Articles tagged with Ecosystems
A new large-scale study finds that functional traits, not nativeness, play a key role in shaping the effects of large mammalian herbivores on plant communities. Introducing feral cattle or water buffaloes into local areas could be a good idea for complementing native deer and promoting plant diversity.
A new study challenges the idea that Eurasia's dominant East-West axis led to faster development due to its unique orientation. The researchers found that environmental barriers hindered the spread of cultural traits across societies, but did not consistently favor Eurasia.
The Cary Institute's new program provides nine teachers with six weeks of collaborative research experience in ecosystem science. They will develop innovative curricula based on their research, increasing their capacity to educate students about ecology and global change.
New research reveals permafrost's dominant role in shaping Arctic rivers and storing massive amounts of carbon. Thawing permafrost could unleash billions of tons of CO2, exacerbating climate change.
A new study published in Science found that eradicating non-native animals to protect plant species can be a flawed practice, costing millions and slaughtering healthy wild animals. The research compared the effects of native and introduced large herbivores on plant communities, finding no significant differences.
Leading scientists propose a new global advisory system to address the alarming impacts of urban expansion, which would fulfil a similar function as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The system aims to manage sustainable growth of cities and protect vital Earth systems.
A new database of 928 weed species provides a unique insight into the history of agriculture and its ability to adapt to changing conditions. The data reveals trends in arable agriculture over time and how farming practices have varied in different environments, offering potential solutions for modern-day food production.
A new camera system records natural animal-view videos with high accuracy, enabling scientists to study animal behavior and navigation. The system uses four color channels, including UV light, to produce accurate video of how animals perceive colors.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a material to selectively oxidize urea in water, producing hydrogen gas. The material, made of nickel and cobalt atoms with tailored electronic structures, enables the efficient conversion of urea into hydrogen through an electrochemical reaction.
A recent study reveals that solar energy facilities planted with native grasses and wildflowers can rapidly support thriving insect populations. Total insect abundance tripled at the studied sites, providing additional pollination services to adjacent agricultural fields.
An international study classifies groundwater as a keystone ecosystem, emphasizing its critical role in sustaining both humanity and biodiversity. The researchers propose eight key themes for improved groundwater conservation to reduce biodiversity loss and counterbalance climate change.
A new study uses machine learning and satellite imagery to create the first global map of large vessel traffic and offshore infrastructure, finding a remarkable amount of activity previously unknown. The analysis reveals that industrial fishing and transport activities are concentrated around Africa and south Asia.
A team of international scientists found that Southeast Asian forests resisted 'savannisation' during the Last Glacial Maximum, maintaining a mosaic of diverse closed and open forest types. Maintaining forest diversity is key to preventing future 'savannisation' and protecting tropical rainforests in regions like South East Asia.
A new study led by the Smithsonian identifies five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs from Southeast Asia, using DNA analysis and physical characteristics. The two new species, Hylomys vorax and H. macarong, are endemic to the endangered Leuser ecosystem in North Sumatra and Southern Vietnam.
A Washington State University study reveals that high-elevation snow in the Pacific Northwest is melting earlier due to frequent and intense heatwaves. The researchers found that these heatwaves have doubled in frequency and intensity since the mid-1990s, posing a significant threat to the region's water supply.
A recent study found that beef operations with lifelong grass-based diets may produce a 42% higher carbon footprint when considering soil carbon sequestration and carbon opportunity costs. This is in contrast to grain-finished operations, which have been previously shown to have a lower environmental impact. The study's findings emphas...
The current emoji library underrepresents plant, fungus, and microorganism biodiversity while overrepresenting animals. This bias reflects known biases in biodiversity assessments and conservation analyses.
Researchers investigated how urbanization affects interactions between plants and pollinators in a tropical city. They found that seasonal changes play a crucial role in shaping these interactions, leading to significant changes in plant-pollinator networks.
A new study identifies public and private companies operating in economic sectors associated with increased risks of emerging infectious diseases. Financial actors can mitigate these risks through investments that promote ecological restoration, pathogen surveillance systems, and community health care.
Researchers used AI to analyze tree databases and found that temperature and precipitation are strong predictors of non-native species invasion. The study also reveals that global forest carbon potential is considerably below natural levels, with most potential located in existing forests.
