Articles tagged with Ecology
Scientists have mapped the largest known woody deposit in the Mackenzie River Delta, finding it stores about 3.4 million tons of carbon. The deposit, covering 51 square kilometers, is an important part of the carbon cycle and has significant implications for climate change.
Research finds that tailings storage dams disrupt life cycles, cause intolerance to lentic conditions, and introduce non-native species in affected streams. This study reveals a decline in catfish species, including armored catfish, in Brazilian streams impacted by TSDs.
Researchers found that even low levels of glyphosate herbicide residues harm endophytic microbes in garden strawberry, which promote plant nutrition, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.
A study found bats in disrupted ecosystems are more frequently infected with coronaviruses, linked to chronic stress and loss of resources. Land use changes such as agriculture, deforestation, and energy production increase the risk of bat infection.
A new study reveals that ants followed flowering plants as they left ancient forests, driving the evolution of thousands of ant species. The researchers used fossils, DNA, and habitat data to show how plants' spread influenced ants' habitats and behavior.
The latest issue of PLOS Biology features a special collection on biology-based solutions to reduce plastic pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, and produce food or energy more sustainably. Insect enzymes may degrade plastic waste, while photosynthetic algae can capture CO2 produced by industrial applications.
A recent UBC study reveals that the planet's biomass is disproportionately distributed among tiny and massive organisms, with no clear explanation for this pattern. The findings have significant implications for understanding climate change impacts and ecosystems.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered that whale shark rhodopsin can detect blue light, a common wavelength in the deep-sea environment. The unique adaptation allows the whale shark to thrive in low-temperature and low-light conditions, but also makes it less thermally stable.
A study of bird poop reveals a unique relationship between birds and their microbiomes, which differ from those found in mammals. The researchers found that the types of bacteria present in the birds' gut microbiomes change over short time periods, rather than being tied to specific host species.
A new plant species, Carex quixotiana, has been discovered in the La Mancha region of Spain, specifically known for being the setting of Miguel de Cervantes' classic novel Don Quixote. The species is a type of sedge with unique characteristics and limited distribution.
The Southern Resident killer whale population is spending far less time in the San Juan Islands as their primary food source, Chinook salmon, declines. This decline is likely an effort to find alternative food sources, and research shows a strong relationship between the whales' presence and salmon returns.
Researchers at McGill University have found a way to predict the movement of species in fragmented habitats, which is key to their survival. By combining lab experiments and mathematical modeling, they determined that the survival of species lies in the interplay between their patterns of movement and the orientation of habitat corridors.
The Cinereous Vulture has been reintroduced to Bulgaria after being extinct for 36 years. The successful re-introduction campaign, led by Green Balkans and other organizations, involved importing 72 birds from Spain and European zoos. The team recommends the aviary method and delayed release for establishing a new core population, and ...
A new study finds that ocean warming can impact the growth, metabolic rate, and gene activity of newly hatched clownfish larvae. The researchers found that warmer temperatures led to faster growth rates, higher metabolic rates, and changes in gene expression.
A study found that human-caused mortality is the leading source of death for mountain lions in California, primarily driven by conflicts with humans over livestock and collisions with vehicles. The research also suggests that human tolerance plays a crucial role in conserving large carnivores in landscapes shared with humans.
A recent study led by Boston University researchers found that payments designed to motivate eco-friendly behavior often don't reconcile the tension between agricultural production and the planet's health. However, including more women in decision-making boosted cooperation between farmers on environmental issues and increased output.
A study of over 1,400 amphibian species reveals that warning color signaling is likely an intermediate step in the evolution of aposematism. This finding highlights the importance of considering hidden signals in understanding animal antipredator defenses.
Researchers observed a shift towards earlier springtime flowering in common morning glory plants as temperatures rose, with increased investment in floral rewards such as nectar and pollen. The study used the 'resurrection' approach to examine changes in floral morphology over nine years, revealing significant increases in flower size ...
A deadly fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has emerged in Africa over the past 165 years, causing a significant decline in amphibian populations. The fungus is lethal for many species but not others, with low prevalence and limited spread initially until 2000.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University identify vital differences between the plants, including pollinators and lifespan, confirming their classification. The study highlights the importance of recognizing every species for conservation programs.
