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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324911.].

Lichens and bryophytes, as poikilohydric and poikilothermic organisms, reach equilibrium with their surroundings. However, non‐vascular epiphytic communities contribute to ecosystem functions, such as water and energy balance, by interacting with the environment through water and heat exchange at the substrate‐atmosphere interface. We hypothesized that variations in water content during dehydration cycles could alter thermal patterns, leading to greater thermal heterogeneity associated with increased life‐form diversity. We captured infrared images of eight bark sample categories representing different epiphytic community compositions. Using structural equation modeling, we analyzed how epiphytic community composition influenced thermal patterns, both directly and indirectly, through water‐related variables. Our findings indicate that foliose lichens and bryophytes exhibited similar water and thermal trends. Both life forms, characterized by higher water content (WC), negatively affected thermal variables. In contrast, crustose lichens had opposing effects on WC and thermal dynamics. From the saturation point, the average WC over five sessions remained above 50% in samples colonized solely by foliose lichens or bryophytes and nearly 80% in those with both. In contrast, samples dominated by crustose lichens had an average WC below 20%. Bark samples with higher bryophyte and foliose lichen cover retained water for longer, whereas those dominated by crustose lichens lost water more rapidly. Regarding temperature, bryophytes and foliose lichens started at approximately 12°C, with mean final temperatures of 13.7°C and 14.4°C, respectively. Crustose lichens had a higher mean initial temperature of 12.5°C and a final temperature of 16.65°C. These differences may be explained by morphological traits, such as the greater hydrophilic properties and higher surface‐to‐volume ratio of bryophytes and foliose lichens compared to the hydrophobic properties and lower surface‐to‐volume ratio of crustose lichens. This study underscores the importance of incorporating non‐vascular epiphytic communities into ecological research aimed at elucidating the regulation of thermal and water dynamics at fine scale levels. The thermoregulatory mechanisms of lichens and bryophytes at a fine scale can impact the surface thermal pattern. Furthermore, the morphological aspects of non‐vascular epiphytes can drive a different effect in terms of thermal patterns. Our results open the way for new research perspectives on the role of thermal traits within cryptogamic communities by studying the relationship between the functional traits of non‐vascular epiphytes and ecosystem functions, particularly in the context of thermal dynamics.

Beginning with the Early Aurignacian, Homo sapiens demonstrated an enhanced symbolic capacity, expanding artistic expressions from body decoration to portable art and aesthetically refined tools. These artistic endeavors, often intertwined with utilitarian purposes, have sparked debates regarding their symbolic versus functional roles. Among these remarkable artifacts is a complete mammoth tusk boomerang from Layer VIII of Obłazowa Cave, Poland, found in association with a human phalanx. Determining its precise chronology and cultural context is critical for understanding the emergence and variability of symbolic behaviors among early Homo sapiens groups in Europe. This study refines the chronology of the Early Upper Paleolithic occupation of Layer VIII at Obłazowa Cave through radiocarbon dating of several bones and the human fossil found near the ivory boomerang. Bayesian modeling places the site’s main occupation phase between 42,810−38,550 cal BP (95,4% probability). The mammoth-ivory boomerang, calibrated to 42,290−39,280 cal BP with a 95.4% probability, emerges as one of Europe’s oldest known examples of this complex tool, exemplifying technological and symbolic innovation at Obłazowa Cave. This multi-disciplinary research underscores the importance of integrating advanced methodologies to explore cultural practices during the Upper Paleolithic. The findings not only deepen our understanding of Homo sapiens ’ adaptive strategies but also highlight the nuanced interplay of technology, symbolism, and environmental interaction during the earliest phases of human dispersals in Central Europe.

The development of diseases during long-term storage of apples is a well-known issue causing loss of product for warehouses. Non-destructive characterization of fruit can be helpful in order to reduce waste and maximize apple quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of visible and near-infrared (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy to monitor and manage lots of apples during long-term storage in a cold room. A bench-top VIS-NIR apparatus (600–1200 nm) was used to classify apples from two different cultivars, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious, based on their total soluble solids content (TSS). The evolution of the originally created classes was analyzed during 7 months of storage by monitoring TSS and firmness (peak force and penetration energy), and the estimation ability of the VIS-NIR device was evaluated. The results indicate that the spectroscopic technique allows for an accurate estimation of chemical-physical parameters for non-destructive classification of apples in homogeneous lots. Regarding the estimation ability of the compact VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, the results show good prediction ability both for total soluble solids content and firmness indices. The use of the instrument for on-line selection and classification of fruits is therefore desirable. This can lead to better management of postharvest storage and the destination of lots, with a consequent reduction in fruit wastage. This approach is important to plan the opening sequence of storage rooms during the winter season, providing the market with the best available products all year round.

Lichen biomonitoring programs focus on temporal variations in epiphytic lichen communities in relation to the effects of atmospheric pollution. As repeated surveys are planned at medium to long term intervals, the alternation of different operators is often possible. This involves the need to consider the effect of non-sampling errors (e.g., observer errors). Here we relate the trends of lichen communities in repeated surveys with the contribution of different teams of specialists involved in sampling. For this reason, lichen diversity data collected in Italy within several ongoing biomonitoring programs have been considered. The variations of components of gamma diversity between the surveys have been related to the composition of the teams of operators. As a major result, the composition of the teams significantly affected data comparability: Similarity (S), Species Replacement (R), and Richness Difference (D) showed significant differences between “same” and “partially” versus “different” teams, with characteristics trends over time. The results suggest a more careful interpretation of temporal variations in biomonitoring studies.

Many of the rarest prehistoric bones found by archaeologists are enormously precious and are considered to be part of our cultural and historical patrimony. Radiocarbon dating is a well-established technique that estimates the ages of bones by analysing the collagen still present. However, this method is destructive, and its use must be limited. In this study, we used imaging technology to quantify the presence of collagen in bone samples in a non-destructive way to select the most suitable samples (or sample regions) to be submitted to radiocarbon dating analysis. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) that was connected to a camera with hyperspectral imaging (HSI) was used along with a chemometric model to create chemical images of the distribution of collagen in ancient bones. This model quantifies the collagen at every pixel and thus provides a chemical mapping of collagen content. Our results will offer significant advances for the study of human evolution as we will be able to minimise the destruction of valuable bone material, which is under the protection and enhancement of European cultural heritage and thus allow us to contextualise the valuable object by providing an accurate calendar age. The collagen present in rare prehistoric bones allows for their age to be estimated by radiocarbon dating, but this method is destructive towards these precious archaeological remains. Here, the authors report a non-destructive method based on near-infrared hyperspectral imaging to precisely localize the collagen preserved in parts of ancient specimens suitable for radiocarbon dating.