Indiscriminate nursing in communal breeders: A role for genomic imprinting
In polygynous species, males copulate with several females that may later breed communally. This leads to offspring being more closely related through the paternal line.
Search results for “Ecology”
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Deep-sea ecosystem engineers
Tube worm aggregations, created by Lamellibrachia luymesi, provide habitat for deep-sea animals with lower sulfide tolerances. These ecosystems persist for centuries, taking up high quantities of sulfide from seep sediments.
New research tools are opening the 'black box' of coastal ecosystems
Researchers are using innovative new tools to study coastal ecosystems, including genetic mapping of marine populations and remote ocean sensing. These tools are helping scientists understand the dynamics of ocean environments and track the movement of marine species.
Opening the ‘black box’: Scientists gain new tools to learn about the near-shore environment
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed new tools to study the near-shore environment, including remote sensing and genetic analysis. By analyzing chemical signals in growing skeletons and genetic differences among populations, scientists can track the movement of marine animals and understand barriers to dispersal.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateFeb 15, 2003
UNC ecologists find floodplains particularly vulnerable to invasion by exotic plant species
Study reveals floodplains have significantly higher diversity of native and exotic plants due to flooding, which washes away existing plants and transports seeds. This creates opportunities for invasive species to establish themselves, posing a threat to native plant populations.
URI chemical oceanographer analyzes the effects of pH on coastal marine phytoplankton
Phytoplankton communities fix carbon half as fast at pH 9, while dinoflagellates correlate strongly with high pH levels. Increased nutrient loading increases pH variability, affecting coastal ecosystems.
Invading weeds escaped old enemies, brought immunity
A study by Cornell University ecologists found that invasive plants have 77% fewer diseases in their native habitats compared to adopted habitats. The researchers suggest looking for weed-control pathogens both in native and adopted habitats to control invasive plant species.
Distant attraction
A study found that insect feeding by a spruce gall adelgid caused large galls to form, inversely correlated with distance from buds. Chemical stimuli were determined to be the cause of gall formation.
Synchronised swimming helps catch prey
Researchers found that school-forming goat fish synchronize their activity patterns to increase food catch. This synchronization strategy is effective even in chaotic systems, where individual behavior can vary wildly.
Mean population size increases with diversity
Research shows that population stability and size tend to increase with community diversity, likely due to variation in local productivity. This finding challenges ecological theory, which predicts a decline in population stability as community diversity increases.
Invariant properties in coevolutionary networks of plant-animal interactions
Researchers discovered a generalized topology characteristic of self-organized complex systems in community organisation of plants and animals. This finding has significant implications for biodiversity conservation.
Amazon wildfires contribute to carbon problem
Amazon wildfires contribute significantly to atmospheric carbon dioxide, reducing tree-life viability to less than half of unburned areas. Dr Barlow's research found that fires damage large, thicker-barked trees, leading to increased emissions and further loss of vegetation.
Palm leaves act like flowers
Researchers discovered that palm leaves emit specific floral notes to attract pollinating weevils during the flowering season. This finding suggests a shift in flower-to-leaf function in plants, opening new questions about pollination system evolution.
What are 3-D spider webs for?
Researchers found that three-dimensional spider webs reduce predation by mud-dauber wasps, allowing spiders to thrive in safer environments. This escape from predation is accompanied by a significant increase in spider species diversity and abundance.
Studies dispute ultraviolet effect on amphibian population declines
Researchers found that dissolved organic matter protects most amphibian embryos from harmful levels of UV-B radiation in natural habitats. The studies suggest that the causes of amphibian population declines may be specific to each region and require a more nuanced approach.
Scripps’s Paul Dayton honored with Diving Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul Dayton, a renowned marine ecologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has received the Diving Lifetime Achievement Award for his groundbreaking research on coastal and estuarine habitats. His work, including over 500 dives in Antarctica, has significantly advanced our understanding of Antarctic undersea ecology.
