Articles tagged with Ecological Stability
Researchers found that forests with less than 29% biomass loss retain high biodiversity and ecological value. Above 68% removal, serious conservation is needed to maintain biodiversity.
Rensselaer researcher Kevin Rose links aquatic deoxygenation with broader Earth system stability. Global warming and pollutants disrupt biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, affecting freshwater and marine organisms. Critical thresholds of aquatic deoxygenation will impact several Planetary Boundaries.
A new study reveals the crucial roles of fish and invertebrates in coral reef health, including nutrient boosting and predator protection. However, parasitic snails and destructive crab species also pose a threat to these vital ecosystems.
Researchers from Aarhus University conclude that human hunting was responsible for the extinction of at least 161 species of large mammals over the past 50,000 years. The analysis of various research fields, including climate history and genetic estimates, suggests that human hunting was widespread and consistent across the world.
The study reveals regional differences in Amazon drought response due to local environments and tree properties. The southern Amazon, with shallow water tables, is more vulnerable to drought, while the northern region, with deeper roots and less fertile soil, is more resilient.
A study published in Global Change Biology reveals that higher biodiversity and synchrony between C3 and C4 species can increase a community's stability. Maintaining diverse plant communities with high C3 and C4 species abundance is key to enhancing stability across Mongolian grasslands.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London developed a novel analysis to explore the impact of parasite virulence and infection probability on species coexistence in a complex system. The study found that stochasticity plays a significant role in determining whether species coexist or go extinct.
A new study found that climate change has led to changes in ant species in Gregory Canyon, Colorado, with some species expanding their habitats and others becoming less widespread. The research suggests that these changes could have implications for ecosystem stability and biodiversity.
Researchers argue that human interaction with nature is more complex than previously thought, suggesting a positive effect on biodiversity. Studies of past human interactions with ecosystems reveal both negative and positive impacts, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of human influence.
Research highlights socioecologic factors contributing to racial disparities in breast cancer prognostic scores, emphasizing the impact of structural racism on health outcomes. Additional research is needed to better understand the influence of social determinants on breast cancer biology among disadvantaged communities.
A new study suggests that species diversity promotes ecosystem stability, contradicting contemporary ecological theory. The research found that sublinear growth and competitive coexistence are key factors in maintaining community interactions.
Numerical models help assess ecological impacts of climate change on lakes by simulating changes in phytoplankton composition and community stability. The study found that warming increased seasonal variability in phytoplankton, leading to reduced overall evenness and increased species loss over time.
A 8-month study on a warm-temperate grassland ecosystem found that some predators switch prey and detritivore prey contribute to network stability. These 'network coordinators' offer a measure of flexibility to the overall network architecture.
A new study reveals that human activity has altered the global freshwater cycle, resulting in a significant increase in dry and wet deviations. The research found that the frequency and spread of these exceptions have nearly doubled compared to pre-industrial conditions.
The reintroduction of sea otters to their former habitat in Central California's Elkhorn Slough has slowed erosion of creekbanks and marsh edges by up to 90%. The study, published in Nature, highlights the benefits of conservation efforts and suggests a promising tool for stabilizing ecosystems worldwide.
A new study published in Palaeontologia Electronica shows the Megalodon was more slender than earlier studies suggested, changing our understanding of its behavior and impact on ancient ocean life. The revised model suggests a longer digestive canal, potentially leading to less predation pressure on other marine creatures.
A study published in PNAS reveals that kelp forests and sandy beaches are connected through synchrony, which affects the beach food web's dynamics. The research found patterns of synchrony between kelp abundance, wave action, and beach width, highlighting the importance of kelp subsidies for shorebirds.
Researchers discovered that rising temperatures trigger katabatic winds in Himalayan glaciers, cooling the air and preserving surrounding ecosystems. The team used climate models to demonstrate this phenomenon across the Himalayan range, suggesting that some glaciers may have a chance to 'save' themselves by reacting to global warming.
Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.
Scientists found that oceanic deoxygenation played a significant role in the Triassic–Jurassic mass extinction, leading to widespread ecosystem disruption and species extinctions. The global extent of deoxygenation was surprisingly similar to today's levels.
