Articles tagged with Ecology
Research suggests that climate change may lead to the proliferation of pathogenic fungi in drying soils, which could pose a significant public health threat. The study's findings are being used to inform policymakers on the potential risks of global climate change on soil fungal communities in the US Southwest.
A small marine isopod helps fertilize red seaweed by carrying pollen on its body, increasing plant growth and reproductive success. The discovery suggests animal-mediated fertilization may have evolved earlier than thought, potentially in both terrestrial and marine environments.
A new study challenges the notion that restoring coastal vegetation like mangroves and seagrass can significantly remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The review highlights seven reasons why blue carbon accounting is uncertain, including high variability in carbon burial rates and vulnerability to climate change.
New study reveals that tidal marshes' elevation gain due to sediment accumulation is not enough to counteract accelerated sea level rise. The researchers found that at high rates of SLR, marshes subside instead of gaining elevation, threatening the world's most vulnerable ecosystems.
A new study found that North American mammal communities have become more than twice as homogenous as they were 10,000 years ago, primarily due to early human hunting and farming activities. The accelerated homogenization is likely linked to the spate of large-mammal extinctions, which increased similarity among remaining species.
A study found that bird photography decreases nest predation and boosts nestling survival in tropical forests. Researchers discovered a significant reduction in predation rate among photographed nests, with little effect on feeding rates.
The first global dataset of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals has been published, providing a comprehensive overview of the virus's impact on animal populations worldwide. The dataset shows an increasing number of reported cases globally, with high diversity of variants detected in various species.
A Dartmouth-led study found that urban gardens with rare plant species tend to attract rare bee and bird species. Women, older gardeners, and those living near the gardens are more likely to curate these rare plants, suggesting a cascading effect on biodiversity.
New research finds that plants with shorter-lived flowers produce more fruits due to reduced microbial growth. Microbes on flowers can negatively impact plant yields.
A new study of 31 mountain regions across the globe found that species interactions, not climate, limit bird species' ranges in tropical mountains. The study used 4.4 million fine-scale locality records from eBird and suggests that physiological adaptations to climatic niches result in high numbers of species in tropical mountains.
Researchers demonstrate that paper wasps can learn, remember, and apply abstract concepts of sameness and difference. The insects were trained to distinguish between visual or olfactory stimuli associated with safety or danger and applied the concept to new stimuli, achieving an impressive 80% correct choice rate.
A new study investigates how birds experience neophobia, which could play a vital role in helping to save Critically Endangered species. The research gathered data on the behavior of captive Bali myna birds, revealing that juvenile birds may be more suitable for reintroduction than adults.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
Researchers have updated V.PhyloMaker to incorporate two new botanical nomenclatures, generating more robust evolutionary trees. The new package retains The Plant List's botanical nomenclature while including the Leipzig Catalogue of Vascular Plants database and World Plants database.
A unique fungus infects common houseflies, causing them to become necrophilic and mate with infected female corpses. The longer the corpse remains dead, the more attractive it becomes to male flies, allowing the fungus to spread its spores.
Pharmaceutical compounds can bioaccumulate in wild animals and alter behavior, survival rates, and even drive species to extinction. Further ecotoxicological research is needed to evaluate the ecological impacts of pharmaceutical pollution, including mixture effects on complex natural systems.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
Researchers have discovered a lone Quercus tardifolia tree in Big Bend National Park, Texas, which was thought to be extinct. The tree's poor condition highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect its genetic variation and adapt it to environmental changes.
A new machine learning model accurately predicts the behavior of millions of human gut microbial communities from hundreds of experiments. The model enables designing communities with desired metabolite profiles, which may help doctors discover ways to treat or protect against diseases.
A study published in the Journal of Ecology found that plants flowered and leafed out earlier in contemporary years than in the early 19th century, coinciding with a warming trend. The accelerated timing poses risks for some species' survival and informs conservation efforts.
Researchers found that socially isolated bumblebees exhibited an increase in affiliative behavior, unlike expected aggression. The brain development of isolated bees showed similarities with group-reared bees, suggesting controlled chaos in the absence of social environment.
Researchers at the Field Museum used innovative techniques to extract usable DNA from centuries-old specimens, including a two-foot-long greenish-brown snake from Borneo. The study successfully determined the snake's family affiliation, providing insights into biogeography and evolutionary history.
A team of ecologists from CU museum identified over 7,000 organisms, mostly bacteria, in the guts of Rocky Mountain snails collected between 1920 and 2018. The findings show that microbiomes can offer insights into how animals interacted with their environments centuries ago.
Great White Sharks have been avoiding a South African coastal region due to the presence of Orcas. Long-term sightings and tagging data show that Great Whites flee areas with high Orca activity, adopting a 'flight' strategy reminiscent of wild dogs in response to increased lion presence.
Rainforest chimpanzees are digging wells to access and filter cleaner drinking water due to the limited availability of clean water during the dry season. The behaviour has been observed spreading among young chimps and adult females, with some males using the wells dug by others.
A new study suggests that heat waves can lead to avian population decline by altering gene activity in the testis and brain, affecting reproductive behavior and physiology. The research found that sub-lethal heat may change a bird's ability to reproduce via changes in motivational circuits for song production.
A new study published in Ecological Applications found that urban density has a stronger correlation with house sparrow health than other environmental factors like light pollution or noise levels. The researchers also discovered high lead levels in the birds' bodies, which could be linked to bioaccumulation from food sources.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that African wild dogs, a highly endangered species, shifted their breeding dates later in response to changing temperatures, leading to reduced pup survival rates. The study highlights how large predators can be vulnerable to climate change and its impact on life history events.
