Articles tagged with Ecosystem Management
A new study maps Australia's terrestrial and blue carbon soils, revealing the continent holds 27.9 gigatonnes of carbon, equivalent to 700 times annual electricity emissions. The research emphasizes the need to protect key ecosystems threatened by human activities and climate change.
The study assesses and quantifies safety and justice for humanity on Earth, finding that numerous boundaries are already transgressed. The results conclude that a just approach is essential to planetary stability, and setting targets can prevent significant harm.
Current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped. Small burrowing mammals, like the plateau pika and zokor, play crucial ecological roles in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity.
A WVU researcher is creating mathematical models to predict how bioenergy crops enhance and store soil carbon, potentially spurring renewable energy from biological sources. The model considers factors like plant roots, microbes, and feedstocks to determine net carbon benefits or losses.
Research by North Carolina State University found that new species can alter ecosystem processes despite similarities to resident species, but changes occur when they are more dissimilar. This study has implications for predicting the consequences of climate change-induced species introductions.
Researchers developed an AI-powered tool to identify and measure coral reef halos globally, providing a new method for monitoring ecosystem health. The tool enables efficient tracking of reef ecosystems' function at large scales, improving understanding and management of coral reefs.
Researchers found that mycorrhizal networks are essential for forest stability but not through sharing and caring among trees. The network works like a trading ground for individual trees and fungi, each trying to survive.
A 24-year study of freshwater fish exposed to warm water pollution found changes in growth rates, death rates, and size. Despite expectations, the study revealed that warmer waters led to larger fish, contradicting general predictions of global warming's effects on natural ecosystems.
The US federal government's management of wild horses is flawed due to conflicting societal views, leading to unsustainable population growth. A clear definition of feral equids is needed to implement effective management plans that balance ecosystem health and fiscal responsibility.
Researchers found high levels of coral pathogens in fish that graze on algae and detritus, while those that eat coral had beneficial bacteria in their feces. These findings suggest that corallivore feces could act as a 'coral probiotic,' potentially benefiting coral reefs.
Researchers at UMass Amherst characterized two types of surface water in hyperarid salars, which are crucial habitats for animals like flamingoes and vicuñas. The study helps manage these ecosystems by treating terminal and transitional pools differently.
A study found that establishing fallow land can increase the populations of farmland birds and improve biodiversity. The benefits depend on landscape complexity, particularly in regions with a moderate density of boundary lines between fields and woody structures.
George Mason University researchers have identified key methods for successfully reintroducing captive birds into the wild, including exposing animals to wild food and providing supplemental feeding after release. Their study provides evidence-based support for exploring the use of behavior and its management as an influential tool in ...
A new study reveals that beaver ponds with deeper sediments can store up to 15% of the nitrogen that enters them. This finding is crucial for understanding nitrogen pollution in rivers and streams, where beavers play a key role in shaping ecosystems.
A global survey of 1000 forest areas reveals how past climate change has impacted tree species diversity and distribution. The study found that temperature changes since the last ice age have had a significant impact on today's biodiversity.
A study in Nature Communications Earth and Environment shows progress in Australia's nature-based rehabilitation efforts for sustainable environmental restoration. The research highlights the importance of adopting UN environmental goals as principles in river management to conserve river health and improve resilience.
During Hawaii's COVID lockdown, researchers found that species displaced by human presence moved back into shallow habitats, increasing fish biomass and predator populations. However, when tourism resumed, predators returned to deeper waters, reducing biomass and habitat use to pre-pandemic levels.
Increased droughts are disrupting soil microbes' ability to capture carbon, threatening plant productivity and greenhouse gas levels. Research suggests that if drought-adapted microbes outcompete carbon-sequestering microbes, it could lead to carbon-depleted soils with severe implications.
Researchers at UToledo developed a new model to estimate the abundance of rare species like invasive grass carp in freshwater ecosystems. The model helps guide management strategies and provides insight into the effectiveness of control efforts.
A pilot study in Eritrea demonstrates the importance of mapping and assessing ecosystems and their services for sustainable policy and decision-making. The research team recommends making information on ecosystem services available to stakeholders and the public to enable responsible decision-making.
