Research on the habitats animals depend on. Covers forest protection, megaherbivore decline, orchard conservation, and plastic pollution.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are conducting a landmark study to restore degraded glade habitats and ecosystems using fire manipulation techniques. The goal is to establish best practices for restorative ecology and mitigate biodiversity loss from small habitats, particularly rare species found nowhere else.
Researchers developed topographic models using LiDAR data to predict habitat suitability for endangered plants in dry environments. The team plans to use satellite observations to create digital elevation models, guiding effective restoration efforts and identifying suitable areas for plant growth.
Wandering albatrosses have adapted to changing wind conditions, resulting in improved breeding success and increased body mass. However, future climate scenarios predict that these changes may not last, threatening the species' survival.
A unique chemical composition of a cockroach signal, emitting a sex pheromone, could help determine habitat suitability for an endangered woodpecker. The synthetic pheromone attracts large numbers of adult male cockroaches, suggesting that the area could be a suitable home for the red-cockaded woodpecker.
A new study shows that expanding 'ocean dead zones' driven by climate change is shrinking the useable habitat for blue marlin and other pelagic fish in the tropical northeast Atlantic Ocean. This compression of habitat due to low oxygen levels threatens the sustainability of these fisheries.
Expanding ocean dead zones driven by climate change reduce oxygen levels, forcing blue marlins and other billfish to surface waters where they are more vulnerable to fishing. This shift affects the long-term health of these species and their ecosystems.
A new study by Duke University researchers has found that tropical birds are moving to higher elevations in response to climate change, but at a slower rate than predicted. The animals appear to be tracking changes in vegetation rather than migrating rapidly, suggesting a delay in their response to warming temperatures.
A new study using Landsat satellite data shows that Kirtland's warblers prefer young forests and forests that have been on fire. The researchers found that the age of the forest correlates strongly with its height, and that old forests with grazed underbrush provide suitable habitat for the warblers.
A new study by Indiana University researchers finds that climate change will outpace species' ability to adapt, with ranges shifting dramatically between now and 2100. The rate of future change in suitable habitat will be two to three orders of magnitude greater than the average change over the past 300 millennia.
New research reveals that climate change is causing certain species to adapt to new habitats, helping them track ongoing warming. The Brown Argus butterfly has successfully expanded its distribution northwards in the UK, using a range of distinct habitats.
A UBC study reveals that climate-driven warming and predation are causing significant losses in marine biodiversity, with mussels losing 51% of their habitat due to rising temperatures. Removing predators through exclusion cages allowed prey species to occupy hotter sites, resulting in a doubling of species richness.
Researchers found that seal mothers adopt a wide range of mothering styles, with some being very attentive while others are not. The study also revealed large differences in response to potential dangers among both female and male seals, with no correlation to age or size.
A new model developed by European Commission scientists allows for the first time an overall view of bluefin tuna habitats in the Mediterranean Sea. The model uses satellite remote sensing data to identify preferred habitats and track changes over time, providing valuable insights for sustainable fisheries management.
Scientists warn that Great Plains river basins are under threat due to aquifer pumping, which has reduced suitable habitat for native fishes. The study found that only 57% of refuge pools would remain after 35 years under current circumstances.
Researchers used satellite imagery to assess the conservation status of endangered species in the Comoro archipelago, finding that only 9% of the island area is still covered by natural forest. This approach allows for precise estimation of remaining habitat extent and prioritization of future protected areas.
Researchers developed a new model that considers colonization and extinction rates at both breeding and non-breeding sites for migratory species. This approach can help conservators better understand the population dynamics of species like piping plovers.
Researchers tracked Dusky Large Blue butterfly movements to discover that long-distance travel is crucial for landscape-level effects, informing more efficient conservation methods. The study, published in Journal of Animal Ecology, sheds light on butterfly mobility in fragmented landscapes and has implications for habitat design.
Researchers investigate bighorn sheep's seasonal habitat selection behaviors to cope with migration loss due to human development. The study also explores ecosystem services in the American Southwest using biodiversity metrics, while developing an agent-based model to assess disease transmission in fragmented landscapes.
A recent study from Michigan State University reveals that zoning can be an effective tool for balancing human activities with wildlife habitat. The analysis of a nature reserve in southwestern China shows that zoning ordinances are helping protect endangered giant pandas, but also highlights critical weaknesses such as ambiguous rules...
