Soil carbon loss since advent of farming
Agricultural land use has led to significant soil carbon loss over the past 12,000 years. Major cropping or grazing regions show high hotspots of soil carbon loss, indicating potential areas for restoration.
Ecological Modeling
Articles tagged with Ecological Modeling
Seeing in the dark: Minus sunlight, a general theory reveals universal patterns in ecology
A new study applies a maximum entropy theory of ecology to describe natural systems and communities without light-limitation parameters. The model, called MaxEnt, uses coarse information to derive detailed distributions and accurately describes ecological patterns.
The coast is not so clear
A new study synthesizes research on coastal armoring and its ecological effects, revealing gaps in knowledge and highlighting the need for more studies. The study evaluates a conceptual model that predicts ecological responses to armoring across various soft sediment ecosystems.
Predicting future outcomes in the natural world
A study reveals how individual-based modeling can help researchers predict the long-term effects of introduced herbivores on invasive species, such as melaleuca. The model suggests that introducing a native beetle can reduce melaleuca growth by 83% and its reproduction by 49% over 20 years.
Satellite data to map endangered monkey populations on Earth
A team of scientists is using a combination of satellite and ground data to identify monkey populations that have declined through hunting. This approach combines indicators such as human activity zones, mosquito-derived DNA, animal sound recordings, and detections of other species found when monkeys are present.
Researchers found the impervious regulating thresholds on mitigating urban heat islands
The EcoCity model simulates future city expansion and predicts urban heat island effects. The study reveals different surface temperatures in various function zones, with urban impervious surfaces and green spaces playing distinct roles in thermal regulation.
Researchers develop new EcoCity model for mitigating urban heat islands
Researchers developed an EcoCity model to regulate urban land cover structures and thermal environments, providing fundamental data for urban heat island mitigation. The model showed that land-cover components significantly affect thermal environments in different urban functional zones.
A new parameterization of canopy radiative transfer for land surface radiation models
A new parameterization of canopy radiative transfer is proposed, improving the accuracy of land surface radiation models by determining surface albedo and transpiration. The method reveals a relationship between direct and diffuse radiation, treating them separately in previous studies.
New study shows red tides can be predicted
A Scripps-led study has identified patterns to predict red tides in coastal areas, offering opportunities for an early-warning system. The research used empirical dynamic modeling and a 30-year archive of field data to identify mechanisms causing red tides.
AGU's newest open access journal GeoHealth publishes first articles
The newly launched GeoHealth journal by AGU and Wiley focuses on the growing connection between Earth sciences and human health. Researchers are discussing impacts, risks, and opportunities associated with human health and disease. The journal publishes original research, reviews, and commentaries on environmental and health issues.
Restoring predators and prey together speeds recovery
Researchers found that restoring predators and prey species together is faster and more efficient than pursuing restoration of one species at a time. This approach, also known as synchronous recovery, can lead to significant ecological and economic benefits.
New U-M study shows how bacteria get into the lungs; findings could help disease research
Researchers from U-M Medical School and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System studied the DNA of bacteria in healthy volunteers' lungs, finding most bacteria arrived through microaspiration. The study confirms that bronchoscope-based techniques can be used to study the lung microbiome in both healthy and sick individuals.
New studies quantify the impacts of water use on diversity of fish and aquatic insects in NC streams
Researchers found that man-made disruptions in natural flow patterns contribute to reductions in both the abundance and diversity of fish and insects. The study provides a scientific basis for establishing ecological flows in North Carolina's major river basins.
Conservation practices may leave African indigenous populations behind
Conservation groups in Central and West Africa are marginalizing local communities, who rely on the forest for food, shelter, and resources. The landscape-based approach prioritizes logging and development over community needs, leaving indigenous populations behind.
ELFI: Engine for Likelihood-Free Inference facilitates more effective simulation
Researchers developed an engine for likelihood-free inference (ELFI) to model reality accurately in simulators, significantly reducing the number of simulator runs. This facilitates more effective simulation and opens up new possibilities for fields like medicine and environmental science.
