Articles tagged with Grassland Ecosystems
Researchers found that termite mounds create refugia for vegetation on drylands, allowing them to thrive in areas with significantly less rain. This discovery could inspire new approaches to understanding the effects of climate change on ecosystems.
Research suggests that termite mounds can slow the spread of deserts into drylands by providing a moist refuge for vegetation. The study's findings imply that these ecosystems are more resistant to desertification than previously thought, and that climate models should better account for organisms like termites.
Researchers found that exotic plant species increase biomass production in ecosystems, regardless of native species presence or climate. Herbivorous small mammals play a key role in resisting invasive plant species, but their exclusion allows for increased productivity.
A new study reveals that fertilization of natural grasslands disrupts ecosystem stability, reducing diversity and plant growth. The researchers used the Nutrient Network to collect data from 41 sites across five continents, finding a significant impact of fertilizer on ecosystems.
A new study highlights the role of white rhinos in shaping savannah ecosystems, suggesting that their loss could have significant effects on ecosystem functioning and fire regimes. The research found that areas previously colonized by rhinos had higher levels of short grass cover and more grazing lawns.
A CU-Boulder-led research team has gained insights into the vital but rarely considered microbial communities thriving in dark, fertile soils beneath the lost tallgrass prairie. The study reveals a dominant phylum of bacteria, Verrucomicrobia, which played a crucial role in the ecosystem's productivity and fertility.
A study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research projects that up to 13% of the world population may face increased water scarcity by 2100, with regions like Asia and North Africa being particularly vulnerable. The researchers also warn of critical impacts on land ecosystems under global warming.
Overgrazing by millions of sheep and goats is causing degradation of the Mongolian Steppe, a significant grassland ecosystem. About 12% of biomass has disappeared, with 70% of the ecosystem considered degraded.
A new study finds that adding nitrogen to grasslands initially boosts ecosystem productivity but ultimately leads to a decline due to reduced plant diversity. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the significant impact of biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning.
A recent study found that the presence of spiders drives up the rate of carbon uptake by plants, while also changing their storage patterns. This effect is linked to the predator-prey relationship between grasshoppers and spiders, highlighting the vital role of predators in regulating the carbon cycle.
A diverse landscape of patches, including meadows, young and old forests, and shrub lands, can provide more benefits than a single high-biodiversity patch
The Colombian Orinoco Basin's protected areas have almost doubled, but ecosystem protection does not increase proportionally, indicating a lack of planning and management capacities. Indigenous Reserves are crucial for conservation, but their status as Protected Area categories is debated.
Researchers at World Agroforestry Centre developed nomographs to map out fire behavior, pinpointing optimal conditions for early-season prescribed fires. These controlled burns reduce the risk of late dry season bushfires, exacerbated by climate change.
A 10-year study found that diverse ecosystems are less likely to collapse after disturbances like climate change or pest invasion. Researchers suggest encouraging more types of plants in fields and woods to mitigate ecosystem damage.
A new analysis of plants in grassland ecosystems worldwide reveals that most species are crucial for ecosystem functioning. Researchers found that 84% of grassland species promote ecosystem functioning at some point, contradicting previous assumptions about the importance of diversity.
Researchers will investigate microbial community diversity, structure, and responses to climate change in two ecosystems. The studies could inform U.S. policy on climate change and advance the field of microbial ecology.
A new study found that ants play a crucial role in protecting tree cover in East African savannas from elephants. The researchers discovered that swarming groups of ants can repel elephants, preventing extensive damage to trees.
Research found that termite mounds contribute significantly to grassland productivity in central Kenya by enhancing plant and animal activity locally and maximizing ecosystem-wide productivity. The evenly distributed colonies of termites create an optimized network of plant and animal output.
Research reveals that termite mounds in the African savanna enhance plant and animal activity at a local level, while their even distribution maximizes ecosystem-wide productivity. The findings suggest that these humble creatures are having a massive impact on the system from below.
