Articles tagged with Grasslands
Scientists have discovered that C3 grasses outcompete C4 grasses in hot, dry conditions due to precipitation patterns changing throughout the year. This shift has a self-fueling power, with C3 plants preemptively using soil water before C4 species become active.
A new study by Colorado State University predicts significant climate benefits from advanced biofuel technologies, accounting for carbon flows and comparing them to grasslands and forests. The team found clear strategies for biofuels to have a net carbon benefit, particularly in regions where planting trees is not an option.
During extreme drought, C3 biomass production increased five-fold in grasslands while C4 plants declined. This shift is linked to changes in seasonal precipitation patterns favorable for C3 grasses
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals a significant decline in US bird biodiversity related to neonicotinoid use, particularly affecting grassland birds. The research found a 2.2% decline in grassland bird populations for every 100 kg increase in neonicotinoid usage per county.
A major loss of grassland has occurred in Great Britain since 1990, with a net reduction of 7,668 km2 or 1.9 million acres, as woodland area increased by 5,236 km2 and urban areas expanded by 3,376 km2 between 1990 and 2015. The majority of this loss and increase occurred in Scotland and England respectively.
Research from the University of York finds that subsidized agricultural conservation schemes fail to benefit rarer butterfly species, while common species like Ringlet and Meadow brown thrive. The study suggests that these schemes can help improve connectivity for some species, but are unlikely to prevent extinctions.
Invasive native rush species are spreading across UK upland farms, threatening local wildlife and the livelihoods of farmers. The study found that rushes can spread by up to 174% in just 13 years, reducing grassland productivity and causing losses for farmers.
A study by Chinese researchers suggests that fencing is necessary in severely overgrazed areas but short-term fencing options should be considered. The authors propose encouraging traditional free grazing practices and removing existing long-term fences to benefit wildlife.
A team of ecologists and agronomists found that the Messor barbarus harvester ant accelerates plant community recovery in degraded Mediterranean dry grasslands. The ants improve soil fertility, transport seeds, and increase plant biomass next to their nests, facilitating resilience.
An interdisciplinary study found that biodiversity increases yield and revenue in semi-natural grasslands. The researchers discovered that maintaining higher levels of plant diversity leads to improved forage quality and increased income from milk sales, comparable to the difference between extensively and intensively farmed land.
A study examining 220,000 records of land use in western France found that conversion to crop production has long-lasting impacts on biodiversity. Functional diversity was relatively high in areas with old, permanent grasslands, highlighting the importance of retaining these sanctuaries.
Researchers found that four-species mixtures of perennial ryegrass, chicory, red clover and white clover outperformed monocultures in terms of yield stability during drought. The study revealed higher yields in the multi-species mixtures, with an average drop of 1.08 tonnes ha-1 compared to 1.41 tonnes ha-1 for monocultures.
Soil nitrogen levels drive plant growth for food production and ecosystem health. The global field study provides a more detailed baseline of worldwide nitrogen levels, improving understanding of natural cycles and the effects of over-fertilization.
Bison in Yellowstone engineer the range to their benefit by manipulating the landscape through grazing, affecting plant growth patterns. This allows them to maintain high-quality diets despite not following the broader pattern of spring green-up.
A large-scale biodiversity study found that insect decline is more extensive than previously thought, with many species affected in both grasslands and forests. The researchers identified the biggest losses in grasslands surrounded by intensively farmed land, where the most heavily impacted species were those unable to travel far.
A large group of ecologists contests an article proposing 'reforestation' of the Cerrado, Brazil's most biodiverse tropical savanna. The critics argue that the plan is based on flawed calculations and could worsen climate change by reducing surface albedo and intensifying global warming.
Researchers found that ancient plant and animal communities differed significantly from today's, with a greater diversity of megaherbivores and non-ruminant species. The study suggests that environmental changes driven by grassland expansion and arid climate pulses may have influenced human evolution.
The 'Green Grass' project aims to bring back grazing livestock into pastures, using innovative technologies like virtual fences and remote sensing systems. The goal is to reduce the workload of pasture farming, cover cows' nutrient needs with fresh grass, and maintain biodiversity.
A new study reveals that global change is triggering an identity switch in grasslands, with many species changing drastically without altering the overall number of species present. The research, published in PNAS, found that grasslands can resist the effects of global change for up to a decade, but eventually transform as conditions b...
