Research on the habitats animals depend on. Covers forest protection, megaherbivore decline, orchard conservation, and plastic pollution.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
Exposure to common pesticides limits wild salmon growth and size; improving water quality conditions could potentially increase the rate of recovery
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.
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.