Research by Robert M. Pringle and Todd M. Palmer reveals that termite mounds significantly enhance plant and animal productivity at local levels, while their even distribution maximizes ecosystem-wide biomass. The ordered distribution of these mounds creates an optimized network of plant and animal output.
Kendra McLauchlan's research aims to understand past ecosystems and provide context for modern changes to Earth systems. The project will examine ecosystem changes in increments of 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 years using data from three sites.
Researchers in the Baltimore Ecosystem Study found that urban grasslands retain a significant amount of nitrogen, with losses typically less than 40% of applied fertilizer. This surprising result suggests that these ecosystems have considerable capacity for nutrient retention, contrary to concerns about environmental impacts.
Researchers excavated 12-ton soil monoliths in Oklahoma to study warming effects on grasslands. Warming by 4 degrees Celsius suppressed plant growth and land carbon absorption for two years.
A recent study by Brown University scientists found that higher plant diversity significantly enhances an ecosystem's productivity, capturing more carbon dioxide and reducing global warming. The researchers also discovered that the number of plant species in a natural environment has a positive correlation with ecosystem productivity.
A Yale study finds that predators, rather than plants, determine the type and abundance of herbivores and carnivores in an ecosystem. The research shows how spider hunting modes affect grasshopper behavior, promoting habitat diversity but also depleting nitrogen in the soil.
Researchers propose an entirely new model of human-centered biomes, acknowledging that humans have a significant impact on the global environment. The current system of classifying ecosystems may be misleading, and it's time to study ecosystem functioning in backyards and urban areas.
Scientists found that global warming accelerates springtime flowering, but CO2 and nitrogen deposition have opposing effects on wildflowers and grasses. The overall timing of plant growth is delayed under elevated CO2.
Scientists found that global changes may alter the delicate balance of species coexistence by changing the timing of plant activity. Climate change accelerated springtime flowering of all species, but elevated carbon dioxide and nitrogen deposition caused wildflowers to flower earlier while grasses delayed their blooming.
Arizona State University researcher Jianguo Wu is leading a five-year project to study the relationships between species in the Eurasia Grassland, one of the world's largest contiguous biomes. The project aims to understand how different species function together and create realistic gradients of biodiversity.
The state-and-transition model better explains ecosystem changes, but outdated science can cause serious problems. Scientists need to learn how to spread new knowledge widely through cooperative extension efforts and early adopters.
The study found that elevated CO2 and nitrogen levels had minimal impact on grassland production, but high levels of phosphorus reduced growth. The results suggest that natural systems cannot sequester as much carbon as previously thought, leading to faster-than-expected climate change.
Scientists use NASA Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer to analyze vegetation and soil changes in response to rain variation over large areas. The study found a long-term decrease in litter cover, bare soil areas, and shifts in plant responses to precipitation events.
A five-year grassland study found that both species abundance and loss order significantly impact ecosystem diversity, with diverse communities resisting invasive weeds. Researchers replicated natural patterns and processes to demonstrate the importance of considering realistic species loss scenarios.
The Carnegie Institution's study found that elevated CO2 and nitrogen pollution reduced wildflower diversity, while increased water levels increased overall plant diversity. The four treatment combinations resulted in a decrease in wildflower species but an increase in grasses.
A more realistic extinction scenario shows that rare and uncommon plant species removal doesn't impact aboveground plant growth, but instead affects remaining rare species. Dominant species impart resistance to ecosystem change even in the face of a 3-fold decline in species.
A Colorado State University project, funded by a $1.8 million grant, aims to catalogue and analyze below-ground organisms and their interactions with surface ecosystems. The study seeks to understand how human activities above ground influence biodiversity below ground and its consequences.
A 15-year study on 200,000 acres of grassland in eastern Colorado suggests that livestock grazing has a minimal impact on the shortgrass steppe ecosystem. The study reveals that plants have adapted to grazing by developing extensive root systems and short, bushy features above ground.