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We examined the sweat characteristics and fluid balance of elite female field hockey players during two heat training camps. Fourteen elite female field hockey players from the Australian national squad participated in two heat training camps held ∼6 months apart, following winter- (Camp 1) and summer-based training (Camp 2). Daily waking body mass (BM) and urine specific gravity (USG) were collected, along with several markers of sweat and fluid balance across two matches per camp. There was a 19% mean reduction in estimated whole-body sweat sodium concentration from Camp 1 (45.8 ± 6.5 mmol/L) to Camp 2 (37.0 ± 5.0 mmol/L; p <.001). Waking urine specific gravity ≥ 1.020 was observed in 31% of samples, with no significant differences in mean urine specific gravity or BM between camps (p >.05), but with substantial interindividual variation. Intramatch sweat rates were high (1.2–1.8 L/hr), with greater BM losses in Camp 1 (p =.030), resulting in fewer players losing ≥2% BM in Camp 2 (0%–8%), as compared with Camp 1 (36%–43%; p =.017). Our field data suggest that elite female field hockey players experience substantial sweat losses during competition in the heat regardless of the season. In agreement with previous findings, we observed substantial interindividual variation in sweat and hydration indices, supporting the use of individualized athlete hydration strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this audit was to quantify female representation in research on heat adaptation. Using a standardized audit tool, the PubMed database was searched for heat adaptation literature from inception to February 2023. Studies were included if they investigated heat adaptation among female and male adults (≥18–50 years) who were free from noncommunicable diseases, with heat adaptation the primary or secondary outcome of interest. The number and sex of participants, athletic caliber, menstrual status, research theme, journal impact factor, Altmetric score, Field-Weighted Citation Impact, and type of heat exposure were extracted. A total of 477 studies were identified in this audit, including 7,707 participants with ∼13% of these being female. Most studies investigated male-only cohorts (∼74%, n = 5,672 males), with ∼5% (n = 360 females) including female-only cohorts. Of the 126 studies that included females, only 10% provided some evidence of appropriate methodological control to account for ovarian hormone status, with no study meeting best-practice recommendations. Of the included female participants, 40% were able to be classified to an athletic caliber, with 67% of these being allocated to Tier 2 (i.e., trained/developmental) or below. Exercise heat acclimation was the dominant method of heat exposure (437 interventions), with 21 studies investigating sex differences in exercise heat acclimation interventions. We recommend that future research on heat adaptation in female participants use methodological approaches that consider the potential impact of sexual dimorphism on study outcomes to provide evidence-based guidelines for female athletes preparing for exercise or competition in hot conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic plasticity can buffer organisms against short-term environmental fluctuations. For example, previous exposure to increased temperatures can increase thermal tolerance in many species. Prior studies have found that acclimation to higher temperature can influence the magnitude of transcriptional response to subsequent acute thermal stress (hereafter, transcriptional response modulation). However, mechanisms mediating this gene expression response and, ultimately, phenotypic plasticity remain largely unknown. Epigenetic modifications are good candidates for modulating transcriptional response, as they broadly correlate with gene expression. Here, we investigate changes in DNA methylation as a possible mechanism controlling shifts in gene expression plasticity and thermal acclimation in the reef-building coral Acropora nana. We find that gene expression response to acute stress is altered in corals acclimated to different temperatures, with many genes exhibiting a dampened response to heat stress in corals pre-conditioned to higher temperatures. At the same time, we observe shifts in methylation during both acclimation (11 days) and acute heat stress (24 h). We observed that the acute heat stress results in shifts in gene-level methylation and elicits an acute transcriptional response in distinct gene sets. Further, acclimation-induced shifts in gene expression plasticity and differential methylation also largely occur in separate sets of genes. Counter to our initial hypothesis no overall correlation between the magnitude of differential methylation and the change in gene expression plasticity. We do find a small but statistically significant overlap in genes exhibiting both dampened expression response and shifts in methylation (14 genes), which could be candidates for further inquiry. Overall, our results suggest transcriptional response modulation occurs independently from methylation changes induced by thermal acclimation.

The proportions of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in surface ocean particulate matter deviate greatly from the canonical Redfield Ratio (C:N:P = 106:16:1) in space and time with significant implications for global carbon storage as this matter reaches the deep ocean. Recent work has revealed clear latitudinal patterns in C:N:P, yet the relative importance of ecological, physiological, or biochemical processes in creating these patterns is unclear. We present high-resolution, concurrent measurements of particulate C:N:P, macromolecular composition, environmental conditions, and plankton community composition from a transect spanning a subtropical-subpolar boundary, the North Pacific Transition Zone. We find that the summed contribution of macromolecules to particulate C, N, and P is consistent with, and provides interpretation for, particulate C:N:P patterns. A decline in particulate C:N from the subtropical to subpolar North Pacific largely reflects an increase in the relative contribution of protein compared to carbohydrate and lipid, whereas variation in C:P and N:P correspond to shifts in protein relative to polyphosphate, DNA, and RNA. Possible causes for the corresponding trends in C:N and macromolecular composition include physiological responses and changes in community structure of phytoplankton, which represented approximately 1/3rd of particulate C across the transect. Comparison with culture experiments and an allocation-based model of phytoplankton macromolecular composition suggest that physiological acclimation to changing nutrient supply is the most likely explanation for the latitudinal trend in C:N, offering both a mechanistic interpretation and biochemical basis for large-scale patterns in C:N:P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporally variable climates are expected to drive the evolution of thermal physiological traits that enable performance across a wider range of temperatures (i.e. climate variability hypothesis, CVH). Spatial thermal variability, however, may mediate this relationship by providing ectotherms with the opportunity to behaviourally select preferred temperatures (i.e. the Bogert effect). These antagonistic forces on thermal physiological traits may explain the mixed support for the CVH within species despite strong support among species at larger geographical scales. Here, we test the CVH as it relates to plasticity in physiological upper thermal limits (critical thermal maximum—CTmax) among populations of coastal tailed frogs (Ascaphus truei). We targeted populations that inhabit spatially homogeneous environments, reducing the potentially confounding effects of behavioural thermoregulation. We found that populations experiencing greater temporal thermal variability exhibited greater plasticity in CTmax, supporting the CVH. Interestingly, we identified only one site with spatial temperature variability and tadpoles from this site demonstrated greater plasticity than expected, suggesting the opportunity for behavioural thermoregulation can reduce support for the CVH. Overall, our results demonstrate one role of climate variability in shaping thermal plasticity among populations and provide a baseline understanding of the impact of the CVH in spatially homogeneous thermal landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is increasing mean temperatures, and intensifying heatwaves. Natural populations may respond to stress through shorter-term acclimation via plasticity and/or longer-term inter-generational evolution. However, if the pace and/or extent of thermal change is too great, local extinctions occur; one potential cause in ectotherms is identified to be the heat-liability of male reproductive biology. Recent data from several species, including the beetle Tribolium castaneum , confirmed that male reproductive biology is vulnerable to heatwaves, which may constrain populations. However, such reproductive-damage may be overestimated, if there is potential to adapt to elevated mean temperatures associated with climate change via evolution and/or acclimation. Here, we tested this to evaluate whether pre-exposures could improve heatwave tolerance (adaptation or acclimation), by experimentally evolving Tribolium castaneum populations to divergent thermal regimes (30 °C vs. 38 °C). Findings across assays revealed that relative to 30 °C-regime males, males from the 38 °C regime, maintained constantly at 8 °C warmer for 25 generations, displayed an increase; (i) in post heatwave (42 °C) reproductive fitness by 55%, (ii) survival by 33%, and (iii) 32% larger testes volumes. Unexpectedly, in the acclimation assay, warm-adapted males' post-heatwave survival and reproduction were best if they experienced cool developmental acclimation