Glacier forelands provide ideal natural laboratories for studying primary vegetation succession. However, understanding of vegetation dynamics on glacier forelands in the Third Pole (TP) region remains limited. In this study, we employed field sampling and aerial photography to investigate key vegetation parameters (species composition, species diversity, and fractional vegetation cover (FVC)) along chronosequences on nine representative glacier forelands of the TP, spanning continental, subcontinental, and maritime glacier types, then analyzed vegetation changes along successional gradients and assessed floristic similarity both within and among the glacier forelands. Our results showed that species diversity and FVC generally exhibited increasing trends, with fluctuations from young to old forelands. These parameters increased more rapidly on maritime glacier forelands. Plant life-forms were similar during the early stages across all forelands but began to diverge as succession progressed, particularly between different glacier types. Furthermore, floristic similarity was observed between glacier forelands, with the highest similarity occurring between forelands of the same glacier type in adjacent geographic locations. Our findings highlight the critical roles of local climate and geographic factors in shaping proglacial ecosystems and flora, providing a scientific basis for understanding the effects of climate change on proglacial ecosystems and guiding biodiversity conservation efforts.

This study explored the effects of forest fires on soil microbial activity in forest soils classified by rock origin (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) and stratified by subsoil depth (topsoil, subsoil). Microbial activity, indicated by average well color development (AWCD) and Shannon diversity indices, was higher in undamaged topsoils compared to fire-damaged ones. In contrast, fire-damaged subsoils, particularly in metamorphic and sedimentary soils, exhibited increased microbial activity over time due to organic matter decomposition. A significant increase in substrate utilization was observed in undamaged soils across all rock types (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01) in topsoil, with sedimentary rock exhibiting the highest microbial diversity based on Shannon indices. The dehydrogenase activity followed a similar pattern, with reduced activity in fire-damaged topsoil but higher activity in damaged metamorphic and sedimentary subsoils. Principal component analysis (PCA) linked microbial indicators (AWCD, Shannon index) to mineral compositions like orthoclase and hornblende, highlighting the role of soil chemistry in shaping microbial responses to fire. These insights advance the understanding of fire-induced changes in soil microbial functions across diverse geological contexts.

Black truffle, Tuber melanosporum Vittad., production is increasing due to an improvement in cultivation management and to the demand for this highly appreciated fungus. However, this intensification of truffle cultivation has led to the appearance of problems related to pest incidence. Specifically, the truffle beetle, Leiodes cinnamomeus (Panzer, 1793) (Coleoptera: Leiodidae), causes significant losses in black truffle marketability. However, its biology is still poorly known, and no effective agro-ecological methods exist to mitigate its damage to the truffles. This study aimed at assessing the population dynamics of L. cinnamomeus over four seasons (2019-2023) in an orchard located in NE Spain and relating these dynamics to weather variables and damage to truffle fruit bodies. Moreover, we described the diversity of arthropods captured in the traps in search of potential natural enemies of this beetle. The maximum population peak was observed in November, except for a single season in which it occurred in December. Moreover, the sex ratio was balanced (0.54 on average), but it varied over the growing season and among years. Significant and positive relationships of the population density of truffle beetles with air temperature and relative humidity were observed. The number of beetles per trap and day was strongly linked to heat accumulation. Finally, the Carabid Percus (Pseudopercus) patruelis (L. Daufour, 1820) was identified as a natural enemy of L. cinnamomeus. These results could be used in the future for monitoring and predicting truffle beetle populations.

Intensive agriculture development and achievement to higher profitability has inflicted permanent damage on agroecosystems. Rapid deterioration of structure and functional properties in agroecosystems has intensified the need for research on agroecosystem health and management. To assess the health status of wheat agroecosystems in the agricultural lands of Bandar-e-Turkmen county (Golestan province, Iran), we were used the variables of weed and natural enemies biodiversity, soil health (carbon and organic matter, microbial respiration, earthworm, soil salinity, and acidity), environmental indexes (environmental effects of pesticides (EIQ) and nitrate leaching) and vegetation indexes (RVI, cultivar type, and grain yield). In this study, thematic layers were prepared in ArcGIS and overlayed according to three scenarios. Then final layer was classified into three classes of health. Based on the results, only 8.47% (5 fields) were located in the first health class. These fields were characterized by high grain yield, low weed biodiversity, minimal pesticides use, optimal soil conditions, high RVI, and the presence of earthworms and natural enemies. Also, we found that 42 fields (71.19%) were placed in the second health class. Increase of biodiversity and population of weeds, lower grain yield, and reducing the quantity and quality of soil variables were important factors that reduced the health degree of these fields. Based on the results, 20.34% of the area (12 fields) in the central and western parts of the county was placed in the unhealthy class. It seems that increasing the environmental restrictions, including salinity higher than 6 ds/m, high weed diversity, increasing the consumption of harmful and dangerous pesticides with high environmental impact, and less grain yield than the potential of cultivars, were the main reasons for placing these fields in the unhealthy class. Also, the most important factors of decreasing the health degree of fields, frequency of weeds, increasing consumption of chemical pesticides, low soil organic matter, absence of earthworms, and decreasing grain yield were identified. Generally, management of weeds, implementation of crop rotation, preservation of plant residues on the soil surface, and development of conservation agriculture can help to improve the health indicators of wheat agroecosystems.

Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of microbial communities is essential for predicting their ecological roles and interactions with host plants. In a recent study, Wei and colleagues (Microbiol Spectr 13:e02097-24, 2024) investigated fungal diversity across multiple plant and soil compartments in rubber trees over two seasons and two geographically distinct regions in China. Their findings revealed that alpha diversity was primarily influenced by seasonal changes and physicochemical factors, while beta diversity exhibited a strong geographical pattern, shaped by leaf phosphorus and soil available potassium. These results highlight the role of environmental drivers in shaping within-community diversity, while other factors contribute to the differences between fungal communities across the soil-plant continuum. By distinguishing the effects of temporal and spatial factors, this study provides detailed insights into plant-associated microbiomes and emphasizes the need for further research on the functional implications of microbial diversity in the context of changing environmental and agricultural conditions.

AimsPecan (Carya cathayensis Sarg.) is an important forest trees in China, the application of chemical pesticides for disease control has caused severe damage to the soil, including reduced fertility and disruption of microbial communities. Although Trichoderma treatment has been shown to promote plant growth and improve soil quality, its effects on the growth promotion of pecan and the impact on soil microbial communities and physicochemical properties remained unclear.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the impact of T. asperellum TCS007 spore suspension and its fermented crude extract on the growth and development of pecan seedlings. We also explored the effects of TCS007 treatment on the nutrients, enzyme activities, and microbial diversity in the rhizosphere soil of pecan seedlings during their three main growth stages.ResultsTreatment with TCS007 spore suspension or crude extract promoted the growth of pecan seedlings, with significantly higher levels of leaf hormones and defense enzyme activity compared to the control (CK). Moreover, the content of soil organic matter and ammonium nitrogen, as well as the activity of soil enzymes such as catalase and urease, were all significantly higher than CK after treatment, and the soil pH shifted from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The results indicated that TCS007 treatment significantly increased the richness of beneficial fungi and bacteria in the soil.ConclusionThe results demonstrated that TCS007 treatment significantly promoted the growth of pecan plants, increased enzyme activity and nutrient content in the soil, and improved the soil micro-ecological environment.

The protection of medicinal plants has been effective as a key factor in preserving the environment of medicinal plants. As such, this paper aims to map the environment of medicinal plants based on biodiversity and indigenous knowledge, in which its role is constantly seen in environmental studies. The study method was based on field survey in the target areas: Morvarid, Heiderabad, Dehmoord, Fath al-Mubin in Darab city in Fars province. Based on the findings of the study, a total of 89 species belonging to 43 families in the target areas were identified, with the highest frequency belonging to the Mint family. According to the results of studies, Anghozeh, Baneh, Thyme Shirazi, Arjan, Kenar, Jashir (Prangos), Lemon balm, Myrtus, cumins, and Kakuti in need of protective measures. Combining indigenous plant ethnological knowledge with new technologies along with high genetic diversity will be the way to control damage and protect the effective genes of medicinal plants. Ultimately, the elimination of the inheritance of desirable plant genes will lead to the erosive growth and acceleration of the regression of plant cover, which is considered as a rich chain and preserver of soil sanctity and stability of nature in the environment.

Lake Van is T & uuml;rkiye's largest lake, and within it lies Akdamar, a small seven-hectare island. In 2008, eight feral European rabbits were introduced to the island to attract tourists. With no natural predators, their population had increased to 3,000 by 2016, causing severe ecological damage, destroying almond trees, accelerating soil erosion, and damaging historical buildings through burrowing. In response, local authorities launched a management programme from 2016 to 2017, removing 1,500 rabbits through physical control methods such as live trapping, net trapping, and night spotlighting. However, funding shortages halted further efforts, and the population surged to an estimated 4,000-5,000 by 2023. The rabbits now occupy the entire island, degrading vegetation, diminishing ecosystem services, and threatening tourism. According to the assessment conducted in this study, the situation is classified as causing major ecological impacts under the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa and minor cultural effects under the Socio-Economic Impact Classification of Alien Taxa. Therefore, urgent, long-term management solutions are essential to prevent further degradation, with public awareness campaigns, community involvement, and education can help reduce human-mediated spread and promote responsible behaviour. Coupled with sustainable, effective management strategies, these efforts are vital to preserving the island's ecosystem and cultural heritage.

A sustainable use of croplands should utilize beneficial services provided by their resident soil microbiome. To identify potentially adverse environmental effects on soil microbiomes in the future, a better understanding of their natural variability is fundamental. Here, we characterized the abundance and diversity of soil microbial communities over 2 years at two-week intervals on three neighboring fields at an operational farm in Northern Germany. Field soils differed in texture (clay, loam) and tillage (soil conservation vs. conventional). PCRamplicon analyses of soil DNA revealed distinct temporal variations of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists (Cercozoa and Endomyxa). Annual differences and seasonal effects on all microbial groups were detected. In addition to soil pH, prokaryotic communities varied with total soil C and N, but fungi with temperature and precipitation. The C/N ratio had contrasting effects on prokaryotic phyla and protistan classes, but all fungal phyla responded positively. Irrespective of the sampling date, prokaryotic and fungal but not protistan community compositions from the three soils were distinct. Compositional turnover rates were higher for fungi and protists than for prokaryotes and, for all, lower in clay. Conventional tillage had the strongest effect on protist diversity. In co-occurrence networks, most nodes were provided by prokaryotes, but highly connected nodes by predatory protists in the first, and by saprotrophic fungi in the second year. The temporal variation established here can provide insights of what is natural and thus below the limits of concern in detecting adverse effects on the soil microbiome.