Tag Archives: Plants

Trampling to save mountain plant diversity?

By Ronja Wedegärtner and Jonas Lembrechts What do you think about when you follow a hiking path up to the nearest mountain peak? When not thinking about the next chocolate break or the view, I spend my time thinking about … Continue reading

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The photobomber

Now here is a little – and rather easy perhaps for most of those who follow me – botanical riddle: which tree has photobombed virtually all of my holiday pictures of Kotor, Montenegro? Let me know in the comments if … Continue reading

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The energy balance of a leaf

I am currently co-teaching the course on ‘environmental biophysics’ to our ecology masters, a largely theoretical course in which students get to know the physical equations behind ecology and the interaction between organisms and their environment. Besides this formula-juggling, the … Continue reading

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When does your elderberry bloom?

Have you ever noticed that trees seem to green up earlier in cities than in the countryside? If yes, it is not just a feeling. Urban areas have higher temperatures earlier during the spring. Moreover, it is already known that … Continue reading

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100 years of vegetation data

I find it of paramount importance that students learn how to communicate their research. Summarizing their ideas and findings for a broad audience challenges them to keep the ‘why’ in mind for their research, and reminds them they are part … Continue reading

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The rhododendron that can be tracked from space

In the alpine tundra of the Changbai Mountains in Northeast China, on the border with North Korea, climate has warmed significantly over the last few decades (at a rate of 0.28 °C/decade, from 1959 to 2017, to be precise). It’s a … Continue reading

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