Research shows that social learning significantly enhances a honey bee's ability to perform the complex waggle dance, which communicates food source location. Inexperienced bees who observed older bees learn from them and improve their dance accuracy over time.
Research reveals island-dwelling mammal species face higher extinction risks, with those experiencing extreme size changes being particularly endangered. Human arrival on islands multiplies the probability of extinction by 16, contributing to a 'protracted extinction event' spanning over 100,000 years.
Researchers analyzed island mammal species, finding that those with extreme body size shifts are at higher risk of extinction. Conservation efforts should prioritize protecting insular giants and dwarfs, the last evolutionary marvels of island life.
A new study reveals that boreal fires contributed 23% of global fire carbon dioxide emissions in 2021, surpassing previous records. The research suggests a link between extensive boreal fires and climate drivers, such as temperature increases and heatwaves.
A groundbreaking study found that creating shallow water zones enhances fish populations, while coarse wood bundles have positive effects in selected lakes. The approach has stronger long-term effects than narrow species-focused conservation actions.
Researchers discovered that glassy-winged sharpshooters use a 'superpropulsion' mechanism to launch droplets of pee at high speeds, conserving energy in the process. This innovative strategy helps the insect efficiently excrete its 99% water fluid waste.
Researchers found strong seasonality in blue whales' foraging and breeding behavior, with changes in vocalizations based on environmental conditions like marine heatwaves. The study's findings can inform conservation management of this endangered blue whale population.
Research from Binghamton University highlights the importance of ants in forest regeneration, with over 95% of New York state forests relying on them to disperse seeds. Ants take seeds with fatty rewards back to their nests, protecting them from consumption by rodents and other organisms, promoting a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Scientists discovered a Pink-throated Brilliant hummingbird with gold throat feathers, which is actually a hybrid of two pink-throated species. The hybrid's unique coloration is explained by the complex interaction of genetic and structural factors that determine feather colors.
Researchers developed an updated conservation metric, EDGE2, incorporating scientific uncertainty and status of related species. This approach identifies top-priority species for protection, preserving over 700 million years of evolutionary history, and allocates limited funds effectively.
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
A new study reveals climate-driven conflicts between humans and wildlife are on the rise globally, with six continents experiencing exacerbation of these conflicts. The research identifies trends in human-wildlife conflicts linked to climate change, including altered animal habitats, resource availability, and changes in wildlife behav...
A comprehensive report on 'Extinct in the Wild' (EW) species synthesizes data on plant and animal species at risk. Most EW populations are small with low genetic diversity, making conservation efforts crucial.
Researchers at the University of Bern discovered that geckos can detect and distinguish their own skin chemicals from those of other geckos, revealing a new level of social complexity in these animals. This finding suggests that geckos are more intelligent than previously thought, using pheromones for communication and self-recognition.
A recent UK study found that participating in nature-based 'citizen science' projects improves both participants' well-being and their connection to nature. The research involved 500 volunteers who completed a range of activities, including wildlife recording, and showed increased scores in wellbeing and pro-nature behaviour.
The Ecological Society of America showcases the contributions of Black scholars to 21st-century ecology, exploring historical erasure and public health injustices. The virtual collection features open-access articles addressing disparities in environmental engagement and conservation.
Researchers found that nectar-feeding bats rely on extra-long whiskers to navigate flowers while feeding, providing enhanced spatial information. Clipping whiskers reduced agility but didn't impact feeding ability.
The Stanford-led study found that the area of wetland ecosystems has declined 21-35% since 1700 due to human intervention, with at least 1.3 million square miles lost globally. This contradicts previous estimates and suggests a need for revised conservation strategies.
Even after 80 years of abandonment, former agricultural sites have only partially recovered in terms of plant diversity compared to undisturbed sites. Researchers from iDiv and other institutions found that restoration interventions can help speed up the recovery process by targeting specific species composition.
Researchers studied pollen data from North America's Neotoma Paleoecology Database to understand plant migration patterns and climate fidelity. Most plant species have exhibited long-term climate loyalty over the past 18,000 years, while some plants adapt locally in response to climate change.
