Articles tagged with Ecosystem Services
A study of 46 grasslands in North America and Europe found that increasing plant diversity decreases the extent to which extreme wet or dry conditions disrupt grassland productivity. Higher biodiversity communities are more stable, exhibiting resistance during extreme climate events.
A six-year ASU experiment found that extreme weather events affect plant species differently, with grasses declining and shrubs flourishing under alternating wet and dry years. This shift could have serious consequences for humans relying on grasslands for food, particularly cattle ranchers.
The symposium aims to address the role of urban soils in storing carbon and mitigate climate change. Experts propose various management options such as biodiversity enhancement and sustainable land use practices to increase soil carbon storage.
A recent report estimates that the world loses $6.3 trillion to $10.6 trillion in ecosystem services each year due to land degradation, equivalent to 10-17% of global GDP. This loss could lead to the migration of millions of people within a decade, posing a significant humanitarian crisis.
Researchers mapped social vulnerability at the district level, identifying three clusters of most vulnerable districts containing over 1 million people. The study highlights the importance of addressing water quality, food insecurity, and access to medical care to prevent Ebola infections and deaths.
The study concludes that high-density cities with large parks or nature reserves yield the most benefits, but smaller parks and gardens also play a positive role. Compact developments incorporating large green spaces are essential for delivering ecosystem services.
Climate change and rising temperatures are giving rise to 'hotter' droughts, causing abnormally high levels of forest mortality. Temperate forests may convert to new ecological states, leading to widespread ecosystem service losses.
New research at Binghamton University finds a positive correlation between municipal power companies and increased community-wide sustainable energy policies. Municipal utilities provide financial resources and local expertise, enabling governments to take action on energy conservation and green-energy production.
A team of researchers has advanced new modeling technology to quantify human dependence on nature and its impact on human well-being. The study found that people who depended on multiple types of ecosystem services fared better than those with limited resources.
A recent study found that installing functional doors and windows in abandoned buildings can lead to a significant decrease in crime rates. Over a 2-year period, the study revealed an estimated 8 fewer assaults, 10 fewer gun assaults, and 5 fewer nuisance crimes in areas with improved building facades.
A new study assesses ecosystem service supply capacities for irrigated rice cropping systems in Southeast Asia, revealing differences between more and less intensively managed areas. The findings suggest that ES-based information can help provide alternative management options for decision-making in agricultural systems.
A study by Georgia State researchers has found that protected areas in Brazil, Costa Rica, and others can prevent carbon dioxide release worth $5 billion. The research integrates modeling and empirical measures to improve conservation planning by studying policy impacts on ecosystem services.
A major international study reveals that only two percent of wild bee species are responsible for pollinating 80 percent of global crops. This finding underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity, particularly among common wild bee species such as the common eastern bumblebee and red-tailed bumblebee.
A US forest service research team has released bats treated for White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a deadly fungus that has killed an estimated 5-6 million bats. The treatment, developed with native soil bacteria, showed promising results in field trials and could potentially reduce mortality of bats affected by the disease.
The USGS study found that rivers quickly erode sediment accumulated in former reservoirs and redistribute it downstream, returning the river to conditions similar to those prior to impoundment. In many cases, fish and other biological aspects of river ecosystems also respond quickly to dam removal.
A recent UM study found that oil and gas development has transformed vast areas of North America's rangelands and croplands, leading to vegetation loss and fragmentation of wildlife habitats. The research estimates that over half a million acres of land are lost annually, equivalent to 120.2 million bushels of wheat.
A new species of tree-killing bark beetle has been described in a paper published online in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America. The mesoamerican pine beetle was found to work in concert with the southern pine beetle, causing catastrophic damage to pines in Central America.
A recent study found that organic farming systems provide greater economic value than conventional systems, with ecosystem services like pest control and nitrogen release generating higher profits. The research suggests that government incentives or market rewards can encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in agriculture.
A Dartmouth College and US Forest Service study reveals that mild winters are not fuelling mountain pine beetle outbreaks in the coldest areas of the western United States. Instead, warming winters have allowed beetles to survive in historically unfavorable regions, leading to more severe outbreaks.
A study reveals that 70% of the world's remaining forests are within a half-mile of their edges, facing harm from urbanization and agricultural influences. Habitat fragmentation reduces plant and animal diversity by 13-75%, with negative effects magnifying over time.
