Articles tagged with Animal Habitats
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.
A new study suggests that a massive reduction in green pastures and the spread of forests may have been the primary cause of the decline of mammals like the woolly mammoth. The research found that climate change and habitat changes made grazing difficult for large mammals, leading to their extinction.
Research in Guinea reveals why chimpanzees attack humans, highlighting the importance of habitat conservation to prevent resource-based attacks. The team studied eleven attacks, finding that they occurred during periods of crop-raiding and food scarcity.
A new study found that short exposure to artificial noise makes fish attracted to inappropriate sounds, putting their survival at risk. The researchers used underwater experiments to show that baby reef fish can learn and remember specific sounds, including those made by humans.
A study of orangutans found they used remarkably low energy levels, similar to those of sloths. This adaptation may be an evolutionary response to food shortages in their native rainforests, where ripe fruit is unpredictable and scarce.
A joint MSU-Chinese research team analyzed six mountain regions in China's Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces to develop a habitat suitability index. The study found that approximately 40% of suitable panda habitat is within nature reserves, while potentially suitable areas outside the current geographic range were identified.
Moreton Bay has shown coral survival and flourishing in about half of the past 7000 years, but human activities have negatively affected corals. The study's findings suggest that improving water quality and regrowing mangroves are essential for making Moreton Bay a suitable 'lifeboat' for corals.
A recent study reveals that a warming climate may cause African apes to lose up to 50% of their habitats due to increased time spent resting. Researchers found that climate change alone can lead to significant habitat loss, making it crucial to ensure safe havens for conservation efforts.
Research from Queen's University Belfast suggests that Irish hare populations are declining due to changes in farming practices. Hares require a specific patchwork of grassland and tall vegetation for feeding and hiding, but silage fields are mistakenly identified as suitable habitats, leading to traps and population declines.
A team of researchers combined satellite data and lidar technology to accurately predict bird habitats. They ranked forest habitats as good, fair, or poor based on canopy structure, matching actual ground data 90% of the time.
A new study is exploring the effects of the Gulf oil spill on oyster reefs along the US East Coast, with a focus on guiding future restoration efforts. The research aims to understand how predators and climate influence estuarine health in natural oyster reefs.
A new study published in PLoS ONE has mapped the spawning habitat of bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico, revealing two major hotspot regions where bycatch occurs. These findings suggest that spatial management techniques can protect western Atlantic bluefin tuna on their breeding grounds without compromising the yellowfin tuna fishery.
A new study reveals that drains are a significant vector for the development of lymphatic filariasis and malaria in Dar es Salaam. The researchers found that simple environmental management interventions can help reduce mosquito-borne disease transmission and promote a healthier environment.
The Biodiversity of Saba Bank collection provides critical information on the benthic communities and reef fish that inhabit the Saba Bank. The research reveals six new species potentially new to science collected from one of the largest coral reefs in the Caribbean, highlighting the need for marine protected areas to protect this uniq...
Researchers found that even tiny urban woodlots are valuable for Swainson's Thrushes and other migrant landbirds, providing food and protection. The study revealed that birds stayed in these sites for an average of four days, with the duration varying depending on factors such as calendar date, weather, and body mass.
A worldwide study attributes local lizard extinctions to rising temperatures, with a predictive model showing 20% of species could go extinct by 2080. Lizards' decline is linked to reduced foraging hours and energy resources during critical reproductive cycles.
Agricultural Research Service scientists studied cattle grazing patterns to understand its effect on sagebrush communities and grouse habitats. They found that monitoring the rate of interspace tussock consumption can help preserve grouse habitat by allowing ranchers to move their grazing lands when 40% of these tussocks are consumed.
Seamounts, previously thought to be rare, are found to be the most common ocean habitats, hosting a vast array of marine biodiversity. Researchers estimated that over 45,000 seamounts exist worldwide, covering an area larger than South America.
Researchers tracked timber rattlesnakes to understand how wildlife habitats are affected by human encroachment. They found that even modest roads have a significant effect on genetic diversity, making populations more susceptible to illness or environmental changes.
Sahotra Sarkar, a philosopher at the University of Texas at Austin, is working with Conservation International and energy companies to develop environmentally conscious development plans. His approach prioritizes local values and biodiversity protection, rejecting the 'fortress model' of preservation.
Submarine canyons off the coast of Hawaiian Islands are hotspots for biodiversity and biomass, supporting unique megafauna communities. The study revealed that canyons provide an ideal habitat for mobile species to feed on accumulated organic matter, resulting in elevated abundance and diversity.
Researcher Kathleen Gardiner builds broad distribution maps to track northern squid habitats, crucial for understanding the impact of climate change on Arctic marine life. The study provides valuable insights into the species' temperature tolerance and feeding grounds.
Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) support a variety of habitats and species, including brittle stars, spider crabs, and tube-living organisms. Global warming may exacerbate oxygen depletion and reduce biodiversity in these regions.
Research on the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog reveals strong site fidelity, but also highlights the negative impacts of a changing climate and introduced non-native trout. The study found that frogs with strong site fidelity are returning to lakes that dry up or have reduced breeding success due to predation by invasive trout.
New research documents American pika's wider temperature tolerance than previously thought, with 12% of occupied sites below historic records. Rock formations buffer pikas from warming temperatures, suggesting a greater distribution in the region.
A recent study by Queen's University Belfast found that hares are eighteen times more abundant in areas managed by the Irish Coursing Club than similar sites in the wider countryside. This suggests that active population management positively increases hare abundance.
Damage to Gulf of California habitats can be reversed through conservation efforts, as protected areas have shown increased biomass and flourishing fish populations. Key protection strategies include reducing or eliminating fishing activity in critical spawning aggregation areas and sensitive nursery habitats.
