Articles tagged with Ecosystems
New research shows that certain types of urban greening efforts can support multiple ecosystem services provided by plants and insects. Large green spaces with native plants, particularly flowering prairies, are ideal for conserving native bees and predatory wasps.
A 48-year record of Australian collecting trips has been made publicly available, providing accurate details on specimen collection dates and locations. The data is now accessible via the Zenodo open-data repository in Darwin Core format.
Researchers developed a model that shows diverse supply chains can explain up to 90% of historically observed food supply shocks in US cities. This finding has practical implications for boosting city supply chain resilience and developing policies to mitigate supply chain shocks.
The study highlights the alarming loss of Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' knowledge systems, with dramatic social and ecological impacts. The authors emphasize the need for support to sustain these knowledge systems and practices, essential for safeguarding biological and cultural diversity.
The study reveals a decline of over 1,200 km2 in California's blue oak range due to prolonged droughts and warmer temperatures. This loss is accompanied by conditional change, indicating health, productivity, and susceptibility issues.
EarthLab aims to simulate physical climate, environmental, and ecological systems for better predicting natural disasters and understanding Earth's spheres. The facility will enable researchers to predict Earth systems on a vast time and spatial scale.
A new analysis of exoplanets reveals that Earth-like conditions for oxygen-based photosynthesis are much rarer than thought. Only a handful of potentially habitable planets have the necessary energy for complex biospheres to develop, with Kepler-442b being one exception.
A diverse range of microorganisms were discovered in the Kuzbass coal seam, including bacteria that can convert poisonous carbon monoxide into CO2. These microbes have unique metabolic capabilities, allowing them to thrive in extreme environments.
A new study reveals that human impact on freshwater ecosystems is causing unprecedented rates of species loss, threatening entire ecosystems. The predicted recovery time for biodiversity decline may be longer than 12 million years, as seen in previous mass extinction events.
The study adapts mathematical models from ecology to understand Twitter's interaction patterns. The researchers identified two primary behaviour patterns: a modular state with fragmented attention and a nested state during exceptional events.
A recent study suggests that climate change may cause a decline in plant diversity, particularly in dryland regions. The researchers found that changes in precipitation levels have a greater effect on plant diversity in drylands compared to wetter regions.
A recent study published in Science found that human activities have significantly altered biodiversity on 27 islands across different regions over the past 5,000 years. The researchers discovered a marked acceleration of species composition changes after human colonization, particularly on islands settled within the last 1,500 years.
A new study from the University of Amsterdam and the Dutch State Forestry Service highlights the importance of landscape in rewilding efforts. Researchers developed an index to measure and predict rewilding success, finding that varied landscapes show greater conservation potential.
A recent report highlights the profound implications of human actions on the biosphere, emphasizing the need for effective planetary stewardship. The study reveals that humanity is now the dominant force of change on the planet, and that we are at the dawn of a transformative decade.
A new study suggests that Earth's oxygen-rich atmosphere will likely persist for around one billion years, with a high degree of uncertainty. The researchers used a numerical model to simulate climate and biogeochemical processes, finding that the atmosphere will probably decline in oxygen levels due to CO2 scarcity.
Microbial communities in Alpine soils under threat as global temperatures rise due to climate change. Early spring snowmelt disrupts seasonal transitions, impacting biogeochemical cycles and winter ecosystem functioning.
A recent study published in Communications Biology analysed the relationship between parasite dispersal capacity and genetic introgression rates. The research found that species with higher dispersal abilities present increased genomic signatures of introgression, which could have implications for understanding parasite-host dynamics.
Researchers investigated the taxonomic composition and functional characteristics of filtrable freshwater organisms using radioisotope tracers and metabolomics. The study found that nanobacteria play a minor role in processing dissolved organic carbon, with limited time to uptake matter in rivers and streams.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have made groundbreaking discoveries about the region's history, revealing new insights into its fertile past. The study sheds light on the region's unique ecosystem and its potential for dairy production.
In ecological networks, synchronization and transients are unified through symmetry and stochasticity. Cluster synchronization emerges due to intrinsic symmetries of the network, exhibiting transient behavior with intermittent switching among distinct patterns.
