Research on how organisms interact with their environment. Covers predator dynamics, invasive-species origins, keystone species, and microplastics in food webs.
Researchers discovered that cyanobacteria band together into protective flocs when attacked by predators, a survival strategy that could influence how carbon is stored in the world's waters. This behavior helps explain why cyanobacteria invest energy in forming flocs despite the apparent cost to their growth.
Research finds that medaka sperm velocity decreases by 20% after consecutive spawning, impacting fertilization rates. Sperm counts also vary between single and multiple-mating groups.
A new species of colobus monkey, 'Likweli', has been identified by its distinctive facial markings and unique call. The rare species is found in the dense forests of Lomami National Park and is considered Endangered due to its small geographic range and population size.
A new study has mapped Europe's wetlands, identifying peatlands as the most critical type to restore for climate benefits. The map provides a basis for assessing where wetland restoration could deliver benefits for climate and biodiversity.
Researcher T. Reid Nelson is conducting a study on striped bass to better understand the environmental factors influencing mortality following catch-and-release. His findings aim to provide a more accurate estimate of catch-and-release mortality, essential for effective fisheries management.
The report provides an ecological characterisation of two contrasting habitat groups: inland peat-forming wetlands and coastal lagoons. Hydrology is identified as the dominant control on ecosystem functioning, with a persistently high water table sustaining anoxic conditions in peatlands.
New research shows that tadpoles adapt their diet in response to rising temperatures, consuming more plant material and eating overall. However, this natural strategy becomes less effective as temperatures continue to rise, with consequences for growth, development, and survival.
Giant kelp forests in Southern California are controlled by how much kelp survives disturbance, rather than its growth rate. Winter storms significantly shape their productivity, with disturbances removing biomass and changing forest recovery abilities.
A global analysis of 932 observations shows that biochar delivers stronger carbon gains in nitrogen-poor soils and follows different carbon storage pathways depending on soil fertility. Biochar effectiveness varies greatly from one field to another, with the amount of nitrogen already present in soil controlling how much carbon it stores.
A study found that small coral reef fishes form previously undocumented associations with Christmas tree worms and other tube-dwelling worms on Caribbean coral reefs. This behavior is unclear, with potential benefits to both parties, and warrants further investigation into whether it's mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic.
Researchers found that climate-related extinction risk is underestimated by current prediction models, particularly for range-shifting species. The models assume a linear relationship between population size and habitat loss, which is not supported by empirical evidence.
A study by the Cluster of Excellence »Balance of the Microverse« demonstrates how climate change remodels microalgae through smaller temperature fluctuations. Temperature shifts lead to changes in gene activity, protein composition, motility, and photosynthetic performance.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that pollinators are driving plant adaptation in morning glories, leading to a steep decline in their ability to adapt to changing climate conditions. The study suggests that human activities such as pesticide use and habitat destruction have contributed to this decline.
A recent study analyzed over 9,000 size changes in marine animals and found that body size decrease is a general response to environmental crises. The research suggests that warmer temperatures can lead to stronger and more variable changes in species size, posing far-reaching consequences for food chains and fisheries.
Researchers at ESA's Annual Meeting will present new findings on the ecological effects of fire across forests, rangelands, peatlands and urban natural areas. The studies examine changing fire regimes, post-fire recovery, wildlife responses and the ecological effects of smoke, ash and fire retardants.
The iron cycle complements hydrogen-based power generation by providing a long-term energy storage solution. Iron powder can be transported globally with less infrastructure investment, making renewable energy usable worldwide.
Scientists used a new method to measure Earth's temperature over the Phanerozoic period, finding past temperatures were around 10 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The study suggests that natural processes have regulated the planet's climate for millions of years, and humans must take action to maintain a habitable range.
A study published in Global Change Biology found that falling water levels increase methane emissions from Mediterranean reservoirs. The research, conducted at the Cubillas reservoir in Spain, used a floating platform with eddy covariance technology to continuously measure greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study assesses how climate change affects predator-prey dynamics in a semi-arid ecosystem. Researchers found that during periods of low precipitation, owls shifted to different prey, increasing dietary overlap variability. Temperature was the strongest driver of these changes.
