Articles tagged with Ecological Methods
Genetic research revealed many new fern species in tropical America, with 18 newly named and described species. The study found that similar-looking species were previously thought to be a single widespread species.
A study of 8,859 samples from Danish meadows and pastures reveals a decline in plants with large seeds and thin leaves, contradicting theoretical expectations. The data suggests that nature is changing and acting unexpectedly, with fewer weeds and less grazing, despite the expected increase in heavy-seeded species.
A team of researchers led by Prof. Yong Sik Ok proposes an innovative eight-phase methodology for analyzing microplastics in soils, addressing the lack of standardized procedures. The methodology emphasizes careful planning, processing, and analysis to ensure accuracy and precision.
A new study published in Science found that eradicating non-native animals to protect plant species can be a flawed practice, costing millions and slaughtering healthy wild animals. The research compared the effects of native and introduced large herbivores on plant communities, finding no significant differences.
A Dartmouth-led research team created an experimental green roof to test the effect of native prairie microbes on soil microbial community development. Their findings demonstrate that active management accelerates soil development faster than passive reestablishment, fostering a more diverse and sustainable soil community.
Researchers propose new statistical index to detect river ecosystem changes, potentially preventing tragedies like the Oder River crisis. The developed index is more versatile and responsive to variations in individual parameter values.
A new study reveals a surprising trend in global fishing industries: the decline of catch per fisher since the 1990s, despite increasing numbers of fishermen. This decrease has significant implications for food production efficiency, marine ecosystems, and fishing communities.
A team of scientists used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity in two key visual regions, the lateral occipital complex (LOC) and fusiform face area (FFA). The study found that fNIRS successfully measured LOC activity but had limitations in detecting FFA activity due to its depth. This research has th...
Researchers have discovered a new method called piezoelectric activation of PS, which uses special materials to create piezoelectricity when squeezed or pressed, thereby cleaning the water. This technique is energy-efficient and eco-friendly, making it a promising way to combat water pollution.
The 15th annual horizon scan highlights 15 key conservation issues, including declining invertebrate populations and altering marine ecosystems. The study emphasizes the need for continued innovation in sustainable energy technologies to address climate change.
A study by the University of Exeter and the Bat Conservation Trust found that Britain's tree felling for colonial shipbuilding led to a significant decline in Western barbastelle bat populations. The study used DNA analysis to discover a historical decline, which coincided with widespread tree-felling from about 500 years ago.
The UMass Amherst team created a multiscale ecological framework to assess and respond to ecological threats in the Lake Yojoa watershed. The framework focuses on local perception of threats, consequences, and solutions, providing a valuable baseline for conservation and governmental organizations.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Transdisciplinarity for Transformative Change is a training opportunity for graduate students and researchers to co-produce knowledge for global sustainability. The school will focus on transdisciplinarity in social-environmental sciences, offering state-of-the-art science and research results.
Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.
Research suggests that diverse forests can capture approximately 226 Gigatonnes of carbon, but this potential can be achieved by incentivizing community-driven efforts to promote biodiversity. Restoration efforts should include natural diversity of species and sustainable practices.
A method for assessing sustainability of wild-harvested plants is demonstrated on Nardostachys jatamansi, a critically endangered Himalayan perennial herb. The proposed process integrates ecological and trade data to estimate sustainability levels, suggesting cultivating-while-harvesting as an effective approach.
A study by the University of Washington and NOAA found that upgrading a culvert in Washington improved fish traffic for four species of interest: cutthroat trout, coho salmon, rainbow trout, and sockeye salmon. Meanwhile, a smaller culvert replacement had less impact on fish populations.
A study of five case studies reveals the benefits of incorporating ecological connectivity into environmental assessments. The research emphasizes the need for guidance on conducting connectivity analyses and monitoring project impacts.
A recent UTSA study reveals that 51% of Texas owls have high levels of anticoagulant rodenticides in their systems. The research team recommends using natural methods to control rodents and increasing awareness of the effects on non-target wildlife.
