Articles tagged with Ecological Modeling
Researchers found that particulate matter (PM2.5) is overestimated in winter and ozone (O3) is underestimated in urban areas compared to suburban areas across all of China. This highlights the need for more data outside urban areas to accurately assess air pollution impacts on ecosystem functions.
Researchers incorporated nitrogen cycle into AVIM model, simulating gross primary production and net primary production well. However, discrepancies remain in carbon and nitrogen fluxes between datasets and the model.
Scientists at Linköping University simulated habitat loss on ecosystems and found that top predator species die out first. Initiatives to preserve biodiversity must consider ecosystem interactions and prioritize valuable habitats.
Researchers have developed a new model of landslide-induced tsunamis that accounts for the initial location of the landslide body on the shelf slope. The study reveals that tsunami height is affected by the coastal slope and the position of the land mass before slipping, leading to more accurate predictions.
Researchers studied feeding habits of 17 fish species and found that most responded to changing prey abundance by switching to the most abundant prey. However, planktivores and benthivores were less likely to consume more food when invertebrate prey was abundant, suggesting disorientation or confusion may occur.
The study proposes a mathematical model to understand the interactions between microorganisms within hosts and their transmission ability. The framework allows for the prediction of infection trajectories in single hosts and transmission in host populations, even considering complex interactions and stochasticity.
An international research team confirms Alan Turing's theory for Australian fairy circles, showing that the grasses within them act as 'eco-engineers'. The unique gap pattern emerges due to ecohydrological biomass-water feedbacks from the grasses.
A study published in Coral Reefs finds that materials in seawater affect light availability and wavelength on coral reefs, impacting photosynthesis and ecological zonation. Researchers used an instrument called a profiling reflectance radiometer to collect data profiles across Hawaiian and Bermudian reefs.
A study using atmospheric observations and modeling tools identifies Siberian and temperate ecosystems as primary drivers of the increased amplitude of the atmospheric CO2 seasonal cycle. In contrast, arctic-boreal North American ecosystems have relatively weak localized impacts on this increase.
Research finds global land monsoon summer precipitation increased by 2.54% and 5.75% in lowest and highest emission scenarios respectively, driven by thermodynamic responses to increased moisture. Model spread in projection was larger for higher emission scenarios, emphasizing importance of circulation change prediction.
Researchers created a basic model of an ant body using ellipsoids to understand center of balance and evolution among body segments. The study reveals how ants maintain balance despite large head sizes, with implications for bio-inspired machine design.
A new study using ecological network models finds that many ecosystem engineers, such as the shipworm and beavers, create stability in ecosystems, preventing extinctions. The model uses simple rules to show how food webs are assembled and species interactions change over time.
A multidisciplinary team found that incorporating home ranging behavior into encounter rates could drastically change results, but only under narrow conditions. The more realistic models mimicked mass-action encounter only in specific scenarios, making it challenging to predict the direction of predictions.
A multi-disciplinary team is studying how COVID-19 spreads and mutates in the environment, aiming to inform public health agencies and predict transmission risk. Citizen scientists can participate by collecting environmental samples and uploading data.
Researchers developed a new approach to predict vegetation dynamics by incorporating principles of evolution, self-organization, and entropy maximization into dynamic vegetation models. This allows for better prediction of complex plant behavior and resulting vegetation responses to environmental conditions.
A recent study uses the Noah LSM with multi-parameterization options to quantify the impacts of nitrogen dynamics on terrestrial carbon and water cycles in China. The results show improved simulations of gross primary productivity and leaf area index, with reduced errors and better spatial patterns.
The Network for Computational Modeling in Social and Ecological Sciences (CoMSES Net) is a global clearinghouse for computer models that can simulate the spread of the coronavirus. Thousands of scientists are developing these models, but their assumptions and algorithms need to be scrutinized and improved upon.
A new model by Catalina Chaparro-Pedraza and André de Roos shows how small environmental changes can induce slow evolutionary changes in species, leading to delayed regime shifts. This research has implications for understanding complex systems beyond ecosystems, including financial markets.
New research challenges traditional models of community ecology, suggesting that mutualism is compatible with stable communities. The balance of mutualism with other types of interactions plays a determinative role in community dynamics and stability.
The research uses detailed ecosystem population data to build models that aid environmental managers in selecting interventions, determining their impact on species populations. The models can be right more than 70% of the time, providing a better outcome than gut feeling or decisions that can't capture ecosystem complexity.
