Articles tagged with Ecology
A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Aldabra Atoll's shoreline has maintained its net shoreline and total land area over 51 years, with an average change rate of 25 cm per year. The lagoon shoreline underwent more rapid changes than the ocean shoreline, particularly in areas exposed to wind and waves.
A recent study revealed that a 2014-2016 Pacific marine heatwave wiped out over half of Alaska's common murre seabirds, marking the largest documented vertebrate die-off linked to warming oceans. The loss of 4 million birds is attributed to intense climate impacts, with no evidence of population recovery since.
A new meta-analysis reveals climate change is reshaping ecosystems and biodiversity globally, altering species distributions and interactions. Under current temperatures, 1 in 20 species will be at risk, with extinction risks escalating sharply beyond this, including 14.9% at 4.3°C
Bamboo invasion decreases mean and maximum diameter at breast height, maximum height, and total basal area of stands, while increasing stem density. The study reveals a greater allocation of biomass to height growth in bamboo, contributing to its invasive success.
New studies reveal invasive winter annuals are sensitive to changing rainfall patterns, while heat waves impact Colorado potato beetle survival. In salt marshes, mesopredators like mud crabs take over grazing control from top predators, suggesting resilience to their loss.
Coconut palms now cover over half of Pacific atolls' total forested area and 24.1% of their total land area. The widespread conversion to coconut monocrops has been linked to groundwater depletion, declining seabird populations, and adverse impacts on coral reefs.
A global analysis of 1.7 million plant community datasets reveals no positive correlation between functional and phylogenetic diversity in most ecosystems. Instead, many plots exhibit a high level of functional diversity with low phylogenetic diversity.
A University of Michigan study found that warmer temperatures decline the immune performance of wild capuchin monkeys, with younger monkeys most vulnerable. The researchers used a 'clean catch' method to collect urine samples from the monkeys, which revealed a significant decline in immune performance during periods of high temperatures.
Researchers have developed a liquid moisture adsorbent that can efficiently harvest water from the air at near ambient temperatures. The technology, which uses random copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, has the potential to provide clean drinking water in arid regions and during disasters.
Research found that plants adapted to colder temperatures have a higher rate of photoinhibition repair when exposed to cold conditions. This adaptation allows them to survive in colder regions. The study used Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes from around the world to demonstrate this phenomenon.
A University of Michigan study found that glyphosate-resistant morning glory plants are also resistant to chewing insects. The researchers discovered a positive correlation between glyphosate resistance and insect resistance, suggesting that the herbicide disrupts the co-evolution of plants and their insect herbivores.
Researchers mapped global ship traffic and whale habitats to identify 92% overlap, pinpointing high-risk areas for collisions that kill whales. Expanding management efforts to 2.6% of the ocean could significantly reduce these fatalities, aiding conservation efforts.
Research highlights knowledge gaps in plastics' effects on climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. Scientists found only a few studies addressing impacts on climate change and biodiversity, while the majority focus on environmental pollution.
A new study by Umea University researchers found that mixed forests with multiple tree species are less prone to damage from fungi, insects, and fires. The results suggest that increasing the number of tree species in production forests could reduce forest damage risk and financial losses.
A new study highlights the pressures human activities place on tropical marine ecosystems, with fishing techniques and tourism posing the greatest threat. The research provides insights into the impact of various activities on different habitats, shedding light on how to ensure sustainable management.
Researchers used stable isotope analyses to determine the nitrogen isotope ratios in the hair of four closely related civet species, revealing that faunivory was much more common than previously thought. The study suggests that varying degrees of consumption of animal sources is the key mechanism of niche partitioning among these species.
A sweeping review of global research on shellfish reefs highlights the need for more data on fish species and monitoring methods to support conservation efforts. Shellfish reefs provide critical habitat for diverse fish communities, including economically valuable species.
Piangua populations are experiencing a significant loss of genetic diversity due to intense harvesting, reducing their ability to adapt to environmental challenges. The study reveals subtle genetic variations among local populations, highlighting the need for targeted conservation strategies.
The University of Tennessee will place 5,000 East Tennesseans on the path to good jobs in the green economy over three years. The initiative focuses on underrepresented workers and addresses growing demand for skilled labor.
