Researchers discovered that tobacco hawkmoth wings have specialized hair-like structures that can detect specific aromas. The wings contain sensory receptors that can pick out unpleasant amine odours, guiding the moths to their favorite plants for laying eggs.
A new 'Hydrology–Environment–Ecology' framework bridges aquatic and terrestrial ecological risk assessment for lake conservation. The framework reveals significant increasing trends in both aquatic and terrestrial ecological risks from 2000 to 2019, with habitat quality identified as the key risk indicator.
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.
The ESA's 2026 Annual Meeting will present new findings on wildlife ecology, focusing on the ecological relationships between animals, habitats, and human activities. Researchers will examine topics such as predator recovery, species declines, and rewilding, highlighting how wildlife ecology informs conservation strategies.
The American Ornithological Society has awarded seven 2026 Kessel Fellowships to support early-career researchers investigating avian ecology, behavior, conservation, genetics, and climate change. The fellowships aim to address the growing gap in understanding Arctic wildlife responses to environmental change.
Researchers analyzed DNA samples from foraging honeybees, hive workers, and their honey to understand plant-microbe interactions in honeybee ecology. The study found that these complementary sources provide distinct insights into the complex relationships between plants, microbes, and honeybees.
The Political Ecology Network will convene its biennial international conference POLLEN 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The event will bring together researchers, activists, and creators to discuss contemporary crises and forge pathways toward peaceful alternatives.
Scientists discovered a massive wildfire in the Rwenzori Mountains that shifted the region's ecology and altered plant life over 2,000 years ago. The study suggests that rising temperatures may be altering ecosystems once safeguarded by extreme alpine conditions.
A new study by Sage Madden reveals that barn swallow chicks' growth is stunted by cold spells within five days of hatching, smallest sibling status, and less food provided by parents. The research, published in PLOS One, provides insight into climate change's impact on chick development.
Research team uses 'reverse ecology' approach to identify diverse bacterial groups in human gut, associated with various diseases. The study suggests transmission between people plays a key role in shaping microbiome, enabling more precise therapies.
Citizen science projects are expanding globally to study bat ecology and support conservation. Methods include acoustic surveys and observations, providing valuable insights into bat distribution and seasonal activity. Collaboration with community members is crucial for advancing understanding of bat ecology and informing habitat prote...
The Ecological Society of America has announced eight new Fellows and ten Early Career Fellows for their exceptional contributions to ecological research and applications. The recipients include experts in various fields such as plant ecology, community ecology, disease ecology, and ecosystem resilience.
A new review reveals major blind spots in Bhutan's amphibian and reptile research, with most studies focusing on species records and ecology. The study highlights the need for deeper research on genetics, disease, physiology, and long-term conservation to strengthen conservation efforts.
A study published in Ecology Letters found that similarity in environmental conditions predicts local food web similarity across a continent. The researchers used satellite images and network analysis to identify habitat fragmentation and vegetation amount as major factors in shaping food webs.
Researchers discovered that nocturnal hawkmoths are the main pollinators of Jasminanthes mucronata, a plant species native to Japan producing black nectar. The study highlights the potential importance of colored nectar in nocturnal pollination systems.
A study by the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that an introduced bacterium can replace an ancient insect symbiont within a few generations. The beetles exhibited reduced reproduction rates, lower life expectancy, and altered immune systems after infection with the new bacterium.
The 'Action for Earth' Summit brings together global leaders to examine policy pathways, frontier research, and actionable strategies for climate adaptation. The summit features keynote sessions on priority policies and frontier research, as well as a roundtable discussion on accelerating cross-border climate action.
A new open access database of cactus ecology and evolution could help scientists and conservationists save species from the brink. The CactEcoDB offers an unprecedented window into the evolution, ecology and conservation needs of one of the world's most distinctive and endangered plant families.
Researchers found that high levels of male harassment significantly reduced zooplankton abundance and decreased water flea size, highlighting the impact of social behavior on ecosystems. The study suggests that a specific behavioral threshold must be crossed before social interactions reshape an entire food web.
