The study examined the relationship between groundwater and ecosystems across California, identifying thresholds of vegetation greenness and groundwater depth that can determine groundwater needs for ecosystems. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems play a crucial role in biodiversity, and the research provides a data-driven foundation to g...
A study reveals that California's stream ecosystems are being harmed by human-diverted water, creating an unintended dependence on artificial supplies. This threatens the long-term survival of natural communities and highlights the need for changes in water management.
Researchers from SUNY ESF predict that warmer climate and nitrogen deposition will lead to the invasion of temperate tree species into boreal peatlands, threatening biodiversity conservation. The study uses data from Shingle Shanty Preserve as a critical resource for understanding the biological response to climate change.
Research suggests mature forests cannot absorb additional carbon as atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase. Carbon is quickly cycled through the soil and returned to the atmosphere, with only half being stored by trees and half by fungi and bacteria.
A recent study by Dr. Karin Limburg and Michele Casini reveals that hypoxia caused by climate change is responsible for the declining condition of Baltic cod. The researchers analyzed otoliths, or earstones, found in the fish's hearing and balance system, which showed a clear link between hypoxia and the decline of the species.
A recent study found that humans are responsible for more than 25% of vertebrate deaths globally. The research analyzed 42,755 animal deaths and found that 28% were directly caused by humans. Larger animals and adults are more likely to be killed by humans.
A team of scientists conducted over 2,000 surveys of chirping frog calls to define the Atlantic Coast leopard frog's range and characteristics. The study resulted in the first field-verified range map for the species, living primarily in coastal plains from Connecticut to northern North Carolina.
A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that all organisms are nearly equally fit for survival due to a universal tradeoff in energy allocation. This means that each species contributes the same amount of energy per gram of parent to the next generation, regardless of size or life history.
A recent study finds that megacities generate an average of $505 million in ecosystem services from trees, including air and water filtration, stormwater management, and energy savings. The value of tree benefits could be doubled by increasing tree cover, improving urban well-being and mitigating climate change.
A study found that the average distance from any point in the United States to the nearest forest increased by 14% between 1990 and 2000. This increase is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban settings, posing challenges for wildlife and broad effects on ecosystems.
Researchers have identified two promising sites in Kazakhstan where Amur tigers could be reintroduced to Central Asia. The Ili River delta and adjacent southern coast of Balkhash Lake are considered suitable habitats, covering approximately 7,000 square kilometers. To ensure a sustainable future for both tigers and local communities, a...
A scientist at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry has discovered that a dip in beer can sedate and immobilize tiny snails before a terminal dunk in ethyl alcohol, reducing physical distress. This humane method is similar to those used with domestic animals.
A study reveals Amazonian fish species' life stories through otolith microchemistry, tracing migratory routes and environments. The research provides critical groundwork for conservation and management of threatened species.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that climate change is redistributing global water resources, with more water originating from the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. This shift can drastically affect the availability of potable water and contribute to increased coastal flooding.
A new study found a significant decline in the growth rate of sugar maple trees in the Adirondack Mountains, raising concerns about the long-term health of northeastern ecosystems. The research suggests that factors such as acid rain, insect outbreaks, and late frost damage may contribute to this decline.
A new US county-by-county map shows diverse land use patterns, with green counties operating efficiently and red counties consuming more land per capita. The study integrates satellite data with census population information to identify socio-economic patterns linked to land consumption.
Scientists at SUNY-ESF have successfully created blight-resistant American chestnut trees through genetic engineering, powered by a single gene from wheat. The trees, which can co-exist with the invasive fungus that devastated the species, are being prepared for potential reforestation efforts.
A population of giant tortoises has recovered on the Galapagos island of Española, with over 1,000 breeding and restoring some ecological damage. However, more work is needed to fully recover the ecosystem upon which the tortoises and other rare species depend.