Researchers used symbolic regression to explain why some species exist in certain regions and the number of species on islands increases with age, peaking at intermediate ages. This breakthrough proposes that explainable AI is a promising field for human-machine cooperation in ecology
Researchers analyzed gut composition and DNA to identify key factors for successful fecal microbiota transplants, including the donor's microbiome and recipient's pre-transplant gut community structures. The study suggests that preparing donors' and patients' gut ecosystems prior to transplant may increase the likelihood of success.
Kyoto University researchers highlight the need for targeted conservation efforts due to 90% extinction risk for Japanese bat species. The study reveals poor alignment between conservation needs and research resource allocation, with many threats understudied.
At a depth of 1,180 meters, temperatures of up to 120 degrees Celsius were reached, but microbial populations collapsed at around 45 degrees. Endospores, dormant cells of certain bacteria, increased rapidly and persisted in hot zones.
Scientists have developed a method to detect radical changes in ecosystems, revealing increased risk of extinction and new species creation. The method tracks ecosystem shifts above a certain threshold, allowing researchers to predict and mitigate the impact of environmental changes.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity needs a 'safety net' of multiple ambitious goals to curb nature's decline. The new goals should consider diverse facets of biodiversity and be developed holistically to advance multiple targets simultaneously.
Researchers recommend a 'safety net' of multiple, ambitious nature goals to tackle biodiversity decline. The new goals should focus on ecosystems, species, genetic diversity, and nature's contributions to people, with high ambitions and holistic delivery.
Research integrates ecology, evolution and social sciences to highlight relationships between systemic racism and ecological heterogeneity. Neighborhood wealth and racial composition are found to be stronger predictors of urban socio-ecological patterns than wealth.
Ancient fox diets show a shift from natural food sources to human leftovers around 42,000 years ago. Foxes adapted to humans as they populated the region, indicating early human impact on local ecosystems.
The #HealthyRecovery initiative calls on G20 Presidents and Prime Ministers to support projects enabling ecological restoration for improved air quality and soil health. Experts warn that global environmental and climate crises compromise human health and long-term survival.
SlothBot, a slow-moving and energy-efficient robot, is being tested at the Atlanta Botanical Garden to monitor endangered species and the environment. The robot's unique design allows it to linger in the trees for months or years, providing new insights into critical ecosystems.
Warm spells in UK winters are occurring more often and for longer periods than ever before. The analysis of historical temperature data shows that week-long warm intervals now consistently exceed 13 degrees C, a threshold that was previously rare and typically occurred every 5 years.
Researchers discovered a 7,000-year-old fossilized coral reef that predates human settlement and closely resembles its pre-human state. The team found the reef to be resilient, with minimal changes over centuries, despite current environmental degradation.
A global research team has identified 13 invasive species that threaten biodiversity on the Antarctic Peninsula. Non-native species can be transported via human visitation, boats, or food supplies, and require mitigation measures to prevent harm to delicate ecosystems.
A new study reveals that the world's most biodiverse regions are under threat from human-driven climate change, with tropical ecosystems expected to lose over 75% of their climate-safe habitats by the end of the century.
Scheduled fires synchronize bloom time of Echinacea angustifolia, increasing mating opportunities and nearly doubling seed production. The study promotes plant population health and maintains diversity in fire-dependent ecosystems.
Researchers at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) discovered a way to produce enough food for up to 10 billion people without compromising the Earth system. The study suggests that adopting more sustainable forms of agriculture can increase production in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and improve climate resilience.
Research using satellite data reveals significant increases in subnival vegetation cover across four height brackets in the Himalayan region. The study found a stronger trend in increased vegetation cover between 5,000-5,500m above sea level, with conditions at Mount Everest's top height range showing signs of plant growth.
Experiments by McGill University and University of Oldenburg confirm regular oscillations in predator-prey populations can persist without complete depletion of prey resources. The study found that less efficient predators can lead to prey recovery, potentially creating endless cycles.
A University of Queensland-led team proposes a global goal to limit the loss of nature by setting a 'no net loss' target for natural ecosystems. The researchers considered socioeconomic factors across 170 countries and recognized the need for equitable contributions to conservation and restoration.