A team of experts has published six natural science principles to ensure the success of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiatives. The principles, designed to be scientifically robust yet practical, focus on understanding system dynamics, monitoring outcomes, and ensuring ecological sustainability.
A new study uses ecosystem services to evaluate the potential impacts of tidal power projects on coastal environments and people. Researchers identified biodiversity, tourism, and food provision as key ecosystem services that should be assessed in the Muskeget Channel Tidal Energy Project.
The IPBES conceptual framework offers a new approach to understanding biodiversity loss by incorporating traditional knowledge and social sciences. The framework is built on six main elements: nature, human benefits, anthropogenic assets, indirect drivers of change, direct drivers of change, and good quality of life.
A Stanford scientist is developing a flexible model to manage stormwater runoff in big cities, with the goal of determining its ecosystem and financial benefits. The research aims to study the value of stormwater retention services for large cities in developing countries and compare their benefits to other services.
A University of Tennessee study finds that plant evolutionary history influences community responses to global change, with native species from the same lineage more effective at sequestering carbon. The research may aid in predicting ecosystem futures and informing conservation efforts.
China's vast seawall, covering over half its coastline, faces criticism for ecological costs and lack of protection. The wetland ecosystems support millions of migratory birds and produce 28 million tons of fishery products, underappreciated services that threaten with unsustainable development
The US Forest Service advocates for a holistic approach to managing wildfires, considering both ecological and human dimensions. Strategies include adopting land use regulations, developing locally appropriate vegetation management strategies, and improving evacuation planning and household plans.
A new study suggests that assigning a price to nature's services can lead to trade-offs between conservation and economic benefits. While some ecosystems benefit from pricing, others suffer as traditional conservation strategies may not effectively protect the economic value of biodiversity.
Researchers at the University of Maryland's Supply Chain Management Center have developed a user-ready online portal to help companies sense and respond to cyber supply chain risks. The portal combines cybersecurity, enterprise risk management, and supply chain management to provide benchmarking and anonymous industry peer comparison.
A 3-year study analyzing 53,000 end hosts and 160 countries found a significant relationship between broadband services, pricing, and demand. In developed countries, users can upgrade to faster services when demand increases, but in developing countries, high prices limit adoption and usage.
A review published in ESA Frontiers explores designing rivers with environmental flows to sustain ecosystem services, considering controlled releases and hands-off policies. The approach aims to create functional ecosystems under current conditions, rather than recreating historical ones.
A Yale-led study found that removing earthworms, beetles, and other small animals from the soil of a replicated Scottish sheep meadow altered plant species, reduced productivity, and changed the quality of yields. The results highlight the importance of these tiny creatures in maintaining ecosystem balance and services.
A recent study supports Charles Darwin's insight that regions with deeper evolutionary histories are more likely to produce successful invaders. The 'Evolutionary Imbalance Hypothesis' (EIH) suggests that ecologists should consider historical evolutionary imbalance when analyzing invasiveness.
Boston University's SCOPE project aims to improve urban life through a smart-city cloud-based open platform. The platform will offer services such as traffic congestion management, energy monitoring, and public safety services.
The Entomological Society of America has awarded ten graduate students with AFRI travel grants to attend Entomology 2014 in Portland, Oregon. The winners include Heather Connelly, Adam Dale, Carrie Deans, and Michael Garvey, who will receive funding for research opportunities, presentations, and networking.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been selected to participate in the National Science Foundation-funded CloudLab project, which aims to develop cloud infrastructure and support high-level research. The $2.3 million grant will enable researchers to evaluate novel cloud technologies in a realistic environment.
Researchers found that a one percent increase in tree and shrub cover results in a two percent loss in livestock production. The study also revealed that woody-plant cover in North America increases at an average rate of 0.5 to 2% per year.
A new U.S. Forest Service study introduces a network model to assess risk of forest pest spread via recreational travel. The model identifies likely origin and destination locations for campers transporting infested firewood, enhancing survey and public education efforts.
Researchers model future land-use change in the US and propose incentive structures for landowners to provide ecosystem services. The work aims to strike a balance between human needs and natural systems, with tradeoffs identified for every policy.
Recent shale development has generally benefited local governments in the US, generating new revenues from property taxes, sales taxes, and severance taxes. However, some municipalities have struggled to manage rapid population growth and associated infrastructure needs.
