A recent study published in Frontiers in Plant Science found that beneficial nematodes, including predatory nematodes, play a crucial role in regulating pest populations in tropical soils. The research shows that these natural allies can suppress harmful plant-parasitic nematodes, leading to improved crop yields and reduced losses.
Researchers from University of Guam Marine Lab propose a novel framework to innovate in restoration ecology, integrating coral microbiology, fusion, fragmentation, and environmental resilience. They found that nursery-cultured corals have different morphology, physiology, and microbiomes than wild counterparts.
A recent study found that coral fragments were low in beneficial Endozoicomonas bacteria, which is associated with coral health. This discovery highlights the importance of microbiome analysis in assessing the performance of coral outplants and may provide new insights into coral restoration efforts.
A recent study from the University of Guam found that cycad cotyledons contribute to successful seedling growth through photosynthesis. The research reveals a robust cotyledon strategy for improving seedling persistence and biodiversity in competitive forest communities.
The University of Guam study found that under-plant mirrors can increase available ambient light in shaded areas, leading to improved seedling survival and growth. The innovative protocol uses mirrors instead of colored plastic mulch, resulting in a significant boost in plant performance with minimal costs.
A study found that invasive cicad aulacaspis scale alters leaf litter decomposition dynamics of cycad species, releasing nutrients too quickly. This damage threatens ecosystem balance and conservation efforts in invaded islands.
The University of Guam is conducting a four-person research team's study on the genetics of corals from the Northern Mariana Islands to understand coral population connections, diversity, and adaptations. The study aims to identify potential reserves for declining reefs and assess the impact of warming waters.
An archaeological study has confirmed that cowrie-shell artifacts found in the Mariana Islands were used as lures for hunting octopuses. The devices date back to approximately 1500 B.C., making them the oldest known artifacts of their kind in the world.
A University of Guam professor emeritus has discovered a new species of diatom, Licmophora complanata, that produces an estimated one-fifth of the oxygen in the air we breathe. The discovery was made using advanced microscopy techniques and builds on previous finds by UOG students.
Researchers used mathematical models to reconstruct evolutionary history of photosymbiosis in Scleractinia, identifying groups where association is stable and others that may be more flexible. The study found that certain lineages are more likely to retain the reef-building trait in a changing climate.
A researcher is collecting and genetically analyzing species found in the region's watersheds to understand their historical genetic connections. The project aims to rewrite the book on Guam's native diadromous organisms and potentially discover new species.
A 15-year study on Guam's native cycad tree found that transplanted individuals have a high mortality rate when introduced to foreign soil, with less than 10% surviving long-term. The results highlight the importance of considering local adaptation for conservation efforts.
A University of Guam study highlights the importance of traditional practices in conserving endangered species like the Marianas fruit bat and Micronesian cycad. The research found that restoring these species could also restore traditional Chamoru practices, improving food security and biodiversity in the region.
Researchers at University of Guam discovered that shade can mitigate coral bleaching caused by high temperatures and light exposure. The study's findings suggest practical ways to reduce light impact on corals, particularly during recovery from elevated temperatures, which could inform reef management and outplanting efforts.
The University of Guam's Drone Corps aims to develop a team of FAA-certified drone pilots, providing opportunities for researchers to utilize drones in their fields. Students will practice flying unmanned aerial vehicles, capturing footage and data for local agencies.
A University of Guam review finds conservation projects have lacked publishable results, revealing the need for adaptive management. The study highlights the importance of including published research scientists in funded conservation projects to generate new knowledge and inform decisions.
The review paper highlights extinction risks of cycad species in U.S. controlled lands due to geopolitical boundaries. Coordinating conservation measures across multiple governments and countries is necessary to mitigate these risks.
The University of Guam will develop an online open-access database to make CHamoru language and culture learning resources more accessible. The multi-phased project aims to collect, organize, and digitize existing resources, partnering with local and regional organizations.
A literature review on cycad leaf nutrition highlights inconsistencies in data collection and analysis methods, emphasizing the need for more research to effectively manage and conserve these plant species. The study recommends considering factors such as seasonal variations, insect herbivory, and soil nutrient concentrations.
Research shows that cycad trees' sex can be inferred from their branching behavior, providing a tool for conservationists to assess population traits. This knowledge is crucial for recovering the island's cycad population, as it was killed by non-native insect pests.
A University of Guam study has found that retaining leaves during cycad stem cutting propagation and using anti-transpirant products have no effect on success rates. Healthy cycads can recover from root or leaf loss with proper care.
Researchers found that cycad trees exhibit sex differences in growth rate and that garden-grown plants grow faster than those in natural habitats. The study's findings inform conservation decisions for threatened species like Cycas micronesica, which faces significant losses due to invasive insect herbivores.
Scientists have discovered that a critically endangered tree species on Guam modifies its leaf function to best exploit prevailing light conditions. The findings provide new insights into the adaptations of trees in response to changing environmental factors.
The Digital Atlas of Micronesia provides comprehensive geospatial data for Yap, Chuuk Lagoon, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. The interactive atlas features nearly 500 pre-designed maps and over 400 layers, making it a valuable resource for sustainable development, research, and education.
Researchers are analyzing termites to assess their role in infecting ironwood trees with a deadly bacterium, which has killed over 20% of the island's gago trees. The team is also planting new, resistant trees and studying how termites spread the disease.