beforehand, suggesting a cost to adapting to 38 °C. These results help progress knowledge of the potential for survival and reproduction to adapt to climate change; trait specific adaptation to divergent thermal regimes can occur over relatively few generations, but this capacity depended on the interaction of evolutionary and thermal acclimatory processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme heat events are becoming increasingly common, and the short‐term acclimation of photosynthesis will have a large impact on plant performance. Trees in lowland tropical forests, which are hypothesized to have limited abilities to tolerate rising temperatures, may need to rely on short‐term acclimation of their more plastic traits, like photosynthetic thermal tolerance, to persist in the face of increasingly variable climates.Here, we investigated seasonal acclimation of thermal tolerances in plant species of the moist Amazon. Specifically, we measured the photosynthetic thermal tolerances of six common woody Amazonian species at the beginning and at the end of the dry season to determine the species' abilities to acclimate to intra‐annual changes to climate. In addition, we used the natural thermal gradient present at our research site to test the acclimation of individual plants to maximum air temperatures not currently observed elsewhere in the moist lowland Amazon (up to ~43°C).Between seasons, there were significant overall increases in the thermal tolerances of three species (i.e. higher thermal tolerances in the hotter dry season), suggesting that leaf megathermy is prominent in these species. Also, three species acclimated their thermal tolerances to microsite‐level differences in seasonal temperature maxima, suggesting closer fidelity between leaf and air temperatures (i.e. limited homeothermy) for these species.Our results show that some woody species from the moist Amazon can acclimate their thermal tolerances over short time‐scales, although acclimation is likely insufficient to overcome thermal stress during extreme temperature events. Some species may therefore be more sensitive to heatwaves than others, which could impact survival and composition of tropical lowland forests into the future. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant metabolism faces a challenge of investing enough enzymatic capacity to a pathway without overinvestment. As it takes energy and resources to build, operate, and maintain enzymes, there are benefits and drawbacks to accurately matching capacity to the pathway influx. The relationship between functional capacity and physiological load could be explained through symmorphosis, which would quantitatively match enzymatic capacity to pathway influx. Alternatively, plants could maintain excess enzymatic capacity to manage unpredictable pathway influx. In this study, we use photorespiration as a case study to investigate these two hypotheses in Betula papyrifera. This involves altering photorespiratory influx by manipulating the growth environment, via changes in CO2 concentration and temperature, to determine how photorespiratory capacity acclimates to environmental treatments. Surprisingly, the results from these measurements indicate that there is no plasticity in photorespiratory capacity in B. papyrifera, and that a fixed capacity is maintained under each growth condition. The fixed capacity is likely due to the existence of reserve capacity in the pathway that manages unpredictable photorespiratory influx in dynamic environments. Additionally, we found that B. papyrifera had a constant net carbon assimilation under each growth condition due to an adjustment of functional rubisco activity driven by changes in activation state. These results provide insight into the acclimation ability and limitations of B. papyrifera to future climate scenarios currently predicted in the next century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species' plasticity and latitudinal spread have become an increasing matter of concern in rapidly changing climate. The brush-clawed shore crab (Hemigrapsus takanoi), native along northwestern Pacific shores, has established dense populations in northern European coasts. Detrimental effects in natura have been reported, such as displacement of native species and competition for shelter, rasing concerns regarding shellfish early life stages and food webs-posing a threat to wild stocks' recruitment and aquaculture. The species has not yet been observed in southern European countries (e.g., Portugal), where niche habitats such as harbours, mudflats, and lagoons reach higher temperatures than the invaded northern range. The aims of this study were to determine H. takanoi potential to acclimate to a southern thermal range, assess thermal performance, and identify potential competitive advantages over the native shore crab Carcinus maenas. This was accomplished through individual exposure to one of three treatments, resembling a southern European thermal range (17 °C, 21 °C, or 25 °C), for 30 days. H. takanoi thrived in temperatures as high as 25 °C, a realistic thermal scenario in Óbidos Lagoon (the biggest Portuguese lagoon)—while the native shore crab C. maenas underperformed at that treatment, showing lower survival, growth, and feed intake than H. takanoi. These results suggest that H. takanoi may be able to colonise southern and warmer European locations and have higher plasticity than the native species already inhabiting areas close to its upper thermal limits. Under global warming scenarios, inferences of further latitudinal spread and increased invaded range may also be taken to the invaded northern European habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realistic representations of plant carbon exchange processes are necessary to understand the growth and productivity of forests and to understand how plants will behave in future climate change scenarios. These processes are known to vary over depending on environmental and genetic factors. Here, we used the model by Farquhar et al. (Plant 149:78–90, 1980) to obtain the parameters Vcmax, Jmax and Jmax/Vcmax, and we analyzed the influence of growth temperature and precipitation variables and climatic groups on these parameters for the two functional groups (pine and eucalypt). Our results show that the photosynthetic capacity of forests has a difference between the functional groups, the variables growth temperature and precipitation at 10 and 30 days before physiological measurements influenced photosynthetic parameters, indicated a tendency to increase in photosynthetic capacity, suggesting its acclimatization to the environment. There were no differences between the subtropical and tropical climatic groups, demonstrating an adaptation of the genotypes to the environmental conditions of Brazil. The values of Vcmax, Jmax and Jmax/Vcmax parameters provided in this study expand the database of photosynthetic parameters and can be widely used in modeling studies of planted forests in Brazil. However, they should be interpreted with caution, we recommend specific field studies to fit models and further studies comparing species groups in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Interactions between carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles in terrestrial ecosystems are simulated in advanced vegetation models, yet methodologies vary widely, leading to divergent simulations of past land C balance trends. This underscores the need to reassess our understanding of ecosystem processes, given recent theoretical advancements and empirical data. We review current knowledge, emphasising evidence from experiments and trait data compilations for vegetation responses to CO2 and N input, alongside theoretical and ecological principles for modelling. N fertilisation increases leaf N content but inconsistently enhances leaf‐level photosynthetic capacity. Whole‐plant responses include increased leaf area and biomass, with reduced root allocation and increased aboveground biomass. Elevated atmospheric CO2 also boosts leaf area and biomass but intensifies belowground allocation, depleting soil N and likely reducing N losses. Global leaf traits data confirm these findings, indicating that soil N availability influences leaf N content more than photosynthetic capacity. A demonstration model based on the functional balance hypothesis accurately predicts responses to N and CO2 fertilisation on tissue allocation, growth and biomass, offering a path to reduce uncertainty in global C cycle projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the concept of quiescence and dormancy in plants and their importance in plant development, acclimation, and survival. The article highlights recent research on the molecular and metabolic regulation of quiescence, as well as the ecological modeling and molecular perception of temperature in relation to dormancy. The integration of hormone and cell-to-cell signaling, as well as the role of epigenetic mechanisms in establishing and maintaining dormancy, is also explored. The article concludes by emphasizing the potential applications of this research in enhancing plant resilience in the face of climate change. [Extracted from the article]

