Articles tagged with Ecological Stability
A study reveals that over 50% of mammal food web links have disappeared due to animal declines, leading to a collapse of global ecosystems. Restoring extinct species to their historic ranges holds great potential to reverse these declines and restore food web complexity.
A new study found that North American mammal communities have become more than twice as homogenous as they were 10,000 years ago, primarily due to early human hunting and farming activities. The accelerated homogenization is likely linked to the spate of large-mammal extinctions, which increased similarity among remaining species.
Scientists analyzed over 30% of populations in an ecological database and found evidence of chaotic dynamics, contradicting previous findings. The research suggests that intrinsic limits exist to ecological forecasting and caution against equilibrium-based approaches for conservation and management, particularly for short-lived species.
Research from the University of Georgia shows that monarch populations have remained relatively stable over the past 25 years due to summer breeding growth. The study suggests that population growth during the summer compensates for losses due to migration, winter weather, and environmental factors.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.
A study has discovered that humans are disrupting a fundamental pattern in ecosystems, which dates back at least 66 million years. The U-shaped relationship between diet and size in modern land mammals has been found to span across multiple vertebrate groups, including birds, reptiles, and fish.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
A team of researchers discovered that a single gene, AOP2, plays a critical role in maintaining species diversity in an ecosystem. The study found that mutations at this gene can dramatically alter the structure and function of an ecosystem.
A new study estimates that there are approximately 73,300 tree species on Earth, with 9,000 yet to be discovered. The majority of these unknown species are rare and endemic to specific regions, particularly South America.
Researchers found animal-dispersed plant species' ability to adapt to climate change reduced by 60% due to bird and mammal losses. Global seed dispersal mapping revealed severe declines in temperate regions, with tropical areas at high risk if endangered species go extinct.
Researchers sequenced ancient DNA to understand lion and bear movement between continents. The study found that warm temperatures before the last Ice Age may have caused a change in plant abundance, affecting herbivores and predators.
Researchers at West Virginia University aim to develop more precise predictions about the role of individual soil microorganisms in the carbon cycle. They will use stable isotope probing to track carbon uptake and characterize the function of microbes in their natural communities.
Research found that forests with diverse tree species exhibit higher growth stability and biomass production under fluctuating climate conditions. This is due to the diversity of species characteristics, such as asynchrony in growth patterns and drought-tolerance strategies, which counterbalance negative impacts of extreme weather events.
Polarization in politics and social networks is a complex system that undermines cooperation and diversity, threatening democracy's resilience. The studies examine how polarization arises from individual actions and interactions, leading to a loss of diverse perspectives and solutions.
Researchers used mathematical models to reconstruct evolutionary history of photosymbiosis in Scleractinia, identifying groups where association is stable and others that may be more flexible. The study found that certain lineages are more likely to retain the reef-building trait in a changing climate.
Satellite images reveal a substantial increase in saltmarsh area and stable trends of tidal flat areas after 2012, driven by decreased anthropogenic activities and increased conservation and restoration efforts. Conservation efforts have positively impacted China's coastal wetlands, mitigating the loss of these important ecosystems.
Researchers found dinosaur families evolving and expanding until 76 million years ago, when rates of extinction rose and new species formation slowed down. The team used Bayesian modelling techniques to account for uncertainties and found evidence of decline prior to the asteroid impact.
A new study reveals that juvenile-adult differences shield ecological communities from collapse. The research shows that variations within species are crucial for community stability, leading to the stabilization of ecosystems. Differences in size and growth rates between juveniles and adults contribute to these effects.
Climate change affects soil microbial community diversity, structure, and activities. A new study found that warming enhances microbial network complexity and stability, supporting the central ecological belief that complexity begets stability.
Research by Ashley Larsen and Frederik Noack found that less diverse croplands lead to greater variability in pesticide use, while more diverse landscapes reduce pesticide application. The study suggests strategies for increasing food production while minimizing environmental impact.
Research reveals Cape Floristic Region in South Africa is rich in plant species due to long period of ecological stability, contradicting theory that high productivity is required for high diversity. The study emphasizes the need for protection and conservation in extraordinary places threatened by climate change.
A new study of North American birds found that regional ecosystem stability over time depends on both the total number of species present in a locality and on the variation in species identities among localities. The researchers used 20 years of observational data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey to test this hypothesis.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute found a correlation between the stability of giant kelp and understory seaweed and seafloor invertebrates, leading to higher biodiversity. The study suggests that robust kelp increases species diversity, promoting ecosystem stability.
Researchers found that typhoons and eutrophic surface sea waters may be significant sources of dissolved organic nitrogen (ON) in wet deposition. Approximately one-third of total ON wet deposition was attributed to the co-occurrence of intense events like typhoons and strong rainfall.
A new study published by the Moskalev Lab has revealed how overexpressing the pro-longevity gene Gclc in Drosophila melanogaster leads to life extension and changes in the thorax's transcriptome, including genes involved in metabolism, immune system, and circadian rhythmicity.
A new study examined ancient ecosystems to understand what drives stability, finding that functional groupings are more important than the sheer number of species present. The team also found that ancient ecosystems were more stable than simulated systems, suggesting a strong imprint on history of how ecosystems are built over time.
Researchers found that high biodiversity increases individual stability components, but at a cost: biomass production fluctuates more with diverse species. Non-linear connections between diversity and stability highlight the need for nuanced management strategies.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that branching complexity of rivers, rather than ecosystem size, contributes to regional population stability in nature. This challenges current theories and highlights the importance of environmental diversity in maintaining stable populations.
