Articles tagged with Desert Ecosystems
Researchers found mycorrhizal fungi in desert moss, unlike those found in less harsh conditions, suggesting a deliberate relationship. The discovery could rewrite moss biology and offer clues about the origins of life on land.
A study published in Ecology Letters found that similarity in environmental conditions predicts local food web similarity across a continent. The researchers used satellite images and network analysis to identify habitat fragmentation and vegetation amount as major factors in shaping food webs.
Researchers challenge long-held assumptions about vegetation patterns in dryland ecosystems, finding that such patterns can actually indicate reduced ecosystem resilience. The new theoretical framework takes into account spatial constraints and environmental heterogeneities, revealing that ecosystem stability depends on specific enviro...
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) welcomes the cancellation of INNA, a planned industrial complex near Paranal Observatory. The project would have posed a major threat to the darkest skies on Earth and compromised the performance of advanced astronomical facilities.
A 40-year greening project in China's Taklamakan Desert has successfully reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and increased solar-induced fluorescence, indicating a measurable carbon sink. The project demonstrates the potential of afforestation to mitigate climate change, despite being only a small dent in global emissions.
A new study reveals that resilient nematodes can persist in the Atacama Desert's hostile soil, with population diversity correlating to water profile and temperature fluctuations. The findings suggest that biodiversity in arid regions may be higher than previously assumed, but also warn of ecosystem damage.
A new global study finds that nearly half of livestock production occurs in areas with destocking, a process that poses new ecological and land management challenges. Destocking can increase wildfire risk and biodiversity decline, but also enables ecosystems to capture more atmospheric carbon dioxide.
A new study analyzing the dietary choices of wild woodrats reveals that individual diets may not be as diverse as previously assumed. The research suggests that the costs of specializing on one food source or diversifying one's diet have a strong impact on an animal's ability to survive and thrive.
Human activities such as agricultural expansion and soil dumping are narrowing Oman's wadis, altering soil chemistry and sediment distribution. This process accelerates erosion during flash floods, creating a "bottleneck effect" that increases floodwater velocity and spreads contaminants downstream.
Researchers found genetic adaptations underlying survival in hot and dry environments, revealing how natural selection enabled the Turkana to thrive in extreme conditions. The study identified key genes, including STC1, that play vital roles in conserving water and protecting kidneys from waste.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that mineral dust particles can trigger freezing of cloud droplets, particularly important in northern regions where clouds form below freezing temperatures. This process affects sunlight reflection and precipitation generation, with major implications for climate models.
The book examines biodiversity, ecology, and conservation strategies across Mexico's deserts, focusing on the Baja California Peninsula, Chihuahuan Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. Key findings include the ecological roles of natural products and traditional medicinal plants.
Meerkat research reveals how desert specialists handle environmental change, while a new study outlines a pathway to co-management with Tribal Nations, and another finds that marine heatwaves affect fish development, leading to a delayed maturation process. Drylands also contribute to increased methane emissions.
Saharan mustard is overwhelming native plants' seed bank, reducing biodiversity and weakening ecosystems. The invasive species can crowd out native species, altering ecosystem function.
Research reveals Atlantic Ocean storms are primary drivers of Sahara lake filling, contradicting previous theories. Heavy precipitation events triggered by extreme rainstorms reshape water availability in the desert, with implications for ecosystems and human settlements.
A Mississippi State University scientist has discovered 16 new species of grasshoppers living in the thorny scrubs of U.S. and Mexican deserts, showcasing the thriving biodiversity in arid ecosystems. The newly uncovered species are native to the southern U.S. and Mexican deserts and were described in a recent scientific journal article.
A new study reveals surprising findings about mercury pollution patterns in ecosystems, where it comes from and how it moves vary significantly. Dragonfly larvae are found to be a cost-effective indicator of mercury contamination in nearly every aquatic habitat, providing valuable insights for resource management decisions.
New research found that non-native burros are altering plant growth, reducing ground cover and foliage density, and negatively impacting native wildlife species in the Sonoran Desert.
Desert isopods rigorously regulate their intake of macronutrients and calcium, preferring biological soil crust over plant litter. The research highlights the crucial role of ingested microorganisms in facilitating digestion and growth.
A study estimates that global ecosystems provide USD 112-197 trillion to the economy, with forests and wetlands accounting for nearly 80% of this value. Strong synergies are found among oxygen release, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration services, while trade-offs occur between flood regulation and other services.
Research reveals that spatial patterns in dryland vegetation are critical for adapting to changing environmental conditions. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the role of self-organized clusters in maintaining ecosystem function and health.
Researchers found 13 mummified leaf-eared mouse cadavers atop 4-mile-high volcanoes, with DNA analysis revealing a distinct population from lower-altitude mice. The discovery suggests the rodents ascended without human assistance and have adapted to extreme conditions.
Researchers confirm termites as cause of Namib Desert fairy circles, refuting the self-regulation hypothesis. The study found that sand termites eliminate plants in sandy soils, enabling long-lasting water storage after infrequent rainfall.
A recent study on buffelgrass control in Arizona's Saguaro National Park highlights the importance of long-term monitoring and surveillance. Low levels of buffelgrass can quickly expand by multiple orders of magnitude, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to manage its spread.
ASU researchers have developed a method to regenerate biocrusts on arid lands by harnessing the power of solar farms. The approach, dubbed 'crustivoltaics,' has shown promising results in doubling biocrust biomass and tripling biocrust cover under photovoltaic panels.
A multidisciplinary team will investigate how spatial patterns can prevent tipping points in ecosystems and promote resilience to climate change. The RESILIENCE project aims to identify novel directions to evade catastrophic ecosystem collapse.