A study in Carlos Botelho State Park, Brazil found that brown howler monkeys rest more on hot, long days when feeding on leaves. The group traveled an average of 531 meters per day, influenced by interactions with other primate species like southern muriquis and capuchin monkeys.
Researchers found that beavers are widespread in tidal wetlands and create deep pools of water at low tide, providing habitat for threatened species like Chinook salmon. The study expands the known habitat distribution of beavers and highlights their potential role as ecosystem engineers in estuaries.
A recent study by Oregon State University suggests that animals don't necessarily flee in search of better breathing conditions when exposed to wildfire smoke. Instead, they may shift their behavior to reduce the negative impacts of smoke inhalation.
Researchers found that taller trees have an advantage in younger forests due to increased light capture, but shade-tolerant species thrive under tall canopies in older forests. This study reveals a mechanistic explanation for forest succession and offers insights into climate modeling and forest management.
Scientists from Stellenbosch University have isolated a new species of soil bacterium, Dedyshia acidiphilia, from the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. The discovery provides significant advances in understanding rare bacterial species contributing to soil health and nutrient cycles.
In California's human-dominated landscape, gray wolves predominantly feed on cattle, followed by mule deer and small mammals. This dietary composition suggests that coexisting with humans may be complex for wolf populations.
The EU-funded Sister Projects have released a joint white paper calling for strengthened EU action to protect and restore Europe's wetlands. The paper highlights the importance of wetlands in providing essential services such as water purification, flood regulation, and biodiversity support, while also identifying four strategic priori...
Hawaii's songless crickets have rapidly evolved to overcome reproductive challenges caused by lack of courtship songs. Non-singing males develop faster than wild-type males, allowing them to seek out female mates using alternative methods.
A new study confirms aspen trees can act as a fire barrier, with larger stands linked to lower fire severity. The research used remote-sensing data to create maps of forest stand disturbances, highlighting the importance of retaining aspen for biodiversity and fire prevention.
Researchers at KIT have developed a novel technology that converts CO₂ into basic materials used in the chemical industry, enabling the recycling of CO₂. This process has several advantages for a more sustainable chemical production, working without fossil raw materials and enabling direct value creation from CO₂.
Researchers found that sensory-motor circuits use overlapping mechanisms to maintain reliability even when genes or neural connections are disrupted. The study showed that redundancy in the nervous system helps prevent essential reflexes from failing and strengthens escape responses.
A new study reveals how biochar can directly suppress destructive soil-borne pathogens like Ralstonia solanacearum, while helping rebuild a richer and more stable soil bacterial community. Biochar's reactive oxygen species profile changes with pyrolysis temperature, making it a powerful tool for precision agriculture.
Ayano Medo and Takuya Sato discovered that nematomorph parasites induce terrestrial crickets to jump into water, where they nourish endangered fish. The parasites, common globally, drive the transfer of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers found that wood frogs' adaptation to salty water increases their vulnerability to ranavirus, a common and fatal disease. The study highlights the hidden costs of survival in wildlife under environmental stress.
A study by Chiba University researchers confirms Gentiana squarrosa obtains carbon through both photosynthesis and fungal symbiosis. The U-shaped pot cultivation system developed for this study enables the verification of carbon transfer between plants via AM fungi in various plant species.
The study highlights the significant demand for brachyuran land crabs, with species being sold on e-commerce platforms like eBay, and often without welfare advice. The research aims to inform conservation and policymaking efforts by understanding the extent of the trade.
Heavy rainfall damages spider webs, influencing which species can survive in the environment. Researchers found that sheet-shaped cobwebs are more resistant to rain due to their high silk content.
Researchers propose a three-part evolutionary framework for using bacteriophages to control antimicrobial resistance. The phage-host evolutionary triad suggests that phages can sometimes stabilize resistant bacteria instead of eliminating them, depending on environmental factors.
A novel approach using silica microspheres encapsulates colorants in plastics, allowing for easy recycling and selective separation of colors. This technology enables the reuse of high-value resources from previously downcycled plastics, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
A Korea University study reveals that reusable beverage systems can deliver significant environmental benefits when paired with efficient washing technologies. The research finds that automatic tumbler washers can maximize sustainability, while manually washed tumblers have the highest impacts among reusable options.