UV radiation may not be a factor in amphibian declines
A recent study suggests that dissolved organic matter in water absorbs UV-B, protecting 85% of amphibian habitats. The timing of breeding also plays a crucial role, with early breeding reducing UV-B exposure in certain regions.
Slowing insect resistance to genetically modified crops
Mathematical theory explains how high dose/refuge strategy works, allowing farmers to protect crops in refuges. The analysis leads to unexpected results, including minimal impact of insecticides on refuge value for some Bt crops and pests.
Biodiversity conservation - no guarantee for shortcuts
A report highlights that protecting threatened and endemic species does not automatically ensure compliance with biodiversity conservation laws. The study found that this approach falls short in preserving other bird species, especially in their habitats of distribution.
Biodiversity hotspots, centres of endemicity, and the conservation of coral reefs
A new study reveals that coral reef biodiversity hotspots are not driven by local endemic species, but rather by the overlap of globally dispersed species. Conservation efforts should target both high and low biodiversity regions.
Study sheds light on mess in polluted streams
The study reveals how aluminum floc forms in polluted streams, binding to toxic metals and transporting them downstream, harming fish and other aquatic animals. Understanding the molecular pathways of this process may lead to practical solutions to prevent the reactions.
From parasitism to mutualism
A study by Johnstone and Bshary found that the threat of leaving by clients can prevent cleaners from exploiting them. In asymmetric interactions, this 'partner control' model matches existing data on cleaner and client behavior.
Ecological significance of tool-use in the woodpecker finch Cactospiza pallida
Woodpecker finches rely on tool use to extract food from bark and tree-holes in scarce environments, outperforming conventional foraging techniques. This unique adaptation allows them to acquire larger, high-energy prey.
LSU part of national Tree of Life effort
The LSU Museum of Natural Science is part of a $4 million grant to compare DNA sequences of 500 bird species. The goal is to understand the history of avian diversity and reconstruct the evolution of bird behavior, morphology, and ecology.
Genetic diversity necessary for optimal ecosystem functioning, according to UGA research
A UGA research study discovered that genetic diversity is vital for maintaining ecosystem balance. The study found that reduced genetic biodiversity affects an ecosystem's predictability and nutrient release, highlighting the importance of conserving both species and genetic diversity.
URI oceanographers study effects of harmful blooms and red tides on Narragansett Bay
Researchers will analyze data to predict and control harmful algal blooms and red tides in Narragansett Bay, affecting marine life and local aquaculture. The study aims to enhance understanding of bay ecology needed for effective management and use of resources.
Medicated ecosystems: Human drugs alter key aquatic organism
Research by Colleen Flaherty reveals pharmaceuticals can stunt growth and result in more male offspring in Daphnia, while combination effects can be lethal. The study highlights the need to consider multiple chemicals in assessing ecological impacts.
Beans and fungus may improve corn crop without expensive fertilizer
Researchers found that mycorrhizal fungi can increase nitrogen fixation in legumes, improving soil fertility for corn production. Legumes like lablab show promise as a solution to enhance soil fertility without fertilizers.
Harvard Medical School consortium receives grant to harness microbe genomes for environment/energy
The Harvard Medical School consortium aims to engineer microorganisms to handle hazardous chemical waste and produce energy sources. By studying the unique interactions of their proteins and interrelationships with their environments, scientists will develop cost-effective ways to clean up pollution and advance biological-based energy.
2002 ESA award winners
The Ecological Society of America honored its 2002 award winners for their contributions to ecology, including George Mercer Award recipient Jonathon Levine's innovative approach to managing invasive species. The Eugene P. Odum Education Award was given to Margaret Lowman for her work in ecology education and research.
'Rock-paper-scissors' preserves biodiversity in bacterial neighborhoods
Researchers found that the scale of interaction and dispersal is crucial to maintaining biodiversity in bacterial communities. Localizing these interactions helps preserve genetic diversity, allowing weaker competitors to persist over time.
