Articles tagged with Ecosystem Services
A recent study by researchers at the University of Queensland found that nearly 80% of threatened species globally are not adequately protected, falling short of the 17% target for land and 10% target for oceans set by the Convention on Biological Diversity.
University of Queensland research reveals that conservation planning is often inadequate, neglecting critical ecosystem services that benefit humans, such as freshwater and pollination services. The study proposes a formal process for governments and policymakers to develop more effective plans.
A new study suggests that concentrating tree planting efforts on understocked forest land, particularly in western states and the Northeast, can substantially increase carbon sequestration capacity. This targeted approach could enhance ecosystem services and offset a significant portion of the country's carbon dioxide emissions.
The extinction of mites, crucial to ecosystems worldwide, is occurring at an alarming rate, threatening environmental health and species survival. Human activities such as habitat destruction and climate change exacerbate the issue.
Researchers analyzed past warming events to understand how species and ecosystems will cope with future climate change, identifying potential causes of extinction and ways to improve early-warning systems. The study informs effective conservation practice and policy for managing biodiversity under ongoing and future climate change.
Researchers developed a low-cost, visible-light activated coating for water filtration membranes that breaks down foulants and renders the membrane clean. The coating increases photocatalytic efficiency under sunlight by 24-fold compared to regular titanium dioxide.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that cover crop roots play a crucial role in increasing soil organic carbon levels and promoting biodiversity. The study found that diverse mixtures of cover crops resulted in increased root biomass and improved soil carbon inputs.
A new study warns of the potential harm of deep-seabed mining on seabed ecosystems, highlighting a need for better understanding of their sensitivity and biodiversity. The researchers emphasize that many deep-sea ecosystems will be highly sensitive to seafloor mining and are likely to be impacted over larger scales than predicted.
Seabirds produce guano that serves as a fertilizer and contributes significantly to coastal and marine ecosystems. The researchers estimated the value of guano production at around $473 million per year, with nutrients deposited by seabirds worth an additional $1 billion annually.
A new study highlights the need for further assessment of ecological impacts from deep-sea mining, which could harm vast midwater ecosystems and affect fisheries, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. The International Seabed Authority must consider midwater research efforts to minimize environmental harm.
High accuracy surface modeling (HASM) integrates extrinsic and intrinsic properties, producing accurate results in various applications. The fundamental theorem for earth surface system modeling (FTESM) combines surface theory, system theory, and optimal control theory.
Chronic exposure to thiamethoxam has negative impacts on black garden ants, compromising colony survivorship. The study highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices to prevent damage to natural ecosystems.
Researchers studying Western bumblebee decline identify multiple factors contributing to the species' decline. The study provides critical information on the species' range, gaps in knowledge, and conservation strategies.
Experts demand a prominent target of 20 species extinctions per year to lower biodiversity loss rates and protect ecosystem services. The proposed target is comparable to the 2-degree climate target, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
A new measure, Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP), is proposed to value nature's contributions to economic activity and human well-being. GEP summarizes the economic value of nature's services, highlighting the need to balance domestic and ecosystem needs for a sustainable future.
A new study suggests replacing GDP with Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) can provide decision-makers with clear and compelling evidence of the value of nature. The study, conducted in China's Qinghai province, found that GEP was greater than GDP in the year 2000.
Researchers have calculated Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP), a monetary value of ecosystem services. GEP calculations for China's Qinghai Province showed over half of its value came from water supply, with GEP exceeding GDP in the year 2000 and being ¾ as large as GDP by 2015.
The ES Matrix approach has been applied to assess ecosystem services in various studies, allowing for a higher number of ES assessment than other methods. However, the approach often lacks transparency and variability analyses, recommending improved applications and method elucidation.
A study by University of Alberta scientists found that alpine butterflies with specialized diets are more vulnerable to climate change, while those with diverse diets are less likely to be affected. Climate change models suggest that fluctuations in food resources will have a significant impact on these butterfly populations.
Researchers developed a new approach to predict vegetation dynamics by incorporating principles of evolution, self-organization, and entropy maximization into dynamic vegetation models. This allows for better prediction of complex plant behavior and resulting vegetation responses to environmental conditions.
