Articles tagged with Ecological Modeling
A University of Otago-led study used genomic analysis to track the origins of kelp found on southeastern New Zealand beaches, revealing connections to South Georgia and Marion Island. Kelp rafts carry a variety of organisms across vast distances, influencing ecosystem dynamics.
The polyphagous shot hole borer is estimated to cause $18.45 billion in economic losses over the next ten years if left unchecked. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable due to stressed trees and non-native species.
Researchers propose an ecological model to understand how individual responses to dietary fiber vary across gut microbiomes. The study found that specific bacteria grow in response to inulin and drive changes in gut health.
Researchers at McGill University used fatty acid signature analysis to reconstruct killer whale diets, finding they mainly feed on harp and hooded seals. The study provides insights into how killer whales may disrupt Arctic food webs and contribute to climate change.
A new modeling framework suggests that some microbial ecosystems are more easily understood through coarse-graining, which involves omitting details. This approach could help biologists study microbes in their natural environments, rather than isolating them in a petri dish.
Researchers found that jellyfish's stinging cells evolved by repurposing a neuron inherited from a pre-cnidarian ancestor. This discovery provides insights into the emergence of new cell types and the evolution of biodiversity, suggesting that co-option of ancestral cell types was an important source for new cell functions.
A major new study is investigating the effects of beavers on the Arctic landscape, other animals, and local Indigenous communities. The project aims to understand the complex interlinkages between ecological and sociological changes as beaver numbers increase.
Researchers have discovered that soil microbes use distinct metabolic pathways to metabolize carbon in different soils, challenging long-held assumptions in the field of soil ecology. The study suggests that these differences may be related to protection against oxygen stress in certain environments.
Researchers discovered zones of bubbling methane flux in Laptev and East Siberian Seas, contributing to climate warming in the Arctic. The study suggests that thawing permafrost and warming waters are releasing methane from hydrates into the atmosphere.
The Ecological Society of America will hold its 107th Annual Meeting in Montreal from August 14-19, 2022. This year's meeting combines resources and interests of the ESA and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, focusing on theme "A Change Is Gonna Come" exploring global environmental and evolutionary change.
Scientists have developed Community Distribution Models (CDMs) to predict upland vegetation communities from published data at a national scale. The approach uses publicly available and open-access NVC records and environmental data, with models based on random forests being the most accurate.
The Bird Language Diversity app provides a 'birds eye view' of vital information on bird species globally. Researchers found that 1587 species have 10 languages or more spoken within their distributions, highlighting the importance of overcoming language barriers for effective conservation measures.
Researchers at the University of Georgia developed a model to prioritize land conservation in the Upper Chattahoochee Watershed, which provides drinking water to 95 cities. The model considers ecosystem services like water, carbon, and habitat, and favors higher connectivity among parcels of land.
Research suggests that expansion of vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere led to a significant warming of global temperatures between 6,000 and 9,000 years ago. The findings align with paleoclimate proxy records and challenge previous models' limitations in accounting for vegetation changes.
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.
Researchers from Arizona State University developed a study to balance biodiversity goals with limited economic resources in Colombia. The team created a prioritization map that targets conservation actions towards regions where ecological benefits are high and economic impacts are low.
Scientists have developed a method using DNA from blood meals of blood-sucking leeches to survey vertebrate species in large areas. The study, led by Harvard researchers, identified 86 vertebrate species in the reserve, including near-threatened and threatened species.
A University of Illinois-led study reveals a significant decline in tropical forest bird populations, with 70% of understory bird species experiencing a drop of half or more since 1977. The findings highlight the importance of long-term studies and the need to address the lack of data on tropical bird populations.
Researchers at UBCO's School of Engineering have developed a new, faster method for analyzing toxic waste materials using fluorescence spectroscopy and convolutional neural networks. This method can detect key toxins such as naphthenic acids in oil sands samples, providing a low-cost alternative to current methods.
A study using machine learning identifies climatic thresholds driving vegetation distribution, highlighting the importance of extreme climate conditions for savannas and deciduous forests. The findings provide valuable insights for improving process-based vegetation models and their coupling with Earth System Models.
