Articles tagged with Ecological Degradation
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A recent study by the University of Bologna reveals that the EU is far from meeting its goal of protecting 10% of its land area for biodiversity. The study found that many countries have inadequate protection in place, with some having very few protected areas and others failing to implement integral protection in national parks. To ac...
Researchers have identified a phenomenon that could help coral reef managers plan and act for the future. Ocean processes during El Niño strengthened the North Equatorial Counter Current, driving cooler plankton-rich waters to Palmyra's coral reefs and enabling them to better manage heat stress.
Scientists have found that 10 years of underwater seaweed forest restoration has helped a damaged ecosystem regrow to richness and strength comparable to undisturbed forests. The restored locality showed greater structural complexity, species with longer lifespans, and increased biodiversity, indicating long-term recovery.
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that birds eat fewer invertebrates in coffee plantations than in forests, threatening their survival. The disturbance of ecosystems significantly impacts dietary options, leading to reduced survival and population declines.
The Stanford-led study found that the area of wetland ecosystems has declined 21-35% since 1700 due to human intervention, with at least 1.3 million square miles lost globally. This contradicts previous estimates and suggests a need for revised conservation strategies.
A group of international scientists warn that nuclear radiation would have catastrophic consequences on ecosystems, including widespread hunger, toxic contamination, and habitat destruction. The authors urge policymakers to take action to mitigate these risks.
A new species of aquatic insect, Potamophylax humoinsapiens, has been discovered in the Sharr Mountains of Kosovo. The species was named to raise awareness about human activities that have degraded habitats and led to extinction. Researchers hope this naming convention will make insects 'talk' to humanity's collective consciousness.
A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford found that logged rainforests have amplified and diverse ecosystem energetics, supporting similar or greater densities of bird and mammal species. The study challenges the labelling of logged forests as 'degraded' when they are ecologically vibrant.
Researchers analyzed over 4,500 documents to understand fungal dispersal across spatial scales. They identified four scales of movement, from microscopic to landscape, and found that climate change affects where fungi reside. More data is needed to understand the biodiversity of fungi and their movement in ecosystems.
Researchers have developed a chemical-biological method to upcycle polyethylene waste into valuable and complex compounds of pharmacological interest. Genetically engineered fungi convert carboxylic diacids derived from PE waste into natural products, including asperbenzaldehyde, citreoviridin, and mutilin.
Almost one quarter of Sweden's last unprotected old-growth forest was logged between 2003 and 2019. Rare ecosystems with rich biodiversity are being lost at a rate of 1.4% per year, posing significant threats to biodiversity and planetary stability.
A new study found that offshore mussel farms can increase species abundance, including Atlantic horse mackerel and European lobster, on degraded seabed habitats. The research suggests that this practice could have wider environmental benefits, supporting the national and international Blue Growth agenda.
Pharmaceutical contamination poses significant risks to ecosystems due to the widespread use of medicines in humans and animals. Researchers emphasize the need for greener drug design, improved wastewater management, and responsible use of drugs.
A NASA initiative studies wildfire-induced air pollution by measuring atmospheric CO and O3 levels using airborne observations. The study found that CO levels increased in the plume as it was transported away from the fire site, while plume age was associated with distance in both vertical and horizontal directions.
New research from the University of East Anglia finds that hydropower developments lead to flooding forests, driving biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruptions. The study reveals widespread species extinction, especially among large-bodied species, highlighting the need for sustainable energy security and biodiversity conservation.
A new study analyzing 72 lakes in four large Neotropical wetlands of Brazil reveals that human impacts on biodiversity compromise wetland multifunctionality. Strong associations between aquatic organism diversity and wetland functioning were found, highlighting the crucial role of species richness in driving ecosystem health.
A new study challenges conservation paradigms, suggesting re-introduced wolves and predators do not significantly impact deer populations or livestock, nor restore degraded ecosystems. Instead, they coexist with humans and other species in a delicate balance.
A major Amazon study reveals ecological threats, including deforestation, but also opportunities for sustainability through actions like halting deforestation and protecting secondary forests. Researchers found biodiversity and carbon storage gains from allowing mature secondary forests to regrow.
