In this review and synthesis, we argue that California is an important test case for the nation
and world because terrestrial biodiversity is very high, present and anticipated threats to …

Global patterns of biodiversity are influenced by spatial and environmental variations in the
rate at which new species form. We relate variations in speciation rates to six key patterns of …

Mediterranean climate regimes are particularly susceptible to rapid shifts between drought
and flood—of which, California's rapid transition from record multi-year dryness between …

Soil biota influence plant performance through plant-soil feedback, but it is unclear whether
the strength of such feedback depends on plant traits and whether plant-soil feedback drives …

This book explores the geography, ecology, and antiquity of'open ecosystems', which
include grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. They occur in climates that can support …

Endemism and species richness are highly relevant to the global prioritization of
conservation efforts in which oceanic islands have remained relatively neglected. When …

Background Centres of endemism have received much attention from evolutionists,
biogeographers, ecologists and conservationists. Climatic stability is often cited as a major …

Non-perennial rivers and streams (NPRS) cover> 50% of the global river network. They are
particularly predominant in Mediterranean Europe as a result of dry climate conditions …

Background Mycorrhizal strategies are very effective in enhancing plant acquisition of poorly-
mobile nutrients, particularly phosphorus (P) from infertile soil. However, on very old and …

For chemistry, biology and bioengineering students, required courses in general chemistry
often fail to excite their interest in the many connections between chemistry and biology. This …