Articles tagged with Ecosystems
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.
The designation as a Biosphere Reserve has improved the life quality of Urdaibai citizens by promoting well-being and sustainability, according to research. However, some residents feel the measures do not go far enough to guarantee conservation.
Researchers found high numbers of invasive species in island and coastal regions, particularly in the Hawaiian Islands, New Zealand's North Island, and Indonesia. The study highlights the need for effective measures to prevent further introductions of alien plants and animals into vulnerable ecosystems.
A new study reveals that vegetation can alter climate and weather patterns by up to 30 percent. The researchers found substantial feedback loops in semi-arid regions, where vegetation growth enhances heat transfer and increases cloudiness, affecting surface radiation.
Researchers developed a new vending machine system with a 'delay' bar and LED screen to display delay times for unhealthy snacks. The DISC system led to a 2-5% increase in healthy snack purchases without harming total sales volume or revenue, offering a viable option for vending machine owners.
International research effort has advanced agriculture in space and led to Earth-based advances, including LED lighting and new seed potato propagation techniques. Plants will be a major component of proposed regenerative life-support systems for human space exploration, providing food, oxygen, and aiding water recycling.
Researchers found that atmospheric CO2 concentrations remained stable around 190 ppm during ice ages, preventing extreme cooling. This suggests a 'thermostat' mechanism maintained habitable temperatures, with slower-growing organisms reducing carbon in soils and oceans.
Researchers used trained detection dogs to locate cheetah scat and signs in Western Zambia, detecting the species throughout a survey area. The study estimates a cheetah density of 5.9-6.6 individuals per 1000 square kilometers.
Conservationists from around the world gather to discuss a critical shift in thinking, recommending a more vigorous application of information from the fossil record. They suggest embracing novelty in ecosystems while preserving natural diversity, highlighting cases where conservation can benefit both humans and nature.
A new study reveals that land-use changes such as deforestation and expanded agriculture significantly increase CO2 emissions, but also reveal a higher rate of carbon uptake among terrestrial ecosystems.
A recent study by University of Montana researcher Ashley Ballantyne and former doctoral student William Smith found that land ecosystems take up less carbon during periods of rapid warming and more during periods of slower warming. This slowing-down is attributed to reduced plant respiration, not increased photosynthesis.
Plant scientists have developed a new classification system for European vegetation, consisting of 1298 basic-level types. The system aims to standardize classifications across the continent, aiding the European Union Nature Information System.
Researchers have identified four new species of parasites infecting an invasive freshwater fish in Japan. The discovery sheds light on the role of parasites in natural ecosystems and their potential impact on native species.
A new study assesses the feasibility of green façades as a climate change mitigation strategy in urban environments. The research reveals that experts estimate the likelihood of implementation at only 2% without incentives, but increases to 14% with financial and legislative support.
Indirect effects of rising CO2 levels, such as changes in soil moisture and plant structure, have a bigger impact on ecosystems than previously thought. These effects can explain up to 28% of total plant productivity response and are almost equal to the size of direct effects on evapotranspiration.
Research finds climate change denial correlates with political orientation, authoritarian attitudes, and a tough-minded personality. Climate change is often framed as a threat to the poor or weak, which may not be convincing for those who prioritize hierarchical power structures.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that golden eagles are more abundant in open, elevated areas with high wind speeds. These areas provide better hunting opportunities and allow for efficient flight, suggesting a preference for landscapes with these characteristics.
A better understanding of how pollinators interact with plants is key to untangling the decline in pollinator health. Researchers are using molecular genetic analysis to reconstruct historical records of plant visits by native bees across 10 prairie sites in Kansas.
A recent study published in Journal of Biogeography reveals that ant communities across Asia are shaped by past land connections during the Last Glacial Maximum, rather than current geographical features. Temperature was found to be the dominant factor in determining ant community patterns.
Researchers argue that network governance models can help big conservation alliances govern themselves and strengthen connections through communication. This approach emphasizes inclusivity, allowing disparate stakeholders to envision common goals and choose metrics for measuring progress.
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.
A new tool using statistical physics can identify the tipping point for complex systems, predicting their collapse. This prediction enables early intervention and recovery measures to be taken, ensuring the system's resilience is maintained.
Researchers from UM and UFZ developed an ecological simplification concept to aid land managers in identifying restoration project priorities. The study found that man-made structures can create ecological niches and increase biodiversity in rivers, but also introduced new challenges such as invasive species.
Researchers found that intense attacks from packs of large carnivores, including lions and sabertooth cats, helped keep herbivore populations in check. This study challenges the long-held assumption that mammoths, mastodons, and giant ground sloths were limited by reproductive timing due to resource scarcity.
A University of Tennessee study found that Caucasian parsley frogs rely on insect-rich bat guano for food in limestone caves. The research highlights the critical role bats play in maintaining cave ecosystems and underscores the need to protect small bat colonies.
A recent study investigates multiple phylogenetic diversity metrics and discusses their role in preserving biodiversity. The study highlights the challenges of calculating these metrics due to data availability, but also notes that as more sequence data are generated, accurate calculations will become increasingly routine.
A unanimous international consensus reached by 26 scientists recommends specific measures for the responsible conduct of gene drive research. The group calls for all researchers to use multiple confinement strategies to prevent accidental alteration of wild populations.
