Articles tagged with Ecology
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers used a supercomputer to simulate water supply in an inter-utility agreement, finding that cooperation can benefit both water supply and financial needs. The study found that more flexible agreements allow utilities to adapt to changing conditions, reducing financial risk.
A new study reveals that wild chimpanzees produce hundreds of diverse vocal sequences, combining up to ten call types, and exhibit structured communication patterns. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that non-human primates lack complex vocal communication systems.
Two new species of Amazonian fish have been discovered and described by Smithsonian researcher Murilo Pastana, one with vibrant red-orange fins and another that is technically a miniature fish. The species are at risk of extinction due to deforestation in the region where they inhabit.
A 10-year study reveals that mechanical thinning reduces fire behavior metrics without increasing invasive grasses, while prescribed fire leads to more invasive grasses. Researchers hope their findings can inform fuel break construction efforts in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem.
Plazi receives EUR 1.5 million grant from Arcadia Fund to develop Biodiversity Literature Repository (BLR), providing access to over 750,000 taxonomic treatments, figures, and material citations. The project aims to liberate data from scientific publications, making it FAIR and open for researchers.
In Chinese penduline tits, egg burial is primarily done to prevent eggs from rolling out of the nest in strong winds, a function that may have evolved in ancient species of the genus. This study found that 45% of eggs in experimental nests showed signs of being blown out, highlighting the importance of egg burial in these birds.
Hannah Williams, a movement ecologist, will conduct her research at the University of Konstanz's CASCB with a 1.6 million Euro grant. Her project aims to decipher animal movement patterns and develop an Optimal Movement Theory.
A new study found that current forest carbon sequestration models may be overestimating the ability of forests to store atmospheric carbon. The findings highlight the importance of considering processes other than photosynthesis for estimating carbon sequestration, such as temperature, water, and nutrient availability.
Researchers study the sea-surface microlayer, a biogeochemical reactor where organisms adapt to harsh conditions like UV radiation and fluctuating temperatures. The team aims to understand biological, chemical, and physical interactions in this thin layer, influencing global climate.
Researchers monitored mercury levels in artificial lakes to identify sources and factors affecting concentration. Most mercury originated from soil in catchment areas, with surface runoff contributing in shorter-residence time reservoirs.
A study led by Washington University in St. Louis found that nonlethal parasitic infections reduce herbivory rates and trigger trophic cascades impacting plant communities. The research used a mathematical model and global meta-analysis to highlight the ecological consequences of common parasitic infections in wild animals.
A new study analyzing 174 peer-reviewed studies on the effects of nature on human well-being found that participants were overwhelmingly white and from high-income countries. The research highlights a diversity problem in the field, which threatens its ability to make universal scientific claims.
A recent study found that tropical vegetation benefits less from elevated CO2 levels due to its surprising small effect on woody cover. Moisture availability and wildfire frequency were identified as the most important factors influencing woody cover change in tropical forest-savanna transitions.
Researchers propose an integrated conceptual framework for examining cold-survival strategies in animals, recognizing that species often combine multiple strategies to cope with freezing temperatures. This framework can help resolve discrepancies in Bergmann's rule and provide insights into animal responses to climate change.
A new study reveals that urban residents have a simplistic understanding of coastal ecosystems and are less likely to take pro-environmental actions. The research highlights an issue known as urbanized knowledge syndrome, which can harm natural ecosystems and undermine community resilience.
Researchers found that adopting another metabolism can have major competitive consequences, impacting a species' ability to compete in different environments. The study demonstrates the importance of considering acquired metabolisms in understanding community dynamics and ecosystem interactions.
The EU's CLAIM project successfully contributed to reducing plastic litter and microplastics in European seas through innovative technologies and methodological approaches. The project's findings have paved the way for policy change and increased awareness of the importance of plastic-free seas.
A new study finds that individual rabid dog behavior plays a key role in maintaining the persistence of canine rabies at low levels. Infected dogs act as super-spreaders, traveling long distances to introduce new lineages into neighboring communities and sparking local outbreaks.
The Ecological Society of America will hold its 107th Annual Meeting in Montreal from August 14-19, 2022. This year's meeting combines resources and interests of the ESA and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, focusing on theme "A Change Is Gonna Come" exploring global environmental and evolutionary change.