A study led by Michigan State University researchers found that a collective model created by over 200 anglers and fishing club members accurately predicted pike populations, habitat, and fishing pressure. The results show that involving diverse interest groups improves the accuracy of the solution.
A study by Portland State University researchers found that diverse crowds of local stakeholders can collectively produce complex environmental models similar to those of trained experts. The results correspond more or less exactly to scientific knowledge on the subject, with the final outcomes improving as more individuals are involve...
A new chimeric ranavirus, RCV-Z2, discovered in North America has the potential to decimate tadpole populations quickly through multiple transmission pathways. The virus can spread efficiently through direct contact, necrophagy, and waterborne transmission.
Oregon State University is leading a 3½-year effort to create a center for cancer data harmonization, working with top institutions to develop a cloud-based data-sharing portal. The goal is to integrate disparate data types to aid researchers and healthcare professionals.
The study found that removing invasive mice from the Farallon Islands would reduce the presence of overwintering burrowing owls, which in turn would decrease mortality rates among ashy storm-petrels. The researchers project a stable or increasing population trend for the threatened bird species.
A study by the University of Pavia found that Mediterranean private boats have a high potential to spread alien species through biofouling. Boats traveling to new marinas were likely to be transporting alien species, with visible biofouling in niche areas such as ladders and propellers being key predictors of high species richness.
A review of current land surface models highlights the need for more accurate infiltration predictions, which affect erosion control and water supply. The authors recommend increasing attention to soil structure, moisture, temperature, precipitation, terrain, and plants in these models.
Researchers analyzed moose droppings to understand their dietary choices and found that moose prefer rare plants when they are available. The study suggests that moose's selective foraging behavior has a stabilizing effect on the entire food web, with implications for ecosystem stability.
A new analysis suggests that migration can promote cooperation among individuals by creating heterogeneous patterns in their spatial distribution. This allows populations to thrive despite the threat of exploitation, as defectors avoid cooperators or form communities with public goods.
The University of Rhode Island is leading a team studying coral reef evolution and adaptation with a $3 million NSF grant. Researchers will explore how changes in nutrition and energy through symbiosis influence epigenetic changes in corals, shedding light on the impact of climate change on these critical ecosystems.
A study on squamate skulls reveals that diet, habitat, and evolutionary forces shape the wide range of skull features. The research found correlations between skull traits, with aquatic and burrowing species exhibiting rapid evolution.
Researchers combined two models to identify high-risk areas for lumpy skin disease virus in cattle, highlighting the importance of ecological conditions and wind patterns. The study predicts potential spread in regions such as Russia, Turkey, Serbia, and Bulgaria.
A new study by an international research group has identified the main drivers of global land use projections, revealing that population growth, agricultural efficiency, and consumption changes are key factors. The findings suggest that increasing agricultural productivity, enforcing efficient land use protection, and shifting diets to...
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that tree distributions in African savannas follow distinct patterns, regardless of environmental factors. The research used LiDAR data to identify power law distributions that capture significant statistical correlations at large scales.
Experts have developed a model to identify suitable locations for the reintroduction of Eurasian lynx in Scotland, suggesting that the Kintyre Peninsula is the most suitable site. The study found that Scotland possesses sufficient habitat for population establishment and spread, with the Central Belt acting as a barrier to colonization.
A new study has identified prime candidate primates with potential to transmit Zika virus. An innovative model combining multiple imputation and Bayesian multi-label machine learning techniques assigned risk scores to primate species, revealing the tufted capuchin, Venezuelan red howler, and white-faced capuchin as high-risk species.
Scientists developed a unique model that can predict Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles' location along the coast of Central and South America. The model aims to reduce bycatch mortality of this critically endangered species.
A recent study suggests that dam removals can be anticipated by understanding the unique environmental conditions at each site and their impact on aquatic species recolonization, sediment flow, and water quality changes.
Researchers developed a mapping tool that predicts the best locations for oyster bed reestablishment, maximizing water filtration benefits. The tool utilizes GIS tools and considers factors such as ecosystem services and population sustainability.
Researchers used a Random Forest algorithm to model the spread of invasive alien tree Prosopis juliflora in eastern Ethiopia, revealing an area equivalent to half of neighboring Djibouti was invaded in just 35 years. The study suggests that river courses and road networks are key drivers of its invasion.
