Articles tagged with Ecological Processes
The iDiv Ecotron will examine the consequences of species loss on ecosystems, investigating interactions among plants, animals, microbes, and soil. By manipulating complex animal and plant communities in controlled conditions, researchers aim to understand how many losses ecosystems can cope with.
ORNL's software significantly speeds up microscopy image analysis, allowing researchers to explore how neurons migrate in the brain. The lab also made bioenergy advancements by identifying a bottleneck in breaking down woody plants for biofuels, and developed an ecosystem modeling method that can pinpoint key uncertainties.
The Isle Royale wolf population has remained unchanged for the second year in a row, with only two wolves left on the island. The moose population is expected to double over the next three to four years, leading to increased vegetation consumption and potentially altering the island's ecosystem.
A new study led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln ecologist John Benson found that eastern coyotes hunt moose and other large prey far less frequently than does the eastern wolf. The findings suggest that eastern coyotes have not filled the ecological niche left vacant when the eastern wolf became threatened.
Research from the University of Minnesota reveals that diverse tree stands outperform monocultures due to species' adaptability in using available space. This adaptability maximizes combined productivity through enhanced light utilization and increased biomass production.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has launched a $2.5 million fund to support projects that help wildlife adapt to climate change in wild landscapes and urban areas. The fund will focus on enhancing ecological processes and ecosystem functions, rather than just conserving or restoring historic conditions.
Researchers investigated habitat diversity's impact on coastal sediment ecosystems and found that more habitats scored better in functionality than single-habitat ecosystems. Human activities like habitat homogenization threaten both species and habitat diversity.
Conservationists should focus on preserving diverse ecosystem structures and functions, rather than just saving species. This approach can help create more resilient environments that can adapt to climate change and habitat loss. By studying the fossil record, experts hope to guide conservation efforts towards a more sustainable future.
Stanford researchers helped China identify and protect areas of high ecological value, including the Yangtze River and Min-Zhe-Gan mountains. The move marks a historic shift in China's environmental approach, valuing nature for human well-being and societal security.
The new database provides a comprehensive overview of the world's lakes, with estimates of over 180,000 cubic kilometres of water stored in more than 1.4 million lakes. The study also reveals that lakes in hilly or mountainous regions tend to be deeper than those in flat landscapes.
A new study reveals that roads now fragment land to an extent that only 7% of road-created patches are greater than 100 square kilometers. The research highlights the significant impact of roads on the environment, including deforestation and fragmentation, chemical pollution, noise disturbance, and increased wildlife mortality.
Scientists from the University of Exeter developed a groundbreaking technique using airborne laser scanning to create detailed 3D maps of vegetation. This allows for the mapping of small details beneath trees, such as woodland paths and urban shrubberies, promoting biodiversity and understanding its impact on human wellbeing.
A new study reveals that 82% of global ecological processes have been impacted by climate change, from genes to entire ecosystems. This has significant implications for conservation efforts and human societies, as consequences include increased pests, disease outbreaks, and unpredictable changes in fisheries.
A new University of Florida study reveals that global warming is already dramatically impacting every aspect of life on Earth. Over 80 percent of ecological processes are showing signs of responses to climate change, affecting species and ecosystems worldwide.
A recent study found that climate change is affecting 82% of key ecological processes, which have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of human societies. The study highlights the need for immediate action to achieve emissions targets and safeguard biodiversity in the face of rapid global warming.
A new study in Science says climate change is impacting every aspect of life on Earth, including genes and entire ecosystems. The study found 80% of 94 ecological processes show signs of distress due to climate change.
A new study assesses the relationships between climate, land use, and ecosystem services in Europe, highlighting their impact on human well-being. The research focuses on three regulating ecosystem services: air quality regulation, soil erosion control, and water flow regulation.
New research reveals how a single warming event in Antarctica may indicate future ecosystem changes, with cascading ecological consequences observed over the last 15 years. The study found that massive flooding caused by melting glaciers led to dramatic changes in the environment, including erosion of streams and lake levels rising.
Researchers suggest adjusting dam operations to mitigate negative impacts on river ecosystems, such as hydropeaking. Small changes can have significant effects downstream, benefiting fish and other organisms. Strategic planning for new dam construction is also crucial to minimize environmental degradation.
A new paper by UC Santa Barbara researchers recommends several ways to make ecological de-extinction more successful. They suggest resurrecting recently extinct species that fit seamlessly into their ecosystems, choosing animals with irreplaceable ecological jobs, and restoring species to functional abundance levels.
Researchers discovered 'ecosystem canaries' can provide early warning signs of large, potentially catastrophic, changes in ecosystems. These species often vanish first from a stressed ecosystem, serving as an indicator of an approaching tipping point.
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.
Research at the University of Exeter found that scavenging ecosystem service is primarily carried out by crows, with assistance from foxes and other birds.
A new framework uses phylogenetic information, relevant traits, and environmental gradients to reduce incorrect conclusions about community assembly. The framework combines three approaches to test hypotheses and identify signatures of key processes.
Researchers found that diverse soil animal communities lead to better decomposition of leaves, regardless of region or management practices. A study of 80 forests in Germany and Sumatra revealed that high species richness and biomass explain spatial turnover in ecosystem functioning.
The Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will participate in a new National Microbiome Initiative to advance understanding of microbiome behavior and protect healthy microbiomes. The initiative aims to investigate fundamental principles governing microbiomes across ecosystems and develop new tools to study them.
The world lost more than twice as much interior forest area than it gained between 2000 and 2012, with a net loss of 3.76 million square kilometers. This resulted in a fragmentation of remaining forests, increasing ecological risks.
Researchers found that biodiversity facilitates processes in an ecosystem, especially under harsh environmental conditions. The team tested this hypothesis using microbial communities and demonstrated that functional redundancy varies with prevalent environmental conditions.
A new study synthesizes research on trophic rewilding, outlining key priorities for rewilding science. The study concludes that species reintroductions and ecological replacements can restore lost food-web cascades with strong ecological effects.
A recent study on diving beetles found that globally, these animals have evolved towards a small number of regularly-spaced body sizes, indicating functional similarity among species. This suggests that evolution drives self-organizing processes into clusters of functionally similar groups.
Researchers found no barriers to prevent king crab populations from arriving on the shallow continental shelf if the water becomes warm enough. The arrival of these crustaceans could radically alter the ecosystem and diminish marine biodiversity globally.
The upcoming Connecting Phytobiomes with Soil and Plant Health symposium aims to understand the interactions between plants and soils as they relate to crops, agronomy, and entomology. This research focuses on the importance of the microbiome in enhancing soil and water sustainability.
Researchers found a consistent pattern that in crowded settings, prey reproduce less, leading to fewer predators. This discovery suggests a new law of nature governing ecosystems globally.
A new study reveals that soil bacteria and animal species below ground regulate ecosystem functions, including carbon storage and nutrient availability, with below-ground biodiversity explaining 32% of variation.
Researchers have successfully mapped key functional genes in bacterial species that play central roles in maintaining ecological balance. This knowledge may lead to targeted interventions to restore ecosystem health, such as supporting keystone bacteria to mitigate diseases like Parkinson's.
A new study reveals that biodiversity enhances multiple ecosystem functions, from soil nitrogen accumulation to aquatic algae control. This finding bolsters the importance of conserving biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that the type of fish and its body size can predict nutrient recycling rates in ecosystems. The researchers analyzed data from over 900 fish and invertebrates in a diverse marine community, finding that body mass and taxonomic identity are key factors in predicting these rates.
New research reveals that logging can cause significant declines in invertebrate diversity, but ecosystems can adapt to these changes by shifting responsibilities among species. In contrast, vertebrates are less diverse and more vulnerable to new challenges, making them a risky substitute for invertebrates.
Researchers found that reclaimed oil and gas well pads in Colorado lack the patchy soil patterns that support sagebrush recovery. This uniformity can make it harder to reestablish big sagebrush, a critical component for diverse wildlife species.
