Articles tagged with Ecology
Research found that widespread contaminants like mercury and certain PFAS compounds affect the function of mitochondria in wild seabirds, potentially undermining fitness. The study measured pollutant levels and mitochondrial function in Scopoli's shearwaters and connected diet to exposure through stable isotopes.
Researchers discovered that microorganisms attached to rock surfaces have a stronger influence on community structure than environmental factors. These 'attached' microbes are highly specialized, generating energy from inorganic substances and contributing to carbon storage.
Research reveals three major types of ant societies: small colonies with a single queen and diverse workers in tropical regions, large colonies with multiple queens and uniform workers in deserts, and temperate regions with polygynous and monomorphic colonies. Environmental conditions shape these social structures on a global scale.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that some bottled water contains significantly higher levels of microplastics than tap water. The study used a novel method for detecting tiny particles and analyzed water samples from four treatment plants near Lake Erie and six different brands of bottled water.
Researchers have developed special algae that can remove and reuse harmful microplastics from wastewater, cleaning the water as it grows. The engineered algae produces a volatile natural oil called limonene, making it water-repellent and attracting microplastics, which can then be collected and reused to create bioplastic products.
A new study reveals that young sauropods were a key food source for Late Jurassic predators, with adults unable to care for their eggs and offspring. The research team mapped out a 'food web' of the time, finding that sauropods had a significant impact on their ecosystem.
A comprehensive review evaluates the global race to track urban carbon emissions, highlighting the importance of high-precision atmospheric observations. The study reveals a stark geographical divide between monitored and unmonitored cities, emphasizing the need for a transparent framework for carbon neutrality.
A new study characterizes the sounds produced by flying gurnards, revealing two distinct types of grunt-like sounds that differ in duration, frequency, and rhythm. The researchers also found that juveniles under 10 cm in length produce sounds from an early developmental stage.
A recent study published by the Ecological Society of America highlights the impact of rainstorms on environmental DNA in streams. Researchers found that rainfall can wash away genetic material from land-based species and deposit it into nearby waterways, providing a fuller picture of who is present. In another study, scientists discov...
A new study using AI-powered BioBERT model accurately identifies fungal lifestyles, switching between helpful partner for plants to aggressive decomposers. The tool has nearly 90% accuracy and can scan thousands of papers in minutes, flagging species that may switch roles.
A Europe-wide study reveals that pesticides have substantial effects on beneficial soil organisms, including mycorrhizal fungi and nematodes. The contamination has a major impact on soil biodiversity, highlighting the need to adapt current pesticide assessments and regulations.
A study analyzing data from Berlin's Flora Protection Program found that biological threats, especially from highly competitive native species, pose a greater threat to urban biodiversity than non-native species. Threats related to agriculture, nutrient inputs, and urban development are also significant drivers of decline.
A University of Virginia study reveals phosphorus pollution in Lake Anna comes from multiple sources, including homes and abandoned mines. Elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and copper were found near mining sites, highlighting the need for broader strategies to address nutrient and metal pollution.
A University of Stirling-led study finds that deforestation, farming, and urbanization can heighten the risk of zoonotic diseases like Covid-19 and malaria. The research highlights the need for careful land-use planning to protect both human health and nature.
A third of fish off Pacific Islands' coasts contain microplastics, with Fiji showing a high rate of contamination. Research highlights the pervasiveness of microplastic pollution and its impact on ecosystems and human health.
The world's forests are becoming homogenized, with fast-growing tree species dominating landscapes. Biodiversity is declining as slow-growing, specialized species disappear, compromising ecosystem stability and carbon storage. Active ecosystem management is essential to halt the loss of these threatened species.
Research from the University of Ottawa finds that a tiny temperature bump lowers nectar quality, resulting in lower body fat reserves for monarch butterflies. The study highlights the subtle threat of climate change on monarch survival.
Research reveals significant shifts in tree diversity among tropical forests driven by global change, with some areas experiencing declines in species richness while others gain species.
Mangroves in tropical countries are being overwhelmed by land- and sea-based waste, posing a significant threat to environmental balance, biodiversity, and human well-being. The study highlights the urgent need for measures to reduce single-use plastic packaging to mitigate this problem.
A new study has found that living walls can significantly enhance urban biodiversity by attracting pollinators and other wildlife. The research revealed that soil-based living walls with plants in soil attracted more wildlife than those with artificial substrates, and specific plant species like ivy and honeysuckle were most effective.
