Articles tagged with Ecology
The Save Our Seas Foundation's World of Sharks website now features interactive 3D models of white sharks and manta rays, enabling users to explore shark physiology and evolution in an engaging way. The 3D models are open-access and free to view and download for non-profit use.
A study investigates the impact of industrial sludge on zebrafish development, revealing concentration-dependent mortality, decreased hatchability, and disrupted thyroid hormone levels. The findings highlight the need for biomonitoring endpoints to predict and assess PAH pollution in Bohai Bay.
Researchers found that most US forests have the potential to adapt to hotter, dryer conditions, but are not changing quickly enough. The study suggests that biodiversity can buffer the impact of climate change on forests.
Research reveals that 176 bird species globally incorporate man-made materials into their nests, providing potential benefits such as structural support and insulation. However, these materials can also harm birds through entanglement, ingestion, or attracting predators.
A study analyzing over 20,000 terrestrial vertebrates found that precipitation tolerance and dispersal ability influenced species movement across Wallace's Line. Species from dry Australian regions were less able to cross into Asia, while tropical forests allowed more species to move eastward.
A new study reveals that climate warming impacts on autumn leaf senescence vary by season. Early-season warming delays leaf senescence by 2 days per degree Celsius, while late-season warming accelerates it by ~2.5 days. These findings highlight the need for improved models of plant development under climate change.
Researchers have found that industrial sources of nitrous oxide emissions can be readily abated with existing technology. The study suggests that low-cost technologies already exist to reduce nitrous oxide emissions to nearly zero, providing a double benefit for the environment and humanity by also protecting the ozone layer.
A new study found that birds produce fewer young if they start breeding too early or late in the season, with climate change resulting in earlier springlike weather. The researchers report that birds have been unable to keep pace with the changes, leading to a mismatch between the start of spring and birds' readiness to reproduce.
Researchers developed models to schedule flow releases from a California reservoir, finding that pulse flows could benefit salmon while maximizing electricity generation. The study identified optimal flow regimes that aligned economic and salmon objectives during early summer, but diverged in mid-winter.
A study by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology found that great tits are struggling to adapt their breeding timing to cope with climate change, leading to a decline in population numbers. The researchers used innovative methods to speed up evolution and predict the impact of climate change on natural selection.
A recent study by the University of Bologna reveals that the EU is far from meeting its goal of protecting 10% of its land area for biodiversity. The study found that many countries have inadequate protection in place, with some having very few protected areas and others failing to implement integral protection in national parks. To ac...
A study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduates found that drought can lower survival odds, slow growth, and even skew the ratio of female-to-male painted turtles. The team discovered a 7% decrease in female survival and a 10% decrease in male survival rates during drought periods.
A lack of measurement of plant traits across the Global South poses a threat to understanding and protecting tropical forests from climate change. By integrating regional and global data, researchers aim to fill the knowledge gap and create open-source resources for documenting biodiversity.
Researchers analyzed scientific literature from 1990 to 2021 and found that environmental pollution through chemicals is less studied than other causes of global biodiversity loss. The team calls for a stronger interdisciplinary focus to better understand and mitigate chemical impacts on biodiversity.
Researchers estimate that gray whales off the Oregon Coast consume millions of microparticles per day, primarily from zooplankton and fish. The study suggests that these high loads of microfibers may be affecting the health and behavior of the whales, with potential consequences for their populations.
Researchers found that combining vermiculite with submerged plants reduces phosphorus levels and improves sediment oxygen circulation. The study also showed increased beneficial microorganisms and enhanced sediment permeability.
Researchers confirm Bachman's warbler as a distinct species by sequencing its genome from museum specimens. The study reveals a new candidate gene involved in feather pigmentation in the group. Comparing the genomes of the extinct warbler with living sister species highlights the crucial role of museum collections in science.
A global analysis of pollinator decline in cities reveals that butterflies are most affected, with shrinking habitats and food availability causing populations to drop. Meanwhile, certain groups of wild bees, such as those nesting above ground, remain less impacted by urbanization.
The presence of large herbivores like caribou and musk oxen slowed Arctic tundra diversity losses, contrary to declining sea ice. Herbivore exclusion led to faster biodiversity declines, while warming conditions with grazing allowed for slower losses.
