Articles tagged with Ecological Modeling
A new study from Northern Arizona University found that ecosystems have a limited capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, and soil microorganisms play a crucial role in determining carbon storage. The study suggests that widely accepted carbon cycle models overestimate the impact of ecosystems on absorbing carbon.
The journal Ecosystem Services presents a special issue on mapping and modelling ecosystem services, integrating geo-biophysical processes to understand supply and ecological functions. The integration of methods like thematic mapping, GIS, and dynamic models provides insights into actual service demand and consumption.
Researchers found that including parasites in food web models changes the distribution of feeding links per species, average shortest feeding chain between pairs of species, and proportion of omnivores or cannibals. Most changes occur due to increased diversity and complexity, rather than parasite-specific effects.
The BMC Ecology Image Competition has announced its winners, featuring striking visual elements that depict specific ecological interactions. The overall winning image highlights the coevolution of a stick insect and its host, while the runner-up showcases a subalpine flower meadow in Colorado.
A team of scientists from Duke University and the University of Padova found that marsh plants actively tune their elevations by producing organic soil and accumulating sediments. This complex interplay with the environment helps species stabilize the soil within favorable states, allowing for greater long-term stability.
Researchers from Princeton University found that large national and international banks wield an influence that far exceeds their actual size. To mitigate this effect, the researchers suggest requiring large banks to maintain capital relevant to their systemic importance.
The MU researcher's network model can analyze complex networks to identify the most damaging cyber attacks, protect critical infrastructure, and halt disease epidemics. By understanding network resilience, officials can prevent future problems and make informed decisions for conservation projects.
The Global Biodiversity Informatics Conference identified critical areas for greater investment and coordination in information technologies and social networks. The conference aimed to build global collaboration on biodiversity observation, uniting partners and initiatives to detect and respond to short-term changes and long-term trends.
Researchers warn of an impending catastrophic event where the planet's ecosystems irreversibly collapse due to extreme fluctuations in climates and biodiversity loss. The study suggests that governments must take immediate action to reduce population growth, invest in sustainable technologies and adopt environmentally-friendly practices.
A new computer model developed at NC State University predicts the environmental impact of forest land-use decisions, considering factors such as plant growth and water cycles. The DRAINMOD-FOREST model will help policy makers and forest managers make informed decisions to minimize environmental harm while maintaining forest productivity.
A new study has found that experiments underestimate plant responses to climate change, with shifts in flowering and leafing timing being much greater than estimated. Long-term historical records show that many plant species have shifted their leafing and flowering earlier, in step with warming temperatures over recent decades.
A study of 50 plant studies across four continents found that experimentally induced shifts in plant timing are underestimated by at least fourfold compared to long-term records. Long-term historical records consistently show a 5-6 day advance per degree Celsius, with potential consequences for species diversity and ecosystem services.
A computer model assesses ecological impacts and compares effectiveness of strategies to reduce biological diversity risks. The study shows that preserving fallow land and field margins can buffer unintended side-effects and prevent external costs.
Researchers propose a new model for understanding deep-water oil spills, emphasizing the importance of retaining most oil at depth and questioning dispersant efficacy. The study highlights gaps in scientific understanding and argues for increased research funding to better prepare society for future spills.
Researchers have created a new conceptual model for understanding deep-water oil spills, emphasizing the importance of mid-water and deep ocean impacts. The study highlights major gaps in scientific understanding and calls for further investigation into long-term effects.
Researchers at EPFL develop mathematical tool to model flow of biocides from building façades into river basins, revealing high concentrations of pollutants. The model accurately predicts peak levels of three common biocides, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and reducing dependency on expensive testing.
The UCLA-developed integral projection model improves predictions for species facing climate change by analyzing multiple data sources simultaneously. The model reveals that gradual environmental changes have a greater impact on populations than fluctuating changes.
Researchers found that US rivers and streams are a significant source of CO2, releasing as much as a car burning 40 billion gallons of gasoline into the atmosphere. This could alter carbon modeling and require adjustments to regional carbon budgets.
Researchers have developed a new method to evaluate spatially and biologically distinct groups of marine turtles, identifying 11 out of 58 worldwide turtle regions as most at risk. The study highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts for these threatened populations.
