Category: Plant disease
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Plant pathogens and nutrient cycling
Plant pathogens are ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems, but their role in these ecosystems is understudied. One aspect of their ecology that has not been studied is their influence on nutrient cycling.
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Introducing the Field Guide to Plant Pathogens
Since I started seriously recording plant pathogens, I have been really encouraged by the reception and interest other biological recorders have shown. I think there is a huge potential for recorders on platforms like iNaturalist to generate a lot more data on the distribution of these overlooked taxa. When people have told me my interest…
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In Defence of Disease
Disease is something few people love. There are exceptions though, particularly among those who appreciate the diversity and ecological role of plant disease. The early conservationist, Aldo Leopold, described the role of tree diseases in creating food and shelter for the animals on his farm in Wisconsin: Soon after I bought the woods a decade…