Articles tagged with Grasslands
A new study reveals that warmer, wetter climate conditions in California would impair grassland productivity. The research found that average conditions from the past 40 years are near optimal for grass production, and any significant deviation toward warmer or wetter conditions will cause land to be less productive.
Wildlife-friendly farming schemes have been shown to boost UK moth populations by 40% on wide grass margins and up to 40% for specialized chalk grassland moths when habitats are created close to existing chalk grasslands. These findings support the conservation benefits of agri-environment schemes.
Drone-launched fireballs can aid in wildfire suppression and ignite prescribed burns for grassland restoration. High-intensity fires are effective in killing invasive shrubs, promoting fire-adapted grasses.
A 24-million-year-old record of vegetation trends suggests that humans developed key traits like flexible diets and large brains while adapting to the spread of open grasslands. The study provides a comprehensive timeline for the development of grasses, which were part of human evolution from the very beginning.
A warmer climate could lead to higher growth and productivity on US national forests and grasslands, but at the cost of reduced freshwater yields. The study projects a 4-7% decrease in water yield by 2100, with the most severe declines in the Northwest, West North Central, and Southwest regions.
A joint study by Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that using locally sourced seed from the same region as the future grassland improves plant growth and flowering. The researchers tested seven common grassland plants across eight German regions, discovering a correlation between genetic differences and regional climate...
Researchers have found evidence supporting the theory that barren areas in grasslands arise from plant competition for water. The study suggests that plants organize themselves in a six-sided structure, resulting in gaps with regular patterns.
Research predicts an earlier start to spring growing season and warmer winter temperatures in North American grasslands, partially offsetting negative effects of higher summer temperatures. Annual productivity is expected to increase despite drought-induced reductions in summer productivity.
A Harvard University study finds that grasslands across North America will experience an earlier start to the spring growing season and warmer winter temperatures, offsetting climate change's negative effects. However, this shift in seasonal patterns presents new management challenges for farmers and ranchers.
A Texas A&M study found that soil texture impacts shrubland resilience to brush removal, allowing landowners to prioritize management practices. Brush removal is more effective on fine-textured clay soils than coarse-textured sandy soils.
New research suggests that reducing beef production in Brazil could lead to higher global greenhouse gas emissions due to the need for farmers to recover degraded pastures and boost cattle productivity. This would potentially lower emissions by storing more carbon in the soil.
A Kansas State University researcher is gathering large-scale biological information on rivers across the US and Mongolia. The study aims to understand how climate change affects river systems, including oxygen production and consumption from bacteria, algae, plants, and animals.
A study of 46 grasslands in North America and Europe found that increasing plant diversity decreases the extent to which extreme wet or dry conditions disrupt grassland productivity. Higher biodiversity communities are more stable, exhibiting resistance during extreme climate events.
A six-year ASU experiment found that extreme weather events affect plant species differently, with grasses declining and shrubs flourishing under alternating wet and dry years. This shift could have serious consequences for humans relying on grasslands for food, particularly cattle ranchers.
Research suggests that restoring native grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau could cool the air through increased evapotranspiration, weakening global warming. The study's findings indicate a positive impact on both regional and global climates.
Native wildflowers in California are losing species diversity after multiple years of drier winters, according to a study. Drought-intolerant species suffered the worst declines, foreshadowing larger-scale extinctions.
A study on Rhinanthus minor, a 'vampire' plant, reveals that it increases abundance and diversity of animals in semi-natural grasslands. This finding has significant implications for conservation and management of these rare ecosystems.
A study found that 7 million acres of new land were converted to cropland for biofuels, replacing millions of acres of grasslands and emitting significant carbon dioxide. The conversion, mainly to corn and soy, could have released as much CO2 as 28 million cars on the road.
A new study has cast doubt on the theory that ancient tsetse-infested bush stopped African herders in their tracks. The research found extensive grasslands east of Lake Victoria during a nearly 2,000-year-old settlement.
A recent study by Point Blue Conservation Science found that changing grazing practices to give land more time to rest improved the health of native grasslands in California. This approach increased the growth of native perennial grasses, allowing water to better infiltrate soil and reducing erosion.
Researchers found that businesses with more natural land cover, such as tall grass and trees, are more welcoming to raptors. Minor landscape changes can attract this wildlife, making areas more suitable for raptor presence.
A team of scientists is studying the social and ecological factors driving woodland invasion on the Great Plains, with a focus on understanding landowner perceptions and decision-making processes. The project aims to enhance the scientific basis for maintaining economically valuable grasslands.
A study found that grassland fields in southern Wisconsin supported over three times as many bird species as cornfields, including 10 imperiled species. The research suggests that diverse bioenergy crop fields could benefit birds more than less diverse fields, making grasslands an acceptable tradeoff for biomass production.
A new study estimated carbon emissions from cropland expansion in Northeast China between 1680 and 1980, finding forest reclamation accounted for 60% of total emissions. The conversion of non-forest ecosystems also played a significant role in triggering carbon emissions.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that burn intervals may predict the rate of woody vegetation expansion along grassland streams, which could help maintain tallgrass prairies. The research also suggests that changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and grazing patterns may contribute to woody plant encroachment.
Researchers found that burning outside the traditional late spring frame has no measurable negative effects, but may have multiple benefits. Burning in the fall or winter increases flexibility and ensures pasture gets burned without reducing grass production.
A new study by ecologists at Penn State found that grassland bird populations declined due to the loss of habitat, rather than insecticide use. The researchers analyzed population data from the US Geological Survey and found a strong positive association between CRP lands and grassland bird trends.
The EU's Common Agricultural Policy reforms are too weak to positively impact farmland biodiversity, with over half of all farmland exempt from ecological measures. Experts call on member states to take action to address declining biodiversity and intensification of agricultural practices across Europe.
