A new study highlights the importance of combining source reduction with cleanup of legacy macroplastics to prevent microplastic accumulation. The study found that halting plastic inputs by 2050 could reduce cumulative ocean plastic by 51.4% but would still leave significant amounts of microplastics behind.
A seven-year study of Barred Owls in California shows a significant decline in exposure to the most lethal class of rodenticides, attributed to the state's policy restrictions. The study also detects a new contaminant, cholecalciferol, in nearly one in five owls, suggesting product substitution as older compounds become harder to access.
Restored oyster reefs in Harris Creek exhibit structural complexity and support larger, more diverse fish communities, while harvested areas are dominated by small schooling fish. The study reveals long-term success of oyster restoration in Chesapeake Bay.
Researchers found that AI-generated images can improve species identification and biodiversity monitoring when real images are limited. However, the synthetic images were less effective than real images overall, highlighting the importance of community science and real-world observations.
SUNY Cortland students are participating in research internships at fisheries across New York, led by USGS grants and partnerships with other institutions. The internships provide hands-on experience, skills in field and lab techniques, and opportunities to network with professionals and graduate students.
A new global framework for insect conservation tackles the major blind spot in biodiversity conservation, proposing locally led research and collaboration. The framework identifies four major obstacles to tropical insect conservation and proposes combining conventional scientific research with regional and non-English literature.
A study found that feeding and watching birds positively impacts people's well-being, reducing stress and increasing feelings of joy, gratitude, and calm. The activity also fosters engagement and a sense of meaning, as participants feel they are connecting with nature and contributing to science.
A recent international study identifies the importance of integrating different land use initiatives, involving various social groups, and continuously refining measures to prevent wildfires. The researchers advocate a long-term, preventive approach to shaping resilient landscapes that combine ecological, economic, and social objectives.
A new study found that the presence of peregrine falcons in the Bay Area dropped by 65% after an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza. The decline is synchronous with the outbreak, which has affected millions of birds globally.
A new study highlights the impact of coastal freshening on the giant amphipod species Paraceradocus miersi, which lose salts, gain water, and suffer gill damage in diluted waters. The research warns that continued freshening may pose a significant threat to many marine invertebrates and reshape the global ocean's communities.
Microplastics have been found throughout a protected Florida wetland, with concentrations highest along waterways. The study reveals that water movement plays a crucial role in transporting and concentrating microplastics within the ecosystem.
The Galápagos snapdragon has shown encouraging signs of recovery thanks to a long-term partnership between the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park Directorate. The project successfully outplanted 94 nursery-grown shrubs into harsh volcanic landscapes, with 28 adult plants established across two restoration sites.
A study found that relocating turtle nests to cooler areas can produce mostly female hatchlings and reduce hatching success, while shading also affects hatchling size and ability to right themselves. Researchers aim to understand the factors affecting hatchling development to improve conservation strategies
Researchers found that the lost species are long-lived perennials with tough leaves that help them survive stress, but are slow-growing and cannot compete in post-destruction grasslands. New plants that grow back in their place have features associated with faster growth and greater resource capture.
Researchers integrate AI into local monitoring sensors to track ecosystem health in near real-time, reducing delays of months to years. The project enables faster release of accessible flux data, helping scientists understand ecosystem responses to change and inform land management decisions.
Researchers have developed an interactive platform to identify future trafficking hotspots, revealing where criminal networks are most likely to strike next. The tool combines landscape ecology with criminology to identify high-risk corridors, particularly across southeastern Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Researchers found that tree-layer α-diversity peaks at mid-elevation zones, while understory α-diversity shows a bimodal trend with two diversity peaks at 400-600m and 1000-1200m. Community composition differs among low-, mid- and high-elevation zones, driven by species turnover across elevational zones.
A new study analyzed extinction patterns among tropical forest mammals worldwide, revealing that past extinctions can provide valuable insights into species vulnerability. The research showed that traits like large body size, small brains, and slow reproduction were linked to extinction risk in the past, but these patterns are not cons...
Global mangrove cover has increased by 47,720 hectares worldwide between 1985 and 2025, according to new analysis, but some key regions, such as Indonesia, have lost significant mangrove cover, highlighting uneven progress in mangrove ecosystem changes.
