A new study suggests that a warmer Earth generally increases biodiversity, but only after millions of years. However, current trends of increasing temperature are expected to cause diversity loss in the short term due to the speed of change.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen develop a novel DNA monitoring approach that can track fish and whales in seawater, revealing local faunas. The method proves as good as or better than existing methods, with great perspectives for monitoring marine fish biodiversity and estimating fish stocks.
The failure to meet 2010 biodiversity targets has led to a critical review of existing policies and the need for improved design and implementation. Scientists emphasize the importance of understanding complexity in processes to address scale-related problems in conservation.
A recent study published in Nature found that many tropical protected areas are struggling to sustain their biodiversity, despite being our best hope for preserving tropical forests. However, the research also highlights the importance of eliminating threats outside park boundaries and maintaining existing parks.
A recent study published in Nature highlights the challenges facing tropical protected areas, but also shows that long-term engagement with conservation can have positive results. Conservation efforts in Tanzania's Udzungwa mountains have paid dividends, with the reserve remaining relatively unchanged from a biodiversity point of view.
David Tilman's essay in Daedalus highlights the challenges to Earth's biodiversity due to human population growth, emphasizing the need for sustainable food and energy systems. The essay explores how loss of biodiversity affects ecosystem function and productivity.
The Global Biodiversity Informatics Conference identified critical areas for greater investment and coordination in information technologies and social networks. The conference aimed to build global collaboration on biodiversity observation, uniting partners and initiatives to detect and respond to short-term changes and long-term trends.
Thomas Lovejoy, a renowned George Mason University professor, received the prestigious Blue Planet Prize for his pioneering work in biodiversity science and conservation. He was recognized for his groundbreaking research on habitat fragmentation and its impact on global environmental problems.
The Belgian Biodiversity Platform has released a new website to visualize the distribution of vascular plants in Belgium, featuring over 23,000 checklists and 2.5 million observations. The platform can be used for analysis and comparison of floral data over successive periods.
A recent study found that biodiversity loss has a major driver of ecosystem change, rivaling the effects of climate change and pollution. The researchers analyzed data from almost 200 published studies, measuring species loss and its impact on plant growth and decomposition.
Researchers found that teenagers living on farms had more diverse skin bacteria and lower allergen sensitivity than urban dwellers. Gammaproteobacteria in the skin microbiota may enhance immune tolerance, suggesting a link between biodiversity loss and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers found that high biodiversity regions are linguistically diverse, with 3,202 languages spoken in 35 hotspots and 1,622 in five wilderness areas. Linguistic loss threatens biodiversity as well, with up to 90% of languages disappearing by the end of the 21st century.
A comprehensive study reveals that biodiversity loss has comparable effects on ecosystems to climate change and pollution. This analysis highlights the urgent need for strengthened local, national, and international efforts to protect biodiversity and its benefits.
A new study finds that biodiversity loss can reduce plant growth by 5-10% in ecosystems, comparable to climate warming and pollution effects. Stronger efforts are needed to protect biodiversity and its benefits.
An international group of scientists proposes a plan to describe 10 million species in less than 50 years, leveraging worldwide collections and technological advances. This mission aims to chart the biosphere and understand the origin, organization, and sustainability of biodiversity.
The Missouri Botanical Garden has received a $260,000 NEH grant to enhance its Biodiversity Heritage Library. The library's digitized texts now include software tools for automated image identification and description. This will allow users to search and filter images by type, color content, subject matter, or organism names.
International experts agree on the need to better understand biodiversity loss and its impact on ecosystem services, which are crucial for human well-being. The new framework sets out a strategy to address biodiversity-related research efforts and inform policy decisions.
A recent study led by Carlos J. Melian found that speeding up evolution through sexual reproduction may actually decrease species diversity. The researchers developed new models to connect the mode of reproduction to biodiversity and found that high genetic variation and evolutionary rates have little effect on general biodiversity.
A German-based project, reBiND, rescues and archives biodiversity data at risk of being lost due to lack of documentation or outdated digital storage systems. The project uses the Biological Collections Access Services (BioCASe) software package to transform data into XML files and make them accessible globally through the GBIF network.
A new biodiversity data publishing framework has been proposed by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to encourage and facilitate the sharing of biodiversity data. The framework aims to overcome barriers to access and publishing of data, making it the expected norm for biodiversity research.
