Articles tagged with Animal Habitats
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals a strong correlation between habitat change and significant adjustments in body size among turtles and tortoises. The research shows that chelonians living in marine or island habitats have an optimal body size several times larger than their cousins on the mainland.
The growth of winter tourism in European mountain ranges is threatening the population of indigenous bird species, including the Capercaillie. A recent study found that Capercaillie droppings showed a marked increase in stress hormone levels closer to locations with winter recreation activity.
A Purdue University study found that Lake Erie's large hypoxic zone negatively impacts aquatic life, but not all fish species equally. The study showed that some species, like yellow perch, were less affected, while round goby and rainbow smelt were more significantly impacted by the low oxygen levels.
A study found that growing hypoxic zones are reducing oxygen-rich waters preferred by billfish and tuna. The shrinking habitat may lead to increased catches, giving a false impression of more abundant fish stocks.
Researchers found a genetic difference in TEP1 gene conferring resistance to human malaria parasites in one of two emerging Anopheles gambiae species, M and S. The study suggests that this resistance could impact malaria transmission efforts.
Research reveals a pattern of reptile extinctions on Greek islands, with habitat specialists and northern species most affected. The study suggests that preserving habitat corridors will enable plants and animals to migrate in response to climate change.
A study reveals that many rare coral species in Hawaii may interbreed with more common species, making it challenging to determine their individual species identity. This uncertainty affects conservation efforts and taxonomy of the coral genus Montipora.
Swiss researchers found that mountain ranges offer habitat diversity that may be crucial for species survival under changing climate conditions. The study suggests that these regions are 'safer' places to live, with only a small percentage of temperature conditions disappearing.
Researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden have identified eight new plant species in the Madidi National Park and surrounding areas in northern Bolivia. The new species, including Prestonia leco and Passiflora madidiana, are from diverse genera and families and have been assigned a provisional conservation status of Vulnerable.
Researchers found that gopher tortoises released earlier were three times more likely to produce offspring, suggesting a social hierarchy's impact on breeding patterns. Introducing females instead of males or increasing female numbers could lead to successful population augmentation.
Dr Veerle Huvenne, a NOC marine geoscientist, has been awarded a major research grant to map complex deep-sea environments and study the biodiversity they support. The project, CODEMAP, aims to use state-of-the-art surveying methods to map habitat heterogeneity as a proxy for biodiversity.
Scientists are tracking golden eagles with satellite transmitters to identify their favourite habitats and monitor the impact of wind farms. The project aims to determine how wind farms affect eagle populations in northern Sweden.
Researchers found that 71% of examined black coral species contain algae, even at depths over 400m. The discovery highlights the diverse habitat preferences and environmental ranges of symbiotic algae.
Researchers investigated wild cat flank markings to understand the evolution of patterns, finding that dense habitats and low light levels drive patterning. This suggests that complex patterns like leopard spots evolve for camouflage.
A University of Washington biologist has built 120 'condominiums' for Galapagos penguins in a bid to boost their dwindling numbers. The new nests, designed to provide shaded breeding grounds, were completed ahead of La Niña conditions that bring plentiful food to the penguins.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that species in spatially heterogeneous environments have higher rates of sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction resulted in organisms with better adaptability and robust genetic constitutions.
A genetic inversion in the monkeyflower plant's genome contributes to its adaptation to different environments, leading to reproductive isolation and a shift towards becoming two separate species.
Permanent night lighting affects songbirds' reproductive behavior, with males singing earlier and females laying eggs up to 1.5 days sooner in artificial light environments. This can lead to maladaptive mate-choice decisions, potentially impacting survival and fitness.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast found that Northern Ireland's lizard population is under threat from agricultural intensification, which may lead to their disappearance from the landscape. The researchers highlight the need for a new ecological network to preserve heath and boglands, essential habitats for the species.
Young salmon and trout seek refuge in shallow waters due to competition from older fish, which can be mitigated by preserving such habitats. The study suggests that restoring shallow parts of watercourses with low-velocity flow is essential for the survival of young fish.