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This study aimed to investigate the impact of incremental changes in culture conditions on the survival and tolerance of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) to desulfurization and H2 evolution, as acclimation enhances their adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. SRB from sewage sludge were enriched with thiosulfate as the sole energy source and then subjected to gradual acclimation to culture conditions through batch fermentation cycles. They were acclimated to incremental concentrations (50–90 mM) of various sulfur sources ((NH 4) 2 Fe(SO 4) 2 , Na 2 SO 3 , H 2 S, Na 2 S 2 O 3), nitrate (KNO 3), nitrite (KNO 2), and phosphate (KH 2 PO 4) in an assay medium with 0.5% Na 2 S 2 O 3 as the sole energy source. They were also gradually acclimated to increasing temperatures (37–60 °C), desiccation (37 -20 °C), NaCl (50–90 mM), low pressure (−30 mm/Hg for 35 d), and UVB exposure (35 d at a distance of 7 cm) in the same assay medium. The results of this study showed that acclimatized SRB exhibited maximum growth on 70 mM thiosulfate and 60 mM ammonium iron II sulfate for H 2 production. Sodium sulfite and H 2 S supported the growth but did not favor H 2 evolution. This SRB consortium could withstand growth on 80 mM phosphate and produced maximum H 2 in the presence of nitrate and nitrite at concentrations of 60 and 80 mM, respectively. The maximum survival and adaptability of the consortium were observed at 50 °C, low pressure, and 80 mM NaCl. Increasing the inoculum size increased H 2 production. The acclimatized SRB inoculum formulation achieved a maximum biohydrogen production rate of 1.101 mmol/L/d. This study offers valuable insights into the versatile adaptability of SRB and their potential for biohydrogen production during desulfurization. • The effect of acclimation to SRB survival, desulfurization, and H₂ production from thiosulfate. • SRB achieved a maximum biohydrogen production on 70 mM thiosulfate. • SRB increased their growth tolerance with 80 mM phosphate concentration. • High temperature and salinity did not affect for biohydrogen production. • The acclimated SRB inoculum achieved a maximum biohydrogen production rate of 1.101 mmol/L/d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Temperature acclimation enables animals, especially aquatic ones, to safely survive climate fluctuations in the natural environment. The aim of our work was to study how temperature acclimation in aquaculture affects cold-water Baikal whitefish at the embryonic stage and their well-being during a heat shock (24 °C). Selected molecular markers (telomere length, telomerase activity, and expression of target genes) showed that acclimation at the early developmental stages has a positive effect on the Baikal whitefish larvae and allows them to tolerate acute temperature stress without the harmful consequences. The data obtained will improve the survival of fish and increase their plasticity under aquaculture conditions. Acclimation through the hormesis effect increases the plasticity of organisms, which has been shown for many ectothermic animals, including fish. We investigated the effect of temperature acclimation in Baikal whitefish Coregonus baicalensis (Dybowski, 1874). Telomere length, telomerase activity, and the expression of genes, whose products are involved in the regulation of telomere length and defense against reactive oxygen species, were selected to assess the state of the larvae. Acclimation and acute temperature stress (+12 °C) had no effect on telomere length, but altered telomerase activity (acclimation decreased it; stress increased it) and the levels of genes expression. Under stress, the expression of superoxide dismutase genes was increased in acclimated larvae and that of glutathione peroxidases in non-acclimated larvae, which may indicate lower reactive oxygen species formation and slower antioxidant responses in acclimated fish. The expression of some telomere-related genes was reduced under temperature stress, but the expression of the tzap and smg genes, whose products improve the control of telomere length by preventing them from lengthening or shortening, was increased in acclimated individuals. The data obtained indicate a positive effect of acclimation on the state of the Baikal whitefish larvae by remodulation of their telomerase activity and the transcriptional profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance Statement: This work analyses multi‐omics and stable isotope labeling data and provides a comprehensive overview on C3‐plant acclimation to high light. We show that Arabidopsis thaliana in abscene of a clockwise TCA cycle accumulates large amounts of C4 acids in vacuoles, which form a secondary pool of reduced carbon that exceeds the plastidic accumulation of carbon in form of starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) are the core regulators of the heat stress (HS) response in plants. HSFs are considered as a molecular rheostat: their activities define the response intensity, incorporating information about the environmental temperature through a network of partner proteins. A prompted activation of HSFs is required for survival, for example the de novo synthesis of heat shock proteins. Furthermore, a timely attenuation of the stress response is necessary for the restoration of cellular functions and recovery from stress. In an ever‐changing environment, the balance between thermotolerance and developmental processes such as reproductive fitness highlights the importance of a tightly tuned response. In many cases, the response is described as an ON/OFF mode, while in reality, it is very dynamic. This review compiles recent findings to update existing models about the HSF‐regulated HS response and address two timely questions: How do plants adjust the intensity of cellular HS response corresponding to the temperature they experience? How does this adjustment contribute to the fine‐tuning of the HS and developmental networks? Understanding these processes is crucial not only for enhancing our basic understanding of plant biology but also for developing strategies to improve crop resilience and productivity under stressful conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) are pervasive stressors in aquatic systems that can be exacerbated by climate change and anthropogenic activities, and there is growing interest in their interactive effects. To explore this interaction, we quantified the effects of acute and long‐term hypoxia exposure on the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus), a small‐bodied freshwater minnow with sparse populations in the Great Lakes Basin of Canada and designated as Endangered under Canada's Species at Risk Act. Fish were held at 18°C and acclimated to four levels of dissolved oxygen (>90%, 60%, 40%, and 20% air saturation). CTmax was measured after 2 and 10 weeks of acclimation and after 3.5 weeks of reoxygenation, and agitation behavior was quantified during CTmax trials. Aquatic surface respiration behavior was also quantified at 14 weeks of acclimation to oxygen treatments. Acute hypoxia exposure decreased CTmax in fish acclimated to normoxia (>90% air saturation), but acclimation to hypoxia reduced this effect. There was no effect of acclimation oxygen level on CTmax when measured in normoxia, and there was no effect of exposure time to hypoxia on CTmax. Residual effects of hypoxia acclimation on CTmax were not seen after reoxygenation. Agitation behavior varied greatly among individuals and was not affected by oxygen conditions. Fish performed aquatic surface respiration with low frequency, but performed it earlier when acclimated to higher levels of oxygen. Overall, this work sheds light on the vulnerability of fish experiencing acute hypoxia and heat waves concurrently. Research Highlights: Acute exposure to low oxygen conditions reduces upper thermal tolerance of the Endangered Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus), but the effect is buffered by long‐term acclimation to intermediate and low oxygen conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals frequently engage in anti-predator behaviour, but the intensity and choice of behaviour is likely dependent on the environment. We used a common-garden experiment to test whether Allenby's gerbils (Gerbillus andersoni allenbyi) from different sites in the Negev Desert show different responses to the same level of risk. We tested whether animals from less covered (more risky) environments cope with predation risk better by foraging longer and faster in open microhabitats. To do so, we captured individuals from three areas that differ in vegetation cover and then quantified food consumption and apprehension in a standard outdoor vivarium (an enclosure). This vivarium simulated a natural environment, with natural moonlight, artificial cover, and two live owls. Animals from less vegetated environments consumed more food but foraged slower and with more apprehension. We also found that some populations prefer to forage more in the first quarter of the lunar cycle than the third, and others prefer the opposite, despite these moon phases having equal luminosity. That suggests an evolutionary coordination game might be at play. Our results show anti-predator behaviour is diverse among populations and similar within, which may hint the existence of different ecotypes if further differences are found. Significance statement: In this study, we analysed whether anti-predator behaviour is consistent within populations, and different among them. We found that gerbils have different anti-predator behaviour depending on their site of origin, and that difference continues even when placed in a common environment. Animals from environments poor in cover foraged slowly and more carefully but did so for a longer time. Interestingly, we also found that when animals from different locations are placed in the same environment together, the average behaviour of this mixed group is similar to the most cautious of the mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral reefs are exposed to various environmental stressors that cause bleaching events, whereby endosymbiotic microalgae (Symbiodiniaceae) disassociate from coral hosts. Bleached corals are compromised and face mortality. The combination of high-light exposure and elevated seawater temperature often lead to coral bleaching. The physiological properties of the Symbiodiniaceae within the coral tissues contribute to the thermal tolerance of the holobiont (the host and all its symbionts). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of light and temperature stress on four Symbiodiniaceae species from three genera with respect to photosynthetic oxygen production and consumption. Under control conditions, the species displayed predominantly low-to-moderate light requirements for photosynthesis with increased photoinhibition at higher photon flux rates. After 30 days of heat acclimation at 32 °C, maximum photosynthetic activity declined in Effrenium voratum, doubled in Fugacium kawagutii, and remained unchanged in Breviolum psygmophilum. In subsequent acute heating assays, species-specific effects on maximum photosynthetic activity were observed. Photosynthesis in all species declined across a temperature gradient between 25 and 39 °C in the acute heating assays; full inhibition occurred at 37 °C in B. psygmophilum and E. voratum and at 39 °C in B. aenigmaticum and F. kawagutii. In contrast, respiration remained largely constant in all species across temperatures. Our data point to species-specific photophysiological traits that lead to different thermal tolerances among Symbiodiniaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesophotic coral ecosystems are characterised by the presence of photosynthetic scleractinian corals despite the decreasing amounts of light available with depth. To better understand physiological strategies across a broad depth gradient, we studied the biological trait responses of Pocillopora cf. verrucosa from 6 to 60 m depth and Pachyseris "speciosa" spp. from 20 to 90 m depth at four islands of French Polynesia. Specifically, we characterised associated Symbiodiniaceae communities, photophysiological traits (Symbiodiniaceae density and chlorophyll concentrations), micro-morphology and trophic plasticity (autotrophy vs heterotrophy inferred from stable isotopes). Our results showed that both taxa can live at mesophotic depths without significant genetic structuring in their generic Symbiodiniaceae communities, mainly composed of Cladocopium and Durusdinium. Yet, the prevalence of Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 profiles revealed location-based variations that sometimes interact with depth and highlight putative shallow- or depth-tolerant taxa. For both taxa, symbiont density and chlorophyll pigment concentrations increased with increasing depth. We also found a change in their skeletal micro-morphology with an increase in the inter-corallite distance for Pocillopora cf. verrucosa and a decrease in the height of septa for Pachyseris "speciosa" spp. with depth. Finally, we found no isotopic evidence of switching to a more heterotrophic diet as their primary energy source, although host–tissue δ13C ratios became more negative with depth in both corals. Overall, our findings show similarity (across the two species) and species-specific strategies (biological trait patterns with increasing depth) underlying the capacity of symbiotic scleractinian corals to live in low-light environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In everyday life it can be tempting to follow some convenient rules, but it is important to sometimes pause and to consider whether these rules are actually useful: Do they help or obscure our understanding of the full beauty of animal behavior? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea sp.) are highly tolerant to multiple abiotic stressors, including fluctuating temperatures associated with shallow marine habitats. This resilience may underlie the ability of Cassiopea sp. to inhabit a wide variety of tropical habitats across the globe. Additionally, Cassiopea sp. are marked by a conspicuous array of appendage coloration; individual medusae vary in the hue and number of oral appendages, which are often strikingly blue. The function of this coloration is not understood. We aimed to understand how extrinsic (temperature, location) and intrinsic (host color) factors may shape thermal tolerance. Methods: Adult Cassiopea xamachana were collected from two sites that vary in daily temperature range within the Florida Keys and were subjected to acute lethal heat stress. To quantify a whole-organism response to heat, we measured changes in bell pulsation, which likely plays a role in feeding, oxygen exchange, and symbiont uptake. Finally, color morphs were acclimated at either ambient (26°C) or elevated (33°C) temperatures. Results: C. xamachana from two locations that vary in thermal range do not exhibit different responses to heat, suggesting that temperature fluctuations do not prime individuals for higher thermal tolerance. Additionally, C. xamachana with blue appendages survived significantly higher temperatures and exhibited less change in bell pulsation rates compared to non-blue individuals. We found that acclimation at 33°C, as well as appendage color in each treatment, led to higher survival under acute heat stress. Discussion: These findings highlight the importance of temperature and coloration in Cassiopea xamachana resilience during heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplankton are a major source of primary productivity. Their photosynthetic fluorescence are unique measures of their type, physiological state, and response to environmental conditions. Changes in phytoplankton photophysiology are commonly monitored by bulk fluorescence spectroscopy, where gradual changes are reported in response to different perturbations, such as light intensity changes. What is the meaning of such trends in bulk parameters if their values report ensemble averages of multiple unsynchronized cells? To answer this, we developed an experimental scheme that enables tracking fluorescence intensities, brightnesses, and their ratios, as well as mean photon nanotimes equivalent to mean fluorescence lifetimes, one cell at a time. We monitored three different phytoplankton species during diurnal cycles and in response to an abrupt increase in light intensity. Our results show that we can define specific subpopulations of cells by their fluorescence parameters for each of the phytoplankton species, and in response to varying light conditions. Importantly, we identify the cells undergo well‐defined transitions between these subpopulations. The approach shown in this work will be useful in the exact characterization of phytoplankton cell states and parameter signatures in response to different changes these cells experience in marine environments, which will be applicable for monitoring marine‐related environmental effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Xylem air embolism is the primary cause of drought‐related tree mortality. Phenotypic plasticity of xylem traits is key for species acclimation to environmental variability and evolution. It is widely believed that plants increase xylem embolism resistance in response to drought. However, I argue that this hypothesis, based on extensive literature, relies on sampling methods that overlook predictable anatomical patterns, potentially biasing our understanding of acclimation and adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical forest photosynthesis can decline at high temperatures due to (1) biochemical responses to increasing temperature and (2) stomatal responses to increasing vapor pressure deficit (VPD), which is associated with increasing temperature. It is challenging to disentangle the influence of these two mechanisms on photosynthesis in observations, because temperature and VPD are tightly correlated in tropical forests. Nonetheless, quantifying the relative strength of these two mechanisms is essential for understanding how tropical gross primary production (GPP) will respond to climate change, because increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration may partially offset VPD‐driven stomatal responses, but is not expected to mitigate the effects of temperature‐driven biochemical responses. We used two terrestrial biosphere models to quantify how physiological process assumptions (photosynthetic temperature acclimation and plant hydraulic stress) and functional traits (e.g., maximum xylem conductivity) influence the relative strength of modeled temperature versus VPD effects on light‐saturated GPP at an Amazonian forest site, a seasonally dry tropical forest site, and an experimental tropical forest mesocosm. By simulating idealized climate change scenarios, we quantified the divergence in GPP predictions under model configurations with stronger VPD effects compared with stronger direct temperature effects. Assumptions consistent with stronger direct temperature effects resulted in larger GPP declines under warming, while assumptions consistent with stronger VPD effects resulted in more resilient GPP under warming. Our findings underscore the importance of quantifying the role of direct temperature and indirect VPD effects for projecting the resilience of tropical forests in the future, and demonstrate that the relative strength of temperature versus VPD effects in models is highly sensitive to plant functional parameters and structural assumptions about photosynthetic temperature acclimation and plant hydraulics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Plant metabolism faces a challenge of investing enough enzymatic capacity to a pathway without overinvestment. As it takes energy and resources to build, operate, and maintain enzymes, there are benefits and drawbacks to accurately matching capacity to the pathway influx. The relationship between functional capacity and physiological load could be explained through symmorphosis, which would quantitatively match enzymatic capacity to pathway influx. Alternatively, plants could maintain excess enzymatic capacity to manage unpredictable pathway influx. In this study, we use photorespiration as a case study to investigate these two hypotheses in Betula papyrifera. This involves altering photorespiratory influx by manipulating the growth environment, via changes in CO2 concentration and temperature, to determine how photorespiratory capacity acclimates to environmental treatments. Surprisingly, the results from these measurements indicate that there is no plasticity in photorespiratory capacity in B. papyrifera, and that a fixed capacity is maintained under each growth condition. The fixed capacity is likely due to the existence of reserve capacity in the pathway that manages unpredictable photorespiratory influx in dynamic environments. Additionally, we found that B. papyrifera had a constant net carbon assimilation under each growth condition due to an adjustment of functional rubisco activity driven by changes in activation state. These results provide insight into the acclimation ability and limitations of B. papyrifera to future climate scenarios currently predicted in the next century.

