Research on the habitats animals depend on. Covers forest protection, megaherbivore decline, orchard conservation, and plastic pollution.
A new analysis shows that habitats of three shark species are relatively well protected from longline fishing, but some prime locations remain vulnerable. The study's findings have important implications for protecting at-risk species from bycatch in U.S. federal waters.
Scientists discovered that bees' quality of life is highest in gardens and biodiverse forests, while lowest in plantations. The decline of biodiversity is linked to bee extinction due to the lack of sufficient food and resources.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that young species of cupuladriid bryozoans can expand into new Caribbean habitats more quickly than older species, taking 2 million years longer to adapt on average.
Researchers are studying how island scrub-jays, found only on Santa Cruz Island, genetically diverge despite being isolated. The study aims to understand microgeographic adaptation strategies in these birds.
A recent study using eDNA sequencing identified aquatic plant diversity in ponds, offering a new approach to ecological surveys. The study found that pondweed diversity had been underestimated at a reserve in Ontario, detecting three previously unknown species.
Researchers combined NASA satellite imagery with wildlife surveys to model the effects of plant productivity on mule deer and mountain lion populations. They found that prey and predator abundance both increased with plant productivity, leading to potential conflicts with humans.
A genome-wide scan reveals the shared loss of Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene function across marine mammal lineages, leaving them vulnerable to neurotoxic chemicals. This loss may be related to PON1's role in fatty acid oxidation and poses a significant health risk for marine mammals living near agricultural runoff.
Researchers emphasize the importance of seagrass conservation in securing a sustainable planet due to its role in biodiversity, fisheries, and carbon cycling. Seagrasses store significant amounts of carbon in their sediments, supporting local ecosystems and potentially mitigating climate change.
A Dartmouth study found that Arctic mosquito populations depend on aquatic habitats and blood meal availability. The research indicates that female mosquitoes carrying eggs were most abundant near ponds in areas frequented by animals.
A study found that natural habitat surrounding farm fields is not always effective in controlling pests, with benefits varying widely across the globe. The analysis, published in PNAS, compiled data from over 6,700 sites in 31 countries, revealing no one-size-fits-all recommendations for farmers.
Researchers found that land sparing, combining high-yield agriculture with preserving natural habitats, stores greater amounts of carbon than other systems. Lower-yield farming practices consistently held more carbon than high-yield farms due to increased area requirements.
Contrary to expectations, diamond doves don't adjust their movements to accommodate flexible perches. They use generalized behaviors regardless of perch stiffness, losing energy during takeoff on flexible branches.
Research presents coldwater stream habitats as potential refugia against climate change, enabling persistence of ecosystems and species. Conservation strategies can be effective with understanding of these habitats' persistence, helping management practices such as dam removal and trout stocking.
A study published in BioScience warns that the Mexico-US border wall could lead to the extinction of over 1,500 native animal and plant species in the US. The construction of physical barriers disrupts annual or seasonal migration and dispersal routes, causing habitat fragmentation, soil erosion, and changes in fire regimes.
A new study reveals that there are still many areas in Europe where brown bears could live, but with suitable habitat for hosting the species. The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have identified over 380,000 square kilometres of potential bear habitat, offering a ...
Researchers found that microclimates, or sheltered pockets of cooler and more variable conditions, can provide alternative habitats for many climate-sensitive species. These refugia have reduced the probability of extinctions of certain butterfly species by up to 63%.
A recent study by UCSB researcher David Herbst explores the connection between benthic invertebrates and stream water flow. The research, published in Hydrobiologia, sheds light on how these organisms sort out and change with stream dynamics. This new understanding has significant implications for water quality monitoring programs.
Researchers used satellite and acoustic technology to track baby white sharks for the first time, confirming their movement patterns and seasonal migrations. The study found that the New York Bight serves as a primary nursery for young white sharks, providing them with a refuge from predators.
Marine species in the eastern Bering Sea are trailing behind climate change, potentially increasing their vulnerability to future fluctuations. The study highlights the importance of incorporating species-specific sensitivity to climate variation when predicting rates of range shifts.
Financial incentive programs created critical waterbird habitat in the Central Valley of California during severe droughts. Satellite data revealed a 61% increase in flooded rice fields and up to 100% of available habitat created by these programs.