A meta-analysis of 166 long-term surveys across 1,676 sites worldwide reveals highly spatially variable global insect population trends, showing an average 9% per decade decline in terrestrial insects. In contrast, freshwater insect abundance increases by 11% per decade, possibly due to successful clean water efforts.
A new study by Duke University finds that US community water systems are disproportionately affected by droughts, with low-income and minority neighborhoods facing the highest risks. The analysis highlights the need for a fundamental re-evaluation of how these systems are managed and funded to ensure equal access to safe drinking water.
The Journal of Public Policy & Marketing explores the complex relationship between consumer power and access, examining how technology, wealth, and industry organization influence this dynamic. Key findings highlight the importance of perceived access to healthcare, financial capability, and trait hope in improving consumer outcomes.
Future climate change will cause drylands to expand at an accelerated rate, but their average productivity is expected to decline. The study found that while total global productivity may increase by 12%, individual dryland areas will experience decreased productivity due to changes in precipitation and temperatures.
A recent study evaluates and quantifies ecosystem service flows between countries, highlighting the importance of understanding these interregional connections. Researchers found that Germany benefits from ecosystem services provided in other countries, including flood protection, biodiversity conservation, and cocoa production.
New research by IIASA reveals that tropical forest ecosystems' strength as global carbon sinks depends on multiple interacting factors, including species diversity, soil type, and climate. The study found that abiotic and biotic factors interact to determine the amount of carbon stored by the ecosystem.
A new framework guides the management of terrestrial invasive species in South Africa, prioritizing targets in control efforts. The approach combines big data and citizen science, focusing on poorer municipalities most impacted by invasive weeds.
Researchers found that previous tree thinning and prescribed burns helped forests survive the devastating Carlton Complex fire. The study suggests that reducing built-up fuels such as small trees and shrubs pays off, even in extreme wildfires.
A major study reveals that climate change can cause abrupt changes in dryland ecosystems, resulting in drastic reductions in plant productivity, soil fertility, and vegetation loss. The study found three phases of accelerated ecosystem change in response to increasing aridity, with thresholds above a certain level leading to system col...
E-scooters pose significant safety concerns, but new research highlights additional security and privacy risks including data breaches and spoofed GPS systems. The study identifies vulnerable points in the ride-sharing ecosystem that can be exploited by malicious actors.
Scientists report declines in caterpillar diversity and density, as well as losses in biocontrol of herbivores by parasitoids. Climate change is partly blamed for these changes, with increased precipitation variability and shifts in mean temperatures affecting ecosystems.
The new tool, 'Kmasker plants', enables researchers to identify repetitive sequences in plant genomes and assign them to positions. This allows for the rapid analysis of complex genomes and can help identify sequence candidate regions with agronomic importance.
A new study assesses the impact of deep-sea mining on microbial ecosystems, highlighting the need for policy makers and industry to understand microbes' roles and services they provide. Microbial processes and animal communities are slow to recover from disturbance, and damage can lead to irreversible loss of ecosystem processes.
A new paper demonstrates that digital extension practices are adopted at rates comparable to traditional in-person extension, with significantly lower costs. The study highlights the research utility of digital extension and its potential for improvement through iteration and testing.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that preserving temperate forests in the western United States can mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, while also enhancing biodiversity. The identified forests have medium to high potential for carbon sequestration and low future climate vulnerability.
Researchers found that Germany benefits from intangible ecosystem services in particularly threatened ecosystems in poor regions. The study identified the top six birds in Germany, with nearly 60% of species spending at least part of their lives in distant countries.
The MOVE-ON project aims to produce sustainable development and ecosystem management models for EU overseas territories in the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. Researchers will investigate ecological conditions and develop conceptual models of ecosystem services provision according to the quality of marine ecosystems.
Researchers argue that climate change has a disproportionate impact on disabled populations, limiting access to knowledge and resources. The study highlights the need for urgent research into the intersection of disability rights and climate change.
The study estimates that preserving 270 million hectares of native vegetation yields Brazil USD 1.5 trillion per year in ecosystem services such as crop pollination, pest control, and water security. This research supports the importance of Legal Reserves and Permanent Conservation Areas in maintaining environmental services.
The J.M.K. Innovation Prize recognizes 10 non-profit and mission-driven organizations addressing pressing challenges through social innovation, providing up to $175,000 in funding over three years. The award aims to shine a spotlight on innovators tackling issues in under-resourced parts of America.
