Research on the habitats animals depend on. Covers forest protection, megaherbivore decline, orchard conservation, and plastic pollution.
Research reveals that regional differences in rainfall timing and resulting vegetation patterns help maintain genetic diversity among giraffe species. Annual climate cycles may play a key role in this process, with each species tied to its local seasonal cycle of greening.
A new study by Neil Carter found that when Nepalese villagers are given control over local land management decisions, it benefits both people and tigers. The researchers showed that tigers prefer grasslands near water, which flow into nearby forests or grassy cover.
Researchers found that Chitwan National Park's buffer zone has improved tiger habitat quality through innovative monitoring methods, while the park itself has degraded over a 20-year period. Camera traps combined with satellite images provided insights into tigers' behavior and habitat preferences.
The constructive conservation framework combines strategies for preserving biodiversity in both natural and designed landscapes. By prioritizing ecologically viable habitats, actively creating new ecosystems, and accepting novel ecosystems as natural landscapes, researchers aim to maximize the effective use of resources. This approach ...
A comprehensive botanical data set reveals that stable climates and small habitat areas are key factors in the distribution of rare plant species. The study highlights the importance of preserving these regions from human-induced climate changes, which could threaten the survival of many unique species.
Researchers used GPS sensors to track fishers' movements and discovered they chose routes that deviated from predicted models, highlighting the importance of considering animal behavior in landscape planning. This approach could lead to more accurate corridor predictions and improved species conservation.
A new study finds that climate change has shifted the centers of North American turtles' ranges by an average of 45 miles per degree, with temperate forest and grassland species being more affected. This trend indicates that many endangered turtle species face uncertain futures due to their inability to adapt to changing climates.
Four new species of 'legless lizards' have been discovered in California, including the silver-bellied A. alexanderae and purple-bellied A. grinnelli, with the first species added to the state's list from one to five. The discoveries highlight the importance of preserving biodiversity and the need for further surveys.
A new study by researchers at Virginia Institute of Marine Science shows that denser seagrass beds hold exponentially more juvenile crabs per square meter than more open beds. The quality of seagrass habitat can influence the population dynamics of blue crabs on a baywide basis.
Conservationists at the Zoological Society of London have devised a novel method to identify suitable new homes for animals under threat from climate change. The research uses habitat suitability maps and correctly identifies sites that will remain viable in the future.
Researchers found snapping turtles are surviving in urban areas with polluted or degraded habitats; stopping water pollution could restore suitable environments for the species. Engaging in environmental actions like reducing waste and chemicals can increase biodiversity and improve quality of life.
Climate change projections suggest warming Antarctic seas could reduce krill growth habitat by up to 20%, affecting wildlife and fisheries. The Southern Ocean region, including South Georgia, is expected to be worst affected, with potential losses of up to 55% in krill habitats.
The loss of Arctic sea ice will have far-reaching ecological consequences, impacting the marine food web and wildlife species that depend on it. Human activity in the region is expected to increase, leading to increased oil spills and other disturbances.
Researchers found that suitable habitats were settled first by early migrants, leading to a diverse patchwork of language groups. This process may account for global ethnolinguistic patterns.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Minnesota reveals that the world's largest owl relies on old-growth forests for breeding and prey. Large trees provide critical habitats for salmon, supporting the owls' survival.
The USGS has released new seafloor maps, data layers, and videos for the entire California coast, providing a comprehensive base-map series. This collaboration between state and federal agencies, academia, and private industry aims to inform coastal managers and researchers about seafloor habitats, geology, and ecosystems.
The Iberian lynx, the world's most endangered cat species, is threatened by climate change and may go extinct in 50 years. Climate change must be incorporated into strategies to reintroduce the species to new habitats for survival.
A new study by Stanford researchers maps the entire US coastline, revealing where and how much protection communities get from natural habitats such as dunes, reefs, sea grasses, and mangroves. The study suggests that intact ecosystems near vulnerable coastal communities can reduce losses from sea level rise and storms.
A USGS study reveals that threatened loggerhead sea turtles in the northern Gulf of Mexico require broader habitat protection to recover. The research shows that female turtles visit multiple beaches, sometimes hundreds of miles apart, during their reproductive periods.
The drill population has been reduced to critical habitat areas in Cameroon, with only four habitats receiving high scores for sustainable populations. Conservation efforts are now focused on these key areas, including the proposed Ebo National Park.