Soil salinity is a worldwide issue and a major threat to global food security. Salinity tolerance is a complex mechanism that is conferred by numerous molecular, physiological, and biochemical traits. Of critical importance are plant’s ability to regulate redox balance without compromising reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling and maintain cytosolic ion homeostasis. In this study, the mechanistic basis of K+ retention ability in leaf mesophyll (an important but highly sensitive plant tissue) was compared between halophytic quinoa and glycophytic spinach. Phenotypic data showed quinoa outperformed spinach under 100 to 500 mmol L−1 NaCl salinity. The major difference behind this differential salinity sensitivity was a differential K+ uptake in leaf mesophyll. Electrophysiological and molecular experiments revealed that a superior ability of mesophyll K+ retention in quinoa was conferred by three complementary mechanisms: (i) an intrinsically lower H+-ATPase activity in quinoa (potentially as an energy saving strategy); (ii) reduced sensitivity of K+ transporters to ROS; and (iii) increased sensitivity of ROS-inducible Ca2+-permeable channels. Moreover, the sensitivity of K+-transport systems to ROS was further examined in NaCl-acclimated quinoa and spinach plants. The key factors differentiating between K+ retention in acclimated leaf mesophyll was associated with the reduced sensitivity and gene expression of K+-permeable outward rectifying channel (GORK), Arabidopsis potassium transporter 1 (AKT1), and high affinity potassium transporter 5 (HAK5) to additional NaCl and ROS stress, along with the upregulation of ROS scavenging system. Taken together, our results showed that the tissue-specific and ROS-specific regulation of K+ retention are important for conferring salinity tolerant at least in the halophyte quinoa.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is an important vegetable crop in southern Ontario, Canada, where winter air and soil temperatures below 0°C are common. Consequently, cultivars growing in this area must possess winterhardiness and freezing tolerance for survival. Asparagus acquires freezing tolerance in the fall through cold acclimation and loses freezing tolerance in the spring through deacclimation. To understand the molecular bases of these processes, transcriptomic analysis (RNA-Seq) was conducted on two cultivars, one adapted, 'Guelph Millennium' (GM), and one unadapted, 'UC157' (UC), to the winter conditions of southern Ontario. RNA extracted from bud and rhizome tissues, sampled on three dates during early spring and late fall, was subjected to sequencing. In the fall, the numbers of differentially expressed (DE) genes at the second and third harvests increased, relative to the first harvest, in dormant buds and rhizomes as freezing tolerance of cultivars increased, and the majority of DE genes were downregulated. In spring, freezing tolerance decreased as plants deacclimated and most genes DE at second and third harvests were upregulated in both cultivars. GM had lower LT50 (lethal temperature at which 50% of plants die) values and hence higher freezing tolerance than UC on specific sampling dates during both spring and fall, and expression patterns of specific genes were correlated with LT50 differences. Functional analysis revealed that these genes were involved in carbohydrate metabolic process, plant hormone signal transduction (auxin and gibberellin), proline metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, circadian rhythm, and late embryogenesis abundant proteins and could be associated with cold acclimation and deacclimation processes. These findings will help researchers understand the molecular mechanisms of freezing tolerance in asparagus, leading to breeding and genetic strategies to improve the trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish species of the genus Amphiprion (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) seek protection from predators among the tentacles of sea anemones as their natural habitat, where they live essentially unharmed from stinging by the host's nematocysts. The skin mucus of these anemonefish has been suggested as a protective mechanism that prevents the discharge of the nematocysts upon contact. Whereas some anemonefish species seem to produce their own protective mucous coating, others may acquire mucus (or biomolecules within) from the sea anemone during an acclimation period. In controlled experiments, we show that Amphiprion ocellaris acclimated successfully to their natural host anemone species Stichodactyla gigantea, and also to Stichodactyla haddoni, and in some cases Heteractis crispa, neither of which are natural host species. No symbiosis was observed for three other anemone species tested, Entacmaea quadricolor, Macrodactyla doreensis, and Heteractis malu. We explored the skin mucous protein profile from naive and experienced A. ocellaris during their acclimation to natural and unnatural host anemones. We confidently report the presence of metabolic and structural proteins in the skin mucus of all samples, likely involved in immunological defense, molecular transport, stress response, and signal transduction. For those anemonefish that established symbiosis, there was a clear increase in ribosomal‐type proteins. We additionally provide evidence for the presence of anemone proteins only in the skin mucus of individuals that established symbiosis. Our results support previous speculation of the role of skin mucous–associated proteins in anemonefish–anemone symbiosis. Further exploration of these mucosal proteins could reveal the mechanism of anemonefish acclimation to host anemones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in plant development and stress responses, acting as key components in rapid signalling pathways. The 'ROS wave' triggers essential acclimation processes, ultimately ensuring plant survival under diverse challenges. This review explores recent advances in understanding the composition and functionality of the ROS wave within plant cells. During their initiation and propagation, ROS waves interact with other rapid signalling pathways, hormones and various molecular compounds. Recent research sheds light on the intriguing lack of a rigid hierarchy governing these interactions, highlighting a complex interplay between diverse signals. Notably, ROS waves culminate in systemic acclimation, a crucial outcome for enhanced stress tolerance. This review emphasizes the versatility of ROS, which act as flexible players within a network of short‐ and long‐term factors contributing to plant stress resilience. Unveiling the intricacies of these interactions between ROS and various signalling molecules holds immense potential for developing strategies to augment plant stress tolerance, contributing to improved agricultural practices and overall ecosystem well‐being. Summary statement: Reactive oxygen species waves can be triggered by varying types of stress stimuli in local tissues and spread from cell to cell to induce systemic acclimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants use light as a resource and signal. Photons within the 400–700 nm waveband are considered photosynthetically active. Far‐red photons (FR, 700–800 nm) are used by plants to detect nearby vegetation and elicit the shade avoidance syndrome. In addition, FR photons have also been shown to contribute to photosynthesis, but knowledge about these dual effects remains scarce. Here, we study shoot‐architectural and photosynthetic responses to supplemental FR light during the photoperiod in several rice varieties. We observed that FR enrichment only mildly affected the rice transcriptome and shoot architecture as compared to established model species, whereas leaf formation, tillering and biomass accumulation were clearly promoted. Consistent with this growth promotion, we found that CO2‐fixation in supplemental FR was strongly enhanced, especially in plants acclimated to FR‐enriched conditions as compared to control conditions. This growth promotion dominates the effects of FR photons on shoot development and architecture. When substituting FR enrichment with an end‐of‐day FR pulse, this prevented photosynthesis‐promoting effects and elicited shade avoidance responses. We conclude that FR photons can have a dual role, where effects depend on the environmental context: in addition to being an environmental signal, they are also a potent source of harvestable energy. Summary statement: The ratio of red: far‐red (FR) light is monitored by phytochrome photoreceptors as a cue for neighbour proximity, and a drop in this ratio plants elicit so‐called shade avoidance responses. Here we show in a number of rice varieties that FR enrichment triggers only marginal shade avoidance but contributes significantly to leaf‐level photosynthesis and whole‐plant biomass accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the response of leaf anatomical structure to climate warming is helpful for understanding the adaptive mechanisms of trees to climate change. We conducted a warming