Mooney to receive 2002 Blue Planet Prize in recognition of pioneering ecological research
Mooney recognized for his work in plant physiological ecology and conservation efforts, including creating new methods to quantify environmental impact on plants. He also established the Global Invasive Species Program to raise awareness of human activities' effects on ecosystems through species introductions.
Study offers a rare view of how species interactions evolve
Researchers found that the interaction between Lithophragma parviflorum and Greya politella is a rare example of coevolution in action, with outcomes ranging from mutualism to antagonism. The study highlights the importance of considering large geographic scales to understand how coevolution shapes biodiversity.
The greening of the North: real, and caused by climate change
Satellite observations show northern regions experiencing a 'greening' trend over the past two decades, with spring advancing by about a week and summer maximum leaf cover increasing. The LPJ model confirms this trend, attributing it to warming caused by climate change, while also highlighting other factors such as increased carbon dio...
Invading species have harder time cracking diverse plant communities
Researchers found that diverse plant communities are more effective at excluding invasive weeds due to complete utilization of space and limited resources. This implies that biodiversity can also provide local resistance to invasions.
National Research Council committee backs national underground lab
The National Research Council's Committee on the Physics of the Universe recommends a national underground science laboratory at Homestake Gold Mine in South Dakota. The facility will enable US scientists to conduct experiments in physics, geology, cosmology, and ecology, among other disciplines.
Men regain evolutionary driver’s seat
A recent study confirms that mutations are mainly caused by random errors in cell divisions, contradicting earlier estimates. The study found a low male-female mutation rate, especially in closely related species, but a high alpha in distantly related species, supporting the dominant role of males in driving evolution.
Farming inside forests hurts bird communities more than timber harvesting, study suggests
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that farming inside forests reduces bird diversity and nesting success compared to timber harvesting. The study's results suggest that small agricultural openings can have a significant impact on bird populations.
UMass science project enables schoolchildren to learn about plants grown in space
A UMass project allows students to study plant growth in space, simulating micro-gravity conditions and evaluating plant-growth chambers. The project uses closed-loop systems and computer software to teach students about biology, engineering, and ecology.
Jaguar conservation spotty
A recent study assesses the jaguar's long-term survival prospects and identifies priority areas for conservation. The researchers found that the big cats are likely to survive in 70% of their current range, with the Amazon Basin being a key region for protection.
US ecology dramatically altered by fertilizers and acid rain
A NASA-funded study reveals that ancient South American forests hold the key to understanding US ecosystems before the industrial revolution. The study finds complex organic compounds as the main form of nitrogen in unpolluted ecosystems, contradicting previous beliefs about inorganic nitrogen.
Darwin and the world’s first ecological experiment
Researchers have discovered an experiment conducted by George Sinclair, head gardener to the Duke of Bedford, in a garden at Woburn Abbey in South East England. The study investigated the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, which is currently a hot topic in ecology. The findings push back the link between commu...
South American forests offer glimpse of U.S. ecosystems before industrial revolution
A Princeton University study reveals that South American forests offer a glimpse into pre-industrial US ecosystems, showing complex organic compounds as the main form of nitrogen in unpolluted ecosystems. The findings suggest that high levels of inorganic nitrogen in the US are mainly due to acid rain and agricultural fertilizers.
Institute for research on children created
The Cornell Institute for Research on Children (CIRC) aims to bridge the gap between scientists and decision-makers. CIRC will conduct multidisciplinary research on policy-relevant questions related to children, informing better-informed decisions.
Bacterial communities found to follow water
Researchers found that bacteria in desert soil migrate towards water, not just light, and return to subsurface after drying out. This discovery has significant implications for understanding underground microbial ecology and potentially locating life on Mars.
Changes in Lake Erie fish population suggest lake's recovery
The study found that while some economically important species like walleye and smallmouth bass decline, others like black crappie and common carp increase in abundance. The researchers conclude that ecosystem recovery is a positive sign, despite trade-offs in managing for certain species.
