Research by James Rodgers and Stephen Schwikert found that flush distances for motorboats were greater than those for personal watercraft (PWC), allowing for more effective protection of waterbirds. The study recommends customized buffer zones to protect vulnerable species, such as great white herons.
Research reveals Amazon forest fragments are more susceptible to extinction due to overhunting, increased airborne pollutants, and heightened fire risks. Climate change may further exacerbate these effects, threatening biodiversity in fragmented landscapes.
Research found giant pandas have moderate genetic diversity compared to other carnivores, with some populations showing signs of isolation. To ensure the species' survival, conservation efforts focus on restoring gene flow among populations through natural corridors and ecological restoration.
Researchers discover widespread hybridization between introduced rusty crayfish and native species, altering ecosystems and leading to population displacement. The study highlights the significant impact of non-native species invasions on biodiversity.
Researchers question the efficacy of prescribed burning in reducing large, intense forest fires. They argue that this technique is not suitable for closed-canopy forests and shrublands where natural fires are more frequent and severe. This approach can also have negative ecological consequences.
Researchers observed high numbers of corn rootworm beetles near corn edges in prairie remnants, with 10 times more at the edge than at a distance. The beetles damage sunflowers, potentially reducing seed set and affecting pollinator visitation.
A recent study found that prescribed burns in eastern U.S. deciduous forests can decline ground-nesting bird species by over 80% due to reduced leaf litter and shrubs. However, two bird species increased in response to the burns, suggesting that fire may improve their foraging habitat.
A study by USGS researchers found that large habitat patches are crucial for bighorn sheep persistence and growth rates. Small patches with high-quality habitat can still warrant restoration efforts.
Researchers estimate that eastern North American reserves must be at least 1,000 square miles in size to prevent loss of species. This is significantly smaller than the current sizes of most reserves, which are often not enough to safeguard biodiversity.
A study found that the California gnatcatcher, a threatened songbird, does not effectively serve as an umbrella species for coastal sage scrub conservation. The birds occur in nearly all patches, but insect diversity and quality are more closely linked to patch size than bird presence.
A new study by Cardillo and Bromham found that medium-sized mammals were not at greater risk of extinction, contrary to the widely accepted theory. Instead, small mammal species are the least vulnerable to extinction due to high population densities and reproductive rates.
Small-scale human disturbances, such as heavy vehicle use and recreation, are reducing species diversity in Arctic ecosystems. The study found that these disturbances can cause lasting changes, including melting permafrost and decreased plant biodiversity.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that moderate cattle grazing has little to no effect on Texas tortoise populations. The researchers compared tortoise populations in grazed and ungrazed pastures and found no differences in abundance, size, growth rate, or adult survival.
Conservation biologists leverage NASA's technology for biodiversity conservation projects. Satellite and radar images are used to identify high-biodiversity areas, track changes in ecosystems, and understand the impact of human activities on wildlife populations. These studies have implications for reserve creation and corridor managem...
Researchers found that trout can spread a fungus, Saprolegnia ferax, to western toad embryos, leading to high mortality rates. Discontinuing fish-stocking may not be enough to control the spread of this disease, according to the study.
A recent study found that areas with greater biodiversity of small mammals have lower rates of Lyme disease. This is due to a decrease in the number of infected tick nymphs, which are most active during summer and hard to detect.
Hawaii's dry forests require more than just grazing removal to regenerate; invasive species like non-native rodents and fountain grass also play a significant role. Active management is necessary to control these invaders and reintroduce native species, say researchers.
A new study has revealed that Italian wolves have maintained a pure population despite facing threats such as competition for food and space. The researchers analyzed mitochondrial DNA samples from over 100 Italian wolves, finding unique sequences that indicate the species has remained genetically distinct from feral dogs.
Researchers found that Florida scrub-jays nesting along roadsides die at a higher rate than those on non-road territories, with up to half of new breeders dying in their first two years. The roadside death rate is particularly high for young fledglings and newly arrived breeders.
Researchers found nearly 1,000 cave species in the continental US, with over 60% living in a single county or cave. Protecting land above caves is crucial to save these species from disruptions to vegetation and drainage basins.
