Researchers identified 100 undisturbed reefs with potential to provide coral larvae to damaged areas, promoting regional recovery. Effective local protection is crucial to support this ecosystem's resilience.
Researchers at Northeastern University are working to bridge the 'practice science gap' by connecting practitioners with biodiversity research. The goal is to improve restoration project outcomes by applying scientific knowledge to practical implementation.
Researchers found that sharks alter the feeding behavior of algae-eating fish, affecting where seaweeds grow on Fijian coral reefs. This change creates a trophic cascade, with seaweed flourishing on top of the reef during high tide when predators are present.
Researchers at Caltech have characterized the adaptations of Mono Lake flies, enabling them to crawl underwater without getting wet. The flies create a protective bubble around their bodies using an extreme water-repelling phenomenon called superhydrophobicity.
Argonne is collaborating with HPE to evaluate early versions of Cavium ARM ThunderX2 processors for the ARM ecosystem, seeking a cost-effective alternative to x86 architectures. The Comanche Wave prototype ARM64 server platform will be installed at Argonne's testing environment to support this work.
A team of researchers has uncovered rare, living stromatolites in a remote Tasmanian valley, revealing a unique ecosystem that thrived due to mineral-rich groundwater. The discovery is significant as stromatolites are rare globally and not previously known from Tasmania except as ancient fossils.
Researchers developed a new remote-sensing method to map functional diversity of forests from small to large scales, independent of predefined vegetation units or species information. This allows for the assessment of forest health, resource use efficiency, and adaptation to environmental conditions.
A study suggests that improving California's land use could negate up to 147 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. This approach could contribute substantially to the state's climate mitigation goals, with potential benefits for ecosystem management and conservation.
Researchers analyzed 560 European peat bog samples to study how they respond to different temperatures, precipitation levels, and air pollution. They found that functional redundancy allows the ecosystem to survive despite changing species due to climatic conditions.
The Norian Chinle Formation provides a snapshot of an ancient terrestrial ecosystem with plant and vertebrate remains. A new extinction event occurred between 213-217 million years ago, leading to a shift towards drier conditions.
Researchers found that artificial lighting near waterways attracts more flying insects and changes the predator community living beneath the lights. The study highlights the importance of considering ecological impacts when designing new lighting concepts.
A study published in Palaeontology found that the Late Triassic mass extinction did not fundamentally alter marine ecosystem function. Despite significant species loss, marine ecosystems continued to operate with reduced diversity among remaining species.
Research reveals that climate shifts can significantly alter the length of marine food chains in Southern California. The study found that extreme environmental conditions, such as El Niño events, shortened the food chain by reducing population sizes and diversity. This change indicates a decline in ecosystem resilience.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the total flying insect biomass decreased by more than 75 percent over 27 years in protected areas. Insects play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, pollinating 80 percent of wild plants and providing a food source for 60 percent of birds.
A new study reveals that extreme marine conditions can significantly alter food chain dynamics in the California Current ecosystem. Dolphin diets suggest shorter food chains due to changes in prey availability and nitrogen cycling, potentially threatening ecosystem resilience.
A three-year study will explore how population growth, climate change, and lake-specific factors affect water quality in approximately 2,000 lakes in the Northeast. The research team will use satellite, drone, and mobile app data to identify patterns and understand relationships between complex systems.
A new technique uses satellite-based remote-sensing to quantify plant metabolism by measuring solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. This correlation opens up applications for climate change and ecosystem monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and land management.
A new study using DNA metabarcoding technology is helping to improve the monitoring of Canada's vital boreal forest. The approach enables quick and accurate detection of aquatic organisms, providing valuable insights into ecosystem health.
The Dartmouth-led research team will explore how human population growth, climate change, and land use have affected lake water quality in the Northeast, with a focus on cyanobacterial blooms and real-time monitoring. Citizen scientists will also be involved in collecting data through the Lake Observer app.
The Baltimore Ecosystem Study is integrating local data into the city's high school chemistry curriculum, aligning with Next Generation Science Standards and incorporating Earth science concepts. The initiative aims to make chemistry more relevant and engaging for students by exploring local environmental concerns.