A new study reveals that ancient global carbon, sulfur cycles, and sea-level changes drove the evolution of marine life over 500 million years. The research found a strong connection between these factors and marine biodiversity.
The EU-funded project ViBRANT has leveraged electronic infrastructures to accelerate biodiversity discoveries. Researchers from 17 European institutions have shared historical and newly collected data, enabling new insights into biodiversity.
A new 'Data Paper' workflow has been pioneered by GBIF and Pensoft publishers to provide incentives for data compilers. The first-ever peer-reviewed paper derived directly from a biodiversity metadata document is published in the ZooKeys journal.
McGill researchers have created a unified theory of ecosystem change that considers complex interactions between predators and prey in space and time. Generalist species like foxes play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity by connecting different food webs.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that increased species richness decreases the prevalence and severity of infection caused by the deadly chytrid fungus in amphibians. This study provides evidence for the importance of biodiversity in protecting ecosystem function and reducing disease transmission.
A comprehensive assessment of tropical forests found primary forests sustain the highest levels of biodiversity and are vital to many species. Human activities like logging and agricultural expansion have transformed most remaining primary forests, leaving little unaltered.
A recent study by McGill University researchers found that biodiversity is essential for maintaining multiple ecosystem services across different years, places, and environmental conditions. The study suggests that many species are needed to maintain ecosystem services, rather than just a few, and highlights the importance of conservin...
A comprehensive assessment reveals that relying on protected areas is insufficient to address the ongoing global biodiversity crisis. The study highlights five key technical and practical limitations of this approach, including inadequate enforcement and insufficient funding.
The TRY global database provides 3 million traits for 69,000 plant species, enabling more accurate predictions of ecosystem changes under climate change. This will revolutionize biodiversity research by accounting for variation among species in their traits.
Researchers found significant biodiversity loss in streams with less than 2% developed land, contrary to previous estimates. Chemical pollution is implied as a major contributor to the degradation of water quality.
A comprehensive study of British soil biodiversity has been conducted, mapping bacterial distributions for the first time. The research found that acidic soils are dominated by few taxa, while bacterial diversity is strongly related to soil pH.
A meta-analysis found that invasive plant species cause large losses in biodiversity at small scales but have a negligible impact at broader scales. This contradicts the common view of invasive plants as major threats to native biodiversity. The study suggests that the effect of invasive plants on native species extinctions decreases w...
A new study verifies that biodiversity helps remove excess levels of nutrients from streams, degrading water quality. The study reveals how biodiversity increases the removal of pollutants through a process called niche partitioning, where each species occupies a unique habitat and removes specific forms of pollution.
Marine scientists compiled a directory of life on Australia's continental shelf, identifying 37 environmental factors shaping seabed life. The new maps and knowledge highlight complex patterns of biodiversity across the country's shelf habitats.
A new study finds that biodiversity can be conserved while resources are used to support local household livelihoods, especially when managed under systems that involve local forest users. The research suggests formalizing the rights of local people to contribute to forest management and governance can promote dual success.
Researchers found that forests managed by local users are more likely to have higher biodiversity and provide greater economic benefits. The study analyzed over 80 forest sites in six tropical countries and found that formal recognition of local user rights is crucial for sustainable management.
Biodiversity research highlights the importance of conserving rare and endangered plant species, as well as understanding patterns of species diversity in aquatic and terrestrial systems. New analyses suggest that modern ecosystems are a product of past events, with implications for present environmental conditions and future directions.
A meta-analysis of 400 published experiments reveals that species loss at the producer level reduces ecosystem productivity and sustainability. The study found that diverse communities are more productive and efficient than their average species, with some even outperforming the single best species in a monoculture. Loss of plant diver...
Leading scientists advocate for a modified approach to assessing policy options on biodiversity and ecosystem services. They argue that hypothetical scenarios do not represent real-world policy options, emphasizing the need for authoritative scientific advice on actual policy choices.
A new study will examine the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in the tropical Andes, focusing on four countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The research aims to provide a standard methodology for estimating local climate change risks and inform decision-making, adaptation measures, and conservation planning.
A study by scientists at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies reveals a critical connection between conservation and disease. Loss of species large and small can increase pathogens, leading to increased disease transmission. The authors call for careful monitoring of areas with high animal densities to prevent infectious disease outbreaks.
