Researchers developed a statistical method to predict disease reemergence, particularly for preventable childhood infections like measles and pertussis. The model analyzes subtle changes in reported cases to identify early warning signals for emerging diseases.
Research by Caroline Ng'weno and colleagues suggests that strategic placement of cattle corrals can create glades that attract zebras, reducing encounters between lions and hartebeest. This approach could lead to an increase in hartebeest populations, while lions focus on their primary prey.
Assistant professor Bala Chaudhary's research aims to understand how symbiotic plant microbes disperse at large continental scales. The project will use data from the National Ecological Observatory Network and analyze soil samples using DNA sequencing to determine eco-climatic predictors of mycorrhizal communities.
A collaboration between astrophysicists, conservationists, and ecologists is using drone technology with thermal-imaging cameras to count orangutans. The method has proven successful in detecting the great apes in the Bornean forest canopy, even at night or in fog.
Researchers found that a warming winter climate has led to a 41% increase in woody vegetation on protected areas, altering the rate of marsh to upland conversion and accelerating island erosion. The study provides new insights into the ecological and geomorphic processes occurring on Virginia's barrier islands.
A new study found that small-scale land use can significantly improve biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes, even with minimal non-crop habitat.
A new study reveals that one-third of pollinator species have declined in distribution across Great Britain, while others remain stable or show inconclusive trends. However, an unexpected positive finding is the increase in key bee species responsible for pollinating flowering crops.
Researchers found that populations with high HIV/AIDS prevalence are more susceptible to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections due to frequent antibiotic use. This increases the risk of drug-resistant diseases, posing a serious public health threat worldwide.
Ecologists at the University of Arizona identified a tradeoff between water use and reproduction that allows winter desert plants to survive. The study found that plants conserving water and growing slowly, or spending water by tracking rainfall, are best balanced along this tradeoff.
Researchers discovered a bacterium in camel crickets that breaks down lignin, opening new pathways for biofuel production and chemical manufacturing. The study highlights the value of ecosystem analysis in identifying commercially valuable microorganisms with industrial applications.
A new framework for global species monitoring has been developed to improve tracking of biodiversity trends worldwide. The framework, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, aims to address the 'woefully inadequate' current information on species populations and ecosystems.
Researchers discovered that the removal of large carnivores like leopards and hyenas led to an expansion of antelope species into open plains. Reintroducing these predators reversed this effect, causing antelopes to retreat to wooded areas, while plants flourished in their absence.
A seven-year study found that translocating bighorn sheep in Arizona increased genetic diversity without eroding ancestral lineage. The research suggests that targeted translocations can maintain or enhance genetic outcomes, contrary to previous studies indicating 'genetic bottlenecks'.
A new EU Pilot Project will monitor butterfly population trends across Europe to assess the health of the environment and inform EU biodiversity and agricultural policies. The project, ABLE, aims to build on existing data from thousands of volunteers in 11 EU countries and expand monitoring to cover at least eight additional countries.
A study by the University of Wyoming research team found strong population genetic structure among California mountain lions, with some populations exhibiting extremely low levels of genetic diversity. This highlights the need for conservation efforts to prevent further fragmentation and ensure connectivity among habitats.
Scientists will investigate soil carbon formation, stabilization, and loss with a £1.8 million grant from the Natural Environment Research Council. The study aims to quantify increases in soil carbon storage that can mitigate climate change and improve global food security.
A research study published in Ecology Letters found that plants using a mix of chemical compounds for defense are more effective at deterring insect pests than those relying on single compounds. The type of bouquet matters, with blends having multiple defensive chemicals reducing damage by up to 37%.
A new online calculator and guidance aid farmers in designing woodlands to recapture airborne ammonia emissions from farming, reducing air pollution. The tool, developed by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, estimates the percentage of ammonia that will be recaptured by different planting options.
A new study reveals that animal movements can trigger direct or indirect feedback effects altering landscapes' capacity to absorb or release carbon. This integration of animal ecology and remote sensing can improve predictions and management of carbon cycling across ecosystems.
Researchers have identified a methyltransferase enzyme that enables wheat plants to adapt their defense response to different herbivores. The discovery reveals the multifunctional role of benzoxazinoids in regulating defense mechanisms, including the regulation of callose production to block aphid feeding.