Researchers discovered that Antarctic octopods have genetically and functionally distinct haemocyanin forms that facilitate oxygen release at sub-zero temperatures. This physiological adaptation allows octopods to sustain aerobic life in cold environments.
Common loons settle on territories very similar to their natal territories, not the best habitat for reproductive success. This finding challenges the ideal free model of habitat selection and suggests that loons may prioritize survival over breeding in familiar habitats.
Researchers found tigers in central Sumatra live at lower than expected densities due to high levels of human activity. The study suggests that legal protection and intensive management can reduce human disturbance and facilitate tiger recovery.
Researchers found that zooplankton species critical for Atlantic cod larvae have declined in abundance, affecting their survival and recovery after overfishing. The study highlights the impact of changing ocean temperatures on the food chain, with significant biological consequences.
Researchers found reduced populations of small, bottom-dwelling fishes like darters and increased sedimentation rates due to dredging alter habitats, leading to regime shifts in fish species. This study highlights the complex effects of human activities on aquatic ecosystems in large rivers.
Researchers say that conserving major tributaries in the Mississippi River Basin may be a more effective approach to saving large-river fish. Studies found that rivers with flow rates above 166 cubic meters per second support 80% or more of large-river species, making them crucial habitats for these fish.
A North Carolina State University study found that households with dogs harbor a wider variety of bacteria, including those rarely found in dog-free homes. The research suggests that dogs influence the types of microbes present in homes, potentially explaining correlations between dog ownership and reduced allergies.
Two new water mite species have been discovered in South Korea and the Russian Far East, expanding the known diversity of this group. The discovery, published in ZooKeys, brings the total number of described species to over 400 worldwide.
Researchers found that limiting greenhouse warming to three watts per square metre can slow coral reef habitat loss. However, artificial temperature regulation through solar radiation geoengineering may have unintended consequences on tropical corals.
Coral reefs face declining health due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing. However, researchers suggest that proactive measures can prevent their collapse, emphasizing the importance of reef function and local management.
A decline in snow cover poses a significant threat to many plant and animal species, compromising their survival during harsh winter weather. The subnivium, a seasonal microenvironment beneath the snow, is experiencing drastic changes due to rising temperatures.
Policies in California's Salinas Valley are prioritizing food safety over wildlife habitat, resulting in the destruction of wetlands and riverside areas. The measures, driven by powerful buyers, create unnecessary costs for farmers and harm wildlife, despite low risk from animals.
A new study reveals that the Mediterranean anuran frog Rana iberica inhabits cave-like habitats, with all life stages observed. The frog's use of artificial subterranean habitats has important implications for its conservation, particularly in light of climate change.
A USGS study found that green sea turtles are using protected areas in Dry Tortugas National Park and the surrounding Florida Keys Marine National Sanctuary. The turtles primarily used shallow seagrass beds and degraded coral reefs for feeding.
Researchers have uncovered a large radiation of previously overlooked Neotropical ants, with 40 species described, including those that nest in clay banks. These ants use 'door-pebbles' to block their entrances and maintain a protected environment for breeding and foraging.
Conservation efforts by the Chilean government and researchers from Cambridge have allowed Huemul deer to return to natural habitats in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. The population has stabilized and begun to increase after controlling cattle farming and poaching, providing a model for future biodiversity conservation.
Researchers at MIT found that measuring recovery length, a spatial counterpart to recovery time, can help predict population collapse risk. By analyzing variations in population density in neighboring regions, scientists can identify areas at risk of collapse, allowing for timely intervention.
A recent study found that Adélie penguin populations on Antarctica's Beaufort Island have increased by 84% as ice fields retreated between 1958-2010. The population density within the colony also increased, leading to altered dynamics of the population studied.
A University of Florida study of nearly 5,000 Haiti bird fossils shows that human arrival did not cause simultaneous bird extinction, contradicting a commonly held theory. The research provides range and dispersal patterns from A.D. 600 to 1600, which may be used to create conservation plans for tropical mountainous regions.
A new study reveals that male lions use dense savanna vegetation to hunt prey successfully, often ambushing them from behind vegetation. The findings suggest that changes to vegetation structure could impact the balance of predators and prey.