A University of Montana ecology professor and researchers have tracked shifting North American habitats to identify climate corridors. The study found routes along north-south trending passes and mountain ranges, which are often circuitous and poorly captured by existing conservation strategies.
A team of researchers identified factors contributing to recurrent patterns of diversity and similarity in cichlid fish. Habitat similarity is a key determinant of evolutionary predictability, with deeper lakes providing more ecological niches.
A new grass species, P. laegaardiana, has been described after 28 years of collection, raising concerns about its survival due to habitat loss and agricultural use. Further studies are needed to search for the species in different locations.
Researchers are combining citizen science data with NASA Earth satellite observations to create new forecast models that can predict the spread of mosquito-carrying diseases. The study found that vegetation, humidity, and soil moisture make it easier for mosquitoes to thrive during the summer months.
A large-scale study examines giant panda habitat use trends and changing threats to their survival, providing scientific evidence of conservation success. However, emerging new threats such as livestock and human disturbance are offsetting gains, highlighting the need for continued protections and adaptive management.
A recent study reveals that giant panda conservation provides significant ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulation, and cultural benefits, worth ~ $2.6-6.9 billion annually. The cost-benefit ratio is approximately 10-27 times the conservation investment, highlighting the value of investing in panda conservation.
A recent study reveals that giant panda conservation has a substantial economic value, with estimates suggesting the reserves provide $2.6-6.9 billion per year in ecosystem services. The research suggests that expanding these reserves and investments in natural capital could be a worthwhile strategy for conservation.
Orangutans were once widespread and abundant before humans arrived in Southeast Asia, with teeth found among common animal remains. Long-term interactions with humans may have shaped their behavior and ecology, and conservation efforts should consider this history.
Orangutans' evolution has been heavily influenced by humans over thousands of years. The critically endangered species can adapt to survive in human-dominated landscapes, expanding their habitat range.
Researchers call for active woodland management to create a 'mosaic' of trees with varied ages and sizes. Dormouse numbers are falling in Britain due to changes in climate and habitat composition, with more broadleaf woodland needed to support the species.
A new study found that Finnish forest management guidelines do not adequately protect old growth forests where flying squirrels live. The guidelines were compared to the recently amended Forest Act and resulted in an extremely low occurrence of female flying squirrels, highlighting a large gap between science and policy.
A study found that Yellowstone wolves primarily hunt at dawn and dusk, allowing elk to access risky areas during nightly lulls. This challenges the idea that predators create a 'landscape of fear' in prey populations.
A Scripps graduate student has identified the world's first known manta ray nursery in the Gulf of Mexico. The juvenile manta habitat at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is crucial for understanding the species' life cycle and informing conservation efforts.
The study highlights the devastating impact of human activities on primate populations, with up to 78% decline in their habitats by the end of the century. The authors recommend extending protected areas, reforestation, and promoting sustainable farming practices to conserve primates.
Five new species of snakes, including four at risk of extinction, were found in Ecuador. The international research team auctioned their naming rights to save a 72 ha plot of land and expand the protected Buenaventura reserve.
A new study urges a more proactive conservation management strategy for North Atlantic right whales due to declining calf births and shifting distribution. Researchers recommend expanding protective policies to cover their new habitat range and implementing advanced monitoring programs.
Meredith McClure's research uses circuit theory and least-cost path models to predict animal movement patterns, finding that circuit theory is more effective for wolverine dispersal while least-cost path models are better for elk migrations. This work informs conservation efforts by providing more accurate wildlife corridor maps.
A portable, pressurized chamber called SubCAS has been invented by the California Academy of Sciences and Monterey Bay Aquarium. The device allows scientists to collect and surface rare, deep-sea fish without rupturing their swim bladders.
Researchers used population dynamics modeling to assess the effects of size-specific and age-specific harvesting of Atlantic cod on the eastern Scotian Shelf, Canada. Fishing practices were found to drive a significant increase in cod habitat deepening, with depths of up to 120m accounting for nearly 100% of observed changes.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa identified areas with high recovery potential for coastal fishery stocks on each island. The study reveals that areas such as east Kaua'i, southeast O'ahu, and Ma'alaea bay support abundant fish populations, which could be replenished to overfished areas.
Researchers found that chimpanzees use distinct 'hoo' variants in different behavioral contexts, such as travel and rest. These variations enable receivers to respond appropriately and maintain cohesion, facilitating cooperation.