A new University of Michigan-led study estimates that Caribbean seagrass meadows provide approximately $255 billion in annual ecosystem services, including vast carbon storage. The study highlights the importance of conserving these threatened ecosystems, which are critical allies in the fight against climate change.
A study analyzed 50,000 scientific publications on climate change and found that media coverage often focuses on large-scale projections and threats, rather than solutions. This selective approach can lead to public disengagement and denial, emphasizing the need for a more transdisciplinary and solution-focused approach in media coverage.
The new VOLT Center aims to understand the interactions between organisms, environment, and atmosphere regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which influence global climate. Researchers will study the production, consumption, and effects of VOCs from various organisms, including bacteria, plankton, and plants.
Researchers have developed a battery-free GPS tracker that harnesses kinetic energy from an animal's movements, allowing for longer-term tracking. The 'KineFox' device has been tested on several species, including horses and dogs, and shows promise for monitoring endangered species.
A massive global study found five common shark species declined 60-73%, as overfishing removed sharks and prey, shifting reef communities towards ray dominance.
Researchers develop new approach to quantify respiration and its temperature sensitivity in terrestrial ecosystems. Their findings suggest lower temperature sensitivities than previously thought, but caution that natural components alone cannot mitigate climate change.
Researchers highlight the importance of human observation of storm events to understand wet weather's impact on the natural world. Direct observation can enhance understanding, incite curiosity, and strengthen bonds with nature, enriching environmental education and inspiring research.
Researchers found that bumblebees use both vision and smell to navigate, with scent marks playing a crucial role in pinpointing the nest entrance in visually ambiguous situations. In experiments, bumblebees overwhelmingly focused on locations suggested by scent marks when visual landmarks were conflicting.
Research by the University of Sussex reveals that white light makes it harder for male common glow-worms to find glowing females, potentially disastrous consequences for global glow-worm populations. Male glow-worms spend more time in the bottom part of the maze without moving towards a female when dazzled by white light.
ASU's new collaboration, ʻĀkoʻakoʻa, aims to restore coral reef vitality and coastal sustainability through a partnership between scientists and local communities in Hawaiʻi. The initiative focuses on West Hawaiʻi island, where 120 miles of reef harbor diverse human and coral conditions.
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 from Chalmers University of Technology reveals that the marine environment is at risk due to ship emissions, particularly from scrubber discharge water and antifouling paint. The cumulative environmental risk in ports was found to be five and thirteen times higher than acceptable limits.
A new study using coupled field observations and phytoclimatic modeling shows that climate is the dominant influence on African forest and savanna ecosystems. The findings suggest that spatial variation in climate can predict the occurrence of these ecosystems at both large and fine scales, challenging traditional views.
African large mammals' size and abundance have declined over the past 10 million years, with earlier communities having more large individuals. The decline is linked to environmental factors such as decreasing global temperatures and tropical grasslands expansion.
A new study found that COVID-19 lockdowns led to a 73% increase in mammal travel distance in areas with stricter policies, while short-distance movements decreased. Animals traveled closer to roadways and were less fearful of human presence in populated regions.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists conducted a comprehensive study to understand the sources and sinks of plastic debris in the Southern North Sea. Local citizen scientists played a crucial role in tracking the distribution pathways of plastic particles, revealing that two-thirds were washed ashore within 25km of their release site.
Researchers found that shorter-legged lizards on tiny Bahamian islands reduced web spider populations by 41% and promoted plant growth, while longer-legged lizards had the opposite effect. This study demonstrates a two-way street in which evolutionary changes shape ecological interactions.
As Arctic warms, female arctic ground squirrels emerge from hibernation 10 days before males, disrupting reproductive rates and altering mortality rates. This phenological mismatch could have large ecological impacts on Arctic food webs.
Soil microbiota from stressful environments can enhance tree tolerance to drought, heat, and cold. Diverse microbial communities promote plant resistance to climate stress through various mechanisms.
Coral cells use a molecule called LePin to mark friendly algae for ingestion, a mutually beneficial relationship that helps corals survive. This discovery could inform strategies to prevent coral bleaching and promote coral resilience.
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.