A study published in Nature found that species loss leads to increases in disease-causing organisms, increasing the risk of infectious diseases such as Lyme disease and hantavirus. The researchers argue that preserving natural habitats is crucial to preventing this effect.
A recent study reveals that Amazonia's incredible biodiversity originated from the formation of the Andes mountains, dating back over 65 million years. The study found a strong correlation between the mountain's creation and the development of Amazonian species.
A widely used biodiversity indicator in fisheries is found to be an ineffective guide to trends in marine ecosystems, according to a new study published in Nature. The researchers recommend more direct monitoring and the development of trend-detection methods to better assess the impacts of fishing on marine biodiversity.
Dr Veerle Huvenne, a NOC marine geoscientist, has been awarded a major research grant to map complex deep-sea environments and study the biodiversity they support. The project, CODEMAP, aims to use state-of-the-art surveying methods to map habitat heterogeneity as a proxy for biodiversity.
A new analysis forecasts inevitable biodiversity decline, but offers hope that it can be slowed through climate change mitigation and better policies. Emerging policy choices have the potential to reduce biodiversity loss by up to 15% by 2030.
A group of leading biodiversity scientists, including NJIT's Daniel Bunker, argue that CBD targets must consider ecosystem services for effective conservation. By valuing biodiversity through ecosystem services, nations can better justify and improve biodiversity conservation efforts.
The proposed 2020 CBD goals aim to address biodiversity loss through specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic, and time-bound targets. However, experts argue that the targets must consider trade-offs, timing, and complexity to be successful.
A team of researchers found that retreating glaciers created a mosaic landscape with numerous islands, bays, and fiords, allowing new species to develop rapidly. The ancestors of these species survived the ice age in warmer regions, resulting in an exceptional biodiversity in southern Chile.
A global study reveals that multiple environmental stressors threaten the world's rivers, affecting human water security and biodiversity. The research team integrated maps of 23 stressors to provide a single index, highlighting areas with high incident threat levels.
Conservationists argue that managing biodiversity as a global public good is key to its preservation. The paper emphasizes the need for policymakers, businesses, and civil society to incorporate biodiversity into their decisions.
A team of scientists mapped global diversity patterns for over 11,000 marine species, finding temperature strongly linked to biodiversity and high overlap between areas of human impact and diversity hotspots. The study suggests ocean warming may greatly affect the distribution of life in the sea.
Companies that prioritize sustainable management of biodiversity are seen as winners in resource-constrained worlds, while those neglecting it risk being out of step with the market. Consumers are increasingly aware of biodiversity loss and are willing to stop buying from companies disregarding ethical sourcing practices.
Researchers found that organic farming increases beneficial predator populations, reducing insect pests and promoting larger potato plants. This biodiversity conservation may be the secret behind organic farmers' success in achieving high yields.
Using television and radio to tell stories about sustainable rice farming has helped Asian farmers better conserve biodiversity. Dr. K.L. Heong's research found that building biodiversity into rice paddies can prevent pest outbreaks, reducing the need for pesticides.
A new atlas highlights the critical role of politics in driving biodiversity loss, emphasizing the need for policy reforms to reduce pressure on biodiversity. The atlas combines key research findings from a major European project and provides recommendations for policymakers and conservationists.
A new study published in PLoS Biology calls for the public's help in collecting bird sighting data, which is crucial for monitoring biodiversity. The researchers highlight that current data on common species is scarce, making it difficult to establish a 'biodiversity baseline', and urge citizens to record their sightings online.
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study estimates annual Natural Capital loss to be between EUR 1.35 trillion - EUR 3.1 trillion, with coral reefs valued at US$ 172 billion annually. TEEB leader Pavan Sukhdev calls for decisive action to prevent biodiversity loss.
The Biodiversity of Saba Bank collection provides critical information on the benthic communities and reef fish that inhabit the Saba Bank. The research reveals six new species potentially new to science collected from one of the largest coral reefs in the Caribbean, highlighting the need for marine protected areas to protect this uniq...
Researchers Ivette Perfecto and John Vandermeer argue that small family farms in tropical regions can provide a better way to meet both food production and biodiversity preservation goals. They propose an alternative model, the matrix quality model, which enables plants and animals to migrate between remaining forest fragments.