A new study in Scotland reveals that stakeholders have diverse and nuanced views on potential lynx reintroduction, with disagreements over sheep farming and ecosystem management. The research highlights the need for a participatory approach to discuss the issue.
The REST-COAST Summer Workshop brought together experts from around the world to discuss innovative research and management strategies for coastal restoration. Key findings included the financing of restoration projects, nature-based solutions, and coupled modelling systems for risk reduction.
The article summarizes current status and future trends of forest understory vegetation biodiversity, regeneration, biomass, nutrient content, and interactions with overstory trees. It proposes focusing on understory-Canopy tree interactions and plant-soil mechanisms driven by climate or environmental factors.
A new study reveals that the most endangered turtles and crocodiles are those with unique life strategies, which carry out critical processes in their ecosystems. The researchers highlight the urgent need for effective conservation management plans to protect these species and their habitats.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that ground beetle species will thrive or decline based on their habitats and traits. Habitat conservation can help mitigate the effects of climate change on these insects, which are critical pest control agents in North American agriculture.
A recent study found that the Amazon Rainforest in southwestern Brazil has experienced a significant increase in deforestation and burning, with 4,141 km² of forest destroyed between 2003 and 2019. The region's agricultural activities and infrastructure have contributed to this trend, posing a threat to conservation units and Indigenou...
A new study reveals that northern and southern resident orcas differ in their hunting behaviors, with males catching more salmon per hour than females. Southern resident males outperform females by 152%, highlighting a distinct pattern of foraging that may contribute to the population decline.
Guinea grass, an invasive species in Texas, uses a combination of crowding and chemical toxins to suppress native plants. The researchers found that the toxicity of guinea grass increases dramatically when its shading effect is combined with its chemical warfare, making it harder for native plants to survive.
Research suggests that wildfires need to fall within a narrow severity range to improve forest health. The study found that moderate severity fires are most effective at reducing community and ecosystem risk, but even these may not be enough to restore species composition. Land managers can use the predicted post-fire conditions to inf...
A new study finds that releasing captive-bred native fish into the wild negatively impacts entire ecosystems, disrupting delicate balances and leading to reduced genetic diversity. The practice, which has been used for over a century, may be doing more harm than good.
A new study by Göttingen University reveals that mechanical weeding and reduced fertilizer usage significantly increase ecosystem multifunctionality and profit in industrial oil palm production. The researchers found no reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with these practices.
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.
Research from the University of Cambridge and Cardiff University found that damselfish scare off cleaner fish customers, leading to fewer species receiving vital cleaning treatment. This disruption could contribute to the breakdown of delicate ecosystems supported by coral reefs.
A Stanford-led study estimates that about 20% of all Sierra Nevada conifer forests are mismatched with the climate around them. This means they are temporarily surviving in habitats that have grown too warm for them, but are likely to be replaced by tree species better adapted to the climate after catastrophic wildfires.
A recent study at Baskett Forest found that forests reach an ecosystem wilting point between 2-4 weeks of extreme drought, requiring soaking rainfall to rejuvenate. This concept explains how whole forests respond to drought and is essential for understanding their dynamics under climate change.
Researchers have identified critical areas in northern, northwestern, and western Iran for urgent conservation action. The study used maps of threatened species to pinpoint regions necessary to protect critically endangered species like the Asiatic cheetah and Persian leopard.
A global comparison of soil transplantation projects reveals significant improvements in restoring vegetations with high conservation value. The treatment increased species count and diversity by an average of 40% compared to hay addition, particularly on loamy soils over larger areas.
Purdue University has been awarded a $10 million grant from the USDA to improve forest management in the Eastern US. The project, called PERSEUS, aims to provide digital tools and precision management to enhance forest health and promote sustainable forestry practices.
A long-term study from Lund University in Sweden found that native trees are preferred by urban birds due to their availability of resources. Non-native trees lack an evolutionary history with the local ecosystem and have fewer insects, leading to a shortage of food for insectivorous birds.
Researchers from University of Jyväskylä found that forest management has a stronger effect on the supply of ecosystem services than climate change. The study suggests that forest management planning should account for biogeographic diversity, and climate change mitigation measures are particularly suited for northern Finland.