Researchers at Yale University discovered genetic variants linked to DNA repair, immune response, and cancer suppression in giant tortoises that enable them to live over 100 years. These findings provide new insights into aging research and could lead to breakthroughs in human health.
A team of scientists found that herbivory has a complex relationship with plant diversity, but is crucial for maintaining biodiversity when dominant species are present. In some grasslands, herbivores help regulate the growth of fast-growing plants and promote smaller, slower-growing species.
A study of European shag diet composition found a dramatic shift from sandeel to other fish species, with potential implications for survival and population trends. Climate change may be driving this shift, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to mitigate its effects.
Researchers from the University of Barcelona used chironomid subfossils to reconstruct Holocene temperatures in the Iberian Peninsula, showing a rise in temperatures during the Holocene Climate Optimum and a decline after its onset. The study provides a promising tool for understanding climate evolution and natural changes.
A new study published in Nature journal Scientific Data highlights the role of citizen scientists in tracking the spread of invasive species. The UK Ladybird Survey mapped 48,510 observations of the harlequin ladybird over a decade, showing its rapid spread across England and Wales.
A study published in Ecology tracked seed movement using electrical engineering and mathematical models, predicting colonization and establishment patterns for 50 prairie plant species. The researchers found their estimates accurately predicted the likelihood of colonization and spatial establishment patterns across abandoned fields.
Unicellular diatoms demonstrate primitive behavioral biology by choosing between nutrient sources and mating partners. Researchers found that cells move towards pheromones or food depending on hunger level, influencing biofilm dynamics.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a three-year, $500,000 National Science Foundation award to develop an innovative graduate education model for training diverse student populations in environmental science and ecology. The program, ASSIST, will provide holistic mentoring, scientific writing, and public science commun...
Researchers found that desert ants can learn multiple food odors in a short time and retain them throughout their lives. In contrast, they require repeated exposure to learn a single nest odor and may forget it quickly after removal from the nest. These findings suggest different memory processes for food and nest-related cues.
A new study suggests that insect pollinators and plants that have survived agricultural intensification are more likely to survive future environmental changes due to their ability to withstand stresses. These species include common weed species like brambles and thistles, as well as generalist pollinators that can feed on a wide varie...
A recent study published in Biotropica investigates collaboration among scientists in tropical ecology, revealing an increase in international collaboration and representation of tropically-based scientists. The study analyzed years' worth of articles to look for changes in author affiliations and found that more scientists from tropic...
A new grant will support research on intermittent, or not continuously flowing, streams across the southern United States. The project aims to understand how climate and biological factors affect stream ecosystems when they dry, and develop a large-scale framework to analyze environmental changes.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have found substances that accumulate in plant leaves when mycorrhizal fungi successfully colonize roots, providing a new tool for studying fungal associations and breeding programs. The discovery has significant implications for global phosphate resources and food production.
A new Yale study examines the role of 'natural enemies' in promoting tropical species diversity. However, findings suggest that disparities in enemy susceptibility can make communities less stable. The research contradicts a long-held hypothesis, highlighting the need for alternative explanations.
A University of Oklahoma professor will lead a coordinated research project studying the ecology of US streams that dry, with funding from the National Science Foundation. The study aims to understand how stream drying affects aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity across different climates.
A new study reveals severe declines in mountain hare populations on Scottish grouse moors, with numbers decreasing by nearly 5% every year from 1954 to 1999. The decline accelerated dramatically between 1999 and 2017, with counts in 2017 showing less than one percent of original levels.
Researchers from the University of Turku and University of Palermo studied the ecology of investors in financial markets using actual data. The study found that groups of investors form interlinked clusters and are connected to strategy usage, which affects market volatility.
A new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution exposes connections between tax havens, deforestation, and illegal fishing. On average, 68% of foreign capital to Amazon rainforest sectors was transferred through tax havens, while 70% of IUU fishing vessels were flagged under a tax haven jurisdiction.
A University of Montana ecology professor and researchers have tracked shifting North American habitats to identify climate corridors. The study found routes along north-south trending passes and mountain ranges, which are often circuitous and poorly captured by existing conservation strategies.
A research coordination network is being developed to improve understanding of intermittent rivers' ecology and hydrology. The network, led by OU biologist Daniel Allen, will synthesize existing data on US intermittent rivers to study their structure and function.