experiment by transplanting seedlings of Larix gmelinii from 11 provenances to two common gardens, and examined the response of leaf anatomical structure to climate warming. The results showed that warming significantly increased leaf thickness ( TL), upper epidermal mesophyll thickness ( TUEM), lower epidermal mesophyll thickness (TLEM), endodermal thickness ( TE ), vascular bundle diameter ( DVB), transfer tissue thickness (Ttt), and the percentage of mesophyll thickness to TL (PMT), and significantly decreased the upper epidermal thickness ( TUE) and the percentage of epidermal thickness to TL ( PE). The mesophyll thickness was positively associated with chlorophyll concentration and maximum net photosyn-thetic rate. The responses of TL, TUEM, TLEM, TE, DVB, TTT, TUE, PMT and PE to warming differed among all the provenances. As the aridity index of the original site increased, the magnitude of the warming treatment' s effect decreased for TL, TUEM, TLEM, TTT and PMT, and increased for TUE and PE. Warming increased the thickness and proportion of profit tissue (e.g., mesophyll) and decreased the thickness and proportion of defensive tissue (e.g., epidermis), and those changes varied among provenances. L. gmelinii could adapt to climate warming by adjusting leaf anatomical structure, and this ability was weak for trees from provenance with high aridity index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mints are aromatic plants of Lamiaceae, globally known for the phytochemical-rich essential oils. Most of the cultivated mints are menthol-rich, whereas spearmint being the only dominant carvone-rich species. In this study, another carvone-rich mint Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Huds., a native of temperate region was assessed for its acclimation in sub-tropical environment to see any possible changes in specialized metabolite accumulation. Plants grown under open environment was compared with glasshouse grown plants where, temperature, humidity and photoperiods were uniformly maintained. Thickened leaves with increased cuticular wax load (2.82 folds) and anthocyanin accumulation (202.97 µg/g) in the widened stems were observed in plants grown in open environment, while higher chlorophyll contents were exhibited by the glasshouse-grown plants. Enhanced antioxidant capacity in open environment, correlated with elevated concentration (86.4% increase for caffeic acid) of wall-bound phenolics was observed. Increased proline, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents in open environment indicated the plant's ability to cope up with abiotic stress. Higher amounts of terpenes like (-)-carvone (2.68 folds) and D-limonene (1.35 folds) were found in both internal volatile pool and essential oil of glasshouse-grown plants. Histochemical study of glandular trichomes also supported this finding. In conclusion, glasshouse-grown plants showed relatively better growth and higher terpene contents, nevertheless the plant survived well in warmer environment, with increased antioxidant capacities and phenolic contents. Future study includes mass propagation of this species in different geographical locations with distinct climatic variations to determine the suitable sub-tropical locations for cultivation as a potential alternative to spearmint for commercial-scale (-)-carvone production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Olive cultivation, like other evergreen fruit cropsworldwide, is limited by the occurrence of frost episodes in different times of the year, mainly in winter or early spring. Some contradictory results are reported about cultivars' response to frost, which depends on the physiological stage of the tissues (acclimated or not acclimated) when the cold or frost episode occurs. This work aimed to implement a user-friendly and reliable lab method for discerning frost tolerance. Methods: Our methodology considered both detached leaves and potted plantlets. The optimal temperature at which damage differentiated between cultivars was evaluated, as well as the time of exposure to cold and the recovery time for the correct evaluation of the symptoms. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of damage on both young and mature leaves was conducted. To validate the efficacy of the methodology, assessments were conducted on the cultivars 'Arbequina' (tolerant), 'Picual' (moderately tolerant), and 'Frantoio' (susceptible) under acclimated and non-acclimated conditions. Results and discussion: The results indicated that, when detached leaves were used for frost evaluation, a temperature of -10°C ± 1°C for 30 min and a recovery time at 26°C for 24-48 h after exposure to cold are enough to induce damages on the leaves and discriminate between cultivar susceptibility. Under these conditions, a precise assessment of symptoms can be made, facilitating the categorization of frost tolerance level in various olive cultivars. Notably, no significant differences were observed between young and mature leaves during the evaluation process. On the other hand, the critical temperature to assess damages on potted plantlets was determined to be -7°C ± 1°C. In addition, it was observed that acclimated plants exhibited fewer symptoms compared to non-acclimated ones, with 'Frantoio' being the most affected alongside 'Picual' and 'Arbequina'. Conclusion: The implemented methodology will allow the assessment of frost tolerance in several olive cultivars within a short timeframe, and it is proven to be user-friendly and reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Elevated air temperature (Tair) and vapour pressure deficit (VPDair) significantly influence plant functioning, yet their relative impacts are difficult to disentangle.We examined the effects of elevated Tair (+6°C) and VPDair (+0.7 kPa) on the growth and physiology of six tropical tree species. Saplings were grown under well‐watered conditions in climate‐controlled glasshouses for 6 months under three treatments: (1) low Tair and low VPDair, (2) high Tair and low VPDair, and (3) high Tair and high VPDair. To assess acclimation, physiological parameters were measured at a set temperature.Warm‐grown plants grown under elevated VPDair had significantly reduced stomatal conductance and increased instantaneous water use efficiency compared to plants grown under low VPDair. Photosynthetic biochemistry and thermal tolerance (Tcrit) were unaffected by VPDair, but elevated Tair caused Jmax25 to decrease and Tcrit to increase. Sapling biomass accumulation for all species responded positively to an increase in Tair, but elevated VPDair limited growth.This study shows that stomatal limitation caused by even moderate increases in VPDair can decrease productivity and growth rates in tropical species independently from Tair and has important implications for modelling the impacts of climate change on tropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intricate connection between microbial biodiversity and climate-induced shifts is crucial for understanding climate change impacts. Microbial communities, often overlooked, play pivotal roles in nutrient cycling, disease dynamics, and ecosystem health. Climate change, with altered precipitation and rising temperatures, reshapes microbial biodiversity, impacting ecosystems, agriculture, and disease dynamics. Microbial responses showcase adaptability and resilience, maintaining crucial ecosystem functions amid environmental changes. Extremophile studies highlight microorganisms' ability to thrive in extreme conditions, emphasizing their resilience against stressors. Concerns about biodiversity loss underscore the need for conservation, recognizing potential disruptions to vital processes. The interplay between microbial diversity and disease dynamics emphasizes links between climate change and pathogens, making conservation and restoration crucial. Proactive measures, including microbiome-based techniques, promise to mitigate climate change consequences. Integrating microbial biodiversity into climate policies is imperative, recognizing microbes as integral for addressing climate change. Assessing and conserving microbial diversity safeguards biological networks, ensuring ecosystem stability. Understanding and managing microbial responses are essential for resilient ecosystems. Despite their size, microbes play monumental roles in ecosystem functioning, highlighting interconnectedness. Proactive conservation and research are vital for navigating challenges posed by climate-induced shifts. This article offers a concise overview of microbial responses to climate change, focusing on processes, community structures, and implications for ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Channa limbata fish is a type of tropical freshwater fish of the Channidae family which is relatively small as an aquarium ornamental fish with a distinctive color at the tip of its dorsal fin and has a snake-like head (dwarf snakehead). Natural snakehead fishing activities have threatened its sustainability. Breeding C. limbata fish through cultivation can increase its potential for sustainable use. This study aims to evaluate the acclimation response of wild-type dwarf snakehead fish in captivity and its sexual characteristics as a basis for domestication and hatchery technology. The fish samples used were natural catches from rivers in West Java measuring <100 mm to >150 mm of body length then individually acclimated indoors in an aquarium (35×20×20 cm) for 14 days. Snakehead fish live in shallow, slow-flowing river waters with a temperature of 20.2-21.3°C, TDS 16-24 mg/L at neutral pH, while the rearing water temperature and TDS are higher (temperature: 24.9-27.6°C; TDS: 88-110 mg/L). The fish mortality rate during acclimation reached 25% in fish measuring >150 mm of length on tenth day, while fish measuring <150 mm more adaptive with 100% survival. The male fish measuring 100-150 mm have 13-15 pectoral