Articles tagged with Ecosystems
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels can cause leaf temperatures to rise by up to 1.3°C in forests, with a greater impact during extreme heatwaves. This change is likely caused by reduced transpiration and could have significant effects on the water cycle globally.
The Crete Declaration outlines how scientific cooperation can be transformed into actionable policy and robust innovation. It aims to strengthen Europe's resilience and global leadership by sharing data and expertise, developing innovative solutions, and promoting evidence-based policies.
Researchers analyzed liver and skeletal muscle samples from dead sea otters and found high levels of toxic 'forever' chemicals, linked to increased disease mortality. Concentrations were three times higher near major cities and shipping routes, highlighting a significant health risk to the species.
Researchers have developed a practical and affordable method for assessing the state of river ecosystems by using different substrates such as marble tiles, alder leaves, and cotton strips. The study found that these materials can provide valuable information on the condition of rivers and help address pollution.
A new Oxford-led study reveals Africa's wildlife ecosystems are running on less than two-thirds of their natural energy, posing risks to biodiversity and the livelihoods that depend on it. The research uses an ecosystem energetics approach to quantify how energy flows through food webs, finding that smaller species now dominate Africa'...
A new study shows that Neanderthals and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers had a significant impact on vegetation patterns in Europe, with human-induced fires and hunting affecting up to 47% of plant type distribution. The research challenges the notion of an 'untouched landscape' in Europe before agriculture.
A global meta-analysis of biological invasions found that impacts vary over time and are shaped by ecological contexts. Invasive plants reduce native plant diversity, while abiotic effects weaken after years. The study suggests early action to prevent invasive species' impacts on biodiversity and climate change.
Research at the Amazon Conservatory for Tropical Studies found that arboreal mammals, such as sloths and monkeys, use canopy bridges in the Peruvian Amazon to cross over treeless areas. The study provides insights into how forest creatures adapt to human-made structures.
Researchers found high floral scent chemodiversity attracts a wider variety of pollinators but reduces bacterial richness on flowers. The discovery supports the 'Filthy Pollinator Hypothesis', which proposes that diverse scents prevent detrimental microbial colonization.
A new international study reveals that nitrogen fixation occurs beneath Arctic sea ice, increasing available nitrogen for algae and potentially boosting marine life. This discovery could also impact carbon absorption in the Arctic Ocean.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 have been recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to global challenges through applied microbiology. The awards celebrate excellence across various domains, including drug discovery and sustainable agriculture.
The FAU Queen Conch Lab has developed mobile lab hatcheries to restore threatened Caribbean queen conch populations and promote sustainable seafood production. These self-contained units bring advanced aquaculture capabilities to coastal communities, supporting education, employment, and food security.
A global research effort by Colorado State University reveals that extreme, prolonged droughts in grasslands and shrublands result in more than twice the loss of plant productivity compared to moderate droughts. The study suggests that these ecosystems lose their ability to recover over time under prolonged dry conditions.
Researchers found that communities with green infrastructure systems like rain gardens saw a notable reduction in cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc being sent into local waterways. Implementing more of these systems can improve water quality, make cities cooler, and enhance ecosystem services.
A recent study by University of Oulu researchers reveals significant shifts in Arctic tundra vegetation, with crowberry expansion and bilberry decline dominating the region. This long-term trend is likely linked to climate change and extensive reindeer grazing, which suppresses taller shrub growth.
Research reveals that ovarian aging is not just about egg quality, but also the surrounding cells and tissues. The study found that eggs cluster in pockets surrounded by egg-free zones, which decline in density with age, influencing egg lifespan and maturation.
A team of researchers has shed light on how Europe's largest bat hunts and consumes small birds. The bats use loud and low-frequency ultrasound echolocation calls to detect prey at great distances, then pursue it in steep dives towards the ground, catching and eating birds in mid-air.
Researchers at William & Mary's Batten School and VIMS have successfully restored bay scallop populations to their former range along the Eastern Shore of Virginia, with an average density of 0.114 scallops per square meter. The population is expected to double in less than 1.5 years, potentially leading to a future recreational fishery.
Researchers investigated tree swallow bird groups in the US and found no association between chemical exposure and reproductive health outcomes. Despite high concentrations of forever chemicals in their environment, birds were unaffected by exposure levels, indicating resilience to these pollutants.
