Articles tagged with Ecology
A new study finds that the majority of carbon dioxide absorbed by ecosystems is stored in dead plant material, soils, and sediments. This discovery suggests that terrestrial carbon stocks are more resilient and stable than previously thought, with most carbon sequestered over the last three decades stored in nonliving organic matter.
Researchers found evidence of biological material in desert rocks, suggesting the presence of microorganisms that can survive without light. The discovery has sparked interest in the global carbon cycle and its potential impact on climate change.
Researchers developed a numerical tool to quantify sunlight intensity and its influence on plant growth, enabling accurate predictions of sunlight patterns. The model can help farmers optimize greenhouse conditions and planting schedules, leading to improved crop yields.
Researchers discovered that Chinese blackbirds can imitate electric moped alarms with lower frequencies and fewer notes. The team found that the males (50%) could imitate the alarms, but the mimicry sounded vivid yet possessed obvious differences from the real sounds.
Australian scientists have discovered a 15-million-year-old freshwater fish fossil, Ferruaspis brocksi, which provides a unique glimpse into the environment and behavior of ancient species. The fossil shows preserved stomach contents, including small phantom midge larvae and a parasite attached to its tail.
A research team at Tokyo University of Science has identified two new tetranins in spider mite saliva that reduce reproduction and increase defense responses in plants. The findings have potential for organic farming techniques and more resilient crops, contributing to sustainable agriculture and enhanced food safety.
The deliberate destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war unleashed a hidden environmental crisis, destroying ecosystems and releasing polluted sediments into downstream water systems. The study found that the collapse triggered substantial erosion, soil loss, and vegetation uprooting, driving extensive h...
A recent study reveals extensive pesticide contamination in the Upper Rhine Region, contaminating not only agricultural areas but also remote regions. The research found that pesticide mixtures spread far beyond fields, posing a risk to people's health and environment.
A new study by the University of Plymouth investigated the effect of changing global climate conditions on Christmas Island's red crab embryos. The researchers found that lower salinity levels did not delay embryonic development, but emphasized the need for further research to understand the species' response to environmental stressors.
Climate change impacts Arctic coastal ecosystems through melting glaciers, altering kelp growth and elemental composition. Kelps are highly susceptible to changes in run-off intensities, leading to increased metal concentrations and negative ecological consequences.
The research analyzed satellite images and machine learning to detect forest loss in Ukraine during the war. The study found that Ukraine lost over 800 km² of forests in 2022 and 772 km² in 2023, mainly due to fires in war-torn regions.
The Ecological Society of America named ten outstanding graduate students with the 2025 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award for their dedication to science policy and advocacy. The awardees will participate in policy, communication, and career training in Washington, D.C., and engage with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
A new study reveals a 22% decline in US butterfly populations over 20 years, with all regions affected. The decline is driven by sharp losses in individual species, with 33% experiencing significant declines and only 3% gaining population.
A new study suggests that extreme weather events are crucial to understanding phenological responses in plants and insects. The research found that disruptions to the delicate relationships between certain species, such as the yucca plant and yucca moth, can have significant consequences for survival.
The Libroscope initiative seeks to unlock and link data from scientific literature to support understanding of biodiversity. By 2035, the power of biodiversity knowledge will be fully leveraged within an open science framework.
A University of Michigan study found that dicamba drift reduces pollinator abundance and visits to some weeds but not others. Weeds exposed to dicamba drift have fewer pollinators near them and reduced pollinator visits. Dicamba damages plants by mimicking the hormone auxin, impacting plant growth size, flower production, and timing.
Researchers investigate optimal seed mixes for prairie restoration, finding that single-origin seeds may be more effective than mixed-species blends. Meanwhile, a study on wind turbines reveals their potential impact on grouse habitats, while another finds giant pandas thriving in protected areas. Beetles, meanwhile, are making wood mo...
A recent study by Indian Institute of Science found that tropical lizards, such as rock agamas, prioritize variable food sources over constant ones when hungry. This flexible approach helps them thrive in unpredictable conditions.
A recent VR study on locusts' navigation challenges classical models of collective swarming behavior, revealing internal cognitive decision-making processes. The findings suggest that locusts do not follow fixed interaction rules as previously thought, but instead respond to their sensory environment with probabilistic decision-making.
Anemonefish provide food to bubble-tip anemones through active provisioning, which increases the host's growth rate. This symbiotic behavior is crucial for the anemonefish as it benefits them by making their hosts larger.
