Articles tagged with Ecology
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.
A study comparing fish species in the Mississippi and Yangtze Rivers found that feeding habits and habitat preferences were key influencers of species responses to environmental conditions. The research highlights the importance of considering these factors in developing effective management strategies for large riverine ecosystems.
Scientists discovered a new parasitic relationship where sea anemones infect jellyfish through comb jellies, breaking evolutionary norms. This finding highlights the adaptability of parasites in rapidly changing marine ecosystems under climate change.
Researchers found a half-century gap between successful broods of the bigmouth buffalo, with only one successful spawn after 1971. The study highlights the importance of implementing fisheries management principles to protect this long-lived and vulnerable species.
A worldwide survey by Goethe University Frankfurt found that students in environmental studies are unaware of the main causes of biodiversity loss. The study identified eight response types with varying levels of understanding, with climate change being underestimated in many countries. The researchers suggest that this lack of knowled...
A growing global understanding of drought's impacts, but significant gaps remain in affected communities and developing countries. Long-lasting droughts heighten awareness, while economic factors influence responsiveness to the issue.
Researchers found that white-browed sparrow weavers in the Kalahari Desert build nests reflecting group-specific cultural traditions. The birds' social learning and preferences drive these architectural styles, which remain consistent even when they move between groups.
New research finds women make up 50% of post-harvest fisheries and aquaculture workforce, yet often remain invisible, unpaid or underpaid. The study calls for policy changes to address social justice dimensions of technology development.
Researchers at Boston University discovered that deep-sea rocks, called polymetallic nodules, produce oxygen through a process known as seawater electrolysis. This phenomenon creates 'dark oxygen' without sunlight, contradicting the long-held assumption that oxygen is only produced by plants and organisms with photosynthetic capabilities.
A study sequenced the genomes of nearly 300 rabbits to understand their colonization success. Researchers found that domestication-linked genes are often eliminated in feral populations due to natural selection, leading to a mix of domestic and wild origin. This helps explain how domestic animals can thrive in the wild.
A new geospatial analysis reveals that only one-third of the world's population in low- and middle-income countries has access to safe drinking water, with fecal contamination affecting almost half. The study emphasizes the need for improved water quality monitoring and infrastructure investments to address this critical human right.
A study by ETH Zurich scientists found that global warming's effects on plant recovery can last for thousands to millions of years. The research team discovered that the severity of climate shifts and the speed at which carbon is sequestered affect the duration of climate warming.
Researchers found that six clam species co-occurring in a single burrow are all yoyo clams, contradicting the competitive exclusion principle. In laboratory experiments, host-attached clams were killed by mantis shrimp, while burrow-wall clams were unaffected.
A new study found that microplastics impact plant reproduction, while seawater flooding causes greater tissue death in coastal plants. Combining both stressors amplifies threats to ecosystem wellbeing.
Researchers found that even tiny city gardens with native milkweed species attracted monarchs and caterpillars. Older, established milkweed plants were more likely to support eggs, while a variety of blooming plants provided nectar for adult monarchs.
A University of Michigan study identified key changes in bird genomes sparked by the mass extinction event, contributing to the incredible diversity of living birds. The research found shifts in nucleotide composition linked to developmental traits like body size and metabolism.
Researchers developed allometric equations to estimate above-ground biomass and carbon stock distribution among subtropical savanna components. The study found that soil holds the highest proportion of carbon, emphasizing its importance as a carbon sink in mitigating climate change.
Researchers found that green and golden bell frogs can clear the infection when exposed to warmer temperatures in artificial 'frog saunas.' The study suggests that warm-preferring species may have an advantage over cold-preferring species, offering a potential solution for conservation efforts.
The upcoming ESA2024 conference will bring together fire ecology experts to present the latest research on wildland fires. Understanding past, present, and future fire regimes is crucial for developing effective conservation and management strategies. The event will feature talks and posters on topics such as fuel breaks, long-term mon...
A new computer software package, gam.hp R package, calculates individual R² values for predictors in GAMs based on the average shared variance concept. This allows for equitable distribution of shared R² among related predictors and provides a measure of each predictor's unique and shared contribution to the model's fit.
A global study by Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology demonstrates the benefit of marine protected areas to recreational fisheries, producing more 'trophy-size' fish just outside fully protected areas. The effect is growing stronger over time, with tangible benefits materializing in decades.
Researchers found that radioactive cesium moves rapidly through the soil and decreases in fine roots of cedar trees, promoting a self-cleansing effect that can aid in forest decontamination. This phenomenon has implications for developing new forest decontamination methods.
Researchers found that fruit-eating birds eat more closely matched fruits near their geographic range edges, resulting in a narrower foraging niche. This specialization may help explain geographic variation in species' fitness and responses to environmental change.
A new study maps global ecosystems dependent on groundwater, revealing 53% exist in areas with known depletion. The analysis provides critical data for conservation efforts, but highlights the need for policy protection and preservation.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that the most threatened reef fishes receive less attention from scientists and the public due to commercial value vs. ecological importance. Small fish families like blennies and gobies are underrepresented despite their crucial role in trophodynamics.
The Ecological Society of America's Annual Meeting in Long Beach will feature symposia addressing nonmaterial ecosystem services, nature-based solutions to urban heat and stormwater runoff, conserving soil biodiversity, harnessing AI for ecology, and other topics. Media attendees can access scientific sessions, press room amenities, an...