A new study found that US forests have stored more carbon in the past two decades than at any time in the last century. Natural forces such as temperature, precipitation, and carbon fertilization are among the largest contributors to carbon gains, while human drivers like tree-planting and forest management also play a role.
A new study reveals how beluga whales in Alaska's Bristol Bay survive through a surprising strategy: they mate with multiple partners over several years. This polygynandrous system helps maintain genetic diversity despite the population's small size and isolation.
A six-year study reveals that marine microbes interact more frequently with benefits than harm, challenging traditional views of ocean ecosystems. The research found that warmer temperatures increased positive interactions and changed the dynamics of keystone microbial species.
The British Ecological Society has announced the winners of its Capturing Ecology photography competition. The top prize was awarded to a photographer who captured a striking image of a UK wetland ecosystem.
A new study by the University of Vienna estimates that over 20 times more microplastic particles are emitted on land than from the ocean, contrary to previous assumptions. The research was conducted using global measurement data and model simulations, and found significant discrepancies between emission estimates and measurements.
A comprehensive review by Bielefeld University researchers reveals that urbanisation significantly impacts animal social behaviour, including changes in communication, aggression and group stability. The study found that 92% of reviewed papers report a significant effect of urbanization on social behavior.
McGill researchers found that freshwater browning is stunting some fish species' growth, shrinking others' populations, and altering fish communities. This phenomenon has broad impacts on biodiversity, affecting economically important fish species such as northern pike and walleye.
A study led by Dr. Frédérik Saltré suggests that sterilizing 22% of adult females annually could stabilize the population at an estimated cost of $34 million over 25 years. This approach prioritizes both animal welfare and ecosystem health, offering a humane solution to the unsustainable koala numbers.
The 27th SBSTTA-27 meeting emphasized the crucial role of scientists and knowledge holders in the UN CBD process. A side event explored capacity-building initiatives, regional TSC centers, and the introduction of a new guide for supporting participation in UN CBD processes.
Researchers found that adding nitrogen fertilizer to the soil increases plant protein and reduces carb content, making them unpalatable to locusts. The study showed a doubled crop yield in treated plots with fewer locusts and less damage to crops.
Researchers discovered a 'genome size–ecological function' differentiation pattern among cyanobacteria, identifying smaller genomes as 'streamlined types' that dominate in phosphorus-deficient environments and rarely produce toxins. This study proposes using a genome size threshold to initiate preventive measures before blooms occur.
A research group at Osaka Metropolitan University has pioneered a technology for preparing biodegradable polymer capsules using naturally occurring molecules. The new method produces stable, shelf-life-friendly capsules that can store target molecules and undergo photodegradation upon exposure to light.
A comprehensive study from Umeå University reveals that humid lowland forest ecosystems receive disproportionate attention, while colder and drier regions are severely underrepresented. This imbalance can lead to policy decisions based on incomplete or misleading science, affecting climate-vulnerable ecosystems.
A new study finds that viral presence in wild bees is linked to floral communities and landscape-level resource availability. Researchers discovered that certain flower communities increase the likelihood of viruses and that flowers can serve as hubs for virus transmission between wild bees and honey bees.
A six-year study found dwarf birch trees in blanket bogs survived with higher rates of growth and survival at lower deer densities. The study suggests that lowering deer densities can help restore lost mountain woodlands in the Scottish Highlands.
Researchers captured underwater photos of seabirds, seals, and fish interacting with a small tidal turbine in Washington State. The study provides valuable information on the impact of tidal turbines on marine life. Marine animals were observed swimming, feeding, and even playing around the turbine
Aspiring nature writers will participate in a unique workshop and ecotour in the remote Smith Inlet, led by Lesley Evans Ogden. The program offers daily writing coaching and feedback sessions, with optional one-on-one coaching, and includes accommodations, meals, and wildlife tours.
A new study from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa challenges a 50-year-old narrative about Native Hawaiian birds, finding no evidence they were hunted to extinction. Instead, the authors suggest climate change, invasive species, and land-use changes led to the disappearances.
A new study reveals that resilient nematodes can persist in the Atacama Desert's hostile soil, with population diversity correlating to water profile and temperature fluctuations. The findings suggest that biodiversity in arid regions may be higher than previously assumed, but also warn of ecosystem damage.
A new study found that silky sharks spent less than half their time within the Galapagos Marine Reserve despite its designation as a haven. The species' tendency to migrate towards unprotected waters poses a significant threat to their survival, emphasizing the need for expanded MPAs and improved fisheries management.
