A KAIST research team found that algal blooms accelerate the early-stage weathering of plastics, leading to microplastic formation. The study suggests a new direction for managing water pollution and plastic waste together.
A new review reveals how plant characteristics influence wetland ecosystem functioning and provides insights for conservation and restoration. Dominant plant traits support higher productivity and long-term soil carbon storage in wetlands.
A new review article proposes a gene-to-landscape framework to assess aquatic ecosystem health, predicting collapse and tipping points. The framework spans four interconnected scales, integrating molecular signals and landscape stability for early warning systems.
New review highlights remote sensing's role in monitoring global biodiversity, with satellites capturing forest structure and function. However, field data remains essential for species-level, evolutionary, and genetic dimensions of biodiversity.
Two new policy briefs support evidence-based decision-making in EU environmental policies, including the Nature Restoration Regulation and Biodiversity Strategy 2030. The briefs provide a framework for monitoring ecosystem pressures and recovery across the European Union.
Research found that African elephants are a keystone species for dung beetles in Kenya's savannas, with their removal causing a collapse in beetle populations and ecosystem functions. The study highlights the importance of considering the conservation value of species beyond just charismatic animals.
A new framework maps Europe's climate-smart rewilding potential, highlighting regional strengths in Eastern and Southern Europe. The approach balances ecosystem restoration with climate mitigation and adaptation, offering opportunities for diverse regions to contribute.
Researchers found a diverse bacterial ecosystem in seagrass habitats that was disrupted by increased water temperature, leading to reduced seagrass biomass and tolerance to climate change. The study highlights the importance of considering microbial communities in understanding marine plant responses to environmental stress.
Researchers found that successive typhoons drive cumulative changes in chlorophyll a density, affecting ecosystem productivity. The study provides insights into forecasting variations in estuarine ecosystems during typhoon events.
Researchers challenge long-held assumptions about vegetation patterns in dryland ecosystems, finding that such patterns can actually indicate reduced ecosystem resilience. The new theoretical framework takes into account spatial constraints and environmental heterogeneities, revealing that ecosystem stability depends on specific enviro...
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a comprehensive digital materials ecosystem that integrates AI tools to streamline materials design, enabling faster and more accurate discovery of new materials. The ecosystem uses databases, AI, and scientific workflows to predict material properties and optimize design processes.
In Ethiopia's city of Mekelle, spotted hyenas consume organic waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing disease. By doing so, they save the city over $100,000 in waste management costs, highlighting the vital ecosystem service they provide.
Researchers have developed an index to measure the health of mangrove soils, revealing that healthy mangroves provide ecosystem services at nearly maximum capacity. The Soil Health Index (SHI) helps managers set conservation and restoration priorities, providing a tool to monitor ecosystem restoration and recovery.
A growing body of research suggests that microplastics in soils can alter microbial genes controlling essential ecosystem functions, potentially affecting food production, climate processes, and environmental health. Microplastics also enhance the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in soil ecosystems.
A new study reveals that the Erhai Lake Basin in southwest China is releasing far more atmospheric nitrogen pollution than it absorbs, threatening regional air quality and ecosystem health. The imbalance creates a net surplus of over 8,200 metric tons annually, making the basin a major source of atmospheric nitrogen pollution.
The REST-COAST project has developed a mobile app, My REST-COAST, to raise public awareness and engagement in coastal ecosystem restoration across Europe and Israel. The app provides interactive maps, site-specific biodiversity information, and gamified learning paths to encourage users to explore restoration strategies.
Restoring ecosystem function in Europe's drylands can reverse desertification by re-establishing natural water redistribution processes. Functional restoration focuses on rebuilding simple structures to restore these networks, recover vital ecosystem services and support major policy frameworks.
Scientists have developed a new way to identify and monitor small mammals using their footprints, tested on two near-identical species of sengi with 94%-96% accuracy. This technology can help reveal ecosystem health and provide a reliable metric for ecosystem integrity.
A partnership between University of Copenhagen and Danish Technical University aims to improve Europe's resilience and competitiveness by boosting innovation. The initiative seeks to develop the innovation ecosystem, drive urban development, and attract talent, companies, and investors.
A new spectral method was developed to estimate leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content in wetland vegetation. The study used hyperspectral leaf data from seven species in a karst wetland ecosystem, achieving high precision in nutrient estimation with an average inversion accuracy of 71%.
