Articles tagged with Ecosystem Services
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
The ESMERALDA MAES Explorer is an online tool that helps EU member states map and assess ecosystems and their services. The platform provides practical guidance to policymakers, scientists, and businesses on implementing ecosystem services mapping.
The Francis Crick Institute will run a new accelerator programme called KQ Labs to support data-driven biomedical start-ups, providing £40,000 each to ten companies to validate their proposals. The programme is part of a growing ecosystem around King's Cross, Euston and Bloomsbury.
Climate change could lead to sweeping global landscape changes, threatening biodiversity and vital services like water security and carbon storage. The study used fossil records of vegetation change to project future ecosystem transformations under various greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.
A study using paleoecological records suggests that Earth's terrestrial ecosystems are at risk of major transformation under most aggressive climate scenarios. The analysis reveals that a post-glacial warming of 4-7° Celsius was sufficient to drive changes in terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.
A study by the University of Liverpool identified 31 ecosystem services provided by marine biodiversity, including seafood, raw materials, and natural flood defences. The research highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity to maintain these essential services.
A study in Honduras found that combining conditional payments with investment in schools and clinics leads to better educational and labor market outcomes. The research suggests that this approach can have a transformative impact on individuals' lives.
The University of Texas at Arlington's TMAC has been awarded $6.6 million to help small and mid-sized manufacturing firms develop or improve products, processes, and human capital. Over the last decade, TMAC has served over 2,100 customers, saving them more than $1.2 billion in costs and retaining or generating over 35,000 jobs.
A new study reveals that Indigenous Peoples have ownership, use and management rights over at least 38 million square kilometers of land. This land is spread across 87 countries and overlaps with about 40% of all terrestrial protected areas.
A Penn State economist is leading a three-year study on innovation in rural communities, focusing on how to support rural entrepreneurs. The researchers aim to capture data on overlooked innovations and explore connections between innovation and export capacity.
A recent study reveals that giant panda conservation has a substantial economic value, with estimates suggesting the reserves provide $2.6-6.9 billion per year in ecosystem services. The research suggests that expanding these reserves and investments in natural capital could be a worthwhile strategy for conservation.
A recent study reveals that giant panda conservation provides significant ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulation, and cultural benefits, worth ~ $2.6-6.9 billion annually. The cost-benefit ratio is approximately 10-27 times the conservation investment, highlighting the value of investing in panda conservation.
A new study from the University at Buffalo reveals that households in Nairobi's slums receive inferior household services and pay higher rent compared to formal settlements. The double-jeopardy situation highlights the need for significant public financing or combined public-private investments to address housing and infrastructure gaps.
Regions with sharp declines in flying insects also experience high levels of light pollution, suggesting a link between artificial light and insect population declines. Light pollution can disrupt natural behavior, cause genetic exchange limitations, and impact ecosystem services like pollination.
University of Queensland researchers recommend diverse, ambitious and area-specific conservation targets to support critical services that nature provides. The current 17% target is insufficient to protect all species and provide benefits to humanity.
Researchers argue that current conservation targets are insufficient to support critical ecosystem services. They propose area-specific targets for retaining important natural systems to safeguard humanity.
Researchers found that agricultural intensification rarely leads to positive results for ecosystem services and human wellbeing. The study suggests that only a minority of existing studies present evidence for 'win-win' cases, and even these lack impact on key regulating services.
The ESA Annual Meeting explores how extreme events challenge populations, communities, and ecosystems, as well as human health and living conditions. The meeting delves into topics such as pastoralism in the 21st century, drought resilience and recovery, and coastal ecological resilience and climate change adaptation.
Researchers found that a shade-tree cover of approximately 30% has a predominantly positive effect on cocoa plants, maintaining maximum soil moisture and keeping pests and diseases in check. This amount of shade also increases animal and plant species, carbon sequestration, and cooling effects on temperature.
A global temperature increase of 2°C would double risks for plants, animals, and insects, leading to widespread biodiversity loss. If left unchecked, warming could trigger systemic ecological simplification, threatening ecosystem services crucial for human well-being.