A new study compiled over 600,000 records from US and Canadian wildlife rehabilitation centers to investigate the threats facing more than a thousand species by region, highlighting human activities such as climate change and extreme weather events
Researchers characterized nearly 600 microbial genomes, revealing two types of microbes: minimalists and maximalists. Minimalists share resources with friends, while maximalists can produce energy and transform biomolecules, offering insights into life in the Earth's crust and potential on Mars.
A study by Colorado State University found that redlined communities experience higher maximum noise levels, detrimental effects on urban ecosystems, and increased human health risks like hearing loss and stress. The research highlights the need for equitable planning and noise mitigation to benefit both people and wildlife.
A new data-driven framework uses machine learning to identify keystone microbial species in human gut microbiomes, varying across communities. The study found that keystone species have context-dependent essentiality and can aid digestion, breaking down complex starches.
A recent study has unveiled two previously undiscovered families of Pseudoscorpions in Israel, including Syarinidae and Cheiridiidae. The research expands the catalog to include 61 pseudoscorpion species belonging to 28 genera and fourteen families.
A systematic review found that climate change-related concerns are linked to less positive attitudes towards reproduction and a desire for fewer children or none at all. The study identified four key factors: uncertainty about the future of an unborn child, environmentalist views on overpopulation and overconsumption, meeting family su...
A study of European river systems from 1969-2020 found that freshwater biodiversity improved until the 2000s but stagnated since then. The researchers attribute this decline to diminishing effectiveness of existing measures and emergence of new pollutants, climate change, and invasive species.
A new study led by University of Maryland Professor Sujay Kaushal reveals that human activities are making the planet's air, soil, and freshwater increasingly salty. This acceleration of the natural salt cycle poses an 'existential threat' to ecosystems and human health if current trends continue.
Ant communities in Okinawa Island show reduced seasonal behavior in areas with more human development. Researchers found that ant populations in developed sites are less predictable and have diminished seasonality compared to forested areas. The study highlights the impact of human activities on insect populations and ecosystem services.
A new study reveals that periodical cicada emergences have a cascading effect on forest ecosystems, shifting bird diets and leading to increased abundance of caterpillars and subsequent leaf damage. This research has implications for bird conservation and understanding the interconnectedness of complex food webs.
The second SELINA thematic workshop brought together over 100 participants from 27 EU member states and beyond to discuss project progress, policy needs, and potential solutions. Keynote speakers shared insights on ecosystem service accounts and corporate sustainability reporting.
Researchers from UNC Greensboro have developed new methods to predict the impact of global changes on 'grassy' ecosystems, which cover 40% of the Earth's land surface. The study aims to improve mathematical models that forecast changes in these ecosystems, including food production, pollinators, and carbon sequestration.
A new study led by researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, proposes a way to improve the effectiveness of conservation funding by giving organizations more freedom to allocate funds. By doing so, the team found that conservation projects can offer a high return on investment and make a greater impact on species protection.
A recent study found that animals in the Greater Kruger National Park react with alarm to hearing human voices, fleeing waterholes and abandoning their habitat. The researchers used custom sound systems to compare the fear response of mammals to humans versus lions.
Researchers have discovered a new species of calcifying phytoplankton, Calciopappus curvus, found in the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda. The species is distinct from others in its genus and boasts intricate skeletons that may aid movement or protection.
Scientists validate a long-held ecological distribution theory, but find it doesn't hold true for islands with human habitation. The findings suggest that traditional models of the natural world may no longer be valid in the face of mounting local human impacts.
New research shows that food is the primary driver of the EU-27's outsized Ecological Footprint, exceeding regional biocapacity from 2004 to 2014. The study highlights the need for holistic policies across the food supply chain to advance towards the EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy.
A new study finds that human activities are impacting the planet, breaching six planetary boundaries and increasing the risk of triggering dramatic changes. The study highlights the need for a global focus on interactions between boundaries, particularly Climate and Biosphere Integrity.
Biodiversity researchers can now incorporate nanopublications into their manuscripts to future-proof their assertions on biological taxa and organisms. The newly released nanopublication workflow enables authors to create machine-actionable, FAIR data that can be easily traced back to its origin.
A global food system model suggests that consumer choices and climate-smart technologies can help achieve net negative emissions by 2050. The study estimates that a complete transformation could remove up to 33 gigatons of carbon dioxide each year.