A new study reveals that animal species with fast-paced ecologies have faster visual perception, tracking prey in mid-air versus grazing slowly across the seabed. This finding supports Autrum's hypothesis and highlights how ecology shapes the tempo of perception across life on Earth.
Researchers developed a new theoretical framework that links individual animal movements to population dynamics across space and time. The range-resident logistic model incorporates interactions between multiple animals, providing a more accurate prediction of population sizes and helping inform real-world conservation recommendations.
Researchers identified key policy levers to support water sustainability in the Yellow River Basin and developed a network integrating 53 SDG indicators. The network demonstrates superior structural stability and predictive power compared to traditional models.
Researchers found that diverse plant communities emit more complex chemical signals, which can affect individual plants and the entire ecosystem. The study highlights the importance of biodiversity in maintaining natural signaling systems and supports sustainable agriculture practices to promote plant diversity.
The mecoturn R package supports various statistical analyses of microbial turnover along gradients, filling a gap in data analysis tools for microbial ecology research. It includes data transformation, statistical analysis, and visualization methods, particularly expanding linear mixed-effects models for beta diversity analysis.
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.
A symbiotic fungus helps the ship-timber beetle survive by accumulating nutrients and producing antimicrobial compounds that inhibit competing fungi. The fungus also adapts to its acidic environment by acidifying it with acetic acid, thriving at low pH levels.
A mathematical model predicts how temperature affects all levels of life from enzymes to entire ecosystems with unparalleled accuracy. The Universal Thermal Performance Curve shows a common pattern: as organisms warm up, performance increases until an optimum, then declines rapidly.
The reed leafhopper hosts at least seven species of bacteria, with three being essential for its nutrition. The insect transmits plant diseases SBR and stolbur, causing massive crop failures in sugar beet and potato production.
Researchers developed an AI-driven framework to predict which plant species are most likely to become invasive before they even arrive in a new location. The methodology combines decades of ecological data with machine learning methods to identify high-risk species.
A study by Kobe University discovered that wild orchid seeds require fungi from decaying logs to germinate. The team found a consistent association between young and adult plants with coral-shaped rhizomes and wood-decaying fungi, suggesting an essential role for these fungi in the orchid's nutritional needs.
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.
Research reveals that smallmouth bass and channel catfish are changing their diets to avoid competing with or being eaten by the invasive flathead catfish. The study found that flathead catfish have a higher trophic position than resident predators, exerting strong control over the ecosystem.
The journal bridges agronomy, ecology, environmental science, and sustainability to address pressing global challenges such as soil health, water quality, and climate resilience. It offers a broad scope for original research, reviews, perspectives, and commentaries with no article processing charges until 2027.
A new study reveals that shorter and warmer winters will lead to dramatic ecological shifts in high-latitude lakes, including changes in productivity and food web dynamics. Climate change is increasing the seasonal overlap of light and warmth, enhancing plant growth and animal activity.
The majority of extant species belong to a limited number of rapid radiations, forming groups with many species that evolved in a relatively short period. These rapid radiations are thought to occur when new ecological niches open up, such as the emergence of multicellularity and powered flight.
The winner of the 2025 BMC journals Image Competition is a photograph of two male saigas sparring on the banks of a steppe lake. The image, taken by Andrey Giljov, showcases the unique characteristics of saiga antelopes and their survival strategies.
A new study found that river otters in Chesapeake Bay eat diverse prey and parasites, including flukes, dinoflagellates, and invasive fish. The researchers suggest that otters may be helping to clean up polluted environments by consuming parasite-infected animals.
The Ecological Society of America's Annual Meeting in Baltimore will focus on urban ecology, examining strategies for urban tree planting, pollinator behavior, and the role of urban farms and green spaces. The meeting aims to highlight how cities support ecological processes and biodiversity.
The book examines biodiversity, ecology, and conservation strategies across Mexico's deserts, focusing on the Baja California Peninsula, Chihuahuan Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. Key findings include the ecological roles of natural products and traditional medicinal plants.
A new study found that global climate conditions affect the spore traits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, influencing their survival, spread, and interaction with plants. The research provides insights into the environmental adaptations of microorganisms, which could guide soil restoration and food production.