Researchers discovered a novel spatial mechanism underlying the coexistence of tree species in forests, with mechanisms such as seed dispersal driving patterns in tropical forests and mycorrhizal fungi shaping patterns in temperate forests. This finding has implications for understanding biodiversity stability and species coexistence.
Researchers discovered that tropical riparian ecosystems recovered rapidly within two million years of the end-Permian mass extinction, indicating a faster-than-thought adaptation. This finding contradicts previous theories on ecosystem recovery and suggests that life on land may have been more resilient than previously believed.
Researchers found northern elephant seals serve as sentinels for northeast Pacific Ocean twilight zone ecosystem health, providing insights into prey dynamics and food webs. The study reveals rapid fluctuations in fish populations every three to five years, patterns impossible to measure through direct observation.
Researchers found that anthocyanin in wind-pollinated tree stigmas protects pollen germination and growth by scavenging reactive oxygen species. This adaptation helps protect exposed reproductive parts from sun damage.
The Ecological Society of America has selected four outstanding early- to mid-career Ph.D. ecologists from underrepresented groups as 2025 EEE Scholars. The scholars will receive a $5,000 award over two years to support their research and participation in ESA events.
A team of researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University observed wild medaka behavior in their river habitat, discovering that they spawn around midnight. The study also found that males exhibit two types of courtship behaviors: chasing females and a display of making quick circles in front of the opposite sex.
Research published in Nature Communications reveals that fewer forest fires are burning today than in the past, despite recent record-breaking fire years. This 'fire deficit' allows fuel to build up over time, creating conditions for more severe fires. The study highlights the importance of beneficial management fires on the landscape.
A recent study reveals that smaller arable fields and organic farming are crucial for maintaining high pollinator diversity in calcareous grasslands. The research team found that these factors significantly increase the abundance of flowers, nesting sites, and various wild insect species, particularly endangered ones.
A recent study published in One Ecosystem reveals that vegetation succession occurs in solar parks, supporting a wide range of biodiversity. The research suggests that mowing alone is insufficient to manage woody plants, highlighting the need for alternative construction methods and consulting experts in dynamic vegetation processes.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have discovered complex interactions between Pseudo-nitzschia groups and other algal species, suggesting salinity has a more significant influence than previously thought. This understanding is crucial for predicting harmful algal blooms, which cause substantial damage to the aquaculture industry.
Research on Earth's frozen places reveals severe changes due to climate change, including ice-free Arctic Oceans and quadrupled melt zones in Greenland.
A new study reveals that whale song can be as efficient as human communication, with 11 out of 16 species displaying Menzerath's law. Humpback whales also follow Zipf's law, exhibiting statistically coherent subsequences that conform to a power law, similar to human language.
The Ecological Society of America's new Open Access journal, Earth Stewardship, fosters a broad foundation for Earth stewardship through applied and theoretical research. The journal invites submissions from diverse fields and promotes inclusive research to reshape our relationship with the environment.
Research reveals that Eurasian Steppe grasslands are more susceptible to drought than North American Great Plains due to lower plant diversity. The study found a 43% reduction in annual productivity in Eurasia compared to a 25% reduction in North America under similar extreme drought conditions.
Researchers identified an unknown family of microbes uniquely adapted to tropical peatlands, with a dual role in the carbon cycle. These microbes can either stabilize or intensify climate change by releasing greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane.
A year-long study in Antarctica found that krill's vertical migrations contribute less than 10% to deep ocean carbon sequestration, challenging conventional assumptions. The study suggests that traditional models overestimate the role of krill in carbon export, resulting in a 200% overestimation.
A new study models habitat and climate needs of over 14,234 globally distributed vertebrate species to evaluate land-based climate mitigation strategies. Reforestation offers a clear net benefit to global biodiversity by mitigating climate change and expanding habitats.
A pan-European study reveals a significant imbalance in the proportions of long-styled and short-styled flowers among insect-pollinated plants. The shift towards more short-styled flowers is associated with increased summer precipitation and intensive land use, which may contribute to species extinction.
A study in San Francisco found that coyotes' diets are heavily influenced by the presence of restaurants and impervious surfaces, with consumption of rats highest near restaurants and human-sourced food prevalent in paved areas. This research highlights the adaptability of coyotes to urban environments.
Researchers conducted a survey of cyanobacteria in Kenya's Lake Victoria to understand how harmful algal blooms might evolve in Lake Erie. The study found that areas with turbidity can mask the visibility of blooms, and toxins like microcystin can cause liver damage and interact with other toxins in the human body.
