Articles tagged with 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 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.
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.
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
A UT San Antonio assistant professor is studying how climate change and urbanization affect freshwater ecosystems by tracking the expansion of exotic tropical fish species into northern regions. The project aims to provide practical tools for natural resource managers to protect Texas waterways.
Rice University researchers found that strawberry guava can prevent natural forest generation in areas of Ranomafana National Park, even decades after deforestation has ended. The invasive plant changes the forest by reducing soil nutrients and altering insect populations, preventing native species recovery.
A new study reveals that current pesticide use trends fall short of the 50% reduction target by 2030, threatening global biodiversity. The research team analyzed global pesticide data and found significant increases in applied toxicity, driven by higher amounts applied and growing toxicity of active ingredients.
Professor John P. Smol, a leading researcher on Arctic environmental changes, received the prestigious Mohn Prize from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Smol's work has provided crucial knowledge for addressing acid rain and pollution, with significant impacts beyond local communities.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that forest soils in south-western Germany absorb more methane as climate conditions become drier and warmer. This contradicts current international meta-analyses, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring for assessing the effects of climate change.
The study highlights the impact of fire exclusion on mature and old-growth forests, which are culturally, economically, and ecologically significant. Researchers estimate that fire refugia could reduce the overall risk of severe fire by up to 20% in western Oregon, Washington, and California.
A new FAU study uncovers the impact of acidic water on shell-building marine organisms, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate coastal acidification. The research found that nutrient pollution, freshwater input, and other environmental factors contribute to reduced aragonite saturation.
A new study reveals that young sauropods were a key food source for Late Jurassic predators, with adults unable to care for their eggs and offspring. The research team mapped out a 'food web' of the time, finding that sauropods had a significant impact on their ecosystem.
Deer behavior changes when exposed to the smell of predators like lynx and wolves, reducing browsing damage to tree saplings. The study suggests using large carnivores as a natural solution to mitigate overbrowsing in recovering forests.
A University of Virginia study reveals phosphorus pollution in Lake Anna comes from multiple sources, including homes and abandoned mines. Elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and copper were found near mining sites, highlighting the need for broader strategies to address nutrient and metal pollution.
A Europe-wide study reveals that pesticides have substantial effects on beneficial soil organisms, including mycorrhizal fungi and nematodes. The contamination has a major impact on soil biodiversity, highlighting the need to adapt current pesticide assessments and regulations.
A recent study finds that the largest trees in Peruvian Amazon store disproportionately large amounts of carbon, making it difficult to achieve net-zero emissions. Protecting these trees can help conserve biodiversity and forest microclimates against future climate change.
Researchers studied diet changes among three whale species, fin, humpback, and minke whales, over 28 years. The study found that whales are adapting their feeding habits in response to limited resource availability and increased competition.
A new global dataset quantifies biodiversity loss in international trade of staple crops, revealing a strong upward trend and key contributors. Soybean trade shows the most rapid increase, surpassing wheat, while major agricultural producers drive global biodiversity loss patterns.
This study reveals that 29.2% of global drylands have significantly greened from 2001-2024, while only 4.9% experienced significant browning. Human activities, including cropland expansion and irrigation, have a more significant impact on greening than climate or CO₂ fertilization alone.
A new study found that US forests have stored more carbon in the past two decades than at any time in the last century. Natural forces such as temperature, precipitation, and carbon fertilization are among the largest contributors to carbon gains, while human drivers like tree-planting and forest management also play a role.
A new study reveals how beluga whales in Alaska's Bristol Bay survive through a surprising strategy: they mate with multiple partners over several years. This polygynandrous system helps maintain genetic diversity despite the population's small size and isolation.
A study led by Lund University reveals how a dominant wall lizard species has wiped out several color variants within its population. The researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 individuals and found that the aggressive 'Hulk' lizards have shifted the balance of colors, leaving only white throat colors remaining.
A study led by Dr. Frédérik Saltré suggests that sterilizing 22% of adult females annually could stabilize the population at an estimated cost of $34 million over 25 years. This approach prioritizes both animal welfare and ecosystem health, offering a humane solution to the unsustainable koala numbers.
A six-year acoustic tracking study reveals a predictable seasonal convergence of mature male and female tiger sharks off Olowalu, Maui, coinciding with the humpback whale calving season. The findings suggest an annual mating aggregation site for tiger sharks, contrary to their conventional understanding as solitary wanderers.
A comprehensive study from Umeå University reveals that humid lowland forest ecosystems receive disproportionate attention, while colder and drier regions are severely underrepresented. This imbalance can lead to policy decisions based on incomplete or misleading science, affecting climate-vulnerable ecosystems.
Researchers found that adding nitrogen fertilizer to the soil increases plant protein and reduces carb content, making them unpalatable to locusts. The study showed a doubled crop yield in treated plots with fewer locusts and less damage to crops.
A six-year study found dwarf birch trees in blanket bogs survived with higher rates of growth and survival at lower deer densities. The study suggests that lowering deer densities can help restore lost mountain woodlands in the Scottish Highlands.
