Articles tagged with Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity experts warn of a major crisis and urge creation of an inter-governmental mechanism to provide a united, authoritative scientific voice. Existing organizations lack the structural means to mobilize the expertise of a large scientific community, spanning multiple disciplines.
The current reserve system in the New World is inadequate, with only a tenth of protected areas reaching Disney World's size. Conservation investments may yield greatest impact in ten regions where biodiversity losses can be prevented.
A comprehensive volume addresses key hypotheses for amphibian declines, including non-native species, UV radiation, and climate change. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation research to address this biodiversity crisis.
A recent study by Max Planck Institute researchers found that in mutualistic interactions between species, the faster-evolving species may actually lose out. The slow-moving species can gain an advantage when both are generous and coordinate their strategies, whereas quickly evolving species tend to adapt to slow evolvers' needs.
A recent study found that areas with greater biodiversity of small mammals have lower rates of Lyme disease. This is due to a decrease in the number of infected tick nymphs, which are most active during summer and hard to detect.
A study led by Colorado State University scientists reveals that human-caused global changes, such as land-use change and nitrogen deposition, are expected to drive biodiversity loss between now and 2100. The research identifies five primary drivers of global change and assesses their impact on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
A study by BIODEPTH found that reducing species richness in plant communities results in decreased productivity, higher soil nitrate concentrations, and altered ecosystem processes. The findings suggest that preserving and restoring biodiversity is crucial for maintaining grassland productivity.
The Everglades' low biodiversity, caused by nutrient deficiencies, makes them vulnerable to pollution. Researchers recommend reducing agricultural runoff and filtering water through marshes to preserve the ecosystem's character.
Biologists have discovered three new hotspots of high biological diversity in New Zealand, Southeast Australia, and Tasmania. The study found that the terrestrial flatworm, a humble but diverse species with over 822 varieties, can act as a model for understanding the distribution of lower invertebrates.
New experiments suggest that biodiversity loss can have significant consequences for ecosystem functions, including reduced resilience to extreme events. The type of species present also appears to play a crucial role in determining ecosystem function.
A new biodiversity theory suggests that protecting ecotones along rainforest periphery is crucial for preserving biodiversity. Ecotones, the transition zones between rainforests and savannas, may be integral to generating biodiversity in tropical rain forests.
Ecologists are exploring how many species must be saved to keep an ecosystem functioning, with studies suggesting that losing even a small percentage of biodiversity can have significant consequences. Key findings include the importance of 'keystone' species and the impact of genetic variability on ecosystem resilience.