A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that protecting bald eagle nests from human disturbance increased breeding activity and led to a 37% rise in breeding pairs. The research, conducted at Voyageurs National Park, used a modeling framework to analyze data on nest occupancy, success, and reproductive output.
The researcher will create computer models to evaluate national and regional forest management policies and their impact on ecology, economy, and society. The goal is to provide information for improved forest stewardship in a changing world.
The new book highlights scientific advances and emerging opportunities for targeted research, focusing on key questions to improve management effectiveness. World-renowned experts discuss the biology, ecology, and early life stages of COTS, emphasizing the need for improved knowledge to prevent outbreaks.
Researchers used genetic barcoding to identify and quantify fish larvae in a coral reef ecosystem, revealing species distribution and dispersal patterns. The study solved several mysteries, including the invasion of a puffer fish into the Mediterranean, and provided new insights into the ecology of the reefs.
Researchers at Yale University have reestimated African deforestation, finding a 21.7% loss of closed-canopy forests since 1900. The study highlights the importance of focusing conservation efforts in areas with actual deforestation rather than incorrectly labelled savannas.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that men infected with one type of HPV are 20 times more likely to be reinfected within a year. Vaccination before sexual contact is crucial in preventing initial infection, while vaccinating previously infected men could also reduce reinfection risk.
Climate change is altering Scotland's seabirds' diet, with European Shags increasing their diversity of fish prey. Warmer waters signal changes in sandeel availability and hunting habits, potentially impacting conservation efforts.
New research suggests that plant respiration could be up to 30% higher than previously estimated, leading to reduced ability of the Earth's land surface to absorb fossil fuel-related emissions. This finding has significant implications for modeling carbon cycles and understanding the impact of climate change.
A new special issue of Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology investigates the environmental, energy, and health impacts of additive manufacturing. The research reveals that while 3D printing offers local production and zero-waste potential, its environmental performance depends on machine usage patterns and material configurations.
A bacterium in a species of leaf beetles provides the beetle with enzymes required to break down certain plant cell wall components. The symbiotic bacteria reside in special organs near the gut and have the smallest genome ever sequenced outside a host cell.
Researchers created detailed photomosaics of the coral reef at Palmyra Atoll, discovering non-random clustering and a link between coral growth and reproductive strategy. The findings have implications for coral reef management and conservation.
Scientists will investigate the variation in benefits of plant-bacteria symbioses in California, focusing on evolution, ecology, and genetics. The five-year Dimensions of Biodiversity award aims to develop a predictive framework for understanding these interactions.
Research reveals significant changes in bird communities due to climate change and land use in northern Europe. Species composition is shifting with some gaining range while others lose it, leading to new community compositions.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that inmates who viewed nature videos committed 26 percent fewer violent infractions than their peers. The study showed that exposure to nature, even through images, can have a positive impact on prisoners' behavior.
The BMC Ecology Image Competition 2017 has produced a diverse array of winning and highly commended images showcasing pressing issues in ecology. The competition highlights the intersection of art and science, with images capturing intricate species interactions, conservation efforts, and natural processes.
Marine biologists analyzed three dolphin species' diets, revealing overlap in feeding ecology despite differences in hunting strategies. The research provides valuable insights for conservation and management of dolphin populations worldwide.
A new study applies a maximum entropy theory of ecology to describe natural systems and communities without light-limitation parameters. The model, called MaxEnt, uses coarse information to derive detailed distributions and accurately describes ecological patterns.
Scientists discover dodder parasite transmits insect feeding-induced signals among different hosts, triggering defense reactions in neighboring plants. The parasitic plant's vascular system connects with its hosts, enabling the transfer of warning signals.
Researchers developed a modeling framework that quantifies the economic value of nature's ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, food, and paper. The framework helps determine how to protect biodiversity by managing ecosystem services, balancing current costs with future risks of losing critical species.
Researchers found that Scots pine benefits from beech presence in forest with high rainfall, while beeches adapt to dry conditions by increasing water efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of considering species complementarity and climate in managing mixed forests.
A growing number of businesses and governments have adopted the circular economy framework, aiming to keep resources in use for longer. The Journal of Industrial Ecology special issue explores the concept's complexities and opportunities, including product design methods, social forces, and challenges of implementing circularity efforts.
