Researchers from University of Zurich investigate role of biodiversity in real-world ecosystems, finding diverse landscapes produce more biomass and adapt better to climate change. The analysis of 450 landscapes across Switzerland revealed a positive correlation between biodiversity and annual growing period length.
The Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve in Kuala Lumpur still retains important biodiversity, with 425 plant species recorded, including 159 new species. The reserve's diversity was confirmed through surveys conducted between April 2015 and May 2016.
Research reveals a striking underrepresentation of biodiversity-rich regions among editors of top conservation journals. This mismatch may impact policy and funding decisions, hindering global conservation goals.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have created 3D avatars of three new ant species named after key figures in African biodiversity conservation. The ants' virtual reconstructions allow for detailed study of their biology without damaging physical specimens.
A CCNY-led team, including expert Ana Carnaval, will receive $500,000 over five years for their project exploring biodiversity's effects on the planet and human well-being. The team's research aims to understand how biodiversity is generated, maintained, and lost, highlighting its crucial role in addressing societal challenges.
A recent study found that European countries with high levels of biodiversity, such as Portugal and Slovakia, receive less funding for conservation than expected. The study suggests that the main European directives on conservation focus too much on bird species, leading to an underfunding of other taxonomic groups.
A University of Utah-led study finds that targeted forest regeneration can increase the survival time of bird communities up to 56-fold in two biodiversity hotspots. The cost of regeneration is estimated between $21 and $49 million dollars, offering a high return on investment for biodiversity conservation.
A new public database, Genomic Observatories Metadatabase (GeOMe), provides contextual information for genetic data, enabling researchers to track biodiversity across time and location. The database aids in comparing biodiversity worldwide and tracking its impact on the planet.
Researchers propose a new approach to evaluating biodiversity, focusing on species migration and abundance within ecosystems. By analyzing these dynamics, experts can better understand ecosystem responses to environmental changes and develop more effective conservation strategies.
A new study reveals that amplicon sequencing is more robust than shotgun sequencing in discovering microbial biodiversity, with 27% more families identified. The research has significant repercussions for future analyses of microbial diversity.
Check List, a reputable biodiversity-themed journal, has joined Pensoft's peer-reviewed and open access family. The new platform offers high-tech perks, including easy publishing and data sharing through platforms like GBIF, Genbank, and Barcode of Life.
Researchers found that climate warming can both increase and decrease biodiversity, with higher diversity providing a buffer against environmental changes. In a study, warming meadows led to more nematode species, but those species were also more similar to each other, limiting the 'insurance' effect of increased diversity.
A new study from the University of Turku reveals that ferns' survival during mass extinctions is linked to environmental changes, while species origination is driven by factors such as low diversity levels after major events. This finding clarifies the contrasting views on biodiversity regulation.
A four-year study by Rice ecologists found that strong environmental filters like predatory fish cause regular variations in dragonfly communities. The results show how these patterns can help predict biodiversity loss in specific habitats.
UCSB scientists compared decades-old data with new field observations to evaluate multidecadal change in sandy beach biodiversity. They found that local processes exerted a stronger influence on intertidal biodiversity than regional factors.
International scientists warn that deep-sea mining will inevitably harm biodiversity due to the scale and depth of operations. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean is at risk of severe damage, with some projects covering over 83,000 square kilometers.
Researchers from McGill University and the University of Minnesota warn that humans are driving the sixth mass extinction, threatening biodiversity. However, they offer specific strategies to turn this tide, suggesting investments in conservation could provide economic benefits.
A new study suggests that setting aside an additional 5% of land to protect key species can triple their protected range and safeguard their functional diversity. This approach prioritizes global representation over local conservation, offering a more effective strategy for biodiversity conservation.
A new study by Yale researchers found that maintaining a diverse collection of species in fungal communities not only safeguards weaker species but also protects the genetic diversity of the larger community. This phenomenon, known as biodiversity begetting biodiversity, can help protect threatened ecosystems like coral reefs.
A new theory from McGill University researchers suggests that protecting remnant habitats and corridors can help preserve biodiversity by allowing species to move in response to environmental change. This approach is crucial for maintaining ecosystem structure and preventing extinctions.