A new study found that a deadly frog disease, Perkinsea, is more widespread in Central Florida than expected, infecting over a third of sampled frogs. The disease is linked to cooler temperatures and higher precipitation, posing a concern for threatened species like the gopher frog.
Researchers developed a water-based conductive ink for flexible electronic circuits, sidestepping toxic organic solvents. The ink enables sustainable applications in healthcare and food industries, including biomonitoring sensors and smart packaging.
A recent study has developed an app providing lists of native, declining species suitable for gardening, increasing public engagement. The research found that over half of threatened species are commercially available and prefer dry soils, offering a promising approach to reversing biodiversity decline.
A team of scientists used a new method to estimate mutation rates in wild whale populations, revealing higher rates similar to smaller mammals. This led to a significant revision of previous estimates, suggesting that only 20,000 humpback whales remained in the North Atlantic before commercial whaling.
Researchers have developed a new way to sort cells by type using light-based stimulated Raman spectroscopy, offering a label-free and nondestructive approach for various biomedical applications. The technique enables the separation of cells based on their intracellular chemical composition in high-throughput manner.
Research from Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute reveals that gray whales feeding off the Pacific Northwest coast are shorter than their counterparts in the Arctic. The females average 3 feet and males average 1.5 feet shorter, with slightly smaller skulls and flukes.
Fossil discoveries in northern Panama Canal area suggest that marine species interchange persisted across shallow waters during the final stages of formation of the isthmus. The findings provide new insights into the connectivity between the Pacific and Caribbean marine faunas during this period.
Researchers at Flinders University use machine learning to identify species interactions and predict which species are most likely to go extinct. By analyzing species traits and interactions, the algorithm can help plan interventions before extinctions occur.
A new study reveals that elephants' dietary habits are more varied than previously thought, with individual preferences playing a significant role. The research used DNA metabarcoding to analyze fecal and hair samples from two groups of elephants in Kenya, finding that even family members may eat different plants on the same day.
A new biodiversity study shows that even seemingly healthy ecosystems with increasing species numbers may already be on the path to decline and loss of species. The study's findings suggest that species richness is not a reliable metric for monitoring ecosystems, as it can mask negative trends in species extinction.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology reveals that the marine environment is at risk due to ship emissions, particularly from scrubber discharge water and antifouling paint. The cumulative environmental risk in ports was found to be five and thirteen times higher than acceptable limits.
An international research team has found that tree islands in oil palm plantations can significantly increase biodiversity within five years. This method also does not affect the yield of the plants. The study was conducted on an industrial-scale plantation in Indonesia and showed promising results for ecological restoration.
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.
Researchers have developed a method to rapidly assess the persistence of entire ecological networks and detect extinction risk. By examining interactions between species, scientists can identify patterns and make 'big picture' conclusions about ecosystem health.
A team of IUPUI researchers has developed an AI-powered approach to classify insect species, tackling the challenge of discovering new species. The method uses deep hierarchical Bayesian learning to distinguish between known and unknown species, providing insight into their taxonomy and ecosystem impacts.
A new research approach suggests integrating biodiversity auditing into conservation plans to effectively support a wider range of important species. This method has been successfully tested in the UK's East Anglia region and could benefit biodiversity nationally, including the European Union's 2030 Biodiversity Strategy.
Researchers developed a new method to collect data on animal behaviour and environment using drones and computer vision. The method allows for the extraction of information on spatial distribution, movement, and behaviour, providing rich insights into the social and environmental context of group-living animals.
A Swansea University research study has evaluated the long-term environmental impacts of different Japanese knotweed management methods. The study found that glyphosate-based foliar spray control is the most sustainable approach, using the least materials and having the lowest economic costs.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University identify vital differences between the plants, including pollinators and lifespan, confirming their classification. The study highlights the importance of recognizing every species for conservation programs.