fin rays while female fish have fewer (13-14). The gonad development level of male C. limbata in nature is slower than female fish measuring 100-150 mm with a gonadosomatic index of ovaries reached 10 times higher than testicular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistence of plant populations depends crucially on successful regeneration. Yet, little is known about the effects of consecutive winter and spring frost events on the regeneration stage of trees from different seed sources, although this will partly determine the success of climate warming‐driven poleward range shifts. In a common garden experiment with European beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings from winter 2015/2016 to autumn 2017, we studied how simulated successive spring and winter frost events affect leaf‐out dates, growth performance, and survival rates of 1‐ to 2‐year‐old seedlings from provenances differing in climate at origin. We further investigated the combined effects of successive frost events. The first spring frost after germination led to a mortality rate up to 75%, resulting in reduced seedling numbers but better frost tolerance of the survivors, as reflected in a weaker impact of the following winter frost event in the survivors compared to the non‐acclimated control. Final plant height was most strongly reduced by the spring frost in the second year. The winter frost event delayed leaf‐out by up to 40 days, leading to severe growth impairment in 2017. Our results indicate partly successful frost acclimation and/or the selection of frost‐hardier individuals, because the negative growth effects of consecutive frost events did not add up after exposure to more than one event. Both mechanisms may help to increase the frost tolerance of beech offspring. Nevertheless, mortality after the first spring frost was high, and frost exposure generally caused growth reductions. Thus, achieving higher frost tolerance may not be sufficient for beech seedlings to overcome frost‐induced reductions in competitive strength caused by winter frost damage and delayed leaf enfolding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Abiotic stresses lead to drastic changes in functional and physiological anatomy in plants such as generation of reactive oxygen species, loss of photosynthetic efficiency, membrane damage etc resulting in a slower expansion and causing a significant harvest penalty. Methodologies like conventional breeding or the use of transgenics are in trend to abate stress impacts on plants, however, alternatively, the use of simple and cost-effective solutions to this problem are also popular. This review focuses on the amelioration of four chief abiotic stressors in plants with reference to priming by H2O2 and H2S. In light of this, the mechanism of resilience to abiotic stress is thoroughly elucidated from past to current scientific efforts in addition to elaborating the critical knowledge gaps and bridging those as well. There are reviews on the use of these two molecules in agronomic systems for drought, and, heat stresses, however, the present review differs in reviewing their impacts on very less addressed UV and ozone stress, including their parallel view of action in terms of similarities and dissimilarities elaborating the interconnection with other signaling molecules. Conclusion: Recently, pre-treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has emerged as an economic, feasible, and efficient approach to abate the various abiotic stresses. H2O2 and H2S are multitasking cell signaling molecules in plants. Chemical priming with H2O2 and H2S helps in acclimation of seedlings by hardening and activating antioxidant machinery and thus, in stress tolerance to deal with numerous abiotic stress exposures like drought, temperature, UV, and ozone stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Much progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation to heat stress. However, the great diversity of models and stress conditions, and the fact that analyses are often limited to a small number of approaches, complicate the picture. We took advantage of a liquid culture system in which Arabidopsis seedlings are arrested in their development, thus avoiding interference with development and drought stress responses, to investigate through an integrative approach seedlings' global response to heat stress and acclimation. Seedlings perfectly tolerate a noxious heat shock (43°C) when subjected to a heat priming treatment at a lower temperature (38°C) the day before, displaying a thermotolerance comparable to that previously observed for Arabidopsis. A major effect of the pre‐treatment was to partially protect energy metabolism under heat shock and favor its subsequent rapid recovery, which was correlated with the survival of seedlings. Rapid recovery of actin cytoskeleton and mitochondrial dynamics were another landmark of heat shock tolerance. The omics confirmed the role of the ubiquitous heat shock response actors but also revealed specific or overlapping responses to priming, heat shock, and their combination. Since only a few components or functions of chloroplast and mitochondria were highlighted in these analyses, the preservation and rapid recovery of their bioenergetic roles upon acute heat stress do not require extensive remodeling of the organelles. Protection of these organelles is rather integrated into the overall heat shock response, thus allowing them to provide the energy required to elaborate other cellular responses toward acclimation. Significance Statement: With increasing heat waves, we need to understand the mechanisms of acclimation. Using Arabidopsis seedlings, we show that the partial protection of respiration and photosynthesis and their rapid recovery upon heat shock induced by heat priming are primordial for survival. This does not require extensive remodeling in mitochondria and chloroplasts, the energy‐transducing organelles. It is rather integrated within the ubiquitous heat shock response, allowing energy production for other mechanisms required to fulfill acclimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic is impacted by some of the fastest temperature changes observed on Earth, but the impact on the terrestrial arthropod fauna is unclear. Acute physiological thermal limits of terrestrial ectotherms from high latitudes often exceed the local air temperatures, suggesting that they may be able to cope with increasing temperatures. However, knowledge on how Arctic terrestrial arthropods cope with elevated temperatures for longer periods is lacking.Here we investigate how acclimation temperature and exposure time affect the acute physiological heat tolerance of five terrestrial arthropod species (Neomolgus littoralis, Megaphorura arctica, Nysius groenlandicus, Psammotettix lividellus and Nabis flavomarginatus) immediately after collection in Arctic and sub‐Arctic habitats.We show that although acute heat tolerances are relatively high, even exposure to moderate (temperature span assessed ca. 3–29°C) acclimation temperatures for a 24 h period have strong negative effects on heat tolerance for four of the five species. Similarly, exposure time negatively affected heat tolerance, but depending on species and temperature.Together our results suggest that exposure to even moderately elevated temperatures for periods of 24 h or even shorter can lead to lower acute heat tolerance for cold adapted terrestrial arthropod species from sub‐Arctic and Arctic regions. Consequently, climate change leading to extended periods of mildly elevated temperatures may have strong negative effects on these species. We argue that this aspect is currently overlooked when assessing the ability of arthropods from Arctic and sub‐Artic regions to cope with climate changes as such predictions are typically based on acute heat tolerance estimates and with the assumption of beneficial acclimation responses. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reveals a new acclimation mechanism of the eukaryotic unicellular green alga Chlorella vulgaris in terms of the effect of varying atmospheric pressures on the structure and function of its photosynthetic apparatus using fluorescence induction measurements (JIP-test). The results indicate that low (400 mbar) and extreme low (<10 mbar) atmospheric pressure decreases the density and thus increases the fluidity of the thylakoid membrane, possibly facilitating plastoquinone (PQ) movement within the membrane and resulting in enhanced photosynthetic electron flow and photochemical quenching. Molecular dynamic simulations of different light harvesting complexes within thylakoid membrane models confirm this mechanism and reveal the associated atomic scale details. The exposure of microalga to an extremely low pressure (<10 mbar) in a 100% CO2 atmosphere (simulating the Mars atmosphere), reveals that the impact of extremely low atmospheric pressure on PQ mobility within the photosynthetic membrane, coupled with the low density of an almost 100% CO2 Mars-like atmosphere, results to a similar photosynthetic efficiency to that on Earth. These findings pave the way for the identification of novel functional acclimation mechanisms of microalgae to extreme environments that are vastly distinct from those found on Earth. This study reveals a new acclimation mechanism of microalgae in low atmospheric pressure. Experimental results and molecular dynamic simulations indicate that low atmospheric pressure reduces the density and enhances the fluidity of photosynthetic thylakoid membranes, leading to enhanced photochemical quenching. Particularly, extremely low pressure (<10 mbar) in a 100% CO2 atmosphere (Mars-like atmosphere) yields a photosynthetic efficiency comparable to that of Earth, shedding light on new astrobiological perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UV-B radiation can substantially impact plant growth. To study