Researchers discovered that spillover, especially of wind-dispersed plant species, promotes biodiversity in restored grasslands. This is crucial for recovering endangered temperate grasslands.
Grassland plant communities exhibit delayed responses to global change drivers like nutrient pollution, drought, and climate warming. The number of applied anthropogenic factors increases the likelihood of community response.
A new study found that global change is triggering a significant shift in grassland plant species, with many plots experiencing drastic changes despite minimal changes in total species count. This shift could impact the critical services provided by grasslands, including carbon storage and food production.
A recent study found that lower microbial abundance and aggregate protection are coexisting mechanisms underlying lower Q10 in subsoil, while substrate quality and mineral protection play less role. Microbial communities regulate depth-associated variations in Q10 in the active carbon pool, whereas aggregate protection controls it in t...
A new study suggests converting farmland to grasslands near existing natural areas for maximum environmental benefits. The conversion should consider balancing multiple goals, including improvement of nature and aquatic environments, biomass production, and land usage.
Research from Göttingen reveals that wild red deer grazing in open landscapes can contribute to the conservation of protected habitats. The proportion of plant growth eaten by wild red deer is comparable to extensive grazing by farm livestock.
Scientists tracked Mongolian gazelles over vast grasslands using GPS, finding they avoid human disturbance and require large movement corridors. Integrated land use planning prioritizing permeability is advocated to address barriers such as fences and facilitate long-distance movements.
Invasive alien tree Prosopis juliflora has had devastating effects on the Afar Region of north eastern Ethiopia, causing losses in ecosystem service values estimated at US $602 million. The study found that the weed spread rapidly, leading to a decline in grassland and bush-shrub-woodland areas.
A recent UFZ study analyzed 10,000 studies on yield and biodiversity in intensification measures, finding a 20% increase in yield but a 9% species loss. Medium-intensity areas showed the highest increase in yield and greatest species loss.
A new study found that grasslands increase in vegetation biomass when exposed to elevated carbon dioxide levels, especially during rainy periods. This suggests that seasonal precipitation plays a crucial role in determining the impact of CO2 on plant growth.
A field experiment in California's 2017-2018 winter drought revealed a strong correlation between seedling root length and mortality. In contrast, easily measurable adult traits showed only weak correlations with seedling mortality, suggesting that traditional plant traits may not predict ecosystem responses to environmental stress.
A University of Oklahoma study found that insects not only crave salt but also search for it in their habitats. The researchers discovered that insects from 'bland to salty' grasslands were attracted to plots with simulated cow urine, indicating a preference for sodium.
Researchers found that leaves in grassland communities change their nutrient content in response to fertilisation, climate and soil conditions. This discovery provides a new tool for understanding the impact of environmental changes on ecosystems.
A study of 32,000 butterflies found that semi-natural grasslands with surrounding forests support the highest number of butterfly species, while agricultural fields have limited resources. The results highlight the importance of preserving landscapes with diverse habitats to ensure the survival of pollinators.
A new study found that conservation programs in Illinois have helped some rare birds increase their populations to historic levels. The Bell's vireo, one of four species studied, has bounced back from historic declines and is now more than double its last estimated abundance. In contrast, other bird species with wider geographic ranges...
A study by the University of Plymouth found that snails are attracted to seedlings based on their volatile scent preferences, while those with repellent chemicals avoid damage. This discovery provides insights into the complex interactions between slugs and snails in natural habitats.
A new study links frequent, seasonal fires to the formation and expansion of ancient grasslands. The researchers used a novel approach to analyze plant biomarkers in fossil soils, revealing that fire played a crucial role in shaping the landscape.
A fast new way to check nutrient levels in grasslands allows farmers to quickly monitor changes and adapt grazing methods. Overgrazing below 7cm significantly reduces protein and digestibility.
A new US study found that restoring the nation's lands and coastal wetlands could absorb a fifth of greenhouse gas pollution, equivalent to emissions from all US vehicles. The study identified natural solutions such as reforestation, forest management, and tidal wetland restoration that can store carbon and avoid emissions.
Researchers argue that reintroducing native microbiomes can accelerate succession and increase plant diversity in restored communities. The study also highlights the importance of mycorrhizal fungi in maintaining these relationships.