A new study by San Francisco State University researchers finds that alarm-calling bird species promote the ability of other species to use risky parts of the forest, bringing together species that normally flock on their own. By creating a safe zone from predators, these birds maintain biodiversity in the rainforest.
Researchers at UNH found that fish prefer kelp habitats over invasive seaweed species, but the shift may leave them with less refuge and protection. The study suggests that continued reduction in available kelp cover could have cascading effects on cunner populations and other ecosystem members.
Seagrass meadows support global fisheries production by providing nursery habitat, promoting health of connected habitats, and supplying trophic support. However, the coastal distribution of seagrasses makes them vulnerable to threats such as land runoff and trawling, leading to declines in seagrass and fisheries.
Researchers studied species' characteristics to predict their relocation abilities, finding that some animals are unable to adapt to changing habitats. Climate change will impact 30 of the 62 mammal species in Europe, with many being at greater risk than previously thought.
Bats inhabit high altitudes, utilizing the troposphere as an important food source, but face threats from collisions with anthropogenic structures and light pollution. Conservation strategies, such as reducing wind power impacts and limiting artificial light emission, can help protect these habitats.
Scientists predict that climate change will alter the location and size of suitable habitats for many marine species on North America's continental shelves. The study found that habitats generally tend to shift north along the coastline, but these shifts vary depending on specific species' requirements and seafloor characteristics.
Research in South Africa's Kruger National Park has shown that climate change is destroying sensitive and valuable riverine habitats due to extreme floods. The study found that cyclone-driven floods removed almost 1.25 million tonnes of sediment from the river bed, leading to patches of mature riparian forest being destroyed.
A new study reveals that the removal of roadkill by urban scavengers is a significant factor in underestimating roadkill numbers, particularly for small animals. The study found that scavengers such as crows, gulls, and foxes play an under-appreciated role in removing carcasses from roads.
Researchers compiled a massive dataset of movement data for diverse marine megafauna, including whales, turtles, sharks, and birds. The study found that species-specific movement patterns are influenced by habitat, with open-ocean animals moving in straighter lines and coastal animals exhibiting more erratic behavior.
Recent studies suggest that large predators such as alligators, sea otters, and mountain lions are re-colonizing ecosystems they once occupied due to conservation. This challenges the long-held assumption that these species are habitat specialists. As populations recover, these species are adapting to new habitats with surprising ease,...
Researchers found that over 80% of carnivore species in zoos reproduce during the same time of year as their natural habitats. The study suggests that seasonality is an innate characteristic linked to daylight length and genetic adaptations. This discovery sheds light on evolutionary processes influencing reproductive behavior.
The Tapanuli Orangutan, one of the rarest animals on the planet, is under threat from a planned U.S.$1.6 billion mega-dam project that could flood its habitat and destroy its remaining area. The species survives only in areas with no roads, making it vulnerable to illegal logging, clearing, and poaching.
A new article in BioScience proposes that education can be a powerful tool to empower students and inspire action on environmental sustainability. The authors argue that teachers should encourage students to investigate environmental issues, collect data, and participate in citizen science and conservation efforts.
A study published in Ecosphere found that native birds can successfully nest in non-native plants in altered ecosystems, challenging traditional views on habitat restoration. The research suggests that controlling non-native plants may not yield benefits for all nesting bird species.
A study found that larger reserves and species similarity are key to effective conservation, but not all species receive equal protection. The research highlights the need for targeted attention for certain species in sagebrush country.
Researchers at Linköping University developed new methods to predict ecological roles of species in ecosystems. They found that a species' environment influences its role, particularly in predator-prey interactions. The study focuses on marine ecosystems but may inspire research on land-based habitats.
Researchers from Swansea University and Deakin University have discovered vast deep-water seagrass meadows in the Great Chagos Bank of the Western Indian Ocean. The study used satellite tracking to locate these habitats, which are critical for storing carbon and supporting fish populations.
Researchers found that baby fish are deterred by natural sounds in their habitats due to ocean acidification, and instead attracted to 'white noise' from irrelevant habitats. This could lead to smaller population sizes and impacts on commercial fisheries.
Seagrass meadows in Indonesia are under threat due to environmental degradation, with up to 90% of meadows showing extensive damage. Community-led conservation action and replanting initiatives have shown promise in mitigating the problem.