Game theory provides new insight on spreading environmentally conscious behavior
A new study uses psychological research to develop a formula for social and environmental perceptions, consumer behavior, and individual actions. The researchers found that consumers' individual actions can go a long way towards optimizing the use of shared resources.
New permafrost map shows regions vulnerable to thaw, carbon release
A new mapping project identifies 20% of the globe's northern permafrost region as potential thermokarst landscape, storing twice as much carbon as currently in the atmosphere. Scientists can use the map to estimate greenhouse gas emissions and test assumptions about permafrost thaw.
UNC researcher develops test scenarios for sustaining ecotourism in the Galapagos
A new paper describes a research team's models forecasting potential outcomes in the Galapagos Islands, developed to help the Ecuador government balance economic development and resource conservation. The models use real data and social-ecological processes to predict sustainable growth by 2033.
UBC research could help local governments plan together
A new approach to modelling land use change developed at UBC enhances existing computer planning models, enabling planners to consider neighboring land-use patterns. The CLUE-S modeling system was adapted to facilitate regional planning and collaboration among bordering jurisdictions.
Reduced ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations
A study of 1000 scientific studies reveals that oil palm plantations have reduced ecosystem functions, particularly gas regulation and water supply. However, the production of marketable goods, such as palm oil, can increase the provision of food and raw materials.
UNH researchers uncover new insights on Great Lakes monuments
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire have developed a geospatial approach to better understand the roles of pre-European archaeological monument sites in Michigan. By utilizing a modeling technique called Maximum Entropy, they were able to identify the distinct niches occupied by burial mounds and circular earthwork enclosu...
OU professor elected as Fellow to American Geophysical Union for scientific achievements in ecological forecasting
Professor Yiqi Luo of the University of Oklahoma has been elected as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union for his pioneering work on data assimilation and ecological forecasting. His research focuses on predicting ecosystem responses to global change, enabling ecologists to forecast future changes in ecosystem services.
Predicting the spread of the Zika virus
A new tool by Japanese researchers predicts the risk of Zika virus importation and local transmission for 189 countries, identifying subtropical and tropical nations as high-risk. Countries with a history of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases face the greatest risk of infection.
How much can a mode-2 wave move?
Mode-2 waves can carry beneficial and detrimental materials between ecosystems, trapping them inside layers of different densities. Researchers found that larger bulges result in more material carried by the wave, while small regions of turbulence can cause it to break down.
Electronic counterpart to ecological models revealed
Researchers developed an electronic version of a logistic map that can interact with multiple maps, making it scalable. The model allows for the comparison of previous computer simulations with experimental results using state-of-the-art technology.
Understanding differences within species is critical to conservation efforts
A new study reveals that local populations of threatened species may adapt to specific conditions, necessitating different conservation strategies. The research suggests using ecological models to predict suitable areas for each population, improving conservation efforts for the Karner blue butterfly and Siberian primrose.
Researchers uncover expansion of lone star ticks in Kansas
Researchers at Kansas State University have validated a model showing the growth of lone star ticks in Kansas, extending their range from eastern third of state to western Colby. Climate change is predicted to favor more tick-borne diseases among people and pets.
One Ecosystem Journal: Innovation in ecology and sustainability research publishing
The One Ecosystem Journal offers innovative publishing models for ecology and sustainability research, incorporating open data and peer review. The journal uses the ARPHA platform to facilitate collaboration and dissemination of information.
To clean up ocean plastics focus on coasts, not the Great Pacific garbage patch
A new analysis suggests that placing plastic collectors near coasts is more beneficial for removing microplastics and preventing harm to wildlife and ecosystems. The study found that this approach could remove up to 31% of microplastics, compared to just 17% if all collectors were deployed within the Great Pacific garbage patch.
SUNY Downstate researchers identify areas of plague risk in western US
SUNY Downstate researchers identified areas of high probability of plague bacteria in the western United States. Their findings can be used by public health agencies to target specific areas for enhanced plague surveillance, particularly in regions with significant animal hosts.