A new study reveals that a single seeding of native understory plants can reap lasting benefits in restored fallow agricultural fields and other landscapes. Cooler and wetter conditions, shallower needle depth, and greater tree spacing promote better establishment.
A new study on Chesapeake Bay water quality found that pollution thresholds affect reduction efforts, and larger reductions may be needed to induce complete reversal of eutrophication-induced hypoxia. The research revealed that the system responds only until a certain threshold is crossed, then it takes twice the effort to make a change.
A new study found that Indigenous communities with formal tenure rights in Brazil's Atlantic Forest reduced deforestation and improved forest cover, outperforming territories without such rights. Strengthening self-determination rights of Indigenous peoples has been shown to be crucial for forest conservation efforts globally.
Researchers found that salmon carcasses can cause wildflowers to grow bigger and produce more seeds, shedding light on the impact of climate change on rivers and streams. The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, extends previous knowledge about nitrogen isotopes and their connection to plant growth.
A new study by Nord University and ICM-CSIC confirms that high temperatures in the Arctic are promoting settlement of species from warmer areas. The study found an increase of 66% in fish species caught in Norwegian and Barents Seas between 1994 and 2020.
A study found that the decline of black-tailed prairie dogs due to sylvatic plague, combined with abnormally high precipitation, led to dramatic ecosystem changes. The loss of prairie dog habitat caused declines in associated species such as birds, swift foxes, and coyotes.
A new study by ICTA-UAB calls for a biocultural approach in nature conservation, incorporating human perspectives and cultural values. The research team compiled a list of 385 culturally important species that have a recognized role in supporting local identity, providing a common sense of place and belonging.
Climate change is expected to lead to a 65% decline in land plants and animals by 2100 if current management strategies are not implemented. Implementing ten key threat management strategies could benefit up to 84% of terrestrial bird, mammal, and plant groups, with a cost of $23 million annually.
A new study from Ritsumeikan University reveals the essential role of relational values in people's readiness to participate in and support sustainable social-ecological system (SES) management. The research shows that integrating relational values into SES management plans can promote pro-SES behavior among people.
A new study demonstrates how anonymized smartphone data can monitor public use of parks and green spaces, shedding light on relationships between people and nature. The findings highlight potential for GPS data to inform management and optimize benefits for both recreation and biodiversity.
A new study emphasizes the critical importance of conserving deep reefs in the Western Indian Ocean, which are under threat from multiple stressors. The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize conservation efforts and consider the region's growing population and economic pressures.
A new study has identified major barriers to conserving island ecosystems, including poor governance policies and lack of staff training. The research highlights the need for targeted funding and incentives to support frontline conservation workers in their efforts to protect these critical ecosystems.
The use of real-world laboratories can facilitate knowledge exchange between science and society, enabling the development of participatory research approaches to address the complex challenges facing our oceans. By involving all relevant stakeholders in co-designing research questions and testing potential strategies, these labs have ...
The Washington D.C. metro area's dashboard is being developed at PSU, allowing users to see all the data together in one place. The project aims to improve nonmotorized planning by providing clean, quality-checked biking and walking count data.
Researchers have found that cyclones and fires can interact in devastating ways, causing more damage than either event alone. The study suggests that high-intensity bushfires could be followed by cyclones, encroaching on previously low-risk areas and extending damage zones.
Researchers have launched five projects to investigate the impact of pollution on UK rivers, which fail to meet good ecological status due to pollutants like chemicals, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. The projects aim to improve water quality, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change.
A global study found that grazing can have positive effects on ecosystem services in species-rich rangelands but negative impacts under a warmer climate. The study highlights the importance of managing grazing locally to cope with climate change.
Researchers warn of impending 35-60 year droughts in western US unless greenhouse gas emissions are curbed to limit warming to 2.5 degrees Celsius. Mountain snowpack is shrinking due to global warming, threatening agriculture, ecosystem support, and urban water supplies.
Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified a new, endemic species of crown-of-thorns seastar in the Red Sea. The species, Acanthaster benziei, differs from other species in the genus by its smaller arms and thinner spines.
An interdisciplinary team will uncover complex biological systems and develop tools to globally document coral reef health changes. The research aims to understand how herbivory rate at the ecosystem scale emerges and shapes the ecosystem, ultimately informing management of ecosystems.