The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has three key measures to support biodiversity: Cross Compliance, Agri-Environment-Climate Measures, and Greening. Despite these measures, farmland biodiversity is still declining. A study by over 300 scientists recommends six guiding principles to improve the CAP for better biodiversity outcomes.
Researchers have discovered microbes in groundwater that can produce carbon at rates similar to those found in some ocean waters. These microorganisms thrive in the absence of light and use oxidizing compounds from surrounding rocks for energy.
A large-scale camera trap dataset provides valuable insights into Amazonian species diversity, with over 1,400 species recorded. The data can be used to inform conservation efforts and monitor population trends.
Researchers recommend using native plant gardening to reverse horticultural trends and conserve declining plant species. The approach involves promoting certified native seed production, marketing, and use of region-specific lists of endangered plants.
Research revealed that the absence of megaherbivores led to denser vegetations with larger seeds and fruits, as smaller animals could disperse these through their excretions. Defense traits like spines and thorns decreased during this gap but returned when new megaherbivores evolved.
Research found that invasive earthworms significantly reduce the number of insects, biomass, and species richness above ground in Canadian forests. The study suggests that changes in soil conditions caused by earthworms may also affect vegetation, but no significant alteration was detected.
A large-scale study analyzing long-term data on insects from over 900 locations worldwide found little evidence for indicator species. Different groups of insects showed different trends, highlighting the importance of monitoring multiple groups simultaneously to provide guidelines for conservation policies.
An international research team has assessed European vascular plant species and found that 7-9% are globally endangered. This study addresses the significant data gap in global Red List of Threatened Species, with nearly 90% of known plant species lacking threat assessments.
Researchers found that trees that induce defense mechanisms against herbivores attract more predators, reducing insect abundance. This defense is critical for tree canopies and promotes biodiversity.
Research found that forests with diverse tree species exhibit higher growth stability and biomass production under fluctuating climate conditions. This is due to the diversity of species characteristics, such as asynchrony in growth patterns and drought-tolerance strategies, which counterbalance negative impacts of extreme weather events.
A new study reveals that widely distributed plant species are outcompeting rarer species for resources in European habitats. This shift is driven by increased nutrient levels in soils due to human activity, leading to competitive exclusion of smaller-ranged specialist species.
A new study reveals that commercial fish stocks, including cod and herring, have been depleted for centuries due to overfishing and environmental changes. The research uses historical sources to show that the Baltic herring population collapsed in the 16th century, with a similar decline observed in cod stocks today.
A team of scientists has proposed a three-step framework to implement global biodiversity goals at the national level. The first step involves translating global targets into national action plans, engaging various sectors in co-design. The second step requires implementing actions across sectors using behavioral intervention tools and...
Researchers developed enerscape software to predict large land animals' movement patterns, reducing costs and conflicts. The software uses energy expenditure calculations to create 'energy landscape maps,' helping identify protection zones and prevent human-animal collisions.
A recent meta-study found that the existing data on road networks' impact on wildlife is limited to high-income countries and only a few species groups. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the effect of roads on threatened species and population dynamics.
Researchers analyzed 16,000 literary works and found a hump-shaped trend in the frequency of biological terms until the mid-19th century, then decreasing steadily. The study suggests that increased awareness of biodiversity loss is closely linked to industrialization and urbanization.
Researchers found that large herbivores can reduce wildfire damage by mitigating fire-prone vegetation. Effective solutions depend on factors such as herbivore population density and diet. Integrating extensive grazing into land management policies could help mitigate wildfires.
Coastal ecosystems worldwide are estimated to have a significant impact on the global economy, with countries like Australia and Indonesia storing large amounts of carbon. The study found that these countries generate annual welfare gains of around $26.4 billion from reduced climate change costs, while other nations like India and Chin...
A nationwide analysis of dragonflies and damselflies in Germany between 1980 and 2016 found both losses and gains, with cold-adapted species declining due to habitat loss and degradation. Meanwhile, warm-adapted species increased, likely due to climate change.
A study of 158 European butterfly species found that 25 thrive in urban environments, while others decline. Generalist species with adaptable traits are more likely to succeed.
A recent study published in Ecography reveals that mobile apps can uncover macroecological patterns similar to those derived from long-term inventory data. The Flora Incognita app, which uses AI for plant identification, provides valuable datasets on environmental conditions, despite user behavior influencing the data.
Research found tree plantations host significantly fewer beetle species, contributing to lower biodiversity compared to old-growth forests. Plantations' limited ability to support diverse food chains makes them less effective for forest conservation.
A new study by German researchers found that higher species diversity is positively related to mental health, with people living in regions with more plant and bird species reporting better mental well-being. However, the study did not find a significant relationship between biodiversity and physical health.
Researchers found that plant characteristics like generation time can predict how sensitive species are to changing climates. Short-lived plant species were shown to be particularly vulnerable to climate extremes. The study highlights the need for new population ecology research on woody plant species and tropical plants.
A new study found that biophysical and species-linked ecosystem services often occur simultaneously, especially on larger spatial scales. The researchers discovered that regions where species conservation and ecosystem services play a role coincide more frequently than previously assumed.
