Articles tagged with Ecosystem Services
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.
A recent study published in Nature highlights the underestimation of global wetland loss over the past 300 years. The research found that temperate river floodplains and tropical regions are disproportionately affected, while remote boreal-arctic peatlands remain relatively unharmed.
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 group of international scientists warn that nuclear radiation would have catastrophic consequences on ecosystems, including widespread hunger, toxic contamination, and habitat destruction. The authors urge policymakers to take action to mitigate these risks.
Researchers emphasize the importance of freshwater corridors in the Amazon for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. The study highlights critical areas that need protection to safeguard healthy rivers and mitigate climate change impacts.
A new study analyzing a two-decade long grassland experiment found that plant species complement each other to produce stable biomass at the community level. This 'compensatory' effect is more pronounced in diverse communities, which also show increased stability and resilience over time.
A $2.3 million grant from the US Department of Energy funds a 'solar testbed' at I-79 Technology Park in Fairmont, supporting research on battery storage, grid integration, and cybersecurity. The project aims to assess solar panel health and monitor grid interactions with solar power.
A recent study reveals that high-severity wildfires are increasing in Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade forests, with the average annual area burned at high severity nearly quintupled since before Euro-American settlement. This trend is concerning as most affected forest types are adapted to low-to-moderate severity burning.
The study highlights the importance of a diverse city tree population, with private residences contributing significantly to urban forest diversity and structure. The research found that private trees serve unique functions such as providing fruit, flowers, or aesthetic beauty, while municipal trees tend to be bigger and more resilient.
A new study reveals that high-quality coral reefs in Hawaii are popular tourist sites, but also at risk from tourism-related development and pollution. The research used social media and aerial mapping to analyze the impact of tourist visitation on live coral cover across hundreds of coastal sites.
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.
Researchers explore the importance of understanding whale carbon sequestration potential to combat climate change. Whales can store more carbon than small animals, influencing nutrient dynamics and carbon cycling over ocean-basin scales.
A WVU engineer has developed a technology that can treat urine on site rather than at a centralized wastewater treatment facility, allowing for the recovery of nitrogen as a valuable fertilizer. The approach enables quick treatment and promotes the reduction of nutrient discharge into lakes and rivers.
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 found that summer rainfall and autumn-winter dry days are increasing, leading to fluvial discharge and sediment load in rainy seasons and water deficits in dry seasons. The Pantanal's complex geomorphology, including mega-fans and self-affine landforms, makes it susceptible to anthropic interference.
The studies will provide evidence for a new global approach to valuing natural habitats and evaluate biodiversity in marine and urban areas. They aim to deliver on the recommendations from the Government's Dasgupta Review and support nature recovery and halt biodiversity loss.
A new study found that bats play a crucial role in protecting young tree seedlings from insect damage, with three times fewer bugs and five times more defoliation when bats are absent. The research reveals a mutually beneficial relationship between bats and oak trees, with bats serving as a key predator for insects that harm the trees.
A new study by Mayra Rodríguez González found that people of color are inversely linked to high amounts of ecosystem services. To address this, Rodríguez recommends obtaining land for restoration and management in diverse communities to increase access and equity.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design show that restoring natural water availability to the Mekong's floodplains is possible through coordination among hydropower producers. By altering dam release decisions and production plans, key components of hydrological variability can be restored, leading to improved ec...
Researchers estimate that opening protected areas to mining would lead to the destruction of 183 km² of forest and further loss of 7,626 km² due to infrastructure construction. The study highlights the need for strategic planning and environmental impact assessments before making changes to conservation policies.
Research finds LA mountain lions are avoiding burned areas but crossing roads and traveling longer distances to find resources. The population is increasingly at risk due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
Vivli's generalist repository is the largest clinical trial repository in the world, providing managed access to over 6,600 trials. The platform has contributed to over 100 publications and features a COVID-19 portal with quick data addition capabilities.
