Articles tagged with Ecological Modeling
Scientists developed a new population model, APODEMUS, to predict pesticide effects on animal populations. The model simulates complex agricultural landscapes and foraging scenarios, tracking energy conversion and exposure to pesticides.
Researchers found that long-term improvements in water quality, as well as increased occurrence of certain aquatic species, are associated with broad environmental regulations. Conservation policies have helped restore freshwater ecosystems and prevent extreme species loss, indicating the importance of protecting biodiversity and human...
Researchers created the first global maps of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi's distribution and mass, estimating ~110 quadrillion kilometers of network length and ~300 megatons of carbon. The networks support plant life and regulate climate by drawing in CO2 from atmosphere.
A new study found that global rice production nearly doubled between the 1960s and 2010s due to increased irrigation and nutrient inputs. Climate change reduced rice production by an estimated 7% between 2006 and 2015, but elevated atmospheric CO2 levels contributed to improved water-use efficiency and enhanced photosynthesis.
A new spatially explicit population model for springtails in soil simulates dynamic environmental conditions, linking development and reproduction to temperature and moisture. The model provides a realistic assessment of ecosystem health under changing environments.
Scientists analyzed vast botanical data to understand why some exotic plants become invasive pests. They found that the timing of flowering is crucial and depends on climate conditions, with native species adapting to local environments and invasive species thriving in milder regions.
Researchers used DNA metabarcoding to analyze benthic macroinvertebrates across 18 Ontario streams, detecting far greater biodiversity than traditional methods. The study found that DNA-based biomonitoring can reveal ecological patterns and changes linked to agriculture, water quality, and land use.
A new study reveals that more than half of critical underground fungal species are less protected in conservation areas. These mycorrhizal fungi form networks that help plants absorb nutrients, making ecosystems more resilient to stress and climate change.
AEM expands its scope to cover the full breadth of modelling in agricultural and environmental sciences, introducing a structured range of article types for formal recognition. The journal applies FAIR principles to data, code, and models, requiring open access and reproducibility.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that living with friends may alter your gut bacteria, with social closeness driving the exchange of anaerobic microbes. The research suggests that daily interactions at home, such as hugging and sharing food prep spaces, may encourage the transfer of beneficial gut bacteria.
A recent study analyzed blood samples from over 11,000 seabirds worldwide to estimate oceanic mercury distribution. The analysis found that mercury levels vary according to prey trophic level, bird body weight, and foraging depth, with distinct regional patterns of contamination.
A recent study published in Ecological Applications found that habitat restoration efforts in Forest Park have increased native bird diversity, with increases mostly seen in native species. The research also highlights the importance of access to water and varied habitats for boosting biodiversity.
Researchers warn that a securitized response to global biodiversity loss could lead to poorly targeted actions and policy. They highlight concerns over migration claims and call for evidence-based, non-securitised policy.
The webinar highlighted the potential of combining NFI field data, EO disturbance products, and national statistics for robust forest carbon monitoring. Continental-scale carbon balance analysis showed a trend towards neutral over the past decade, with large interannual variability.
The partnership aims to boost conservation impact by harnessing advanced digital technology and biobanking techniques, focusing on three core areas: knowledge transfer, innovation, and student engagement. This collaboration seeks to address pressing environmental challenges such as biodiversity threats and emerging pathogens.
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...
A new model by Carlos Botero suggests that animals with moderate behavioral flexibility can quickly adapt to environmental changes and evolve new forms, challenging the assumption that slow-evolving species are at higher risk from climate change. The model predicts that flexible lineages may fare better than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed 11,000-year-old bowhead whale fossils to reveal the devastating impact of commercial whaling on the species' genetics. The study found that genetic diversity will continue to decline, severely impacting the species' resilience to climate change.
The REST-COAST project has developed a mobile app, My REST-COAST, to raise public awareness and engagement in coastal ecosystem restoration across Europe and Israel. The app provides interactive maps, site-specific biodiversity information, and gamified learning paths to encourage users to explore restoration strategies.
Researchers developed a new theoretical framework that links individual animal movements to population dynamics across space and time. The range-resident logistic model incorporates interactions between multiple animals, providing a more accurate prediction of population sizes and helping inform real-world conservation recommendations.
