A new study warns against mega-dams in lowland tropical forest regions due to their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. The Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir system in the Brazilian Amazon showed that tree communities on islands are 'unstable' and prone to extinction.
A new report reveals that only 41% of European MPAs are fished less intensely than non-protected waters, while trawling activity is 38% higher inside MPAs. The findings suggest that stronger regulations are needed for MPAs to effectively protect sensitive species and biodiversity.
A scientific team warns that most signatory countries are not on track to achieve target goals, and some targets are structured to give a false sense of conservation achievement. The team recommends restructuring targets to incorporate adequate conservation incentives to instill hope for the future.
A study has identified 66 alien plant and animal species that could pose the greatest threat to European biodiversity in the coming decade. These invasive species are likely to arrive via shipping or trade, with aquatic species being most at risk.
New research highlights invasive species as the top threat to Australian biodiversity, affecting 82% of threatened species, while habitat changes impact 74%. The Threatened Species Recovery Hub and Centre for Invasive Species Solutions warn of an extinction crisis without innovative management options.
A study suggests that bioenergy crop expansion can outweigh gains from climate change mitigation in terms of biodiversity impact. The findings highlight the need for alternative strategies to reduce biodiversity loss under a high-emission scenario.
A large-scale expansion in bioenergy crop production could lead to a significant decline in vertebrate biodiversity, with potential losses of up to 36% of global habitats. The study argues that the benefits of bioenergy mitigation may be outweighed by its negative impacts on biodiversity.
Researchers found that businesses are implementing biodiversity offsets at a rapid rate globally, with over 10,000 examples of nature sites created specifically to compensate for industrial impacts. The study published in Nature Sustainability provides the first global dataset for assessing the effectiveness of these offsets.
Demand for bioenergy to reduce CO2 emissions could lead to a 10-30 fold increase in green energy-related land use, putting pressure on habitats and species diversity. Safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity is key to mitigating climate change, with reforestation being four times more effective than bioenergy crops.
Research at Michigan State University found that better biodiversity leads to more tourists visiting protected areas. A 1% increase in biodiversity results in a 0.87% increase in annual visitors. Strategic management and local community participation can enhance economic development and livelihood benefits.
Current MPAs in Finland protect only 27% of marine biodiversity, leaving many ecologically important species at risk. Increasing protected areas by just 1% can double conservation of the most important species.
A collaborative study analyzed over 5700 individual samples from 300 localities across Estonia, discovering 52 species of Myriapoda. Notably, six species were found to be at their range limits, while one was introduced by humans.
The National Science Foundation is investing in 10 new projects to research biodiversity and its interactions with climate, land use, and invasive species. The Dimensions of Biodiversity program aims to transform how we understand life on Earth by addressing multiple dimensions of biodiversity simultaneously.
Researchers found that high biodiversity increases individual stability components, but at a cost: biomass production fluctuates more with diverse species. Non-linear connections between diversity and stability highlight the need for nuanced management strategies.
A study by Point Blue Conservation Science found that restoring forests can benefit both carbon storage and biodiversity, but optimizing for one may come at the expense of the other. The researchers identified areas with high tree density had more carbon stored in trees, but lower bird density and diversity.
A warming-induced shift in microbial community composition requires more biodiversity to maintain ecosystem function due to the increased likelihood that remaining species will not tolerate rising temperatures. The study suggests that warmer conditions may accelerate the impacts of biodiversity decline on ecosystems.
A recent study found that species-rich subtropical forests can absorb up to twice as much carbon as monocultures, showcasing the importance of biodiversity in forest productivity. Reforestation with a variety of tree species is recommended to promote both ecological and economic benefits.
A new study found that primary tropical forests contain more biodiversity and carbon than even mature regenerating forests. Secondary forests, on the other hand, can still play a vital role in biodiversity conservation and carbon storage, with some areas recovering to over 80% of levels found in undisturbed primary forests.
A large-scale forest biodiversity experiment in China found that species-rich forests stored an average of 32 tons of carbon per hectare, while monocultures averaged only 12 tons. The study suggests that a mix of tree species is necessary for optimal carbon sequestration and climate protection.
