Eduardo de la Pena | Ghent University (original) (raw)
Papers by Eduardo de la Pena
Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Jun 1, 2009
Agriculture, Dec 18, 2020
des services d'édition numérique de documents scientifiques depuis 1998.
Insect Conservation and Diversity, Nov 28, 2011
1. Effects of the genotypic identity of a plant can extend beyond the individual phenotype to the... more 1. Effects of the genotypic identity of a plant can extend beyond the individual phenotype to the community. Because plant material is moved around at an increasing rate, introductions of non-local plant genotypes that are difficult to distinguish from local ones are probably common. Even though such introductions can cause cryptic invasions, their effects on local communities remain largely unexplored. 2. Ammophila arenaria is transported and planted throughout the world for dune stabilisation. We used this grass to address the impact of the introduction of nonlocal genotypes on the diversity of the local invertebrate community. We installed plants from the local population and five introduced populations from regions throughout the natural range in a common environment and identified all naturally colonising aboveground invertebrates. 3. The diversity of the entire invertebrate community, as well as that of herbivores, decreased with increasing geographical distance of the plants' location of origin. Differences between plant populations in predator and detritivore diversity were less consistent with this pattern. Invertebrate species turnover was not related to genetic distance between populations. 4. Our study demonstrates that introduction of non-local genotypes of a resident plant species can negatively affect the invertebrate community. This confirms the idea that caution should be exerted when selecting plant material for restoration or sand stabilisation purposes. Hitherto, explanations for the invasiveness of A. arenaria in other continents have been sought in its release from belowground pathogens. Our observation of lower shoot herbivore diversity on non-local plants, however, may indicate a role for release from aboveground enemies.
Journal of insect science, Jul 1, 2022
When quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd., is cultivated in South America outside of its Andean orig... more When quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd., is cultivated in South America outside of its Andean origin, the heteropterans Liorhyssus hyalinus (Fabricius) and Nysius simulans Stål may emerge as important pests. Here we studied the development and reproduction of both species at different constant temperatures in the laboratory. Egg and nymphal development were investigated at 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, and 36°C. For both species, egg incubation time significantly decreased as the temperature increased. Nymphs did not successfully develop at 18°C and the total nymphal time significantly decreased as the temperature increased from 22 to 36°C. Based on a linear day-degree (DD) model, the lower developmental threshold (LDT) temperatures for eggs and nymphs were estimated to be 16.0 and 17.9°C for L. hyalinus, and 16.1 and 19.7°C for N. simulans, respectively. Thermal requirements for egg and nymphal development were 68.6 and 114.8 DD for L. hyalinus, and 77.7 and 190.3 DD for N. simulans, respectively. Reproduction and adult longevity were studied at 22, 26, 30, and 34°C. For both species preoviposition time decreased as temperature increased, and the oviposition period was longest at 26°C. The highest fecundity and egg viability were observed at 30°C, whereas longevities were higher at 22-26°C than at 30-34°C. As the lowest tested temperatures were not suitable to both heteropterans and 30°C was found to be the optimal temperature for development and reproduction, peak densities are expected in warm areas and seasons.
Acta Oecologica-international Journal of Ecology, Mar 1, 2011
The composition of a soil community can vary drastically at extremely short distances. Therefore,... more The composition of a soil community can vary drastically at extremely short distances. Therefore, plants from any given population can be expected to experience strong differences in belowground biotic interactions. Although it is well recognized that the soil biota plays a significant role in the structure and dynamics of plant communities, plastic responses in growth strategies as a function of soil biotic interactions have received little attention. In this study, we question whether the biotic soil context from two forest ...
Neotropical Entomology, Jun 21, 2022
Scientific Reports
Understanding the responses of insect herbivores to plant chemical defences is pivotal for the ma... more Understanding the responses of insect herbivores to plant chemical defences is pivotal for the management of crops and pests. However, the mechanisms of interaction are not entirely understood. In this study, we compared the whole transcriptome gene expression of the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae grown on two different varieties of tomato that differ in their inducible chemical defences. We used two isogenic lines of tomato with a shared genetic background that only differ in the presence of type IV glandular trichomes and their associated acylsucrose excretions. This works also reports a de novo transcriptome of the aphid M. euphorbiae. Subsequently, we identified a unique and distinct gene expression profile for the first time corresponding to aphid´s exposure to type IV glandular trichomes and acylsugars. The analysis of the aphid transcriptome shows that tomato glandular trichomes and their associated secretions are highly efficient in triggering stress-related responses in the a...