A new study finds that Antarctica's biodiversity is lagging behind the rest of the world in protected area management and bioprospecting regulation. The region faces threats from warming oceans, melting ice cover, and transnational pollution, despite some successes in invasive species management.
Researchers have quantified the economic value of biodiversity in grasslands for enhancing carbon storage capacity. Increasing plant species diversity from one to ten resulted in twice the carbon storage value compared to increasing it from one to two species.
Research suggests that biodiversity is linked to lower infectious disease prevalence in people, contradicting concerns that intact ecosystems pose a danger. However, animal species do not present an equal threat of disease transmission, and some families like rodents transmit disease more commonly than others.
An international study led by Monash scientists found that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean's biodiversity management is lagging behind the global average in some areas, but exceling in others. The study's findings have significant implications for conservation efforts globally.
A new study by an international team of scientists has found that Antarctica's biodiversity and conservation management are similar to those globally. Despite some areas of improvement, such as invasive species management, overall progress is lagging behind global targets.
A new study by University of Cologne researchers reveals that herbivores have a significant positive impact on plant biodiversity. The interaction between nutrient availability and consumer species diversity is found to be crucial in maintaining producer diversity, highlighting the importance of preserving this balance for ecosystem he...
A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that the relationship between tree diversity and carbon storage in tropical forests may not exist as previously assumed. Researchers found that high-carbon forest stocks do not necessarily correlate with high biodiversity, contradicting previous studies.
The article outlines policies and guidelines for scholarly publishing of biodiversity and biodiversity-related data. The guidelines cover general concepts, including dataset definitions, incentives to publish data, and licences for data publishing.
A new study identified six 'hot spots of marine biodiversity' severely impacted by climate change and fishing pressures, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Industrial fishing has reduced global fish stocks, with harvest pressure expected to further exacerbate decline in these areas.
A new research hypothesis proposes that biodiversity is autocatalytic, with species enabling the existence of others and creating niches for coexistence. This view offers a possible answer to the fundamental question of why so many species can coexist in the same ecosystem.
Researchers propose regional networks to link remote camera data globally, mirroring the success of standardized weather stations. This collaboration aims to monitor biodiversity trends and track wildlife populations in real-time, facilitating evidence-based conservation decisions.
Remote sensing maps reveal new regions for conservation effort in Peruvian forests, identifying previously unknown assemblages and assessing the effectiveness of current protections. The approach links biodiversity and functional diversity, providing a roadmap for detecting critical omissions in regional networks.
Researchers discovered the asteroid break-up occurred 2.5 million years before the rise in marine biodiversity, debunking the myth of a connection between the two events.
A comprehensive study on Hong Kong's marine biodiversity reveals the territory is home to over 26% of China's recorded marine species, comparable to regions like the Caribbean Sea and East Africa. The research highlights the importance of conserving marine habitats in Hong Kong, with only 2% currently protected.
A long-term biodiversity project has provided detailed distributional and abundance data for 286 arthropod species, including many new species descriptions. The data has inspired studies on macroecology, conservation priorities, and extinction debt in the Azores.
Research suggests that climate change affects microbial biodiversity most strongly in natural environments and those with high nutrient levels. The study found that warming temperatures lead to a decline in biodiversity as enrichment increases.
Researchers integrate fossil data into theories to understand global patterns of biodiversity, finding that local and long-term factors work together in a 'perfect storm'. This approach helps explain the latitudinal diversity gradient, with the tropics having the greatest number and variety of species.
The article discusses the importance of remote sensing in biodiversity research, highlighting its potential to measure biological diversity, identify species, and track ecosystem processes. However, field studies are still necessary to provide crucial information on ecological potency, stress behavior, and adaptability.
Researchers compare biodiversity trends with the stock market to develop a framework for preventing species loss. The concept of Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) can help document critical changes in biodiversity and inform policy decisions.
Researchers created a bioquality map to measure global rarity and identify critical plant species hotspots in tropical Africa. The Horn of Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and other regions were found to be 'hottest' for plant biodiversity.
A new study by the University of Oxford has created a plant-species hotspot map for tropical Africa, identifying critical areas for global biodiversity conservation. The map reveals regions with high concentrations of globally rare plants, such as the Horn of Africa and south-east Democratic Republic of Congo.