The study reveals a surprising 8,000-year accumulation of forest biomass in the Midwest, driven by climate change and ecological succession. This finding challenges previous assumptions about forest stability before industrialization.
A new University of Maine study reveals that temperatures are rising at different rates in various locations across the state's wild blueberry fields, particularly during the fall, winter, and summer. The findings suggest that warmer daytime and nighttime temperatures increase carbon dioxide production and alter the carbon cycle.
Scientists have discovered a way to harness animals' olfactory ability to protect endangered plants and animals by masking their scent, disguising it, or spreading similar scents. This method is more effective, sustainable, and animal-friendly than traditional deterrents like fences and lethal control methods.
A team of scientists has developed a novel computational approach to analyze DNA sequences of thousands of bacteria, revealing previously unknown gene clusters responsible for producing metabolites of interest. The study highlights the potential of these bacterial compounds in treating colon cancer and improving treatment options.
A genetically distinct population of polar bears has been discovered in Southeast Greenland, adapting to hunt year-round on freshwater ice near marine terminating glaciers. This finding provides hopeful insight into polar bear resilience in the face of a warming climate.
A study found that nearly 90% of areas studied had cancer-causing dioxins and PCBs in free-range eggs exceeding EU regulatory food limits. Eggs are a major pathway for human exposure to toxic chemicals, and contaminated sites include industrial waste incinerators and plastic burning sites.
Researchers analyzed mastodon tusk samples to reconstruct its migration patterns, revealing an individual animal traveled annually to a mating ground in northeast Indiana. The study provides the first evidence of an extinct species' seasonal movement.
A new study suggests that sustainable irrigation can boost crop productivity to feed 1.4 billion more people, reducing environmental impacts and clearing natural land for agriculture. However, climate change may complicate this calculus, requiring additional research on water management strategies.
Researchers observe fruit bat migration patterns mirroring seasonal landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting a unique role in plant pollination. The study reveals the ecologically underestimated fruit bats transport plant seeds along the 'green wave', potentially affecting local ecosystems.
Research from the University of Georgia shows that monarch populations have remained relatively stable over the past 25 years due to summer breeding growth. The study suggests that population growth during the summer compensates for losses due to migration, winter weather, and environmental factors.
A new study has found a temperature-dependent latitudinal gradient in nearshore fish predation, with greater predation intensity and stronger impacts in warm equatorial waters. This research could help inform patterns of biodiversity, ecosystem function, and resilience to climate warming.
A Galapagos giant tortoise species previously believed to be extinct has been confirmed to still exist, thanks to genetic research that sequenced the genome of a single specimen and compared it with living individuals. The study's findings offer hope for the recovery of this species.
A giant tortoise from the Fernandina Island species, believed extinct for over a century, has been confirmed alive through genetic sequencing. The discovery opens up new questions about its evolutionary relationship to other Galápagos tortoises and provides hope for conservation efforts.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that local community perceptions of ecosystem services provided by wild cherry trees can be used for community-based management and conservation. The study revealed notable differences among groups, highlighting the importance of understanding how people perceive the value of symbolic sp...
Researchers tracked medium ground finches' movements day and night, finding they cover areas equivalent to 30 soccer fields and gather nightly in a lush grove. This behavior helps birds fight cold and reduces predation risk.
An international study uncovered a network of gastrointestinal parasite sharing among 17 wild and domestic herbivore species. The researchers found that host evolutionary history and gut type are key factors in determining parasite diversity and similarity.
A new study warns that the Red-billed Leiothrix, a loud and brightly coloured bird from subtropical Asia, could become established in Britain, altering the country's dawn chorus. The species has already been spotted in several parts of Europe and is kept as a cage bird, potentially leading to its escape into the wild.
Exposure to glyphosate herbicide impairs bumblebees' ability to maintain hive temperature, particularly during food scarcity. The study found a 25% decrease in collective thermoregulation capacity, suggesting a hidden cost of glyphosate use on already vulnerable pollinator species.
Satellite imagery reveals significant decline in snow cover (less than 10%) but increased plant productivity (77% above tree-line area) in the European Alps. Climate change feedbacks may accelerate snowmelt, altering albedo and releasing greenhouse gases, posing risks to fragile alpine ecosystems.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.
A novel computational method estimates the level of connectivity in bacterial communities, revealing that species diversity is limited by interaction strength. Understanding these stability principles is essential for developing medical treatments and preserving the environment.
Researchers evaluated the toxicological effects of BaP on bay scallops, finding increased immune response-related parameters with time at higher concentrations. The study suggests that BaP dampens the immune response of scallops and decreases their capacity to respond to oxidative stress.
A Johns Hopkins University study found that microbial mats on Little Ambergris Cay regrew in just 10 months after Hurricane Irma's devastating impact. The discovery suggests these ecosystems may adapt to changing sea levels and stabilize under climate change.
A team of researchers has identified the ancient bird species behind giant prehistoric eggs in Australia, resolving a years-long debate. The study found that the eggs belonged to a unique duck-like line of megafauna known as the 'Demon Ducks of Doom', which was laid by the Genyornis newtoni bird.
Wealthy individuals are more likely to purchase unsustainable products with higher price tags, feeling entitled to the benefits despite environmental costs. However, when encouraged to think about equality, this effect is diminished.
Researchers mapped out the natural history of drywood termites, revealing oceanic voyages that accelerated their evolution and confirmed recent dispersals via humans. The study also challenged the common assumption of primitive lifestyles, highlighting the diversity and complexity of termite social behavior.
Research found that even a single light source can throw off the butterfly's internal clock, leading to erratic movements and disrupted navigation. Monarchs rely on darkness to process proteins key to their orientation, but light pollution can disrupt this process.
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.
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.
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.