A new study estimates that climate change and coastal land usage will result in significant shrinkage of coral habitats, tidal marshes, and mangroves. In contrast, macroalgal beds are expected to remain stable, while seagrass meadows may expand due to increased sunlight penetration.
Research suggests that diverse forests can capture approximately 226 Gigatonnes of carbon, but this potential can be achieved by incentivizing community-driven efforts to promote biodiversity. Restoration efforts should include natural diversity of species and sustainable practices.
Studies using controlled experimental-ecosystem chambers found that even low intensities of light pollution have profound effects on individual species' responses and ecological networks. Artificial light alters the timing of key behaviors in mosquito populations, which may carry wide-scale consequences for disease transmission.
A comprehensive framework for designing marine protected areas has been developed by an international team of scientists. The guidelines prioritize habitat persistence and coastal corridors to help vulnerable species such as turtles, sharks, and lobsters survive climate change. By connecting habitats fractured by human development and ...
A study published in Ecology Letters reveals that global precipitation patterns, particularly seasonal variability, shape animal diversity. The research found that certain regions with moderate precipitation levels and stable climates have the ideal ecological conditions for a diverse range of predators and herbivores.
Chinese researchers are exploring advanced porous nanomaterials and technologies to reduce radionuclide discharge into the environment. These materials possess high specific surface area, abundant pore structures, exceptional stability, and design flexibility, making them promising candidates for radionuclide removal.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the duration and severity of hydrological droughts in streams and rivers, which can persist for up to 3.5 years after drought conditions end. The study found that baseflow droughts are strongly tied to groundwater levels and can impact water management and ecosystem services.
Researchers found tropical forest ecosystems rely more on aquatic insects than temperate forests, making them vulnerable to disruptions in land-water connections. This increased reliance poses a threat to tropical environments, which are already under pressure from human activity and climate change.
Researchers suggest transforming arid ecosystems into efficient carbon-capture systems by engineering ideal combinations of plants, soil microbes, and soil type. This approach could result in significant increases in plant and soil carbon sequestration within less than ten years.
A 20-year experiment found that active replanting with diverse tree species recovers logged tropical forests faster than natural recovery. The results showed that plots with 16 native tree species recovered canopy area and total tree biomass more quickly than those with fewer species.
A research team led by the University of Göttingen has discovered fossil spines that indicate the existence of irregular echinoids in the deep sea for at least 104 million years. The study provides insights into the past, including a mass extinction event that caused smaller species to thrive and changes in spine morphology.
The recovery of gray wolf populations in the United States has been broadly successful over the past 30 years, with many regions now sporting robust populations. However, these growing populations face significant threats, including fragmented habitats, barriers to dispersal, and increased encounters with humans, pets, and livestock.
Researchers found no directional change in Arctic spring timing over the past 25 years, instead observing extreme year-to-year variation due to climate variability. This shift is attributed to fluctuating temperatures and snow cover, pushing species to their limits.
Researchers Gabriel Gellner and Kevin McCann develop an inverse approach to modeling food webs, assuming ecosystems exist and working backward to characterize web dynamics. This method, using biological constraints, succeeds in simulating large, diverse ecosystems and understanding their stability.
A recent study found that warming in Northern ecosystems leads to a massive loss of carbon in the soil, with up to 40% released into the atmosphere within years after warming. The research team also discovered that plant productivity becomes nitrogen limited under warming conditions, reducing the ecosystem's ability to store carbon.
Butterflies with smaller or lighter-colored wings, such as those in the Lycaenidae family, are likely to face greater threats from climate change. These species have poorer thermal buffering abilities, which could lead to dramatic declines if temperatures rise.
A new study uses marine fossils to infer the health and stability of coastal ecosystems, revealing consistent patterns in population declines and species extinctions. The findings provide a reliable benchmark for conservation efforts and offer insights into the impacts of human activities on marine biodiversity.
New research from the University of Manchester reveals that areas rich in marine life are significantly impacting our ecosystems and climate. The study found that urea, a nitrogen-rich compound, is being transported over long distances through the atmosphere to benefit nutrient-deficient environments.
A new biodiversity study shows that even seemingly healthy ecosystems with increasing species numbers may already be on the path to decline and loss of species. The study's findings suggest that species richness is not a reliable metric for monitoring ecosystems, as it can mask negative trends in species extinction.