A recent study explores the species-area relationship and volume-species relation, finding that higher canopies are associated with more plant species due to increased biospace. This correlation is observed across different climate zones, suggesting a fundamental role in ecology.
Researchers from Rutgers University and international collaborators introduce the SYMPHY framework, which classifies life based on symbiotic relationships. This new approach could lead to breakthroughs in environmental issues, sustainable agriculture, and human health.
Researchers from Netherlands Institute of Ecology launch a new approach to studying extreme climatic events and their long-term impact on nature. The study highlights the difficulty in predicting consequences due to varying species responses, but also identifies key areas for future research.
A study led by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology finds that global warming is responsible for tripling of extreme West African Sahel storms in the last 35 years. Climate change will increase the risk of more frequent and severe flooding, as well as poor sanitation-related diseases in West African cities.
A gene in wild tobacco regulates the production of bergamotene, which increases pollination success and protects against herbivory. The compound is emitted at night to attract nocturnal pollinators, such as Manduca sexta moths.
Research published in Infection and Immunity found that Giardia infection changed the mouse microbiome, leading to more aerobic bacteria and less diversity of anaerobic species. The study suggests that Giardia may be an ecological disease that disrupts the gut's stable ecology.
Researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology discovered that micro-organisms, including bacteria and fungi, use terpenes to hold conversations. Terpenes are the most popular chemical medium for communication on the planet.
Researchers found that saber-toothed cats suffered more frequent injuries than dire wolves due to their solo hunting style, which likely involved ambushing large prey at short distances. The study analyzed over 35,000 bones and found that 4.3% of saber-toothed cat bones showed trauma.
A new study finds that tropical lowland frogs are more vulnerable to climate change due to their limited ability to tolerate high temperatures. In contrast, high-elevation species may be better buffered against temperature increases.
The study reveals a significant increase in ecological and environmental citizen science projects over the past four decades, with a diversification of approaches driven by advances in technology. From structured monitoring to 'mass participation' projects using smartphones, citizen science is becoming increasingly popular and accessible.
Ecologists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have led a study that informs optimal strategies for controlling devastating midge-borne diseases like bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus. The model predicts that timing insecticide treatments over the Autumn midge peak has the greatest effect on population suppression.
A PhD student is conducting research on the Australian night parrot, a cryptic and nocturnal species from arid Australia. Preliminary data suggests low breeding success rates, but the project aims to improve conservation efforts through studies of ecology and survival in arid landscapes.
Researchers tracked over 1,600 bumblebee families and discovered that access to high-quality food resources is vital for their survival. The study suggests that environmentally-friendly management of farmland can increase the probability of family survival by up to four times.
The Fine-Root Ecology Database (FRED) brings together information on plant root traits and associated data from around the world, containing over 70,000 observations. This centralized online resource aims to predict how plants may change under various conditions, advancing our understanding of below-ground ecology.
A new analysis published in BioScience found that long-term ecological studies are more frequently cited and important for informing policy decisions. The study suggests that funding agencies should prioritize long-term research to advance the science of ecology and support management and policy recommendations.
A team of UCLA researchers has developed a mathematical equation that relates leaf mass per area to leaf structure, providing insights into how cells drive plant behaviors. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding plant productivity and tolerance to climate change.
The Ecological Society of America recognizes Diana Harrison Wall, Kathleen Weathers, and Debra Peters with the Eminent Ecologist Award, Eugene P. Odum Award for Excellence in Ecology Education, and Distinguished Service Citation, respectively, for their outstanding contributions to ecology.
A team of researchers found that captive breeding efforts were unnecessary if hunting controls had been implemented to save the species. The study dispels the theory that the Passenger Pigeon underwent functional extinction before its actual extinction in the early 20th century.
A UK-based Centre for Ecology & Hydrology study has devised a scientific model to help predict the spread of Xylella fastidiosa, a deadly pathogen threatening Europe's olive trees. The model suggests that wider buffer zones can reduce infection risk but may not stop the spread completely due to disease-spreading insects.
