Articles tagged with Ecosystems
A new study found that soil fungi play a key role in supporting carbon retention and improving fertility in nutrient-poor urban soils. Biochar and compost increased soil carbon and nitrogen storage most strongly in these soils, with amendment effects up to 14.4 times greater than those observed in nutrient-rich soils.
Researchers from Frontiers, a multidisciplinary team, spent years searching for the tallest tree in Taiwan after discovering an estimated 5,000 different species thrive on the island. They used LiDAR technology and citizen scientists to identify the 'Heaven Sword,' a 84.1-meter-tall Taiwania fir, as East Asia's tallest tree.
A study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that improving land use and management can increase both economic output and environmental performance, without sacrificing one for the other. The analysis showed potential gains in biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and economic development, with possible increases of o...
A new study found that rice straw biochar applied at moderate levels improved several colony behaviors linked to soil health in ants. Ants showed stronger habitat preference, built larger nests, and maintained more effective social recognition. However, high doses of biochar were detrimental, causing ant survival to drop sharply.
A new international study challenges long-held beliefs about how ecosystems absorb carbon under global warming. Plants are using water more efficiently while developing larger canopies to absorb light and fix carbon, making this the dominant factor in determining carbon dioxide uptake.
Two University of Utah-led studies aim to improve biomass mapping to better understand how Arctic and boreal forests respond to climate change. The new maps, built using satellite imagery and field measurements, capture 40 years of ecological change in unprecedented detail.
The Pennsylvania live camera is the third installment in Project RattleCam's livestreams, allowing viewers to observe timber rattlesnakes around the clock. The camera features night-vision capabilities and captures the activities of snakes and other creatures that enter the frame after dark.
A new study found that climate change can weaken the natural purification process in lakes, removing excess nitrogen from the water. This could have severe consequences for coastal marine ecosystems, including algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
Two UT microbiology researchers, Steven Wilhelm and Brittany N. Zepernick, received the 2026 Daylight Award for their research on phytoplankton thriving under ice. Their work provides novel mechanistic insights into how diatoms respond to ice loss and has major implications for planetary health and biodiversity.
A new species of sea slug, Thecacera sesama, has been identified in the coastal waters of Keelung, Taiwan. Measuring less than three millimeters in length, this tiny nudibranch exhibits four primary behaviors: feeding, searching, mating, and laying eggs on bryozoans.
A study found that a mean annual precipitation threshold of 700 mm shifts dominant controls on ecosystem nitrogen retention. In dry ecosystems, higher precipitation leads to greater plant diversity and reduced nitrogen loss.
A new, non-invasive monitoring system captured striking footage of hyperbenthos, including a snailfish exhibiting backward swimming behavior, and the acoustic presence of narwhals. The study highlights the dynamic nature of the deep-sea environment, with organic particles concentrating in response to tidal currents.
A study by Ohio State University found that certain tree species, such as red maple and northern catalpa, are more resilient to heat and water stress. Urban forests can provide natural cooling, reducing summer electricity usage, but require careful management and investment in irrigation systems.
Ecotech aims to develop scalable solutions inspired by nature to tackle environmental challenges. The field combines biology, engineering, and earth sciences for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Researchers used seafloor video and audio monitoring to capture rare phenomena in a Greenlandic glacial fjord, including fish swimming backwards and making sudden appearances of deep-sea dwellers. The study also revealed the presence of narwhals near the surface, providing new insights into the Arctic ecosystem.
The study reveals how pollinators support food production and diets, highlighting the risks of biodiversity loss for human health. Simple steps like planting wildflowers or using fewer pesticides can help boost pollinator numbers, strengthening both nature and people's wellbeing.
A new study by The Morton Arboretum reveals that oaks rapidly diversified in the Americas when they encountered high-elevation terrain, forming a unique biodiversity hotspot. This is supported by data from 322 of the world's approximately 450 oak species, with Mexico and Central America home to at least 160 different oaks.
Researchers developed an online tool to reconstruct ancient Earth locations, enabling a more detailed understanding of biodiversity and climate evolution. The tool allows for the study of complex mountain ranges and vanished tectonic plates, providing new insights into mass extinctions and species migration.