A decline of 60% in marten detection rates in California's Sierra Nevada mountains may be attributed to habitat fragmentation and loss due to logging. The study suggests preserving marten habitat, which benefits other species thriving in old forests at high elevations.
Researchers confirm that coyotes migrated eastward via two main routes, one through the northern US and another through the south, before interbreeding with Great Lakes wolves. This hybridization supports the presence of wolf-like coyotes in Virginia, which may help control deer populations.
Researchers found a 60% decrease in marten detections since the 1980s due to habitat degradation. Suitable habitat for martens has decreased by 25% since the 1980s.
A new study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology reveals that deep-reef coral species have adapted to low-light conditions by increasing their nutrient and plankton exploitation capacity. This physiological strategy allows them to outperform shallow corals in growth rate and abundance.
A global sampling of 48 sites on five continents yields unprecedented data set, finding no clear relationship between productivity and plant species in small study plots. This challenges the 'hump-shaped' model developed by British ecologist J. Philip Grime, which has remained a textbook standard for nearly four decades.
Research found that wolves and elk avoided high-quality habitat near trails with human activity above two persons per hour, suggesting a refuge zone for elk from predators. Thresholds of human activity on trails lead to wildlife disturbance and ecological change, according to the study.
The USGS presented several studies on various fish-related topics, including the benefits of habitat restoration for juvenile salmon and the importance of targeting younger silver carp to control their population. Climate change may impact smallmouth bass populations, with warmer temperatures affecting growth in southern climates.
A new study suggests that separating natural habitats from high-yielding farmland could be an effective way to conserve wild species. The researchers found that farmlands with some retained natural vegetation had more bird and tree species than high-yielding monocultures, but produced less food energy.
Researchers from Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources discovered a freshwater mussel species, Quadrula mitchelli, thought to be extinct in the San Saba River. The find indicates that small populations may exist and is a significant discovery for conservation efforts.
Environmental assessments need to examine a broader reach, as displaced species migrate to neighboring habitats, causing competition for resources. Researchers tracked the movements of raptors in the Judean Foothills, finding that buzzards are taking over eagles' nests and diminishing their food supply.
The Census of Marine Life project has identified human activities affecting deep-sea habitats, including waste dumping, resource exploitation, and climate change. The study predicts that these impacts will lead to biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption in the short and mid-term.
Researchers discovered that trees in Chilean forests relying on hoverflies for pollination fare better when separated by resource-poor pine plantations than by agricultural lands. The 'Circe Principle' explains how abundant resources can slow or prevent pollinator movement, challenging existing conservation models.
A Baylor University study reveals that some desert bird species are more resilient to wildfires and climate change due to changes in their habitat. The research found that three bird species will benefit from the drying of grasslands, reducing the likelihood of intense wildfires, and allowing for easier prey foraging.
Researchers found burrowing parrots originated in Chile and successfully crossed the Andes on a single occasion over 120,000 years ago. This species expansion is significant for conservation actions, as it shows how animal species overcome natural barriers to find suitable habitats.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that current and proposed border fences pose significant threats to wildlife populations along the US-Mexico border. The study identifies four species listed as threatened globally or by both the US and Mexico, and another 23 with small range sizes.
Researchers found that fully photosynthetic orchids associate with specific fungal clades, not shared with other sympatric orchids, and depend on their symbionts for nutrition. The study used stable isotope analysis to assess how much of the organic carbon and nitrogen in orchid tissue was acquired from their fungal partners.
A new species of desert tortoise, Gopherus morafkai, has been discovered after 150 years, revealing the existence of a previously unknown population in Arizona and northwestern Mexico. This discovery highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.
New research finds that human activity related to oil production and the timber industry may be more important than wolves in caribou population decline. The study advocates for specific options to control human impact on habitats before resorting to predator removal.
A new study reveals Lyme disease ticks are more adaptable to new habitats than previously thought. Researchers found that deer ticks and the Lyme disease bacteria they host thrive in forests, farms, and prairies of Central Illinois, with a high prevalence of infected ticks on prairie voles.
A USGS study found that native bee communities are shaped by local factors, such as soil type, tree density, and fire frequency, rather than the composition of a plant community. Specialist bees tend to live in open areas with native plants, particularly in disturbed habitats like burned areas and residential zones.