A new study by Bournemouth University found that 'pioneering pairs' of ospreys, which nest away from others, are key to driving population recovery. These birds create separate subpopulations and increase the speed of recovery for the species through long-distance dispersal.
A GPS tracking study found that invasive barred owls consistently occupy the tallest, oldest, and most complex stands of forest, threatening spotted owls' habitats. Managing barred owl populations reopens habitat for spotted owls to reclaim, conservatively estimating over 1,800 square kilometers of restored habitat.
Researchers found that preserving native vegetation and tree cover between homes led to a wider variety of bird species remaining, particularly sensitive species like the Wilson's warbler and Swainson's thrush. This suggests that balancing human development with ecosystem health can benefit both.
Scientists are helping to safeguard UK's rarest orchard wildlife through a three-year conservation initiative focusing on four threatened species. Innovative techniques like pheromones and DNA will be used to improve monitoring of noble chafer and red-horned cardinal click beetle populations.
Research team led by University of Zurich found Arctic fires occurred 2.5 times more often in lit areas associated with human activity than in climatically similar unlit areas. Effective fire prevention and response can help reduce risks extending far beyond the Arctic.
A study found that coating developing raven eggs with non-toxic mineral oil helps protect sensitive prey populations. Raven nests treated with egg oil showed more than doubled sage-grouse nest survival and a 44% increase in relative abundances of sage-grouse.
A new synthesis paper examines how ecological structures and processes help ecosystems withstand disturbances while providing benefits. The study highlights the importance of 'portfolio effects' in maintaining ecosystem resilience.
Research team identifies best strategies for managing native cacao trees in Peru, resulting in 59% higher yields after three years. Grafting native 'Blanco de Piura' cacao varieties onto fully grown trees increases productivity levels comparable to commercial clones.
Researchers at Oregon State University developed a low-cost, semi-automated camera system using AI to monitor bumblebee populations and other insects. The system recorded six species of bumblebees, closely matching those documented through traditional methods, and identified them automatically using custom-built deep learning models.
New research reveals that evidence of animal deaths after prescribed burns can disappear in under two weeks, significantly underestimating the true toll of fire on wildlife. Conducting wildlife surveys immediately after fires is essential to accurately assess the impact of prescribed burning on biodiversity and animal welfare.
Researchers argue that EU and UK wildlife protection frameworks are fragmented, selective, and exception-based, threatening biodiversity. The authors propose strengthening laws to recognize animal sentience and introducing 'ethical continuity' into the legal framework.
Reducing carbon dioxide concentration improves microbial production of biodegradable plastic, such as poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]. Lower CO2 levels trigger adaptive cellular responses that enhance carbon utilization efficiency.
A new study has mapped Europe's wetlands, identifying peatlands as the most critical type to restore for climate benefits. The map provides a basis for assessing where wetland restoration could deliver benefits for climate and biodiversity.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
Bottlenose dolphins spend much of their time following trawlers to scavenge for food, with up to 76% of bottom trawlers being followed. The high frequency suggests that they may be struggling to hunt normally due to the depletion of prey in the Adriatic Sea.
A new study reveals that the Honduran cottontail rabbit is the main cause of crop damage in Honduras, contrary to local assumptions. Camera traps helped researchers understand which species interact with crops and how they respond to human-made stimuli.
A new review of interspecies cooperation reveals that animals use cues and signals to work together for mutual benefit. The study found commonalities in these interactions across various species, including fish, dolphins, birds, and butterflies. Researchers highlight the importance of communication in these unique team-based behaviors.
A global study of over 5,100 species reveals that climate change is transforming ecosystems and threatening species across the globe. Temperate species are experiencing more local extinctions than tropical species due to faster warming rates, with temperate regions losing up to 49% of their species.
A University of Göttingen study reveals that traditionally farmed landscapes can produce food while protecting nature and preserving cultural traditions. The research highlights four key strategies for adapting these systems to local environments and markets.
A new study analyzed data from GPS tracking collars on 36 wild pumas in the Santa Cruz Mountains, finding that they proactively avoid heavily trafficked trails to minimize conflicts with humans. The research suggests that more human-tolerant pumas may actually help share landscapes with people by minimizing habitat loss.
Researchers have digitally preserved the vaquita by scanning a complete skeleton and creating interactive 3D models. The technology enabled the team to capture microscopic skeletal details and make the information accessible to anyone, with the resulting models being made freely available through MorphoSource.