A new international standard for wood packaging material has significantly reduced insect stowaways, with a 52% drop in infestation rates. The International Phytosanitary Standard ISPM 15 has achieved near-100% reduction in insect stowaways in some countries.
The US National Climate Assessment reports that nearly all natural and managed ecosystems are experiencing climate change impacts, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services. The assessment provides guidelines for responding and adapting to these changes, highlighting the urgent need for policy development.
Midwest farmers are willing to adopt environmentally improved farming practices in exchange for payments, which can lead to up to 50% reductions in nitrogen pollution and mitigate greenhouse warming. The study suggests that sustainable agriculture can be economically viable and contribute to ecosystem services.
Research reveals disparate fertilizer and irrigation practices among different age groups, socioeconomic statuses, and climates in urban, suburban and rural areas. The study found that lawncare varies more within a city than expected, suggesting that one sustainability message may not fit all.
A study reveals that US military helicopters are vulnerable to bird strikes, with 2,511 recorded incidents across the services. The majority of strikes involved birds, with a high number of incidents reported in Florida, New Mexico, and Georgia.
Protected areas in Costa Rica reduce poverty by 16% through ecotourism and infrastructure changes. Increased tourism accounts for two-thirds of the reduction.
Researchers found that volatile market conditions and technological substitutes like Bt cotton significantly impacted the value of bat pest control services, resulting in a 79% drop. The study's findings fuel a discussion on whether conserving biodiversity is economically worthwhile.
Despite devastating effects of the invasive insect in southern Appalachians, increasing tree density associated with reforestation and succession may have offset negative impacts at a regional scale. Hemlock trees do not have natural defenses against hemlock woolly adelgid, resulting in high levels of tree mortality.
Research found that EU policies have increased the demand for pollination services at a rate five times faster than the number of available honeybee colonies. Many countries, including the UK and Italy, rely on wild pollinators to meet demands due to insufficient honeybee stocks.
Native forests have been found to recolonize pine plantations without human intervention, thanks to the natural process of ecological succession. This research suggests that pine plantations can be used as a tool for encouraging native forest development in certain areas, particularly when the plantations are older.
A modeling study by US Forest Service researchers shows that reforesting the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley can significantly reduce runoff from agricultural lands and sediment entering rivers and streams. Converting agricultural lands to forests in or near battures can greatly lessen water outflow and reduce sediment load, with a t...
New research reveals a growing concern over tree pests and diseases, which can lead to widespread death of trees and disrupt ecosystem services. The review highlights the need for new approaches to pest management that take into account multiple services and stakeholders.
A three-day meeting of international experts highlighted the need for countries to develop relevant expertise in assessing biodiversity and ecosystem services. The UN's new IPBES platform aims to strengthen national capacities in this area, crucial for informed policy decisions.
This special issue explores the interconnections between climate change, biodiversity, ecosystem functionality, and ecosystem services. It highlights the need for adaptation efforts that consider managing landscapes to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem attributes.
A UN-backed report highlights the need for a 'total economic approach' to tackle global land degradation, which affects 24% of usable lands and results in estimated annual losses of $40 billion. Adopting sustainable land management practices could raise crop supplies by an estimated 2.3 billion tonnes worth $1.4 trillion.
EcoHealth Alliance has been awarded a three-year, $2 million grant by the US Agency for International Development to address land use alteration as a significant driver of disease emergence and climate change in Asia. The project aims to capture the value of ecosystems in mitigating disease emergence and enhance carbon storage.
Researchers found that installing a few wetlands was more cost-effective than upgrading wastewater treatment plants to remove nitrogen pollution. However, the benefits of offering multiple payments for environmental services from wetlands are unclear, and their impact on market outcomes is still debated. The study's findings suggest th...
A new method for producing nootkatone, extracted from grapefruit, could lead to the development of more effective and affordable insect repellents. The ingredient has been shown to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects with a broad-spectrum effect.
The LEGATO project aims to advance long-term sustainable development of irrigated rice fields. New insights were presented on the future of rice ecosystem services, highlighting the importance of continuous discourse and local knowledge integration.
Citizens in Greater Bilbao value the cultural services of Green Belt ecosystems, such as leisure and tranquillity, with nearly all respondents aware that ecosystems provide services. The study highlights the need for citizen participation and proper regulation to preserve these valuable ecosystem services.