Scientific Reports
Examining why human populations used specific technologies in the Final Pleistocene is critical t... more Examining why human populations used specific technologies in the Final Pleistocene is critical to understanding our evolutionary path. A key Final Pleistocene techno-tradition is the Howiesons Poort, which is marked by an increase in behavioral complexity and technological innovation. Central to this techno-tradition is the production of backed artifacts—small, sharp blades likely used as insets in composite tools. Although backed artifacts were manufactured for thousands of years before the Howiesons Poort, this period is marked by a phenomenal increase in their production. In this paper we test both social and environmental hypotheses to explain this phenomenon. We correlate environmental data with changing frequencies of backed artifact production at Sibudu and assess morphological similarity across seven sites in southern Africa. We find that these artifacts are made to a similar template across different regions and that their increased production correlates with multiple pale...
EFSA Journal, 2020
The EFSA Panel on Plant Health was requested to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodit... more The EFSA Panel on Plant Health was requested to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in the relevant Implementing Acts as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects' [Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 establishing a provisional list of high risk plants, plant products or other objects, within the meaning of Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031]. The current Scientific Opinion covers all plant health risks posed by bare rooted plants for planting of Robinia pseudoacacia (1 year old with a stem diameter of less than 2.5 cm) imported from Israel, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by Israel by 26 December 2019. The relevance of an EU-quarantine pest for this opinion was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Israel; (ii) R. pseudoacacia is a host of the pest, and (iii) the pest can be associated with the commodity. The relevance of this opinion for other non EU-regulated pests was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Israel (ii) the pest is absent in the EU; (iii) R. pseudoacacia is a host of the pest; (iv) the pest can be associated with the commodity and (v) the pest may have an impact and can pose a potential risk for the EU territory. Two pests (one insect and one fungus, Euwallacea fornicatus and Fusarium euwallaceae) that fulfilled all criteria were selected for further evaluation. For the two selected pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Israel were evaluated. Limiting factors in the effectiveness of the measures were documented. For the selected pests an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment, therefore the Panel is 95% sure that 9,950 or more plants per 10,000 will be free from these two pests.
Revista Ecosistemas, May 1, 2009
A los ecólogos que trabajamos en la relación planta-suelo nos gusta decir que ésta es la última f... more A los ecólogos que trabajamos en la relación planta-suelo nos gusta decir que ésta es la última frontera de conocimiento en ecología terrestre. Aunque pueda parecer un poco pretencioso, es cierto que durante muchos años el suelo ha sido el componente olvidado en la mayoría de estudios ecológicos. Lo que ocurre en la parte directamente visible, la parte aérea, es lo suficientemente interesante como para acaparar el interés del naturalista y el esfuerzo investigador de la mayoría de los ecólogos. Por el contrario, el suelo, a primera vista, no revela ni la complejidad y ...
Pest Management Science, 2021
We introduce the Poisson bracket operator which is an alternative quantum counterpart of the Pois... more We introduce the Poisson bracket operator which is an alternative quantum counterpart of the Poisson bracket. This operator is defined using the operator derivative formulated in quantum analysis and is equivalent to the Poisson bracket in the classical limit. Using this, we derive the quantum canonical equation which describes the time evolution of operators. In the standard applications of quantum mechanics, the quantum canonical equation is equivalent to the Heisenberg equation. At the same time, this equation is applicable to c-number canonical variables and then coincides with the canonical equation in classical mechanics. Therefore the Poisson bracket operator enables us to describe classical and quantum behaviors in a unified way. Moreover, the quantum canonical equation is applicable to non-standard system where the Heisenberg equation is not defined. As an example, we consider the application to the system where a c-number and a q-number particles coexist. The derived dynamics satisfies the Ehrenfest theorem and the energy and momentum conservations.