A new study reveals that alpine species are more vulnerable to climate change due to their reliance on specific temperature cues for germination. Seeds from high-altitude plants showed strong dormancy patterns linked to elevation, while lowland species were more flexible and adaptable.
The Cozumel dwarf fox, a critically endangered species, has been rediscovered after two decades. The fox was rescued and released into the Laguna Colombia State Reserve, highlighting the need for urgent conservation measures to preserve its habitats.
A three-year study reveals coral hormone cycles similar to humans', helping detect reproductive stress and informing reef conservation. Hormone levels were found to be influenced by sunlight, not heat, and distributed evenly throughout colonies.
A University of Bristol team has developed an AI system that can automatically find, name, and follow individual animals in footage, saving thousands of hours for researchers. The system, part of the SA-FARI project, uses a foundational Vision-Language Model to precisely identify objects in images or videos.
Researchers found that pregnant Pacific pocket mice trained to fear snakes produce more vigilant offspring, which survive better in the wild. This method of antipredator training may improve conservation breeding and reintroduction programs.
Research found a 27% decline in wading bird populations in the NYC Harbor over 22 years. The Black-crowned Night Heron population declined by 55%, threatening its status as an environmental indicator species.
Researchers examine the process of prioritizing river restoration projects using a mathematical computer program called optimization. The study shows that score and rank systems don't always account for barriers in the full river context, leading to stranded investments.
Researchers propose using inter situ collections to conserve exceptional plant species from the Amazon rainforest, offering a promising strategy for conservation. By transplanting plants to new environments, scientists aim to increase genetic diversity and promote resilience in threatened species.
A new study found Turkey Vulture populations increasing by almost 300% over 25 years, with delayed migration departure dates. This could be linked to climate change, which researchers hope will inspire further investigation.
Research by Cheryl Dykstra and her team found a correlation between higher quality territories and the proportion of female nestlings. The study also revealed that solitary young are more likely to be female than male, with eggs laid later in the season increasing the probability of hatching into a male.
A long-term study found that invasive Burmese pythons led to a dramatic decline in woodrat populations, while cotton mouse populations surged following Hurricane Irma's landfall. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of invasive predators on endemic ecosystem engineers and underscores the need for targeted conservation efforts.
A new commentary reveals that most of Africa's biodiversity persists outside formal protected areas, challenging the reliance on fenced reserves and policies like the 30×30 target. Working landscapes, shaped by centuries of human-nature coexistence, often retain higher ecological connectivity and resilience to climate change.
Researchers surveyed 7 pathogens in wild native snakes, finding Ophidiomyces and Raillietiella orientalis as most important infectious agents. Rattlesnakes are most likely to host these pathogens, with increased risks of ophidiomycosis and parasitic lung infection.
Researchers found significant increases in invertebrate abundance following rodent eradication, particularly among larger-bodied species vulnerable to predation. The study highlights the crucial role of invertebrates in ecosystem function and recovery.
Researchers found that farmers and conservation groups share priorities on future uncertainty, collaboration, ecosystem-based approach, and creative management options. The study aims to improve dialogue and support effective management in the Klamath Basin and inform future river restoration efforts.
A new study proposes a comprehensive framework identifying distinct biophysical stewardship practices across three ecological levels. The authors argue that underrepresentation of Indigenous knowledge in conservation research and policy is detrimental to effective governance, and their framework aims to address this imbalance.
A new review highlights the importance of using the right amount of biochar in different ecosystems, with recommended application ranges varying from 5 to 40 tonnes per hectare. Biochar can enhance ecological functions by increasing water-holding capacity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting beneficial microbial activity.
New research reveals that complex terrain is vital to brush-tailed rock-wallaby habitat choice, essential for conservation and reintroduction programs. The study suggests shelter from predators and environmental extremes is the key factor influencing den site selection.
A study found that megafires force prairie grouse into sub-optimal habitats, including smaller patches near cropland. This can lead to reduced persistence and habitat quality for the species.
A new study by UBC researchers found that Indigenous lands consistently protect forests, biodiversity, and carbon stores at levels equal to or greater than government-designated protected areas. The study highlights the importance of securing formal land rights for Indigenous Peoples and funding and resourcing Indigenous stewardship.