A team of marine scientists developed an ecosystem footprint concept to understand the ability of ecosystems to adapt to change over space and time. The framework focuses on building ecosystem resilience and recovery, shifting from stressor-limiting approaches.
Researchers analyzed ancient coastal habitats from the last Ice Age to predict future changes with a predicted sea level rise of this century's projected rate. Tidal marshes and mangroves are vulnerable to rising seas, but can adapt up to 1.5C of warming.
A Stanford study reveals how the meat and dairy industry lobbies governments to resist competition from alternative animal products, such as plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives. The research found that governments consistently devote more funding to traditional livestock systems than sustainable alternatives.
Researchers discovered seven bat species and 66 insect species in the Pyrenees, highlighting the importance of migratory insects as a food source for both bats and those living in the mountains. The study also shows that migrating insects are a crucial refuelling station for bats during their own journeys south.
Scientists have identified two new mole species in eastern Turkey, belonging to the Talpa genus, which has been living undiscovered for up to 3 million years. The study, using cutting-edge DNA technology, confirms their biological distinctness from other moles in the group.
Scientists successfully removed invasive spectacled caimans from specific areas of the Everglades, reducing competition with native alligators and crocodiles. The efforts demonstrate early detection, rapid response, and persistent removal can effectively control invasive species, with implications for other invasive species management.
A study found that the silver rice rat, an endangered Florida Keys species, shifted its habitat in response to sea level rise, moving to higher ground at a rate slightly greater than the observed rise in sea level. The rats' diet and environment are highly restricted, making them sensitive to changes.
A University of Maryland study found that tree species diversity increases spider populations, providing a natural pest regulation service. Spider populations in diverse plots increased by 23-50% compared to single-species plots during late summer months.
A new study finds that climate change poses a significant threat to all listed plant and lichen species, with only a minority of conservation plans taking direct action to address this issue. The researchers urge policymakers to use their findings to inform conservation planning and recovery efforts for these endangered species.
A six-year dune restoration project in Santa Monica Beach, California, has shown promising results in increasing the beach's resilience to sea level rise. The project involved creating a natural dune system using native vegetation, which trapped sand and formed hummocks and dunes.
The Pacific Northwest and Cascadia Bioregion are home to diverse ecosystems, including temperate rainforests and marine environments. Research presented at the ESA Annual Meeting explores topics such as restoration efforts, plant community recovery, and climate change impacts on salmon populations.
The SELINA project launched its Demonstration Projects, featuring 15 innovative examples from 12 countries. These projects demonstrate how knowledge on biodiversity can inform public and private decision-making. Participants gained insights into their future plans and potential synergies between the public and private sectors.
Researchers used proteomics and small RNA sequencing to analyze 103 human blood plasma samples, identifying 21 proteins and 315 small RNAs associated with aging. Combining protein and miRNA data improved age predictions (R2 = 0.70 ± 0.01), suggesting a broader range of age-related physiological changes.
The new VOLT Center aims to understand the interactions between organisms, environment, and atmosphere regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which influence global climate. Researchers will study the production, consumption, and effects of VOCs from various organisms, including bacteria, plankton, and plants.
A novel framework guides informed and effective soil management as carbon sinks, considering context-dependent environmental conditions. Management targeting 'labile' carbon is more effective in increasing carbon sequestration than focusing on 'stabilized' carbon.
A new biodiversity study shows that even seemingly healthy ecosystems with increasing species numbers may already be on the path to decline and loss of species. The study's findings suggest that species richness is not a reliable metric for monitoring ecosystems, as it can mask negative trends in species extinction.
Researchers found that shorter-legged lizards on tiny Bahamian islands reduced web spider populations by 41% and promoted plant growth, while longer-legged lizards had the opposite effect. This study demonstrates a two-way street in which evolutionary changes shape ecological interactions.
Researchers found an astonishing record of biodiversity trapped on air quality filter samples in the UK, including over 180 plant and animal species. The study suggests that existing air quality monitoring networks could be used to track terrestrial biodiversity on a continental scale.
Daniel Herwartz receives 2 million euros funding from ERC Consolidator Grant for his project KinO, which explores temperature fluctuations associated with mass extinction and improves temperature reconstructions of ancient ocean temperatures.
The study assesses and quantifies safety and justice for humanity on Earth, finding that numerous boundaries are already transgressed. The results conclude that a just approach is essential to planetary stability, and setting targets can prevent significant harm.