A global analysis suggests that climate change could lead to the extinction of up to a third of parasite species by 2070. The study used museum collections and GPS coordinates to understand conservation risks. Parasite diversity is a key indicator of ecosystem health, highlighting their critical role in maintaining balance.
Researchers analyzed century-old seal pelts to investigate human impacts on the Antarctic ecosystem. They found that Weddell seals' diets have not changed significantly over the past hundred years, but significant change occurred in the phytoplankton community, likely due to climatic shifts.
A recent study finds that megacities generate an average of $505 million in ecosystem services from trees, including air and water filtration, stormwater management, and energy savings. The value of tree benefits could be doubled by increasing tree cover, improving urban well-being and mitigating climate change.
Researchers use complex ecosystem model to predict whale numbers by 2100, finding some species will not recover, while others like humpbacks are expected to make full recovery. Southern Hemisphere whaling has led to slow growth rates and reduced populations in several species.
A new study suggests that drought recovery times will increase due to climate change, potentially leading to widespread tree deaths and ecosystem disruption. The factors contributing to this increase include temperature extremes, precipitation, and carbon dioxide concentrations.
A decade-long study in Antarctica's Dry Valleys reveals that an extreme melt season triggered changes in physical and biological characteristics, including increased soil species and population increases. The findings suggest that abrupt climate events can cause long-term alterations in polar ecosystems.
A 2002 extreme melt season triggered long-term ecological changes in Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, altering the trajectory of an ecosystem over several years. The study highlights the importance of decadal data records in understanding how organisms respond to abrupt climate events.
Researchers propose a new approach to evaluating biodiversity, focusing on species migration and abundance within ecosystems. By analyzing these dynamics, experts can better understand ecosystem responses to environmental changes and develop more effective conservation strategies.
New research by NOAA Fisheries shows that seabird predation, particularly common murres, affects salmon survival in the California Current. Changes in ocean conditions influence bird predation on salmon from San Francisco Bay, highlighting the complex relationships between species and their environment.
The study documents Belize's first integrated coastal management plan, which balances development and conservation objectives. The plan was developed through a community-driven process involving scientists and stakeholders to protect ecosystems that provide long-term benefits to people and their economy.
A new study by Duke University scientists found that invasive plant species can provide essential ecosystem functions in degraded coastal habitats. Non-native seaweed, such as Gracilaria vermiculophylla, helped offset the loss of foundation species and offered vital services like food production and storm protection.
A graduate research fellow investigates how fungi and fire enable pine savanna ecosystems to prosper, discovering mutualisms that promote equilibrium and fire adaptation. The study aims to understand the role of plant-fungal interactions in shaping ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers found that half of ships passing through Israel's Mediterranean coast carry damaging ascidians, which can harm marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. Dr. Noa Shenkar recommends regular maintenance to prevent ascidian infestations and emphasizes the importance of monitoring marine vessels for early detection.
A team of researchers explores the disproportionate ecological importance of small natural features, highlighting their significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. These elements, such as salt marshes and rocky outcrops, are often overlooked but can provide resources that limit key populations or support unusual diversity.
Researchers at the University of Warwick discovered that phototrophic and heterotrophic bacteria collaborate to cycle nutrients, feeding the ecosystem. This interaction is crucial for maintaining a balanced nutrient level, supporting half of the planet's primary production and oxygen supply.
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.
A new study reveals how mass wildebeest drownings impact the ecology of the Mara River. The research found that wildebeest carcasses provide a rich source of nutrients to the river's food web, supporting fish and scavenger populations. This subsidy delivers terrestrial nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon to the river.
The study found that wildebeest carcasses play a crucial role in the ecosystem, providing food for various animals and supporting fish populations. The nutrient-rich carcasses also decompose over time, releasing phosphorus that supports algae, insects, and fish.
Paleontologists have found a lost ecosystem of scallops and brachiopods off southern California's coast that thrived for at least 4,000 years before dying off due to siltation from unmanaged land use. The researchers used molecular dating and geologic methods to analyze dead shells and conclude that the collapse of the brachiopod-scall...
