Articles tagged with Ecological Modeling
A spatial model predicts pesticide exposure in bumblebees, explaining nearly 75% of the spatial variation. The model uses data on pesticide application and crop characteristics, but not flower attractiveness or chemical persistence.
A European study links agricultural activities with West Nile virus emergence and spread, as well as urbanization and migratory bird patterns. The study highlights the need for enhanced surveillance in Central Europe.
A study in PLOS ONE suggests that Galápagos penguins may accumulate microplastics at a high rate within their food web, with the excretion rate playing a key role. The research uses modeling to simulate microplastic movement through the Galápagos penguin ecosystem and highlights the potential for biomagnification across trophic levels.
Researchers found rapid microplastic accumulation and contamination across prey organisms, with Galápagos penguins showing the highest level. The study highlights the urgent need to reduce plastic waste and protect vulnerable ecosystems.
A new UAV-based model accurately quantifies the cumulative shading capacity in maize-soybean intercropping systems, revealing the effects of canopy height difference, latitude, and planting direction on shading. The study optimizes intercropping patterns to enhance crop growth and light competition.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that tidal range schemes can protect estuaries and coastal areas from sea level rise by harnessing high tides and maintaining low tide levels. These barrages can provide jobs, reliable power, and reduced costs while conserving habitats.
Researchers have identified internationally significant rock art sites in Arnhem Land that were intentionally selected for their critical vantage points. The Flinders University research team used innovative methods to model the environmental conditions 15,000-28,000 years ago, shedding new light on the locations and roles of these sites.
Scientists used stable hydrogen isotope data from 871 dead birds at California wind and solar facilities to understand the geographic origin of affected birds. The study found that most birds killed at solar facilities were nonlocal and varied among species, with local birds making up nearly half of those killed at wind facilities.
A research project led by Charité aims to better understand the impact of biodiversity loss on zoonosis risks. The team will investigate native forests and degraded reforested areas in Europe and Central America to identify land use changes and species circulation.
A new study reveals that humans have driven the extinction of 1,430 bird species, with many becoming extinct before written records. The research suggests that major human-driven extinctions occurred in the 14th century and ninth century BC, with ongoing threats including climate change and invasive species.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters sheds light on methane emissions from Arctic lakes and wetlands. Researchers found that small, unmapped lakes contribute only about 3% of the region's methane emissions, significantly reducing the cumulative amount previously thought to be emitted.
A new study identifies the best regions for rewilding European bison, pinpointing areas where conservation efforts can be most effective. The research suggests that understanding the species' decline is crucial to ensuring long-term protection and recovery.
A new study by Prof. Ehud Meron and colleagues proposes that pairing spatial patterning and phenotypic changes is the missing link to understanding fairy circles. The researchers found that combining plant-level phenotypic changes with population-level spatial patterning can result in resilient ecosystem responses to water stress.
Researchers found that Ukrainian-controlled territories gained forest area despite military conflict, while Russian-controlled territories experienced significant forest loss. The study highlights the impact of modern warfare on environmental sustainability and conservation in Ukraine's Emerald Network.
A long-term study found that increased phosphorus availability and salinity are key drivers of change in the lagoon, favoring invasive green macroalga Caulerpa over native seagrass. Reducing wastewater infrastructure and stormwater runoff can help promote seagrass recovery.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
Researchers developed a new framework to predict how microbes interact with each other in unique compositions. Most microbes had minimal impact on the final outcome, with only select few playing crucial roles. The model has potential applications in personalized medicine and understanding microbiome assembly.
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.
A team of scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research found that grey wolves' habitat selection changes during recolonization in Germany, moving from early-stage 'cherry-picking' to late-stage less-selective choices. This shift affects predictions of wolf distribution and expansion in the country.
A new data-driven framework uses machine learning to identify keystone microbial species in human gut microbiomes, varying across communities. The study found that keystone species have context-dependent essentiality and can aid digestion, breaking down complex starches.
