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For four decades, Suzanne Simard, a forest and conservation scientist raised in a logging family, has been studying the complex interplay of
One of my recent Rainy Rambles columns is an introduction to the "Wood Wide Web", that intricate mycorrhizal relationship among soil fungi and plant roots. It's a quick read that just hits the highlights, but it's a good starting point for those unfamiliar with the concept. Enjoy :)
Microscopic soil creatures could orchestrate massive tree migrations
Warming temperatures are prompting some tree species in the Rocky Mountains to "migrate" to higher elevations in order to survive.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have discovered that tiny below-ground organisms play a role in this phenomenon—and could be used to encourage tree migration in order to preserve heat-sensitive species. Their work shows how these invisible biotic communities create "soil highways" for young trees, meaning they could determine how quickly species march uphill, if at all.
The newfound role of the soil microbiome—the collection of microscopic bacteria, fungi and archaea that interact with plant roots—represents a turning point for research aimed at understanding and predicting where important tree species will reside in the future.
Just as human microbiome research is rapidly changing our perspectives on human health and behavior, the interactions between trees and their soil microbiomes may dramatically change how we think about the health and behavior of forests.
The study was recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.
Michael E. Van Nuland et al. Divergent plant–soil feedbacks could alter future elevation ranges and ecosystem dynamics, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0150
What Nobody Tells You About Organic Certification
Everyone talks about switching to organic like it's just a matter of stopping chemicals. It isn't. The hard truth is that chemical pesticides leave residues in your soil for seasons. Those residues disqualify you from certification — long after you've stopped spraying. Here's what actually helps: · Switching to residue-free, natural pest management early · Building soil microbiome health (your best defense) · Understanding which beneficial insects you need to protect · Thinking in seasons, not spray cycles Organic farming isn't a restriction. It's a different kind of literacy — learning to read your land instead of overriding it.
As agriculture evolves to meet the growing demands of a global population, the need for sustainable pest management practices has never been
MSE seminar today, "Healthy Soils: Our Hope for a Warming World"
Events will be hosted January – December, 2025, usually on the last Wednesday of every month, 12:00 – 14:00 pm ET. Presented over Zoom. After each talk, we will continue the discussions in an informal social meeting with MSE. All speakers and members of the audience are welcome to join the social meeting. Hosted by: Sue Ishaq, MSE, and finacially supported by the University of Maine Institute…
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MSE seminar next week, "Healthy Soils: Our Hope for a Warming World"
Events will be hosted January – December, 2025, usually on the last Wednesday of every month, 12:00 – 14:00 pm ET. Presented over Zoom. After each talk, we will continue the discussions in an informal social meeting with MSE. All speakers and members of the audience are welcome to join the social meeting. Hosted by: Sue Ishaq, MSE, and finacially supported by the University of Maine Institute…
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New Research Reveals Soil Microbes Play a Key Role in Plant Disease Resistance
New Research Reveals Soil Microbes Play a Key Role in Plant Disease Resistance
Scientists have discovered that soil microbes can make plants more resistant to an aggressive disease – opening new possibilities for sustainable food production.
Bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum infects several plants including tomatoes and potatoes. It causes huge economic losses around the world especially in China, Indonesia and Africa.
Researchers from the…
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