Research found that native predatory fish like jacks and barracuda feed on Australian mullet, an invasive species introduced to Oahu waters. This shift in diet helps control the invasive mullet population, which competes with native fish for resources.
A new dataset provides an unprecedented insight into the Arctic Ocean's biological life, revealing a year's worth of microbial communities and their responses to climate change. The EcoOmics dataset aims to guide conservation efforts and provide evidence for novel biology that may influence our understanding of evolution on Earth.
A comprehensive classification of world's ecosystems across land, rivers, and wetlands enables effective biodiversity conservation and informed policy decisions. The typology helps policymakers and industry plan initiatives in full context, informing decisions on ecosystem protection and restoration efforts.
Soil ecological values are often overlooked in nature conservation management; the new study identifies global hotspots where they need to be prioritized. Temperate ecosystems show high local species richness, while biodiversity uniqueness peaks in arid and tropical ecosystems.
Pharmaceutical contamination poses significant risks to ecosystems due to the widespread use of medicines in humans and animals. Researchers emphasize the need for greener drug design, improved wastewater management, and responsible use of drugs.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are investigating maize roots for organic and regenerative systems to optimize carbon storage, resource use efficiency, and productivity. They aim to develop corn varieties that provide ecosystem services even under changing weather scenarios.
A University of Maryland-led study finds that street trees in Baltimore reflect the city's history of institutionalized racism but also modern reparation efforts. Researchers discovered that green neighborhoods have more diverse tree communities and larger, older trees, while redlined areas have less diverse tree species.
A Brazilian study of 26,616 tree falls in São Paulo found that building height and neighborhood age are key factors influencing the risk of tree failure. Sidewalk width and tree height were also found to be significant variables. The research provides valuable insights for urban planning and tree management in the city.
A new study reveals that bats' diets are more similar than previously thought, with both species eating a variety of insects and agricultural pests. The research found that the northern long-eared bat tends to pick up larger prey items due to its gleaning strategy.
A Chinese research group found that China's natural climate solutions (NCS) can counterbalance 11-12% of industrial CO2 emissions by 2030. The study quantified NCS pathways, including conservation, restoration, and improved forest management, and estimated their contribution to climate change mitigation.
A team of US scientists proposes a 'Western Rewilding Network' to conserve and restore ecosystems in the region. The plan aims to reintroduce keystone species like gray wolves and North American beavers to promote biodiversity and ecosystem health.
A systematic review of 301 academic articles identified 227 unique linkages between cultural ecosystem services and human well-being, including 16 distinct underlying mechanisms. The study found that positive interactions through nature, such as recreation and aesthetic value, contribute to improved mental and physical health.
Research highlights the 'worst of both worlds' for people living in suburban areas, with poor access to natural and built infrastructure. This can result in a lower quality of life compared to urban and rural areas.
Researchers have pinpointed diverse 'win-win' solutions that simultaneously safeguard human health and ecosystem conservation, covering six continents and tackling major environmental problems. The study highlights potential interventions like vaccinating dogs to reduce rabies transmission and introducing prawns back into a dammed river.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that exposure to food stamp work requirements significantly increases mental health care use for depression and anxiety. The policy's negative effects are more pronounced among women, who experience a 26% increase in depression visits and a 12% increase in anxiety visits.
Researchers found 61 out of 86 species threatened with extinction, with coastal sharks facing greatest conservation concern. Increased protections and international trade regulations are crucial to prevent extinctions among these species.
Shorter winters have reduced ice coverage by 31 days over the past 165 years, leading to altered lake biota, increased evaporation and salinity. Climate change is expected to worsen these effects, threatening ecosystem services including water quality and human consumption.
Researchers found that farm management practices like crop diversification and native plant presence support wild bee conservation. Urban agriculture can benefit local bee populations if managed sustainably.
A conceptual species 'stock market' aims to assign economic value to species and ecosystems, promoting sustainability and biodiversity conservation. The SSM would enable the valuation of ecosystem services and actions that harm or benefit biodiversity, fostering a unified approach to environmental decision-making.
