Research suggests that insects struggle with hypoxia and hypobaria at higher elevations, limiting their ability to pollinate and survive. Insects with aquatic larval stages and high energy demands are particularly affected, highlighting the need for targeted conservation strategies.
A new study by the University of Sussex found that honeybees face significant challenges gathering nectar in late summer, especially in August. The researchers discovered that this period is characterized by fewer flowers in bloom and increased competition among pollinators.
Researchers found that rewetted peatland solar parks in Northern Germany support threatened bird species and exhibit an unusual mix of species, providing a unique habitat for biodiversity. The study suggests that this novel land use can be a valuable tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring peatland ecosystems.
A new study found that biodiversity offset grasslands support twice the number of wild bees compared to existing grasslands, with comparable numbers of hoverfly species. While not perfect replacements, these offsets can provide important resources for pollinators and may be as effective as existing sites in terms of species richness.
A global meta-analysis of animal behavior found that urban populations exhibit heightened boldness, aggression, exploration, and activity compared to rural counterparts. The findings highlight the need for urban planners to consider animal behavior in urban development.
Researchers found that urban birds flee sooner when approached by women compared to men in a European study. The study involved over 2,700 observations across five countries and 37 bird species, revealing that birds can recognize the sex of approaching humans.
Deer behavior changes when exposed to the smell of predators like lynx and wolves, reducing browsing damage to tree saplings. The study suggests using large carnivores as a natural solution to mitigate overbrowsing in recovering forests.
The British Ecological Society has announced the winners of its Capturing Ecology photography competition. The top prize was awarded to a photographer who captured a striking image of a UK wetland ecosystem.
Researchers developed a new tool that uses spatial audio and 360° video to pinpoint individual fish sounds, identifying 46 species from the Caribbean coral reefs. The technology enables automatic training of machine learning systems to detect fish species in underwater recordings.
Researchers found that spiders using trapped fireflies as bait attracted three times more prey than webs without the lure. The majority of captured fireflies were male, mistakenly mistaking the glow for potential mates.
A new study found that kelp forests within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) recover more quickly after marine heatwaves, particularly in southern California. This suggests that MPAs can support ecosystem resilience to climate events like marine heatwaves.
A new study found that people's intuitive perception of biodiversity through visual and audio cues is remarkably accurate, aligning closely with scientific measures. Participants sorted images and audio recordings of forests based on perceived biodiversity, noticing vegetation density and light conditions visually, while acoustically d...
New research reveals lyrebirds' 'farming' behavior creates ideal conditions for invertebrates, boosting size and diversity. The birds rake forest floors to alter microhabitats, shape plant germination patterns, and even lower bushfire intensity.
Researchers found that giraffes prefer flat terrain and avoid steep slopes of more than 20° due to energy requirements and risk of falling. This limits their access to habitats in protected reserves, with nearly half of Namibia's habitat being unusable for giraffes.
A study found that wild hedgehogs in the same area have varying hibernation patterns, with some starting as early as mid-September and others not entering until December. This flexibility could help them adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A new study found that artificial nests outperform natural nests in boosting African penguin breeding success by 16.5%, but each type of nest has strengths and weaknesses. Colony-specific conservation strategies are needed to address the unique threats faced by each colony.
The British Ecological Society has announced the winners of its annual photography competition, Capturing Ecology. The competition showcases stunning images that capture the beauty and diversity of ecological systems.
A new study found that 62% of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) designated to protect rare migratory fish species are outside of their core habitats. The study suggests that existing MPAs are not adequately protecting these species due to a lack of data on their distribution and habitat.
Research by INRAE reveals that European forests with greater tree species diversity and slow-growing oak trees are better equipped to withstand storm damage. The study's findings suggest that monocultures of fast-growing pine trees are more susceptible to storm damage.
A new deep learning AI tool called ECOGEN has been developed to generate lifelike bird sounds, enhancing the samples of underrepresented species. This allows for improved bird song classification accuracy and contributes to the conservation of endangered bird species.
Researchers found that increasing plant diversity in urban areas leads to a large increase in insect biodiversity and interactions. The study confirmed the ecological benefits of urban greening projects by transforming a small greenspace into a habitat for indigenous insect species.
Researchers found that warming conditions can shift mixotrophic microbes from carbon sinks to carbon emitters, potentially accelerating warming and creating a positive feedback loop. These tiny microbes, abundant in freshwater and marine environments, could act as early warning signals for climate change tipping points.
A three-year randomized trial found that double-anonymous peer review reduces reviewer bias, with outcomes similar across author demographics. Single-anonymous review, where authors' identities are known to reviewers, resulted in biased ratings and more invitations for revision.
A study found peregrine falcons in larger cities like London rely on human activities supporting prey populations, particularly feral pigeons. The birds changed their diet during the pandemic, replacing pigeons with starlings and parakeets.
A new UK study published in the British Ecological Society journal People and Nature suggests that paying farmers to create woodland and wetland habitats is the most cost-effective way to deliver environmental targets. This approach, known as 'land sparing,' would cost just 48% of the funds required for 'land sharing' approaches, which...