Earth's first ecosystems were more complex than previously thought, study finds
A recent study has revealed that Earth's first large and complex organisms formed more intricate ecosystems than previously thought. The research focused on an extinct organism called Tribrachidium, which lived during the Ediacaran period, characterized by suspension feeding, a feeding mode not documented in ancient species.
Using sphere packing models to explain the structure of forests
A team of scientists has developed a new method to assess the structure of natural forests using principles from stochastic geometry. The approach enables quick and accurate assessment of biomass estimates, revealing surprising low packing densities in tropical forests.
A flooding river moves more than just water
Researchers have developed a model to predict the risk of waterborne diseases in flooding rivers, which can affect millions of people worldwide. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex interactions between environmental and human factors in shaping disease dynamics.
UM scientist earns grant to study carbon across North America
Researchers will investigate how disturbances like fire and insect infestation are changing the Earth's carbon absorption, and use models to optimize observation networks for detecting impact on ecosystem carbon balance. The project aims to understand how terrestrial landscapes are shifting from being a net carbon sink to a source.
Ecologists roll a century's work on food-webs into a single model
A new model presents a common mathematical structure underlying food-web interactions, allowing ecologists to view all species' connections using a single language. The model reveals previously unobserved similarities between different ecological reactions and has profound implications for infectious diseases, fisheries, and conservation.
Linda J. S. Allen awarded AWM-SIAM Sonia Kovalevsky Lecture
Linda J.S. Allen, a renowned mathematician at Texas Tech University, has been recognized with the AWM-SIAM Sonia Kovalevsky Lecture award for her significant contributions to ordinary differential equations, difference equations, and stochastic models, particularly in the areas of infectious diseases and ecology.
New model predicts fish population response to dams, other ecological factors
Researchers developed a model to assess how dams affect sea-run fish populations, finding that abundance and distribution increased when mainstem dams were removed or passage efficiency improved. The model can predict ecological responses of fish populations and evaluate management actions for fish migrating between fresh and saltwater.
Yale Journal examines advances in complex adaptive systems and industrial ecology
The Yale Journal of Industrial Ecology explores how integrating complexity science can improve sustainability studies. Researchers apply complexity science to various topics, including urban systems, energy efficiency, and eco-industrial parks.
UC Riverside ecologist receives 2015 Prigogine Gold Medal
Bai-Lian Li, a professor of ecology at UC Riverside, has been awarded the 2015 Prigogine Gold Medal for his work on mathematical and statistical modeling applications in ecological studies. His research focuses on self-organization, emergence, and non-equilibrium biological systems.
Interdisciplinary, OA journal launched by the Ecological Societies of American and China
The new journal, Ecosystem Health and Sustainability, aims to publish research applying ecological science to sustainable development at local, national, and international scales. It encourages integration of natural, social, and behavioral studies and seeks research with implications for strategic planning and governance.
New technique improves forecasts for Canada's prized salmon fishery
A new forecasting method, empirical dynamic modeling (EDM), has improved predictions for Fraser River sockeye salmon in British Columbia. The EDM technique uses archives of field data to drive predictions, outperforming traditional management forecast tools with a smaller error margin.
Economic models provide insights into global sustainability challenges
Using holistic frameworks to model many components of both human and natural systems can shed insights on how activities in one part of the world affect distant regions. Economic models, such as those provided by the Global Trade Analysis Project, help policymakers make informed decisions about sustainability.
Stanford scientist examines ways to put stormwater to use in big cities
A Stanford scientist is developing a flexible model to manage stormwater runoff in big cities, with the goal of determining its ecosystem and financial benefits. The research aims to study the value of stormwater retention services for large cities in developing countries and compare their benefits to other services.
Conservation targeting tigers pushes leopards to change
Research from Nepal's Chitwan National Park found that leopards avoid tigers by seeking different locations to live and hunt, while shifting their activity patterns to nighttime. The study highlights the complexity of human-wildlife interactions and the need for conservation efforts to account for these dynamics.