A new analysis demonstrates that mangrove and coral reef restoration can be a cost-effective solution for coastal flood reduction. The study found that the benefits from reduced flood damage exceed the costs of restoration, making nature-based solutions an attractive option for funding.
Research reveals Paradise, California's water contained VOCs at levels exceeding EPA standards due to degraded plastic pipes near or above ground. To protect communities, experts recommend burying service lines deeper, using isolation valves, and monitoring temperature thresholds.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that local community perceptions of ecosystem services provided by wild cherry trees can be used for community-based management and conservation. The study revealed notable differences among groups, highlighting the importance of understanding how people perceive the value of symbolic sp...
New research reveals that at least 64 million square kilometers of Earth's land area require conservation to protect terrestrial species and ecosystems. The study suggests that governments must scale up their conservation efforts to achieve more ambitious goals and policies beyond the current 30% target.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.
International meta-analysis finds that streams and rivers' efficiency in retaining nitrates is nearly five times lower for agricultural catchments than pristine ones. Wastewater, agriculture, and urbanization are the top stressors affecting ecological functions, highlighting the need for urgent action.
A new study suggests that large-scale ocean sanctuaries can help protect coral reefs from the effects of climate change. The research advocates for international collaboration to establish mesoscale sanctuaries across national boundaries to conserve these critical ecosystems.
The Ecological Society of America will hold its 107th Annual Meeting in Montreal from August 14-19, 2022. This year's meeting combines resources and interests of the ESA and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, focusing on theme "A Change Is Gonna Come" exploring global environmental and evolutionary change.
A new study by Cornell University found that rare and endangered insects and spiders can be easily purchased without adequate oversight through basic internet searches. Many species, including those with valuable ecological services like ladybugs and pollinators, are being sold illegally online.
The University of Kentucky is part of a five-year, $10 million NSF initiative led by CU Boulder to develop new cyberinfrastructure support services. The project aims to transform the way researchers use NSF-funded cyberinfrastructure, leveraging existing tools and expertise.
Researchers at the University of Georgia developed a model to prioritize land conservation in the Upper Chattahoochee Watershed, which provides drinking water to 95 cities. The model considers ecosystem services like water, carbon, and habitat, and favors higher connectivity among parcels of land.
A recent study found that US trees generate a total of $114 billion annually in ecosystem services, with carbon storage and air quality regulation contributing 51% and 37% respectively. The most valuable tree species are pine and oak, but face growing threats from climate change and pests.
Researchers discovered that freshwater pearl mussel larvae can protect brown trout from Flavobacterium disease outbreaks. The mussels' filtering ability removes bacteria from water, suggesting a potential application in water treatment. This finding highlights the importance of ecosystem services provided by endangered species.
A new study by Resources for the Future and Columbia University finds that losing a hectare of wetlands can cost society an average of $1,900 in flood damages per year. In developed areas, this figure rises to over $8,000. The research highlights the importance of preserving wetlands for flood mitigation.
The EuropaBON project aims to develop a unified approach to monitoring Europe's biodiversity and ecosystems. A list of 15 essential variables has been identified for harmonization across countries, but most are not currently being monitored adequately.
A University of Illinois study found that neighborhoods with fewer trees have higher medical costs and poorer health outcomes. Residents in areas with more tree cover incur $374 less in medical costs per year, a difference that translates to approximately $194 million annually.
Twelve new research projects aim to level up health and wellbeing across the UK through cultural and natural interventions. The programme, funded by AHRC and partners, will generate evidence for place-based approaches to creative health, generating insights into local cultural activities and natural spaces.
A study of 264 studies in 53 countries found that natural forests better support biodiversity and ecosystem services like carbon storage and water conservation. In contrast, plantations excel in wood production, highlighting a trade-off between environmental and economic goals in forest restoration.
A new study found that restoring diverse native forests delivers greater climate and environmental benefits than simple tree plantations, but plantations outperform native forests in wood production. The research synthesized data from over 26,000 records to assess the relative performance of different forest restoration approaches.