Research finds that bat box design and landscape placement significantly impact the energetic balance of endangered Indiana bats. A study by University of Illinois researchers tested five bat box designs and four landscape placements to determine their effects on bat metabolism, development, and survival.
A remote Irish community endured a millennium of climate change and ecological shifts without significant disruption, thanks to its adaptable social practices. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed peat core data to infer environmental and human occupation changes over 1,000 years.
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.
A recent study by Japanese researchers found that Staphylococcus argenteus, a bacterial organism causing food poisoning, was present in 13.9% of tested chicken samples. The study also revealed cross-contamination among retail foods and slaughterhouses, suggesting a potential link between the two.
A new study published in Animal Behaviour found that newborn African savannah elephants can keep up with their mothers' daily movements, contrary to previous assumptions. This remarkable ability allows the calves to benefit from protection against predators and integration into the herd's social structure.
A new UC Riverside study finds that the timing of rainfall is crucial for drought-stricken plants, with summer rains resulting in higher plant biomass. In contrast, winter rains have less impact on plant growth and may lead to negative effects.
A global decline in nitrogen availability poses long-term challenges for ecosystems, impacting plant growth, herbivore survival, and food webs. Research highlights monitoring and mitigation strategies to address this issue.
Researchers found varied diversity of gut microbiomes among brown bears at three national parks in Alaska, with Katmai showing the most diversity due to its diverse food sources. The study advances understanding of wildlife habitat, diet, and gut microbiome diversity.
A new study forecasts 1.4 million US street tree deaths from invasive insects by 2050, with the emerald ash borer responsible for most fatalities. Urban diversity can help mitigate this impact, and prioritizing management efforts like quarantining wood products may be necessary.
A new study has shown that increased levels of turbulence and mixing occurred every night in a coastal bay, similar to those caused by storms. The researchers attribute the signal to shoals of fish spawning anchovies, which mix water layers and impact temperature distribution, nutrients, and oxygen.
Researchers found that earthworms prefer soils with bioplastic particles and digest them differently than petroleum-derived plastics. The worms can break down bioplastics like polylactic acid into smaller fragments, which are then excreted slowly.
A recent study in Peru's tropical rainforests investigated cacao flower visitation, finding a wide variety of insects attracted to the small flowers. However, pollen transfer and fruit set remain poor, with only two percent of pollinated flowers setting fruit.
A global study found that certain microbial groups, including nitrifying archaea and bacteria, denitrifiers, and ammonifiers, are responsible for nitrous oxide emissions in peatlands. These microbes thrive in both dry and wet environments, suggesting a link to climate change.
A global team of scientists has identified a consistent pattern of hotter-drought conditions leading to forest mortality events. The study reveals that limiting Earth's warming will determine the survivability of many forests, with higher temperatures projected to double tree-killing droughts.
Researchers found that warmer and longer autumn conditions made it less likely for green-veined white butterflies to survive winter. The butterflies used more energy under these conditions, which can lead to lasting negative consequences, including reduced fitness.
A new study reveals that leafcutter ants employ complex strategies to maximize the growth of their fungal
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 single 'keystone' gene in Arabidopsis affects the extinction risk and community collapse of an experimental food web. The finding has significant implications for conserving genetic and species diversity.
Researchers found that livestock grazing had no negative impact on snow leopard distribution or density, and the species can coexist due to their separate ecological niches. The study suggests a more nuanced approach to conservation and land use, prioritizing the preservation of rocky mosaics.
A new study measures the happiness benefits of US city parks in the 25 largest cities, finding a powerful effect from urban nature on users. Park size and accessibility emerged as key predictors of happiness.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have found a natural fungus that can kill off local populations of tawny crazy ants, with 62% of infected populations disappearing entirely. The fungus is specific to crazy ants and has no effect on native species, making it a promising biocontrol agent for protecting sensitive habitats.
A study analyzing 10 years of citizen science data on wildlife roadkill in Flanders found that some species are more prone to being killed by vehicles. The research used data from online platforms like Waarnemingen.be, which has collected over 90,000 roadkill records since 2008.
