Research reveals connections between soy sourcing and habitat loss for giant anteater species, highlighting the impact of global agricultural trade on biodiversity. The study examined soy production and exportation from Brazil between 2000-2010 and found significant links between consumption patterns and biodiversity loss.
A new report found that climatic variables are the most important predictors of earthworm biodiversity at global scales. Earthworm communities were typically greatest in mid-latitudes, highlighting their sensitivity to climate change.
Global REDD+ fund allocation scenarios optimize carbon reduction for a moderate cost increase in biodiversity conservation. Adding ambition to equity targets significantly improves outcomes without reducing the effect of funding on carbon and biodiversity results.
Researchers found that coarser radar data provide comparable and sometimes superior results to high-resolution laser scanning data in monitoring forest biodiversity. Better, standardized ground-based biodiversity data are needed nationwide for more effective monitoring.
A new analysis reveals that global biodiversity is undergoing a large-scale reorganization, with the greatest loss of species in tropical marine biomes. The study, published in Science, suggests that conservation efforts should be tailored to local contexts and locations.
A team of scientists mapped global biodiversity change, revealing greater changes in species composition in marine systems than on land. The study highlights the importance of protecting regions with high biodiversity loss rates and improving monitoring for conservation strategies.
A recent study mapping global biodiversity change reveals varying rates of loss and gain in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The research found that some regions are recovering while others are experiencing significant declines, with changes occurring faster in marine than terrestrial assemblages.
A study involving over 100 researchers demonstrates that biodiversity enhances pollination and biological pest control, leading to increased crop yields. Higher agricultural biodiversity also reduces the reliance on pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found that a decrease in oxygen content in the ocean led to the extinction of nearly 25% of marine species. The study focused on carbon, sulphur and thallium isotopes to determine the chronology and mechanisms of the event.
A new study suggests that restoring habitat connectivity can increase plant diversity by nearly 14% in fragmented ecosystems. By reconnecting disparate habitat fragments, plant extinctions are reduced by 2% per year and colonization from new species is increased by 5% per year.
Over 1,600 scientists endorse letter calling on Congress to fully fund conservation programs to stem biodiversity decline. Funding would accelerate species recovery and ensure a stable Earth.
Two companion papers reveal that mountain regions are hotspots of biodiversity, with tropical mountains hosting more than 85% of the world's species. The high level of biodiversity is linked to unique climate conditions and geological dynamics.
A team of international researchers has developed a financial mechanism to support the protection of the world's natural heritage. The socio-ecological design option proved most efficient in incentivizing additional conservation action, particularly for countries lacking in global conservation goals.
A special issue of PhytoKeys highlights 23 newly described species from China's biodiversity hotspots, showcasing the country's unique flora and diverse microclimates. The discovery underscores the need for conservation efforts in these regions to counteract increasing anthropogenic disturbance and destruction.
A new UN high-seas treaty could effectively manage all fish species in international waters if it includes measures to address non-targeted species. The proposed treaty must close gaps in biodiversity governance to protect over 95% of deep ocean fish species that currently have no assessments.
A recent study published in Diversity and Distributions found that beaver-built ponds have a higher biodiversity than other wetlands in the same region, with 50% more species. This research suggests that reintroducing beavers to their native habitat could benefit wider biodiversity and help solve the freshwater biodiversity crisis.
According to a study published in Current Biology, 79 plants have been confirmed extinct from South Africa's three biodiversity hotspots since 1700, representing 45.4% of all known plant extinctions from 10 world hotspots. The main drivers for these extinctions are agriculture, urbanisation, and invasive species.
Researchers at University of Turku investigate parasitoid wasp diversity in Kibale National Park, Uganda, finding that species abundance varies with weather and vegetation conditions. The study contributes to global understanding of parasitoid insect diversity and highlights the urgent need to protect tropical biodiversity.
Researchers from the University of Kansas have described three genera and 17 new species of water scavenger beetles from the Guiana and Brazilian Shield regions. The discovery highlights the vast biodiversity left to be described in areas where resource-extraction operations are destroying natural habitats.