A study by researchers from Germany found that taller plant species have taken over the Arctic tundra in recent decades, with a significant increase in plant height observed over the past three decades. Climate warming is believed to be the underlying cause of this shift.
Scientists developed a new mathematical model using game theory to explain the biodiversity paradox, which predicts that hundreds of plankton species can coexist in open sea water despite limited resources. The model shows that biodiversity increases exponentially with the number of resources, leading to a large number of potential spe...
Research shows that multiple facets of biodiversity, including species richness and plant evolutionary history, jointly reduce annual variation in grassland productivity. High-species-rich communities with diverse histories exhibit reduced biomass production variability.
Research found that biodiversity increases live tree carbon storage by up to 20 megagrams per hectare, but has a smaller impact on overall carbon storage. Climate and site topography have a more significant effect on forest carbon storage.
A study by the University of Liverpool identified 31 ecosystem services provided by marine biodiversity, including seafood, raw materials, and natural flood defences. The research highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity to maintain these essential services.
Scientists discovered that bees' quality of life is highest in gardens and biodiverse forests, while lowest in plantations. The decline of biodiversity is linked to bee extinction due to the lack of sufficient food and resources.
A new study reveals that animal and fungal species have a significant impact on forest performance, including carbon storage and climate regulation. The research, conducted over ten years in subtropical forests, found that biodiversity must be considered as a whole to maintain forest health.
A computer simulation model developed by researchers at the University of Connecticut and others reveals how topography and climate change drive evolutionary adaptation and extinction. The model accurately reproduces maps of present-day species diversity, suggesting that changing climate during glacial cycles is a key factor in shaping...
Researchers created a model to simulate biodiversity history in South America over thousands of years, closely matching observed patterns. The model's results suggest topography and climate play critical roles in species diversification and extinction.
A University of Montana researcher found that species diversity can have both a dilution effect and an amplification effect on disease transmission. In areas with more diverse rodent communities, hantavirus prevalence among deer mice decreases, but as rodent species diversity increases, infection spreads faster
A study found that protecting tropical forest carbon stocks is ineffective for biodiversity in ecologically valuable forests. In fact, up to 77% of species protected through carbon conservation were not saved in these areas. The researchers suggest focusing on both carbon and biodiversity conservation efforts to safeguard unique wildlife.
Researchers analyzed over 4,000 mosasaur fossil specimens to determine if quality impacts our understanding of past biodiversity. The study found that the rich fossil record provides an accurate picture of mosasaur diversity and evolutionary history despite variable completeness.
Researchers tracked biodiversity changes in North America over 50 years, finding significant differences based on geographic scale. The study highlights the need to consider multiple scales when assessing biodiversity in a rapidly changing world.
A new study predicts that climate change will have a more significant impact on global biodiversity than land use changes by 2070. Vertebrate communities are expected to lose between a tenth and over a quarter of their species locally due to climate change.
The project aims to add hundreds of thousands of figures and taxonomic treatments to the Biodiversity Literature Repository (BLR), a joint venture of Plazi and Pensoft. The BLR is an open science community platform that makes biodiversity data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.
University of Alberta biologists developed a new imaging technology to study plant diversity and evolutionary history using light spectroscopy. The method allows for quick assessment of biodiversity changes over large landscapes, providing a practical tool for addressing ecosystem function and climate change.
A shocking study reveals that one third of the world's protected areas, covering twice the size of Alaska, are under intense human pressure. The authors warn that this will undermine biodiversity loss goals if widespread degradation continues.
A study found six million square kilometers of protected land, equivalent to two-thirds China's size, are unlikely to conserve endangered biodiversity. Human activities like road infrastructure and agriculture are damaging these areas.
Climate change in Quebec could lead to a greater diversity of species in national and provincial parks. By 2100, up to half of the protected regions may see an increase in species turnover of over 80%. The researchers suggest rethinking conservation strategies to prioritize site resilience and connectivity.
The Belt and Road Initiative's economic development corridors coincide with high environmental value areas, posing significant impacts on biodiversity. China can replicate its domestic environmental practices in the BRI to achieve a balance between economic development and sustainability.
A Montana State University ecologist has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright appointment to work on a project helping countries meet conservation goals set by an international agreement. The project aims to analyze ecosystem data gathered by NASA, which could help over 30 countries protect biodiversity.