Research on three endangered tree species in Guam reveals that their decomposition releases nitrogen and carbon into the soil, improving forest ecosystem health. The findings highlight the importance of biodiversity and symbiotic relationships between plants and microorganisms in nutrient cycling.
A $14 million grant will support Pacific Islander cancer research through a 17-year partnership between University of Guam and University of Hawai'i Cancer Center. The collaboration aims to address significant cancer health disparities in the Pacific region.
A new study published in HortScience found that the commonly used rooting hormone IBA has no effect on cycad propagation, contrary to previous research. The study's findings highlight the need for further research on cycads and could improve conservation efforts in countries where commercial IBA products are difficult to obtain.
The University of Guam is surveying and monitoring invasive pests of solanaceous crops, including Tuta absoluta, a moth that can destroy entire crops, and Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2, a bacterial wilt that infects through the roots. The work aims to prepare the island for management if these pests arrive.
A study from the University of Guam's Children's Healthy Living Program found that over 27% of children aged 2-8 on Guam are obese or overweight, with factors including excessive screen time, processed foods, and poor sleep habits contributing to the high rate.
A recent study from the University of Guam found that leaves grown under fluctuating light respond better to sunflecks than those grown under homogeneous shade. The research highlights the need for experimental methods to mimic natural light fluctuations in plant physiology.
The coconut rhinoceros beetle has shifted its host from coconut trees to Guam's endangered native cycad tree, Cycas microneica, due to the availability of large doses of starch in the cycad stems. This opportunistic host shift is threatening the local extinction of the region's only native gymnosperm.
Researchers have discovered that younger cycad seeds contain higher levels of neurotoxins, increasing the risk of exposure. The study provides new models for estimating seed age, adding clarity to future research and shedding light on the origins of a neurological disease prevalent on Guam.
A long-term study on cycads in Guam reveals that plant size and habitat traits significantly impact their mortality rate due to invasive species. The research found that larger plants with substantial stored resources are more likely to survive, while smaller plants and those in fragmented forests are more susceptible to damage.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Guam found that cycad plants share nitrogen and carbon through the soil, creating habitable environments for other organisms.
A study by the University of Guam found that cycad stem cuttings require wound sealants to survive and propagate. The researchers discovered that petroleum jelly, lanolin paste, honeycomb wax, and even modelling clay can effectively cover wounds and retain hydration.
Researchers used El Niño and Pacific Decadal Oscillation to predict coral bleaching and crown-of-thorns starfish events up to 5 months in advance, providing more time for proactive reef management. This tool may help islands become better equipped to handle these forces.
University of Guam researchers have been awarded $39,171 to study the reproductive biology and fragmentation potential of blue coral, while another project aims to develop a genetic toolkit to predict stress levels in corals. This funding will support coral restoration and rehabilitation efforts on Guam.
The University of Guam has received a $240,000 grant to introduce an insect disease caused by OrNV to control the coconut rhinoceros beetle population on Guam. Two strains of OrNV have been found to be effective in controlling the biotype CRB-G, causing significant damage on the island.
The University of Guam has secured a five-year, $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation's EPSCoR program to enhance its research capabilities on coral reef survival. The project aims to understand the evolutionary and ecological processes that drive resilience in coral reefs under climate change stress.
The University of Guam and CNMI officials exchanged expertise and challenges in watershed management, identifying gaps in resources and encouraging collaboration. The NSF INCLUDES program funded the workshops, which aimed to promote sustainable living and conserve unique biodiversity in the Marianas.
The University of Guam has received a $856,000 grant for innovative coral restoration work on the island, with an additional $596,000 match from the university. The project aims to develop best practices and genetically diverse populations of staghorn corals.
A recent study by University of Guam researcher Ann Marie Gawel suggests that feral pigs might be an unlikely forest ally in regenerating native plant species on the island. Pigs were found to have a positive impact on seed dispersal in limestone karst forests, whereas deer had negative effects.
The Critically Endangered Cycas wadei population is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and fires. Empirical methods were used to determine the structure and density of the population, highlighting deficiencies in potassium in the soils as a major resource constraint.
Researchers found that large stem cuttings of the Endangered Cycas microneica tree can produce adventitious roots, enabling the creation of large transplants. However, this approach may not address underlying threats such as insect pests and tropical cyclones.
New research reveals that root extension rates vary depending on plant age and size, with younger plants extending roots more at night and older plants doing so during the day. This study contributes to our understanding of ontogeny, or the study of organisms from initiation to maturity.
A recent study from Guam found that non-native Acacia trees alter the soil chemistry and root-zone nutrient budgets, causing collateral ecosystem deviations. The results contribute to ongoing global discussions about afforestation for revegetating tropical degraded habitats.
Recent reports on gymnosperms' slow photosynthetic use of sunflecks prompted a call for cycad species study. Experimental protocols should be defined from natural habitats to accurately represent species behavior.
New propagation methods for rare tropical tree species, like Serianthes nelsonii, are being developed at the University of Guam. These methods enable the production of more propagules every year, supporting conservation goals and expanding species recovery potential.
Researchers discovered that bags of potting soil on Guam's island are a breeding ground for invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles. The beetles spread through holes in plastic bags, which customers unknowingly bring home for their gardens.