Partners in Amphibians and Reptile Conservation (PARC) received an Environmental Merit Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 4. The organization, formed in 1999, has made significant contributions to long-term conservation of amphibians, reptiles, and their habitats through public/private partnerships.
A new field of ecology explores how humans influence urban ecosystems, raising questions about accountability and stewardship. Cities are increasingly recognized as significant ecological systems with diverse conditions, energy-intensive operations, and a substantial ecological footprint.
The article highlights the growing crisis of reptile extinction, citing habitat loss, invasive species, and human activities as major threats. Dr. Whit Gibbons' research suggests that reptiles are in greater danger of extinction than amphibians due to similar but more severe impacts from environmental factors.
A recent study by Dr. Whit Gibbons has discovered the smallest and youngest non-hatchling Blanding's turtle ever recorded, just two and a half inches long and four years old. The finding highlights the importance of understanding the species' life cycle and habitat needs to inform conservation efforts.
Researchers at Cornell University found that larger lakes have longer food chains than smaller ones, contrary to previous assumptions about energy availability. The study suggests that the size of an ecosystem, not energy levels, constrains food-chain length.
The Ecological Society of America has released three new publications on biodiversity, biotic invasions, and forest management. The reports provide insights into how changes in ecosystems affect productivity, stability, and environmental damage. The ESA also offers expert advice for managing U.S. National Forests sustainably.
A new study reveals that North America does not absorb as much carbon dioxide as it emits, contradicting long-held assumptions. The research found that natural processes can only account for a small fraction of the released carbon dioxide, highlighting the complexity of climate change.
Prof Hugh Possingham, a renowned population ecologist, has been awarded the inaugural Fenner Medal for his groundbreaking work in applied and pure theoretical ecology. His research has significantly impacted environmental conservation efforts in Australia and globally.
Scientists developed a theoretical model of food web organization based on two simple rules, revealing deep similarities between diverse ecosystems. The 'niche model' accurately predicts 12 characteristics of food webs, surpassing the cascade model's predictions.
Research suggests that urea from urban and agricultural runoff may trigger or sustain harmful algal blooms found off California's coast. The study found that a specific type of algae, Lingulodinium polyedrum, prefers urea over other nutrients.
The symposium focuses on microbial evolution, genetics, and ecology, shedding light on the complexity of life and its applications in biotechnology. Key areas of research include mutation mechanisms, antibiotic resistance, and plant microbiome interactions.
Scientists studying amphibian decline are exploring the role of pathogens like iridovirus and chytrid fungus in causing mass extinctions. The project, funded by a $3 million grant, aims to develop an integrative approach combining expertise from various fields.
A study by Harvard University's Richard Forman estimates that US roads directly affect the ecology of nearly 20% of U.S. land, blocking animal migrations and spreading non-native species. Traffic noise also reduces bird populations, making it harder for them to communicate with their young.
The University of Victoria has established a research chair to study ecological processes contributing to safe drinking water. The chair will evaluate watershed management activities, supply operations, and food chain changes to optimize water quality and minimize treatment costs.
Researchers find that African ants' pruning behavior increases colony life span, but harms host trees, sparking debate on ecological partnerships. The study sheds light on why weaker competitors can persist in diverse ecosystems.
Biologists predict that global warming and pollution will lead to more frequent die-offs of sea life, with diseases such as distemper and herpes virus spreading among marine organisms. The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary research to understand the impacts of climate change on ocean epidemics.
Sixty experts agree that half of the world's turtle species are at risk of extinction due to human consumption. The main causes of decline are linked to ecological change, while exploitation drives 50% of threatened turtles to extinction.
Coral reefs are experiencing extensive bleaching due to gradual warming of ocean temperatures. A new study found that heat damage to symbiotic algae is degrading their ability to convert light into utilizable energy. The damaged algae, including the D1 protein, impair photosynthesis and lead to coral expulsion.
The latest Ecology journal edition examines the survival of Yellowstone grizzly bears, which remain threatened despite intensive management. Ferns also play a crucial role in determining forest composition by filtering tree growth rates. Earthworms shed light on plant responses to climate change through their nutrient-rich castings.
Cornell undergraduate students are using ethnobotany techniques to query Indian informants about plants with antibacterial properties, performing chemical extractions and bioassays. The research efforts have implications for discovering new drugs and preserving ancient lands.