Researchers estimate carbon emissions from farmland reclamation in China over the past 300 years, with vegetation emissions ranging from 1.58 Pg and soil emissions from 1.35 to 4.03 Pg. Carbon emissions vary greatly across ecosystems, with forests releasing the most and deserts acting as carbon sinks.
Researchers developed a multiscale model analyzing economic, social, and ecological tradeoffs of dam removal. The model found that large numbers of dams optimize tradeoffs among ecosystem services, river safety, and economic costs, assisting future damming decisions by considering scale and location.
The partnership will boost the Chicago-area innovation ecosystem by providing a new model for manufacturing high-tech start-ups. Argonne scientists will utilize mHUB's expertise and resources in manufacturing and business modeling to support energy tech-related companies.
Climate change and overexploitation are driving the decline of caterpillar fungus in the Himalayas. Rising winter temperatures and unfavorable conditions are threatening the sustainability of this valuable traditional medicine component.
A team of scientists from the University of Leicester has explored the long-standing mystery of mass extinctions, revealing that abrupt transitions can occur due to 'ghost attractors' and 'crawl-bys'. This knowledge could help predict upcoming ecological catastrophes and inform efficient management.
Will Pearse, a USU biologist, has been awarded a $300,000 NSF grant to study the impact of invasive species like cheatgrass. His project aims to use evolutionary history to model practical ecological challenges and engage students in real-world research.
The project aims to build accurate digital reconstructions and simulations of the rodent brain. The latest version of RTNeuron provides real-time rendering capabilities for visualizing neurons, synapses, and simulation data.
The NSF has awarded a five-year, $6.4 million grant to the Sevilleta LTER site in central New Mexico to understand how environmental changes affect dryland ecosystems over time. Researchers will study the transition from grassland to shrubland and the impact of climate variability on ecosystem dynamics.
The study investigates the effects of different disturbance events on a simple microbial food web, finding that the type of disturbance affects bacterial communities and stability. The results highlight the importance of considering trophic interactions and time factors in ecological systems.
A new model by Florida State University researcher Jaap Nienhuis can help stakeholders figure out what factors to consider when rebuilding land in fragile wetlands. The model takes into account various factors such as water and sediment discharge, root strength, and soil consolidation.
A team of researchers from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory has discovered how microorganisms adapt to survive in phosphorus-poor environments. By analyzing genes and proteins, they found an increase in phosphorus-acquiring enzymes and a large number of genes that break down complex organic compounds like phytate.
A QUT-led study found that cumulative maintenance dredging can increase risks on seagrass survival, but shorter dredging programs are unlikely to impact seagrass. The research developed a risk modelling approach to predict how resilient seagrass meadows will be under different environmental conditions.
Researchers found that windborne dust provides a significant source of nutrients for plants in mountain ecosystems, even when nutrient supply from bedrock is substantial. The study's results have implications for understanding the global influence of regional processes and the Earth's balance.
New research from Oregon State University reveals that a heat-tolerant Symbiodinium species may not be able to form a healthy partnership with corals, exacerbating the threat of climate change. The study used an established model system, sea anemones, to test the hypothesis.
New research suggests that plant respiration could be up to 30% higher than previously estimated, leading to reduced ability of the Earth's land surface to absorb fossil fuel-related emissions. This finding has significant implications for modeling carbon cycles and understanding the impact of climate change.
A new study by QUT researchers has developed an advanced statistical model to predict when dredging is least likely to damage seagrass. The model can provide up to a fourfold reduction in recovery time and up to a 35 per cent reduction in local extinction risk for seagrass species.
Researchers applied an ecological model to explain historical settlement patterns in Utah, finding that agricultural suitability drove colonization. The study's results illustrate why populations are distributed across the state and provide insights into the impact of early settlers' decisions on modern-day Utah.
New study highlights challenges in predicting evolutionary fate of new traits, citing factors such as environmental change, social life of alleles, and genetic interactions. This complexity can lead to the emergence of drug resistance and disease outbreaks, emphasizing the need for improved predictive models.
Researchers use aerial drones to visualize Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the York River, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective water sampling. The drones provide high-resolution images that complement satellite imagery and enable researchers to identify toxic algal species.
Researchers use complex ecosystem model to predict whale numbers by 2100, finding some species will not recover, while others like humpbacks are expected to make full recovery. Southern Hemisphere whaling has led to slow growth rates and reduced populations in several species.