Articles tagged with Ecology
A study reveals how a tropical tree genus evolved extraordinary photosynthetic strategies, including CAM, through genome duplication and genetic rearrangement. This diversity enables the trees to adapt to different ecological niches, making them ideal models for climate-resilient crops.
A new study reveals that carnivorous plants like pitcher plants provide a vital source of nutrient-rich nectar to wasps, benefiting both parties. This interaction may be more than just predator-prey, as the plants and wasps work together for mutual benefit.
A large-scale field experiment revealed that wild sulphur-crested cockatoos learn what foods are safe to eat by watching each other, with males more likely to follow other males. The study found that social relationships play a crucial role in shaping animal behavior, and that knowledge can spread rapidly through flocks.
A study analyzing 2,668 angiosperm species found that evolutionary relationships explain the largest share of variation in fruit volume. Climate influences this pattern, with temperature modulating phylogenetic constraints on fruit volume in different plant groups.
Researchers found that camels have a more flexible and coordinated response to heat stress, allowing them to maintain stability even at higher temperatures. In contrast, human cells tend to respond in a more rigid way, making them less adaptable under heat stress.
A KIT spin-off has developed a photoreactor panel that generates hydrogen directly from sunlight and water, avoiding expensive electrolyzers. The technology offers a simpler, more scalable approach to green hydrogen production, making it suitable for local on-site use or large-scale solar projects.
Researchers identify nanofiltration as an efficient method for removing glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid from water. The study reveals that molecular hydration, charge, and pH levels significantly affect the removal process.
The eDNA-bot revolutionizes biological monitoring by providing comprehensive results at lower cost than conventional surveying methods. It can detect elusive species and monitor wastewater for pathogens, streamlining environmental assessments in hydropower licensing.
The study reveals that rising temperatures are accelerating permafrost thaw and glacier retreat on the Tibetan Plateau, forming thermokarst lakes that release ancient, long-frozen carbon as potent greenhouse gases. The research highlights the urgent need for typology-based management strategies to mitigate these emissions.
Researchers found that small understory trees can initially buffer climate change more strongly, but their long-term carbon storage capacity could be restricted by phosphorus availability. The study suggests a critical trade-off between short-term growth and long-term sustainability.
A study found that prey scarcity is a key factor in jaguar presence in protected areas of the Atlantic Forest, with reduced abundance and biomass due to human hunting. The researchers warn that this situation could lead to the biome losing its top predator population.
Rivers are warming, losing oxygen, and accumulating greenhouse gases, with estimated annual emissions of 1.5 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Climate change and land use drive these processes, but protecting rivers can help mitigate global warming.
Researchers found that integrating a mix of shade trees improves soil health and plant physiology, leading to stronger plant growth and consistent early fruit development. Proper management through spacing, pruning, and natural mulch can also make cacao farms more resilient to climate stress.
Researchers developed a fleet of cooperative robots that, like ants, can spontaneously organize to build and dismantle structures without central control. They identified key parameters needed for excavation and building performance using simple local rules.
Researchers found that urban birds flee sooner when approached by women compared to men in a European study. The study involved over 2,700 observations across five countries and 37 bird species, revealing that birds can recognize the sex of approaching humans.
A new framework proposes a continuum of urbanity, challenging traditional thinking about urban and rural spaces. The study explores how urban, rural, and wild features are interconnected, affecting livelihoods, ecosystems, and human well-being in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.
A study found that policies reducing deforestation in Brazil have failed to stop forest degradation, a slower and more dangerous form of destruction. Forests are becoming increasingly fragile due to fires, logging, and other human activities.
A new study reveals that conspicuous markings, including 'eyespots', evolve under specific ecological conditions. Smaller skates and rays, lacking strong physical defences, are more likely to develop bold spots or eyespots in well-lit, shallow waters.
A new study uses a process-based model to predict biochar's effectiveness in various agricultural systems worldwide. The research highlights that biochar can improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but its benefits vary depending on climate, soil conditions, and management practices.
Researchers use tree rings and satellites to date changes beavers make to the tundra landscape as they spread northwards. The study provides evidence of beaver colonization in the region starting in 2008, with satellite analysis revealing a significant expansion of surface water between 2015 and 2019.