Precise measurements of microbial ecosystems
Researchers have described the intricate relationships within a biological wastewater treatment plant in unprecedented detail. This study provides new insights into the laws governing bacterial function, with potential applications in medicine and environmental conservation.
Diverting a river from ecological disaster in northwestern China could provide new sustainable model
Researchers divert a Chinese river to mitigate environmental disasters and propose an integrated approach to manage water resources, ecological health, and economic development. This study provides a potential model for sustainable development of other inland river basins.
Konza Prairie research program receives $6.76 million NSF grant renewal
Kansas State University's Konza Prairie Biological Station will continue to conduct long-term ecological research with a renewed $6.76 million NSF grant. The grant supports research on the impact of land-use change, climatic variability, and restoration ecology on tallgrass prairie ecosystems.
Coral reef winners and losers
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that coral reefs will have winners and losers among species facing increasing stressors. Fast-growing, small, and stress-resistant corals are likely to thrive in a warmer future.
Study traces ecological collapse over 6,000 years of Egyptian history
Scientists analyzed depictions of animals in ancient Egyptian artifacts to reconstruct the large mammal community that lived in the Nile Valley. The study found that species extinctions led to a decline in ecosystem stability, with only eight species remaining today compared to 37 six millennia ago.
Ecology could break deadlock between grouse shooting and hen harrier conservation
A study suggests that certain population densities allow for coexistence between grouse shooting and hen harrier conservation. Grouse managers and conservationists agree on a possible compromise using a model that shows room for 70 pairs of harriers at relatively low cost to grouse shooting. This approach could involve removing excess ...
Classic Lewis Carroll character inspires new ecological model
A new ecological model, called a mean field model for competition, incorporates the 'Red Queen Effect' and improves understanding of species evolution. The model predicts that new species with competitive advantages will evolve and outcompete current species.
Refined biological evolution model
A new study by Petri Kärenlampi refines the biological evolution model by incorporating species interactions and varying degrees of symmetry. The results show that anti-symmetric interactions lead to large, stable ecosystems, while symmetric systems remain small.
Researchers call for better ocean stewardship
Researchers urge caution when exploring/exploring the deepest parts of our oceans, highlighting the need for a 'happy balance' between use and environmental costs. The deep ocean is already experiencing impacts from human activities such as fishing, oil and gas development, and waste disposal.
Researchers receive top honors for ecology paper
Jiang and DeAngelis' theoretical paper explores how species modify their environment to gain benefits, affecting community diversity. Their work is likely to foster further research and generate hypotheses for experimental studies.
Best practices in communication for the animal world
Researchers found that effective communication involves both signalers and receivers, with groups of males called leks increasing accuracy for females. Investing in ecological structures showed a weak improvement in signaling ability, while using non-food items reduced accuracy.
Study of rodent family tree puts brakes on commonly held understanding of evolution
A new study by Florida State University researchers questions the traditional model of biological diversification, finding that colonizing continents does not lead to rapid adaptive radiation. However, they did discover a weak effect of first colonizers suppressing diversity among later colonizers.
Researchers revise Darwin's thinking on invasive species
A new model suggests that characteristics like phenotype and interaction mechanisms are key to understanding the chances of an invasive species succeeding. The study challenges Darwin's original theory on naturalization conundrum, indicating that ecological relationships alone are a weak predictor of invader success.
Carbon cycle models underestimate indirect role of animals
Research finds that animal populations can significantly influence carbon storage and exchange in regional ecosystems, often rivaling the impact of fossil fuel emissions. This underplayed role highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the indirect effects of animals on the carbon cycle.
Forests most likely to continue shrinking: U of G study
A new study predicts global forest cover will decline from 30% to 22% over the next two centuries due to increased agricultural demands and urbanization. The model suggests cooperation among nations is crucial to preserving forests, with technologies sharing being a key strategy.
How vegetation competes for rainfall in dry regions
Researchers use mathematical models to predict vegetation pattern formation in dry environments. The Klausmeier model determines the critical rainfall level needed for banded vegetation patterns to form. This study has significant implications for land management and environmental concerns.