Articles tagged with Ecosystems
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.
A study of woodland star wildflowers found remarkable diversity in their scent compounds, with many species and populations producing unique floral bouquets to attract insect pollinators. The findings suggest that natural selection has shaped the biochemistry of floral scents in different ways among different populations.
Researchers at Arizona State University have found that biochemistry is governed by general organizing principles, applicable from individual organisms to ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole. These universal principles can help constrain the emergence of life on other planets.
A non-biting midge, Eretmoptera murphyi, is found to release large volumes of nutrients into the soil on Signy Island, affecting peat decomposition and biodiversity. The single introduced species can lead to a three- to four-fold increase in nitrogen relative to areas without its presence.
A recent study finds that introductory biology textbooks devote less than 1% of their text to discussing insects, despite them making up over 60% of animal species. This lack of coverage provides a poor foundation for understanding ecosystems and biodiversity.
A survey of horticultural employees found that knowledge of beneficial plants for pollinators is a weak topic, highlighting the need for specialized education and training. The researchers recommend more-detailed labeling of pollinator food plants to benefit customers seeking pollinator-friendly options.
Gene editing technology poses risks and benefits for ecosystems, human health, and community values. A proposed international oversight panel aims to address these concerns through inclusive deliberations and standardized reports.
Researchers at CCNY use network theory to predict which species are most vulnerable to extinction under climate change and when an ecosystem may collapse. The K-core metric identifies peripheral species that are likely to go extinct first, providing early warning signals for ecosystem collapse.
The Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) is part of a $3 million pilot project to create a model and strategic plan for NSF's largest scientific facilities. The goal is to establish a reservoir of expertise on best cyberinfrastructure practices.
A new study uses satellite technology to measure the impact of droughts on photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration. Researchers found that during dry years, natural ecosystems removed about 30% less carbon from the atmosphere, leading to faster CO2 concentration increases.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that branching complexity of rivers, rather than ecosystem size, contributes to regional population stability in nature. This challenges current theories and highlights the importance of environmental diversity in maintaining stable populations.
Researchers found no evidence that a single mosquito species is vital to the ecosystem, reducing its removal would not significantly impact local animals. Locally eliminating this mosquito could drastically cut cases of malaria, but more research is needed.
A 1.4 billion-year-old lake deposit in Ontario has provided fresh evidence of the Earth's atmosphere and biosphere during a time leading up to animal life. The findings suggest that oxygen levels were much lower than today, with primary productivity being less than half as high.
A 100-million-year-old tick discovered in Burmese amber provides insight into the intricate relationship between ticks and spiders. The ancient arachnid is bound in spider silk, offering a unique snapshot of this interaction.
The discovery of two new species of saber-toothed predators in Russia sheds light on the early evolution of mammals and a significant shift in predator roles after the mid-Permian extinction. The findings, published in PeerJ, reveal that a global turnover in predators occurred after this mass extinction event.
A recent study found that chimpanzee beds have a greater diversity of microbes than human beds, but with fewer types of bacterial contamination. The research suggests that human attempts to create clean environments may make our surroundings less ideal.
The study investigates the effects of different disturbance events on a simple microbial food web, finding that the type of disturbance affects bacterial communities and stability. The results highlight the importance of considering trophic interactions and time factors in ecological systems.
Researchers found that species' phenology shifted four days earlier per decade after 1981, with increased synchrony between species pairs from 0.97 to 6.1 days per decade. However, the magnitude of shifts and correlations with temperature changes remain uncertain due to short time series and variations among species.
Crab spiders aid buckler-mustard plants by eliminating plant-eating insects and their larvae. This unexpected alliance benefits the plant, as it increases the production of floral volatile that attracts beneficial spiders.
A team of researchers analyzed how diverse social norms impact cooperation using game theoretical methods. They found that adopting 'dividualism' leads to the extinction of a norm assessing helpful behavior towards bad individuals, contradicting previous research based on individualism.
Scientists warn that introducing a virus to control the common carp population may harm ecosystems. The Australian government's plan is based on limited data and may not be effective in reducing carp populations without causing environmental damage.
A team of scientists from UC Davis used the ising model to study pistachio tree synchronization, finding that magnetic connections between trees can explain their synchronized behavior. The study, published in PNAS, provides new insights into ecological systems and their effects in natural and managed environments.
A Montana State University ecologist has received a prestigious Swedish professorship to further his research on predator-prey relationships and conservation of Africa's top carnivores. The award allows him to collaborate with experts in molecular ecology and explore how human activities isolate ecosystems.
New study finds that mammal movements are reduced by up to three-fold in areas with high human activity, affecting not only individual animals but also ecosystems. Movement distances vary by species and resource availability, suggesting a complex interplay between humans and wildlife.
Two new treefrog species were recently discovered in the Amazon Basin of Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil, shedding light on previously unknown species. The scientists also drew parallels between the natural world and Stanley Kubrick's film A Clockwork Orange.
Phosphorus recycling was much lower in ancient oceans than today, limiting biological productivity and potentially causing a false negative in searches for life on other planets. Volcanic sulfate played a crucial role in phosphorus cycling before oxygen became abundant.
A survey of urban homes in Raleigh, North Carolina found that high-traffic rooms with many windows and doors harbor more insect diversity. The study also revealed that neighborhood affluence plays a role in hosting a greater variety of species. Human behavior, including tidiness, had a minimal impact on bug communities.
Researchers analyzed 560 European peat bog samples to study how they respond to different temperatures, precipitation levels, and air pollution. They found that functional redundancy allows the ecosystem to survive despite changing species due to climatic conditions.
A new study reveals that healthy coral populations can produce significantly more offspring than degraded populations, with higher percentages of successful parents and increased reproductive output. This finding highlights the critical role of healthy coral reefs in supporting reef recovery and re-seeding other areas.
Two mass extinction events led to the survival of a low number of 'weedy' species that spread globally, affecting ecosystems and biogeography. The findings shed light on modern high extinction rates and potential consequences for current biodiversity loss.
Researchers analyzed over five decades of data to find that changes in non-extreme precipitation are more significant than previously realized. The study highlights the importance of examining precipitation in a nuanced way, as even small changes can have a substantial impact on ecosystems and resource management.
A new classification scheme for planetary stages based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics categorizes worlds by energy flow and life's effect. This framework, proposed by researchers, places Earth in Class IV due to its thick biosphere and strong impact from human activities.
A global analysis suggests that climate change could lead to the extinction of up to a third of parasite species by 2070. The study used museum collections and GPS coordinates to understand conservation risks. Parasite diversity is a key indicator of ecosystem health, highlighting their critical role in maintaining balance.
The Gulf of Mexico's unique flora and fauna are detailed in two open-access books compiled by editor C.H. Ward, covering topics such as water quality, oil seepage, and commercial fisheries. These studies provide an extensive baseline assessment of the Gulf's state and health before the devastating 2010 spill.
A study documents the African leopard's caloric demands and predatory behaviors, revealing that males spend 26% of their daily calories on territorial patrol, while females expend 8% on parenting. This data provides insight into the cats' behavior, allowing researchers to assess ecosystem impacts and predict human actions
A new study reveals vast knowledge gaps in island-restricted bat species, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing conservation efforts for these vulnerable habitats. The research identifies areas with high levels of endemic bat species and underscores the urgent need to protect their islands and populations.