Karen Hixon, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission member, will receive the ESA's 2011 Regional Policy Award for her dedication to informing policy decisions with ecological science. The award recognizes her outstanding record of promoting environmental stewardship in local communities.
The Ecological Society of America honored seven distinguished ecologists with awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to research, education, and public service. Thomas G. Whitham received the Eminent Ecologist Award for his work on individual variation in ecology, while Donald Strong was recognized for his editorial leadership a...
Researchers evaluate the U.S. National Fire Plan's effectiveness in restoring western U.S. forests and its impact on native lizard populations, including the return of the eastern collared lizard to the Ozarks. The study also examines historical fire records and sediment cores to better understand the Arctic Tundra's fire regime.
Researchers found that low frequency sound causes severe lesions in cephalopod sensory organs, including statocysts. This damage can affect balance, spatial orientation, and other critical functions.
A new special issue explores the interconnectedness of life on Earth through biogeochemical cycles. Key findings highlight the crucial role of microbes like chemolithotrophic microbes in transforming raw materials into biomass, supporting complex food webs.
New study maps koala habitats using taste preferences, while ancient insects migrated to warmer climates in response to rising temperatures. Koalas prefer large trees with palatable leaves and avoid smaller unpalatable trees, highlighting the importance of habitat quality.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that raising wind turbine cut-in speeds to 11 mph reduces bat fatalities by 44-93% and annual power loss by less than 1%. This change limits turbines to operating only during higher wind speeds, minimizing bat collisions.
A recent study published in Ecology found that elk are responsible for the decline of aspen in Yellowstone National Park, contradicting previous claims that wolves helped restore the ecosystem. Aspen stands exposed to elk browsing did not regenerate, even in areas considered risky for wolf predation.
Researchers found established populations of genetically modified canola plants outside agricultural fields in North Dakota, reproducing and adapting to local environments. This discovery highlights concerns about the spread of biotech products and their impact on native species.
Researchers examine how humans impact ecosystems through nanomaterials, green roofs, and airborne microbes in hospital settings. Findings reveal altered plant growth, changed microbial communities, and diverse insect species on green roofs.
Scientists must engage non-academic audiences and tailor their message for policymakers to inform policy decisions. Effective science communication can also educate children about environmental issues through arts-based initiatives, fostering empathy and promoting collective action.
Researchers studied plant toxin detection in bushbabies, lizard defense from invasive fire ants, and antioxidant defenses in barn swallows exposed to radiation. These studies highlight the importance of understanding animal behavior and adaptations to environmental changes.
Mayor John Fetterman will receive the ESA's Regional Policy Award for his commitment to sustainability, revitalizing the town of Braddock through environmentally-friendly building design. The award recognizes Fetterman's innovative approach to green urban renewal and its potential economic benefits.
The Ecological Society of America honors seven distinguished ecologists for their outstanding contributions to the field. The awards recognize achievements in ecological research, education, and sustainability, including Simon A. Levin's Eminent Ecologist Award and Martin Lindegren's Sustainability Science Award.
Researchers gathered daily birding activity reports from over 1,000 ornithologists to study the spread of non-native plants. The study found that specific birds are contributing to the dispersal of certain invasive plant species through their feeding habits.
Scientists review eight strategies to increase forest carbon storage, including afforestation, urban forestry, and biomass energy, while acknowledging the need for cost-effective methods and regulation. The current carbon offset of 12-19% in US forests is not permanent but has potential to increase with careful management.
The reports examine the implications of producing biofuels from various sources, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural systems. Sustainable biofuels are based on production that does not negatively affect ecosystem health, and options include thermochemical, biochemical, and direct combustion methods.
Scientists used DNA barcoding to identify 25% of 'cod' and 'haddock' samples as genetically different species, highlighting a need for transparency in the seafood industry. The study found that smoked fish samples were incorrectly labeled at an 82.4% rate, with some species masquerading as cod or haddock.
The researchers suggest establishing specific risk zones in urban areas to focus resources on preventing exotic pest invasions. Plant pests like the red imported fire ant cost the US $37.1 billion annually, with coastal states at greatest risk for invasion.
A new report by the Ecological Society of America highlights the need to address potential effects of land-use choices on ecosystems. Native perennial crops, such as switchgrass, are recommended as an inexpensive feedstock option that improves soil quality and provides habitat for native species.
Researchers argue that biologically diverse plantations can alleviate social, economic and ecological pressures on natural forests. These plantations can sequester carbon, mitigate climate change and restore ecological services. Well-planned plantations can help preserve high diversity old-growth forests.
Exposure to common pesticides limits wild salmon growth and size; improving water quality conditions could potentially increase the rate of recovery
A new study estimates that Arctic lands and oceans are responsible for up to 25 percent of the global net sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The Arctic's potential to alter Earth's climate is significant, as current predictions suggest it could be diminished or reversed under global warming, potentially accelerating climate change.
Mass coral bleaching events are devastating coral colonies worldwide, and researchers have found that bleaching can increase the susceptibility of corals to disease. The study reveals a link between bleaching and disease prevalence, suggesting a more complex cause of coral decline than previously thought.
Researchers found that exotic eucalyptus and tropical ash plantations used significantly more water than native ohia trees, with rates of up to 2.5 times higher. The study emphasizes the need for land management plans to consider the water use of different ecosystems.