Introduced species are deliberately excluded from biodiversity reports, distorting international nature reports and the public's view of nature. The study recommends including their positive contributions to accurately track the state of biodiversity and its evolution.
The Guidelines on Business and KBAs provide steps for businesses to actively safeguard biodiversity and avoid contributing to its loss. Businesses are recommended to adopt 15 guidelines to better manage their impacts on places deemed critical for species and ecosystems worldwide.
750 world experts will finalize landmark reports on biodiversity, nature's contributions, and land degradation, providing unprecedented insights into the status of global biodiversity and land quality. The reports will inform better decisions about nature and set biodiversity targets for the period after 2020.
Agricultural production can lead to biodiversity loss; optimized land use can minimize this impact. Ten countries can already reduce expected biodiversity loss by one third if they follow the researchers' suggestions.
A study found that trappers in Madagascar do not perceive conservation as important to their work, and the income from wildlife trade is not enough to create incentives for species and habitat protection. The research suggests that local people's engagement in biodiversity conservation needs to be better incorporated into policies.
New research shows that biodiversity loss can lead to a domino effect of further extinctions, where the removal of one species creates a gap for other species to fill. This can result in simpler ecological communities at greater risk of extinction cascades with potential losses of many species.
A study mapping China's 30,000 flowering plant species reveals a significant East-West divide in evolutionary relationships and biodiversity. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts in densely populated eastern China to protect threatened plant species and their animals.
A new special issue in PhytoKeys features 17 new species from Southeast Asia, showcasing the region's remarkable botanical diversity. The discoveries emphasize the urgent need for conservation and understanding biodiversity in the face of climate change and economic growth.
New studies suggest that biodiversity might be remaining steady globally, even as species go extinct and decline locally. However, other research finds a mix of stability and increase in species richness at various locations worldwide.
Researchers have developed a new method that can accurately estimate biodiversity at a global scale, up to 10 orders of magnitude. The study used the 1999 Great Britain Countryside Survey dataset and tested over a dozen methods, with one model providing estimates within 10% of the true value.
Max Planck fellow programme extended to strengthen cooperation between institutes and universities, focusing on global biodiversity database TRY. Joint projects explore ecosystem functioning in Amazonian forests and biodiversity effects via remote sensing.
A research team has developed a model that predicts biodiversity on the Antarctic seafloor using satellite data and ocean currents. The model's predictions have been verified by physical sampling of seafloor sediments, providing valuable insights for conservation and management.
The Jena Experiment found that biodiversity influences almost half the processes in an ecosystem, while intensive grassland management does not result in higher yields. High-diversity meadows had higher productivity and better carbon storage than low-diversity meadows.
A new study found that higher biodiversity in forests leads to faster tree growth, increased carbon storage, and improved pest resistance. Forest managers can simultaneously improve multiple ecosystem functions without negatively affecting each other.
A new study found that conservation spending from 1992 to 2003 reduced expected declines in global biodiversity by 29%. The $14.4 billion investment significantly impacted countries, with poorer nations experiencing greater gains.
A study by Imperial College London found that global conservation spending of $14.4 billion over 10 years resulted in a 29% reduction in biodiversity loss among 109 countries. The analysis provides a tool for adjusting conservation budgets based on individual country needs.
Research finds that increased conservation spending is effective in reducing biodiversity loss, with countries like Brazil experiencing fewer threats and Chile facing more. A new measurement assigns percentage of responsibility to protect threatened species based on their range within a country.
Researchers from the University of Leeds and others have developed more accurate methods for estimating biodiversity in large regions. The study found that rare tree species are poised to become dominant if conditions change in their favor.
A new study using Big Butterfly Count (BBC) data from citizen scientists shows that mass-participation science can provide additional assessments of biodiversity change. The results demonstrate the potential for citizen science to inform long-term monitoring of butterfly populations and complement standardised biodiversity monitoring.
A recent study published in Nature found that biodiversity is a more powerful predictor of biomass production than climate change, with diverse ecosystems producing higher biomass and toppling climate as the most important factor. The research, conducted by a team at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, analyzed data from ove...