The study found that invasive reed facilitates the development of mosquito larvae, leading to increased adult populations. Removing invasive reed and restoring native vegetation can help mitigate this impact.
A machine learning approach improves how roaring behaviour can be studied by detecting long-distance roaring based solely on acceleration data. The algorithm works reliably with both male and female lions, even with mixed signals when walking while roaring.
New research found that bird species with a skewed sex ratio are primarily caused by demographic factors, not the other way around. The study of 261 bird species revealed that one sex is more likely to die before reproducing due to differences in survival rates.
Researchers found that connected habitats enhance the ability of amphibian skin microbiome to defend against diseases by increasing beneficial bacteria presence. This study highlights a critical link between environmental disturbance, microbial defenses, and disease dynamics.
A global paradigm shift is needed to protect intact ecosystems and prioritize Nature Positive framework, integrating Indigenous knowledge and finance. The webinar series on May 28, 2026, will explore effective actions for people and nature, guided by the Three Conditions Framework.
A new atlas reveals significant overlaps between Arctic oil and gas development and Indigenous Peoples' Lands, ecologically sensitive areas, and key Arctic species. The study highlights potential ecological disruption and social tension in heavily-exploited regions.
A study by the University of Vienna reveals that European colonialism has left a lasting impact on the threat to languages and species. Island regions, such as Oceania and East Asia, are disproportionately affected due to their small size and vulnerable ecosystems.
Researchers have created a novel sorbent made from chitosan/cellulose acetate and bentonite composites that show promise for cleaning up oil spills. The beads are floatable, biodegradable, and environmentally compatible, making them an efficient and cost-effective solution.
Researchers found that crabs' iconic sideways walk originated from a single, forward-walking ancestor around 200 million years ago. This rare innovation likely contributed to the ecological success of true crabs by making their escape direction unpredictable.
A recent study by researchers at Griffith University and others found that exposure to cocaine contamination altered the movement patterns of Atlantic salmon in Lake Vättern, Sweden. Fish exposed to benzoylecgonine swam up to 1.9 times farther than unexposed fish, with dispersal distances reaching up to 12.3km.
Researchers found that connected natural habitats help maintain beneficial skin microbes that inhibit deadly fungal pathogens in tropical amphibians. Habitat fragmentation weakens these microbial defenses, leading to increased pathogen infection levels.
Research reveals warm-bodied fish like sharks and tunas burn nearly four times more energy than cold-blooded counterparts, exacerbating the impact of warming oceans. As a result, these species are facing an increasing risk of overheating and habitat loss.
A new study reveals that freshwater fish are accumulating antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, which can alter their behavior, development, and reproduction. The research uses a novel analytical method to detect these substances in small fish living in rivers receiving urban wastewater.
Large, warm-bodied fish like sharks and tuna require nearly four times more energy than other fish due to their ability to retain metabolic heat. This comes with elevated energetic costs, which may constrain body size and contribute to extinction risk in both living and extinct species.
A new study reveals that birds in Hawaiian forests engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing materials from neighboring nests. The behavior, common among the scarlet I'iwi and crimson Apapane, could threaten species already under stress due to habitat loss and climate change.
The Ecological Society of America has announced eight new Fellows and ten Early Career Fellows for their exceptional contributions to ecological research and applications. The recipients include experts in various fields such as plant ecology, community ecology, disease ecology, and ecosystem resilience.
Early humans at the Acheulian site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov relied on driftwood from lakeshore environments for fuel, suggesting a practical and efficient strategy. This approach may have been a decisive factor in their choice of location.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered that naked mole rats can transition to peaceful queen succession, demonstrating flexibility in their social order. This finding challenges previous understanding of colony dynamics and opens new avenues for studying eusocial mammals.
Researchers used 3D imaging and artificial intelligence to analyze the microscopic structure of coral skeletons, revealing subtle changes caused by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. The study found that Attention U-Net performed best in detecting differences between healthy and diseased corals.
Researchers develop natural method to filter micro- and nano-plastics from polluted water using pectin-rich nameko mucilage, achieving high removal rates of up to 98.4%. The biodegradable residues minimize environmental impact, paving the way for sustainable wastewater treatment.
