Articles tagged with Ecosystem Management
Scientists propose a new approach to managing ecosystems, focusing on sustaining healthy ecosystems that are resilient to further environmental change. This approach acknowledges the current level of change in an ecosystem and uses innovative strategies to ensure its resilience.
A study found that elephants' browsing activities create hiding places and twisted crevices in trees, which boost lizard densities. The research suggests that elephants play a crucial role in shaping the ecosystem, particularly in African wildlife refuges.
Researchers find that small losses of mangroves can be offset by gains from shrimp farming, allowing for a balance between environmental protection and economic development. The study suggests using ecosystem-based management to conserve entire ecosystems and mitigate the impact of human activities on natural habitats.
Researchers explore how modern concepts from mathematical ecology can benefit economically vital yet ecologically complex areas. The four articles in the special section highlight different aspects of attempts to incorporate these concepts into ecosystem-based management.
The Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology will conduct a one-year pilot study on ecosystem diversity in Kruger National Park using remote sensing and the Carnegie Airborne Observatory. This research aims to improve adaptive management and develop skills for park managers to undertake remote monitoring of ecosystems.
A global analysis of climate change's impact on rivers indicates that many will require significant management interventions to protect ecosystems and people. The study projects changes in river discharge under different climate and water withdrawal scenarios, highlighting basins at risk of water stress or increased flood flows.
Recent advancements in remote sensing technologies, such as lidar and high fidelity imaging spectroscopy, enable researchers to study ecological systems at multiple levels. These tools provide essential information for characterizing landscape dynamics and quantifying ecosystem functions related to biogeochemical cycling.
Studies of coral reefs, rocky intertidal areas, and sea grass beds suggest that depletion of top-level consumers is a key driver of ecosystem changes. The authors' findings have major implications for coastal ecosystem management, as reducing nutrient levels may not restore habitats.
The report outlines practical approaches toward ecosystem-based fishery management, citing the success of Alaska and North Pacific fisheries. The Marine Conservation Alliance recommends 13 best practices to ensure sustainable fishing practices while preserving ecosystem health.
Researchers suggest golf course habitats can be improved by creating diverse pond types that mimic natural wetlands, reducing chemical runoff and insect predators. Drying ponds in the fall also benefits amphibians by eliminating bullfrog tadpoles that outcompete other species.
Researchers from IRD and IMARPE found that fishermen adopt similar movement strategies to natural predators when searching for anchovy fish, highlighting the importance of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. This study used VMS data to analyze vessel movements and identify areas with high vulnerability of stock exploited.
Researchers found that fishermen's movement patterns are comparable to those of natural predators, such as albatross or seals. This convergence suggests that fishermen are not solely economic agents but part of the ecosystem, influencing fish stock management and requiring an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management.
The Institute of Ecosystem Studies has been recognized for its innovative deer management program, which balances forest health with deer populations. The program's success has informed deer management initiatives across the northeastern US and beyond.
Researchers propose a holistic approach to fisheries management, emphasizing the need to consider entire ecosystems and monitor catch characteristics. The 'Ten Commandments' outline specific action items to improve sustainability and efficiency in marine management.
A new study found that human preferences for certain penguin species could impact their survival, with warm colors like red and yellow being more popular among humans. The research, conducted by University of Washington conservation biologist David Stokes, suggests that public opinion may play a significant role in conservation decisions.
A recent study by Stanford University researchers found that large herbivorous mammals can have a significant impact on ecosystem health. In an experiment in central Kenya, the removal of cattle, elephants, and zebras led to an increase in the populations of trees, beetles, lizards, and other species.
Researchers found that northern forest fires could lead to a net cooling effect due to the reflection of sunlight by deciduous trees with light green leaves. This study suggests re-examining strategies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions through ecosystem management.
A geologist and his collaborator analyzed Lewis and Clark's data, finding the Missouri River has narrowed and its water levels have become more variable. This narrowing creates an increased risk of damaging floods, as well as fluctuations in day-to-day and seasonal water levels.
A study finds that the loss of ocean species accelerates the collapse of entire ecosystems, reducing productivity and stability. The research projects the collapse of all currently fished seafoods by 2050, highlighting the need for sustainable management and biodiversity conservation.