Salesky's research team will address uncertainty in how turbulent processes contribute to cloud formation by using simulations to replicate turbulence and test environmental conditions. The study aims to improve civilian and military weather forecasting models, with significant implications for precipitation and severe weather.
Researchers from Hokkaido University used a new method to track groundwater levels and greenhouse gas emissions in Southeast Asia's peatlands, finding they release more gases than previously thought. Human activities like drainage and agriculture increase emissions by tripling or sixfolding, contributing 30% of Japan's annual emissions.
The center will develop cutting-edge computational methods, including AI algorithms, to tackle fundamental geophysical problems. By studying weather and climate on Earth and other planets, the hub aims to shed light on many events that have historically been difficult to forecast.
A recent study found that organic matter carried from rivers into the Arctic Ocean creates more clouds and keeps the region cooler. Aerosol particles formed by this biological matter act as 'seeds' for cloud formation, increasing their ability to form bright, long-lasting clouds.
A study led by Dr. Frédérik Saltré suggests that sterilizing 22% of adult females annually could stabilize the population at an estimated cost of $34 million over 25 years. This approach prioritizes both animal welfare and ecosystem health, offering a humane solution to the unsustainable koala numbers.
Researchers developed a genetically informed dynamic species distribution model to reconstruct the distributional history of wild Piper nigrum from 21,000 years ago. The model identified glacial refugia and patterns of range contraction, expansion, and fragmentation following the Last Glacial Maximum.
The Alps are expected to reach a peak loss rate of 2,000-4,000 glaciers per year by 2033-2041, with only 110 glaciers remaining in Central Europe by 2100. Regions like the Rocky Mountains and Andes will also experience significant glacier losses.
Scientists developed an objective index for monitoring and detecting shear lines over the Philippines, accounting for up to 20% of extreme rainfall days. The detection method is useful for weather forecasting, early warning systems, and understanding how this weather system evolves.
This study investigates how environmental variability and human migration influence the evolution of cooperation among humans. Simulation results reveal that cooperation is more likely to evolve when these factors are sufficiently high, hindering non-cooperative groups and encouraging cooperative groups.
A new study by the University of Oxford and WCS reveals that connections between coral reefs can stabilize reef health, reducing the risk of collapse. By simulating future reef conditions under different management scenarios, researchers found that a dual approach improving land and sea conditions provides the best outcomes for reefs.
A new study finds Golden Eagles in Nevada at risk due to high mortality rates and habitat loss, potentially drawing in birds from other areas. Conservation efforts, such as maintaining natural habitat structure, are crucial to mitigating these impacts.
Researchers found that coral reefs governed the pace of climate recovery by tuning the planet's carbon and climate cycles. The study suggests that reefs played a crucial role in stabilizing climate, but modern reef systems are declining due to warming and ocean acidification.
A new study found that the rate of organic carbon decomposition in soil samples collected across the US differed by up to tenfold, with factors like fungi and iron levels strongly associated with variation. This could improve the accuracy of soil carbon feedback estimates in climate models, leading to more refined projections.
Researchers at RIKEN successfully simulated the Milky Way Galaxy with over 100 billion individual stars, far surpassing previous state-of-the-art models. This achievement demonstrates the power of AI-accelerated simulations in tackling complex multi-scale problems in astrophysics and beyond.
A new study suggests that stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) could decrease the protein content of major crops like maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans. SAI would involve releasing sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere to cool the planet, but this could have unintended consequences on global food security.
A new study models the impact of climate change on the GBR, forecasting a rapid coral decline before the middle of this century. However, curbing emissions and strategic management can help improve coral resilience, especially in well-mixed waters with good larval replenishment.
A new study found that investing $7 per Ontarian in eight conservation strategies could help 75% of at-risk species recover. The strategies include habitat protection, wildlife management, and invasive species control, with a potential cost of less than one-tenth of Ontario's provincial budget.
A new study reveals that ENSO could intensify rapidly over the coming decades and synchronize with other major climate phenomena, leading to stronger rainfall fluctuations in regions such as Southern California and the Iberian Peninsula. The amplified impacts will necessitate enhanced planning and adaptation strategies.