Five early-career scientists have been named recipients of the 2026 BioOne Ambassador Award for their ability to communicate complex research to diverse audiences. The winners, recognized for their outstanding research in fields like wildlife conservation and botany, will receive a $1,000 award and have their work showcased.
A new study reveals that risk-prone animals tend to stay near human activity, while more cautious individuals avoid humans and survive longer. This finding highlights the importance of individual behavior in adapting to human-driven environmental change.
Researchers at KIT have developed the NECOC process to convert CO2 emissions into a solid raw material, which can be used in various industries. The process aims to close carbon cycles on-site at industrial plants, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The study, led by Lucy Liu and L. Mahadevan, shows that adding the right amount of noise to individual robot movements can ease gridlock and improve efficiency in crowded environments. The researchers used computer simulations and experiments with small robots to test their ideas.
Researchers propose using terrain to deter conflict while delivering environmental benefits through restored forests, wetlands, and peatlands. These interventions support carbon storage, flood mitigation, and biodiversity recovery, acting as a form of deterrence by denial.
A new paper warns that halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 is urgent to avoid destabilizing the Earth's vital systems. The authors call for a unified 'Nature Positive' approach to global environmental goals and governance.
A study led by Cleo Bertelsmeier found that wild mammals traded for pets, meat, or fur are 1.5 times more likely to share infectious agents with humans. The risk is higher when species are traded illegally or alive.
A large regional species pool, driven by favorable climates, varied habitats, and stable historical climates, supports both high diversity and many rare trees. Forests with larger species pools require prioritized protection to preserve forest diversity and save rare and endemic species from human disturbance.
Experiment with 195 students in Germany found that local forest soundscapes had stronger positive effects on mental wellbeing, especially when participants felt familiar with the sounds. The study revealed that perceived animal diversity and familiarity played a significant role in triggering feelings of awe and restoration.
A new study links global wildlife trade to increased transmission of human-infecting pathogens, with traded mammals 40% more likely to harbor these diseases. The duration of species in trade amplifies this risk, suggesting cross-species transmission is inherent to the trade.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered that dragonfly visual protein detects red light similarly to mammals. This finding has potential applications in medical fields relying on red light-sensing, such as optogenetics.
A global study reveals treelines shift upslope in 42% of cases, retreating in 25%, due to complex interactions between temperature and human interventions like land use changes. Treeline dynamics also influenced by natural disturbances like fires.
New research highlights a critical paradox in marine conservation: protected areas can become 'toxic traps' for pollutants. The authors propose an integrated management framework to address this issue. Effective conservation requires considering ecosystem health and pollutant exposure.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University found that predatory mites avoid laying eggs on plant leaves bearing traces of caterpillars. Additionally, they discovered that even when predators are unlikely to encounter caterpillars, they still avoid their traces.
The webinar highlighted the potential of combining NFI field data, EO disturbance products, and national statistics for robust forest carbon monitoring. Continental-scale carbon balance analysis showed a trend towards neutral over the past decade, with large interannual variability.
Researchers tracked the impact of beach nourishment on nearshore conditions and marine life, finding that prolonged turbidity can interfere with blacktip shark hunting and increase accidental encounters. The study highlights a delicate balance between coastal engineering projects and marine ecosystem protection.
A global inventory reveals that bottom trawling catches over 3,000 fish species, including critically endangered and vulnerable species, highlighting the urgent need for better documentation and management of its impacts on marine biodiversity.
Research conducted by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Save the Elephants found that elephants' gut microbiomes shifted significantly when sharing habitat with livestock. Microbes commonly found in livestock became more abundant, while beneficial microbes decreased.
Researchers developed a novel flowering spectral index model, FI-R, for precise fine-scale extraction of angiosperms over large areas. The model achieved high accuracy and applicability across multiple multi-spectral sensor images, with overall accuracies exceeding 94%.
A study from Hiroshima University found that green skepticism weakens two key drivers of green consumption: seeking trustworthy environmental information and anticipated guilt about making less sustainable choices. This challenges the common assumption that skeptical consumers will investigate more before deciding on purchases.