A new study from Lund University maps the hidden highways of the sky, revealing how environmental factors and species interaction affect animal distribution in the aerial habitat. The research highlights the importance of understanding the air as a dynamic environment that requires adaptation to preserve flying animals.
Research from Umeå University reveals that natural barriers shape the flow of water and hinder plant dispersal in rivers shaped by the last Ice Age. The study found no clear correlations between drainage area and channel width, or consistent increase in plant species diversity downstream.
A study found that volcanic ash can enhance phytoplankton growth even at considerable distances from the volcanic site. Researchers detected a surge in phytoplankton levels around Mukojima Island, located 130 km northeast of Nishinoshima, after ash was transported by wind and ocean currents.
A new study reveals a dynamic community of zooplankton in the abyssal benthic boundary layer, which responds dramatically to seasonal changes in food sinking from surface waters. Deep-sea mining could have significant and unavoidable impacts on biodiversity regardless of time of year.
The IPBES report highlights five strategies to achieve transformative change: incorporating culture and ecology into conservation efforts, integrating biodiversity concerns into economic sectors, reforming governments, shifting societal values, and promoting incremental changes. The authors emphasize the urgent need for concerted effor...
A new review warns of growing heavy metal threats in reservoirs, highlighting the need for smarter monitoring and greener cleanup solutions. Researchers identify sources, risks, and promising solutions to tackle this global challenge.
A groundbreaking study found that mosses, often overlooked as mere background scenery, play a crucial role in storing carbon and stabilizing soil in subtropical forests. By including bryophytes in ecosystem assessments, scientists can identify cost-effective, nature-based solutions for climate change.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores to find a recurring 60-year cycle in carbon and silicon burial, showing human intervention led to changes in estuary ecosystems. Human activities like dam construction reduced organic matter delivery, while increased water clarity promoted algal growth.
A new study suggests that prolonged nitrate depletion delayed marine ecosystem recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction. Nitrate availability remained consistently low in South China during this period, with temperatures rising and falling to impact ocean stratification and upwelling.
Polar geoengineering proposals, such as aerosol injection and sea walls, may harm fragile ecosystems and divert resources from deep decarbonization efforts. The Frontiers Forum Deep Dive series explores the limitations of these initiatives and their potential to exacerbate climate change.
A new white paper urges placing biodiversity at the heart of the UN Pact for the Future, highlighting its essential role in food security, public health, and climate stability. The authors propose a global alliance to integrate biodiversity conservation into the core priorities of the UN Summit of the Future.
A new study found that many Arctic-breeding waterfowl species can reduce their migration time by shortening fuelling periods, allowing them to arrive earlier in the Arctic. However, this strategy may only work for a limited time as the clock ticks away due to current rates of Arctic warming.
Experts say well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas would harm ecosystems and international relations. Researchers analyze proposals like aerosol injection and ocean fertilization, finding they fail to meet scientific criteria.
Five well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas are highly unlikely to benefit the polar regions and could harm ecosystems, communities, and international relations. Researchers found that these proposals would likely cost billions in setup and maintenance while introducing ecological, environmental, legal, and political challenges.
As Arctic permafrost thaws, geochemical reactions unleash metals like cadmium, harming fish and disrupting ecosystems. The Salmon River's transformation poses indirect threats to Indigenous communities and other species.
A new study reveals that insect abundance is declining by an average annual rate of 6.6% in relatively undisturbed landscapes, leading to significant losses even in pristine areas. Climate change is identified as a key driver of these declines, highlighting the urgent need for biodiversity conservation.
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to create a digital library of DNA sequences to preserve and protect life on Earth. The project has revealed a refined strategy to scale up the sequencing of 150,000 species, accelerating biodiversity research and global conservation.
Researchers have developed a method to reconstruct functional diversity of past ecosystems from fossils, enabling conservationists to compare healthy ecosystems with modern counterparts that have been altered by humans. This information can be used to set restoration and protection goals for endangered species.
Researchers found that the island has enough trees, hedgerows, and seeds for the estimated 3500 red squirrels to thrive and grow. The study also discovered signs of genetic mixing between the east and west populations, suggesting a bright future for the island's squirrel population.
A new study found that when Hanauma Bay was closed to the public during the 2020 pandemic, the reef quickly returned to more natural levels. This led to clearer water, increased sightings of endangered Hawaiian monk seals, and more active fish populations.