A study by Sylvia Cremer and her team reveals that pathogens reduce their chemical detection signals in response to ant's social care intervention. This adaptation allows the fungi to counteract spore removal and escape the ant's immune system, demonstrating the impact of collective hygiene measures on pathogens.
New research reveals that nitrogen released by gas-powered machines causes dry soil to let go of carbon and release it back into the atmosphere. The study found that excess nitrogen acidifies soils, leading to a loss of carbon stored in association with calcium.
A 319-million-year-old fish fossil has yielded the earliest known fossilized brain of a backboned animal, providing insights into the neural anatomy and early evolution of ray-finned fishes. The discovery also sheds light on the preservation of soft tissues in fossils, which were previously thought to be rare.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that synchronized fishing with dolphins in Brazil increases the number of fish caught and supports both species' survival. The cooperative relationship is specific to this population of dolphins and has been passed down through generations of fishermen.
Early plasticity in coastal plants like sea campion enables rapid adaptation to new environments, including toxic substances. The research found that beneficial plasticity in ancestral plants increases the likelihood of gene reuse during parallel adaptation.
Research reveals that evolutionary processes play a larger role in regulating ecosystem function, particularly in coastal marshes. Dominant plants' rapid growth and low decomposition rates allow them to store large amounts of carbon, but neglecting trait variation and evolution in models can mischaracterize ecosystem resilience.
Researchers summarize key findings from two Reviews on Amazon deforestation and degradation. Human activities are changing ecosystems at unprecedented rates, threatening the planet's carbon and water cycles. Transformative policies are required to address these impacts and reduce economic demands driving deforestation.
Researchers emphasize the importance of freshwater corridors in the Amazon for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. The study highlights critical areas that need protection to safeguard healthy rivers and mitigate climate change impacts.
In a new study, red squirrels that gamble with their reproductive strategy outperform those that play it safe, especially during mast years. Despite short-term costs, female squirrels that increase litter sizes in low-food years experience greater lifetime fitness if they get to experience a mast year.
A new paper provides evidence-based strategies to create safer experiences for marginalized gender and sexual identities in ecological field research. The authors recommend comprehensive protocols, safety plans, inclusive housing policies, and affirming healthcare to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that the lifespan of a tree leaf is determined by environmental factors such as climate and soil conditions. The researchers found that evergreen conifers make longer-lived leaves in colder climates, while deciduous trees produce shorter-lived leaves in warmer environments.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that ants do not adjust their behavior in response to rising temperatures, persisting in sub-optimal microhabitats. The study suggests that ants may not be able to adapt to warmer ecosystems, with potential implications for forest ecosystems.
A new study estimates that Madagascar's unique modern mammal species could take 23 million years to evolve if the endangered ones go extinct, highlighting the urgent need for conservation action. The island's biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and human activities.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Researchers found a novel gene-transfer mechanism in Prochlorococcus that enables the transmission of entire blocks of genes between organisms, even when widely separated. This mechanism, dubbed 'tycheposons,' involves sequences of DNA that can include several genes and are transported by membrane vesicles or hijacked virus particles.
A recent study by University of Washington researchers found that climate 'presses' and 'pulses' have equal importance on Magellanic penguin population survival. The team analyzed nearly four decades of data at Punta Tombo, Argentina, revealing a decline in breeding pairs from 400,000 to 150,000 between the 1980s and 2019.
A new species of mycoheterotrophic plant has been identified in Japan, characterized by its rosy pink petals and stems. The discovery sheds light on the evolution and biodiversity of this unique genus of plants.
A team of researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has discovered that certain microorganisms, such as Halteria, can eat high numbers of chloroviruses, which are known to infect green algae. This finding suggests that virovory, a virus-only diet, can support physiological growth and even population growth in an organism.
Researchers developed wearable sensors to monitor dolphin movement and behavior, estimating energetic cost of swimming. The study provides new insights into dolphin swimming and energy requirements, enabling more effective conservation strategies.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that glassfrogs store nearly 90% of their circulating red blood cells in their liver when they want to be transparent. This helps them blend in with their surroundings and avoid predation during the day.