Researchers discovered that a yeast byproduct can inhibit the white-nose syndrome fungus, which has killed millions of bats. The compound, tt-farnesol, is produced by Candida albicans and targets the fungus specifically without disrupting other cave ecosystem components.
Researchers have successfully mapped key functional genes in bacterial species that play central roles in maintaining ecological balance. This knowledge may lead to targeted interventions to restore ecosystem health, such as supporting keystone bacteria to mitigate diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective way to help ecosystems recover from human disturbances like shipping and fishing. The method uses ecological traits like resilience to optimize connections between populations, enabling conservation staff to make informed decisions about recovery plans.
Researchers at the University of Leicester identify four key changes driven by human activity: homogenization of species, Homo sapiens as top predator, direction of evolution, and interaction with technology. These changes represent a planetary transformation as fundamental as major extinction events.
A study published in PNAS found that strictly protected areas, like parks and reserves, have lower incidences of malaria, acute respiratory infections, and diarrhea. By preserving biodiversity, these areas can act as a barrier to disease transmission, suggesting a potential double win for public health benefits.
Researchers warn that genetically modified salmonids may outcompete wild-type fish due to enhanced feeding motivation. However, increased aggression could expose them to greater predation risk, reducing their overall fitness.
Seventy percent of glacier ice in British Columbia and Alberta could disappear by the end of the century, impacting energy production, water supply, and freshwater ecosystems. The Rocky Mountains are expected to lose up to 90% of its glaciers, while coastal mountains will retain only half their volume.
The IPBES conceptual framework offers a new approach to understanding biodiversity loss by incorporating traditional knowledge and social sciences. The framework is built on six main elements: nature, human benefits, anthropogenic assets, indirect drivers of change, direct drivers of change, and good quality of life.
Researchers discovered a universal mathematical property called Trophic Coherence that explains how ecosystems maintain stability and grow larger, unlike previous thought. This finding has implications for conservation efforts and may apply to finance and engineering fields.
Researchers warn that new Brazilian laws could weaken environmental protection and threaten protected areas. At least 20% of Brazil's most strictly protected areas overlap with mining interests, while large hydroelectric dams will influence many river systems.
A study by Oregon State University found that rivers can return to a condition close to their natural state after dam removal, with the biological recovery process often surpassing physical recovery. The continued presence of a dam is more significant than the sediment pulse caused by dam removal, according to researchers.
A new Northwestern University study highlights the importance of considering cultural differences in science communication, finding that media often reflects cultural orientations and assumptions. The research reveals that Native Americans tend to see themselves as part of nature, while European-Americans view humans as apart from it.
A new Dartmouth-Finnish study found that high-latitude moth populations are less susceptible to temperature changes, suggesting they may be partly buffered from the effects of rapid climate warming. The findings are important because moths are a key food source for birds and other predators.
A new series of articles in the American Journal of Botany explores how plants respond to climate change, providing insights into plant biology, ecology, and evolution. The studies reveal complex relationships between plants and wide-scale biological changes.
This study examines how Parkinson's disease affects the health-related quality of life in northeastern Sicily, Italy. The researchers applied the ecological model to investigate the individual and social environmental factors impacting patient outcomes, including depression, cognitive impairment, coping strategies, and family size.
Researchers develop equations to estimate parasite and host metabolic rates, providing a new way to understand the energetics of parasites. The model reveals that there is a limit to how many worms can be accommodated in a host, with energy being the key limiting factor.
A new method developed by researchers at the University of Exeter uses computational social science to measure the aesthetic value of ecosystems. The study found that areas in Cornwall with high levels of photographer activity, such as Kynance Cove and Port Issac, have the highest aesthetic value.
OU researchers will collaborate on a $20 million NSF EPSCoR grant to advance understanding of socio-ecological systems in Oklahoma. The project aims to develop a statewide socio-ecological observatory network, a forecasting system, and a decision-support system to address climate change and variability.
Researchers propose keystone molecules as a key factor in structuring ecosystems. These molecules have powerful effects on bacteria, seabirds, fishes, and other species. Keystone molecules also influence predator-prey relationships and can be crucial for conservation efforts.
A comprehensive study by University of Calgary ecologists finds that human activity is deliberately or inadvertently engineering ecosystems, influencing food chains in protected areas and beyond. The results challenge traditional understanding of ecosystem regulation, highlighting the critical role of humans in shaping natural systems.
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology is launching a research project to study the impact of climate change on plant range shifts and ecosystem stability. The team aims to understand how plants interact with their 'ecological partners' in new ranges, and how this affects biodiversity.
Researchers discovered three new species of carnivorous snails in Thailand's limestone areas, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts. The study found that despite human exploitation and quarrying, these unique creatures continue to thrive in specific mountain ranges.
The Yale School of Environment's Journal of Industrial Ecology publishes a special issue on Sustainable Urban Systems, focusing on integrated approaches to reduce environmental impact. Research explores global warming, waste management, and phosphorus use in cities worldwide.
Researchers found that excessive habitat heterogeneity may lead to a decrease in species diversity, contradicting current conservation practices. The study provides important insights for selecting and managing conservation areas.