Author Archives: Forest Biology Center

Our recent study examined how tree size affects the reproductive benefits of masting—a phenomenon where trees synchronize seed production across years, alternating between low and high yield periods. Using data from a 43-year monitoring of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), we found that larger trees benefit most from masting through significantly enhanced pollination efficiency and reducedContinue reading “Annals of Botany: Masting Ontogeny”

The fundamental trade-off between current and future reproduction has long been seen as a factor influencing the tendency of species that can reach large sizes to begin reproduction at larger sizes. However, estimates of the size at which trees mature remain scarce due to the extended time required to reach maturity. Because of that longContinue reading “Ecology Letters: Trees do not wait so long before being reproductive”

Our recent study focusing on rowan trees (Sorbus aucuparia) sheds light on how these trees optimize their reproductive efficiency through synchronized and variable seed production. Mast seeding is a strategy where trees forego reproduction in some years to produce a bumper crop of seeds in others, often in sync with neighboring trees. This boom-and-bust cycleContinue reading “Ecology Letters: masting and reproductive efficiency “

Mast seeding, or masting, is a fascinating reproductive strategy observed in many perennial plants, where individuals within a population produce seeds in highly variable quantities from year to year. This synchronized fluctuation in seed production among plants has long intrigued ecologists, primarily because it offers a significant survival advantage: it helps reduce the impact ofContinue reading “Forest Ecology and Management: community-wide masting enhances predator satiation”

Ever wondered why some years your favorite forest is overflowing with beech nuts, and other years it’s almost barren? This feast-or-famine cycle, known as masting, is not just random. Our recent research reveals a fascinating pattern: European beech trees are synchronizing their seed production across vast distances, but intriguingly, they do so differently for bumperContinue reading “Ecology Letters: synchrony of mast peaks and troughs”

Our recent paper on mast seeding in perennial plants presents a model that integrates proximate factors (environmental variation, weather cues, resource budgets) with ultimate drivers (predator satiation, pollination efficiency). This model illustrates how the relationships between mast seeding and weather influence species’ responses to climate warming, ranging from no change to reduced interannual variation or reproductive failure.Continue reading “TREE: general model of masting”

Our recent paper shows that in birds, anti-predator responses toward previously unfamiliar sounds (samples of punk rock songs) can be socially transmitted among territorial individuals, with naïve birds learning through the association of unfamiliar sounds and alarm calling reactions of conspecific neighbors. Moreover, once learned soon after nestlings hatching, the anti-predator response of parents canContinue reading “Animal Cognition: Wood Warblers, auditory risk recognition, and rock ‘n’ roll”

Our new paper explores how seed production in perennial plants, like European beech (Fagus sylvatica), synchronizes across vast distances, affecting ecosystem functions. The study reveals that the summer solstice serves as a celestial cue, triggering synchronized responses to weather conditions among widely separated populations of European beech. This ‘starting gun’ initiates ecological events with highContinue reading “Nature Plants: Solstice and beech masting”

Masting, the synchronized seed production among plants, is often seen as a reproductive strategy. But is it inherited? We studied 110 Sorbus aucuparia L. trees for 22 years to find out. We discovered that trees with similar genetics and growing conditions shared similar reproductive patterns. Also, trees of similar sizes had comparable fluctuations in fruitingContinue reading “Proceedings of Royal Society B: genetic basis of masting”

New study in European Journal of Forest Research dissects 22 years of rowan tree fecundity, emphasizing the pivotal role of DBH and the dominance of light availability. Notably, neighborhood crowding unveiled a correlation with pollinator competition. This research advances seed production ecology understanding, offering insights for effective fruit supply management. Read the full study:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10342-024-01661-5