Researchers from Harvard University and others demonstrated that deep learning can identify animal images with 99.3% accuracy, automating a laborious process. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like wildlife ecology and conservation.
A 19-year analysis of forest ecology reveals that high rodent densities and low predator populations contribute to increased Lyme disease risk. Acorn production also plays a significant role, as high abundance boosts rodent numbers and increases infected nymphal tick populations.
Researchers have shed new light on the previously known geographical range of the extinct Carolina parakeet, a species officially declared extinct in 1920. The study provides unprecedented information on the bird's range and offers a window into its past ecology.
A new review suggests that lion conservation research should consider the environment, wild prey, and domesticated livestock to develop effective policies. Interdisciplinary research teams with expertise in biology, ecology, economics, sociology, and more can help address the complex issue of human-lion conflict.
A team of researchers has found that plant dispersal ability is linked to their life cycles, with faster life histories resulting in greater seed dispersal distances. This understanding can inform our knowledge of global changes and landscape fragmentation's impact on biodiversity.
Meredith McClure's research uses circuit theory and least-cost path models to predict animal movement patterns, finding that circuit theory is more effective for wolverine dispersal while least-cost path models are better for elk migrations. This work informs conservation efforts by providing more accurate wildlife corridor maps.
Researchers from IGB and international colleagues found that energy efficiency in lake ecosystems is lower than assumed, with only 10% of energy remaining after each trophic transfer. This discovery opens new possibilities for investigating aquatic ecosystems using size distribution as a tool.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara community ecologist Keenan Stears examines how hippos shape the ecology of freshwater ecosystems. The research found that high-density hippo pools with excess nutrients cause dissolved oxygen levels to decline, leading to a decline in fish diversity and abundance.
The article explores four key strategies to prevent environmental generational amnesia, which can accelerate environmental degradation. Coral reef restoration is also discussed, highlighting the importance of herbivory, reducing coral predation, and promoting algae-farming fishes. Additionally, passive acoustic monitoring in freshwater...
A team of researchers analyzed effective population size measures to reveal crucial considerations for recovering the southern sea otter population. The findings highlight the importance of accurate estimates to ensure species recovery.
Researchers are rethinking microbial ecology, arguing that niche is more important than names. Microbes have many ways to get energy, and co-exist in redundant systems. The study's findings have major implications for interpreting changes in microbial communities, predicting health, and understanding environmental perturbations.
Researchers at Linköping University developed new methods to predict ecological roles of species in ecosystems. They found that a species' environment influences its role, particularly in predator-prey interactions. The study focuses on marine ecosystems but may inspire research on land-based habitats.
A one-degree temperature increase led to drastic changes in Lake Hazen's ecology, including increased glacial meltwater and fine sediment, affecting light penetration and biological productivity. The findings document an unprecedented shift in the lake's ecosystem, challenging scientists' expectations of its response to climate warming.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara marine biologists shows that female purple sea urchins can condition their offspring to withstand stress induced by low pH levels, commonly caused by ocean acidification. The researchers found that the females' exposure to stressful conditions resulted in harder and larger offspring.
A themed issue in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B gathers researchers exploring collective movement ecology, merging movement ecology and collective animal behavior. New technologies and data from wild groups are being integrated to inform conservation decision-making.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that activity in specific brain areas correlates with different behaviors in female Manduca sexta. The study identified a functional atlas of the antennal lobe, which is linked to feeding behavior, whereas other areas are related to egg-laying.
Researchers at Colorado State University explore how climate change impacts the evolution of organisms and propose a novel approach to understanding eco-evolutionary feedback dynamics. The study suggests that evolutionary changes in response to climate change may accelerate or mediate the warming trend.
The study explores ways to improve compatibility between livestock grazing and fish habitat in the Blue Mountains. New approaches, such as range riders and flexible on and off dates for livestock, emerged from stakeholder conversations.
A study found that nursery stock availability and homeowner preferences significantly influence the diversity of tree species in the Salt Lake Valley. The researchers collected data from over 15,000 trees in six neighborhoods with different median home ages and household incomes.
A Montana State University ecologist has received a prestigious Swedish professorship to further his research on predator-prey relationships and conservation of Africa's top carnivores. The award allows him to collaborate with experts in molecular ecology and explore how human activities isolate ecosystems.