Bighorn sheep use a combination of past experience and visual information about habitat quality to make informed migratory decisions. The research found that these perception-informed decisions allow the species to better adapt to changing environmental conditions, increasing their chances of survival.
Scientists are creating a global audio collection of aquatic life to monitor changing marine life and identify new species. The GLUBS platform uses ocean hydrophones, AI, and citizen science to analyze soundscapes and track biodiversity on reefs and other ocean habitats.
Mathematicians at the University of Leicester have developed a new mathematical model that could greatly increase the efficiency of pest control. The model uses field data and computer simulations to predict the distribution of slugs in arable fields, accounting for individual creature movements.
A new Stanford University study reveals that communities near the West's wildland-urban interface are vulnerable to wildfires due to drought-sensitive ecosystems. The research identifies 18 'double-hazard' zones where plant-water sensitivity and atmospheric dryness create high wildfire risks.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo developed a model to predict the occurrence of red snow events, which are associated with the duration of snow melt and the timing of new snowfall. The study found that snow algae blooms can speed up snow melt as they darken the surface.
Researchers studied evacuees from Finland during WWII and found that cultural similarities, such as language and social networks, were crucial for successful migrations. Being younger, male, educated, and linguistically similar to the host population also increased the likelihood of staying in a new home.
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.
Mathematical modeling can assess toxicants' impact on river populations without endangering the environment. A new model developed by Peng Zhou and Qihua Huang describes the interactions between a population and a toxicant in an advective environment.
A newly discovered species of giant ichthyosaur, the earliest known, has been found in Nevada, shedding new light on the rapid growth of marine reptiles. The discovery, dated to 246 million years ago, is significant as it provides insights into the evolution of whales and dolphins.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism of viral transport by bacterial shuttles traveling along fungal hyphae. This process allows bacteria to benefit from taking viruses on their conquest of new habitats. The study also highlights the potential influence of viruses on nutrient and carbon cycles in soil ecosystems.
University of Otago researchers suggest kurī have significant ecological impact on New Zealand's biodiversity, predating kiore and humans. Kurī may have contributed to extinctions of moa chicks, takahē, kākāpō, kiwi, and marine mammals.
A new global-scale analysis shows that phenological changes are lagging temperature change, especially in human-dominated landscapes. Human activities such as population density and land-use types play a key role in this mismatch.
Researchers developed a model showing that microbes with complementary preferences can coexist in communities. The study found that assembled communities consist almost exclusively of microbes that grow the fastest on their top choice nutrient.
A team of researchers has developed a new tool to predict the habitat needs of New Zealand's endangered sea lions, enabling conservation efforts to better prepare for their return to the mainland. The model takes into account various factors such as sand, grass, and forest types, slopes, and human impact like roads and farms.
Changes in Finnish aapa mires, characterized by wet fens and peat mosses, can be detected from Landsat satellite data. The study found a significant increase in Sphagnum mosses over the past few decades, accelerated by land use and climate change.
A statistical modeling approach highlights predictive importance of local climate and human activity in determining wildfire probabilities. The analysis uncovered key roles for climate, human activity, fire history, and short-term climate variations in fire-prone regions.
Damaged coral reefs exhibit a two-phase recovery pattern, with the first phase lasting up to six years, and the second phase being faster. This pattern was observed in 60% of severely disturbed reefs on the Great Barrier Reef.
Satellite images reveal a substantial increase in saltmarsh area and stable trends of tidal flat areas after 2012, driven by decreased anthropogenic activities and increased conservation and restoration efforts. Conservation efforts have positively impacted China's coastal wetlands, mitigating the loss of these important ecosystems.
A new study by Virginia Institute of Marine Science researchers maps the conditions most suitable for key species of forage fishes in the Chesapeake Bay, offering guidance for protecting or restoring their habitats. The analysis reveals that factors such as water depth and temperature affect the abundance of forage fish, with some spec...
A study has identified 20 consistent indicators to support sustainability on U.S. ranches, focusing on ecological, social, and economic aspects. The indicators aim to help ranchers track progress toward sustainability goals and communicate improvements to their operations.
A new study assesses Africa-wide great ape populations and finds that human activities, such as GDP, roads, and population density, are the strongest factors predicting abundance. Only 10.7% of predicted apes were found in areas with high levels of legal protection.