Each sheet contains a different data set: Sheet 1: Abiotic fators Data for abiotic soil factors i... more Each sheet contains a different data set: Sheet 1: Abiotic fators Data for abiotic soil factors i.e. pH-KCl, total nitrogen, percentage of ash rest, K, Mg, Ca, Al, P, Olsen-P, N/P ratio, percentage of organic matter OM, percentage of carbon, C/N ratio of soil samples collected at three forest sites in Flanders (Belgium): Aelmoeseneie, Doode Bemde and Muizen forest. In all sites, we compared soil conditions in ancient and postagricultural forest parcels. Sheet 2: Nematode community Nematode composition in soil samples collected in three different forest sites in Flanders (Belgium); at each site ancient parcels and post-agricultural parcels were sampled. Sheet 3: Data info of characteristics of species in the introduction experiment Data on basic plant traits of plants reintroduced in post-agricultural and ancient parcels in the Muizen forest (Belgium). For each plant we meassured: length in cm, number of stems, number of holes in leaves, number of leaves, number of leaves with signs of herbivory, proportion of leaves showing herbivory marks, herbivory index. Sheet 4: Invertebrate abundance on surveyed plants along transects in the Muizen forest, Belgium Invertebrate abundance was assessed for all plants present along 10m x 1m transects in the Muizen forest in Belgium. We compared invertebrate abundance in post-agricultural forest parcels and ancient parcels. Sheet 5: Vegetation plots Data on vegetation plots. Plots 10 x 10m. For each forest site i.e. Muizen forest, Aelmoeseneie(ALM) and Doode Bemde six parcels were sampled; 3 on ancient forest parcels and 3 on postagricultural. For each plot the understory vegetation was recorded. Sheet 6: Vegetation transects Comparison of plant species in the understory along transects in the Muizen forest. 10 transect surveys were conducted in ancient forest plots and 10 in post-agricultural. Sheet 7: Ecoplates For the characterization of the soil microbial community we used a method that measures by spectrometric quantification the utilization by microbes of different carbon substrates in microtiter plates (EcoPlates®). Here we compare mean values for soil samples taken in post-agricultural and ancient forest sites. Sheet 8: Data experiment Urtica dioica Data on plant traits and analysis of population build-up of Aphis urticata on Urtica dioica plants growing in soil collected in post-agricultural forest parcels or in ancient forest parcels. The experiment also compared the effect of soil sterilization and provenance on plant performance by measuring plant growth (biomass, no. of runners and flowering). Sheet 9: Plant nutrient analysis Data on nitrogen and phosphorus content of harvested plants from a re-introduction experiment in ancient and post-agricultural forest parcels (in the Muizen forest, Belgium). There were four species compared i.e. Geum urbanum, Circaea lutetiana, Primula elatior and Urtica dioica. Plants were weighed after drying to constant weight at 70 °C for 48 h. Sheet 10: Data Deschampsia cespitosa experiment Data on the effect of soil sterilization (sterilized vs. non- sterile) and provenance (i.e. ancient and post-agricultural) on plant growth of Deschampsia cespitosa. Sheet 12 and Sheet 13: Population build-up of aphids on Urtica dioica and Deschampsia cespitos
EFSA Journal, 2021
The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk asse... more The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. Momordica fruits originating from countries where Thrips palmi is known to occur qualify as high-risk plants. This Scientific Opinion covers the introduction risk for T. palmi posed by fruits of Momordica charantia L. imported from Thailand, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the Department of Agriculture of Thailand. The risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Thailand were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. An expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the potential pest pressure in the field, the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest in the field and in the packing house, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. For T. palmi on M. charantia fruits from Thailand, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom following the evaluation of the risk mitigation measures acting on T. palmi, including any uncertainties. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty that between 9,496 and 10,000 M. charantia fruits/10,000 will be free from T. palmi.