A new study reveals that global land is affected by increasingly widespread and severe multiyear droughts, with temperate grasslands exhibiting significant declines in greenness. The findings suggest a need for comprehensive knowledge of these events' impacts on ecosystems and human systems.
A new bioinformatics pipeline analyzes whole-genome sequencing data to accurately estimate genetic relatedness in animal populations. The tool identifies identical DNA fragments inherited from a common ancestor, revealing previously undetected relatives and providing more detailed insights into relatedness structures.
The Ecological Peace Corridors concept aims to connect fragmented protected areas across international borders, promoting cooperation and minimizing disputes over resources. By leveraging artificial intelligence and zoning systems, these corridors could foster peacebuilding before conflicts escalate or in post-conflict efforts.
A new study has identified five species of root-lesion nematodes in maize fields across New Zealand, revealing significant diversity and regional distribution patterns. The discovery highlights the need for targeted pest management strategies to protect crop yields and maintain agricultural productivity.
Researchers evaluated the noise impact of offshore wind farms on fishes and dolphins in the Pearl River Estuary. The study found that pile driving noise during construction can significantly affect marine animals, with predicted impact zones varying by species.
Long-term drainage increases bound OC% in non-Sphagnum wetlands due to reactive metal oxides, but decreases it in Sphagnum wetlands. This mechanism helps compensate for lost unbound SOC components in non-Sphagnum wetlands.
Close examination of kangaroo tooth microwear reveals a generalist diet among Australian species during the Late Pleistocene. The findings support the idea that human hunting, rather than climate adaptation, drove megafaunal extinction in Australia.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University experts found that male medaka can mate up to 19 times a day, releasing more than 50% of their daily sperm output in the first three matings. The fertilization rate decreases significantly after this point, with some cases showing no fertilization.
A new study reveals fossilized chewing lice eggs in mid-Cretaceous amber, associated with enantiornithine feathers. The discovery provides insight into early coevolution between bird hosts and ectoparasites, shedding light on the origins of modern lice.
Physicists at MIT have devised a formula predicting which invasive species will succeed in an ecosystem, based on analysis of soil bacteria. The researchers found that population fluctuations are key to invasion success, and that diversity can either help or hinder the invader.
Researchers at KIT developed a new water treatment method using carbon nanotube membranes in electrochemical membrane reactors. The study found that pre-adsorption of steroid hormones does not limit their degradation, thanks to rapid adsorption and effective mass transfer. This approach has the potential to improve the removal of micro...
Researchers tracked 71 female common noctule bats on their spring migration across central Europe, finding they align journeys with warm nights and incoming storm fronts. The bats' ability to surf wind currents allows them to reduce energy demands, but flexibility in migration timing is also crucial for survival.
A new study finds that fuel aridity is the most significant driver of forest fire burn severity in Canadian forests, particularly over the last two decades. Burn severity has increased significantly, especially in northern Canada, where changing climate and vegetation type play a critical role.
The Ecological Society of America has elected four new Governing Board members and three Certified Senior Ecologists to serve on the Board of Professional Certification. Rese Cloyd will lead efforts to conserve District of Columbia's ecosystems as ESA's president-elect.
A recent UC Riverside study found that raking dead grass can boost California's native wildflower diversity, reducing fire danger and increasing plant community changes. The simple, low-cost method of removing invasive grass layers allows native seeds to germinate and grow.
Scientists at La Brea Tar Pits have identified a mysterious fossil seed, unlocking key findings on past environmental changes and megafaunal extinction. The discovery highlights the vulnerability of junipers to modern climate change and informs conservation efforts.
Researchers observed California ground squirrels hunting, eating and competing over vole prey, revealing a carnivorous summer behavior. This flexible diet suggests they can adapt to changing environments.
A research team led by Hidemasa Bono mapped the genomes of susceptible and resistant bed bug strains, revealing new insights into the development of pyrethroid resistance. The study identified 729 resistance-specific mutations in protein-coding genes related to DNA damage response, cell cycle regulation, and lysosome functions.
A new study reveals that corals must be within 10 meters of each other for fertilization to take place, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to maintain coral populations. The research found that as distance increases, reproduction success declines significantly.
A new AI image tool, INQUIRE, can aid in analyzing millions of wildlife images uploaded to the internet for insights into climate change impacts on species. Current AI algorithms can identify species but struggle with more complex questions.