A new study published by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and The Nature Conservancy found that forests with diverse species are more likely to thrive, reducing the risk of planting failure. This diversity brings benefits such as pest and disease resistance, climate change resilience, and increased wildlife habitat.
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
The study investigates toxic effects of pesticides (chlorpyrifos, acetochlor, dicofol) on S. costatum growth and chlorophyll-a content, revealing varying toxicity levels among the pesticides. Marine microalgae partially degrade pesticides, with acetochlor showing stronger persistence.
A study found that certain pteropod species in the Southern Ocean are vulnerable to climate change due to varying life cycles. The research suggests that population stability is essential for species survival and that prolonged exposure to unfavorable conditions may jeopardize future populations.
Soil archaea in a warming climate become less diverse and more predictable, according to a long-term experiment led by Jizhong Zhou. The study found that experimental warming altered the community structure of soil archaea, reducing their taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity.
A five-year field experiment found that nitrogen addition increases biomass recovery but decreases structural recovery after drought, while annual mowing improves both biomass and structural recovery. The study highlights the importance of dominant species and plant functional groups in determining grassland stability under drought.
A study published in Nature Communications found no evidence for two alternative stable states in shallow lakes, contradicting the accepted theory. The research team recommends reducing nutrient inputs to ensure ecological equilibrium.
A new study analyzing a two-decade long grassland experiment found that plant species complement each other to produce stable biomass at the community level. This 'compensatory' effect is more pronounced in diverse communities, which also show increased stability and resilience over time.
A recent study found that human-caused mortality triggers instability in wolf packs in national parks, decreasing the chance of pack persistence and reproduction. Wolves living outside park boundaries are at a higher risk of being killed by humans, with poaching being the most common cause of death.
A new study reveals that fishes in the deep ocean are likely to decrease in size with climate warming, which could have significant ecological effects. Researchers analyzed ancient fish otoliths to track changes in body size over glacial and interglacial periods.
A team of researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has discovered that certain microorganisms, such as Halteria, can eat high numbers of chloroviruses, which are known to infect green algae. This finding suggests that virovory, a virus-only diet, can support physiological growth and even population growth in an organism.
A rare fossil discovery provides new insights into the diet of Microraptor, a bird-like dinosaur with four wings. The find suggests that Microraptor was an opportunistic predator feeding on various species, including fish, birds, lizards, and small mammals.
A new study developed two approaches to assess species vulnerability, considering natural fluctuations and predictability in ecosystems. These methods outperform traditional ranking systems, which often focus on population size or body size.
A new paper highlights the crucial role insects play in ecosystems, including pollination, food sources, and mental health benefits. The authors advocate for a shift in public perception of insects, citing government inaction on biodiversity policy, and outline strategic priorities to support insect conservation.
Ancient tree conservation is crucial for maintaining ecosystem integrity and mitigating climate change. The researchers propose a two-pronged approach to protect these trees, including germplasm conservation and forest rewilding.
A 16-year-long study by Indian Institute of Science researchers found that large mammalian herbivores like yak and ibex stabilize soil carbon levels, which is crucial for offsetting climate change effects. The study showed that grazing animals reduce fluctuations in soil carbon, ensuring its persistence.
Researchers study links between cyclones and forest fires, finding that cyclones can create conditions ripe for fires by damaging trees and altering microclimates. As climate change increases cyclone intensity, the risk of wildfires in previously fire-resistant ecosystems like rainforests grows.
Researchers have developed a phase diagram that predicts ecosystem stability based on the number of species and interaction strength. The study shows three states of ecological communities, with conditions for moving between them, allowing for the prediction of instability and fluctuations in populations. This work builds on previous f...
Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology design a novel approach to create durable organic semiconductor photocathodes, enabling high-efficiency conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The developed photocathodes demonstrate remarkable stability and can produce hydrogen under actual sunlight.
A 12,000-year analysis of El Niño's impact on animal communities reveals a tipping point where five or more major events per century lead to dramatic changes in eastern Pacific ecosystems. This finding suggests that strong El Niño events will play an increasingly important role in shaping future ecosystems.
A Rutgers-led study finds that biodiversity of the bee population is crucial for maintaining stable pollination services over a growing season and years. The research suggests that different bee species pollinate the same plants at different times and dominate pollinators on specific types of plants in different years.