Researchers developed a novel modeling approach to predict microbial community behavior, improving sustainability and efficiency of biological wastewater treatment. The new framework uses high-resolution molecular data to forecast composition and activity of microbial communities up to three years into the future.
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 recent simulation study suggests that giant dinosaur carcasses could have been a key food source for Jurassic predators like Allosaurus. The researchers found that scavenging large carrion was more profitable than hunting, indicating that carnivores in such ecosystems might have evolved specialized traits to exploit these resources.
Studies using controlled experimental-ecosystem chambers found that even low intensities of light pollution have profound effects on individual species' responses and ecological networks. Artificial light alters the timing of key behaviors in mosquito populations, which may carry wide-scale consequences for disease transmission.
Researchers from the UMA developed an open-source platform called Open Twins to create more accessible and versatile digital twins. This platform enables the simulation of real-world assets based on virtual replicas, predicting future behaviors and detecting anomalies, leading to more efficient companies that make data-driven decisions.
Existing UK air pollution regulations will reduce thousands of premature adult deaths, but have limited impact on protecting sensitive ecosystems. The study found that even with the most effective technically feasible measures, air pollution would still harm UK's natural habitats and ecosystems.
Researchers developed a single model that predicts population fluctuations in urban employment, human gut microbiomes, and tropical forests. The model, SLRM, generates a narrow distribution of the most likely trajectories, allowing for prediction and response to variability across multiple domains.
A Rice University scientist used a mixed-reality headset with custom-designed software to measure and analyze forest floor vegetation in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The study found that mammal diversity increases with forest floor habitat surface area, leading to a greater variety of ecological characteristics.
A new study published in Conservation Physiology identifies the critical limits of plant function under stress, enabling more effective conservation strategies. By understanding these limits, conservationists can identify vulnerable species and allocate resources more wisely.
A new method using big data and AI models the interactions of entire ecological communities across continents, revealing patterns of biodiversity. The collaboration between Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Cornell Institute for Computational Sustainability provides vital information for conservation efforts.
Researchers discovered that monk parakeets possess a unique tone of voice, known as a voice print, similar to humans. This finding raises the possibility that other vocally flexible species may also have a voice print.
Researchers recommend prioritizing ecosystem services in mangrove conservation to protect infrastructure, communities, and fisheries while safeguarding billions of dollars' worth of coastal property value. This approach could safeguard 6.1 million people against flooding and sequester over one billion tonnes of carbon.
Researchers developed an analysis framework to predict wolf movement and conflict risk in advance, identifying a complex of federal Wilderness areas as the best location for reintroduction. The study highlights the critical role of Wilderness areas in providing habitat and connectivity for species with a history of conflict with humans.
Scientists validate a long-held ecological distribution theory, but find it doesn't hold true for islands with human habitation. The findings suggest that traditional models of the natural world may no longer be valid in the face of mounting local human impacts.
Associate Professor Tadashi Ando from Tokyo University of Science conducted a study to test the performance of OPC and OPC3 water models, evaluating their shear viscosities and comparing values to experimental calculations. The calculated viscosities for both models were very close, with notable accuracy at temperatures above 310 K.
Research on sea-level rise's impact on freshwater mussels reveals that high salt concentrations can be toxic to young mussels. The study provides guidance for conservation programs addressing climate-induced sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, affecting numerous vulnerable species.
A new paper suggests that ecology can inspire more powerful, resilient, and socially responsible AI to solve complex problems. Artificial intelligence systems can incorporate greater amounts of data and diverse sources, discovering new interactions and drivers that may not have been considered before.
Researchers analyzed data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and found a universal pattern of species abundance distributions, with most species being rare but not extremely rare. The study's findings may help answer Darwin's question about why some species are common while others are rare.
A new study reveals that large national parks can enhance bird diversity inside their borders and boost mammal diversity in nearby unprotected areas by up to 194 per cent.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that current methods for measuring malaria parasite multiplication rates vastly overestimate the actual rates, which has significant implications for vaccine efficacy and understanding of drug resistance.