A new bioinformatics-based method, fDOG, has been developed to search for genes with certain functions, including those involved in plant cell wall degradation. The study reveals a detailed global map of enzymes capable of degrading plant cell walls, with surprising discoveries among fungi and animals.
A landmark review published by FAU reveals that sargassum is a rapidly growing and widely distributed marine organism. The study found that the Atlantic Ocean's sargassum biomass has increased by over 50% since the 1980s, with nitrogen content rising sharply.
A new study from UNC-Chapel Hill has revealed a dual control system explaining why treelines form where they do and which tree species dominate them. Cold temperatures limit tree survival beyond a certain threshold, while water availability determines which species can thrive at high elevations.
The majority of extant species belong to a limited number of rapid radiations, forming groups with many species that evolved in a relatively short period. These rapid radiations are thought to occur when new ecological niches open up, such as the emergence of multicellularity and powered flight.
Researchers found that brown anole lizards can withstand extreme lead levels without impairment. Transcriptomic analyses revealed minor effects on brain and liver tissue, with altered genes linked to metal ion regulation.
A University of Missouri-led study has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment, supporting improved bioenergy production. The discovery sheds light on the role of lignin and its potential to create better biofuels and sustainable products.
Researchers found river otter scat containing parasites that infect prey, indicating otters may play a crucial role in shaping their ecosystems. The study also discovered diverse diets and invasive species among the otters' meals.
A new project at FAU aims to advance water quality monitoring in Lake Okeechobee by understanding how common contaminants break down after being released into freshwater environments. The team will deploy passive sampling devices and use cutting-edge chemical analysis to predict which contaminants are forming dangerous byproducts.
Key findings include halting food waste by 75% and restoring half of degraded lands by 2050; the authors recommend shifting agricultural subsidies towards sustainable smallholder farms and implementing land-based taxes or tariffs to reward sustainable low-impact farming.
The Georgia Tech researchers created a material inspired by seashells to improve the recycling of plastics, reducing variability in mechanical properties and maintaining performance. The new approach has potential savings of hundreds of millions of dollars and could keep more plastic out of landfills.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sets robust targets for protecting marine biodiversity, addressing its complexity and variability. By focusing on key indicators such as species distribution, genetic diversity, and ecosystem structure, policymakers can track changes and implement effective conservation measures.
A recent international collaboration found significant biodiversity loss in multiple types of arthropod, including butterflies, beetles, and spiders, in tropical forests. The study suggests that climate change, specifically changes to the El Niño cycle, are causing these declines.
Research shows that warming temperatures and thawing permafrost are altering the chemistry of Arctic rivers, leading to declines in inorganic nitrogen and increases in dissolved organic nitrogen. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interconnections to protect both human health and ecosystem integrity.
A new study from the University of Sheffield found that urban landscapes support 43% fewer pollinator species, with a decline in tree canopy and semi-natural habitats driving the loss. Pollinating insects are vital for up to 90% of wild flowering plant species and crop diversity.
Scientists have uncovered the remains of a vast animal community that lived in the European Arctic 75,000 years ago. The bones represent the oldest example of an animal community in the region during this warmer period of the ice age, providing valuable insights into how wildlife responded to dramatic climate shifts.
Researchers found that mangrove populations have nearly tripled in areas with oysters, leading to significant acidification of oyster reef sediment. Oyster shell dissolution could impact reef viability and services like filtration and storm surge reduction.
Researchers from Italy developed a conductive biopaste to accelerate coral growth and a natural healing patch to target antibiotic delivery to diseased corals, both showing promising results in laboratory tests.
A new study using NASA's PACE satellite data established a novel method to determine global plant productivity. The technique relies on the light plants reflect, allowing for accurate capture of short-term changes. This approach has significant implications for understanding carbon sequestration, climate change, and ecosystem monitoring.
A study analyzing data from 10 species at 14 national parks found that animals avoid human infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings. However, responses varied across populations, species, and individual animals, with some adapted to human presence.
A recent MIT study found that decreases in seed-dispersing animals can lead to a major reduction in forest carbon absorption. The researchers analyzed data from thousands of vegetation plots and found that healthy populations of seed-dispersing animals can absorb up to four times more carbon than similar forests with fewer animals.
Researchers have used a dynamic global wetland water level dataset to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of wetland carbon sequestration. They found that tropical wetlands contribute 70% to global C sequestration, with South America, Asia, and Africa being the top three continents.