A comprehensive study reveals that urbanization significantly amplifies lake warming, threatening freshwater ecosystems. The research highlights the role of urban heat island effect and altered hydrological processes in driving accelerated warming.
A three-year study by the University of Stirling has shown that Himalayan balsam disrupts riverbank stability, causing erosion during high-flow periods. This leads to increased sedimentation, damaging habitats and wildlife, and changes to river shape and structure.
A study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that the end of the last ice age coincided with the emergence of salty water trapped in the deep ocean. This 'salty blob' played a crucial role in locking away carbon dioxide, which contributed to lower average temperatures.
Researchers have discovered trillions of microbes living in tree bark that remove greenhouse and toxic gases, enhancing the benefits of trees. The study found these microbes consume methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and volatile compounds, potentially removing millions of tonnes of climate-active gases every year.
The Chinese hwamei, an invasive alien bird species, has expanded into Japan's mountainous regions, including alpine zones. The study found that it breeds in these areas during the summer and migrates to lower elevations in winter.
Researchers found that male fish exposed to vitamin C and potassium perchlorate showed improved fertility and less damage to their testes compared to those exposed only to the chemical. The study suggests a potential safeguard for individuals regularly exposed to these chemicals, including military personnel.
Long-term ecological research faces severe threats from lack of funding, data manipulation, and political interference. The report highlights the need for institutional support to establish trustworthy facts and inform policy.
A long-term study in Türkiye examines wolf–human interactions, revealing that conflicts cluster in areas with widespread rural livestock farming. The research highlights the impact of human-driven factors such as road networks and habitat fragmentation on conflict risk.
The Qinghai-Tibet plateau faces multiple conservation challenges due to climate change and human activity. Research reveals shifting plant diversity under these pressures, with critical gaps in understanding the mechanisms behind acclimation and adaptation. Future research prioritization is proposed to address conservation concerns.
Researchers analyzed solitary mason bee gut metagenomes to understand how urban environments shape diet, microbiome stability, pathogen exposure, and antibiotic resistance. The study found that bees' gut ecosystems containing both bacteria and viruses are more resilient than bacteria-only communities.
According to a University of Arizona-led study, scientists are discovering new species at a rate that far exceeds extinction. The team analyzed taxonomic histories of 2 million species and found an average of more than 16,000 new species each year, including insects, plants, fungi, and vertebrates.
A new study reveals that giant clam populations in American Sāmoa are stable and abundant due to traditional community-based resource management. Village-managed closures outperform federally protected no-take areas, highlighting the effectiveness of cultural stewardship.
Research shows that ants with less protective armor, such as cuticle investment, tend to have larger colony sizes and are more successful in terms of diversification rates. This suggests that complex societies like humans may evolve by sacrificing individual quality for collective power.
A newly discovered Philippine pitcher plant, Nepenthes megastoma, is already at risk of extinction due to severe weather conditions and human encroachment. The species has limited population and is threatened by poaching, deforestation, and droughts.
Research reveals that single-celled organisms are among the first to colonize newly formed lava environments, thriving in scarce water and nutrient conditions. As diversity stabilizes over time, rainwater plays a critical role in shaping microbial communities, suggesting an unexpected link between weather phenomena and life on Earth.
Researchers analyzed DNA captured on air filters since the 1960s to track changes in ecosystem biodiversity. The study found a clear decline in biodiversity from the 1970s to the early 2000s, linked to human activities such as forest management.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that woodrats' duplicate SERPINA3 genes give them a potent immunity against rattlesnake venom. The study found that the different proteins encoded by these genes can block toxic components in snake venom, allowing woodrats to survive bites that would be deadly for humans.
Researchers found 13 bird species, 11 mammal species, and 2 amphibian species in Danish moss samples, demonstrating its potential for monitoring global biodiversity. The study suggests that moss-based DNA sampling could work globally due to its simplicity, effectiveness, and gentle nature.
Researchers are exploring ways to create green, closed-loop electrical insulation systems with excellent performance and recyclability. Bio-based monomers and mineral-based silicones are replacing petrochemical feedstocks, while advanced processing techniques enable self-healing and physicochemical recycling capabilities.
The Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation is funding a new tenure track endowed professorship for silviculture and climate change adaptation, an international research laboratory, and an incubator fund. The initiative aims to adapt forests to global change while securing their ecological and social functions.