Articles tagged with Ecological Restoration
Temporary shades over coral reefs in the Florida Keys reduced UV and irradiance damage, mitigating heat damage and partly reversing bleaching. The study found that shading can offer temporary protection on small scales, but scaling is a limitation, and additional studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Scientists have identified potential locations in Panama where amphibians can persist without the threat of disease, providing a tool to select sites for reintroduction. The models suggest that only certain species can survive in areas with high disease resistance, offering a glimmer of hope for amphibian conservation.
A University of Cambridge-led team has created detailed 3D maps of the Cairngorms National Park, revealing the beginnings of large-scale recovery of native woodland. The maps show over six million individual trees, with 40% under five meters tall, and provide insights into habitat type and tree regeneration.
Restored oyster reefs in Harris Creek exhibit structural complexity and support larger, more diverse fish communities, while harvested areas are dominated by small schooling fish. The study reveals long-term success of oyster restoration in Chesapeake Bay.
SUNY Cortland students are participating in research internships at fisheries across New York, led by USGS grants and partnerships with other institutions. The internships provide hands-on experience, skills in field and lab techniques, and opportunities to network with professionals and graduate students.
Professor Peixoto, a pioneering researcher, will shape AMI's strategic direction and champion its mission, providing clear leadership and representation. She aims to translate outstanding microbiological research into solutions and benefits for people and the planet.
A recent international study identifies the importance of integrating different land use initiatives, involving various social groups, and continuously refining measures to prevent wildfires. The researchers advocate a long-term, preventive approach to shaping resilient landscapes that combine ecological, economic, and social objectives.
The EU-funded projects SpongeBoost, SpongeScapes, and SpongeWorks have published a joint policy brief recommending aligning EU policies to scale up sponge restoration across Europe. The policy brief highlights the importance of restoring the natural sponge function of landscapes to strengthen water and climate resilience.
The Galápagos snapdragon has shown encouraging signs of recovery thanks to a long-term partnership between the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park Directorate. The project successfully outplanted 94 nursery-grown shrubs into harsh volcanic landscapes, with 28 adult plants established across two restoration sites.
Researchers have developed an interactive platform to identify future trafficking hotspots, revealing where criminal networks are most likely to strike next. The tool combines landscape ecology with criminology to identify high-risk corridors, particularly across southeastern Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Global mangrove cover has increased by 47,720 hectares worldwide between 1985 and 2025, according to new analysis, but some key regions, such as Indonesia, have lost significant mangrove cover, highlighting uneven progress in mangrove ecosystem changes.
Researchers developed a synthetic community of native soil bacteria that reduces acid stress and improves nutrient cycling, leading to healthier plant growth. The microorganisms increase soil pH, promote lateral root development, and enhance nutrient availability.
A GPS tracking study found that invasive barred owls consistently occupy the tallest, oldest, and most complex stands of forest, threatening spotted owls' habitats. Managing barred owl populations reopens habitat for spotted owls to reclaim, conservatively estimating over 1,800 square kilometers of restored habitat.
A new study by Bournemouth University found that 'pioneering pairs' of ospreys, which nest away from others, are key to driving population recovery. These birds create separate subpopulations and increase the speed of recovery for the species through long-distance dispersal.
A study by Colorado State University and others found that fast-moving forest fires burn more area severely, leaving fewer trees to reseed the landscape. This can lead to long-term ecological change rather than recovery.
A new synthesis paper examines how ecological structures and processes help ecosystems withstand disturbances while providing benefits. The study highlights the importance of 'portfolio effects' in maintaining ecosystem resilience.
A study covering 52 Atlantic Forest fragments found that natural dispersal of new plants is boosted by surrounding forest and rainfall regime. Seed richness increased as forest cover and precipitation increased, regardless of fragment size.
The Conservation Gap Analysis of Select Native Asian Oaks reveals over half of native ranges are under human pressure, with many species lacking backup in botanical collections. The report prioritizes oak conservation efforts in Southeast and East Asia, focusing on regions with high human impact and limited protected area coverage.
The study demonstrates that biosphere reserves in the Western Amazon effectively prevent deforestation compared to similar areas. Transition areas and buffer zones are particularly effective in conserving biodiversity.
Researchers have identified a hardy sea sponge that can thrive in polluted harbor habitats, demonstrating an exceptional ability to adapt and even reproduce asexually. The chicken kidney sponge showed outstanding resilience and was found to be particularly effective at filtering pollutants and recycling nutrients.