The journal has achieved a Scopus CiteScore of 5.5 and ranks in Q1 for both Ecology and Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics categories. Its first Journal Impact Factor at 2.5 highlights its impact and relevance to the academic community.
Researchers found that individual plant defenses target specific pests, but mixtures of defense substances provide better protection against both insects and fungi. The study showed that synergistic effects and diversity in chemical compounds enhance tree effectiveness, answering a central question in plant ecology.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology elucidated the biosynthetic pathway of ipecacuanha alkaloids in two distantly related plant species. The study reveals that both species developed the same pathway independently, with a surprising twist: the first step does not involve an enzyme, but occurs spontaneously.
A new Yale study found that few bird species can escape the effects of climate change due to their limited migration capabilities. Despite some species being able to move northward or to higher elevations, they still experience significant temperature increases.
A study published in Ecology and Evolution found that the digestion process of birds of prey, such as owls and hawks, can significantly impact the ratios of isotopes in their pellets and droppings. This means that previous studies relying on these samples may have inaccurate results when trying to determine an animal's diet or environm...
A study from the University of Georgia found that a combination of environmental, climatic, and cultural factors drive human-lion conflict in Namibia. The study suggests that areas with less vegetation are more prone to fatalities due to lions being able to hide better from humans.
The Ecological Society of America recognizes William H. Schlesinger with the Eminent Ecologist Award for his global element cycles work, and Carmen R. Cid receives the Distinguished Service Citation for her long volunteer service to ESA. These awards inspire new insights and collaborations.
Diana Wall's posthumous major donation of $514,000 to the Ecological Society of America will support ESA's programs advancing ecological research and supporting ecologists. The gift reflects her dedication to ecology as a critical tool for addressing global environmental challenges.
Researchers created a novel machine learning tool to identify rare microbes, solving a major issue in microbial ecology. The tool demonstrates statistical robustness and practical applications, enhancing biodiversity assessments and climate change evaluations.
Researchers at Washington State University found that animals exposed to ticks developed resistance, dramatically shrinking the tick population. This natural immune response could be replicated through a vaccine, offering new insights into tick ecology and dynamics.
The Ecological Society of America has elected 18 new Fellows for 2025, honoring their significant contributions to ecological research and its practical applications. The recipients include experts in fields such as theoretical ecology, restoration ecology, conservation biology, and microbial ecology.
A new study reveals that nearly 75% of ecology and evolution journals do not require authors to consider accessibility in manuscript submissions. The research team recommends adopting Universal Design principles, developing comprehensive guidelines, and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
A new study suggests that regional conditions alter the makeup of communities, influencing biodiversity. The researchers found that immigration from highly diverse seed mixes maintained species diversity over time, while local factors had a limited impact on biodiversity loss.
A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that studying spatial synchrony over a long enough timescale leads to better testing of ideas, improved statistical results, and new conceptual realms for understanding ecology. Long-term data can expose ecological trends and inform policy and management related to the environment.
A new study published in Citizen Science: Theory and Practice demonstrates that citizen science data from iNaturalist and eBird can be combined to reliably capture known seasonal patterns of bird migration. The researchers found similar seasonal patterns for over 97% of bird species observed in Northern California and Nevada.
A new study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology reveals that soil moisture levels can increase rainfall area and amount in megastorm hotspots globally by up to 30%. This contrast results from atmospheric changes, enabling communities to better adapt to climate change.
A study from the University of Georgia used museum specimens to track the spread of Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, a parasite affecting millions of monarchs during their annual migration. The research found evidence of infection in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, with limited species affected.
The 2025 Hong Kong Climate Forum brings together leaders to discuss climate change mitigation measures, green technologies, and policy support. Experts emphasize the need for global action and accelerated transformation of economies and societies.
The new Individual-based Ecology journal publishes its first articles, offering a fresh perspective on how individual organisms and ecological systems dynamics are linked. The journal focuses on individual-based perspectives in ecology, complementing other ecological disciplines.
A recent study reveals vermicomposted olive waste influences volatile compounds emitted by olive trees, affecting attraction of beneficial lacewings. The research highlights the importance of belowground ecology in plant defense mechanisms and its potential to enhance biological control strategies.