Recent calculations by University of Groningen researchers suggest that bird species in New Zealand will need around 50 million years to regain their lost diversity. However, the fate of endangered species like the kakapo and kiwi could add millions more years to this timeline.
Researchers analyze EU Commission's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform proposals and find they do not reflect public demand for sustainable agriculture or environmental goals. The CAP has the potential to support multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals but currently only contributes to two of them.
A UBC-led study found that Indigenous-managed lands have the highest levels of biodiversity worldwide, with even protected areas coming in second. The research highlights the importance of collaborating with Indigenous communities to protect species and conserving biodiversity beyond traditional conservation boundaries.
Research in Hawaiian forests reveals older islands harbor more native and rare species than younger islands. Biological invasions hinder the impact of island age on biodiversity patterns.
Research found that introduced species dilute the effects of evolution on diversity, making Hawaiian forests more similar. Older islands have a greater number of rare and native species compared to younger ones, but introduced species weaken this effect.
Researchers estimated financial losses of €209,619 to €322,733 due to Doñana National Park fire impacting Iberian lynx habitat, and €634 to €3,258 for Segura fire. A tool will be created to assess forest fires' impact on biodiversity, leisure, and tourism.
A new study found that only four countries (USA, Australia, South Africa, and Canada) dominated private land conservation research, with half of articles failing to report stakeholder engagement. The study calls for better understanding of socio-ecological systems and diverse cultural contexts in future research.
Researchers found that small-scale farming is destroying tropical forest wilderness in northeastern Peru, posing significant threats to biodiversity. The study highlights the need for careful management of remote areas and potential opportunities to link conservation with rural development efforts.
A new project at the University of Exeter aims to discover how economics can help protect the environment by placing an economic value on biodiversity. The project will develop trading platforms to advance price measurements of biodiversity and provide individuals and businesses with access to conservation solutions in various countries.
The study found that expansion poses a particularly serious threat to biodiversity in the tropics, while intensification primarily threatens biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Global agricultural production must increase to meet demand, but this comes at the cost of biodiversity.
A recent study found that natural biodiversity can effectively buffer farmers' incomes against droughts and other weather-related shocks in tropical regions. Farmers in areas with greater biodiversity took less of an income hit from droughts compared to those with lower biodiversity.
The world's protected areas are failing to conserve biodiversity due to inadequate resources, with only 4-9% of species represented within adequately resourced PAs. The study recommends using simple indicators to measure PA effectiveness and prioritizing conservation actions to address the growing biodiversity crisis.
New research reveals that different types of habitat loss can destabilise entire plant and animal communities. The study found that the specific ways in which habitat is lost is key to understanding its impact on ecosystem function and stability.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that Amazonian deforestation leads to reduced abundance and diversity of soil fauna and microbes. The research team also discovered that land use patterns after forest clearance impact soil biodiversity, with certain species more vulnerable to displacement than others.
A study using social media data revealed that popular bird species sites have higher visitation rates, while sites with high tourism facilities receive more visitors. The research suggests that these areas face potentially great threats or opportunities due to high numbers of visitors, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have modeled the spatial and temporal distribution of over 530 species of phytoplankton using 700,000 water samples. The study reveals that tropical waters hold the richest diversity of species at all times of the year, while mid-latitudes exhibit lower biodiversity due to strong currents and turbulence.
Researchers create comprehensive database of land use change and its impact on plant and insect life in the British Isles. The study aims to provide long-term context for current trends in biodiversity and inform conservation practices.
A new open-access data platform, ZooArchNet, links biological and archaeological databases to provide a long-term perspective on biodiversity crises. The platform enables researchers to reconstruct biodiversity baselines from the earliest periods of human history.
Researchers found positive correlations between biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration in ten of twelve landscapes, indicating a shared benefit. The study suggests that increasing biodiversity can also increase carbon storage, highlighting the interconnectedness of these two goals.
A team of scientists has identified five priority measures for Madagascar's new government to prevent species and habitats being lost forever. Investing in protected areas and local community tenure over natural resources are key strategies to address the country's biodiversity crisis.