A recent study by Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau found that light pollution significantly alters the composition of predatory spiders' diets, leading to reduced hatching of insects. The invasive signal crayfish also contributes to altered feeding behavior under nighttime lighting.
A new framework proposes a continuum of urbanity, challenging traditional thinking about urban and rural spaces. The study explores how urban, rural, and wild features are interconnected, affecting livelihoods, ecosystems, and human well-being in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.
Researchers use tree rings and satellites to date changes beavers make to the tundra landscape as they spread northwards. The study provides evidence of beaver colonization in the region starting in 2008, with satellite analysis revealing a significant expansion of surface water between 2015 and 2019.
A global paradigm shift is needed to protect intact ecosystems and prioritize Nature Positive framework, integrating Indigenous knowledge and finance. The webinar series on May 28, 2026, will explore effective actions for people and nature, guided by the Three Conditions Framework.
Researchers found that connected natural habitats help maintain beneficial skin microbes that inhibit deadly fungal pathogens in tropical amphibians. Habitat fragmentation weakens these microbial defenses, leading to increased pathogen infection levels.
A recent study by researchers at Griffith University and others found that exposure to cocaine contamination altered the movement patterns of Atlantic salmon in Lake Vättern, Sweden. Fish exposed to benzoylecgonine swam up to 1.9 times farther than unexposed fish, with dispersal distances reaching up to 12.3km.
African elephants' genetic history shows they once moved across large distances, exchanging genes throughout the continent. However, current patchy habitats and human activities have led to genetic consequences of isolation, affecting conservation approaches.
A new study reveals that birds in Hawaiian forests engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing materials from neighboring nests. The behavior, common among the scarlet I'iwi and crimson Apapane, could threaten species already under stress due to habitat loss and climate change.
A new paper warns that halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 is urgent to avoid destabilizing the Earth's vital systems. The authors call for a unified 'Nature Positive' approach to global environmental goals and governance.
The webinar highlighted the potential of combining NFI field data, EO disturbance products, and national statistics for robust forest carbon monitoring. Continental-scale carbon balance analysis showed a trend towards neutral over the past decade, with large interannual variability.
A global inventory reveals that bottom trawling catches over 3,000 fish species, including critically endangered and vulnerable species, highlighting the urgent need for better documentation and management of its impacts on marine biodiversity.
A new study published in Biodiversity Data Journal reveals a profound look at life up to nearly 10 kilometers below the ocean's surface in the Japan, Ryukyu, and Izu-Ogasawara trenches. The research catalogs at least 108 distinct organism groups, including a baffling unidentified animal that has left global taxonomic experts stumped.
A new study reveals that biochar significantly enhances ant ecological functions as ants' social behaviors and nest site selection specificity improve with moderate levels of biochar. However, higher doses lead to reduced survival, weakened nest construction, and decreased social interactions.
Researchers challenge long-held assumptions about vegetation patterns in dryland ecosystems, finding that such patterns can actually indicate reduced ecosystem resilience. The new theoretical framework takes into account spatial constraints and environmental heterogeneities, revealing that ecosystem stability depends on specific enviro...
A six-year field study reveals that biochar made from peanut shells improves soil fertility and enhances crop quality by reshaping soil microbial communities. The study shows that biochar acts as both a habitat and a nutrient source for beneficial microbes, promoting plant growth and increasing soluble sugar content in tobacco leaves.
A new study reveals that improving surrounding landscape quality can increase bird species survival in forest remnants, with modest increases in nearby tree cover substantially boosting numbers. This contradicts traditional views on habitat fragmentation and highlights the importance of a more hospitable matrix for conservation.
The report, prepared by BioAgora, highlights the benefits of building-integrated greenery for biodiversity, climate resilience, energy efficiency, and human wellbeing. It offers actionable guidance for local authorities to integrate green roofs and walls into spatial planning and building codes.
A global analysis reveals that microbial communities play a decisive role in determining biochar's carbon storage potential. Biochar increases soil organic carbon by an average of 52.4%, but its effectiveness varies depending on the composition of soil microbial communities and environmental conditions.