Researchers analyzed aerial images of seal colonies to study distribution patterns and found harbour seals stay at larger distances from conspecifics than grey seals, suggesting an evolutionary response to respiratory virus susceptibility. This finding provides opportunities to gather more information about pinnipeds in remote regions.
A new study reveals how Aulacopleura, an ancient sea-dwelling trilobite, developed variable mid-section segments to tolerate dips in local oxygen levels. This adaptation allowed the species to thrive despite being preyed upon by larger predators.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University uncover the finer-scale feeding patterns of the whitespotted eagle ray, revealing a significantly broader diet than previously described, with high proportions of cockles and wedge shells. The study's findings suggest that these rays can play a facilitative role in reducing predation threats f...
Researchers highlight the importance of tropical montane ecosystems and their limited data availability. The study proposes refining models to include socio-ecological diversity, emphasizing the need for a transdisciplinary network to quantify ecosystem services.
A new study by Flinders University researchers suggests that only 1% of dormant pathogens could cause major ecological harm, leading to the loss of host organisms worldwide. The simulations showed that these ancient microbes can survive, evolve, and become dominant in modern ecosystems, posing a substantial danger.
Scientists found that contemporary fires in dry conifer forests are burning hotter and killing more trees than in previous centuries, due to a lack of low-severity fires. Regular management and prescribed fires can help mitigate this trend and restore resilience to these ecosystems.
GOBI overcomes model-free and model-based inference method limitations by introducing an easily testable condition for a general monotonic ODE model to reproduce time-series data. It successfully infers positive and negative regulations in various networks, distinguishing between direct and indirect causation.
A University of Ottawa study reveals that a diverse brain's ecosystem is key to maintaining normal function while responding to changes. This concept is inspired by Charles Darwin's idea that biodiversity is crucial for survival, suggesting cell-to-cell diversity helps prevent failures in brain circuits.
A recent study led by McGill University estimates that the European Union will face significant economic losses due to biological invasions, with costs projected to reach over €142.73 billion by 2040. The study highlights the need for effective management and collaboration to address this threat.
Research found that financial payments by developers to compensate for environmental consequences are insufficient to achieve intended outcomes. Only 0.7 of 13.4 hectares of impacts on koala habitat have been offset through financial payments since 2018, raising concerns about the future of this endangered species.
Researchers used proteomics and small RNA sequencing to analyze 103 human blood plasma samples, identifying 21 proteins and 315 small RNAs associated with aging. Combining protein and miRNA data improved age predictions (R2 = 0.70 ± 0.01), suggesting a broader range of age-related physiological changes.
Researchers at Lancaster University demonstrate the viability of tidal power as a predictable renewable energy source. The creation of a tidal barrage could operate for 120 years or more to meet future demand and storage problems, protecting coastal areas from flooding and sea level rise.
A new study quantified the economic costs of biological invasions in the European Union, revealing substantial knowledge gaps and alarming underestimations. The research projected unreported costs to be potentially 501% higher than currently recorded, reaching a staggering €26.64 billion.
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.
Farmers' use of birds and bats as part-time collaborators has been found to increase productivity by 54% and boost annual yields by approximately $959 per hectare. This partnership helps mitigate the damage caused by pests such as aphids and mealybugs, ultimately benefiting cacao farmers in northern Peru.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists conducted a comprehensive study to understand the sources and sinks of plastic debris in the Southern North Sea. Local citizen scientists played a crucial role in tracking the distribution pathways of plastic particles, revealing that two-thirds were washed ashore within 25km of their release site.
A new study highlights the importance of knowledge coproduction in addressing complex conservation problems, specifically in California's Central Valley wetlands. The research team successfully integrated stakeholder input and climate scenarios to develop resilient wetland management strategies.
Cancer cells in brain tumors produce lipids at higher rates than surrounding healthy tissue, offering clues for treatment strategies. The study provides insights into the unique biochemical processes fueling cancer growth in the brain.
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.