Tag Archive for 'Root'

An artist’s impression of Devonian forest. Image credit: Eduard Riou / Rursus.

Evolution of Tree Roots Triggered Series of Devonian Mass Extinctions, Study Suggests

Nov 11, 2022 by News Staff

The Devonian period, which occurred 419 to 358 million years ago, prior to the evolution of life on land, is known for a series of catastrophic mass extinction...

Selden & Putz argue that by promoting root growth in their tunnels and then cropping those roots, southeastern pocket gophers (Geomys pinetis) are employing a low-level food production system that may qualify as farming. Image credit: John Woodhouse Audubon / New York Public Library.

Pocket Gophers are First Non-Human Mammals Known to Farm for Living

Jul 11, 2022 by News Staff

According to new research from the University of Florida, roots grow into the humid tunnels of southeastern pocket gophers (Geomys pinetis) where they...

Longitudinal cross-section showing microplastic particles inside a birch lateral root in a one-year-old birch tree after being exposed to contaminated soil for 5 months. Clockwise from top left shows cross sections using light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Arrows point to fluorescing microplastic particles. Inset in bottom right panel shows the area indicated by the arrows in the bottom left panel after enlargement. All images have been enhanced using a contrast and brightness correction. Scales are shown in the bottom right or left corner of the respective image. Image credit: Austen et al., doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152085.

Microplastic Particles Detected in Roots of Birch Trees

Feb 22, 2022 by Sergio Prostak

New research led by the Leibniz Institute for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries shows that individual microplastic particles with diameters between...