Researchers found that seabirds use different strategies to find food, with scent-tracking birds benefiting visually hunting birds. This study provides insights into complex systems and crowd behavior, informing conservation strategies for procellariiform seabirds.
A new study reveals that global warming is accelerating the risk of multi-year droughts leading to extreme water scarcity. The frequency of Day Zero Droughts will increase sharply over the coming decades, affecting 750 million people globally by the end of this century.
Research reveals community management effectively protects vast areas of Amazonian forest, safeguarding biodiversity and supporting local communities. Community-led conservation efforts are crucial for long-term sustainability, but require recognition and financial support.
Researchers at Bigelow Laboratory have developed a new modeling approach that incorporates detailed prey information to improve the prediction of right whale distribution. This approach accounts for the preferences and needs of hungry whales, highlighting the importance of smaller species in their diet.
A new AI-powered satellite survey reveals a significant shortfall in estimated Serengeti wildebeest numbers, challenging traditional aerial surveys. The study's findings suggest at least 700,000 fewer wildebeest than previously estimated, highlighting the need for accurate data to inform conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that sharks and rays adjust their growth and reproduction in response to changing food availability, affecting population growth and recovery. This flexibility makes it challenging to predict species' responses to pressures like overfishing and environmental change.
UCSB researchers warn that the ocean's cumulative impact will double by 2050 due to climate change and human activities. The tropics and poles are expected to experience the fastest changes in impacts, with coastal areas bearing the brunt of the increased pressures.
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to create a digital library of DNA sequences to preserve and protect life on Earth. With over 2,200 scientists in 88 countries, the project is making discoveries that could help assure food security and advance medicine.
A global assessment reveals that ocean plastics pose ecological risks in areas with dense marine life and pollutants, even in waters with modest plastic levels. The study identifies high-risk zones, including the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans, where coordinated efforts can substantially lessen threats.
Researchers found that the island has enough trees, hedgerows, and seeds for the estimated 3500 red squirrels to thrive and grow. The study also discovered signs of genetic mixing between the east and west populations, suggesting a bright future for the island's squirrel population.
A new study by Bournemouth University confirms that red squirrel populations across Europe are resilient to the effects of climate change, but highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect their habitat. The study found that temperature changes and low rainfall do not directly affect the survivability of red squirrels.
Fossilized marine invertebrates accurately reflect past ecosystems' functional diversity, offering a powerful tool for understanding long-term ecological change and informing modern conservation efforts. The study supports the growing field of conservation paleobiology by validating the use of functional diversity metrics in fossil data.
A recent study found that wolf hunting has a limited effect on reducing livestock losses, with an average reduction of 2% in predation rates. However, the impact of hunting on lethal removals, which are expensive operations targeting specific wolves, is negligible.
Researchers found that bat boxes can reach lethal temperatures if not designed properly. Simulations showed that adding insulation, light colors, and thoughtful orientations can make the boxes safer. The study's code is publicly available, allowing conservationists to tailor their solutions to specific climates.
A review paper suggests microclimates could offset negative impacts of extreme weather on insects. The authors argue that current macroclimate models are not viable for predicting impacts on insect populations.
Six UNH faculty members receive prestigious CAREER grants to develop innovative technologies addressing pressing global issues. The recipients' projects focus on climate resilience, artificial intelligence, software reliability, and healthcare technologies, aiming to improve public safety and well-being.
A new framework developed by Northwestern University and UCLA scientists integrates various water-related processes with a machine-learning model to predict landslide threats. The framework identifies three main pathways leading to landslides: intense rainfall, rain on already saturated soils, and melting snow or ice.
The SPUN Underground Atlas reveals that over 90% of mycorrhizal biodiversity hotspots lie outside protected areas, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts. The digital map provides insights into fungal diversity and environmental factors, enabling predictions for previously unmapped regions.
Researchers found that indirect effects of tropical cyclones contribute more than twice the direct effect to rainfall during the Habagat season, with 51.5% coming from the monsoon itself. This new understanding can improve extreme weather anticipation and disaster response.