Articles tagged with Applied Ecology
A new study by MIT researchers suggests that microplastics are less likely to accumulate in sediment infused with biofilms, which can resuspend particles and carry them away. In contrast, areas of bare sand can become hotspots for microplastic accumulation due to the lack of biofilm.
A new study found that dehorning rhinos proactively reduced poaching activity by 78% across 11 Greater Kruger African reserves from 2017 to 2023. In contrast, law enforcement interventions had no statistical effect on poaching. Dehorning removed the incentive for poachers and was cost-effective, with only a 1.2% of the budget spent.
The Nature FIRST project, a £4.9m Horizon Europe-funded initiative, aims to protect endangered species and their habitats across Europe. The project's tools and training will help rangers detect and respond to wildlife crime and other threats using digital technologies and forensic investigation techniques.
Oregon State University scientists have improved AI's ability to identify wildlife species in photos taken by motion-activated cameras. By limiting the training data to one species and including images from diverse environments, they achieved almost 90% identification accuracy with a small fraction of the required training data.
A new study shows that wildlife underpass tunnels can dramatically reduce amphibian deaths, with an 80.2% reduction in road mortality observed. The design details of the underpasses matter, and this research provides long-term evidence of their effectiveness in preserving ecosystems.
A study analyzing forestry records from 1974 to 2022 found that bark beetle-induced logging follows a distinct cycle aligned with solar activity, with lower solar activity leading to higher outbreaks. The North Atlantic Oscillation also impacts weather patterns, exacerbating beetle outbreaks during negative phases.
Researchers found that women tend to use the ocean closer to shore than men, with implications for equitable marine planning and governance. This study highlights the importance of considering gender-based differences in marine spatial planning efforts.
Researchers propose urban rewilding as a key strategy to combat biodiversity decline, focusing on reintroducing faunal species into urban areas. This approach aims to increase ecosystem function, optimize food webs, and foster more self-sustaining ecosystems.
A new international study shows that El Niño and La Niña climate patterns affect nearly half of the world's mangrove forests, threatening these vital coastal ecosystems. Mangroves are experiencing widespread degradation during El Niño events and increased growth during La Niña events.
A new membrane developed by MIT researchers separates different types of fuel based on their molecular size, eliminating the need for energy-intensive distillation. The membrane can efficiently separate heavy and light components from oil, and is resistant to swelling.
A new scientific study sheds light on the social dynamics driving demand for bear bile in Vietnam, highlighting the role of gift-giving among close social networks. The findings suggest that targeting key individuals within influential groups could reduce demand and support conservation efforts.
A study of nearly 600 white-tailed deer in southwest Wisconsin reveals how habitat selection and social interactions affect chronic wasting disease transmission. The research found that certain habitats, like agricultural fields, facilitate easy transmission between deer groups.
A landmark study by Prof. Yong Sik Ok charts biochar's global market potential as a carbon-negative technology aligned with ESG goals, UN SDGs, and Net Zero pathways. The study provides actionable guidance for governments, industry leaders, and research institutions to integrate biochar into their climate portfolios.
A team of scientists has developed a new method for desalination that uses liquid tin to simultaneously purify water and recover valuable metals. The process, powered by concentrated solar energy, can transform desalination brine into a valuable resource.
Researchers found a significant positive trend in tree growth since the 20th century due to low-latitude warming. This growth acceleration is attributed to enhanced regional temperatures and precipitation, promoting tree growth conditions.
A new study analyzing citizen science data reveals that North American bird populations are shrinking most rapidly where they are still most abundant. This pattern suggests ecological stress, primarily driven by climate change and habitat loss, is the primary driver of decline.
Despite a net gain of over 10,000 hectares in forest cover from 2000 to 2020, the Yangtze River Delta's forests experienced significant losses due to urbanization and agriculture. The study found that four times more carbon was emitted than taken up, highlighting the need for sustainable forest management.
A new study reveals that farms with more intensive management have lower overall soil functionality, suggesting a shift towards productive deintensification for sustainable agriculture. Soils play a critical role in supporting human well-being and ecological stability, but intensive farming practices can degrade soil health.
A new study reveals that Douglas-fir introduction has a neutral effect on European biodiversity in most cases, with only rare positive or negative impacts observed.