A new study has found that monkey populations in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains are more susceptible to decline than previously thought, highlighting the importance of protecting larger forest areas. The research suggests intervening earlier to preserve habitats and promote corridors between forest fragments.
Biologists at City College of New York have identified a new spiny pocket mouse species, Heteromys catopterius, found in four wet mountainous forest regions along Venezuela's northern coast. The species differs from the Caribbean Spiny Pocket Mouse in darker fur and skull morphology.
Gardeners in the UK are encouraged to work together to protect vulnerable wildlife by creating a network of interlinking habitats. Collective action can make a real difference at the city scale, with top-down financial incentives and bottom-up community-driven initiatives supporting co-operation.
A new analysis led by UC Davis expert Arthur Shapiro reveals that climate change and habitat loss are devastating butterfly populations, with lowland species being hit hard. The study's findings also show that 'ruderal' butterfly species, often considered insignificant, are declining faster than other species.
A long-term study found polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea are shifting their habitat use from sea ice to land and open water, increasing human-bear interactions. The study, conducted between 1979 and 2005, shows a significant increase in bear sightings on land and in open water.
A new study calculates that ecosystems will need to shift about 0.42 kilometers per year to keep pace with global climate change over the next century. Mountainous habitats can move more slowly, while flatter ecosystems must move rapidly.
A new study reveals that climate belts are shifting toward the poles at a rate of about a quarter mile per year, posing a significant threat to many species. The research highlights the need for effective conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and species migrations.
A new method to identify priority areas for whale conservation has been proposed, suggesting that even small protected areas can benefit highly mobile marine predators like killer whales. The research highlights the importance of feeding behavior in conserving endangered southern resident killer whale populations.
Exposure to common pesticides limits wild salmon growth and size; improving water quality conditions could potentially increase the rate of recovery
New research suggests that biodiversity loss and habitat destruction can increase the incidence and distribution of infectious diseases in humans. Studies show that extinction of plant and animal species can lead to a rise in new diseases, such as West Nile Virus, and even re-emergence of diseases thought to be in decline, like malaria.
A new study examines the potential ecological damages and benefits of REDD mechanisms, finding substantial co-benefits for watershed functions, local climate regimes, and terrestrial habitats. The analysis suggests that a balanced approach to REDD is crucial to avoid leakage and ensure ecosystem integrity.
The project will study the combined effects of invasive species, contaminants, excessive nutrients, sediment, and shoreline hardening on nearshore habitats. The research aims to develop scientific information for advancing management approaches and supporting policy for accelerating Bay restoration.
The Government of Nepal has expanded Bardia National Park in the Terai Arc Landscape to increase critical tiger habitat. WWF welcomes the move and aims to help the country double its number of endangered tigers through innovative conservation strategies.
A recent study has discovered evidence of early human tool-making activities in a 2-million-year-old grassland-dominated ecosystem. The researchers found well-preserved faunal remains and chemical analyses of ancient soils at the Kanjera South site, which reveal that hominins were active in open settings.
A new study released in PLoS ONE explores the cumulative impacts of energy development on species in the West, with potential consequences for sage-grouse populations. The research highlights the need for scientifically credible conservation planning tools to balance natural resource development with wildlife conservation.
A new study reveals that Africa's big cats, including leopards, tend to avoid croplands and favor specific habitats. This research provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution of carnivores in Tanzania, shedding light on the impact of habitat conversion and climate change.
Camille Harris is studying the ecological impacts of forest disturbance on LaCrosse Virus dynamics using experimentally logged forest plots. Her research aims to understand how logging influences mosquito vector distributions and resulting disease dynamics.
A new study predicts that tamarisk's range will expand in the Northwest US by century's end due to climate change. The invasive plant can displace native species and increase wildfire risk, with suitable habitat covering 20% of the region east of the Cascade Mountains.
Researchers tracked fish movements through telemetry to better understand their life histories, including habitat preferences and vulnerability to fishing. The study found that certain fish gravitate to specific bottom types, such as limestone ledges, which can help prioritize reef areas for management.
Researchers find that field mice base their diet on holm oak and pine seeds, leading to habitat deterioration and the expansion of scrubland. The study reveals a consistent pattern of seed predation by rodents across different habitats.
A 14-year study found that young lemon sharks born at the Bimini islands in the Bahamas tend to stay near their coastal birthplace for many years. This knowledge could be crucial for conservation efforts, as it suggests that local management measures can protect these intermediate-aged sharks from overfishing and habitat destruction.
A WCS study has been adopted by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service to restore waterways throughout the U.S. The study found that increases in woody vegetation lead to a greater diversity and abundance of riparian birds.
The project aims to create the most detailed maps of Oregon's seafloor along its coast, measuring water depth, identifying navigational hazards, and recording natural features. The data collected will help researchers and coastal managers protect coastal communities and marine habitats.
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary has been found to have one of the healthiest coral reef ecosystems in the tropical Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The sanctuary is dominated by top-level predators such as large grouper, jacks, and snappers that are rare in other areas.
A 2007 legal interpretation of the Endangered Species Act could lead to fewer species being listed for protection, resulting in reduced conservation efforts. Researchers warn that this policy sets the stage for 'wilderness zoos,' which would erode habitats and threaten endangered species.
A nationwide tiger population estimate in Nepal reveals the presence of 121 breeding tigers, a promising sign for conservation efforts. The study employed camera trapping and habitat occupancy surveys to derive information on abundance and distribution.
The Sichuan earthquake in 2008 destroyed nearly a quarter of the giant pandas' habitat, with over 354 square kilometers converted to bare land. Habitat fragmentation is also a significant concern, as it can lead to population isolation and increased risk of extinction.