Objective This study aimed to determine the minimum toenail mass needed for reliable fluoride analysis, and to compare fluoride extraction efficiency (%FE) using two protocols. Methods Toenail samples (n = 98 from 11 participants) were grouped into masses ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 mg (± 0.5 mg). Fluoride content was analyzed using a hexamethyldisiloxane(HMDS)-facilitated diffusion method and a fluoride-ion selective electrode. P...

According to niche differentiation theory, plant species are adapted to thrive in specific segments of a heterogeneous environment, partitioning themselves along resource gradients. In this study, we analyzed the distribution patterns and the ecological importance of stand-forming species along an elevational gradient on two mountains within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). While these mountains share a common pool of t...

Tropical forest dynamics and composition have changed over recent decades, but the proximate drivers of these changes remain unclear. Investigations into these trends have focused on increasing drought stress, CO 2 , temperature, and fires, whereas convective storms are generally overlooked. We argue that existing literature provides clear support for the importance of storms as drivers of forest change. We reanalyze the large...