New research collates 100 years of data, suggesting significant declines in UK earthworm abundance could have occurred due to changes in the countryside. The study highlights the importance of monitoring soil invertebrates and their impact on ecosystem health.
A new study by Imperial College London found that the most unique birds on the planet are also the most threatened. The researchers analyzed the extinction risk and physical attributes of 99% of all living bird species, revealing a significant link between uniqueness and threat status.
A study analyzing Asian elephant movement and habitat preference found that they prioritize areas outside protected spaces, particularly those near the boundaries. This suggests that human-elephant conflict will rise unless strategies are implemented to promote coexistence around these areas.
Researchers found that hedges and perennial flower strips complement each other to support wild bees in orchards, with species visiting flowers at different times of the year. Perennial flower strips were more beneficial for wild bees than annual strips, attracting different bee communities over time.
A study found that male Rock Hyraxes with stable isochronous rhythms in their courtship songs have higher reproductive success and more surviving offspring. Genetic analysis revealed that song rhythms are related to individual quality and potentially indicate health and suitability as mates.
A new method for monitoring coral size and growth has been developed using dental scanning technology, reducing surveying time by 99%. This non-destructive approach allows scientists to measure thousands of tiny corals quickly and accurately without harming them, with the potential to expand large-scale monitoring of ocean health.
A 10-year citizen science study found that UK bumblebees need varied habitats to thrive. The study identified specific habitat requirements for different species, including arable areas and semi-natural land, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts.
Researchers found that warmer and longer autumn conditions made it less likely for green-veined white butterflies to survive winter. The butterflies used more energy under these conditions, which can lead to lasting negative consequences, including reduced fitness.
A new study predicts that over the next 30 years, 1.4 million US street trees will be killed by invasive insects, mainly caused by the emerald ash borer. The estimated economic cost of replacing these trees is over $900M. Researchers warn that urban tree diversity is crucial to resilience against pest infestations.
A study of over 1,000 people in Hungary found that those with strong connections to nature had lower fear scores for snakes and spiders. This association may be a protective factor against developing these phobias, which can significantly impact daily life.
Researchers found that dog faeces and urine add substantial nutrients to nature reserves, potentially detrimental to biodiversity. Studies suggest reducing fertilisation effects by encouraging owners to remove faeces and enforcing leash use could mitigate this impact.
A new method developed by researchers predicts the optimal time to spend learning about a species' habitat before designating protected areas. This balance between knowledge acquisition and resource allocation can save species from extinction while minimizing unnecessary protection of incorrect habitats.
A citizen science project found urban growers in Brighton and Hove harvested 1kg of insect-pollinated fruit and vegetables per metre squared, comparable to conventional farming. Urban farming benefits biodiversity and human health while offering sustainable and productive alternatives.
Researchers found that indigenous people in Gabon possess an astonishing 732 plant and fruit-eating animal interactions, exceeding academic literature. Local knowledge is invaluable for understanding ecological processes, particularly in remote areas.
Researchers at Lund University have successfully detected insect DNA in the air, offering a novel approach to monitoring terrestrial biodiversity. This method, known as airborne DNA metabarcoding, allows for the detection of multiple species from single samples and could accelerate biodiversity surveys.
Researchers found that bees in agricultural areas traveled an average of 743 meters for food, compared to 492 meters in urban areas. This suggests that urban areas provide a reliable source of food for honeybees, making them less reliant on longer trips to find nectar.
A study of semi-captive Asian elephants found that calves raised with older sisters had higher long-term survival rates and reproduced earlier than those without a sibling. In contrast, male elephants raised with older sisters experienced lower survival but increased body weight.
Researchers have developed a new method to rapidly monitor snow leopard stress levels in the wild using widely available equipment. The method extracts hormones from faecal samples and analyzes them on-site, allowing for quick and easy assessment of stress status.
Researchers found common foxgloves in the Americas have evolved longer flower tubes to accommodate hummingbird pollinators, outperforming native bumblebee-pollinated populations. This rapid evolution has occurred over 85 generations, indicating a significant adaptation to their new environment.
A new scientific review has found significant gaps in knowledge about how mammal populations respond to climate change, particularly in sensitive regions. The study highlights the need for more holistic approaches to understanding climate change impacts on animal populations.
A new study found that coffee pulp can speed up tropical forest recovery on degraded land in Costa Rica. After two years, the area treated with coffee pulp had 80% canopy cover and four times taller trees than the control plot.
Researchers found that species diversity in mangrove forests enhances biomass production and soil carbon storage, leading to higher carbon storage capacities. Increasing mangrove diversity through restoration and conservation projects is crucial for mitigating climate change.
Researchers found that juvenile fish in the North Sea and West of Scotland are getting bigger, while adult fish are getting smaller due to rising sea temperatures. This change in body size may impact commercial fisheries yields and marine ecosystems, particularly those with predator-prey relationships.
Researchers found that climate warming causes trees to advance their leaf unfolding and flowering times, but at different rates. This unequal timing may disrupt interactions with pollinators and impact ecosystem structure and function.
A team of researchers has developed a low-cost system to monitor bee species in the UK using retroreflective vests. The system uses real-time tracking technology to record the foraging behaviour and 3D flight path of various bees, providing valuable insights into their ecology.