The study ranked Asian Water Towers as the most important and most threatened globally, with the Indus water tower being the most relied-upon and vulnerable. Climate change and geopolitical factors pose significant risks to these systems, threatening the water supply for 1.9 billion people.
A new experimental approach captures how soil ecosystems respond to multiple drivers, revealing shifts in soil properties and microbial communities. The study's results could help identify dangerous factor combinations and tipping points for soil ecosystems in the future.
A recent study found that plant extinction rates have increased significantly, particularly in biodiversity hotspots, due to human activities such as agriculture and urbanization. The research group also discovered that the extinction rates of perennial herb plants growing in temperate regions are among the most threatened.
Researchers analyzed fossil data to discover nearly all early African herbivore communities were unique before 700,000 years ago. This suggests the earliest humans lived in non-analog ecosystems that differ from modern Africa's ecosystems.
A recent study published in Nature warns that nearly 20% of global catchments areas are already experiencing low stream and river flows due to groundwater pumping. By 2050, this number is expected to rise to 50%, posing a significant threat to global freshwater ecosystems.
A new study by University of Queensland scientists warns that acting on climate change is more cost-effective than repairing its damage. The research, published in Science, suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can save trillions of dollars in long-term costs.
Researchers call for standardized protocols in climate experiments to predict ecosystem changes, as most existing studies are unrealistic and fail to account for projected climate scenarios. This lack of reliable data hinders our ability to forecast and plan for the future.
A team of international researchers has developed a financial mechanism to support the protection of the world's natural heritage. The socio-ecological design option proved most efficient in incentivizing additional conservation action, particularly for countries lacking in global conservation goals.
A new study found a previously unknown mass extinction event involving minuscule microorganisms, which shaped the Earth's atmosphere approximately 2.05 billion years ago. This die-off is estimated to be even greater than the dinosaur extinction, revealing significant changes in the planet's biosphere.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that students' ability to comprehend texts depends on their background knowledge of the subject. A specific threshold score indicates when students need additional support. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,500 high-school students and discovered a correlation between back...
Researchers analyzed barium sulfate minerals to determine biosphere productivity post-Great Oxidation Event. The study found a significant decrease in biosphere size following the event, potentially driven by decreased nutrient availability.
Researchers from SUTD examine Parrondo's paradox across biology, finding connections between disparate studies that suggest a unified fundamental characteristic of life. The study reveals nested recurrent mechanics spanning the entire biological gamut.
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of fairy wrasse in the mesophotic coral reefs off the coast of Tanzania, dubbed the 'Vibranium Fairy Wrasse' due to its purple scales. The discovery sheds light on the unique ecosystems of the twilight zone, which are just as vulnerable to human threats as shallow reefs.
The Ecological Society of America's 104th Annual Meeting emphasized the importance of inclusive approaches in ecology, fostering connections between disparate landscapes and disciplines. Key sessions explored the intersection of human and non-human nature, agricultural practices, and environmental justice issues.
A new method has been developed to predict the vulnerability of ecosystems, focusing on predators' body mass and prey characteristics. The approach enables researchers to determine habitat structure and stability without comprehensive data on all organisms.
Scientists studied planktic foraminifera fossil record, finding that global recovery took around ten million years after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction. The study suggests that it will take an extremely long time, likely millions of years, to recover from current climate crisis.
Researchers question the predictability of ecosystem changes when apex predators are reintroduced, citing climate change and invasive species as complicating factors. The study's findings have big implications for wildlife conservation in places like Yellowstone National Park.
Increased human activity along the boundaries of protected areas is degrading vegetation, altering grazing opportunities, and cascading down the food chain, favoring less palatable plants. This could make the ecosystem less resilient to future shocks such as drought or climate change.
A new study has found that increased human activity along the boundaries of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is having a detrimental impact on plants, animals, and soils. The study reveals how population growth and livestock in buffer zones are reducing available migration routes for wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles.
Researchers have reconstructed the geological history of a remote sector of the African Rift Valley using fieldwork and numerical modeling. The findings indicate that the rift valley formed around 3.7 million years ago and was short-lived, with deformation migrating westward into the Lake Turkana region.