UV-B effects, broadband UV-B tubes are commonly used. Apart from UV-B, such tubes also emit UV-A wavelengths. This study aimed to distinguish effects of different UV-B intensities on Arabidopsis thaliana wildtype and UVR8 mutant rosette morphology, from those by accompanying UV-A. UV-A promotes leaf-blade expansion along the proximal–distal, but not the medio-lateral, axis. Consequent increases in blade length: width ratio are associated with increased light capture. However, petiole length is not affected by UV-A exposure. This scenario is distinct from the shade avoidance driven by low red to far-red ratios, whereby leaf blade elongation is impeded but petiole elongation is promoted. Thus, the UV-A mediated elongation response is phenotypically distinct from classical shade avoidance. UV-B exerts inhibitory effects on petiole length, blade length and leaf area, and these effects are mediated by UVR8. Thus, UV-B antagonises aspects of both UV-A mediated elongation and classical shade avoidance. Indeed, this study shows that accompanying UV-A wavelengths can mask effects of UV-B. This may lead to potential underestimates of the magnitude of the UV-B induced morphological response using broadband UV-B tubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation autumn phenology is critical in regulating the ecosystem carbon cycle and regional climate. However, the dominant drivers of autumn senescence and their temporal shifts under climate change remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a multi‐factor analysis considering both direct climatic controls and biological carryover effects from start‐of‐season (SOS) and seasonal peak vegetation activities on the end‐of‐season (EOS) to fill these knowledge gaps. Combining satellite and ground observations across the northern hemisphere, we found that carryover effects from early‐to‐peak vegetation activities exerted greater influence on EOS than the direct climatic controls on nearly half of the vegetated land. Unexpectedly, the carryover effects from SOS on EOS have significantly weakened over recent decades, accompanied by strengthened climatic controls. Such results indicate the weakened constraint of leaf longevity on senescence due to prolonged growing season in response to climate change. These findings underscore the important role of biological carryover effects in regulating vegetation autumn senescence under climate change, which should be incorporated into the formulation and enhancement of phenology modules utilized in land surface models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At psychrophilic temperatures (<20 °C), anaerobic digestion produces less methane (CH4). For psychrophilic anaerobic digestion (PAD) to be successful, investigation of cold-adapted microbial consortia involved in methane production is critical. This study aimed to investigate the microbial community driving enhanced methane production from the cold-adaptation process and bioaugmentation of PAD with cold-adapted inoculum (BI). Microbial consortia in cattle manure (CM) and food waste (FW) were adapted and applied during batch PAD of CM and FW to bioaugment methane production at 15 °C. Cold adaptation and PAD with BI resulted in cumulative specific methane yields of 0.874 ± 0.231 and 0.552 ± 0.089 L CH4 g−1 volatile solids, respectively, after 14 weeks, while the absence of BI (control) led to acidification and no methane production during PAD. Following 16S rRNA V4–V5 amplicon sequencing and metagenomic analyses, Methanosarcina was revealed as a key driver of methanogenesis during cold adaptation and PAD bioaugmentation. Furthermore, based on the predictive functional and metabolic analysis of the communities, possible synergies were proposed in terms of substrate production and utilization by the dominant microbial groups. For instance, during methane production, Bacteroides and Methanobrevibacter were possibly involved in a syntrophic relationship, which promoted methanogenesis by Methanosarcina. These findings provide insight into the prospective microbial synergies that can be harnessed and/or regulated in cold-adapted inoculum for the improvement of methane production during PAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical theories predict that relatively constant environments should generally favour specialists, while fluctuating environments should be selected for generalists. However, theoretical and empirical results have pointed out that generalist organisms might, on the contrary, perform poorly under fluctuations. In particular, if generalism is underlaid by phenotypic plasticity, performance of generalists should be modulated by the temporal characteristics of environmental fluctuations. Here, we used experiments in microcosms of Tetrahymena thermophila ciliates and a mathematical model to test whether the period or autocorrelation of thermal fluctuations mediate links between the level of generalism and the performance of organisms under fluctuations. In the experiment, thermal fluctuations consistently impeded performance compared with constant conditions. However, the intensity of this effect depended on the level of generalism: while the more specialist strains performed better under fast or negatively autocorrelated fluctuations, plastic generalists performed better under slow or positively autocorrelated fluctuations. Our model suggests that these effects of fluctuations on organisms' performance may result from a time delay in the expression of plasticity, restricting its benefits to slow enough fluctuations. This study points out the need to further investigate the temporal dynamics of phenotypic plasticity to better predict its fitness consequences under environmental fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate how and to what extent there are differences in the photosynthetic plasticity of trees in response to different light environments, six species from three successional groups (late successional, mid‐successional, and pioneers) were exposed to three different light environments [deep shade – DS (5% full sunlight – FS), moderate shade – MS (35% FS) and full sunlight – FS].Maximum net photosynthesis (Amax), leaf N partitioning, stomatal, mesophile, and biochemical limitations (SL, ML, and BL, respectively), carboxylation velocity (Vcmax), and electron transport (Jmax) rates, and the state of photosynthetic induction (IS) were evaluated.Higher values of Amax, Vcmax, and Jmax in FS were observed for pioneer species, which invested the largest amount of leaf N in Rubisco. The lower IS for pioneer species reveals its reduced ability to take advantage of sunflecks. In general, the main photosynthetic limitations are diffusive, with SL and ML having equal importance under FS, and ML decreasing along with irradiance. The leaf traits, which are more determinant of the photosynthetic process, respond independently in relation to the successional group, especially with low light availability.An effective partitioning of leaf N between photosynthetic and structural components played a crucial role in the acclimation process and determined the increase or decrease of photosynthesis in response to the light conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life history, distribution and diversity of fishes are largely influenced by environmental salinity. Changes in salinity affect a range of physiological processes including metabolism, nutrition, reproduction and growth. Therefore, fish can be conditioned to environmental parameters most suitable for production, where distinct traits are optimised through species‐specific manipulation of salinities. The primary purpose of this review is to summarise the existing literature on the salinity tolerance of aquacultured fish. The various experimental approaches for determining salinity tolerance are compared, along with summarised information for key species employed in aquaculture, including their native distributions, life history stage and optimal salinity for survival and growth. The implications for production were assessed by considering the effects of salinity on growth, reproduction, management, disease mitigation and marketability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant transcriptomes are complex entities shaped spatially and temporally by a multitude of stressors. The aim of this review was to summarize the most relevant transcriptomic responses to selected abiotic (UV radiation, chemical compounds, drought, suboptimal temperature) and biotic (bacteria, fungi, viruses, viroids) stress conditions in a variety of plant species, including model species, crops, and medicinal plants. Selected basic and applicative studies employing RNA-seq from various sequencing platforms and single-cell RNA-seq were involved. The transcriptomic responsiveness of various plant species and the diversity of affected gene families were discussed. Under stress acclimation, plant transcriptomes respond particularly dynamically. Stress response involved both distinct, but also similar gene families, depending on the species, tissue, and the quality and dosage of the stressor. We also noted the over-representation of transcriptomic data for some plant organs. Studies on plant transcriptomes allow for a better understanding of response strategies to environmental conditions. Functional analyses reveal the multitude of stress-affected genes as well as acclimatory mechanisms and suggest metabolome diversity, particularly among medicinal species. Extensive characterization of transcriptomic responses to stress would result in the development of new cultivars that would cope with stress more efficiently. These actions would include modern methodological tools, including advanced genetic engineering, as well as gene editing, especially for the expression of selected stress proteins in planta and for metabolic modifications that allow more efficient synthesis of secondary metabolites.