Researchers found that bottlenose dolphin leaders are more likely to lead relatives, suggesting individual choices play a role in leader selection. This study provides insights into complex social dynamics of bottlenose dolphins.
A new cryptic spider species, Copa kei, has been described in southeastern South Africa, highlighting the region's biodiversity and ecological flexibility. The species exhibits extreme habitat adaptability, contrasting with its close relative C. flavoplumosa, which occupies a wider range of habitats.
Research at Umea University found that extreme winter conditions impact fish negatively, particularly in streams and rivers with radical flow changes and anchor ice formation. The study highlights the need for more measurements and consideration of winter conditions in models to manage streams and rivers sustainably.
A new study reveals that nearly 1 in 5 reptiles are struggling to survive, with many species highly specialized and sensitive to environmental changes. The findings highlight the urgent need for conservation action to address habitat loss, hunting, and other threats, particularly in tropical regions.
A University of Alberta study reveals that busy beavers contribute to an earlier start for Canada geese's spring nesting by warming ponds and thawing winter snowpack. This helps the birds secure reproductive success.
A study by the University of Oregon found that large landslides in the past created broad, flat valleys with multiple auxiliary channels, providing a calm and safe haven for coho salmon during heavy rainstorms. This discovery provides fundamental insights into the geological and ecological controls on salmon habitat.
A new study reveals that the decline in duck hunting, with annual sales of 'duck stamps' falling by 36%, is resulting in a significant financial loss for conservation efforts. The loss of revenue could have resulted in up to $126 million being invested in habitat conservation, with potentially 42,495 ha of wetlands being made available.
A study at the University of Liverpool found that disease risk in ladybirds cannot be predicted without understanding disease dynamics at a small geographical scale. The researchers discovered that differences in mating rates across habitats, driven by food supply, contributed to varying disease outbreak sites.
Researchers have discovered a link between West Nile virus in mosquitoes and birds, as well as the insects' ability to spread the virus to horses and people. Habitats with high disease prevalence in horses and birds also have more mosquitoes and certain bird species, which contribute to the transmission of the virus.
Researchers have discovered that Caribbean coral reefs are facing a significant threat due to reduced rates of carbonate production, leading to erosion and loss of growth potential. The study found that reefs in shallow waters have declined by 60-70% in growth rates compared to historical records.
Researchers find only 1.5 million named species out of an estimated 5 million, making conservation efforts more hopeful than previously thought. Increased global involvement in taxonomy and exploration can help discover and protect species from extinction.
In endangered Mexican howler monkeys, habitat disturbance leads to increased 'travel time' foraging and high levels of stress hormones. Researchers found that fruit is a crucial component of their natural diet, and lack of fruit availability forces them to spend more time seeking out nutritious foliage.
A four-year study found that young grizzly bears learn their habitat selection strategies from their mothers, which may be a more adaptive strategy than instinct. The research tracked 32 adult and young bears in western Canada and showed genetically related female bears shared similar habitat choices.
A study found that invasive plant invasions can create 'extinction debts' in native plant species, leading to slow extinctions but delayed actual extinction events. Native plants are often relegated to marginal habitats unsuitable to their non-native competitors.
Researchers found that invasive plants will likely extinguish native plants in the wild over time, contrary to recent reports. The 'extinction debt' occurs hundreds of years after initial invasion, where native species slowly go extinct but not immediately.
Researchers found that excessive habitat heterogeneity may lead to a decrease in species diversity, contradicting current conservation practices. The study provides important insights for selecting and managing conservation areas.
A study found that peacock courtship calls attract distant females, suggesting a potential advantage for males in securing mates. The calls may serve as a form of advertising, warning predators of the male's vulnerability and increasing his attractiveness to females.
Researchers have discovered 33 new species of trapdoor spiders in the American Southwest, adding to the genus Aptostichus, which now contains 40 species. The newly described species inhabit various habitats across California, from coastal sand dunes to alpine environments.
The Natura 2000 network's effectiveness in covering European species is evaluated, with mixed results. The analysis shows that the network mostly covers target species but has gaps in representation, especially for narrow-ranged species.
A University of Delaware research team has developed a novel camera system to map the surface topography of Arctic sea ice, enabling accurate habitat classification for threatened walruses. The system uses areas of higher competence to interpolate lower-confidence areas, resulting in dense 3-D reconstructions with precision accuracy wi...