Scientists have made significant gains in understanding the Arctic's carbon cycle by studying the transfer of dissolved organic carbon from land to ocean via rivers. The research highlights the importance of this process in coastal foodwebs and the impacts of climate change on freshwater export and DOC loading.
A team of ecologists and mathematicians found that ecosystems can evade tipping points by forming complex spatial patterns. These patterns allow ecosystems to adapt to climate change and avoid catastrophic shifts. The study challenges the concept of tipping points and suggests a more nuanced understanding of Earth's resilience.
Researchers used extensive 2D and 3D broadband seismic reflection data to visualize and understand the subsurface structures of the Orphan Basin. The study provides context for future assessments of source rock, reservoir, and seal strata in oil and gas exploration.
A mathematical model developed at Linköping University predicts that many species in polar regions will become extinct due to global warming, with ecosystems already showing signs of strain. The model simulates the impact of climate change on species interactions and diversity, highlighting the importance of considering ecological proc...
A new study by the ICTA-UAB establishes that populations of hunter-gatherer groups with strong seasonal dependence on meat had fewer people per square kilometer than those relying on abundant plant foods. This result is based on a complex set of calculations showing how diet composition influenced population density.
Researchers analyzed 1.4 million field observations and 73,000 museum records to find a strong correlation between species abundance in nature and their presence in museum collections. This method enables scientists to study species decline and estimate past abundances, providing insights into conservation efforts.
Researchers found that late-season weeds had a significant impact on corn yields, with minimal control resulting in an average loss of 50% and exacerbating crop losses under hot or dry conditions. The study suggests that climate change is not the only factor affecting corn yield, but rather its interaction with weeds.
A new five-year research project led by Thomas Neeson aims to model the impacts of conservation incentives on farmers in the Red River basin. The study will help understand how voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs can be effectively designed to promote sustainable water use.
Researchers from Tel Aviv and Berkeley Universities propose a model for seaweed farms to absorb nitrogen, reducing pollution in estuarine and marine environments. The study shows that these farms can produce a natural decontamination facility with significant ecological and economic value.
A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that safe passages for species adapting to climate change are often not being protected. The researchers found that important connecting patches were left out of existing networks of protected areas, resulting in a 13.6% shortfall in connectivity.
The New Roots for Restoration Biology Integration Institute aims to integrate plant traits, communities, and the soil ecosphere to advance restoration of natural and agricultural ecosystems. The project seeks to understand how root traits influence plant interactions with each other and with the soil.
A new study predicts that the population of San Nicolas Island foxes will remain at a low risk of extinction due to their isolated habitat and relatively dry environmental conditions. The researchers suggest strategies such as biosecurity, restoration of habitats, and minimizing human-wildlife conflict to increase the foxes' resilience...
Collective behavior in schools of herring, herds of wildebeest, and other groups helps maintain ecosystem diversity and stability. The study found an emergent social-ecological feedback that buffers the system against crashing, allowing more consumer species to persist.
Researchers at KAUST developed a new method to simulate the spread of wildfires through forests, capturing complex dynamics involved. The model accurately predicts fire behavior at forest scale and can be used to optimize firebreaks and improve wildfire management.
Researchers used statistical models to study the co-evolutionary history of pierid butterflies and their host plants. They found that butterfly-plant relationships are resilient to changes in species composition but can destabilize over larger structural changes.
Scientists have developed a new model to predict the health of coral reefs using data from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation's Global Reef Expedition. The model identifies key drivers of coral reef health, including biophysical and anthropogenic factors.
A new model of inclusive sustainability emphasizes researchers' life experiences as a source of unique perspectives on socioecological challenges. This approach seeks to address the limitations of traditional conservation methods and promote more effective solutions.
A study in Zambia illustrates the challenges of measuring biodiversity and prioritizing land use, highlighting the need for consensus among conservation biologists. Different approaches to measuring biodiversity resulted in almost completely different land-use recommendations, emphasizing the importance of consistent methods.
Researchers used computer modelling to simulate bears' journeys in Whistler, identifying anthropogenic food as a major attractant. The study found that reducing attractants is more effective than reactive management strategies, and can be applied to communities across Canada