The US Nature Assessment Report documents human impact on nature, including resource extraction and habitat loss, but also shows restoration and Indigenous stewardship approaches can help turn things around. The report highlights the importance of farmer involvement in protecting ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.
Researchers studying ghost forests along the mid-Atlantic coastline found that changes in stemflow chemistry affect carbon cycling and microbial communities. The team's findings suggest that understanding these processes can help predict which forests are most vulnerable to sea level rise.
Restored oyster reefs in the US Atlantic coast remove more nitrogen from the water than previously estimated. Additionally, their restoration provides greater economic value for coastal communities, supporting sustainable marine ecosystems.
Researchers have announced the discovery of 24 new deep-sea amphipod species from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the central Pacific Ocean. The discoveries, part of an open-access special issue, provide fundamental knowledge of species and their distributions.
A comprehensive study reveals that staple crops such as maize, rice, and cassava are responsible for about 11% of all agriculture-driven deforestation globally. In contrast, major export-oriented commodities like cocoa, coffee, and rubber cause less than 5% of deforestation.
A new study reveals that invasive pollinators in Chile are fundamentally reshaping native plant-pollinator networks, leading to a 'silent takeover'. The research found that non-native bees like the buff-tailed bumblebee account for more than 70% of recorded interactions, displacing native species and altering ecosystems.
Climate warming significantly increases plant growth in permafrost regions by altering growing seasons and root penetration, but its impact depends on nitrogen supply. A new study reveals that moss-associated biological nitrogen fixation is a critical factor in sustaining plant growth under warming conditions.
Researchers found juvenile smalltooth sawfish showing strong site fidelity to the South Fork of the Saint Lucie River, spending up to 87% of their time within a 0.4 square kilometer area. This suggests that the Indian River Lagoon is once again functioning as a nursery for this endangered species.
Researchers at Binghamton University found a significant shift in moth flight patterns over a century, with some species emerging later in the year. The study also identified missing moth species in the region, highlighting the impact of anthropogenic change on ecosystems.
A global analysis of over 2,300 seawater samples reveals human-made chemicals make up a significant portion of organic matter in coastal oceans. Industrial chemicals, including plastics and consumer products, dominate the anthropogenic chemical signal, persisting even 20 kilometers offshore.
A young female fisher traveled 118 kilometers from Durham to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the longest recorded dispersal for the species. This journey, documented over winter with deep snow, underscores the fisher's adaptability and highlights the need for further research into movement patterns.
The Global Coral Tech Transfer Project brings together SECORE International, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and FUNDEMAR to share coral breeding techniques and technologies for large-scale restoration. The partnership aims to create a comprehensive toolbox for boosting reef resilience worldwide.
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
Microbial community shifts from biotic to abiotic drivers under drought, with legacy effects persisting upon rehydration. Soil properties dominate recovery stages, highlighting dual focus on biology and abiotic factors for ecosystem resilience.
Researchers found that managed cropland soils produced the highest nitrous oxide emissions due to irrigation and fertilization, while natural ecosystems emitted lower amounts but showed a clear response to elevation. Climate change could shift the balance of greenhouse gas emissions across ecosystems in arid mountain regions.
The Spanish initiative Spongy Slopes has successfully restored key sponge functions in a steep slope landscape through nature-based measures. The project, which involved around 250 volunteers and local associations, has improved landscape-level hydrological resilience, retained rainwater, reduced erosion and increased biodiversity.
A Canada-wide study using DNA metabarcoding reveals the intricate relationships between cavity-nesting bees and wasps and their food sources. The project, involving over 5000 students, creates detailed maps of these interactions, providing valuable insights into biodiversity and conservation.
A global study of nearly 15,000 marine and freshwater fish communities found consistent shifts in species composition, body size and feeding relationships over recent decades. Smaller-bodied fish species dominate ecosystems, reshaping food webs and ecosystem function.
The all-virtual Cal Poly Climate Solutions Now conference will address a wide range of climate topics, including energy, water, waste, business sustainability, agriculture, education, and more. Presenters from various industries will share strategies, tools, and information to help mitigate climate change.
Researchers identified 255 insect species in perennial grasses, but few in annual grasses, highlighting the importance of unmown refuges for biodiversity