Research by NIOO-KNAW reveals that less intense farming practices, such as reduced ploughing and increased grass-clover mixtures, can improve soil health and multifunctionality in both conventional and organic agriculture. This approach, known as 'productive de-intensification,' aims to retain crop yields while enhancing soil functions.
Researchers re-analyzed historical data from a classic displacement experiment and found that young starlings migrated independently, using their own direction. Adult starlings adjusted their migratory orientation to reach their normal wintering areas, while local conspecifics influenced the route of relocated young starlings.
A study by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology found that great tits are struggling to adapt their breeding timing to cope with climate change, leading to a decline in population numbers. The researchers used innovative methods to speed up evolution and predict the impact of climate change on natural selection.
A global comparison of soil transplantation projects reveals significant improvements in restoring vegetations with high conservation value. The treatment increased species count and diversity by an average of 40% compared to hay addition, particularly on loamy soils over larger areas.
A recent study by 70 scientists highlights the devastating effects of climate change on insects, which play critical roles in ecosystems. Gradual warming and extreme events harm insects, affecting their physiology, behavior, and interactions with other species.
The SPI-Birds initiative combines breeding population data of 1.5 million individually recognisable birds to answer ecology and evolution questions. The project aims to inspire other research communities to create their own standards, promoting FAIR data use.
A recent study found that less than 20% of ecological research is computationally reproducible, highlighting the need for improved sharing of code and data. The study's lead author calls for a drastic increase in code availability to address this issue.
Researchers found the wintering grounds of Bewick's swans shifted east by nearly 13km per year, changing their migratory patterns. The shifts suggest the species can adapt to climate change, but conservation efforts need to consider species dynamics in relation to climate change.
A study reveals that microbial communities in reproductive tracts of males and females can impact fertility, behavior, and evolution. These microbiomes may also influence mate choice, sexual health, and the origin of new species.
Researchers from over 70 countries develop a comprehensive road map to address the pressing issue of declining insect populations, driven by human-induced stress factors such as habitat loss and climate change. The plan outlines immediate, mid-term, and long-term actions to prioritize conservation efforts and restore ecosystems.
Certain species of resident bacteria can produce enzymes to break down fungal cell walls, protecting plant roots. The discovery represents a big step forward for developing sustainable crop production systems with fewer pesticides.
Researchers from NIOO-KNAW suggest a different approach to lake restoration by identifying four types of lakes based on spatial differences. Flushing with clean water may not be effective in all lake types, while reducing nutrient supply is key to permanent recovery.
Researchers found that caterpillars ingest soil and retain a microbiome similar to the soil itself, allowing them to access 'voicemails' left behind by plants. This discovery sheds light on the impact of soil legacy on insect health and has potential applications for agriculture.
Researchers have found that rewilding can mitigate the impact of rising temperatures in the Arctic, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming, and enhance wetland plant diversity. The approach involves reintroducing native carnivores to suppress invasive herbivores and restore ecosystem balance.
A new study by NIOO-KNAW reveals a dangerous gap between scientific facts on climate change and polar bear blogs, which often rely on misinformation. The study found that 45 'denier blogs' failed to overlap with peer-reviewed evidence, while 45 science-based blogs matched the evidence in scientific papers.
Researchers have found that red light has no significant effect on the activity of slow-flying, light-shy bats. In contrast, white and green light substantially reduce their activity levels, making red light a potential solution to mitigate habitat loss.
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.
Researchers found that barnacle geese cannot accurately anticipate climate change due to the unpredictability of polar region warming. The birds' reproductive success will be reduced if they continue to mistime their arrival at breeding grounds, despite some compensation from a longer breeding season and smarter migration strategies.
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.
A new study by NIOO-KNAW ecologist Bart Grutters suggests that exotic water plants can be a valuable asset in aquatic ecosystems, offering similar benefits to indigenous species. The research found that properties such as chemical defences and stem rigidity should be considered when evaluating the impact of exotic species.
Soil microbes may hold key to protecting sorghum crops from Striga, a parasitic plant that causes up to 50% yield loss in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers will map potential micro-organisms present in African soils to develop sustainable solutions.
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.
Tiny soil predators called protists 'eavesdrop' on bacteria's communication using scent, helping them choose the best prey. The discovery could lead to practical applications in biological pest control and agricultural research.
A new study predicts that climate change will release 55 trillion kilograms of carbon from the soil by mid-century, exacerbating global warming. The impact on the soil's storage capacity is expected to be equivalent to adding another industrialized country like the US to the planet.
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.
A new research technique developed by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) enables researchers to identify epigenetic changes in plants and animals much faster and cheaper. This breakthrough can help scientists study climate change, plagues, and other stress-factors more efficiently.
The great tit's reference genome shows epigenetic processes influencing learning and cognitive processes, with conserved patterns found in humans and other mammals. The study suggests a correlation between methylation levels and molecular evolution rate.
The extinction of large herbivores during the Late Pleistocene led to significant changes in vegetation composition and landscape openness. This study reveals that large herbivores play a crucial role in shaping their environments, which has major consequences for other species and ecosystem processes.
Researchers found that neighbor plants affect the quality and taste of individual plants for insects. This impacts insects' ability to control pest species like ragwort, which can be toxic to horses.
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology is launching a research project to study the impact of climate change on plant range shifts and ecosystem stability. The team aims to understand how plants interact with their 'ecological partners' in new ranges, and how this affects biodiversity.
A recent study found that climate change disrupts the seasonal timing of songbirds, but density-dependent processes are helping to mitigate this effect by allowing some birds to survive and reproduce despite earlier or later food availability. This temporary rescue is buying time for evolutionary adaptation.
A new study reveals that insects store voicemails via their effects on soil fungi, passing signals to future plants and their enemies.