A new framework developed by the University of Queensland has improved the accuracy of biodiversity models in ecology, conservation biology, and global change research. The framework assesses species interactions and detects higher-order interactions that were previously overlooked.
Researchers used 'resurrection ecology' to revive and study Daphnia, a freshwater crustacean. They found that sensitivity to copper and cadmium increased as heavy metal levels rose in lakes, challenging evolutionary theory.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that roads trigger rapid evolutionary changes in wild populations, with some species adapting to pollutants and others becoming maladapted. This shift is transforming scientists' views of the biological impacts of roads on ecosystems.
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 at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have developed a new technique to visualize molecular distributions on rippled, hairy, or bulgy surfaces. The 'corrective glass' method uses laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) to correct for surface topography and provide accurate chemical imaging.
A European research team discovered that when restoring nature, initial soil communities lack strong links between organisms. However, with time, these connections strengthen, enabling a diverse plant community to thrive. Fungi are found to drive this process, storing and using nutrients more efficiently.
A new species of lobopodian, Ovatiovermis cribratus, has been discovered in the Burgess Shale, providing insights into the ecology and relationship of these ancient creatures. The discovery reveals that strong recurved claws may have allowed them to anchor themselves on hard surfaces and filter food from water.
Researchers created genetically modified fruit flies containing reconstructed ancient genes to study the evolutionary effects of genetic changes. They found that the accepted wisdom about the molecular causes of the flies' evolution is incorrect, challenging a classic example of adaptation.
A new study found that increased levels of soluble phosphorus in rivers entering Lake Erie may be linked to conservation measures, despite their success in reducing soil erosion and nutrient losses. The research highlights the need for adaptive management approaches to tackle both soluble and particulate phosphorus losses from farmland.
A new type of 'tag' on whales allows researchers to record data every second for hours, days, and weeks at a time, providing insights into whale ecology, behavior, and interactions with prey. The technology has turned whales into scientific partners to help understand ocean conditions and climate change.
Researchers found that juvenile IGF-1 concentrations predict heavier weight, greater survival to reproductive maturity and earlier birth, but also shorter adult lifespans. Measuring IGF-1 during the first year of life can be used to predict later-life traits in wild mammals.
The winter floods of 2015/2016 in the UK were the most extreme on record, with record peak flows at several rivers and a estimated insurance bill of over £1.3 billion. The floods affected 16,000 properties in England, causing life-changing financial losses and incredible stress to those impacted.
A team of researchers led by Alena Gsell tested four statistical indicators to predict regime shifts in lakes. While some indicators showed promise, predicting crisis points was not always successful. Collecting more frequent and advanced data could improve early warning systems for lake ecosystems.
The new facility will enable researchers to analyze individual molecule isotopes as fingerprints of biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere processes. The stable isotope mass spectrometer systems will provide cutting-edge capabilities for studying ecology, environment and energy research.
Researchers linked changing sea ice to shifting beluga whale migration patterns over two decades, finding whales adapt to varying sea ice conditions. Continued reductions in sea ice may result in increased predation and shifts in behavior, impacting population viability and ecosystem structure.
Researchers used a new approach to measure metabolic diversity in various plant tissues, revealing distinct profiles for each tissue. The study identified specific genes regulating the biosynthesis of ecologically-important secondary metabolites, shedding light on how plants modulate their metabolite accumulation at the organ level.
Research reveals that prior social associations during food search carry over into shaping breeding locations and future environmental conditions for wild great tits. Spatial structure during breeding is underpinned by these social connections, which can have population-level effects.
Yale researchers argue that most climate change ecology research focuses on single variables and trophic levels, leading to incomplete and inaccurate predictions. A more complex, integrative approach is needed to explore interactions between food web components and accurately predict ecosystem responses to climate change.
A study published in Journal of Applied Ecology found that juvenile desert tortoises released into habitat with vegetation, rocks, and animal burrows had lower mortality rates. The researchers also discovered that tortoises on rocky ground were less likely to disperse away from their release site.
Recent studies on plant polyploidy have shed light on its significance in shaping plant diversity and ecology. The special issue in American Journal of Botany highlights the latest developments and research in the field, including the origins of polyploidy, evolutionary consequences, and impacts on plant ecology.