Climate change has a stronger influence on soil microbial communities than land-use change, leading to increased bacterial richness but reduced community complexity. This shift may reduce specialization and adaptation capacity of ecosystems.
A study by German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) found that plant species often respond to climate drivers months or even years later than previously assumed. The research analyzed 76 studies on 104 plant species and discovered that climate conditions during dormant seasons can have significant effects on plants.
Researchers found that commitments at UN level were rarely translated into national law, leading to implementation gaps and insufficient monitoring. The authors suggest strengthening financial resources, introducing new instruments, and establishing a mechanism to verify compliance with biodiversity targets.
Researchers found that street trees close to homes decrease depression rates, particularly among disadvantaged groups. The study analyzed data from almost 10,000 Leipzig inhabitants and found a strong association between tree proximity and reduced antidepressant prescriptions.
Soil organisms perform crucial services like nutrient transformation and water purification. A new monitoring network aims to improve understanding and protection of soil biodiversity.
A comprehensive study reveals that Germany's plant diversity has been declining steadily over the past decade, affecting both archaeophytes and neophytes. The decline in species diversity averages around two percent per decade, with many common species being affected.
A recent study by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) has found that living near areas with high biological diversity increases life satisfaction among Europeans. The research, which analyzed data from over 26,000 adults across 26 European countries, discovered that experiencing numerous different bird specie...
The Leipzig Catalogue of Vascular Plants (LCVP) is the largest and most comprehensive list of scientific names for all known plant species. With over 1.3 million entries, it vastly expands global knowledge of plant diversity and provides a reliable reference for researchers worldwide.
Research found that species-rich plant communities reduce herbivore impacts, supporting natural predators and providing less nutritious food for herbivores. This leads to increased plant biomass per square meter and lower damage from arthropod herbivores.
A lack of coordination among stakeholders hinders biodiversity monitoring, but integrating contributors can improve data collection. This is crucial for identifying factors leading to declines in biodiversity and creating sustainable conservation strategies.
Researchers analyzed data from 300 German grasslands and forests to investigate the relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services. The study found that low-intensity farming and forestry can preserve biodiversity while providing material benefits.
Researchers found that species-rich sites can lead to biased measurements of biodiversity change. A systematic approach is needed to prevent such biases and ensure accurate conclusions. The study emphasizes the importance of choosing representative sampling sites to inform conservation efforts.
An automated assessment approach using machine learning algorithms identifies over 4,300 potentially threatened orchid species, highlighting conservation priority areas such as Madagascar, East Africa, and South-east Asia.
Primary forests in Europe are scarce and irreplaceable, requiring top priority protection. Restoration is a viable option where no primary forests remain, storing carbon and benefiting biodiversity. An expansion of protected areas by just 1% can suffice to safeguard most remaining primary forests.
A recent study found that only 80 primate studies investigated the effectiveness of conservation interventions, highlighting a severe lack of evidence for effective conservation. The authors propose several actions to improve the evidence base, including increasing resources for intervention-effectiveness testing and publication.
A new study by an international team of researchers found that biodiversity experiment findings are reliable and applicable to the real world. The study analyzed data from two large-scale experiments and compared them with equivalent 'real-world' sites, showing that previous conclusions were supported.
A global data analysis reveals that intensive land use decreases wild plant reproductive success and pollination due to lower pollinator abundance. Highly specialized plants are most affected, while those relying on domesticated honey bees may have more protection.
A new study found large gaps in soil macroecological studies and a lack of data for most diverse tropical regions. Researchers highlight the need for a globally standardized sampling system to overcome limitations and support policy and decision-making.
A new study using data from 123 studies worldwide found that smaller habitats lead to more species extinctions when compared to larger habitats. The researchers developed a way to develop more realistic biodiversity forecasting models by accounting for ecosystem decay.
Scientists have developed a method to predict which plant groups and regions are likely to have medicinal effects. The study found that specific plant families and mountainous regions are rich in anti-infective compounds.
The largest study to date has found that global insect populations are declining on land by an average of 0.92% per year, resulting in a 24% decrease over 30 years. However, freshwater insects have shown an average annual increase of 1.08%, corresponding to a 38% increase over 30 years.
Research found that nitrogen-rich soil is linked to the decline of less common plant species in European forests, leading to a loss of biodiversity. In contrast, nitrogen-loving species like nettle and blackberry are on the rise.
A new method enables predictions for the development of species-rich forests, which can help mitigate climate change and promote biodiversity. The method uses a digital experiment to simulate tree growth, death, and reproduction, and has been shown to be reliable with only five strategy types.
EU Common Agricultural Policy is set to be revised, with over 3,600 researchers urging that scientific data be taken into consideration. The position paper proposes ten measures to improve the policy, including adequate funds for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and effective protection of natural habitats.
A study by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found that flowering plants are better pollinated in urban areas than in rural regions. Bees, particularly bumblebees, played a crucial role in this process. The researchers recommend considering the needs of bees when planning green spaces in both cities and countryside.