A recent study found that citizen science is a valuable source of data on species occurrence, particularly for birds in North America and Europe. However, less than 10% of this data is currently used in global biodiversity monitoring due to resource constraints and interoperability issues.
The LifeWatchGreece team publishes a vast collection of peer-reviewed scientific outputs, including software descriptions, data papers, taxonomic checklists and research articles, to demonstrate the availability and applicability of their e-Services and Virtual Laboratories.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that dispersal distances rank biological groups by genetic and community levels, supporting neutral theory predictions for marine biological connectivity. Dispersal limitation maintains species coexistence and promotes regional biodiversity.
A recent expedition to Mindanao, Philippines, revealed 126 species of amphibians and reptiles, including 40 frogs, making up 36% of known Philippine species. The research team used genetic and morphological analysis, international collaboration, and rigorous fieldwork to uncover the island's biodiversity hotspot.
Researchers found that reducing timber revenues can increase biodiversity indicators and improve landscape multifunctionality. Combining forest growth simulations with multiobjective optimization, they concluded that diversified forest management planning is necessary to resolve conflicts between objectives.
Researchers will investigate how adaptations in one insect species allow others to follow, generating new biodiversity. The study focuses on the apple maggot fly and its parasitoid wasps, exploring how shifting life histories impact species interactions and ecosystem diversity.
A University of Illinois study found that visitors to Channel Islands National Park in California were more likely to assign value to areas with charismatic wildlife encounters, rather than actually biodiverse regions. The research suggests that knowledge plays a crucial role in shaping people's perceptions of biodiversity.
A team of 90 institutions from 44 countries found that forests with many tree species are more productive than those with few, providing an estimated USD$166-490 billion in annual economic benefits. This discovery highlights the need for a re-assessment of biodiversity values and conservation priorities.
A global assessment of forests reveals a 10% decrease in tree species richness leads to a 2-3% decline in biomass production. The study estimates the value of biodiversity in maintaining commercial productivity at $166-490 billion, far exceeding conservation costs.
A recent study found that mixed-severity fires, also known as 'Goldilocks fires,' can increase biodiversity of birds in California forests over time. The research suggests that forest managers should prioritize managing forests to promote a mixture of intensities, resulting in a mosaic of patches with different burn severities.
A new study finds China's Grain-for-Green Program, the world's largest reforestation effort, has planted mostly monoculture forests with limited biodiversity benefits. Researchers recommend restoring native or mixed forests to protect wildlife and mitigate climate change.
Researchers used environmental DNA to determine biodiversity in a river, finding thousands of species from aquatic insects to mammals. The method can be automated and may provide unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution for assessing biodiversity.
A global experiment by researchers found that adding multiple nutrients leads to reduced grassland diversity due to increased competition among species. This study provides evidence that human influence on nutrient cycles is driving environmental conditions beyond planetary boundaries, threatening irreplaceable biodiversity.
A new study reports that species integrity has dropped below the safe limit on 58% of Earth's land surface, threatening ecosystem services like crop pollination and waste decomposition. The Biodiversity Intactness Index reveals a global biodiversity loss of 84.6%, with nine terrestrial biomes surpassing the suggested threshold.
A team of UBC researchers has determined that vineyards in the Okanagan region have a negative impact on soil quality, with differences in bacterial and fungal communities found between vineyard and natural habitats. This study highlights the importance of preserving soil biodiversity for sustainable wine production.
A recent study found that biodiversity loss is no longer within the safe limit in most parts of the world. The greatest changes have happened in areas where most people live, affecting physical and psychological wellbeing. Conservation efforts are needed to preserve remaining natural vegetation and restore human-used lands.
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) has secured funding for another four years, with a total award of around €36.5 million. The centre aims to study biological diversity and develop strategies to prevent loss of biodiversity.
The EMODnet Workshop Report highlights the importance of historical biodiversity data for ecological models and future predictions. The workshop aimed to fill gaps in European marine species occurrence data availability by implementing data archaeology and rescue activities.
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) has secured additional funding of EUR 36.4 million over four years, a 32% increase from the first period. This will enable iDiv scientists to investigate biodiversity using various methods and increase their activities.