A new study assesses the long-term effects of China's Shan-Shui Initiative, finding that vegetation greenness increased significantly in 14 project areas. The integrated remote-sensing index revealed more nuanced regional responses, with forests and grasslands playing distinct roles across different ecological contexts.
A global study of over 5,100 species reveals that climate change is transforming ecosystems and threatening species across the globe. Temperate species are experiencing more local extinctions than tropical species due to faster warming rates, with temperate regions losing up to 49% of their species.
Researchers examine the process of prioritizing river restoration projects using a mathematical computer program called optimization. The study shows that score and rank systems don't always account for barriers in the full river context, leading to stranded investments.
Researchers propose using inter situ collections to conserve exceptional plant species from the Amazon rainforest, offering a promising strategy for conservation. By transplanting plants to new environments, scientists aim to increase genetic diversity and promote resilience in threatened species.
Researchers developed a machine learning framework to detect and classify shell-crushing sounds, enabling the quantification of predator impacts on mollusk populations. The system uses multi-step approaches and demonstrates strong performance in controlled tank conditions and field settings.
Researchers found significant increases in invertebrate abundance following rodent eradication, particularly among larger-bodied species vulnerable to predation. The study highlights the crucial role of invertebrates in ecosystem function and recovery.
A new framework maps Europe's climate-smart rewilding potential, highlighting regional strengths in Eastern and Southern Europe. The approach balances ecosystem restoration with climate mitigation and adaptation, offering opportunities for diverse regions to contribute.
A new review highlights the importance of using the right amount of biochar in different ecosystems, with recommended application ranges varying from 5 to 40 tonnes per hectare. Biochar can enhance ecological functions by increasing water-holding capacity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting beneficial microbial activity.
A new report highlights the catastrophic risks of nature loss on food systems, economies and societies. Chronic pressures like soil degradation and water scarcity are already reducing crop yields and increasing food prices.
Researchers found that soil fungi are essential for native forest re-growth and ecosystem health on Palmyra Atoll. The symbiotic relationship between Pisonia trees and fungal partners is critical for the atoll's unique ecosystem.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that altering water source distribution in a desert ecosystem improved mating structure and increased genetic diversity in wild populations. By establishing more territories for reproducing males, changes in resource management boosted population's variance effective population size.
Researchers tracked the impact of beach nourishment on nearshore conditions and marine life, finding that prolonged turbidity can interfere with blacktip shark hunting and increase accidental encounters. The study highlights a delicate balance between coastal engineering projects and marine ecosystem protection.
Researchers at Virginia Tech used modern data science to guide restoration strategies for the endangered butternut tree. The study mapped climate and soil conditions linked to natural disease resistance, identifying prime regions for resistant butternut trees and hybrids across the eastern United States.
Researchers propose incorporating local knowledge into nature conservation through a biocultural approach. This involves collaborating with local people, considering traditional land-use practices and their impact on protected areas.
Researchers found juvenile smalltooth sawfish showing strong site fidelity to the South Fork of the Saint Lucie River, spending up to 87% of their time within a 0.4 square kilometer area. This suggests that the Indian River Lagoon is once again functioning as a nursery for this endangered species.
A new science-based operational framework can help countries evaluate their progress towards the 30/10 biodiversity target. The framework reveals that only 2% of land and 2% of sea contribute to the target, while reported figures are often overestimated.
Researchers have identified the complex shapes of natural oyster reefs are not random, but optimise the establishment and survival of developing oysters. The study provides critical information to guide effective reef restoration using artificial habitats that replicate specific geometric attributes found in natural reefs.
Researchers have developed a new method for cleaning oil spills using massive fire whirls, which can burn through crude oil nearly twice as fast as in-situ fire pools. The results show that fire whirls produce 40% less soot and consume up to 95% of the fuel, leaving fewer harmful particles behind.
The METAGROLAND project aims to improve environmental farming schemes by studying plant-pollinator interactions and land manager networks. Key findings include the development of practical guidance for agri-environmental schemes that align ecological processes with real-world management.
A new study reveals that more than 7,000 adult Magellanic penguins were killed by pumas in just four years, posing a significant threat to the penguin population. The research suggests that high puma predation rates could exacerbate reproductive decline and juvenile mortality, ultimately putting the colony at risk of extinction.