A new study reveals that resilient nematodes can persist in the Atacama Desert's hostile soil, with population diversity correlating to water profile and temperature fluctuations. The findings suggest that biodiversity in arid regions may be higher than previously assumed, but also warn of ecosystem damage.
Researchers build a robot to demonstrate how tropical bats spot insects perched on leaves using echolocation, revealing a plausible mechanism for the acoustic mirroring effect. The study suggests that bats can efficiently determine leaf occupancy by scanning sounds from an angle and listening for echoes.
The US has more than 4 million miles of rivers, but existing regulations only account for less than 20% of total river length. Freshwater conservation strategies have historically focused on land use and development, leaving gaps in protection measures for lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Research in Chile's national parks shows that wildfires significantly alter soil structure and nutrient cycles, affecting ecosystem resilience. Humid temperate forests recover faster than mediterranean woodlands due to fire-adapted trees and higher rainfall.
A newly discovered Philippine pitcher plant, Nepenthes megastoma, is already at risk of extinction due to severe weather conditions and human encroachment. The species has limited population and is threatened by poaching, deforestation, and droughts.
Researchers found 13 bird species, 11 mammal species, and 2 amphibian species in Danish moss samples, demonstrating its potential for monitoring global biodiversity. The study suggests that moss-based DNA sampling could work globally due to its simplicity, effectiveness, and gentle nature.
A new systematic review examines nearly 200 scientific articles to gather knowledge on biophobia, a negative relationship with nature. The study reveals that both external and internal factors contribute to negative emotions towards nature, threatening conservation efforts.
Professor John Smol of Queen's University is being honored for his groundbreaking contributions to identifying stressors of environmental change in the Arctic. He has developed tools for detecting environmental shifts in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, providing key insights into the impact of global warming and human activities.
Researchers at Lund University analyzed old air samples collected by the Swedish Armed Forces and found that spore dispersal of northern mosses has shifted four weeks earlier over the past 35 years. Warmer autumns enable mosses to release their spores earlier in spring, with climate conditions from the previous year being the key factor.
A new deep-learning tool can rapidly identify wild and farmed salmon by analyzing fish scales, with 95% accuracy. This technology has the potential to mitigate the ecological impact of escaped farmed salmon on wild populations.
A new study reveals a severe decline in recruitment of the American pika on Niwot Ridge, Colorado, with fewer juvenile pikas being born or migrating to take their place. Climate change is predicted to threaten pikas in the American West, with warmer summers affecting their habitats and ability to survive.
Researchers found that rats contributed significantly to Rapa Nui's deforestation by consuming palm nuts, preventing trees from regrowing. The islanders cleared land for agriculture and used slash-and-burn practices, but the slow-growing palm trees made them vulnerable to rat predation.
A new study finds that mangrove tree stems release significant amounts of methane, offsetting up to 27.5% of the blue carbon sequestered by mangroves. The researchers' comprehensive database provides a global-scale assessment of stem methane emissions.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz develop a mechanistic model to predict biological community composition in different ecosystems. Their study confirms the high predictive capacity of the model, which can be applied to various situations involving competing organisms.
Researchers used drones to create detailed maps of a high-density nesting beach, identifying steepness and proximity to dune crossover stairs as key factors influencing turtle nesting success. The study provides insights into how changing coastal conditions affect sea turtle habitats, informing conservation policy and coastal development.
Seven new species of a distinctive frog-like insect belonging to the genus Batracomorphus have been discovered in Uganda's Kibale National Park. The findings are significant as they mark the first new species recorded in Africa since 1981 and add to the existing 375 known worldwide.
Researchers have recorded hundreds of narwhal interactions with moorings, suggesting that passive acoustic monitoring may not be as non-invasive as assumed. The study found that narwhals were attracted to the devices, possibly due to confusion with prey or curiosity.
New research reveals that artificial light at night silently reshapes the carbon balance of entire continents by increasing ecosystem respiration but not photosynthesis. This has major implications for climate models and global carbon budgets, with potential effects on ecosystems, animal behavior, habitats, and natural patterns.
A recent paper in the journal Science investigates the impact of drought on grasslands, finding that moderate droughts do not lead to long-term losses. In contrast, extreme droughts can cause significant species loss and reduced plant life. The study's results have implications for global carbon and climate modeling.
A new study reveals that optimized nitrogen fertilizer use can increase yields, reduce pollution and save money for Myanmar rice farmers. Adopting ecologically optimal rates can avoid annual environmental costs of up to $368 per hectare.
A new study reveals that grassland degradation increases soil microbial diversity while reducing plant richness, leading to a decline in ecosystem functioning and multifunctionality. The research highlights the critical importance of conserving soil microbial communities for sustainable restoration of degraded grasslands.
A University of Houston biologist has received a $2.16 million federal grant to study how some coastal frogs survive in salty environments. The research could reveal how cells cope with salt stress and have implications for understanding the health risks of high-salt diets in humans.
Research at the University of Helsinki reveals that forest thinning can temporarily boost carbon storage in upland forests, while drained peatlands become stronger net carbon sources due to slower tree growth and increased decomposition. The study highlights the importance of adapting management practices to different forest types.