A 50-year study on Australia's protected rainforests has found that the earliest life stages of individual trees are more critical to the overall diversity of the forest than later stages. The research, conducted by LSU ecologist Kyle Harms and his collaborators, used a dataset from Joseph Connell's long-term ecological research study.
A University of Tennessee study finds that plant evolutionary history influences community responses to global change, with native species from the same lineage more effective at sequestering carbon. The research may aid in predicting ecosystem futures and informing conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that environmental bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures are impairing long-term coral reproduction. Even corals that didn't bleach are experiencing reduced fertility, which can persist for three additional years after the initial bleaching event.
A team led by Indiana University's Jay Lennon is exploring the role of dormancy in microbial diversity and its impact on ecosystem processes. The five-year project aims to understand how dormant microbes contribute to geographic patterns of diversity.
A Yale-led study found that removing earthworms, beetles, and other small animals from the soil of a replicated Scottish sheep meadow altered plant species, reduced productivity, and changed the quality of yields. The results highlight the importance of these tiny creatures in maintaining ecosystem balance and services.
A recent study found that many reef fish species carry out unique and essential roles, making ecosystem vulnerability to loss of those species high. The researchers argue that protecting these specialist species is crucial to maintaining ecosystem health.
A global study reveals that current marine protected areas are insufficient to safeguard key ecological functions performed by fish species, which provide vital services for coastal habitats. The research identifies vulnerable fish populations outside existing protected areas, emphasizing the importance of expanding these networks.
Researchers analyzed bioerosion rates and distribution of organisms on mesophotic reefs to understand long-term structural sustainability. The study found significant differences in bioerosion rates between mesophotic and shallow-water reefs.
A new study highlights the role of white rhinos in shaping savannah ecosystems, suggesting that their loss could have significant effects on ecosystem functioning and fire regimes. The research found that areas previously colonized by rhinos had higher levels of short grass cover and more grazing lawns.
A moderate loss of soil microbes may compromise key ecosystem functions and lower toxin degradation. Research found that specialized bacterial functions are not as effective without a rich diversity of soil bacteria.
A new study by Duke University and University of Massachusetts at Boston found that preserving the right mix of species is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems. The research showed that removing key species can have profound impacts on ecosystem health, highlighting the importance of biodiversity quality over quantity.
Researchers can influence design and implementation, improving environmental benefits in urban areas. By involving themselves early in the process, ecologist researchers can establish viable long-term sites and improve project outcomes.
A new method of measuring tree growth has been developed, reducing research time by up to 20 minutes per tree. The innovative technique uses prefabricated cable-tie heads as collars on dendrometer bands, making it easier and safer to install than traditional methods.
A new study finds that adding nitrogen to grasslands initially boosts ecosystem productivity but ultimately leads to a decline due to reduced plant diversity. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the significant impact of biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that microbial changes can regulate entire ecosystems, specifically mitigating the release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. The research found that type II methanotrophic bacteria replaced other microbes, oxidizing methane and reducing its impact.
A new study reveals that rare species perform unique ecological functions, even in highly diverse ecosystems. These species are irreplaceable and contribute to taxonomic richness, but their functional importance is largely unknown.
The HyspIRI airborne campaign collects data on California's diverse regions, revealing the unique spectral signature of each pixel. Scientists aim to understand ecosystem diversity and function using this technology, which will also be used for detecting land types and processes like fire and drought.
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.
Researchers developed an Adaptation for Conservation Targets (ACT) framework to assess climate change impacts on natural resources. The framework enables scientists and managers to work together to adjust management actions and address the 'What do we do about it?' question.
Researchers found that opponents of dam removal value aesthetics, cultural heritage, and recreational activities, while supporters prioritize ecological benefits and game fish restoration. Compromise solutions may be challenging due to differing ecosystem service values.
The domestication of wild plants for biofuel use can increase virus pressure in crop areas unless mitigated. Perennial plants in nature grow slower but are better equipped to fight off viruses, whereas annual plants can serve as 'amplifiers' producing lots of viruses and insects.