A new study reveals that the duration of open water periods has no relationship with the geographic coverage of marine species, contradicting previous assumptions. Ocean currents allow fish larvae to quickly spread their distribution worldwide.
Researchers found that doubling a plant's chromosome set can grant it an immediate survival advantage in challenging environments. The experiment showed that hexaploid yarrow outperformed its tetraploid counterpart by five-fold, with the difference attributed solely to the increased chromosome number.
Researchers found beaked whales use specific ocean features like salinity and temperature to find their prey, which varies from 400-1000 meters. The study provides evidence of the distribution and feeding habitat of Blaineville's beaked whales relative to ocean features.
New research suggests that habitat restoration strategies can aid species survival during climate change, using population models to show colonisation success varies by habitat type. For three out of four habitats, a system of stepping stones or random patch creation is most efficient.
Researchers studied three species of shootingstars to understand their response to global warming. They found that some species migrated while others adapted in place, with rare species exhibiting distinct genetic histories. This study provides valuable clues for predicting how plants will respond to climate change.
New research reveals that climate change impacts penguins more severely due to declining krill supplies. Two penguin species are particularly vulnerable, with krill populations shrinking by up to 80% since the 1970s.
A University of Michigan ecologist found that biologically diverse streams are better at removing nitrate, a nitrogen compound pollutant, than less rich waterways. Niche partitioning, where each species occupies a unique habitat, increases the stream's absorbent sponge-like ability to clean pollutants.
A new study verifies that biodiversity helps remove excess levels of nutrients from streams, degrading water quality. The study reveals how biodiversity increases the removal of pollutants through a process called niche partitioning, where each species occupies a unique habitat and removes specific forms of pollution.
Researchers developed new models to predict seabird bycatch, using remotely sensed data to project where birds and boats are likely to intersect. The models demonstrate potential for improved conservation efforts in predicting bird habitats.
The study reveals species shifts over the past century, with some populations significantly diminished or expanded. Elk were more abundant in the 1990s than today, while horses from the late 1800s are common in the skeletal record.
Researchers discovered that butterflies colonizing new habitats have distinct genetic traits, including faster egg maturation, higher energy metabolism, and superior flight ability. These traits provide an advantage for exploring new areas, potentially leading to the establishment of new populations.
Researchers found that males and females use different foraging grounds, with females relying heavily on lake shores and males using a broader range of resources. The study suggests that conservation efforts should prioritize female needs and account for sex-specific habitat use in monitoring efforts.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created innovative computer models that can accurately monitor changes in wildlife habitats over time. These models utilize remote sensing technology and can be used to track various changes, including the effects of human activities on habitat quality.
Researchers found that seedlings grow best with distant relatives in field soils but struggle with close relatives. This contradicts Darwin's idea that competition will be strongest between close relatives.
A new study uses genetic techniques to link bat diet to habitat quality, showing that bats rely heavily on insects from aquatic environments. The research also identifies specific pollution tolerances among insect species, providing insights into the bats' foraging behavior and conservation efforts.
Scientists discovered a link between ancient human sites and tectonically active landscapes in southern Africa. The research suggests that early humans were attracted to habitats created by tectonic movements near rivers or lakes, which provided food, shelter, and drinking water.
A study by Smithsonian scientists found that suburban areas can be ecological traps for breeding birds due to high predation rates, particularly from domestic cats. The team tracked 69 fledgling catbirds and found that almost 80% were killed before reaching adulthood, with most deaths occurring within the first week after fledging.
Research reveals invasive plant species do not become more abundant in new habitats than their native ranges, challenging long-held assumptions. Only a small percentage of introduced plants cause problems and spread widely.
Scientists discovered an 'atmospheric imprint' in insects, revealing where they can survive under climate change. By analyzing oxygen isotopes, researchers determined the type of atmosphere each insect needs to thrive.
Researchers warn that wolverines' habitat is likely to warm dramatically due to climate change, threatening their survival. Snowpack that lasts through winter and well into spring is crucial for wolverine young, but projected warming could imperil their ability to adapt.
Turtle populations are affected by global warming, habitat destruction and hunting, threatening nearly half of all species. The Year of the Turtle campaign aims to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts.