Articles tagged with Conservation Biology
A recent study found that brightly colored, round-bodied fish are rated as the most beautiful by the public, while less attractive species tend to be more ecologically and evolutionarily distinct. These unattractive species, including those listed as threatened or in need of conservation evaluation, may receive less public support desp...
A new study reveals that red pandas are being driven closer to extinction due to human activities such as infrastructure projects and habitat fragmentation. The research suggests that minimizing human-induced disturbances is crucial for the survival of this species.
A growing market for pet insects is driving interest in praying mantis conservation; hobbyists and enthusiasts share valuable knowledge, while also raising concerns about the trade's regulation.
Researchers found that maintaining hard water reduces zinc accumulation and oxidative stress in goldfish, mitigating toxic effects. This study provides an eco-friendly approach to address aquatic ecosystem pollution caused by heavy metal contamination.
A new study found that COVID-19 lockdowns led to a dramatic increase in fires within globally-important protected areas in Madagascar, with excess fires rising by 76-248%. The team used decades of past data to estimate the impact of the pandemic on fire patterns.
Researchers identified glacial refugia for Campanula americana and found that populations nearest the refugia had highest potential for speciation. This discovery highlights the importance of conserving habitats in Southeastern regions.
Scientists recommend practical strategies for managing biodiversity in a changing climate, including habitat restoration and assisted migration. Long-standing conservation measures remain crucial, while novel approaches like climate change refugia and protecting climate-adaptive genetics are gaining attention.
A study from North Carolina State University found that critically endangered Wyoming toads have low genetic diversity in their immune systems, which could impact their ability to respond to new pathogens. The findings inform captive breeding strategies for endangered animal populations.
The Ecological Society of America will hold its 107th Annual Meeting in Montreal from August 14-19, 2022. This year's meeting combines resources and interests of the ESA and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, focusing on theme "A Change Is Gonna Come" exploring global environmental and evolutionary change.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
Research finds that bat box design and landscape placement significantly impact the energetic balance of endangered Indiana bats. A study by University of Illinois researchers tested five bat box designs and four landscape placements to determine their effects on bat metabolism, development, and survival.
Researchers at Gauhati University studied roadkill on a 64-kilometer stretch of National Highway 715 in India's Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape. They found dramatic mortality rates among frogs, toads, snakes, and lizards, with over 6000 animals killed annually.
A study has discovered that humans are disrupting a fundamental pattern in ecosystems, which dates back at least 66 million years. The U-shaped relationship between diet and size in modern land mammals has been found to span across multiple vertebrate groups, including birds, reptiles, and fish.
The Bird Language Diversity app provides a 'birds eye view' of vital information on bird species globally. Researchers found that 1587 species have 10 languages or more spoken within their distributions, highlighting the importance of overcoming language barriers for effective conservation measures.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
The American marten study found that monitoring the species has an 'umbrella effect' on 11 other mammals, detecting population declines. However, habitat loss and climate change threaten the marten's survival. The researchers developed a monitoring protocol for the winter season to detect protected species.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have found a natural fungus that can kill off local populations of tawny crazy ants, with 62% of infected populations disappearing entirely. The fungus is specific to crazy ants and has no effect on native species, making it a promising biocontrol agent for protecting sensitive habitats.
Scientists have deciphered the helmeted honeyeater's genome and created a genetic map to guide advanced genetic rescue methods. The new tools allow for precise breeding decisions, reducing inbreeding and its negative impact on population health.
A massive volcanic eruption at the end of the Triassic period caused a global cooling effect, leading to the mass extinction. The event paved the way for the rise of dinosaurs as their natural predators went extinct.
Researchers found that tree spacing can control the likelihood of tree survival and reduce forest damage risk. Trees in forests with closer spacing are more vulnerable to strong winds due to reduced energy transfer buffering between trees.
A new orchid species, Maxillaria anacatalina-portillae, has been discovered in Ecuador's cloud rainforest. The plant is considered critically endangered due to its limited population and threats from climate change and human activity.
Researchers from University of California - Davis found that ultrasounds can detect when abalone are ready to spawn without touching them. The technique creates a gonad index score ranging from 1 to 5 indicating readiness for reproduction.
A new analysis has identified common demographic and life history traits among species at risk of extinction. The study found that these traits contribute to patterns of vulnerability, with some species exhibiting higher extinction risks due to factors like smaller population sizes and slower reproductive rates.
A large-scale study analyzing long-term data on insects from over 900 locations worldwide found little evidence for indicator species. Different groups of insects showed different trends, highlighting the importance of monitoring multiple groups simultaneously to provide guidelines for conservation policies.
A research team from the University of Göttingen found that vanilla agroforestry systems have advantages for both humans and nature, particularly when planted on fallow land. However, price fluctuations pose a challenge to sustainable cultivation.
A team of scientists used genetic testing to uncover the tactics of international criminal networks behind ivory trafficking out of Africa. The analysis linked most large ivory shipments to a handful of interconnected smuggling networks, expanding efforts to track and seize illicit shipments.
A new study suggests that preventing pandemics could save around 1.6 million lives and reduce mortality costs by $10 trillion annually by investing just 5% of the estimated annual economic losses associated with human deaths from COVID into environmental protection and early-stage disease surveillance.
Researchers have described two new species of hammerhead flatworms, Humbertium covidum and Diversibipalium mayottensis, found in France, Italy, and Mayotte. The species are small, iridescent, and potentially invasive, posing a threat to soil biodiversity.
A new species of leafhopper, Phlogis kibalensis, has been discovered in the Kibale National Park in western Uganda. The insect belongs to a rare genus that was last recorded in Central African Republic in 1969.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a mange outbreak in San Guillermo National Park, Argentina decimated the wild vicuña and guanaco populations, with nearly three-quarters of the animals lost between 2017-18. The authors suggest domestic llamas introduced to the site may have triggered the outbreak.
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to sequence all eukaryotic life, with 9,400 taxonomic families expected to be completed by 2023. The project's progress has sparked excitement for its potential to prevent biodiversity loss and adapt food crops to climate change.
Researchers identify previously unknown population of white-handed gibbons in Peninsular Malaysia, showing unusual mutations and potential local speciation. The discovery informs conservation efforts for translocation and reintroduction programs.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new bat box design that provides more thermally appropriate roosting spaces for bats. The 'rocket box' style, with modifications to length and insulation, helps reduce the risk of overheating and provides space for bats to move and avoid extreme temperatures.
The 2020 wildfires in Brazil's Pantanal wetland resulted in the deaths of an estimated 16.9 million vertebrates, including lizards, birds, and primates. The study estimates that between 13.2 million and 18.8 million small vertebrates and 691,000 to 1.2 million medium-to-large vertebrates were killed.
A group of Croatian students used photographs from iNaturalist to describe a new species of pygmy grasshopper, challenging traditional methods. The study highlights the potential of citizen science and encourages people to engage with nature to raise awareness about conservation.
A new study found that Galápagos Islands Darwin's finch females who spend longer inside the nest can ward off deadly larvae of the introduced avian vampire fly, improving offspring survival. The maternal buffer is a life-saver, especially during the first days after hatching.
Researchers found two prion gene variants in Père David's deer that may reduce susceptibility to CWD. The genetic variants were surprising given the population's small founder size and conserved prion protein gene. Studies are needed to confirm whether these variants provide protection against CWD.
A new study found that female bushbabies experience sharper increases in glucocorticoid hormones than males, indicating they may be under more stress and have less wiggle room to survive in a changing environment.
A study published in Conservation Biology found that forests surrounding rivers flowing into the sea increase the diversity of threatened fish species in Japan's estuaries. In contrast, waters surrounded by agricultural land show a decrease in fish populations.
The study reports 21 species of Pakistan's amphibians, highlighting the need for conservation strategies to control populations and address human-caused threats. Researchers propose an inclusive wildlife conservation approach incorporating poorly documented taxa like amphibians to maintain ecosystem health.
Researchers warn that climate change and human pressure have eroded benefits of long-distance migration for animals, leading to lower reproductive success and higher mortality. This has serious consequences for ecosystem structure and function, with many species unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Research at Florida Atlantic University found that green sea turtles in polluted environments have impaired immune systems, leading to increased disease susceptibility. The study suggests a positive feedback loop where pollution compromises immunity, making turtles more prone to Green Turtle Fibropapillomatosis.
Researchers found that jaguars are preying on guard dogs in a Mexican Caribbean village, mimicking the behavior of Indian leopards. The study highlights the threat of pet predation conflict to jaguar populations and the need for further research.
A new study by Michigan State University scientists reveals that giant pandas do not require perfect habitats to thrive, but rather a balance of suitable and unsuitable areas. The research suggests that conserving and restoring habitat to intermediate levels can effectively manage panda populations and promote genetic diversity.
Researchers found that boldness, aggressiveness, activity level, and sociability are key personality traits in golden-mantled ground squirrels. These traits impact their access to food, territory, and predators, highlighting the importance of understanding animal personalities in wildlife conservation.
Researchers found that young female black bears in Asheville, NC, weigh nearly twice as much as those in national forests and reproduce at a younger age, producing cubs by their second birthday. The study's findings raise questions about the diet and foraging activities of urban bears.
The MPA Guide categorizes MPAs by stage of establishment and level of protection, highlighting the importance of including local peoples in the decision-making process for effective conservation. The guide specifies outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being depending on the chosen level of protection.
New research explores conditions for humans and wolves to coexist peacefully in rural communities. Successful approaches to supporting communities have been identified, highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating traditional knowledge and skills in living alongside large carnivores.
Researchers analyzed 1.4 million field observations and 73,000 museum records to find a strong correlation between species abundance in nature and their presence in museum collections. This method enables scientists to study species decline and estimate past abundances, providing insights into conservation efforts.
Researchers successfully used cryopreserved sperm to fertilize coral eggs from hundreds of miles away, demonstrating the reproductive compatibility of distant coral colonies. The technique, known as assisted gene flow, has potential as a conservation tool for endangered corals and could accelerate their adaptation to climate change.
A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...
A new species of wood lizard, Enyalioides feiruzae, has been described from the premontane forest of the Huallaga river basin in Peru. The lizard features stunning color variations and is believed to have established as a separate species due to geographical separation from a similar lizard.
A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that safe passages for species adapting to climate change are often not being protected. The researchers found that important connecting patches were left out of existing networks of protected areas, resulting in a 13.6% shortfall in connectivity.
Researchers in Peru have estimated the population density of spectacled bears and identified an unknown hotspot, revealing over 10 bears per 100 square kilometers. The team also observed the first 'golden' bear with nearly golden fur, sparking further investigation into its unusual characteristics.
A new study on coral reefs in Kiribati found that more polluted and high-traffic waters can handle extreme heat events better than remote reefs. The research raises questions about the effectiveness of marine protected areas in conserving coral reefs.
A Yale study has identified significant gaps in biodiversity maps, limiting effective conservation decisions globally. The researchers created regional trends maps to assess the distribution of 31,000 terrestrial vertebrates, highlighting opportunities for citizen scientists and government agencies to support biodiversity monitoring.
A revised model of wildlife conservation, I-NAM, incorporates Indigenous histories, perspectives, and knowledge systems into the original NAM framework. The new approach emphasizes continuous learning, listening, and respecting diverse views to improve wildlife management.
Researchers found that semi-natural habitat patches complement existing flower strips in protecting pollinators, attracting a greater number of species and providing year-round flowers. These small structures, such as hedgerows and overgrown fences, offer potential retreats and nesting sites for overwintering bumblebees.
A new study documents how Indigenous Warli people in India worship Waghoba, a leopard/tiger deity, to gain protection from leopards. The researchers identified over 150 shrines dedicated to the deity and found that such relationships facilitate coexistence between humans and leopards in their shared landscape.
A study of 136 nonprofits and 38 for-profit companies found that many planted commercial species like chocolate and mango trees, with only a fraction tracking survival rates. The analysis suggests organizations should prioritize biodiversity and monitoring to ensure effective tree planting projects.