Purdue University is hosting two international entrepreneurs from Brazil and Uganda as part of the US Department of State's Global Innovation through Science and Technology Initiative. Marcos Valadares and Allan Eden are spending four weeks at the Purdue Foundry, refining their ideas and connecting with business experts.
Land restoration in Ethiopia has boosted crop yields and soil carbon, but increased runoff due to climate change threatens degradation. A combination of land restoration activities can increase crop yields by up to 170 percent.
The study highlights seven key areas for further research, including integrating indigenous knowledge into research, understanding consumption patterns, and developing effective governance systems. The researchers emphasize the need for management and policy strategies that prioritize human well-being and biodiversity protection.
A new study found higher local earthworm diversity in temperate regions than in the tropics, with patterns not matching aboveground biodiversity. The researchers created a global map of earthworm diversity, abundance, and biomass, highlighting climate change's potential impact on earthworm communities.
Researchers evaluated six options, including afforestation, wetland restoration, and soil carbon sequestration, finding they contribute positively to ecosystem services and SDGs. However, some options require risk management to avoid negative impacts on food production and clean water.
A study involving over 100 researchers demonstrates that biodiversity enhances pollination and biological pest control, leading to increased crop yields. Higher agricultural biodiversity also reduces the reliance on pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture.
A new global model shows that as many as five billion people could face water and food insecurity by 2050, particularly in Africa and South Asia. The model highlights the urgent need to determine where nature's contributions matter most to people and who is most at risk if these contributions cease.
A new interactive global map reveals where people receive the most benefits from nature, with up to 5 billion at higher risk by 2050. The study highlights inequitable distribution of environmental impacts, with developing countries bearing a disproportionate share.
Maps identifying suitable areas for the spotted lanternfly's establishment in the US and world have been published by Agricultural Research Service scientists. The insect has already spread to several countries and is predicted to become established in most of New England, mid-Atlantic states, and Pacific coastal states.
A comparative analysis of 60 municipal smart-city plans reveals four major types: Essential Services Model, Smart Transportation Model, Broad Spectrum Model, and Business Ecosystem Model. These categories offer targeted suggestions for implementing smart-city components, tailored to each city's socio-economic circumstances.
The European Commission has approved €14 million in funding for the preparation of the European Long-Term Ecosystem Research Infrastructure, enabling significant development of the eLTER Research Infrastructure. The project will involve 34 partners from 24 countries and cover all biogeographical zones in Europe.
The MIT Press has released a comprehensive report on open-source publishing software, cataloging 52 platforms that meet survey criteria. The report warns that open publishing faces dual challenges, including siloed development and community organization, which must be addressed for sustainable success.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that sanitation systems can recover resources such as nutrients, water, and organic material, which can be used to improve ecosystem services. These services include water purification, nutrient cycling, food provisioning, and climate regulation, among others.
Researchers are calling for a shift in river management to prioritize long-term risk assessment and adaptive management. The current tools are no longer effective due to increasing climatic uncertainty, and new models must be able to anticipate future shocks and manage biodiversity.
Biodiversity expert Dr. Díaz emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living organisms, stressing that land use changes pose the greatest threat to biodiversity. She advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability and praises her team's efforts in developing a comprehensive understanding of ecosystems.
A new study by University of Vermont researchers found that older forests are less vulnerable to climate change, particularly for carbon storage, timber production, and biodiversity. The research analyzed 18,500 forest plots across the eastern US and Canada, identifying priority regions for forest climate adaptation efforts.
The ESMERALDA project has generated research insights and practical solutions on ecosystem service mapping and assessment. The open science collection shares tested methods, collected datasets, and case study experience directly applicable to practical situations.
Researchers argue that preserving rare species can have a direct positive impact on human life, from restoring food sources like bluefin tuna to storing airborne carbon in giant sequoias. This new understanding is crucial for conservation decisions under climate change, shifting focus to future benefits rather than current conditions.
In April 2016, a mass mortality event occurred in two bat species in Cambodia due to extreme heat. The investigation suggests that the heat stress hypothesis is consistent with clinical signs and gross pathology findings.
Researchers found that rural-specific resources are not widely used in introducing innovation, but migrants who use pre-existing contacts and build on previous life experiences are most innovative. Policies should support diversification and acknowledge differences within rural communities.