A new study suggests that declining nitrogen availability in natural ecosystems like grasslands and forests may limit plants' ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This could have significant implications for the global climate, as plants play a crucial role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study found that invasive cattle forage grass, tall fescue, is associated with nest failure in dickcissels, small grassland birds. The researchers identified tall fescue as a key factor influencing nest survival, and suggested that removing the invasive species could benefit wildlife and people's livelihoods.
Research reveals that ancient herders' livestock dung created fertile environmental niches for diverse wildlife over three millennia. Fertile sites attracted wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and carnivores, influencing migration patterns.
Research shows that multiple facets of biodiversity, including species richness and plant evolutionary history, jointly reduce annual variation in grassland productivity. High-species-rich communities with diverse histories exhibit reduced biomass production variability.
Research by Hokkaido University found that abandoned farmlands, particularly those without surrounding forests, benefit wetland and grassland birds. The study also revealed that landscape structure affects bird communities differently.
A University of California, Davis study found that grasslands are more resilient carbon sinks than forests in 21st century California, especially when considering the impacts of droughts and wildfires. Grasslands store most of their carbon underground, making them a viable option for carbon offset efforts.
Research in Tibetan alpine grasslands found that climate warming does not decrease productivity, but rather changes the composition of plant species to stabilize production. The study's findings suggest that shifting species composition enables communities to access more water and buffer against drought-induced declines.
A new study predicts that half of Alberta's upland boreal forest will disappear by 2100, replaced by young deciduous forests and grasslands. The research, conducted by University of Alberta biologists, took into account wildfire disturbance and climate change over a 100-year period.
Woody vegetation cover in Ozark grasslands increased from 8% to 59% over 75 years due to fire reintroduction. Despite prescribed fire efforts, reversal is unlikely once woody plants cover more than 40% of the landscape.
Scientists have found evidence that the soil microbiome in restored Illinois prairies is recolonizing and recovering, closely resembling those in untouched natural prairies. This discovery suggests that restoration efforts are working at a foundational level, contributing to the health of people and the planet.
Industrial farming has disrupted the burn-regrowth cycle in grasslands, leading to a 25% decline in globally burned areas. This shift affects iconic species like lions and rhinoceroses.
A study by the Technical University of Munich found that optimally distributed management within a region can lead to higher yields without insect species loss. This requires planning at the landscape level and considering multiple forms of management.
Researchers from the University of Utah analyzed oxygen isotope data from herbivore teeth and tusks to understand climate dynamics in the Omo-Turkana basin. The findings suggest that fluctuations in rainfall timing and interactions between plants and animals, rather than long-term drought, drove changes in the region's ecosystem.
Researchers found that Tibetan Alpine grasslands are vulnerable to climate warming, with temperature changes destabilizing the ecosystem. The study suggests reduced forage production in drought years and increased biomass production in wet years, posing consequences for ecosystem services like climate regulation and water conservation.
Lions in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park have smaller pride sizes and larger home ranges due to decreasing prey biomass. The study found the lions' dependence on Ugandan kob, a crucial prey species, led to these adaptations.
A new study finds that warming temperatures affect the stability of Tibetan alpine grasslands, threatening forage production and livestock reliance. Climate change also disrupts species synchrony, jeopardizing well-adapted ecosystems.
Shallow cumulus clouds over Inner Mongolia Grassland were found to have a cloud base height of 3.4 km and top height of 5 km, significantly higher than those over the sea, yet similar to those in the Southern Great Plains.
Researchers have quantified the economic value of biodiversity in grasslands for enhancing carbon storage capacity. Increasing plant species diversity from one to ten resulted in twice the carbon storage value compared to increasing it from one to two species.
Research reveals that major increases in environmental moisture caused widespread glacial-age grasslands to be replaced by peatlands and bogs, fragmenting populations of large herbivore grazers. The study found distinctive biochemical signals reflecting massive increases of moisture on the landscape.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience shows that US grasslands are more than three times more sensitive to vapor pressure deficit, or atmospheric dryness, than they are to precipitation. This means that plants in US grasslands are more likely to be damaged by drought due to the high sensitivity of their stomata to dry air.
Researchers found that tree encroachment in hirola habitats reduced grasslands, impacting the antelope's primary food source. Overgrazing, loss of elephants from poaching, and lack of fires also contributed to the decline. Solutions like elephant conservation and grass reseeding offer hope for hirola recovery.