Seong-Hoon Cho, a UTIA researcher, will spend six months in South Korea designing the country's framework for forest carbon sequestration payments. The project aims to optimize risk/reward trade-offs and encourage forest carbon sequestration through innovative economics and finance modeling.
A new system called MAPHEX can remove almost all phosphorus from stored livestock manure, addressing a major environmental issue in the US. The technology could have a huge impact on water quality problems if made more affordable to operate.
Researchers from the University of Missouri found that members of the public are more willing to pay for improved water quality than other ecosystem services. Participants in a nationwide survey consistently preferred higher monthly payments for water quality improvements over flood control and habitat protection.
Rare amphibian species on rocky plateaux in western India are threatened by erosion and disease. The research highlights the need for greater protection of these habitats to preserve the species.
A new Michigan State University study reveals that participants in payments for ecosystem services programs may become conservation martyrs due to oversimplified payment models. The research highlights the importance of considering opportunity costs at the beginning and monitoring benefits over time to ensure participant well-being.
The US has seen significant improvements in air and water quality since the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts were enacted in the 1970s. Long-term monitoring programs have tracked declines in pollutants like sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, and lead, leading to benefits for human health, economies, and environments.
750 world experts will finalize landmark reports on biodiversity, nature's contributions, and land degradation, providing unprecedented insights into the status of global biodiversity and land quality. The reports will inform better decisions about nature and set biodiversity targets for the period after 2020.
A USDA Forest Service study projects that urban land will more than double between 2010 and 2060, affecting forest and agricultural lands. Urban forests are expected to provide billions of dollars in benefits through improved air quality, climate change mitigation, and reduced energy use.
A study by Carly Ziter found that urban green spaces provide significant ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water quality regulation, and flood mitigation. These services can be fostered through small interactions like gardening or walking in nature, promoting physical health and mental well-being.
Researchers found that attracting birds and other vertebrates to agricultural areas reduces pest damage and increases crop yields. Studies show that these natural pest control methods can be effective in reducing pesticide use and improving the environment.
Researchers have developed a new method that can accurately estimate biodiversity at a global scale, up to 10 orders of magnitude. The study used the 1999 Great Britain Countryside Survey dataset and tested over a dozen methods, with one model providing estimates within 10% of the true value.
Global experts recommend a broader appreciation of nature's contributions beyond ecosystem services, recognizing cultural significance and local knowledge. The new approach aims to increase the effectiveness and legitimacy of policies by incorporating a richer information base.
Native carnivores like leopards, bats, and vultures provide critical services such as disease regulation, agricultural productivity, and waste-disposal.
The study found that low-income immigrants are deterred from applying for US citizenship due to the high cost of the application process, with costs rising by 800% since 1985. A new public-private program, NaturalizeNY, offers vouchers covering the fee, doubling the application rate among recipients.
Researchers have quantified the ecosystem benefits of urban agriculture at a global scale, estimating annual values of $33 billion in four ecosystem services. The study projects an annual food production of 100-180 million tons and energy savings of 14-15 billion kilowatt hours.
A new study finds that variation within species can have significant ecological effects, rivaling those of the entire species. This challenge traditional views on biodiversity and highlights the importance of preserving trait variation within species.
The new generation of 5G mobile networks promises to deliver the Internet of Things and transform industry through innovative technologies. Key applications include e-Health, AGVs, industry 4.0, drones for agriculture, fair tourism, and entertainment, with benefits for sectors such as energy, health, automotive, and manufacturing
Research reveals that variation within species has significant ecological consequences, often rivaling those of species themselves. The study found that trait differences can affect prey populations and grazing insects, leading to indirect effects on ecosystems.
The Jena Experiment found that biodiversity influences almost half the processes in an ecosystem, while intensive grassland management does not result in higher yields. High-diversity meadows had higher productivity and better carbon storage than low-diversity meadows.
Research at Oregon State University shows that flooding rivers is necessary for maintaining healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. Minor changes in flow patterns can harm plant communities, while severe effects occur when cyclical flooding is removed from the equation.
A new study found that higher biodiversity in forests leads to faster tree growth, increased carbon storage, and improved pest resistance. Forest managers can simultaneously improve multiple ecosystem functions without negatively affecting each other.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers tracks land cover changes in the Chobe district of Northern Botswana, providing critical information for governments and nonprofit organizations. The study reveals a long-term trend of decreasing woodland cover and increasing shrubland, with fire being a driving force in land cover change.