A long-term study has shown that reintroducing resistant mountain yellow-legged frogs to sites infested with the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus allows for landscape-scale recovery. The frogs have developed resistance to the fungus, enabling them to persist in its presence and thrive in their ecosystems.
Record-high temperatures in Svalbard and East Finnmark create conducive conditions for tree growth, exceeding the classic 10°C threshold. The growing season and average temperature criteria were met at multiple weather stations, indicating a suitable climate for forest establishment.
The study reveals that the hadal snailfish has unique metabolic adjustments to store energy, optimize energy utilization, and maintain membrane fluidity. The fish increases lipid reserves, elevates CoQ and ATPase levels, and adjusts fatty acid ratios to withstand food scarcity and high pressure.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2024 have been named, including the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State and researchers Dr. François Thomas and Dr. Helen Onyeaka.
Research articles highlight the limitations of the 'tens rule' in invasion ecology, while also showcasing the growing use of crowdsourced science in environmental reviews. Additionally, a study uses artificial intelligence to identify individual animals with high accuracy, improving conservation strategies.
A new study found that COVID-19 travel restrictions and social measures reduced seasonal influenza cases globally, but allowed certain lineages to persist in tropical regions with fewer restrictions. The spread of influenza is closely tied to social behavior and air travel, which was severely impacted by the pandemic.
A new international study found that even wind-adapted albatrosses struggle to find food during very stormy weather, highlighting the impact of climate change on these birds.
The MEMELAND project will analyze sediments and soil in lakes across Europe to reveal how medieval farming shaped today's landscapes and biodiversity. The study aims to protect northern Europe's essential biodiversity by understanding the environmental changes that occurred during this period.
Researchers found that echolocating bats create detailed mental acoustic maps of their surroundings, allowing them to navigate over several kilometers. The study also showed that bats use both echolocation and vision to improve navigation performance.
Research suggests that Indigenous population expansion and cultural burning practices led to a 50% reduction in shrub cover in southeast Australia, limiting wildfire intensity. Reintroducing these practices could curb future fires.
Researchers explored how future changes in the North Water Polynya could impact marine communities. Changes in plankton and fish populations were found to have significant effects on the entire ecosystem. Polar bear numbers are projected to halve due to declining phytoplankton and copepods.
Scientists used acoustic mapping technique to track vulnerable capelin species and observe massive predation event involving Atlantic cod. The study revealed that as climate change causes Arctic ice sheet to retreat, capelin will be more stressed and vulnerable to natural predation events.
Researchers investigated elevational patterns of seed plant beta diversity and its turnover and nestedness components in the Gyirong Valley. They found a hump-shaped pattern driven by climate variables, with taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity being lower than expected. Conservation efforts should prioritize elevations with diffe...
Researchers used 16 years of radar weather data to monitor bird migration patterns from Tasmania to northern Queensland, finding millions of birds migrate each year. The study revealed unique patterns, including variation in migration direction, timing, and intensity compared to Northern Hemisphere birds.
A new Oxford study assesses 152 animal species across various taxonomic groups, finding that more social species live longer, have longer generation times, and longer reproductive windows. Sociality's benefits outweigh its costs, with species displaying increased resilience as a group.
A comprehensive study examining over 16,000 necropsy records from 292 vertebrate species found significant differences in cancer prevalence. Cancer rates increase with body size and cellular mutation rates but decrease with longer gestation periods.
Exposure to widely used agrochemicals at sublethal concentrations disrupts insect behavior, physiology, and long-term ecological harm. This finding highlights the need for comprehensive pesticide assessments beyond lethality.
US wildfires have surged in growth rates over the last 2 decades, with fast fires accounting for 89% of structures damaged or destroyed. These rapid-growing fires present significant challenges to evacuation efforts and firefighting operations, resulting in greater loss of life and infrastructure damage.
Researchers discovered that tire-wear particle leachates induce hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathology changes in black-spotted frogs. These disruptions can lead to long-term health issues for affected organisms.
A study by University of Maine researchers found that American lobster populations are relocating to new habitats, while their numbers are dwindling in abundance. The lobsters are now favoring open spaces over rocky shelters, with a significant increase in those living without shelter at all.