A study in Washington state found that when wolves and cougars moved into an area, coyotes and bobcats shifted their movements into regions with higher levels of human activity. However, it was humans who finished off the smaller predators, with over half of the coyotes killed by people during the study period.
A new study finds that smaller predators move into human-dominated areas to avoid large carnivores, but face higher mortality rates from human activities. This phenomenon, known as the 'human shield' effect, poses an ecological trap for mesopredators.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that Joro spiders, despite their intimidating appearance, are gentle giants, mean no harm to people or pets. They remain immobile for over an hour after a disturbance, unlike other spider species that resume normal activities within a minute and a half.
Researchers developed a new hydrogel material with a Janus structure, combining ultra-lightweight and super-hydrophobic properties for efficient solar desalination. The material exhibits enhanced salt resistance and high mechanical strength.
A new guide has been created to standardize fossil pollen datasets, enabling researchers to compile and analyze large-scale syntheses of palaeoecological data. The FOSSILPOL workflow and R-package provide a step-by-step process for handling data preparation, ensuring good data quality and minimizing erroneous interpretations.
Researchers developed an AI-powered tool to identify and measure coral reef halos globally, providing a new method for monitoring ecosystem health. The tool enables efficient tracking of reef ecosystems' function at large scales, improving understanding and management of coral reefs.
Researchers discovered that scalloped hammerhead sharks close their gill slits during deep dives to prevent heat loss and keep warm. This unique behavior allows them to hunt effectively in cold water depths.
A unique analysis of 205 fossil pollen records provides insights into past ecosystem dynamics in Asia during the Holocene. The study finds that vegetation change has been generally heterogeneous across space and time, but has become more homogeneous due to human activity.
Researchers found that wolf spider species in Nebraska exhibited similar diets, with many eating the same types of prey. This suggests a complex food web where predators are not just competing for resources, but also engaging in cannibalism to regulate their populations and stabilize the ecosystem.
A new study analyzes over 86,000 bird specimens to reveal that smaller bird species are declining faster in body size while increasing their wing length. The research suggests that climate change may be driving this shift, with smaller birds potentially adapting more quickly to evolutionary pressures.
A new study uses tusk analysis to show that adult male woolly mammoths experienced musth, a testosterone-driven episode of aggression. The research demonstrates the potential for teeth to hold records of hormones, offering insights into ancient biology and life history.
Chelsea Kross, a University of Arkansas alumna in biological sciences, earned the BioOne Ambassador award for her creative approach to science communication. Her research highlights the decline of the crawfish frog due to habitat destruction and provides insights into conservation efforts.
A study found that establishing fallow land can increase the populations of farmland birds and improve biodiversity. The benefits depend on landscape complexity, particularly in regions with a moderate density of boundary lines between fields and woody structures.
A worldwide decline in insect populations is attributed to land-use intensification, climate change, and the spread of invasive animal species. The consequences of this trend include a loss of biodiversity, reduced pollination services, and increased risk to food sources for animals.
Since 1700, habitats suitable for Asian elephants have decreased by over 64%, resulting in a loss of 3.3 million square kilometers of land. The study suggests that historical land-use patterns and agricultural intensification in South Asia have contributed to this decline.
A new study found that increased tree diversity enhances soil carbon storage by 30-32% and nitrogen storage by 42-50% over a decadal timescale. Tree diversity leads to greater accumulation of carbon and nitrogen in forest soils, validating previous biodiversity-manipulation experiments.
A recent study found that predators can reduce disease levels in prey populations, but may also lead to a decline in population size. The researchers used a small predator-prey-parasite system to test the healthy herds hypothesis, which proposes that predators can help prey populations by picking off the sick and injured.
Researchers found that honeybees use forests less than expected, with colonies traveling long distances to find food due to limited tree species diversity. A more diverse forest with insect-pollinated trees and shrubs can provide a balanced food supply throughout the season.
Researchers found elephant seals use short sleep cycles at depths below predators to enter full REM sleep with lower risk. These 'sleeping dives' are crucial for the species' survival in open ocean environments.
A new study suggests that private land conservation in Brazil's Cerrado region can protect up to 14.5% of threatened vertebrate species' ranges. The analysis found that restoring private protected areas is an important conservation goal, warranting special funds and attention.