Articles tagged with Ecosystem Services
The Natural Capital Project aims to calculate ecosystem services' value to people, highlighting the importance of conserving natural systems. By incorporating these values into policies, conservation can be a profitable use of land, benefiting both biodiversity and human life.
A comprehensive analysis of over 100 studies reveals that biodiversity loss will have severe consequences on ecosystem function, including pest control, organic waste management, food production, and water purification. The study suggests that protecting biodiversity is crucial to maintaining these essential services.
Ecosystem services from boreal forests, including carbon capture and water filtration, are estimated to be worth $160 per hectare, totaling $93 billion/year in Canada. Globally, the value is around $250 billion per year. A natural capital accounting system is recommended to reflect these values.
A gene that enables rice to survive complete submergence has been identified, allowing for development of new rice varieties that can withstand flooding. The discovery is expected to increase food security for 70 million poor people and reduce yield losses from weeds in areas like the United States.
A new project aims to create fast and sophisticated computer models to understand ecosystem dynamics and value for any spot on earth. The models will help policymakers identify specific ecosystem services and their impacts, enabling informed decisions on land use.
Research highlights declining hemlock populations due to invasive species, as well as the value of urban forests like Overton Park. Studies also examine economic and ecological costs of exurbanization on Tennessee's southern Cumberland Plateau and document changes in freshwater mussel populations.
The study finds that healthy ecosystems can mitigate the effects of disasters like landslides and floods. Mainstreaming sustainable biodiversity management into policy decisions may reverse ecosystem degradation trends.
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.
Researchers explore how science can help understand and alleviate poverty, with a focus on biophysical parameters and energy services. They find strong correlations between disaster vulnerability, soil fertility, drought frequency, and malaria exposure, highlighting the need for tailored solutions.
The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program has inducted its ninth class of students, who will conduct research on critical scientific problems affecting national parks. The program awards scholarships to support graduate students' education and research expenses for three years.
Scientists have evaluated the status of all ecosystems on Earth, finding that environmental benefits are rapidly being degraded. The assessment, commissioned by the United Nations, reveals that human societies depend on ecosystem services such as food, clean air, and potable water, which are at risk due to environmental change.
The partnership aims to utilize NASA satellite data to help manage forest resources in Acadia National Park. NPS and NASA will share information and collaborate on training, technical support, and education to benefit each other's goals.
The University of Georgia has received a grant to promote trade between the US and Uganda, with the goal of creating jobs and economic growth for both countries. The project is part of the Africa Initiative on campus and aims to build capacity in international trade.
A Stanford University team is working to restore native forests in Hawaii by offering landowners financial incentives. They are focusing on the restoration of koa trees, which provide numerous ecosystem services including recharging freshwater aquifers and storing carbon.
Russell G. Slayback receives the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for his exceptional long-term service to AGI, while Warren D. Allmon is recognized for his outstanding contribution to public understanding of geoscience through his work at PRI.
A new study by the U.S. National Science Foundation highlights the vital importance of streamside forests in maintaining clean water and healthy ecosystems. The research, funded jointly by NSF and EPA, shows that these forests help filter pollutants from streams, enhance ecosystem processes, and support biodiversity.
Jim Reichman has received the Distinguished Service Citation from the Ecological Society of America for his long service to ESA and scientific community. He is also a recipient of the C. Hart Merriam Award of the American Society of Mammalogists, recognizing his contributions to mammalogy and environmental science.
A University of Arizona researcher estimates that Colorado River water divertions result in a $2.4 billion annual loss to society, primarily due to the absence of natural flood control and wastewater treatment. The study suggests including an environmental impact fee in water prices to support ecosystem restoration in the delta.
Researchers found that increasing soil depth and volume leads to increased species occupation and complementary biodiversity effects. The study suggests that intercropping may benefit from deeper soils, but soil erosion could reduce these benefits.
The Ecological Society of America presents an action plan to address growing environmental challenges globally. The report emphasizes the need for integrating ecological knowledge into policy and management, fostering an ecologically knowledgeable public, and building infrastructure for ecology.