A new report by digital learning experts recommends following promising strategies to address equity in learning technologies. These include unifying around shared purpose, aligning home, school, and community, connecting to minority youth interests, and targeting specific subgroup needs.
A new study by researchers at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University found that individual perceptions of climate anomalies are largely immune to political bias. The study used high-resolution data and address-based panel survey to examine how people in Oklahoma perceived climate anomalies, including extremes of tempe...
Research shows prairie strips reduce soil and nutrient loss from steep ground, providing habitat for wildlife. Integrating prairie strips with rowcrops increases biodiversity and ecosystem services, with minimal impacts on crop production.
Climate change is causing bristlecone pine trees to lose ground to limber pine as they race up the tree line in the Great Basin. The study found that limber pine is successfully 'leapfrogging' over bristlecone pines, taking valuable space for them to germinate.
A $3.3 million grant will fund a study to manage crapemyrtle bark scale, a new, devastating exotic pest impacting the industry's $66 million worth of crapemyrtle sales. The study aims to develop effective control methods and improve understanding of consumer preferences.
Glacier mass loss has significant societal implications, affecting ecosystem services, water resources, and biodiversity. The authors outline four key recommendations to mitigate these impacts, including detailed mapping of glacier change and adaptive management plans.
A recent study finds that megacities generate an average of $505 million in ecosystem services from trees, including air and water filtration, stormwater management, and energy savings. The value of tree benefits could be doubled by increasing tree cover, improving urban well-being and mitigating climate change.
The study identified the Atlantic Forest, Gulf of Guinea, and Thailand as regions where agricultural conversion provides higher benefits than environmental costs. In contrast, Latin America, insular Southeast Asia, and Madagascar are considered economically viable conservation targets due to low agricultural benefits and high environme...
Researchers developed a modeling framework that quantifies the economic value of nature's ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, food, and paper. The framework helps determine how to protect biodiversity by managing ecosystem services, balancing current costs with future risks of losing critical species.
Researchers developed a long-term field experiment to monitor post-compaction evolution of soil structure, revealing projected recovery rates of years to decades. Initial results indicate different recovery rates for various properties and decreasing recovery rates with soil depth.
The iDiv Ecotron will examine the consequences of species loss on ecosystems, investigating interactions among plants, animals, microbes, and soil. By manipulating complex animal and plant communities in controlled conditions, researchers aim to understand how many losses ecosystems can cope with.
Dr. Tim Cross, UTIA chancellor, receives the Southern Extension Service Award for Excellence in Leadership from ASRED for his exemplary service to the national land-grant university system. His work has made a significant impact in areas such as farm management and policy development.
A study published in Science puts a monetary value on injuries to natural assets caused by the BP oil spill, with an estimated cost of $17.2 billion. The research used a nationally representative stated preference survey to assess people's willingness to pay for prevention programs.
A new Yale study finds that Lyme disease causes people in the Northeast to forego 1 billion fewer trips per year, costing them about 9 hours of outdoor time annually. The total cost is estimated to be between $2.8 and $5 billion due to the large number of affected individuals.
Researchers developed a new method to evaluate the aesthetic value of landscapes using geotagged photos shared on social networks. The study found that landscape demand is highest in national parks, followed by farmland and cities.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $4.2 million to repay veterinary school loans for eligible veterinarians who serve in areas with a shortage of veterinary resources. This assistance aims to retain veterinarians in rural America, where they can provide essential services to farmers and ranchers.
Researchers used Google Street View to map street tree canopy coverage in Singapore, finding that increasing cover can reduce ground surface and air temperatures. The study's method could help urban planners prioritize tree planting and create greener environments.
Researchers found that invasive Phragmites australis has no significant impact on plant diversity, shoreline stabilization, and carbon storage in protected wetlands. The study suggests maintaining protected reserves can help defend against negative impacts of invasive species.
A new research framework developed by the University of Queensland aims to identify and track ecosystem services at risk due to growing human demand. The framework allows for analysis of supply and demand, natural system condition, and future demand changes, providing a basis for global assessments.