EFSA Journal, 2021
The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk asse... more The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by tubers of Ullucus tuberosus imported from Peru, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by Peru. The relevance of an EU quarantine pest for this opinion was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Peru, (ii) U. tuberosus is a host of the pest and (iii) the pest can be associated with the commodity. The relevance of any other pest, not regulated in the EU, was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Peru (ii) the pest is absent in the EU; (iii) U. tuberosus is a host of the pest; (iv) the pest can be associated with the commodity and (v) the pest may have an impact and can pose a potential risk for the EU territory. There are five pests i.e. one insect (Amathynetoides nitidiventris), two nematodes (Atalodera andina and Nacobbus aberrans) and two viruses (the Andean potato latent virus (APLV) and the potato virus T (PVT)) that fulfilled all relevant criteria were selected for further evaluation. For the five pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Peru were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For each of the five pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with PVT being the pest most frequently expected on the imported commodities. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty, that between 9,157 and 10,000 tubers out of 10,000 would be free of PVT.
Ecology and Evolution, 2020
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Plant Ecology and Evolution, 2017
Background & aim-In general, biodiversity has positive effects on ecosystem functioning. In fores... more Background & aim-In general, biodiversity has positive effects on ecosystem functioning. In forests, understorey vegetation is influenced by both the composition and species richness of the overstorey through species-specific effects on environmental conditions at the forest floor. Forest fragmentation is also known to influence understorey vegetation composition and richness. However, the combined effects of tree species diversity and forest fragmentation have not been studied yet. With the TREEWEB research platform, consisting of 53 forest plots along a tree species diversity and forest fragmentation gradient, we aim to unravel the combined effects of tree species diversity, tree species identity and forest fragmentation on the understorey composition and diversity. Methods-The TREEWEB platform includes forest plots of three tree species richness levels, containing all possible species combinations of Quercus robur, Quercus rubra and Fagus sylvatica. Complete dilution is avoided in the design, allowing separation between tree species identity and diversity effects. Vegetation surveys were conducted in all plots to investigate the species richness, species diversity, compositional turnover and cover of the herb layer as well as the shrub layer cover. Key results-Within the TREEWEB platform, overstorey-understorey diversity relationships were mainly characterised by tree species identity effects. No clear effects of tree species diversity and forest fragmentation on understorey composition and diversity were found. Conclusion-Tree species identity effects were most important in explaining the observed patterns in the understorey vegetation. Further in-depth research will allow us to disentangle which mechanisms underlie these patterns and whether effects of fragmentation are more pronounced at higher trophic levels.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Jun 1, 2009
Agriculture, Dec 18, 2020
des services d'édition numérique de documents scientifiques depuis 1998.
Insect Conservation and Diversity, Nov 28, 2011
1. Effects of the genotypic identity of a plant can extend beyond the individual phenotype to the... more 1. Effects of the genotypic identity of a plant can extend beyond the individual phenotype to the community. Because plant material is moved around at an increasing rate, introductions of non-local plant genotypes that are difficult to distinguish from local ones are probably common. Even though such introductions can cause cryptic invasions, their effects on local communities remain largely unexplored. 2. Ammophila arenaria is transported and planted throughout the world for dune stabilisation. We used this grass to address the impact of the introduction of nonlocal genotypes on the diversity of the local invertebrate community. We installed plants from the local population and five introduced populations from regions throughout the natural range in a common environment and identified all naturally colonising aboveground invertebrates. 3. The diversity of the entire invertebrate community, as well as that of herbivores, decreased with increasing geographical distance of the plants' location of origin. Differences between plant populations in predator and detritivore diversity were less consistent with this pattern. Invertebrate species turnover was not related to genetic distance between populations. 4. Our study demonstrates that introduction of non-local genotypes of a resident plant species can negatively affect the invertebrate community. This confirms the idea that caution should be exerted when selecting plant material for restoration or sand stabilisation purposes. Hitherto, explanations for the invasiveness of A. arenaria in other continents have been sought in its release from belowground pathogens. Our observation of lower shoot herbivore diversity on non-local plants, however, may indicate a role for release from aboveground enemies.