A global sampling of 48 sites on five continents yields unprecedented data set, finding no clear relationship between productivity and plant species in small study plots. This challenges the 'hump-shaped' model developed by British ecologist J. Philip Grime, which has remained a textbook standard for nearly four decades.
A team of scientists from Kansas State University and seven other institutions is conducting a large-scale experiment to understand the impact of stream organisms on water quality across North America.
Researchers at University of Washington discovered that salmon and other fish predators maintain huge gut capacity to capitalize on unpredictable pulses of food. This 'no guts, no glory' survival tactic allows them to survive despite regular periods of famine.
Researchers paired agent-based land-use models with stakeholder interviews to better understand the impact of human activities on landscapes. The study highlights the potential benefits of involving local communities in decision-making processes for more effective and sustainable solutions.
Researchers found that removing all road-side salt pools can reduce moose-vehicle collisions by as much as 79 percent. Moose are attracted to the high sodium concentration in salt pools, posing a significant risk to human and vehicle safety.
A new model of island ecology suggests that most unique island species should be common on their island, contradicting the common perception of rarity. The researchers used data from 35 islands and archipelagos to develop the model, which predicts how many individuals of each species can be expected to see in their natural habitat.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that proposes unlimited biodiversity in ecosystems with multiple competing species. The rock-paper-scissors tournament concept shows how species can co-exist without extinction, depending on the rarity of key species.
Researchers use computer simulations to study clonal plant communities and their impact on ecosystems, aiming to design ideal prairies for pollution cleanup and species preservation. The project utilizes volunteer computing resources from over 10,000 volunteers worldwide.
The DOPA observatory combines data on protected areas, species distributions, and socio-economic indicators to generate global environmental indicators and maps. This initiative aims to address anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems and identify new areas for protection.
The University of Maryland is leading a multidisciplinary project to investigate the complex dynamics between water and the built urban environment in the Chesapeake Bay region. The research aims to simulate land conversion patterns and predict future land development under various policy scenarios.
A five-year study funded by DOD aims to assess the ability of longleaf pine ecosystems to absorb climate-changing carbon dioxide. Researchers will analyze data from Fort Polk, Fort Benning, and Camp Lejeune to develop biologically based models for managing these forests.
Gretchen Daily's innovative research places a value on natural ecosystem services, leading to increased momentum in conservation efforts. Her work, including the InVEST software program, informs global policy decisions on land use and resource management.
A new University of Central Florida study will examine how rising sea levels threaten barrier islands, beaches, and critical habitats in the Florida Panhandle and along the Alabama and Mississippi coasts. The research aims to provide policymakers with data to plan for a changing coastline.
A new teaching model using real data and relevant videos engages high school students in conservation biology research, improving understanding of ecological concepts. Students develop a better grasp of normal ecological processes and how human actions affect the natural world.
The University of Adelaide's Environment Institute has ranked countries based on their environmental impact using seven indicators. The study found that total wealth is the most important driver of environmental impact, contradicting the Kuznets curve hypothesis.
A study found that statistical tests using geographic distribution models can incorrectly infer changes in environmental requirements. The models often accurately identify similar environments but struggle with drastically different ones.
Researchers propose diverting sediment-rich water from Mississippi River to create new land, compensating for projected losses and protecting upriver areas. The model predicts creating up to 45% of the anticipated new land area, with enough flow remaining in the main channel for navigation.
A joint US-Norwegian study, known as MENU, compared marine ecosystems in the North Atlantic and North Pacific to identify factors supporting fisheries production. The researchers found underlying patterns that were not apparent in single-ecosystem studies.
Mudslides caused by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake may release significant amounts of greenhouse gas, including carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, into the atmosphere. The study found that the ecosystem impacts of these mudslides could be equivalent to twice the loss of nitrogen from California ecosystems due to wildfires.
Researchers used lab-based experimental ecosystems to model relationship between nutrients and biodiversity, finding that precise relationship depends on species present. The study's results show that low levels of nutrients can lead to high levels of biodiversity.
Wealthy nations willing to spend $1 billion annually could prevent half a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted globally over the next 25 years. The program, called 'avoided deforestation,' would put an end to a tenth of tropical deforestation, one of the top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers used a neutral model to predict fish diversity in the Mississippi-Missouri River System, demonstrating its potential for analyzing complex systems. The approach, which assumes functional equivalence among species, provides new insights into biodiversity patterns and their relationship with environmental change.