Restoration of peatlands can deliver significant climate mitigation benefits within two to six decades through the proliferation of Sphagnum moss vegetation. This process reduces greenhouse gas emissions and methane release, making it a pivotal contribution to Finland's land-use sector emission scenarios.
A comprehensive review highlights the Cerrado's ecological crisis, with over 55% of native vegetation lost primarily for agricultural expansion. The region faces a silent water crisis, threatening biodiversity, economy, and climate resilience.
Recent research articles explore innovative methods for rehabilitating coral reefs, new observations of masquerading behavior in deep-sea squids, the rapid expansion of Sphagnum peat patches across Alaska's North Slope, trade-offs between protected areas and sustainable development goals, and a surprising first-time observation of moth...
Researchers from the University of East Anglia argue that placing social justice at the heart of global restoration initiatives is vital for success. The study found that ecological targets should be aligned with local social, economic, and cultural ones to ensure holistic and long-term thinking.
A study identified 167 native species of the Atlantic Forest with bioeconomic applications, including medical, cosmetic, and food sectors. The researchers found that 78 species have registered patents in 61 countries, offering an economic incentive for reforestation projects.
A study by the University of Göttingen explores how people experience nature in protected landscapes, finding that these areas foster local identity, support learning about nature, and provide spaces for recreation. The research identified five central narratives: learning, regional heritage, care, multifunctional use, and collaboration.
Researchers from the University of São Paulo identified 410,000 hectares in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with potential for forest restoration in urban fringe areas. These areas have diverse land uses and are not normally included in surveys of potential restoration areas.
A new paper outlines a global coalition dedicated to conserving microbial biodiversity, which accounts for 99% of life on Earth. The Microbial Conservation Specialist Group will develop Red List-compatible metrics, pilot restoration projects, and promote public awareness to ensure microbes are recognized as essential to planetary health.
Scientists have rediscovered a thought to be extinct killifish species, Moema claudiae, in Bolivia, providing a second chance for its conservation. The rediscovery was made in a temporary pond surrounded by farms and has allowed researchers to study the behavior of the species and preserve it in the wild.
Research analyzing over 170 studies reveals human impacts like hunting and land-use changes have a greater impact on prey populations than large carnivores. Large predators do control populations of prey species under specific conditions, but effects are often spatially constrained or influenced by competing species.
A new study reveals that grassland degradation increases soil microbial diversity while reducing plant richness, leading to a decline in ecosystem functioning and multifunctionality. The research highlights the critical importance of conserving soil microbial communities for sustainable restoration of degraded grasslands.
The project aims to quantify the link between water conditions, fish populations, and wading bird nesting success in the Florida Everglades. Researchers will collect data on aquatic prey and habitat conditions during the dry season to provide essential insight into restoration efforts.
The study used network theory to analyze ecological connectivity of 28 areas in the northwest of São Paulo, Brazil. The research found that restored areas lack diversity, with low connectivity values and no nesting pattern.
A new 'connectivity–ecological risk–economic efficiency' (CRE) framework integrates environmental, economic, and climatic factors to support sustainable development in cold regions. The approach identifies key ecological sources and corridors connecting them, optimizing conservation strategies for ecosystem connectivity and resilience.
The University of Lisbon will host the world's largest conference on ecosystem restoration in 2027, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry experts. The event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing on restoring ecosystems, particularly in Portugal, a country with rich ecological diversity.
Scientists from Salk and UC San Diego have discovered a new hybrid seagrass that demonstrates low-light tolerance, offering a promising solution for coastal restoration efforts. The hybrid combines the shallow-water Zostera marina with its deeper-water cousin Zostera pacifica, inheriting the latter's low-light toolkit.
Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney discovered that tailored lipid supplements can significantly increase coral larvae's strength, speed, and survival rate. This innovation has major implications for reef restoration projects, which aim to improve larval supply but often face low post-settlement survival rates.
Researchers at William & Mary's Batten School and VIMS have successfully restored bay scallop populations to their former range along the Eastern Shore of Virginia, with an average density of 0.114 scallops per square meter. The population is expected to double in less than 1.5 years, potentially leading to a future recreational fishery.
A team of international marine scientists urges reform to licensing and regulation of coastal restoration projects. The authors argue outdated systems hinder progress toward ambitious global targets to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
A new multi-diversity index (MDI) developed by the University of Queensland has opened up a market for coastal wetland restoration projects. The index measures biodiversity gains in restored ecosystems, enabling landholders and communities to earn tradeable certificates with a market value.