Genomics offers vital support for reversing ecosystem decline by improving seed sourcing practices under climate change and screening for threatened species. The technology also enables the detection of invasive weeds and animals, as well as tracking of soil microbes that support life on earth.
A new project led by INRS will assess how living organisms respond to reduced pesticide use, focusing on soil and water health. The study aims to provide a clear understanding of the benefits and limitations of reducing pesticide use in sustainable farming.
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.
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.
A team of researchers from Nanyang Technological University and National Parks Board in Singapore has discovered that certain tropical plant species can absorb and remove toxic heavy metals and metalloids from contaminated soil. The study identified 12 plant species effective for phytoremediation, including Cow Grass, Brake Fern, and I...
High-income nations, driven by US and EU, exceed sustainable resource use thresholds by 74% globally. China ranks second in global excess material use, while low- and middle-income countries account for only 8%. Researchers call for transformative post-growth approaches to mitigate ecological breakdown.
Researchers at KAUST used drones to track dye plumes in coastal waters, providing insights into the dispersion of materials in the water column and along the coast. The study demonstrated the potential of unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring time-sensitive events and capturing rapidly developing processes.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a simple synthesis method for iron-based single-atom catalysts that activate peroxymonosulfate to break down difficult-to-degrade pollutants. The team discovered two distinct chemical pathways involving 'high-spin' state iron sites, which interact with peroxymonosulfate to create r...
The report projects a global increase in extreme fires by up to 50% by the end of the century, with a call for governments to shift their investments from reaction to prevention and preparedness. The authors recommend a 'Fire Ready Formula' with two-thirds of spending devoted to planning, prevention, and recovery.
Researchers found massive sponge gardens on extinct underwater volcanoes, dominated by sponges that feed on microbial symbionts and organic matter. The unique ecosystem supports thousands of years of life, with sponges acting as ecosystem engineers to create their own food trap.
Researchers found animal-dispersed plant species' ability to adapt to climate change reduced by 60% due to bird and mammal losses. Global seed dispersal mapping revealed severe declines in temperate regions, with tropical areas at high risk if endangered species go extinct.
A study by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that even properly functioning septic systems contribute to nitrogen pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Groundwater samples showed higher dissolved nutrient concentrations than surface waters, indicating contaminated groundwater as a major source of nutrient loading.
Researchers used mathematical models to reconstruct evolutionary history of photosymbiosis in Scleractinia, identifying groups where association is stable and others that may be more flexible. The study found that certain lineages are more likely to retain the reef-building trait in a changing climate.
The article highlights the dangers of biological contamination from space travel, citing examples of bacteria resistant to ionizing radiation and disinfectants found in NASA 'clean rooms'. Researchers propose the use of invasion science to address this threat, leveraging insights on epidemiology, rapid evolution, and early detection.
A study by the University of Bonn shows that building Africa's 'Green Wall' is economically worthwhile due to its long-term provisioning services, such as food and water production. However, the project faces challenges in regions plagued by conflicts, which limit its potential.
A global meta-analysis supports the U.N.'s goal of restoring habitats, finding mangrove restoration performs better than unvegetated mud, sand flats or abandoned aquaculture ponds. Restored mangroves yield significant ecological benefits and economic value, making them an ecologically and economically sound choice.
Scientists call for scientifically-informed reforms to manage overabundant kangaroo populations, addressing animal welfare, conservation and environmental concerns. The special edition of the journal features research papers on sustainable monitoring and management practices to reduce harm to wildlife species.
A new study reveals that deforestation and population growth have greatly increased landslide risk in the Kivu Rift, leading to thousands of fatalities each year. The research, conducted over six decades, shows that smallholder agriculture and mining activities also contribute to landslides.
Researchers found that producing animal-sourced foods consumes over 80% of the Earth's agricultural acreage, leading to widespread deforestation and climate change. Shifting to land-friendly diets could regrow native vegetation capable of absorbing CO2, reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Research by University of Alberta biologists reveals that common sunscreen ingredients, such as avobenzone and oxybenzone, are detrimental to freshwater-dwelling crustaceans like the water flea Daphnia magna. Long-term exposure can be lethal, even at short distances from popular beach areas.