A recent study in PLOS ONE investigates the loss of seed dispersal interactions on Mauritius and its impact on regeneration. The Janzen-Connell model suggests that seeds need to be dispersed away from adult trees, but many fleshy-fruited plant species lack crucial seed dispersal interactions.
A new study reveals that the slightest environmental perturbation can tip an ecosystem's balance, with unpredictable and irreversible consequences. Icelandic midges provide a unique model to assess these dynamics, highlighting the fragility of ecosystems and the importance of understanding their responses to human-induced changes.
A new computer model, developed by University of Illinois ecologist Adam Davis, aims to predict the most effective biological control agent for reducing garlic mustard populations in temperate forests. The model uses simulation dynamics and testing protocols to identify a tiny weevil as a promising candidate.
A recent Smithsonian study reveals that widely used sediment prediction tools are failing to accurately forecast sediment delivery to the Chesapeake Bay. The researchers suggest a shift in focus towards understanding what happens near streams and during high-level stream events.
Green roofs offer multiple benefits, including reduced energy costs and controlled storm-water runoff. They also provide havens for local wildlife, making them an attractive alternative to traditional roofing options. Researchers argue that further research is needed to optimize green roof designs and plant species.
Researchers from IRD and IMARPE found that fishermen adopt similar movement strategies to natural predators when searching for anchovy fish, highlighting the importance of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. This study used VMS data to analyze vessel movements and identify areas with high vulnerability of stock exploited.
Researchers at K-State are working on a virtual ecological forecasting center in Kansas to study the impact of climate change and environmental changes on ecosystems. The project aims to predict changes in land use, water use, fish populations, and biodiversity.
A new key review by Gotelli and McGill provides an overview of the current status of neutral models in ecology, highlighting their role relative to older ecological models. The paper demonstrates parallels in theory development between neutral models and null models, shedding light on community patterns and species interactions.
The Wildlife Conservation Society proposes a simpler, four-tiered system to measure conservation success for wildlife populations. The system aims to move beyond demographic sustainability and focus on ecological functionality, where species serve their role in ecosystems.
A recent study challenges metabolic ecology models, which failed to explain tropical forest structure and dynamics. Instead, researchers found that environmental conditions and species traits play a crucial role in shaping these ecosystems.
A new study reveals that overfishing of sharks triggers a domino effect of changes in abundance, contributing to the degradation of Caribbean reefs. The researchers found that sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the ecosystem, and their removal can lead to a decline in plant-eating fish populations.
The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) has been established in Durham, North Carolina, with a $15 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The center aims to unify the biological sciences by promoting cross-disciplinary studies and synthesizing evolutionary knowledge for policymakers, educators, and society.
A new study using computer models found that human activities are the main cause of caribou decline in northern Alberta. The research suggests that if current development rates continue, woodland caribou will be eliminated from the area in 37 years.
Ehrlich proposes the creation of a Millennium Assessment of Human Behavior to examine the ethical dimensions of human culture and its impact on the environment. The panel would aim to reconcile different values and explore ways to reduce inequality, promote sustainable lifestyles, and address global challenges.
The study's findings suggest that current conservation planning approaches may be hindering species protection. Instead, scientists recommend a more dynamic business plan approach, leveraging market uncertainty and landowner motivation to safeguard habitat for highly threatened species.
Research reveals that European trees are limited in their ability to track climate changes, with many species occupying less than half of their suitable range. This limitation is attributed to dispersal restriction, suggesting that most species will struggle to adapt to future warming.
Researchers propose a mechanism that helps uncommon species coexist with identical competitors, aligning with discoveries of cryptic fig wasp species. The evolutionary local mate competition theory is tested, revealing a demographic advantage to uncommon species.
Researchers develop theoretical models to understand the spatial component of insect outbreaks and predict their spread. By analyzing the Larch budmoth infestation in the European Alps, they confirmed that space-time models accurately predict geographic spread and timing, even with complex dynamics involved.
A broad consortium of scientists proposes developing ecological forecasting to forecast environmental changes, protect ecosystems, and predict the impacts of global warming. The initiative aims to improve planning and decision-making by providing reliable forecasts of ecosystem state and services.