Articles tagged with Conservation Ecology
UK wildlife recorders generally welcome newly arrived bird and insect species due to climate change, but have reservations about invasive species that harm native animals. The survey suggests that public opinion plays a crucial role in managing these arrivals, with scientific evidence being a key factor.
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.
A study found that large mammals and birds essential for seed dispersal in the Atlantic Rainforest are disappearing due to deforestation. In contrast, smaller animals have lower interaction levels with plants.
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.
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.
Mountain gorillas are increasing their water drinking frequency as temperatures rise due to the climate crisis. This shift could lead to parasite and human disease exposure, and is a concerning sign for the species' survival.
A new study by Bangor University suggests that a biodiversity offsetting scheme at Ambatovy mine in Madagascar has successfully achieved 'No Net Loss' of the unique forest habitat destroyed by the mine. The study, which used state-of-the-art approaches to evaluate the impact of the mine's strategy, found that the offsets have saved nea...
Scientists are creating a global audio collection of aquatic life to monitor changing marine life and identify new species. The GLUBS platform uses ocean hydrophones, AI, and citizen science to analyze soundscapes and track biodiversity on reefs and other ocean habitats.
Using ancient and historical DNA can assess population genetic patterns and inform conservation actions. The study reveals that a/hDNA can be compared with contemporary data to set baselines for intra-species genetic diversity and estimate changes in effective population size.
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 recent study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management found that vulture declines are linked to increased disease risks due to their absence. With no natural clean-up crew, diseases spread rapidly among scavenger communities, including feral dogs, which fill the ecological gap left by vultures.
Researchers found that 37% of lions and 22% of leopards in Zambia have wire snare injuries, while 27% of lions have shotgun pellet embeds. The study suggests poaching and land protection threats are significant in protected areas.
A study by the University of Queensland found that strong demand for tropical sea cucumbers as a delicacy is putting these species at risk of extinction. The research highlights the need for regulatory changes to protect the remaining populations and maintain healthy ocean ecosystems.
A University of Queensland-led study reveals that only 15.5% of global coastal areas remain undamaged, exposing the need for concerted efforts to conserve these ecosystems and mitigate climate change impacts.
A new study reveals that South and Southeast Asia's native tree diversity is at risk of extinction, with only 10% of ranges suitable for conservation. Coordinated conservation and restoration efforts are critical to prevent further destruction and biodiversity loss.
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.
The English Channel prevents many rockpool species from reaching the UK due to unfavorable ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in intertidal wildlife richness in the UK as warmer-water species fail to replace threatened ones. As climate change causes sea temperatures to rise, this barrier may prevent species from adapting.
Lowland tapir populations in the Atlantic Forest are at risk of extinction due to population isolation and habitat fragmentation. The species' survival is threatened by hunting, highways, and lack of gene flow, with only a few viable populations remaining.
A recent study highlights the need for inclusive forest conservation policies that learn from past mistakes. The researchers argue that top-down approaches can be harmful and accelerate deforestation, instead recommending local social impact assessments and indigenous involvement in policy-making.
A new method developed by researchers predicts the optimal time to spend learning about a species' habitat before designating protected areas. This balance between knowledge acquisition and resource allocation can save species from extinction while minimizing unnecessary protection of incorrect habitats.
A new study by UBC researchers found that larger farms lead to a 15% decrease in bird diversity in the farmland bordering the former Iron Curtain. Maintaining diverse habitats within agricultural landscapes is crucial for conserving bird diversity.
Despite over 200 restored wetlands in Denmark, botanical diversity remains low, with only 9.5 species per four square meters found in the studied areas. High nutrient input from agriculture continues to affect plant species dispersal and immigration, making it a significant barrier to increased biodiversity.
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.
Researchers found that indigenous people in Gabon possess an astonishing 732 plant and fruit-eating animal interactions, exceeding academic literature. Local knowledge is invaluable for understanding ecological processes, particularly in remote areas.
A recent study published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution found that local environmental knowledge is a valuable tool for conservation in the Amazon, comparable to other scientific methods. Local ecological knowledge proved to be more accurate than 10 years of conventional scientific monitoring for animal abundance in the Amazon.
An international research team developed a novel sampling method called 'bat point counts' to detect and count flying bats. The new technique showed that insect-eating bats are more common than previously thought in oil palm plantations, playing a significant role in suppressing insect pests.
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.
Satellite images reveal a substantial increase in saltmarsh area and stable trends of tidal flat areas after 2012, driven by decreased anthropogenic activities and increased conservation and restoration efforts. Conservation efforts have positively impacted China's coastal wetlands, mitigating the loss of these important ecosystems.
A new study published in Ecological Applications demonstrates rapid expansion of restored eelgrass plots and recovery of ecosystem functions, providing improved habitat for fish and invertebrates. The study shows that restored plots can recover near or at the level seen in natural eelgrass meadows within a few years.
Researchers have confirmed cases of leprosy in two unconnected West African populations of chimpanzees, in Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast. The strains identified are different and rare among humans. Long-term health monitoring is needed to establish the scale and possible effects of leprosy on critically endangered western chimpanzees.
Researchers found that complex mixtures of microbes isolated from closely related plant species increased the resistance of endangered Hawaiian plant Eugenia koolauensis to myrtle rust. This microbial treatment may be an important tool for combating disease-driven declines of endangered plants.
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.
A new study maps the location and intensity of key threats to terrestrial amphibians, birds, and mammals, identifying priority areas across the world. Agriculture and logging are pervasive in the tropics, while hunting and trapping is the most geographically widespread threat to mammals and birds.