New research reveals poaching's significant effects on forest plants, including increased palm regeneration despite reduced mammal populations. The study found that poaching increased beetle predation of dispersed seeds, while rodent predation decreased.
A study by Harvard University's Richard Forman estimates that US roads directly affect the ecology of nearly 20% of U.S. land, blocking animal migrations and spreading non-native species. Traffic noise also reduces bird populations, making it harder for them to communicate with their young.
New research in Conservation Biology found that fragmented rainforests can lose biodiversity for a century. The study, led by Thomas Brooks, suggests that conserving the most-recently isolated fragments will save the greatest number of species from extinction.
A study by Anthony Ricciardi and Joseph Rasmussen reveals freshwater species are dying out five times faster than terrestrial species. At this rate, many at-risk species will disappear within the next century, with non-native species and dams identified as major threats.
Researchers found moose pregnancy rates fell from 90% in 1966 to 75% today, indicating limited food availability. The abundance of willows limits the number of moose, not wolves and grizzly bears, according to the study.
New research predicts that up to half of African primate species could go extinct within decades due to habitat loss. The study suggests an 'extinction debt' has been incurred as a result of widespread deforestation in Africa.
The Everglades' low biodiversity, caused by nutrient deficiencies, makes them vulnerable to pollution. Researchers recommend reducing agricultural runoff and filtering water through marshes to preserve the ecosystem's character.
Researchers find mosquitofish devour tadpoles just as readily as mosquitoes, decimating native amphibian populations in streams. The study urges local governments to reconsider using mosquitofish as a control measure.
Lemurs play a vital role in dispersing seeds for tree species in Madagascar's dry forests, which would otherwise fail to regenerate without them. The study found that the brown lemur is responsible for dispersing most of these species, highlighting the importance of reintroducing lemurs and reducing fragmentation.
Research by Leslie Ries and colleagues found that restored prairie along roadsides increases the number of sensitive butterfly species, with twice as many rare butterflies present compared to grass and weeds. This could provide crucial corridors for butterfly habitats, reducing road-crossing risks.
Research reveals penguins can quickly acclimate to tourists visiting their breeding colonies, with reduced stress levels after brief exposure. After 10 days of repeated human visits, penguin stress levels decreased significantly, suggesting a possible long-term adaptation to ecotourism.
The gray wolf population is thriving in Yellowstone, with 10 breeding pairs established in each of the three states. The reintroduction of wolves has boosted biodiversity, reducing elk and coyote populations while increasing eagle, pronghorn, foxes, and wolverine numbers.
Researchers found that sites with high agricultural land had a stronger correlation with red-legged frog declines than UV radiation or global warming. The study suggests that wind-borne pesticides from the Central Valley may be contributing to the frogs' decline in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is pioneering the ecosystem approach by dividing the country into 53 management units based on watersheds. Conservation biologists are urged to help implement this approach by working with land managers on Habitat Conservation Plans, identifying areas for flexibility and adjustments.
The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment is launching an electronic meeting place to facilitate collaboration between conservation biologists and natural resource managers. This initiative aims to promote interdisciplinary research and answer resource managers' questions, addressing a need for large-scale studies in...
Researchers found that African elephants can coexist with humans for a certain threshold, beyond which they disappear. The 'threshold hypothesis' suggests that land planners can distinguish areas suitable for elephant conservation from those that are not.
Babbitt envisions integrating conservation biology into urban planning to preserve at-risk species habitats. The approach was successfully implemented in Southern California's Habitat Conservation Plans covering 210,000 acres.
Experts argue that conservation biologists should move away from simplistic predictive models based on population size to conserve species effectively. John Wehausen analyzed California bighorn populations and found that many small populations persisted for 50 years, contradicting predictions made by a 1990 model.
Researchers Joel Berger and Steven Cain found that the length of bison birthing periods is not longer in brucellosis-exposed populations. This allows ranchers to predict when it's safe to put cattle on public lands where bison live, typically delaying until July.
The caiman harvesting program in Venezuela, which began in 1983, has harvested over a million spectacled caimans, generating $115 million in export value. However, the program's direct link to conservation is threatened by changes to funding allocations and market instability.
Behavioral factors can contribute to extinction, such as electrocution from roosting on electric wires or flying into lights. Biologists are using decoys and mimicry to reestablish colonies and attract species.