Soil fungal agents can accelerate plant growth and stabilize microbial networks during initial vegetation establishment. Bacterial biomass increases over time, promoting nutrient cycling and maintaining ecosystem stability.
This paper introduces an integrated framework for macrosystems ecology, building on foundational ecological principles to advance ecosystem science. It provides a comprehensive synthesis of macroecosystem science's origins, mission, core scientific questions, and practical applications.
The UAE has launched an AI ecosystem to support climate-resilient farming in vulnerable communities worldwide. The CGIAR AI Hub and four other initiatives aim to drive digital transformation and innovation in agriculture, providing practical solutions for farmers, governments, and development actors.
Researchers urge prioritizing ecosystem function over single species in conservation efforts, citing negative outcomes from previous initiatives. Conservation programs often focus on charismatic species without considering overall ecosystem health, leading to unforeseen issues and failed conservation outcomes.
Researchers found upper ocean ecosystem conditions play a major role in shaping the composition of carbon-rich particles sinking into the deep ocean, storing carbon for decades. Microorganisms influence these transformations, which determine how long this carbon is locked away.
A new study reveals that grassland degradation increases soil microbial diversity while reducing plant richness, leading to a decline in ecosystem functioning and multifunctionality. The research highlights the critical importance of conserving soil microbial communities for sustainable restoration of degraded grasslands.
A new perspective on Asia-pacific marine ecosystems proposes integrating physical oceanography, environmental genomics, and ecological observations to enhance biodiversity monitoring. This approach aims to strengthen international collaboration and protect the region's most diverse marine life.
The University of Lisbon will host the world's largest conference on ecosystem restoration in 2027, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry experts. The event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing on restoring ecosystems, particularly in Portugal, a country with rich ecological diversity.
A new Oxford-led study reveals Africa's wildlife ecosystems are running on less than two-thirds of their natural energy, posing risks to biodiversity and the livelihoods that depend on it. The research uses an ecosystem energetics approach to quantify how energy flows through food webs, finding that smaller species now dominate Africa'...
A study of nine large mammal species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem found that their behavioral responses to summer heat were influenced more by environmental structure than biological traits. Populations living in homogeneous environments altered their behavior more dramatically, seeking shade and cooler conditions.
Research findings from the International Drought Experiment reveal that consecutive extreme drought years lead to significant declines in ecosystem productivity, with some sites experiencing a 2.5-fold reduction in productivity over four years. This cumulation is attributed to species mortality, failed establishment, and changes in com...
Research highlights the need for an adaptive ecosystem restoration process that considers key factors to minimize zoonotic disease risks. This process should involve stakeholder engagement and co-creation, targeting environment, animals, and humans.
An international team has published a new framework for studying 'Earth engineers' who have fundamentally altered ecosystems globally. The framework distinguishes between engineering behaviors with local and planetary scale effects, offering insights into how humans and other organisms have shaped the planet.
Researchers developed computational tools to analyze ecological data, identifying functionally equivalent species across different ecosystems. These tools use optimal transport distances to compare network structures, allowing for large-scale monitoring of ecosystem health and guiding conservation efforts.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Springer Nature will host a free conference on the tumor ecosystem, featuring presentations on cancer immunology, microbiome, disease evolution, and metastasis. Researchers can register for the event and submit abstracts to share their findings.
A new study by Yale School of Environment scientists highlights the need to reduce deforestation and logging, as these activities cause significant harm to the ecosystem. The Amazon remains surprisingly resilient, but it can recover if humans stop these destructive practices.
A study published in Ecosystem Services analyzed over 30,000 Google Maps and TripAdvisor reviews for parks in Broward County, Florida, identifying 11 types of cultural ecosystem services. The analysis revealed that parks with more trees, space and wildlife tend to deliver the most value.
A new study found that kelp forests within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) recover more quickly after marine heatwaves, particularly in southern California. This suggests that MPAs can support ecosystem resilience to climate events like marine heatwaves.
A new study found that restored floodplain wetlands can recover within a year and show substantial ecosystem benefits rapidly. The study revealed that managing freshwater wetlands for carbon benefits also boosts flood and drought resilience.
Researchers found that random tree planting designs increase biomass by 11% compared to clustered layouts, while a more even spread promotes nutrient recycling. The study suggests that a balanced mix of species and spatial arrangement can optimize ecosystem functioning and productivity in forests.