A study by the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country found that microplastics cause mortality in detritivores and reduce tadpole growth. Microplastics also attach to periphyton, altering ecosystem productivity, and are ingested by organisms, highlighting their potential impact on freshwater ecosystems.
Researchers from McGill University found that widespread use of Roundup herbicide can trigger loss of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to pollution and climate change. The study discovered that some ecosystems adapt by evolving resistance to the herbicide, but this comes at a cost of plankton diversity.
A new study in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem highlights how human activity near protected areas affects wildlife and ecosystem function. The results show that human pressure has caused wildlife to migrate to the core of the park, resulting in changes to fire regimes, grazing patterns, and increased vulnerability to droughts.
The Himalayan gold fungus, valued at $11 billion, is facing extinction due to intensive harvesting and climate change. The fungus's decline may have severe consequences for communities that rely on it for their livelihood.
A new study finds that alpine ecosystems take decades to recover from high levels of nitrogen air pollution, with soil acidification and biodiversity lingering long after emission rates decrease. Researchers used a 12-year field experiment to test the extent to which ecosystems can reverse the effects of nitrogen deposition.
A new study by San Diego State University suggests that lysogeny, where viruses lie dormant within host cells, may be more prevalent under stressful environmental conditions. This finding has significant implications for understanding degraded coral reef ecosystems and preserving them.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology found that diverse fish populations play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Larger fish like suckers and catfish store nutrients, contributing to stream biological productivity. Non-native fish also serve as buffers for ecosystems against environmental change.
A joint North European and North American study highlights the importance of continuous evaluations in ecological restoration projects. The researchers emphasize the need for documenting experiences, conclusions, and lessons learned to improve future projects.
Researchers found high mercury levels in Amazonian reptiles, with liver concentrations above recommended limits for pregnant women and children. The study suggests using reptiles as indicators of environmental mercury concentrations, shedding light on the region's mercury cycling.
A new Red List system has been developed to identify ecosystems at high risk of degradation. The framework assesses multiple symptoms of risk produced by different processes of ecosystem degradation, enabling it to handle a range of different sources of information.
Brazil faces threats to its environmental leadership from recent developments on deforestation, indigenous lands, and the Forest Code. The declaration urges the government to utilize scientific input and invest in science and education to maintain progress.
Researchers call for a new approach to studying deepwater oil spills, emphasizing the need for understanding oil movement at depth, microbial action, and deep sea ecology. This new direction is crucial for responding to future spills and restoring damaged ecosystems.
A study reconstructing 700 years of human-environment interactions in Hawaiian coral reefs found that historical changes in human societies led to degradation or recovery. While some reefs declined due to overexploitation and land-based pollution, others recovered through cultural protection and conservation efforts.
The Society for Ecological Restoration International delegates congratulate the CBD Parties on their Strategic Plan 2011-2020, urging swift action on restoring ecosystems. The SER2011 delegates also call on World Bank and funding institutions to support ecological restoration projects globally.
A meta-analysis of 400 published experiments reveals that species loss at the producer level reduces ecosystem productivity and sustainability. The study found that diverse communities are more productive and efficient than their average species, with some even outperforming the single best species in a monoculture. Loss of plant diver...
A new study examines the potential ecological damages and benefits of REDD mechanisms, finding substantial co-benefits for watershed functions, local climate regimes, and terrestrial habitats. The analysis suggests that a balanced approach to REDD is crucial to avoid leakage and ensure ecosystem integrity.
A meta-analysis of over 28,000 toxicological tests challenges the notion that amphibians are uniquely susceptible to pollution. Researchers found that frogs range from moderately susceptible to 'bullet-proof' against environmental threats, with other factors contributing to their decline.
Researchers find that invasive trout reduce forest spiders by altering stream food webs, highlighting the impact of species invasions on ecosystem connectivity. The matrix plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of corridors and stepping stones in increasing landscape connectivity.
A recent study reveals a long-term decline of coral reef ecosystems globally, dating back to before 1900, with declines in large animals and architectural species. Overfishing is identified as the primary driver of this decline, with synergistic effects from land-derived pollution in some areas.