Journal of insect science, Jul 1, 2022
When quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd., is cultivated in South America outside of its Andean orig... more When quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd., is cultivated in South America outside of its Andean origin, the heteropterans Liorhyssus hyalinus (Fabricius) and Nysius simulans Stål may emerge as important pests. Here we studied the development and reproduction of both species at different constant temperatures in the laboratory. Egg and nymphal development were investigated at 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, and 36°C. For both species, egg incubation time significantly decreased as the temperature increased. Nymphs did not successfully develop at 18°C and the total nymphal time significantly decreased as the temperature increased from 22 to 36°C. Based on a linear day-degree (DD) model, the lower developmental threshold (LDT) temperatures for eggs and nymphs were estimated to be 16.0 and 17.9°C for L. hyalinus, and 16.1 and 19.7°C for N. simulans, respectively. Thermal requirements for egg and nymphal development were 68.6 and 114.8 DD for L. hyalinus, and 77.7 and 190.3 DD for N. simulans, respectively. Reproduction and adult longevity were studied at 22, 26, 30, and 34°C. For both species preoviposition time decreased as temperature increased, and the oviposition period was longest at 26°C. The highest fecundity and egg viability were observed at 30°C, whereas longevities were higher at 22-26°C than at 30-34°C. As the lowest tested temperatures were not suitable to both heteropterans and 30°C was found to be the optimal temperature for development and reproduction, peak densities are expected in warm areas and seasons.
Acta Oecologica-international Journal of Ecology, Mar 1, 2011
The composition of a soil community can vary drastically at extremely short distances. Therefore,... more The composition of a soil community can vary drastically at extremely short distances. Therefore, plants from any given population can be expected to experience strong differences in belowground biotic interactions. Although it is well recognized that the soil biota plays a significant role in the structure and dynamics of plant communities, plastic responses in growth strategies as a function of soil biotic interactions have received little attention. In this study, we question whether the biotic soil context from two forest ...
Neotropical Entomology, Jun 21, 2022
Scientific Reports
Understanding the responses of insect herbivores to plant chemical defences is pivotal for the ma... more Understanding the responses of insect herbivores to plant chemical defences is pivotal for the management of crops and pests. However, the mechanisms of interaction are not entirely understood. In this study, we compared the whole transcriptome gene expression of the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae grown on two different varieties of tomato that differ in their inducible chemical defences. We used two isogenic lines of tomato with a shared genetic background that only differ in the presence of type IV glandular trichomes and their associated acylsucrose excretions. This works also reports a de novo transcriptome of the aphid M. euphorbiae. Subsequently, we identified a unique and distinct gene expression profile for the first time corresponding to aphid´s exposure to type IV glandular trichomes and acylsugars. The analysis of the aphid transcriptome shows that tomato glandular trichomes and their associated secretions are highly efficient in triggering stress-related responses in the a...
Scientific Reports
Examining why human populations used specific technologies in the Final Pleistocene is critical t... more Examining why human populations used specific technologies in the Final Pleistocene is critical to understanding our evolutionary path. A key Final Pleistocene techno-tradition is the Howiesons Poort, which is marked by an increase in behavioral complexity and technological innovation. Central to this techno-tradition is the production of backed artifacts—small, sharp blades likely used as insets in composite tools. Although backed artifacts were manufactured for thousands of years before the Howiesons Poort, this period is marked by a phenomenal increase in their production. In this paper we test both social and environmental hypotheses to explain this phenomenon. We correlate environmental data with changing frequencies of backed artifact production at Sibudu and assess morphological similarity across seven sites in southern Africa. We find that these artifacts are made to a similar template across different regions and that their increased production correlates with multiple pale...
EFSA Journal, 2020
The EFSA Panel on Plant Health was requested to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodit... more The EFSA Panel on Plant Health was requested to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in the relevant Implementing Acts as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects' [Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 establishing a provisional list of high risk plants, plant products or other objects, within the meaning of Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031]. The current Scientific Opinion covers all plant health risks posed by bare rooted plants for planting of Robinia pseudoacacia (1 year old with a stem diameter of less than 2.5 cm) imported from Israel, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by Israel by 26 December 2019. The relevance of an EU-quarantine pest for this opinion was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Israel; (ii) R. pseudoacacia is a host of the pest, and (iii) the pest can be associated with the commodity. The relevance of this opinion for other non EU-regulated pests was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Israel (ii) the pest is absent in the EU; (iii) R. pseudoacacia is a host of the pest; (iv) the pest can be associated with the commodity and (v) the pest may have an impact and can pose a potential risk for the EU territory. Two pests (one insect and one fungus, Euwallacea fornicatus and Fusarium euwallaceae) that fulfilled all criteria were selected for further evaluation. For the two selected pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Israel were evaluated. Limiting factors in the effectiveness of the measures were documented. For the selected pests an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment, therefore the Panel is 95% sure that 9,950 or more plants per 10,000 will be free from these two pests.