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.
A new global risk index highlights the alarming decline of pollinators, which are crucial for food production and ecosystem services. The top causes of pollinator loss include habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change, with serious consequences for human populations, particularly in the Global South.
The University of Exeter has developed a virtual safe space tool called BEE-STEWARD to test different land management techniques for bumblebee survival. The tool provides a computer simulation of bumblebee colony survival in a given landscape, allowing researchers and farmers to predict the impact of their decisions.
A long-term study tracked macaw movements using satellite telemetry over eight years, revealing large home ranges and daily travel distances. The research highlights the importance of conservation strategies for the scarlet macaw and similar species, which share habitats with endangered species and influence ecosystems.
A study of 1051 top-authors found women and the Global South are starkly underrepresented, with only 11% female authors and 25% from the Global South. The research highlights a need to promote scientific diversity and inclusion in leadership recruitment and career development.
A genomic study reveals four distinct genetic clusters of weedy seadragons in NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania, suggesting the Victorian population may form a subspecies. The findings highlight the need for conservation management to account for these distinct populations.
A recent study shows that rare terrestrial mammals and birds are more threatened by human activities than common species, with many facing extinction within 40 years due to climate change. Conservation efforts must account for the ecological rarity of these species to ensure their survival.
A conservation biologist reflects on losing species like saiga antelopes and Huemel deer, highlighting the complexities of conservation. She shares her hope for success stories in protected areas like Yellowstone National Park and the importance of focusing on rare species.
A recent study led by University of Southampton researchers reveals that threatened birds and mammals are often ecologically distinct and vital to their environments. The research highlights the importance of charismatic species, such as Emperor Penguins and Leopards, which play unique roles in maintaining ecosystem balance.
Researchers from over 70 countries develop a comprehensive road map to address the pressing issue of declining insect populations, driven by human-induced stress factors such as habitat loss and climate change. The plan outlines immediate, mid-term, and long-term actions to prioritize conservation efforts and restore ecosystems.
Research found that vehicles and aircraft are the main culprits masking iconic natural sounds in peaceful national parks. The study analyzed nearly 47,000 hours of audio clips from 66 national parks, revealing that anthropogenic noise causes a ten-fold increase in natural background sound levels in over a third of parks.
A new study reveals the role of the exotic pet trade in introducing invasive vertebrate populations across the globe. The researchers found that socioeconomic and socioecological factors drive the trade, with basic market forces being the main impetus for exotic vertebrates.
A recent analysis of Google Trends data reveals a significant rise in public interest in conservation, with monthly searches reaching 110,000. The study's findings suggest that the growing interest in conservation is not diminishing, but rather complementing interest in climate change.
A new study reveals that wild cobras frequently eat other snakes and engage in cannibalism, with five out of six species displaying the behavior. Males are more likely to participate in cannibalism events, raising questions about its evolution and impact on intrasexual competition.
A University of Montana ecology professor and researchers have tracked shifting North American habitats to identify climate corridors. The study found routes along north-south trending passes and mountain ranges, which are often circuitous and poorly captured by existing conservation strategies.
A study by the University of Exeter found that Trinidadian guppies exhibit complex personalities with distinct coping styles, remaining consistent even under stress. The research showed that individual differences persisted despite changes in behaviour due to environmental factors.
Research suggests that land protected by regulation lacks adequate space for animals to roam, while land acquired for conservation provides better habitat. However, the study's findings indicate that incidental protection regulations can still have a positive impact on biodiversity.
A recent study explores the species-area relationship and volume-species relation, finding that higher canopies are associated with more plant species due to increased biospace. This correlation is observed across different climate zones, suggesting a fundamental role in ecology.
The study found that different subspecies of western rattlesnakes have distinct head shapes, which have evolved to accommodate feeding and reproductive behaviors. Combining head shape with genetic analysis confirmed that some groups should be classified as separate species.
A new study from the University of Exeter has found that racehorse speeds have improved greatly since 1850, with increases in speed greatest in shorter distance races. The researchers used a large data set of racing records to analyze thoroughbred performance at the elite level and found that horses are getting faster.
The European Union's Natura 2000 network has a positive impact on maintaining biodiversity, but lacks connections between protected areas. The researchers recommend establishing minimum standards for conservation in these areas to improve species migration and genetic stability.
A Stanford ecologist is using social media data to estimate the number of user-days for locations around the world, illuminating where people go and how visitation rates change. This approach can predict changes in recreational value after environmental changes, providing a novel solution to expensive empirical data requirements.
Researchers discover that evolutionary diversity can be a reliable proxy for measuring biodiversity, including species richness and trait diversity. This finding could help conservation organizations better protect threatened species globally.
A European team of ecologists used a new modeling approach to predict how mountain plants will migrate in response to climate change. The results indicate that by the end of the 21st century, Alpine high mountain flora will lose an average of 44-50% of its current distribution area.
The new journal aims to facilitate better interaction between scientists, policy-makers, and managers, with a focus on synergistic interactions and open data publishing. It will consider conventional papers as well as 'Applied Conservation Papers' that bring together project reports and other knowledge.
Researchers discussed using Doppler weather radar to track bat behavior and effectiveness of acoustic deterrents in reducing bat fatalities at wind farms. Aeroecology also explored the role of atmospheric conditions in flight behavior, with studies on golf courses as potential habitats for roosting bats and the importance of insectivor...