A comprehensive classification of world's ecosystems across land, rivers, and wetlands enables effective biodiversity conservation and informed policy decisions. The typology helps policymakers and industry plan initiatives in full context, informing decisions on ecosystem protection and restoration efforts.
A comprehensive study reveals that nitrogen-fixers are most diverse in arid regions of the US, contrary to expectations. Plants have evolved creative ways to acquire nitrogen, and their diversity increases in these environments due to adaptations such as thicker cuticles.
Research suggests that climate change may lead to the proliferation of pathogenic fungi in drying soils, which could pose a significant public health threat. The study's findings are being used to inform policymakers on the potential risks of global climate change on soil fungal communities in the US Southwest.
A new UC Riverside study finds that the timing of rainfall is crucial for drought-stricken plants, with summer rains resulting in higher plant biomass. In contrast, winter rains have less impact on plant growth and may lead to negative effects.
Large-scale solar farms have a cooling effect on surrounding land, reducing temperature by up to 2.3°C at 100m away from the park boundaries. The study highlights the need for consideration in solar park design and location to minimize negative impacts.
A recent UNSW Sydney study pairs satellite imagery with site-based field research to show that removing dingoes leads to overgrazing and reduced soil quality. The effects of dingo removal are visible from space, with vegetation inside the fence having poorer long-term growth than outside.
A cross-disciplinary study examines humans' interactions with plant and animal species across different cultures worldwide through time. The researchers found that humans can have a stabilizing effect on their ecosystems by providing ecosystem services such as lighting fires, while also playing a destructive role in other cases.
The NSF has awarded a five-year, $6.4 million grant to the Sevilleta LTER site in central New Mexico to understand how environmental changes affect dryland ecosystems over time. Researchers will study the transition from grassland to shrubland and the impact of climate variability on ecosystem dynamics.
A new study suggests that global warming above 1.5°Celsius will drastically transform Mediterranean ecosystems, producing species never seen before in the past 10,000 years. The region's biodiversity and services, including clean water and carbon storage, are critical to human well-being.
A team of researchers at Ben-Gurion University and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that fairy circles occur due to the way plants organize themselves in response to water shortage. The study, published in PNAS journal, provides new evidence on the cause of these barren circular patches of land.
A fossilized owl pellet study reveals that the small mammal community was stable and resilient around 13,000 years ago, but human-caused changes since the late 1800s have caused a massive drop in biomass and energy flow, indicating a loss of natural resilience
Researchers found that termite mounds create refugia for vegetation on drylands, allowing them to thrive in areas with significantly less rain. This discovery could inspire new approaches to understanding the effects of climate change on ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered a surprisingly diverse ecosystem of microbes living in the perpetual darkness of Kartchner Caverns, a limestone cave system. The microbes thrive on limited nutrients, including nitrogen-containing compounds, and can even harness energy from minerals dissolved in rock fissures.
A study by Stanford Woods Institute researchers reveals that Aboriginal hunting practices, using fire to clear land, nearly doubles lizard populations and improves habitat. The approach combines practical knowledge with ecological co-evolution, challenging conservation policies.
Scientists have found that predator/prey relationships are crucial for maintaining stability and diversity in complex ecosystems, contradicting earlier modeling results. The research provides a new framework for understanding ecosystem responses to environmental change.
A study published in Science suggests that plant biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem multi-functionality in drylands, which are vulnerable to desertification and climate change. The research found that increasing perennial plant species enhances ecosystem ability to store carbon and build nutrient pools.
A recent study found that severe droughts and changes in water tables have pushed aquatic desert ecosystems into catastrophic regime change, resulting in the loss of some species and a shift towards smaller, shorter-lived insects.
Researchers from TUM are studying the development of soil, flora, and fauna at Chicken Creek, aiming to establish factors influencing ecosystem development. The project has shown that rain plays a crucial role in shaping the initial phase of an ecosystem.
A UC Riverside study reveals that ecology and evolution are reciprocally interacting processes, with evolutionary processes influencing ecology in turn. The research found that guppies adapted to different stream communities exhibited distinct impacts on their ecosystems, including differences in diet and nutrient cycling.
A study by Arizona State University researchers reveals that water limitation affects cricket consumption of green leaves and wolf spider hunting of crickets, highlighting the role of water in understanding ecosystem changes due to global climate change. This finding has implications for biodiversity in arid regions.
Researchers excavated 12-ton soil monoliths in Oklahoma to study warming effects on grasslands. Warming by 4 degrees Celsius suppressed plant growth and land carbon absorption for two years.
A study by Arizona State University researchers found that urbanization's impact on surface hydrology can disrupt nutrient cycling in native ecosystems. The alteration of stream flow and water availability has been linked to increased nitrogen levels, harming riparian species and coastal dead zones.
Researchers propose an entirely new model of human-centered biomes, acknowledging that humans have a significant impact on the global environment. The current system of classifying ecosystems may be misleading, and it's time to study ecosystem functioning in backyards and urban areas.
Scientists use NASA Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer to analyze vegetation and soil changes in response to rain variation over large areas. The study found a long-term decrease in litter cover, bare soil areas, and shifts in plant responses to precipitation events.
A groundbreaking study reveals a new type of ecosystem born from the intersection of nature and city life. The Phoenix urban ecosystem is characterized by higher abundance of plants and animals due to consistent access to water resources.
Researchers found that under drought conditions, tropical forests and desert ecosystems have similar maximum rain-use efficiency, a measure of total plant growth per unit of precipitation. This discovery indicates an upper limit to ecosystem productivity, which may impact climate change scenarios.