Articles tagged with Ecosystem Services
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.
Stanford researchers helped China identify and protect areas of high ecological value, including the Yangtze River and Min-Zhe-Gan mountains. The move marks a historic shift in China's environmental approach, valuing nature for human well-being and societal security.
A new study explores the usability of ecosystem services as a tool for urban planning, highlighting its compatibility with existing methods. Municipalities can benefit from collaboration with research to adopt state-of-the-art ES assessment methods prioritizing human needs over environmental impact assessments.
A study by TUM and 300 scientists found that intensified land use leads to a decrease in species diversity and a loss of unique plant communities on grasslands. Even moderate land use results in the homogenization of species, with only a few species remaining across regions.
A team of researchers suggests ten clear ways for governments to protect pollination services, crucial for food production. The policies focus on improving yields in organic farming and regulating pesticides to support pollinator health.
A recent study found that climate change is affecting 82% of key ecological processes, which have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of human societies. The study highlights the need for immediate action to achieve emissions targets and safeguard biodiversity in the face of rapid global warming.
A new study found that people choose to visit countryside areas based on their recreational value, rather than their conservation importance. The research suggests that even sites of high conservation value do not receive more visits due to their attractiveness.
A new study assesses the relationships between climate, land use, and ecosystem services in Europe, highlighting their impact on human well-being. The research focuses on three regulating ecosystem services: air quality regulation, soil erosion control, and water flow regulation.
The University of Tennessee Weed Diagnostics Center provides a range of services, including basic weed identification and DNA-based herbicide resistance testing. The center aims to help users implement optimal management strategies to keep weeds under control and conserve resources.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $110 million to XSEDE to expand its services and support for advanced computational and data-enabled research. XSEDE will continue to provide services to over 6,000 scientists and engineers while adding innovative elements in response to evolving user demands.
Researchers at Umeå University emphasize the importance of integrating forest and aquatic ecosystems in restorations to retain biodiversity and ecosystem services. Restoring riparian zones can increase production and diversity by facilitating nutrient cycling between land and water.
The NSF has awarded $110 million to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and 18 partner institutions to continue and expand activities through XSEDE. XSEDE will maintain existing services, add innovative elements, and support diverse scientific and engineering challenges.
A study published in Nature found that diverse ecosystems populated by many species provide higher levels of ecosystem services, including food production, soil development, pest control, and climate regulation. The research highlights the importance of maintaining species-rich ecosystems for human well-being.
The LEGATO project has provided guidelines for optimizing rice ecosystem functions and services, with a focus on the socio-cultural context. Research on Silicon application has shown its potential to improve rice yields, while recommendations have been made for farmers and practitioners on managing decomposition driven by invertebrates.
A study published in the journal mSphere found that a deadly bat fungus in Washington state is genetically similar to strains found in the eastern United States, suggesting it did not originate in Eurasia. The findings have implications for resource managers battling white-nose syndrome in North American bats.
The USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend visual skin examination by clinicians for skin cancer screening in asymptomatic adults. The balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined due to limited direct evidence on effectiveness and potential harms, including unnecessary biopsies and overdiagnosis.
Professor Yiqi Luo of the University of Oklahoma has been elected as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union for his pioneering work on data assimilation and ecological forecasting. His research focuses on predicting ecosystem responses to global change, enabling ecologists to forecast future changes in ecosystem services.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is providing $8.3 million in funding for small businesses to develop advanced research projects. The Small Business Innovation Research program aims to stimulate technological innovations and strengthen federal research support for small businesses.
Research at the University of Exeter found that scavenging ecosystem service is primarily carried out by crows, with assistance from foxes and other birds.
The Second Century Stewardship initiative aims to engage science in America's national parks through a feature-length film and collaborative programs. The partnership will focus on Acadia National Park initially, with the goal of scaling nationally to promote science literacy and park stewardship.
A new study reveals that China's conservation programs have improved ecosystem services, with notable increases in food production and carbon sequestration. However, some areas experienced decreases in habitat provision and air and water quality remained a concern.
A national accounting of China's ecosystem services reveals a positive impact on both humans and nature. The study found that food production, carbon sequestration, and soil retention increased significantly, while sandstorm prevention and flood mitigation improved.
Researchers found that diverse land use can balance out uncertainties and provide optimal multitasking for ecosystem services. The area mosaic concept resulted in 46% forestry utilization with indigenous alders and exotic pines, balancing out 10% extensive pasture and 20% intensive pasture utilization.
Family forest owners prioritize natural values over financial gain, controlling 286 million acres of US forestland. Limited written forest management plans and professional forestry advice are prevalent among owners.
A warmer climate could lead to higher growth and productivity on US national forests and grasslands, but at the cost of reduced freshwater yields. The study projects a 4-7% decrease in water yield by 2100, with the most severe declines in the Northwest, West North Central, and Southwest regions.
A study found that urban gardens in Chicago's African American, Chinese-origin, and Mexican-origin communities provide important ecosystem services. The researchers identified non-native crops and synthetic fertilizers as potential issues, but also noted the cultural significance of gardening for food security and community connection.
A recent NUS study found that international trade causes significant economic losses in tropical countries, with annual losses totaling US$1.7 trillion. The researchers suggest implementing measures such as an ecosystem services tax or price premiums for environmentally friendly agricultural produce to reduce deforestation and environm...
A study of 200 European forests across six countries found that species-rich forests provide a higher number and variety of services, including air filtration, carbon sequestration, and water supply. The researchers recommend transforming forests into mixed stands to increase biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
A new study published in Nature Communications demonstrates that the fear of large carnivores can have cascading effects on the food chain and restore ecosystems. The researchers found that instilling fear in raccoons reduced their time spent feeding and reversed their impacts on their prey, leading to a healthier ecosystem.