Researchers found that using holistic ecosystem management increases the value of stored natural capital in the Baltic Sea fishery ecosystem over five decades. The study highlights the critical role of interactions between commercially important species and how these interactions impact the overall system's wealth.
A new study by San Diego State University suggests that lysogeny, where viruses lie dormant within host cells, may be more prevalent under stressful environmental conditions. This finding has significant implications for understanding degraded coral reef ecosystems and preserving them.
Research on marine and coastal cultural ecosystem services is scarce compared to other ecosystem service categories, revealing insights into social-ecological interactions worldwide.
Researchers found that Tibetan Alpine grasslands are vulnerable to climate warming, with temperature changes destabilizing the ecosystem. The study suggests reduced forage production in drought years and increased biomass production in wet years, posing consequences for ecosystem services like climate regulation and water conservation.
A Virginia Tech research team found that manure from cattle administered antibiotics drastically changes the soil's microbial community, leading to ecosystem dysfunction. The amount of antibiotic-resistant genes in soil near manure piles was 200 times greater than in unaffected areas.
Researchers have found that dust from the Gobi Desert is providing more phosphorus than previously thought for plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains, including giant sequoias. The study suggests that dust may be shaping this iconic California ecosystem and could help predict forest response to climate change.
Researchers found that reducing the number of species in a grassland ecosystem can cause remaining species to flower earlier, similar to the effects of climate change. The study suggests that future changes in biological timing could be much bigger than expected, with potential cascading effects on ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers found that when a species vanishes, other species can change their behavior to compensate, leading to positive or negative effects on ecosystems. The study's findings have important implications for conservation and predicting the consequences of human activity.
A recent study reveals that rare microbial species, making up only 1% of the community, contribute significantly to ecosystem functioning. These species hold a large reservoir of genes that can degrade organic pollutants, enabling the community to maintain stability in the face of changing conditions.
Researchers found that restoring predators and prey species together is faster and more efficient than pursuing restoration of one species at a time. This approach, also known as synchronous recovery, can lead to significant ecological and economic benefits.
Researchers used Google Street View to map street tree canopy coverage in Singapore, finding that increasing cover can reduce ground surface and air temperatures. The study's method could help urban planners prioritize tree planting and create greener environments.
Researchers found that invasive Phragmites australis has no significant impact on plant diversity, shoreline stabilization, and carbon storage in protected wetlands. The study suggests maintaining protected reserves can help defend against negative impacts of invasive species.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology found that diverse fish populations play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Larger fish like suckers and catfish store nutrients, contributing to stream biological productivity. Non-native fish also serve as buffers for ecosystems against environmental change.
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.
A new research framework developed by the University of Queensland aims to identify and track ecosystem services at risk due to growing human demand. The framework allows for analysis of supply and demand, natural system condition, and future demand changes, providing a basis for global assessments.
Conservationists should focus on preserving diverse ecosystem structures and functions, rather than just saving species. This approach can help create more resilient environments that can adapt to climate change and habitat loss. By studying the fossil record, experts hope to guide conservation efforts towards a more sustainable future.
Researchers identify 'bright spots' of resilience in marine ecosystems affected by climate change. These ecosystem-forming species are either resistant or able to recover from perturbations, with implications for ecosystem-sparing management.
Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacts have been studied in two parts, with research on marsh erosion, stability, microbes, and vegetation presented first. The study found that specific ecological communities and animals have responded differently to the spill, affecting food web studies and coastal ecosystem management.
A survey of 97 coastal ecosystem experts revealed that climate-driven disturbances are having profound impacts on marine ecosystems, but also instances of resilience. Resilience was marked by striking recoveries in some cases, with areas of remnant habitat and high connectivity being key contributors to its persistence.
A new study reveals that grazing pressures compound drought stress, delaying recovery and reducing ecosystems' tipping points. Grazing animals and fungal pathogens can kill drought-weakened vegetation, preventing plants from recovering.
A recent study examining 1,600 instances of phenotypic change worldwide shows that urbanization is affecting the genetic makeup of species crucial to ecosystem health. The research highlights the importance of understanding human-induced trait changes and their implications for ecological and human well-being.