Revista Ecosistemas, May 1, 2009
A los ecólogos que trabajamos en la relación planta-suelo nos gusta decir que ésta es la última f... more A los ecólogos que trabajamos en la relación planta-suelo nos gusta decir que ésta es la última frontera de conocimiento en ecología terrestre. Aunque pueda parecer un poco pretencioso, es cierto que durante muchos años el suelo ha sido el componente olvidado en la mayoría de estudios ecológicos. Lo que ocurre en la parte directamente visible, la parte aérea, es lo suficientemente interesante como para acaparar el interés del naturalista y el esfuerzo investigador de la mayoría de los ecólogos. Por el contrario, el suelo, a primera vista, no revela ni la complejidad y ...
Pest Management Science, 2021
We introduce the Poisson bracket operator which is an alternative quantum counterpart of the Pois... more We introduce the Poisson bracket operator which is an alternative quantum counterpart of the Poisson bracket. This operator is defined using the operator derivative formulated in quantum analysis and is equivalent to the Poisson bracket in the classical limit. Using this, we derive the quantum canonical equation which describes the time evolution of operators. In the standard applications of quantum mechanics, the quantum canonical equation is equivalent to the Heisenberg equation. At the same time, this equation is applicable to c-number canonical variables and then coincides with the canonical equation in classical mechanics. Therefore the Poisson bracket operator enables us to describe classical and quantum behaviors in a unified way. Moreover, the quantum canonical equation is applicable to non-standard system where the Heisenberg equation is not defined. As an example, we consider the application to the system where a c-number and a q-number particles coexist. The derived dynamics satisfies the Ehrenfest theorem and the energy and momentum conservations.
Each sheet contains a different data set: Sheet 1: Abiotic fators Data for abiotic soil factors i... more Each sheet contains a different data set: Sheet 1: Abiotic fators Data for abiotic soil factors i.e. pH-KCl, total nitrogen, percentage of ash rest, K, Mg, Ca, Al, P, Olsen-P, N/P ratio, percentage of organic matter OM, percentage of carbon, C/N ratio of soil samples collected at three forest sites in Flanders (Belgium): Aelmoeseneie, Doode Bemde and Muizen forest. In all sites, we compared soil conditions in ancient and postagricultural forest parcels. Sheet 2: Nematode community Nematode composition in soil samples collected in three different forest sites in Flanders (Belgium); at each site ancient parcels and post-agricultural parcels were sampled. Sheet 3: Data info of characteristics of species in the introduction experiment Data on basic plant traits of plants reintroduced in post-agricultural and ancient parcels in the Muizen forest (Belgium). For each plant we meassured: length in cm, number of stems, number of holes in leaves, number of leaves, number of leaves with signs of herbivory, proportion of leaves showing herbivory marks, herbivory index. Sheet 4: Invertebrate abundance on surveyed plants along transects in the Muizen forest, Belgium Invertebrate abundance was assessed for all plants present along 10m x 1m transects in the Muizen forest in Belgium. We compared invertebrate abundance in post-agricultural forest parcels and ancient parcels. Sheet 5: Vegetation plots Data on vegetation plots. Plots 10 x 10m. For each forest site i.e. Muizen forest, Aelmoeseneie(ALM) and Doode Bemde six parcels were sampled; 3 on ancient forest parcels and 3 on postagricultural. For each plot the understory vegetation was recorded. Sheet 6: Vegetation transects Comparison of plant species in the understory along transects in the Muizen forest. 10 transect surveys were conducted in ancient forest plots and 10 in post-agricultural. Sheet 7: Ecoplates For the characterization of the soil microbial community we used a method that measures by spectrometric quantification the utilization by microbes of different carbon substrates in microtiter plates (EcoPlates®). Here we compare mean values for soil samples taken in post-agricultural and ancient forest sites. Sheet 8: Data experiment Urtica dioica Data on plant traits and analysis of population build-up of Aphis urticata on Urtica dioica plants growing in soil collected in post-agricultural forest parcels or in ancient forest parcels. The experiment also compared the effect of soil sterilization and provenance on plant performance by measuring plant growth (biomass, no. of runners and flowering). Sheet 9: Plant nutrient analysis Data on nitrogen and phosphorus content of harvested plants from a re-introduction experiment in ancient and post-agricultural forest parcels (in the Muizen forest, Belgium). There were four species compared i.e. Geum urbanum, Circaea lutetiana, Primula elatior and Urtica dioica. Plants were weighed after drying to constant weight at 70 °C for 48 h. Sheet 10: Data Deschampsia cespitosa experiment Data on the effect of soil sterilization (sterilized vs. non- sterile) and provenance (i.e. ancient and post-agricultural) on plant growth of Deschampsia cespitosa. Sheet 12 and Sheet 13: Population build-up of aphids on Urtica dioica and Deschampsia cespitos
