Articles tagged with Ecology
A study by University of Basel researchers found that farming in Switzerland increased plant diversity over the past 7000 years. However, this trend reversed with modern agriculture's emphasis on efficiency and uniformity. The data suggests that altering farming practices could reverse declining biodiversity.
A new study found that Europe's local plant communities have experienced an increase in overall species numbers over the past century. However, this growth is primarily driven by generalist and non-native species that outcompete native species for resources.
A new study from Yokohama National University reveals that the order of species loss impacts grassland stability more than the total number of species lost. The researchers found that different species-loss sequences alter the processes supporting community stability, including functional diversity and compensatory dynamics.
A new study reveals that biochar increases soil organic carbon more efficiently than straw by guiding microbes towards stable carbon formation. Biochar promotes a slower but more stable carbon pathway, reducing native soil carbon mineralization.
A new study found that Pygmy Falcons require less than 1 km² to raise their young, contrary to long-held assumptions. The birds operate within a small breeding home range and coexist with Sociable Weavers in communal nests. This research provides a crucial baseline for understanding the spatial requirements of small raptors.
Researchers used an egg shuffle experiment to study the pied flycatcher's non-breeding areas. The results show that both genetic inheritance and hatching environment play a role in determining these areas.
The ESA Annual Meeting 2026 features presentations on AI in ecology for analyzing large datasets, predicting invasive species spread, and improving food security monitoring. The meeting aims to accelerate discovery and effective application of AI tools in ecological research and conservation.
Researchers tracked pied flycatchers from eight countries and found that genes and environment influence their migration routes. The study suggests that the birds' wintering locations are determined by a mixture of inheritance and natal environment.
Researchers have identified a potential pathway for the coordinated cell death of harmful algae, driven by iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation. This process not only kills individual algal cells but also releases active lipid peroxides that kill off neighboring cells, leading to the rapid collapse of an entire bloom.
Researchers at Linköping University found that old oak trees and semi-natural grasslands are crucial habitats for many species. The study identified thresholds for habitat size needed to support species survival, providing conservationists with concrete data to prioritize cost-effective interventions.
Researchers propose that natural hallucinogens evolved to serve ecological functions such as defense, communication, and stress response. By modulating serotonin signaling pathways, these compounds can influence behavior in other species.
A study published in Freshwater Biology warns that rising temperatures and droughts can harm the ecological balance of rivers, where aquatic fungi play a key role. However, research suggests that these microorganisms are more resilient to human impacts than expected, with sediments providing stable conditions for microbial activity.
A new global study reveals a strong link between decreasing local prevalence of species and higher global extinction risk, using the comprehensive BioTIME database. The analysis found that complex links exist between local temporal trends and extinction risk categories, highlighting the importance of assemblage-level monitoring in cons...
A new review of interspecies cooperation reveals that animals use cues and signals to work together for mutual benefit. The study found commonalities in these interactions across various species, including fish, dolphins, birds, and butterflies. Researchers highlight the importance of communication in these unique team-based behaviors.
A genomic study reveals Hong Kong's introduced population of Yellow-crested Cockatoos retains surprisingly high genetic diversity, potentially aiding global conservation efforts. Researchers installed artificial nest boxes to monitor breeding behavior and provide safe havens for the urban population.
Research reveals that leaving deadwood in forests and creating artificial gaps can increase the diversity of bats and birds, with some species responding strongly to these changes. The study found that forest interventions can promote biodiversity even in previously monotonous ecosystems.
A new study found that soil fungi play a key role in supporting carbon retention and improving fertility in nutrient-poor urban soils. Biochar and compost increased soil carbon and nitrogen storage most strongly in these soils, with amendment effects up to 14.4 times greater than those observed in nutrient-rich soils.
A new study suggests that environmental factors can influence which bird songs are passed down through generations. Common song types, with higher frequencies and broader frequency bandwidths, traveled more effectively through the environment than rare songs. This makes it easier for young birds to hear and learn these songs, potential...
New research finds that conserving forest cover across coffee growing landscapes is essential for sustaining diverse bird communities, even more than farm-level shade tree management. Forest cover within a 2-kilometer radius positively predicted bird habitat-use across all ecological guilds, including species of conservation concern.