Researchers used camera traps to monitor interactions between Panama's epiphytic Zamia pseudoparasitica and animals, revealing that a nocturnal tree-dwelling mammal called northern olingos may be responsible for seed dispersal. The study sheds light on the plant's persistence in the forest canopy.
A study by researchers at the University of Plymouth reveals that energy-efficient broad spectrum lighting is reducing the efficacy of coastal species' camouflage. This can have significant impacts on visually guided ecological processes, with certain color variations being more vulnerable to detection.
Researchers found that urbanization increases hydrogen cyanide production in white clover as a defense mechanism against herbivores. The study, published in Science, reveals adaptive evolution due to urbanization is driving global-scale changes in plant species.
A massive volcanic eruption at the end of the Triassic period caused a global cooling effect, leading to the mass extinction. The event paved the way for the rise of dinosaurs as their natural predators went extinct.
Researchers found that Chagas trypanosomes change the bacterial community in predatory bugs' intestines, leading to a decrease in diversity and an increase in certain pathogenic bacteria. The study also identified four bacteria species crucial for bug survival, which could be used to develop defensive substances against the parasite.
A researcher has won an ERC grant to study the effect of land-use change on the interactions between plants and soil organisms. This project aims to improve habitat restoration by understanding how evolutionary changes in plant populations affect soil processes and their resilience to drought.
Researchers sampled 110,019 white clover plants from 160 cities to find that urban environments drive adaptation at a global scale. Urban clovers produce less of the antiherbivore defense molecule hydrogen cyanide compared to rural clovers.
Research from the University of Michigan predicts that pollen emissions could increase by up to 200% and allergy seasons could last 19 days longer by the end of this century. Climate change is expected to drive trees, grasses, and weeds to produce more pollen, leading to worse respiratory allergies.
A study published in eLife reveals that trade-offs between growth and survival enable marine microbes with different dispersal strategies to coexist on small particles in the ocean. The findings help explain the diversity of bacteria and microbes in oceans, shedding light on the factors supporting their existence.
A study has found that lead poisoning from gun ammunition has suppressed the populations of birds of prey across Europe, resulting in a loss of around 55,000 adult birds. The impact is particularly significant for species like eagles and Red Kites, which are long-lived and breed later in life.
An international research team analyzed the microbial community living on the carapaces of deep-sea squat lobsters, finding a diverse microbiome that likely provides benefits to both organisms. The microbes utilize energy-rich chemical compounds, while the squat lobsters may use them as a source of nutrients or have them remove toxic s...
A study reveals that new bird species arise in lowland habitats before moving higher into mountainous areas, where genetic differences accumulate. The research suggests that climate fluctuations, particularly during the Pleistocene era, contributed to the evolution of these high-altitude populations.
A team of researchers has found that plastic waste-derived porous materials can adsorb CO2 from flue gas, reducing plastic pollution and emissions. The study suggests that these materials could be used in industrial-scale applications, making them a promising alternative to conventional CO2 capture technologies.
Researchers analyzed 48 years of data on wild baboons' family trees and mate choices to understand how they avoid inbreeding. The study found that baboons generally steer clear of mates that are half-siblings or closer, but show less discrimination with their father's side of the family.
A mange outbreak in Argentina's San Guillermo National Park has caused a domino effect, impacting pumas, condors, and grasslands. Vicuña populations plummeted from 17 individuals per square kilometer to just 1 by 2020, while condors disappeared due to the loss of their primary food source.
Researchers found that changing conditions in the California region have limited resource accessibility, causing the squid to speed through their life cycles and alter their ecosystem impact. The study also documents significant differences between Californian and Alaskan market squid populations.
Soil microbiota plays a crucial role in restoring soil function and ecosystem services. Research suggests that leveraging these microorganisms can improve land restoration technologies and return resilience to the soil-plant ecosystem.
Bees face challenges in foraging for food due to human activities such as pesticide use, pollution, and urbanization, affecting their ability to thrive. Mitigating these impacts through pollinator-friendly greenspaces and national bans on pesticides shows promise in alleviating pressures on bee populations.
A comprehensive analysis of 1,800 bird species found that adult sex ratios are the main driving force behind differences in sex roles. Climate, life histories, and social environment were not significant factors. The study provides new insights into the evolution of sex roles in birds.