Research reveals climate-driven wildfires in extratropical forests are now the leading source of global fire emissions. Extratropical regions have surpassed tropical areas in contributing to fire-related carbon emissions, highlighting the urgent need for addressing emissions and safeguarding forest carbon sinks.
A study published in eLife reveals that larger arthropods like woodlice and beetles play a crucial role in leaf litter decomposition across diverse habitats and seasons. Decomposition rates are influenced by climate, leaf quality, and decomposer abundance, with macrofauna dominating decomposition in hot, dry regions.
A genetics study suggests that bonobos have three distinct populations, each with unique genetic patterns. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these groups and ensure the species' survival.
Repeated droughts could cause Galápagos finches to change their song patterns, which might lead to the formation of new species. The study found that males didn't recognize songs from beaks grown under future drought scenarios, suggesting a pathway for ecological speciation.
The world's freshwater lakes are freezing over for shorter periods due to climate change, affecting more than a billion people worldwide. Changes in ice duration have major implications for human safety, water quality, biodiversity, and global nutrient cycles.
Understory plants in European temperate forests have shifted their ranges westward over decades, with a stronger connection to nitrogen deposition than climate change. Westward shifts were more likely than northward ones and colonized areas along the east-west axis were closely related to nitrogen and sulfur deposition rates.
A new synthesis reveals one-third of crucial animal-plant interactions are at high risk, threatening European plant populations. Conservation efforts could target these high-concern disperser relationships to preserve biodiversity.
Dragonfly species with darker wing coloration have evolved to tolerate higher temperatures, possibly a decisive advantage in a warming world. This finding could help predict which species are vulnerable to extinction and preserve biodiversity.
The study reveals the genes that enable plants to make DMSP, allowing them to thrive in salty and drought conditions. This breakthrough could improve agricultural productivity in nitrogen-poor soils, making crops more sustainable in the face of global climate change.
A team of University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineers and scientists are assessing the potential threat to human health from antimicrobial-resistant pathogens spread via wastewater and agricultural runoff. They will use field samples and modeling to determine the contributions from each source and develop a risk assessment tool.
Researchers discovered a massive number of evolutionary events in the Asteraceae family on remote islands, resulting from rapid speciation over short time periods. The findings confirm that larger, isolated islands harbor unique species and highlight the importance of protecting this diverse group of plants.
Researchers discovered a new North American parasitic worm, Ochetosoma elongatum, in native snake species in the Kanto region. The study found the parasite's route of invasion and published its findings in Parasitology International.
As stand age increases, Pinus massoniana consistently absorbs bioavailable phosphorus from the soil, reducing soil phosphorus availability. Phosphorus distribution affects various organs in four distinct forms, and resorption influences this process.
A recent Supreme Court ruling could strip federal protections from nearly all US nontidal wetlands, including 17.3-90 million acres, due to narrow interpretations of WOTUS. The ruling's impact on the environment and economy is uncertain, with potential hotspots in the Southeast and Great Plains.
High-contrast patterns on humbug damselfish bodies serve dual purpose: camouflage when stationary and motion dazzle when moving. The fish adapt their behavior based on environment, using motion dazzle to confuse predators when feeding outside coral colonies.
Researchers found that fruit bats generate a more diverse antibody response than mice but have a weaker overall response. However, bats fed a fruit-only diet had a stronger antibody response compared to those on a protein-supplemented diet.
Entomology 2024 will convene over 3,500 entomologists and experts to share latest research on insect science. The conference explores intersection of entomology with global trends, including innovation and climate change.
The British Ecological Society has announced the winners of its annual photography competition, Capturing Ecology. The competition showcases stunning images that capture the beauty and diversity of ecological systems.
A 175-year-old experiment by Carl Linnaeus shows pigs are pickiest eaters, eating 32% of plant species, while cows and horses rank lower, with goats preferring legumes and grasses. The study also reveals animals generally struggle to avoid toxic plants.
A recent study published in PLOSONE reveals that young, bred corals from the Coral Seeding approach are more resistant to bleaching under extreme heat stress. This finding provides evidence that assisted coral recruits can play a crucial role in securing the future of coral reefs.
Researchers at Binghamton University discovered that water anoles produce a special bubble over their nostrils to breathe underwater and evade predators. The study found that the bubble serves a functional role in respiration, allowing lizards to stay submerged for longer periods.