Research reveals that dead foundation species continue to influence ecosystems through their physical remains, promoting recovery in some cases and hindering it in others. This understanding can help manage and restore ecosystems, reducing the need for expensive interventions.
The Ecological Society of America publishes groundbreaking studies on the rights of nature, highlighting widespread support for conservation. Research also reveals owls' role in controlling rodent populations, while clownfish reveal the importance of partner relationships in shaping biodiversity.
Researchers found four new species of coralline algae forming rhodoliths, which contribute to long-term carbon storage in marine sediments. The discovery highlights the diversity of algal communities at different depths within the same marine area.
Researchers found that rewetted peatland solar parks in Northern Germany support threatened bird species and exhibit an unusual mix of species, providing a unique habitat for biodiversity. The study suggests that this novel land use can be a valuable tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring peatland ecosystems.
A three-year study reveals coral hormone cycles similar to humans', helping detect reproductive stress and informing reef conservation. Hormone levels were found to be influenced by sunlight, not heat, and distributed evenly throughout colonies.
Researchers from Frontiers, a multidisciplinary team, spent years searching for the tallest tree in Taiwan after discovering an estimated 5,000 different species thrive on the island. They used LiDAR technology and citizen scientists to identify the 'Heaven Sword,' a 84.1-meter-tall Taiwania fir, as East Asia's tallest tree.
Researchers identified tens of millions of small wetlands globally and found they produce a significant impact on methane emissions. Small wetlands have been difficult to detect due to their size, but high-resolution satellite imagery has revealed their substantial contribution to the world's total non-forested wetland emissions.
Mangrove forests worldwide are no longer in net decline and are now growing overall, driven by natural regeneration and expansion. The research highlights a more hopeful trajectory for these ecosystems, which play a critical role in protecting coastlines and storing climate-warming carbon.
Bumble bees have demonstrated spontaneous problem-solving by positioning a ball under a fake flower to reach a reward. The study shows that they can adapt to challenges without explicit training or trial-and-error decision-making.
Researchers from Finland discover that bumble bees can solve novel problems by combining objects in new ways, similar to the famous 'box-and-banana' experiment with chimpanzees. The bees were not trained and had no prior experience with the solution.
Researchers found that octopuses can use mirrors to find food out of sight, displaying spatial cognitive abilities. The study shows that octopuses traveled to the correct side approximately 73% of the time when searching for a reward.
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.
A new study suggests that balancing wetland conservation with economic development is possible through a locally adjusted policy featuring both tradeable offsets and taxes. The study estimates that this approach would retain two-thirds of private gains from trade while preventing about $1.6 billion in flood damage.
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have developed a new framework to understand how marine microbes grow, compete, and recycle carbon around the globe. The study identifies eight metabolic groups that help explain how microbial communities vary across the ocean.
A new study found Turkey Vulture populations increasing by almost 300% over 25 years, with delayed migration departure dates. This could be linked to climate change, which researchers hope will inspire further investigation.
A new web tool, FishCast, helps forecast drought impacts on trout populations and support fisheries and water management in Montana's blue-ribbon rivers. The tool integrates weather information, historic trout population data, and streamflow records to predict drought risk and trout population trends.
A recent study revealed that the bacterial pathogen Flavobacterium columnare remodels its epigenetic landscape during prolonged starvation, rather than altering its DNA sequence. This finding suggests a novel survival strategy for the bacterium and could have direct implications for aquaculture disease control.
Researchers found that Ohio wall lizards' rapid population growth and adaptation to their new environment, with similar climate and habitat, contributed to their success. The study suggests that ecology plays a more significant role in the lizards' invasion than genetic factors initially thought.
A study reveals that the Arctic Ocean's chemical makeup is disrupting its food chain due to a sharp decline in nitrate levels, vital for plankton growth. The nutrient's removal limits life support for the ecosystem, with far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems and carbon storage.
A recent study by Rothamsted Research found that plant species determine the beneficial functions provided by root-associated microbes, regardless of soil type. The research used soil from nine UK locations to cultivate six key arable crops and discovered consistent patterns of microbial selection across different soils and locations.
The Pennsylvania live camera is the third installment in Project RattleCam's livestreams, allowing viewers to observe timber rattlesnakes around the clock. The camera features night-vision capabilities and captures the activities of snakes and other creatures that enter the frame after dark.