Researchers created a mathematical model to understand microbial community stability, diversity, and reproducibility. They found that cross-feeding processes and nutrient consumption levels contribute to the emergence of multiple levels of consumption, promoting higher diversity and stability.
A study spanning twelve years reveals that natural ecological communities are dynamic and influenced by species diversity and interactions. The researchers developed a method to calculate the fluctuating stability of a natural ecological community in Maizuru Bay, providing new methodologies for ecological and population research.
A new study reveals that extreme marine conditions can significantly alter food chain dynamics in the California Current ecosystem. Dolphin diets suggest shorter food chains due to changes in prey availability and nitrogen cycling, potentially threatening ecosystem resilience.
A new study finds that policy makers have little idea what ecological terms mean, leading to confusion and ineffective policies. The researchers propose a framework to clarify these terms and promote better communication between scientists and policymakers.
A six-year study of over 2,600 species revealed that temporal fluctuations across species are more important than diversity for maintaining ecosystem stability. Asynchronous species development strengthens the interplay between animals and plants.
The NSF's Opportunities for Promoting Understanding through Synthesis (OPUS) program has awarded $1.5 million in new grants to researchers exploring complex topics like the Amazon ecosystem and mosquito diseases. These projects integrate insights from multiple studies to foster new knowledge and research directions.
A new study explores how ancient South African ecosystems responded to the 'big 5' mass extinction, revealing that species with important roles in food webs were most vulnerable to extinction. The research highlights the critical importance of understanding food webs in predicting community stability during times of great change.
A University of Minnesota study found that reducing biodiversity in grasslands leads to reduced ecosystem stability, while other factors have no impact. The research emphasizes the importance of preserving biodiversity to maintain ecosystem health and services.
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.
A new study explores how biodiversity is developed and maintained, challenging a long-held theory on ecological niches. Researchers found that species can co-exist by reacting differently to resource fluctuations, but this mechanism may not be evolutionarily stable.
A new study reveals that fertilization of natural grasslands disrupts ecosystem stability, reducing diversity and plant growth. The researchers used the Nutrient Network to collect data from 41 sites across five continents, finding a significant impact of fertilizer on ecosystems.
Scientists have created a vulnerability map to help governments and organizations invest in protected area establishment and restoration efforts in the most vulnerable regions. The map assesses ecosystems' intactness and stability under future climate change predictions, identifying southern Asia, Europe, and Australia as high-risk areas.
A new study reveals that the Devonian clam fauna experienced fluctuations in species abundance, but its ecological stability remained intact. The research suggests that factors like predation pressure and food web dynamics played a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem's stability.
A 10-year study found that diverse ecosystems are less likely to collapse after disturbances like climate change or pest invasion. Researchers suggest encouraging more types of plants in fields and woods to mitigate ecosystem damage.
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.
Scientists have found that predator/prey relationships are crucial for maintaining stability and diversity in complex ecosystems, contradicting earlier modeling results. The research provides a new framework for understanding ecosystem responses to environmental change.
Researchers Stefano Allesina and Si Tang refined Robert May's 1972 formula to incorporate predator-prey relationships, allowing for greater ecosystem diversity. The new model predicts that large ecosystems can support an infinite number of species through complex interactions.
A new report proposes science-based strategies to monitor and set limits for air pollution, aiming to protect and restore U.S. ecosystem health. The authors review current pollution evaluation criteria and propose critical loads of pollutants to design policy and manage ecosystems.
A new study by ecologists at Rice University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, challenges standard assumptions about biodiversity loss on ecosystems. The research suggests that changing dietary needs within species have important implications for ecosystem health, making natural ecosystems less stable than previously tho...
Spanish scientists have identified three new species of lichens in the Iberian Peninsula, including one previously unknown to science. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting areas with stable ecological conditions, which may serve as indicators of climate change.
Researchers have identified fundamental rules that determine food-web stability, with diverse predator-prey links enhancing stability in high and intermediate trophic levels. Small ecosystems follow different rules than large ones, with strong interactions between species stabilizing smaller webs, but destabilizing larger ones.
A team of researchers from Bristol University and Saratov University in Russia analyzed 675 specimens of amphibians and reptiles from 289 areas spanning 13 geological time zones. The study found a profound loss of animal groups and ecosystems, with many species still absent after 15 million years of recovery.
The Ecological Society of America has released three new publications on biodiversity, biotic invasions, and forest management. The reports provide insights into how changes in ecosystems affect productivity, stability, and environmental damage. The ESA also offers expert advice for managing U.S. National Forests sustainably.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison propose a new approach to understanding ecosystem health by focusing on an organism's ability to withstand environmental stress. The study suggests that competition among species is less important than biodiversity as an insurance policy against unknown environmental fluctuations.
The introduction of non-native smallmouth and rock bass into Canadian lakes has profound effects on native fish populations, particularly lake trout. The study uses stable isotope techniques to quantify the food-web consequences of recent invasions, revealing a dramatic impact on ecosystem functioning.
The new edition explores the survival strategies of desert shrubs in resource islands, which support microclimate and soil health. Exotic plant species also invade areas of high native diversity, challenging traditional ecological theories.
Researchers are investigating how climate change affects plant community composition, whole-ecosystem carbon exchange, and energy balance in northern peatlands. The goal is to determine the mechanisms of biotic control over temperature and its impact on ecosystem processes.