A new study found that clobazam, a common anxiety medication, alters the migration behavior of wild Atlantic salmon by acting on neural pathways. The findings suggest that even trace levels of psychoactive drugs can disrupt essential survival behaviors in wildlife, posing a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
University of Michigan researchers developed a statistical method to give a more complete sense of human ancestry. The Gaia algorithm estimates an individual's genetic ancestors, identifies their average location based on movement assumptions, and tracks it back over centuries.
Researchers challenge traditional view that cool temperate rainforests are fragile ecosystems, finding they depend on disturbance for survival. The study found Antarctic beech trees grew faster and recruited more successfully after higher disturbance levels.
Researchers developed a numerical tool to quantify sunlight intensity and its influence on plant growth, enabling accurate predictions of sunlight patterns. The model can help farmers optimize greenhouse conditions and planting schedules, leading to improved crop yields.
A recent study at the University of Michigan Biological Station found that carbon storage in forests is more nuanced than previously thought. The study, which spanned over two centuries, revealed that forest structure, tree and fungal communities, and soil biogeochemical processes have a greater influence on carbon sequestration than t...
The deliberate destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war unleashed a hidden environmental crisis, destroying ecosystems and releasing polluted sediments into downstream water systems. The study found that the collapse triggered substantial erosion, soil loss, and vegetation uprooting, driving extensive h...
The study found that fragmented landscapes had 13.6% fewer species at the patch scale and 12.1% fewer species at the landscape scale. Generalist species primarily live in fragmented areas. The researchers conclude that large, continuous landscapes are better for preserving biodiversity.
Whales play a critical role in moving nutrients across ocean basins through horizontal transport in their urine. Scientists estimate that great whales transport approximately 4,000 tons of nitrogen each year to low-nutrient coastal areas in the tropics and subtropics.
Superb lyrebirds are resourceful farmers, creating habitats suitable for their diet of worms, centipedes, and spiders. By arranging litter and soil, they promote more prey in areas with simulated lyrebird foraging.
A new study suggests that extreme weather events are crucial to understanding phenological responses in plants and insects. The research found that disruptions to the delicate relationships between certain species, such as the yucca plant and yucca moth, can have significant consequences for survival.
Researchers capture narwhals using their tusks to investigate, manipulate and influence the behavior of Arctic char fish. The study reveals first evidence of likely play, social learning and personality differences among individual narwhal.
A study published in BMC Biology found that different scientists working with the same datasets can arrive at vastly different results, emphasizing the importance of transparent analysis methods. The findings raise fundamental questions about reproducibility and reliability in scientific results.
A new study estimates China's natural forests will continue to capture carbon, but at a slowing rate. The research reveals significant regional differences in carbon storage potential, with younger forests showing the largest increase.
A new study models habitat and climate needs of over 14,234 globally distributed vertebrate species to evaluate land-based climate mitigation strategies. Reforestation offers a clear net benefit to global biodiversity by mitigating climate change and expanding habitats.
A novel field experiment in Austria reveals that compounding climate conditions can fundamentally reshape how water moves through soils in temperate grasslands. Elevated atmospheric CO2 and warming disrupt post-drought soil water flow and grassland vegetation water use.
The Ecological Peace Corridors concept aims to connect fragmented protected areas across international borders, promoting cooperation and minimizing disputes over resources. By leveraging artificial intelligence and zoning systems, these corridors could foster peacebuilding before conflicts escalate or in post-conflict efforts.
Researchers found 1,806 suspected particles across 180 samples of Oregon's marine and freshwater species. Pink shrimp had the highest concentrations, while Chinook salmon had the lowest. The study highlights a need for technologies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment.
A new study finds that fuel aridity is the most significant driver of forest fire burn severity in Canadian forests, particularly over the last two decades. Burn severity has increased significantly, especially in northern Canada, where changing climate and vegetation type play a critical role.
A global map of ship strike risk for blue, fin, humpback and sperm whales has been created, revealing that these species' migratory ranges overlap with about 92% of global shipping traffic. The study identifies high-risk areas along coastal regions in the Mediterranean, Americas, southern Africa, and parts of Asia.
A new study led by the University of Washington found that only about 7% of areas at highest risk for whale-ship collisions have any measures in place. The team identified high-risk regions, including coastal areas along the Mediterranean, Americas, southern Africa, and parts of Asia, where whales and ships are most likely to meet.
Researchers mapped global ship traffic and whale habitats to identify 92% overlap, pinpointing high-risk areas for collisions that kill whales. Expanding management efforts to 2.6% of the ocean could significantly reduce these fatalities, aiding conservation efforts.
Researchers developed a new durable plastic that breaks down in seawater, reducing microplastic pollution. The material is strong, non-toxic, and customizable for various applications.
A new study by Umea University researchers found that mixed forests with multiple tree species are less prone to damage from fungi, insects, and fires. The results suggest that increasing the number of tree species in production forests could reduce forest damage risk and financial losses.
A machine learning study predicts that global plastic waste could double by 2050 without intervention, but a combined policy approach could cut mismanaged plastic waste by up to 91% and decrease emissions by a third. The UN treaty negotiations provide a crucial blueprint for tackling the plastic crisis.
Record-high temperatures in Svalbard and East Finnmark create conducive conditions for tree growth, exceeding the classic 10°C threshold. The growing season and average temperature criteria were met at multiple weather stations, indicating a suitable climate for forest establishment.
The MEMELAND project will analyze sediments and soil in lakes across Europe to reveal how medieval farming shaped today's landscapes and biodiversity. The study aims to protect northern Europe's essential biodiversity by understanding the environmental changes that occurred during this period.
Researchers found that while protected areas show promise for some bird species, many others suffer from limited effectiveness. The study used citizen science platforms to analyze data from over 90 million records and identified a need for better staffing and funding to support endangered species.
US wildfires have surged in growth rates over the last 2 decades, with fast fires accounting for 89% of structures damaged or destroyed. These rapid-growing fires present significant challenges to evacuation efforts and firefighting operations, resulting in greater loss of life and infrastructure damage.
A new study found that artificial nests outperform natural nests in boosting African penguin breeding success by 16.5%, but each type of nest has strengths and weaknesses. Colony-specific conservation strategies are needed to address the unique threats faced by each colony.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals that harbor seals in Alaska's Iliamna Lake are genetically isolated from other seal populations across the Pacific. The researchers found significant differences between the lake seals and marine populations, suggesting they may be a unique endemic form of harbor seal.
Research finds that low stream diatom biodiversity on islands may decrease oxygen production due to reduced biodiversity. This could have implications for freshwater ecosystems and the animals that depend on them. The study examines how island location, age, and distance from continents affect diatom diversity and oxygen levels.
A recent study published in Global Environmental Change highlights the pressing need for innovative economic strategies to address global water scarcity and pollution. The research found that 71% of the world's population has high existing water security needs, with significant disparities in readiness across regions.
A new study found that large-scale removal of discarded fishing gear and plastic debris in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands significantly reduced entanglement rates of endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The findings suggest that marine debris cleanup programs are successful and that reducing plastic inputs can maximize conservation outco...
A recent FAU study reveals that mesophotic corals can replenish declining shallow reef populations with strong genetic connectivity between shallow and deep zones. The research suggests that deeper corals could be a key source of genetic diversity for shallow reefs, providing valuable opportunities for recovery and restoration efforts.
The British Ecological Society has announced the winners of its annual photography competition, Capturing Ecology. The competition showcases stunning images that capture the beauty and diversity of ecological systems.
Research explores changes in global precipitation patterns and how they relate to climate change. Bird nests are found to predict rainfall in rural India, while heat stress is increasing in the southeastern US, particularly at night. European 'bomb' storms may intensify due to warming climate.
New study challenges prevailing conservation theories by finding no discernible impact of Maasai cattle grazing on the reserve's ecological well-being. The research confirms that large wild herbivores share spaces with cattle and that their direct effect is minimal.
A study of 230 fisheries worldwide found significant biases in stock biomass estimates, particularly for overfished stocks, leading to underestimated declines and insufficient management. The findings suggest that 85% more stocks than currently recognized have likely collapsed below 10% of their historical biomass.
By 2070, human-wildlife overlap is projected to increase in about 57% of global lands, primarily due to expanding human populations. This shift will lead to more conflicts between humans and animals, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
Research by University of Queensland reveals that Australian environmental laws are inadequate in stopping high rates of tree clearing for agriculture and development. The study found that 75% of cases in Queensland were exempt from assessment under the state's main vegetation management law, leading to severe deforestation rates.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have created a proof-of-concept for a unique aquaponics system that grows fish and vegetables together, producing more produce while using less energy than traditional systems. The closed-loop system recycles fish waste through anaerobic digestion, reducing waste production and carbon emissions.