Wade Cooper, a University of Miami student, has been awarded a $80,000 scholarship to advance his research on the early life stage dynamics of stony corals in natural environments. His work aims to aid in coral's survival in the face of climate change and ocean acidification.
Arizona State University researcher Jianguo Wu is leading a five-year project to study the relationships between species in the Eurasia Grassland, one of the world's largest contiguous biomes. The project aims to understand how different species function together and create realistic gradients of biodiversity.
Researchers found that community-led management systems, which prioritize local goals and social benefits, are effective in conserving resources and promoting compliance. These systems, often implemented through traditional practices and social barriers, can outperform large marine protected areas in reversing reef ecosystem degradation.
Researchers have developed various methods to minimize predation conflicts, including fladry with electrically charged wires and paintball-type devices. However, it's essential to consider the complex psychological relationship between humans and predators when implementing these strategies.
New research reveals deep-sea pelagic fish are congregating at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge for spawning, challenging long-held nomadic wanderer myth. MAR-ECO project discovers six new species and unusually large specimens, shedding light on deep-sea ecosystems.
The Bahamas Biocomplexity Project adopts a holistic approach to marine conservation, combining scientific tools with ethnographic and economic surveys. The project's findings suggest that marine protected areas can increase seaweed grazing and reduce algal abundance, benefiting coral reefs.
Agriculture can offer ecosystem services like cleaner air, water, and wildlife habitats by managing land in a way that appreciates non-marketable benefits. This approach aims to encourage farmers to provide these services with incentives and citizen payments.
Adaptive environmental management aims to integrate local community involvement in policy-making and assessment, a concept popular in Europe but only recently tested in the US. The Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico serves as a case study, examining strategies that have improved local acceptability and ecosystem health.
The state-and-transition model better explains ecosystem changes, but outdated science can cause serious problems. Scientists need to learn how to spread new knowledge widely through cooperative extension efforts and early adopters.
A Pitt professor proposes using an ecological management system to evaluate nature's economic value, bridging economics and ecology. The approach considers ecosystem services like storm damage reduction and wetland maintenance, highlighting the gap between market and social values.
Research by Dr. Mark Boyce found that removing one egg from a whooping crane nest increases the probability of nest success, leading to an increase in population numbers and establishment of new populations. The program has been successful in enhancing the conservation of the species, with over 200 birds currently thriving.
A new study by University of Colorado at Boulder-led researchers found that ancient birds in Australia's interior changed their diet drastically after human arrival, pointing to large-scale ecosystem changes. The shift was linked to the extinction of large terrestrial mammals and other species.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez was awarded the first-ever Global Ocean Conservation Award for his groundbreaking work in advancing global marine conservation, fisheries reform, and ocean science. He is recognized for his leadership in securing a U.N. moratorium on high seas bottom trawling and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
Researchers found nonlinear mechanisms that could lead to dramatic and swift changes in the North Pacific Ocean's biological systems. In contrast, physical characteristics such as sea surface temperature evolve in a linear manner, making regime-like fluctuations unreliable.
The conference aimed to incorporate ecological methods into traditional epidemiological studies, exploring how environmental changes influence disease dynamics. Experts emphasized the need for building a bridge between ecology and epidemiology to address emerging pathogens effectively.
Gray wolves help regulate elk populations, providing a steady food source for scavengers like bears and eagles during severe winters. The study highlights the importance of wolves in mitigating the effects of climate change on ecosystems.
Restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay should cross traditional boundaries and include upland and coastal areas. The approach emphasizes adaptive management and incorporates ecological resilience to withstand perturbation without a fundamental change.
A pioneering North Sea fisheries management plan proposes recognizing fishermen's role in protecting the marine ecosystem. The plan, developed by Newcastle University scientists, aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and involve fishermen in decision-making.
The greater sage-grouse and Gunnison sage-grouse are affected by changes in their ecosystems, including the suppression of fire and invasive species. Livestock grazing also impacts these birds, while oil and gas development threatens the sagebrush biome. Researchers discuss restoration options to mitigate these effects.
A new paradigm for fishery management prioritizes ecosystem health over individual species, considering predator-prey relationships and habitat quality. The approach aims to reduce destructive single-species management, instead focusing on the entire food web.
A recent study reveals a drastic decline in species diversity and productivity of an ecosystem, with significant consequences for the environment. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to mitigate these effects and preserve biodiversity.
