peatlands play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. Sphagnum mosses (peat mosses) are considered to be the peatland ecosystem engineers and contribute to the carbon accumulation in the peatland ecosystems. As cold-adapted species, the dominance of Sphagnum mosses in peatlands will be threatened by climate warming. The response of Sphagnum mosses to climate change is closely related to the future trajectory of carbon fluxes in peatlands. However, the impact of climate change on the habitat suitability of Sphagnum mosses on a global scale is poorly understood. To predict the potential impact of climate change on the global distribution of Sphagnum mosses, we used the MaxEnt model to predict the potential geographic distribution of six Sphagnum species that dominate peatlands in the future (2050 and 2070) under two greenhouse gas emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5). The results show that the mean temperature of the coldest quarter, precipitation of the driest month, and topsoil calcium carbonate are the main factors affecting the habitat availability of Sphagnum mosses. As the climate warms, Sphagnum mosses tend to migrate northward. The suitable habitat and abundance of Sphagnum mosses increase extensively in the high-latitude boreal peatland (north of 50°N) and decrease on a large scale beyond the high-latitude boreal peatland. The southern edge of boreal peatlands would experience the greatest decline in the suitable habitat and richness of Sphagnum mosses with the temperature rising and would be a risk area for the transition from carbon sink to carbon source. The spatial-temporal pattern changes of Sphagnum mosses simulated in this study provide a reference for the development of management and conservation strategies for Sphagnum bogs.

Biomenstrual: More-than-Human Design of Menstrual Care Practices

Biomenstrual is a Research through Design project for imagining, designing and practicing menstrual care beyond the human body. Drawing from feminist posthumanist theories that address the multispecies entanglements and ecologies our bodies form part of, we use design practice to research how caring for one’s menstrual health might extend to caring for the environment and the planet’s wellbeing. Motivated by existing practices of using menstrual blood as a fertilizer, and by the current landscape of unsustainable disposable menstrual products, we designed biodegradable menstrual pads and speculate on the practices and tools that are part of this fabrication process. We introduce and imagine a cyclical process where the biodegradable absorbent materials in menstrual care products are gathered, assembled into pads, used and discarded together with the body’s materials (menstrual blood, mucus and tissue) not as waste, but as fertilizer and compost, nourishing the soil and the species the biomaterials were first obtained from.&#x0D; In this pictorial, we present this design process, including the resulting biomaterial experiments, recipes, tools and speculative scenarios of decomposition. The project is taking place in Nordic ecologies where we are working in close relation with the local species of sphagnum moss and gluten extracted from wheat, which we have used as superabsorbent materials in the menstrual pads. From our own kitchens turned into biomaterial engineering and design labs, the Biomenstrual project probes the relationships between lab-based experimentation and cooking and crafting in the home, drawing from the figure of the witch, the empirical and resourceful woman attending to both her own body and the bodies of other species.