EFSA Journal, 2021
The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk asse... more The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. Momordica fruits originating from countries where Thrips palmi is known to occur qualify as high-risk plants. This Scientific Opinion covers the introduction risk for T. palmi posed by fruits of Momordica charantia L. imported from Thailand, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the Department of Agriculture of Thailand. The risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Thailand were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. An expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the potential pest pressure in the field, the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest in the field and in the packing house, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. For T. palmi on M. charantia fruits from Thailand, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom following the evaluation of the risk mitigation measures acting on T. palmi, including any uncertainties. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty that between 9,496 and 10,000 M. charantia fruits/10,000 will be free from T. palmi.
EFSA Journal, 2021
The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk asse... more The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by tubers of Ullucus tuberosus imported from Peru, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by Peru. The relevance of an EU quarantine pest for this opinion was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Peru, (ii) U. tuberosus is a host of the pest and (iii) the pest can be associated with the commodity. The relevance of any other pest, not regulated in the EU, was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Peru (ii) the pest is absent in the EU; (iii) U. tuberosus is a host of the pest; (iv) the pest can be associated with the commodity and (v) the pest may have an impact and can pose a potential risk for the EU territory. There are five pests i.e. one insect (Amathynetoides nitidiventris), two nematodes (Atalodera andina and Nacobbus aberrans) and two viruses (the Andean potato latent virus (APLV) and the potato virus T (PVT)) that fulfilled all relevant criteria were selected for further evaluation. For the five pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Peru were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For each of the five pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with PVT being the pest most frequently expected on the imported commodities. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty, that between 9,157 and 10,000 tubers out of 10,000 would be free of PVT.
Ecology and Evolution, 2020
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Plant Ecology and Evolution, 2017
Background & aim-In general, biodiversity has positive effects on ecosystem functioning. In fores... more Background & aim-In general, biodiversity has positive effects on ecosystem functioning. In forests, understorey vegetation is influenced by both the composition and species richness of the overstorey through species-specific effects on environmental conditions at the forest floor. Forest fragmentation is also known to influence understorey vegetation composition and richness. However, the combined effects of tree species diversity and forest fragmentation have not been studied yet. With the TREEWEB research platform, consisting of 53 forest plots along a tree species diversity and forest fragmentation gradient, we aim to unravel the combined effects of tree species diversity, tree species identity and forest fragmentation on the understorey composition and diversity. Methods-The TREEWEB platform includes forest plots of three tree species richness levels, containing all possible species combinations of Quercus robur, Quercus rubra and Fagus sylvatica. Complete dilution is avoided in the design, allowing separation between tree species identity and diversity effects. Vegetation surveys were conducted in all plots to investigate the species richness, species diversity, compositional turnover and cover of the herb layer as well as the shrub layer cover. Key results-Within the TREEWEB platform, overstorey-understorey diversity relationships were mainly characterised by tree species identity effects. No clear effects of tree species diversity and forest fragmentation on understorey composition and diversity were found. Conclusion-Tree species identity effects were most important in explaining the observed patterns in the understorey vegetation. Further in-depth research will allow us to disentangle which mechanisms underlie these patterns and whether effects of fragmentation are more pronounced at higher trophic levels.