Austra Zuševica

• Master of Science
• Research Assistant at Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava"

Partner specificity is a well‐documented phenomenon in biotic interactions, yet the factors that determine specificity in plant‐fungal associations remain largely unknown. By utilizing composite soil samples, we identified the predictors that drive partner specificity in both plants and fungi, with a particular focus on ectomycorrhizal associations...

Tree logging significantly impacts environmental conditions, increases soil and air temperature, and changes the microclimate and soil hydrology. This contributes to the changes in bryophyte and vascular plant cover and species composition. Site preparation positively affects the growth of planted trees in young stands but also causes forest unders...

Willow (Salix) family is one of the fastest-growing woody energy crops. It·has been widely used for biomass energy production in short-rotation plantations, carbon storage in longer rotation, and as a phytoremediation plant in Northern Europe. Willows could be cultivated on a wide range of soils, including marginal land, and they are readily propag...

Partner specificity is a well-known phenomenon in biotic interactions, but little is known about biotic and abiotic factors that determine specificity in plant-fungal associations. Using PacBio sequencing of soils from monospecific and mixed forest stands, we determined the predictors driving partner specificity in both ectomycorrhizal plants and f...

Soil Fertility Improvement with Mixtures of Wood Ash and Biogas Digestates Enhances Leaf Photosynthesis and Extends the Growth Period for Deciduous Trees. Abstract: In the context of climate change, it is necessary to establish forest management by balancing more products, using less area, and minimizing environmental impacts. The use of different...

Tree logging significantly impacts environmental conditions, increases soil and air temperature, and changes the microclimate and soil hydrology. This contributes to the changes in bryophyte and vascular plant cover and species composition. Site preparation positively affects the growth of planted trees in young stands but also creates forest under...

Sweet cherry Prunus avium L. cultivated for wood production is selected and bred mainly based on its growth rate and stem properties to maximize the valuable timber outcome. However, the fruit of sweet cherry has ecological value as food source for animals and can also serve as an income source prior felling. It could be beneficial to consider frui...

Cutaway peatland is a marginal land, which without further management is an unfavourable environment for plant growth due to low bearing capacity, high acidity and unbalanced nutrient composition of the soil. After wood-ash application, the soil becomes enriched with P and K, creating better conditions for tree growth. In addition to being economic...

Management of cutaway peatlands is a key issue in many countries. Whilst afforestation has been considered as a suitable after use option for cutaway peatlands, growing conditions after peat harvest are often adverse. To increase soil fertility and neutralise soil acidity, wood ash, an energy production by-product, can be used. In this study, we ex...

The distribution of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L. syn. Cerasus avium Moench.) in natural woodlands of Latvia was studied. The growth, vitality and stem quality of the first-generation plantations established in Latvia in different agricultural soils using the planting stock of local origin was assessed. In woodlands, sweet cherry is found in 11 For...