The integration of invasive species into native food webs represent multifarious dynamics of ecological and evolutionary processes. We document incorporation of Prunus serotina (black cherry) into native insect food webs. We find that P. serotina harbours a herbivore community less dense but more diverse than its native relative, P. padus (bird cherry), with similar proportions of specialists a...

Uranium (U) can be released to the environment through the entire nuclear fuel cycle. U uptake by plants is an important process for possible adverse effects in ecosystems. The soil-to-plant transfer of natural U and its distribution across plant parts were investigated in May lily (Maianthemum bifolium), narrow buckler fern (Dryopteris carthusiana), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and Norway spruce (...

In order to find new sources of natural antioxidants, the antioxidant potential of 70% methanolic extracts from the inflorescences and leaves of 16 species from the genus Sorbus s.s. was evaluated using two complementary in vitro test systems: the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging assay and the AAPH [2,2¢-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride]-induced linoleic acid (LA)...

We established a simple HPLC method to determine the activity and stereochemistry of the chiral mandelonitrile synthesized from benzaldehyde and cyanide, and applied it to screen for hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) activity of plant origin. A total of 163 species of plants among 74 families were examined for (R)- and (S)-HNL activities using the method. We discovered that homogenate of leaves of Bal...

The Finnish red list shows that the epiphytic lichen flora of forests is highly threatened and declining steeply. Red lists provide limited information on habitat associations species, which could be relevant in informing management conservation measures. We used documented empirical data expert assessments to determine for each red-listed (IUCN categories Near Threatened, NT; Vulnerable, VU; E...

Accurate estimates of the wood volume or biomass of individual trees have gained considerable importance in recent years. The accuracy of wood volume estimation by terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) point cloud data may differ between individual trees due to species-specific differences in tree architecture. We selected three common and ecologically important central European deciduous tree speci...