Magazine article by Rutgers researcher details revival of life after deep-sea volcanic eruption
A Rutgers researcher discovered the rapid revival of life around hydrothermal vents on the Pacific Ocean floor after a lava flow appeared to exterminate it. Over 500 new species have been found at these sites, including unique organisms like giant tube worms and hairy Pompeii worms.
ESA Corporate Award winner 2001: Weyerhaeuser Company Limited British Columbia Coastal Forest Project Team
The project, initiated in 1997, incorporates multiple viewpoints from the scientific, corporate, and environmental communities to balance ecology and economics in forestry management. The team's approach has formed notable partnerships and is regarded as a model for others striving to achieve this balance.
Across the countryside: How ecology predicts the movement of parasites and disease
Researchers explore how ecological principles, such as the dilution effect, predict the movement of parasites and diseases in various ecosystems. Studies examine the impact of animal diversity on disease transmission, with findings highlighting the importance of community diversity in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Paul Ehrlich named Eminent Ecologist for 2001
Paul Ehrlich was named Eminent Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) in 2001. The award recognizes his groundbreaking work on population biology and coevolution. Ehrlich is a leader in developing conservation biology as a discipline.
ESA announces award winners for 2001
The Ecological Society of America honored outstanding researchers with awards, including the Murray F. Buell Award to Jennifer Klug and David Lytle, and the W. S. Cooper Award to Thomas Swetnam and Julio Betancourt for their work on climate variability in the American Southwest.
Global warming linked to increase of tick-borne encephalitis in Sweden
Tick-borne encephalitis incidence in Sweden has increased since the mid-1980s, with mild winters and early spring favouring tick activity being key contributors. Climate change is also linked to changes in host animal populations and access to vaccination.
New study shows bison don’t favor groomed roads in Yellowstone National Park
A recent study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management reveals that bison do not favor using groomed roads for traveling, contrary to a long-held assumption. In fact, most bison travel less than 1 kilometer on groomed terrain and instead follow natural corridors and streambanks.
Carbon sequestration: seeing the forest for its trees
A study published in Ecology found that interplanting eucalyptus with nitrogen-fixing trees, such as albizia, increases carbon sequestration in soil. This practice has the potential to significantly impact global efforts to measure and promote carbon sequestration in tropical tree plantations.
Getting the lead out
Researchers at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory have successfully developed a compound that aids in the extraction of certain underground contaminants, including lead. The new chemical compound targets specific reactive fractions of the soil and can be used in pump-and-treat extraction methods to enhance removal efficiency.
SourceDOE/Savannah River Ecology Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 18, 2000
Population growth and the environment
A new analysis found that population growth affects coastal ecosystems in a particularly damaging way, threatening endangered species. The study used data from the US Forest Service and climate data to identify areas most at risk.
Ecologist wins international award
Dr. Justin Congdon, a senior ecologist, has won the 2000 Longevity Prize for his groundbreaking research on Blanding's turtles, demonstrating traits that support evolutionary theory better than senescence theory. He will receive 100,000 French francs and deliver a lecture based on his work.
New center seeks environment-friendly growth
The National Center for Eco-Industrial Development aims to facilitate job growth and sustainable industrial expansion in economically distressed communities. The new center will encourage industrial ecology, establish eco-industrial parks and expand the use of processes to maximize communities' development potential.
Ecology of Infectious Diseases grants jointly announced by National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation
The NIH-NSF Ecology of Infectious Diseases initiative aims to understand ecological relationships between human-induced environmental changes and infectious disease emergence. The research projects will study the effects of habitat destruction, biological invasion, and pollution on disease risks in humans and animals.
Five Rutgers professors named fellows of national science association
Rutgers University has five faculty members recognized as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for their outstanding research and achievements in various fields. Jolie Cizewski, Joan Ehrenfeld, Doina Ganea, Paul Kantor, and Thomas Rudel were cited by AAAS for their contributions to physics, ecology,...