A study suggests that eliminating invasive rats can restore the flow of nutrients across food chain networks in Seychelles, potentially enhancing ecosystem function on coral reefs. Seabird populations play a mediating role in this process by increasing turf algae growth and stimulating top-down controls.
The interplay between exosomes and metabolic reprogramming shapes breast cancer progression and resistance. Targeting this axis offers novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including exosome-based liquid biopsy techniques and combination therapies.
A recent study found that forest fragmentation weakens ecosystem resilience in tropical and temperate forests, while enhancing it in boreal forests. The research used satellite data to quantify the effects of edge density on forest resilience worldwide.
A new study reveals that industrial iron from coal and steel industries is altering the North Pacific ecosystem, leading to changes in phytoplankton growth and nutrient cycles. The research found that increased iron supply boosts spring phytoplankton blooms but also depletes other nutrients, resulting in a crash later in the season.
A new study finds that 75% of forest-dwelling birds are well-represented by ecosystem service priority areas, including the Appalachian Mountains and Sierra mountain ranges. The research highlights areas where protecting nature can have co-benefits for biodiversity, climate, and human health.
A new study reveals that untreated wastewater released into the Chicago River during extreme rain events significantly alters the freshwater ecosystem. Zooplankton populations disappeared or increased dramatically, affecting the entire food web and potentially infusing harmful chemicals into the water.
Researchers investigate how increased warm, salty offshore water affects the cold pool on the continental shelf. Salinity measurements reveal seasonal salinification of the cold pool, shedding light on coastal ecosystem conditions.
A global study assesses ecosystem service supply-demand trends from 2000 to 2020, revealing complex patterns of surplus and deficit. The findings highlight the need for targeted land-use strategies to address regional mismatches in services such as food production, carbon sequestration, and water yield.
A recent study suggests that highly diverse microbial ecosystems may actually decrease stability under stress conditions. In contrast, low-diversity ecosystems often exhibit increased growth rates and community stability when faced with starvation or high salinity.
The Vegetation Photosynthesis Model (VPM) 3.0 has been introduced, delivering a major leap in the accuracy of global gross primary production (GPP) estimates. The model enhances our understanding of terrestrial carbon dynamics and provides a powerful tool for climate change studies and ecosystem monitoring.
The inaugural eLTER Science Conference in Tampere, Finland will explore integrated approaches to ecosystem research. The conference features sessions on groundwater dynamics, novel environmental monitoring technologies and ecosystem restoration.
A new study found that the loss of Great white sharks from False Bay has triggered significant shifts in the marine food web. The absence of apex predators led to an increase in sightings of Cape fur seals and sevengill sharks, which coincided with a decline in species they rely on for food.
Researchers propose a shift from preserving static conditions to embracing natural ecosystem processes like wildfire. This approach aims to maintain drought- and fire-resilient forest conditions, counteracting the 'backfire effect' of suppressing natural disturbances.
The U.S. research ecosystem, fueled by high-performance computing, is facing a critical moment due to slow infrastructure growth and funding cuts. The National Science Foundation's staffing cuts will slow down the process of innovation, potentially harming the country's competitive edge in research.
New Jersey Institute of Technology biologist Xiaonan Tai receives a $1.16 million NSF CAREER Award to study how groundwater influences forest survival during climate stress, integrating ecology and hydrology perspectives.
The study reveals a dynamic ecosystem with diverse dwarf galaxies, unlike the Milky Way's smaller satellite system. Hubble's observations provide insights into how small-galaxy growth is affected by massive galaxies like Andromeda.
Soil microbial diversity decreases in alpine pioneer community degradation, while ecosystem functions initially increase before declining. Fungal communities are more vulnerable to environmental changes than bacterial ones.
A new study reveals the extreme vulnerability of young volcanic soils to wildfires in the Arequipa shrublands of Peru. The research found that vegetation and soil combustion, combined with post-fire erosion, have caused a severe loss of soil organic carbon, hindering ecosystem recovery.
Researchers found that marsh grass productivity differs between tall and short forms, with taller plants capturing more CO2. The team measured photosynthesis, respiration, and biomass to understand how ecosystem variables impact carbon fixation.
The Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester has launched an IFE-STAR ecosystem to develop a clean, safe, and virtually limitless energy source. The initiative aims to accelerate fusion science and technology by building a national network of coordination and collaboration.