The US Commission on Ocean Policy released a preliminary report outlining bold and broad-reaching recommendations to reform the nation's ocean policy. The report emphasizes ecosystem-based management, strengthening science and education to inform decision-making, and enhancing regional goals and priorities.
Salvage harvesting operations after natural disturbances can threaten some organisms when large quantities of biological legacies are removed. Researchers argue that exempting large areas from these practices is crucial for ecosystem recovery and sustainability.
National Ocean Commissioners and scientists propose a holistic ecosystem-based approach to manage the oceans, shifting from single-species management to integrated governance. This approach aims to restore ocean health by considering the interconnectedness of species and ecosystems.
The US government is expected to issue a draft report with recommendations for ocean policy, addressing issues like resource stewardship and pollution prevention. The commission's report emphasizes the need for ecosystem-based management to sustain long-term exploitation.
A team of researchers at Michigan State University has uncovered cliques in the food web, a complex network of interconnecting food chains. This breakthrough provides a new way to understand and manage ecosystems for sustainability.
The Bechtel Foundation has donated $300,000 to support the development of an atomic testing museum at the Desert Research Institute's Frank H. Rogers Building. The museum will feature exhibits on the Cold War role of the Nevada Test Site and traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution.
Researchers are using innovative new tools to study coastal ecosystems, including genetic mapping of marine populations and remote ocean sensing. These tools are helping scientists understand the dynamics of ocean environments and track the movement of marine species.
Researchers from PISCO integrate genetics, microchemistry, and computer mapping to understand coastal ecosystems. They discover coastal hotspots with abundant food and faster growth rates, and track larvae movements using mini-flight recorder technology.
A study found that California's marine reserves cannot protect the state's low red abalone population from being overhunted by sea otters. The researchers suggest that single-use reserves focus on either ecosystem restoration or fishery development instead.
A URI biologist will monitor salt marshes in national parks for long-term ecosystem changes, enabling resource managers to anticipate detrimental changes and design management strategies. The study sites were selected based on aerial photography, field visits, and interviews with park staff.
The Ecological Society of America advocates for a broader view of freshwater resources, prioritizing ecological needs alongside societal requirements. Healthy freshwater systems provide essential goods and services like food supply, flood control, and habitat, which are costly to replace with technology.
USGS scientists Jon Keeley and C.J. Fotheringham argue that natural fire regimes in chaparral ecosystems are not characterized by frequent small fires, but rather by landscape-scale crown fires. They suggest that limited, strategically placed burns are more cost-effective than large-scale prescription burning.
The Wildlife Conservation Society will use the grant to manage and protect key areas with intact ecosystems, such as the Ndoki-Likouala rain forest in the Republic of Congo and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. WCS's Living Landscapes approach aims to balance human needs with wildlife conservation.
Recent research reveals a mix of natural and human-induced changes in Florida Bay, with a significant increase in the mussel species Brachidontes exustus and a decline in molluscan diversity. Understanding natural variability is crucial to restore ecosystems to their natural state.
A two-year study of human impacts on oceans over time reveals that overfishing was the primary driver of ecosystem collapse in each case examined. Historical overkill of marine life triggered changes in ecosystem structure and function, leading to toxic algal blooms, dead zones, and outbreaks of diseases.
Historical records show that humans exploited coastal resources thousands of years ago, leading to the decline of top predators and smaller species. Wise management strategies, such as restoring native oysters and promoting aquaculture, can help conserve water quality and create habitats for fish and shellfish.
The 9th International Coral Reef Symposium in Bali, Indonesia brings together experts to discuss the state of global coral reefs and potential solutions to address mass coral bleaching and die-offs. The conference highlights new insights into mystery diseases killing coral reefs and breakthroughs in Marine Protected Areas.
The symposium explores the ecological implications of these stressors on Western mountain ecosystems. Research has helped quantify stress effects at regional scales, challenging land managers and policymakers.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is pioneering the ecosystem approach by dividing the country into 53 management units based on watersheds. Conservation biologists are urged to help implement this approach by working with land managers on Habitat Conservation Plans, identifying areas for flexibility and adjustments.
New studies suggest ecosystems can be disrupted by small environmental changes or loss of minor species, challenging conventional wisdom on ecological protection. Research finds importance of both keystone and lesser species in ecosystem function.