A study proposes a new target for protected areas based on biodiversity outcomes, addressing issues with current targets that focus on quantity rather than quality. The new approach involves systematic monitoring of global sites of biodiversity significance to determine the effectiveness of management practices.
A new international protected area target is necessary to effectively conserve biodiversity, according to a study published in Science. The current target has led to perverse outcomes, with nations unable to account for real progress.
A recent UFZ study analyzed 10,000 studies on yield and biodiversity in intensification measures, finding a 20% increase in yield but a 9% species loss. Medium-intensity areas showed the highest increase in yield and greatest species loss.
A new study maps historical biodiversity in unprecedented detail, showing that a cooler climate is crucial for conserving biodiversity. The researchers also debunk the notion of a brief ice age causing a major extinction event, pointing instead to volcanic activity as the primary cause.
The Biodiversity Collections Network has developed a national agenda to stimulate new research endeavors by leveraging digital data in biodiversity collections. This initiative aims to engage students and the public in understanding life and environmental change.
Research team discovers that habitat loss causes double damage to biodiversity, with local extinctions linked to reduced ability for species to recolonize neighboring patches. Spatial processes and metacommunities play a key role in this phenomenon.
The study reveals that increases in soil biodiversity follow plant cover increases in less productive ecosystems, while acidification leads to declines in more productive ecosystems. These patterns differ from those observed in other communities.
Researchers at University of Göttingen investigated how different data sources can be integrated for biodiversity research. They found that higher data resolution is crucial for accurate studies, but detailed data often have smaller global availability and representativeness.
Replanting urban environments with native flora could help address chronic health problems by promoting healthy microbial diversity. Restoration of urban biodiversity is estimated to have generational health benefits and huge savings for healthcare sectors.
A University of Oklahoma study found that climate warming significantly impacts microbial biodiversity in tallgrass prairies, with warmer temperatures increasing phylogenetic diversity over time. This could have significant implications for ecosystem management and conservation strategies.
Professor Sandra Myrna Díaz, a renowned expert in biodiversity and ecosystem ecology, has been awarded the 2019 Gunnerus Award in Sustainability Science. Her groundbreaking research emphasizes the importance of understanding biodiversity's role in shaping ecosystems and human development.
Marine biodiversity experienced two bursts of accumulation during the Cambrian Explosion and Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. The latter coincided with falling equatorial sea-surface temperatures, suggesting a narrow temperature window was required for marine life.
Researchers developed a wireless sensor network capable of recording ecosystem sounds with high quality, while being energy-efficient and cost-effective. The system aims to streamline biodiversity monitoring and address the global need for new assessment methods.
A team of scientists analyzed biodiversity patterns in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, revealing that biotic interactions are essential for understanding ecosystem dynamics. The study found that biogeography and species interactions are stronger drivers of biodiversity than previously expected.
Researchers propose a new method to measure and track plant and animal populations, known as the 'hypercube,' which can generate health stats for the planet. The goal is to provide policymakers with accurate information to make sound conservation decisions, including assessing progress toward national and international policy goals.
A study by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) finds that technological advances in agriculture are not sufficient to address biodiversity loss, which is driven by population and economic growth. The research highlights the need for policies addressing these factors to mitigate biodiversity decline.
Researchers created a complete world map of tree species richness using a statistical model that combines patchy data from small forest plots and country-level information. The analysis shows that climate is the most important factor driving global biodiversity, with the highest number of tree species found in hot, humid tropics.
Researchers found 254 species in Basel gardens, including rare and threatened species. Structural diversity is key to increasing species diversity in these ecosystems.
The study suggests that letting beneficial microorganisms thrive could aid in fighting infectious diseases, as conventional methods may interfere with their natural containment. By adopting a more diverse approach to health, researchers hope to create stronger defenses against pathogens.
Researchers at Utah State University and USDA report 450 native bee species in California's Pinnacles National Park, including 48 new to the area since 2002. The park is now recognized as a national biodiversity hotspot for bees.
An international team of biodiversity modelers has developed best-practice standards framework with detailed guidelines. The standards enable scoring of studies based on species distribution models for use in biodiversity assessments, ensuring transparency and consistency in policy recommendations. The framework proposes four levels of...