New research suggests geoengineering techniques may cause more harm than good due to uncertainties in their effects on Earth's natural cycles. Ecologists debate the viability of geoengineering methods like atmospheric seeding and ocean fertilization, highlighting potential risks such as ozone depletion and dead zones in oceans.
Perennial crops offer a solution to unsustainable agricultural systems by producing more, requiring less input, and maintaining soil health. Increasing landscape diversity can also boost populations of pests' natural enemies, reducing the need for pesticides.
Studies reveal that certain insects can mimic the scent of ants to avoid detection, while pitcher plants' bright colors do not attract prey. Specialists caterpillars also outperform generalists in avoiding predators due to better adaptation to their host plant resources.
Research at the ESA annual meeting reveals that urban stream pollution can be beneficial to mosquitoes, while lakefront development reduces food supplies for fish. Greenroofs, on the other hand, can absorb significant amounts of stormwater, saving cities millions of gallons of water.
The Sichuan earthquake in 2008 destroyed nearly a quarter of the giant pandas' habitat, with over 354 square kilometers converted to bare land. Habitat fragmentation is also a significant concern, as it can lead to population isolation and increased risk of extinction.
The Ecological Society of America presents the Eminent Ecologist Award to Steven Hubbell for his neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography, while Jerry Jenkins, Glenn Motzkin, and Kirsten Ward receive the Cooper Award for their work on plant succession. The Mercer Award is given to Richard Lankau and Sharon Strauss for their pape...
Using DNA barcoding and stable isotope analysis, researchers identified the species of birds involved in the Jan. 15 airline crash into the Hudson River as migratory Canada geese. The findings emphasize the need to understand the role of migration in birdstrikes to develop effective management strategies.
Researchers analyzed thousands of surveys to find coral reefs dominated by macroalgae globally are less common than assumed, with only 4% of reefs showing significant coverage. The study suggests no recent trend toward coral-algal phase shifts worldwide.
A new study found that changes in vegetation can override climate change effects on wildfire frequency. Plant types and abundance play a significant role in determining an ecosystem's flammability. In some cases, vegetation changes were more influential than climate shifts, leading to fewer fires.
A study by Ecological Society of America reveals the economic costs of invasive species on Europe's ecosystems. The research lists Canada geese and coypu as top invaders causing widespread damage to crops and forests, with estimated annual losses in the UK at €2.8 billion.
A new review sparks debate over climate change's effect on pathogens, with some arguing it may reduce their ranges in affluent regions. However, others believe disease expansion could occur in areas where humans settle high latitudes and altitudes.
Ecologists suggest providing heat sources to hibernating bats to reduce energy expenditure and survival rates, which could help save affected populations. The proposed measure has shown promising results in a mathematical simulation, with mortality levels dropping to as little as 8 percent.
Researchers found that high crop biodiversity leads to less dissolved nitrogen in surrounding watersheds, suggesting a buffer effect from grasslands and woodlands. This could indicate a reversible impact if policy changes prioritize farming practices like crop rotation, smaller fields, and native perennial grasses.
Researchers use novel tools to quantify ecosystem services, including pollination and flood protection, with promising results for conservation efforts. High levels of biodiversity often correlate with enhanced ecosystem services, suggesting preservation as key to unlocking their value.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment reveals that polarized light pollution can trigger animal behaviors leading to injury and death. Artificial light sources can attract or repulse animals, causing them to migrate incorrectly, choose poor nesting sites, or become trapped by reflective surfaces.
Scientists have discovered that transporting juvenile salmon downstream can hinder their ability to migrate back to their breeding grounds as adults. The study found that transported juveniles had lower survivorship and were less likely to find their way home, due to being disoriented by the boat journey. This can reduce the genetic fi...
Researchers reconstructed Arctic climate patterns over 65 million years, revealing a link between Arctic cooling and global cooling. Changes in ocean circulation could lead to abrupt changes in climate, similar to those that occurred at the onset of the last ice age.
Bald eagles adjust their foraging tactics in response to the decline of Alaskan sea otters. Sea otters play a crucial role in maintaining kelp forest ecosystems, which provide food and habitat for many fish and invertebrates. As otter populations decrease, bald eagles shift their diet from kelp-forest fish to birds.
Scientists in Montana found that an introduced fly may worsen the effects of a widely invasive plant. The fly's larvae induce the plant to grow tissue around them, reducing its energy for seed production. Deer mice prey on the larvae, further boosting mouse population size and negatively impacting native plants.
Researchers explore the application of ecosystem services approaches to conservation, finding that preserving these benefits is more economically and environmentally valuable. Studies reveal tradeoffs among ecosystem services and highlight the importance of considering long-term perspectives in management actions.
Ecologists assess the impact of human activity on bee populations and explore alternatives with native bees serving as 'biological insurance.' A study found that areas with extreme fragmentation have smaller bee populations and fewer species.
Rising temperatures can lead to an increase in dry, desert-like conditions, affecting species' survival and natural resources. Climate change scientists warn that individual species indicate wider changes at the biome level, potentially altering ecosystem services for humans.
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle will be the first recipient of a prestigious award from the Ecological Society of America. The award recognizes his commitment to ecological and environmental policy issues through initiatives such as invasive species control and renewable energy promotion.
The Ecological Society of America presented awards to eight ecologists, including Michael Rosenzweig for the Eminent Ecologist Award and Monica Turner for the MacArthur Award. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to ecological research and education.
Ecosystems are increasingly connected by human activities such as transportation and land use. This can lead to