The University of Georgia and the Ukrainian government have signed an agreement to establish a permanent International Radioecology Laboratory in Chornobyl, Ukraine. The laboratory will focus on studying the biological and ecological impacts of radioactive fallout from the 1986 nuclear accident.
Research at Johns Hopkins University suggests that fur traders' hunting habits may have changed the local ecosystem, altering stream flow and vegetation. The study aims to understand how human activities affect natural resources and inform future development plans.
A Cornell University study found that 40% of world deaths can be attributed to environmental factors. The study highlights the impact of organic and chemical pollutants, climate change, and emerging diseases on human health.
Researchers investigated beaver pond succession and its impact on waterfowl productivity, finding that ponds in the old active stage created the most valuable habitat for waterfowl broods. Beaver ponds also support a wide range of bird species, including marsh and song birds.
A permanent international radioecology laboratory was established in Chernobyl to study the effects of radiation on wildlife and ecosystems. The lab aims to dispel myths about life in radioactive environments, revealing a thriving ecosystem with subtle yet significant impacts.
A Colorado State University study found that irrigated agricultural crops and landscaping can produce local cooling, potentially exceeding global warming predictions. This leads to cooler temperatures, increased moisture, and altered tree distribution patterns in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The report highlights the problems caused by nonpoint source pollution, including eutrophication, which can lead to fish kills, coral reef destruction, and shellfish poisoning. The report provides solutions, such as reducing fertilizer applications, improving sewer systems, and restoring wetlands.
The symposium will cover various aspects of food safety associated with fresh fruits and vegetables, including outbreaks, international trade, industry initiatives, and microbial ecology. The event aims to discuss intervention strategies and future directions in fresh produce safety assurance.
Industrial ecology focuses on sustainable development, encouraging recycling, reuse, and upcycling. Graedel advocates for dematerialization, reduced energy intensity, and mining residue recovery to minimize environmental impact.
The Pennsylvania Sea Grant will focus on extension, education, and communications, monitoring the ecology of Lake Erie's coast and Presque Isle peninsula. Studies will address non-point source pollution, invasive species, and environmentally friendly manufacturing development.
The AAAS awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to science, including Peter H. Raven for his service to ecology and sustainability, and Bert Richard Johannes Bolin for his leadership in international research programs on climate change. The winners of the 1997-1998 AAAS Science Journalism Awards will be an...
The report examines residents' fears about wolf interactions with livestock, humans, and the native deer population. Despite these concerns, states with wolves have minimal livestock losses, highlighting a more nuanced understanding of wolf ecology.
Researchers at the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech are conducting X-ray research at Brookhaven National Laboratory to reduce iron and other trace metals in paper-making processes. The goal is to lower costs, reduce water use and environmental discharges in the pulp and paper industry.
A comprehensive 23-year study of the Kibale rain forest in Uganda reveals that heavy logging severely reduces species diversity and hinders forest recovery. Sustainable logging is only viable if tree falls are spaced far apart, limited to large trees, and harvested with minimal machinery.
The review paper reviews powerful computational tools in studying ecology, genetics and evolution, infectious diseases and immunology. Computational biologists use models to understand the behavior of entire systems, mediated by smaller and larger scales.
Scientists are examining population sizes using new statistical methods to determine if they're constant or fluctuating. The study aims to understand the causes of worldwide amphibian decline, which remains a mystery.
Ecological economists suggest that economic growth is unsustainable and must be rethought to prioritize sustainability. The field of ecological economics aims to minimize growth while improving quality of life by exploring new strategies to reach sustainable social and economic systems.
Ecological researchers highlight gaps in evidence on biocontrol's safety record, citing potential ecological risks. The use of biological control methods in agriculture is being reevaluated due to concerns over environmental harm, but research suggests it can be an effective solution for certain pest problems.
Researchers discovered that the millipede Polyxenus fasciculatus uses its rear to confront ants and other attackers, employing a complex defense mechanism involving detachable bristles with barbed hooks. The bristle tufts can entangle predators, making it difficult for them to escape.
Researchers found that native aquatic plants hyperaccumulate contaminants in their tissue, transforming toxic metal forms into benign ones. Turtle shell fragments serve as sensitive biomonitors of uranium, nickel, selenium, and arsenic contamination, enabling environmental risk assessment and remediation project evaluation.