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
The EEB Language Project aims to revise harmful terminology in ecology and evolution, promoting inclusivity and precision. The project provides a repository of words with suggested alternatives, allowing community members to submit their suggestions and engage in dialogue.
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that rock ants follow a methodical search strategy, combining systematized meandering with random movement to efficiently explore new areas. This unique behavior may provide insights into the evolution of exploration strategies in other species.
Researchers are using AI to assess soil datasets and measurements, aiming to build an automated data-driven decision support system for European soils. The goal is to create an effective soil health certification system that can be used by farmers, landowners, and policy makers.
A new paper provides evidence-based strategies to create safer experiences for marginalized gender and sexual identities in ecological field research. The authors recommend comprehensive protocols, safety plans, inclusive housing policies, and affirming healthcare to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
A study found that climate change threatens reproductive success of songbirds in California's Central Valley due to increasing rainfall and extreme heat. The researchers analyzed data from the Nestbox Highway project, which showed a decline in bird fitness amidst extreme precipitation or temperatures.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Researchers have developed a low-cost staining method to track coral larvae as they disperse and settle in coral reefs. The method uses colored dyes to differentiate between groups or species, facilitating conservation planning, behavioral ecology, and reef restoration experiments.
Researchers have discovered that the flight patterns of birds can be used to estimate fine-scale environmental conditions and turbulence levels. The team measured bird altitude and motion using GPS and data loggers attached to pigeons, finding a correlation between the birds' behavior and turbulence strength.
A new technique combines holographic microscopy with deep learning to follow individual microscopic organisms in the ocean. The method allows for continuous measurement and quantification of micro-zooplankton and feeding events, revealing key interactions between species.
Researchers found coastal embayments experience episodic hypoxic events and increased hypoxic conditions compared to open coastline. These areas are likely to be impacted by climate change and ecosystem changes.
Researchers from University of Göttingen found that plant water stress, not termites, causes Namibia's fairy circles. The grasses within the circles died immediately after rainfall due to strong depletion of water, while surrounding grasses thrived.
A Washington State University study showed that drone photography can effectively estimate the number of rocky hollows in the Wenatchee River where salmon create their eggs. The researchers found roughly double the number of redds using drones compared to ground-level observations, but with high variability. This technology has potenti...
A new noninvasive genetic survey technique allows researchers to identify salt marsh harvest mice and other small mammals without capturing them. The technique uses bait stations and genetics to collect fecal pellets from mice that come and go on their own.
A team led by Jianxi Gao developed equations to measure and compare distances to tipping points across various mutualistic systems, allowing for the triage of declining ecosystems. This method enables the identification of areas that need intervention most urgently, providing a critical sense of urgency to mobilize resources.
A research team used game theory to analyze cooperation in networks and found that networks with a high level of cooperation can emerge if individuals take a clear-cut position against free riders. The study also showed that if contributors leave an environment too quickly, it leads to a lower level of cooperation.
Researchers developed VegSense, an open-source application that uses a Microsoft HoloLens to quantify mature trees in the wild. The device excels at detecting relatively healthy forests by capturing vegetation patterns with a holograph-like grid pattern.
A Dartmouth-led study found that urban gardens with rare plant species tend to attract rare bee and bird species. Women, older gardeners, and those living near the gardens are more likely to curate these rare plants, suggesting a cascading effect on biodiversity.
New research finds that plants with shorter-lived flowers produce more fruits due to reduced microbial growth. Microbes on flowers can negatively impact plant yields.
A new methodology predicts soil recovery after wildfires by analyzing the impact of microbes and nutrients on soil regeneration. The study found that including uncommon soil microbiota was critical to predicting water quality and terrestrial ecosystem recovery.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
Researchers successfully used Distributed Acoustic Sensing to passively listen to whales, detecting over 830 vocalizations and locating their positions with unprecedented spatial resolution. The technique allows for real-time monitoring of whale behavior, as well as detection of other ocean sounds like storms and earthquakes.