A new report by Penn State highlights the importance of coordinated broadband service access and quality in Pennsylvania's rural areas. The report emphasizes that advanced telecommunications infrastructures are crucial for spurring entrepreneurial activity, creating jobs, and supporting telecommuting workers in rural areas.
The global protected area network is underfunded, with a chronic lack of resources leading to ineffective management and degradation of resources. The shortfall has catastrophic results, including habitat loss and extinctions in developing countries.
Researchers found that catnip oil effectively deters termite tunneling, but its toxicity and cost limit its practical use. The study suggests a potential future for catnip oil as a natural termite control method.
Gretchen Daily has been selected as a Nature Conservancy senior scholar, working with researchers from Stanford and the Nature Conservancy to develop market-based approaches to conservation. The project aims to make conservation more profitable and central to human activities.
A study published in PNAS found that intensive farming practices can reduce bee populations and limit the pollination services provided by native bees. However, careful land use management can support the flourishing of native bee species, which are capable of doing more pollinating than previously thought.
A pilot study in the Ozark region found that half of the red oaks on plots were dead, and 10% of white oaks were dying. The study estimates that up to 33% of red oaks may be lost due to the outbreak.
A new study by University of Vermont scientists sheds light on what makes leaves turn red, finding that nutrient stress, particularly low nitrogen, can instigate early and more intense red color in maples. The research uses computer imaging technology to measure the percentage of color in each leaf throughout the seasonal cycle.
As patients access health information online, doctors may take on advisory roles, helping patients make informed decisions. Despite internet accessibility, patients trust doctors more than online sources, ensuring the profession's continued relevance in society.
A $45 billion annual investment in preserving large tracts of wild nature could yield an annual return of $44 to $52 trillion in ecosystem services. The market economy fails to capture the full financial value of natural goods and services, leading to a lack of information and harmful development policies.
Adam Davis's work focuses on integrating economic value into land conservation for private landowners, using current regulations to drive the economic value of conservation. Companies are finding that investing in protected environments is not only good for the Earth but also a sound financial investment.
A natural compound found in tomatoes has been patented and licensed for production as an insect repellent. The substance, IBI-246, is considered slightly safer than DEET and repels a range of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and biting flies.
Gretchen Daily proposes assigning economic value to ecosystems and incorporating those values into public policy. She argues that making conservation profitable is crucial for saving the planet from natural resource depletion.
A broad consortium of scientists proposes developing ecological forecasting to forecast environmental changes, protect ecosystems, and predict the impacts of global warming. The initiative aims to improve planning and decision-making by providing reliable forecasts of ecosystem state and services.
A group of scientists, lawyers, conservationists, economists, and policymakers came together at Stanford to discuss novel ways to market ecosystem services. The workshop aimed to protect the ecosystem by putting an economic value on its less tangible services, such as water purification and flood control.
A group of ecologists and economists propose a new approach to valuing nature's worth. They suggest assigning an economic price tag to ecosystem services, such as pollination and water purification. By doing so, they hope to create financial incentives for protecting these vital resources.
New experiments suggest that biodiversity loss can have significant consequences for ecosystem functions, including reduced resilience to extreme events. The type of species present also appears to play a crucial role in determining ecosystem function.
The study estimates ecosystem services' value between $16 and $54 trillion per year, with coastal environments accounting for 43% of this value. The research highlights the importance of valuing ecosystem services in decision-making processes.
Ecosystems provide essential services such as air and water purification, climate regulation, and soil fertility. These services are crucial for human survival and well-being. Scientists highlight the importance of preserving these services in the face of human activity's impact on the environment.
Scientists warn that humanity's disregard for ecosystem services will have severe economic losses, estimated in trillions of dollars annually. The loss of nature's services can lead to floods, mudslides, and extinction of species, posing an existential threat to human survival.
Experts from around the world have agreed on a standard for locating environmental information, enabling easy access to a virtual library of data and information. The initiative aims to make use of base standards like ISO 10163 to provide a universal service for searching and accessing environmental information.