New research reveals oyster sanctuaries contain more abundant populations of oysters and other animal life, despite the presence of parasites. The study found that these areas support higher oyster densities and habitat quality than nearby harvest sites.
A study reveals that mixed forests store more soil organic carbon than pure forests due to higher wood debris storage. However, the quality of SOC in deep soil is better than surface soil. The findings highlight the importance of mixed forest and plant debris in maintaining forest carbon sequestration.
Researchers re-analyzed historical data from a classic displacement experiment and found that young starlings migrated independently, using their own direction. Adult starlings adjusted their migratory orientation to reach their normal wintering areas, while local conspecifics influenced the route of relocated young starlings.
A recent study finds semi-natural habitats play a crucial role in conserving pollinator diversity, outpacing the impact of pesticide use. The research suggests that prioritizing habitat conservation can be more effective than reducing pesticide application in rice fields.
Scientists discovered nine new species of fossil grapes in Colombia, Panama, and Peru, spanning from 60 to 19 million years old. The oldest fossils found in the Western Hemisphere support a connection between the grape family's evolutionary journey and the mass extinction event.
Fine roots' lifespan varies across tree species, with evolutionary history playing a key role in shaping global patterns. Phylogeny, root traits, and environmental factors regulate fine root lifespan, with gymnosperms having longer lifespans than angiosperms.
Analysis of nuclear bomb testing reveals plants store more carbon, with a shorter storage duration than previously estimated. Current Earth system models underestimate carbon uptake into terrestrial vegetation and soils.
A recent study reveals that nearly 60% of ecological studies in national parks where gray wolves were extirpated overlooked the historical presence of these apex predators. This exclusion can lead to inaccurate assessments of ecosystem changes, which can have serious implications for conservation and wildlife management.
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.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered that mycoviral infections can increase the sensitivity of oomycete plant pathogens to specific fungicides. This finding could lead to innovative approaches for controlling plant diseases and reducing chemical treatments.
Kelp forests in southern Maine have collapsed due to warming, while northern regions continue to provide key ecosystem services. The study highlights regional differences in forest health and the importance of targeted management to preserve these ecosystems.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals that fish use physical punishment to promote helping behavior in their offspring, demonstrating advanced social and cognitive abilities. The research highlights the presence of punishment in animal societies, bridging a gap in understanding cooperative behavior and its mechanisms.
Researchers create special language Phenoscript to describe traits in a way that both humans and computers can understand. This allows for large-scale studies of organismal traits, boosting the emerging field of phenomics. The new language is being tested and aims to integrate semantic species descriptions with nanopublications.
A study found that nearly all US lakes were exposed to wildfire smoke for at least one day per year between 2019 and 2021. The researchers introduced a new metric, the 'lake-smoke day', to track smoke prevalence at lakes, which could help establish a baseline to better understand the extent of wildfire impacts.
Scientists from the University of East Anglia and other institutions review the climatic effectiveness of four 'nature-based' techniques using marine biological processes. They conclude that these activities cannot provide a significant contribution to carbon dioxide removal, posing risks to meaningful climate mitigation.
The Ecological Society of America honors its 2024 award recipients, including Juan Carlos Castilla for his pioneering research on marine ecology and Alan R. Berkowitz for his long-standing service to ESA and education in ecology. These awards recognize outstanding achievements across various domains.
A new method discovered by researchers has the potential to reduce agricultural nitrous oxide emissions in Europe by one-third. The solution involves growing special bacteria that can convert harmful nitrous oxide into harmless nitrogen gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new model predicts global patterns of organic decomposition in rivers, revealing rapid decomposition across areas dominated by human activities. The study highlights the importance of understanding these processes to improve carbon models and inform environmental change scenarios.
Researchers have pinpointed the cellular machinery behind zebrafish's ability to rapidly change the color of their characteristic stripes from blue to yellow when distressed. By precisely altering the orientation of light-reflecting crystals, the fish can change the color of their stripes across the entire length of their body in seconds.
A new study found that biodegradable teabags made from polylactic acid (PLA) can take years to break down in soil and cause harm to earthworms. The research highlights the need for clear disposal information on product packaging, as many manufacturers are not providing accurate guidance.
Researchers investigated the reproductive cycle of Michigan's threatened freshwater mussels, finding that pregnant females use mantle lures to attract fish and infect them with larvae. The study identified two distinct lure morphs in one mussel species, which elicit different responses from potential host fish.
Researchers have created a more stable environment for incubating eggs, increasing the probability of successful hatching from 10% to 41%. The innovative design uses moss and lichen in rocky barren landscapes, helping to combat habitat loss and degradation.
A new Australian study proves kangaroos and wallabies fear humans more than dogs, devils or wolves, with a 2.4 times higher likelihood of fleeing in response to human voices.
A UMaine graduate student's research found that small mammal personalities determine the effectiveness of pilferage in mice and voles. Deer mice were the most accomplished thieves, while individuals with lower body condition and female voles were more likely to pilfer.
Using tools improves energy intake and reduces tooth damage in sea otters by allowing access to harder prey. Female sea otters, with smaller body size and weaker biting strength, particularly benefit from tool use, increasing their foraging success.
A collection of landmark studies in statistical ecology has been published, featuring 36 papers that have provided ecologists with crucial analytical tools for gaining insight into the natural world. The development of novel analytical techniques has mirrorled the history of the field as a whole.
A new study reveals no consistent pattern between tree diversity and forest productivity at different elevations; biodiversity can increase or decrease productivity in various regions.