A recent study found that homing pigeons use simple route averaging to improve their navigation when flying together. This strategy allows the birds to generate social routes from solitary ones, providing evidence for a simpler mechanism of social learning than previously thought.
A recent study led by UCL researchers found that cooperative societies of tropical paper wasps can survive fierce leadership battles due to individual wasps that pick up the slack. These compensators avoid conflict and increase their investment in essential tasks like foraging and brood care, maintaining societal function.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that drought conditions in the Southwest have reduced the suitable habitat for herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores by at least 10%. The analysis of 12 years of data from GPS collars on mule deer, black bears, and cougars showed that drought is negatively impacting life across Utah a...
A newly-discovered blue octopus from the Galapagos Islands has been identified as Microeledone galapagensis, and its unique features were revealed through micro CT scans. The species is the first new octopus species led by curator emerita Janet Voight in her four-decade career.
Researchers analyzed the feather coloration of 28 museum specimens using a full-spectrum camera and visual modeling. The study found that crows lack UV-reflective patches but display subtle changes in hue that indicate age, particularly after the age of 3.
A large-scale study reveals that human presence is a major ecological force shaping wildlife behavior, with 65% of species affected by direct human activity. This has significant implications for conservation efforts, as it highlights the need to consider the impact of human presence on wildlife habitats and interactions.
A study analyzed over 300,000 citizen science observations to identify patterns influencing participation rates. Regional data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office was combined with citizen science data to examine the relationship between socio-economic and environmental factors on observation density.
A new study by University of East London researchers aims to gather data on microplastic contamination across the Thames, combining new sampling with existing datasets. The findings could inform discussions around wastewater management, river protection, and plastic pollution policy.
Research found that Western honey bees and myrtle rust fungus have formed an invasional mutualism, where the fungus is nutritious for bees. The fungus remains viable in beehives for over a week, potentially spreading human-assisted to other areas.
Research finds Gentoo penguins in Argentina adjusting their breeding schedule to avoid extreme heat events, minimizing mortality. The study, published in PLOS One, reveals a positive adaptation to climate change.
Researchers found medaka in semi-natural conditions ovulated 3.5 hours earlier than those in laboratory settings due to environmental differences in light and water temperature fluctuations. This study highlights the need to consider these factors when interpreting model organism research.
Scientists have documented humpback whales travelling over 14,000km between their breeding grounds in eastern Australia and Brazil, setting new records for the greatest distances ever confirmed. The findings highlight the value of citizen science and suggest climate-driven changes may be making such crossings more likely.
An observational study published in Frontiers in Marine Science revealed that Guadalupe fur seals are experiencing significant hair loss due to an alopecia syndrome. The study highlights the need for urgent action to address early mortality and human impact on these vulnerable marine mammals
Researchers in Brazil's Cerrado biome found that reducing stream sampling from 11 to 6 transects maintained reliable classification of streams as least-disturbed, moderately disturbed, or severely disturbed. The study suggests a streamlined approach can reduce field time and processing costs while preserving ecological indicators.
Research finds that feeding on non-native plants during larval stage influences adult wing coloration and reproductive behavior in Fischer's Blue butterflies. Native plant hosts appear more yellowish and have lower ultraviolet reflectance, attracting more mates.
A new study reveals that more than half of critical underground fungal species are less protected in conservation areas. These mycorrhizal fungi form networks that help plants absorb nutrients, making ecosystems more resilient to stress and climate change.
A new study suggests integrating indigenous and local management practices into scientific and political frameworks could improve biodiversity protection. The research identifies 343 reports of management practices targeting key cultural species, highlighting the importance of custodianship in biodiversity conservation.
Researchers propose a method to measure urban vibrancy by analyzing biodiversity and activity categories. The framework applies ecological concepts to urban planning, highlighting the importance of balancing activities in neighborhoods.
Researchers have published a new checklist of 924 diatom taxa alongside a curated dataset of 11,469 records in the open-access journal Biodiversity Data Journal, providing a long-needed foundation for environmental monitoring across the region. This dataset directly answers a key recommendation from the UN Plankton Manifesto and will s...
Researchers observed a whale skeleton over 15 years and found that it supported a sulphophilic community on the seafloor. This community persisted for more than 20 years, demonstrating the long-term importance of whalefalls in deep-sea ecosystems.