Researchers analyzed over 3,500 incidents to find that low-impact activities and species like elk, grizzly bears, and mule deer are more likely to lead to aggressive encounters. Visitors can take simple precautions such as announcing themselves, keeping leashes short, and checking park information to minimize risks.
Researchers from Delft University of Technology developed a new way to predict drone instability using critical slowing down, a phenomenon from ecology and climate science. This approach can help detect system failures in real-time, allowing for adaptive strategies to maintain flight despite damage.
A new study by Swansea University introduces a One Health Sustainability Framework linking biodiversity, ecological condition, and environmental sustainability with wellbeing outcomes in nature prescribing. The framework highlights the need to understand what kinds of nature and how much are needed to support health in a sustainable way.
New essay highlights policy priorities to safeguard urban forests, essential infrastructure for climate emergency resilience and equity. The authors emphasize the vital role of these ecosystems in promoting biodiversity and improving public health.
A new study confirms the existence of Manis aurita, a previously unrecognized Asian pangolin species, expanding biologists' understanding of pangolin diversity. The discovery provides crucial scientific basis for combating illegal poaching and protecting critically endangered animals.
Biochar improves soil physical and chemical properties by increasing water retention, enhancing soil aggregation, raising organic matter content, and regulating pH and nutrient availability. Biochar also reduces allelopathic autotoxicity and supports healthier plant development by adsorbing or degrading harmful compounds.
A new study published in Communications Earth & Environment found that disease patterns in the Amazon are not random but follow distinct regional patterns linked to land use and rural economies. The study analyzed over 1.28 million reported cases of malaria, dengue, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis between 2015 and 2019.
A Stanford-led study found that pollution is causing fish hybrids to form in a Mexican river, threatening species diversity. The researchers analyzed water and fish samples from four rivers and found that those with higher levels of chemicals and heavy metals had more hybridized swordtail fish.
A UMD-led study reveals that wild bats balance different types of immune defenses based on sex, age, and competition for mates. The researchers found that male bats rely more on rapid-response immune defenses, while females invest in targeted responses to pathogens.
A study by University of Basel researchers found that farming in Switzerland increased plant diversity over the past 7000 years. However, this trend reversed with modern agriculture's emphasis on efficiency and uniformity. The data suggests that altering farming practices could reverse declining biodiversity.
A new study reveals that biochar increases soil organic carbon more efficiently than straw by guiding microbes towards stable carbon formation. Biochar promotes a slower but more stable carbon pathway, reducing native soil carbon mineralization.
A new study found that Europe's local plant communities have experienced an increase in overall species numbers over the past century. However, this growth is primarily driven by generalist and non-native species that outcompete native species for resources.
A new study from Yokohama National University reveals that the order of species loss impacts grassland stability more than the total number of species lost. The researchers found that different species-loss sequences alter the processes supporting community stability, including functional diversity and compensatory dynamics.
A new study found that Pygmy Falcons require less than 1 km² to raise their young, contrary to long-held assumptions. The birds operate within a small breeding home range and coexist with Sociable Weavers in communal nests. This research provides a crucial baseline for understanding the spatial requirements of small raptors.
Researchers used an egg shuffle experiment to study the pied flycatcher's non-breeding areas. The results show that both genetic inheritance and hatching environment play a role in determining these areas.
The ESA Annual Meeting 2026 features presentations on AI in ecology for analyzing large datasets, predicting invasive species spread, and improving food security monitoring. The meeting aims to accelerate discovery and effective application of AI tools in ecological research and conservation.
Researchers tracked pied flycatchers from eight countries and found that genes and environment influence their migration routes. The study suggests that the birds' wintering locations are determined by a mixture of inheritance and natal environment.
Researchers have identified a potential pathway for the coordinated cell death of harmful algae, driven by iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation. This process not only kills individual algal cells but also releases active lipid peroxides that kill off neighboring cells, leading to the rapid collapse of an entire bloom.
Researchers at Linköping University found that old oak trees and semi-natural grasslands are crucial habitats for many species. The study identified thresholds for habitat size needed to support species survival, providing conservationists with concrete data to prioritize cost-effective interventions.
Researchers propose that natural hallucinogens evolved to serve ecological functions such as defense, communication, and stress response. By modulating serotonin signaling pathways, these compounds can influence behavior in other species.