Researchers analyzed aerial images of fairy circles in northwest Namibia and found a remarkably regular and homogeneous distribution pattern. This suggests local resource-competition among plants and vegetation as the most likely cause, rather than termites or underground gas emissions.
A worldwide study found that grazing animals can improve biodiversity in over-fertilized grasslands by allowing native plants to compete for sunlight. The study, which analyzed data from 40 sites across six continents, suggests that the removal of fertilizer and introduction of grazing animals can lead to increased plant diversity.
Researchers found that when herbivores increased the amount of light reaching the ground through vegetation removal, plant species diversity increased on both fertilized and unfertilized plots across six continents. The study suggests that nutrient availability and grazing can have a positive impact on grassland biodiversity.
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 three-year study across five continents found that fertilizer increases grass production but reduces stability, leading to wilder swings in forage availability. This results in fewer species thriving, reducing the overall diversity of grasslands.
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.
Historical and current surveys in southern Sweden reveal significant butterfly population declines due to changes in farming practices and land use. The study recommends 12 management measures, including later grazing and careful grazier selection, to mitigate these effects and support butterfly recovery.
European grassland butterflies have declined dramatically between 1990 and 2011, mainly due to agricultural intensification and habitat loss. This trend is alarming as butterflies are indicators of ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Research shows that selective grazing by slugs can prevent key grassland species from taking hold and reduce overall plant diversity. The team found that some of the most ecologically important species, such as red clover, are particularly tasty to slugs, which may hinder restoration efforts.
A recent study reveals that grassland fencing is threatening the survival of wild ungulates in Asia. The fencing has restricted their movement and reduced their habitat, making it harder for them to migrate and find food. This can lead to genetic isolation and increased extinction risk.
A false-color image from NASA's Landsat 8 satellite captured the extent of the East Peak fire burn scar in southern Colorado. The fire burned nearly 13,500 acres before being extinguished on June 25, 2013.
A Kansas State University research team found that global nitrogen availability has remained steady for the past 500 years, despite increased industrial production. The study suggests a link between nitrogen and carbon levels, with implications for future ecosystem changes.
Around half of Cambodia's tropical flooded grasslands have been lost in 10 years, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods. The area has shrunk from 3349 km² to 1817 km², with intensive commercial rice farming being a major driver of the destruction.
A new study led by the University of Washington found that certain South American mammals evolved long, strong teeth in response to the gritty dust and volcanic ash they encountered while feeding in an ancient tropical forest. The discovery contradicts the 140-year-old assumption about the evolution of specialized teeth.
A new analysis of vegetation change over 12 million years reveals that grasslands dominated the landscape, challenging the idea of bipedalism as a response to forest encroachment. The study provides insights into the environment and plant life in Africa's Rift Valley during human evolution.
A study by the University of Arizona and USDA found that plants can adapt their water demand to changing climate conditions, but this resilience has a limit. Prolonged droughts threaten the survival of plant communities, especially in sensitive environments like arid grasslands.
A recent study found that diverse grasslands can tolerate increased periods of drought and climate change due to the presence of drought-resistant species. This diversity allows grasslands to maintain their ecological functions, including carbon sequestration, food sources for grazing animals, and temperature regulation.
A University of Illinois researcher is testing a new model for conservation that involves raising awareness among private landowners about invasive species and providing strategies for moderate livestock grazing and controlled burns. The goal is to promote the growth of native wildlife habitats in the Grand River Grasslands, which has ...
Research in Namibia's grasslands reveals that 'fairy circles', circular bare spots surrounded by taller grass, exhibit a life cycle with varying life spans. The study finds that smaller circles are generally shorter-lived than larger ones, with life spans ranging from 24 to 75 years.
Researchers will assess nine ecosystem services provided by grasslands before and after woody plant encroachment in Kansas and New Mexico. The study aims to understand the ecological, economic, and social consequences of this dramatic change.
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.
Scientists used chemical isotopes to measure tree cover and shade in ancient soil, finding that grassy savannas were prevalent at most East African sites where human ancestors evolved. The study suggests that hominins partitioned their time between open and closed habitats, with sparse woody canopy providing essential resources.
Scientists used ancient soil to measure prehistoric tree cover and found that grassy, tree-dotted savannas prevailed for over 6 million years in eastern Africa. This discovery contradicts previous theories suggesting a shift towards forested environments during human evolution.
A Purdue University study finds that climate change allows yellow starthistle to outcompete native species, leading to economic and ecological damage. As carbon dioxide levels rise, the invasive weed grows up to six times its normal size, while native grassland species remain relatively unchanged.
A study by ecologists at the University of Texas at Austin found that a lawn of regionally native grasses requires less maintenance than traditional turfgrass, providing a lush carpet while outperforming it in weed resistance. The new approach could have a significant impact on pocketbooks and the environment.
Two new species of cladocerous crustaceans, Leydigia iberica and Leydigia korovchinskyi, have been discovered in the Iberian Peninsula. These ancient arthropods, dating back to the Permian period, are considered powerful bio-geographic indicators.
Researchers estimate that marginal land around the globe can produce grass crops for biofuels with minimal impact on agriculture or the environment. The study suggests that low-impact high-diversity perennial grasses could produce bioenergy while maintaining grassland's natural land cover.
Research suggests that developing biofuel from native perennials instead of corn in the Midwest's rolling grasslands would better protect threatened bird populations. The study found that bugs and birds thrive more in mixed prairie grasses than in corn, with twice as many species making their homes in grasses.
The new book, Illinois Birds: A Century of Change, explores the evolution of bird populations in Illinois over the past 100 years. Key findings include declining grassland birds like pheasants and meadowlarks, as well as increasing wood ducks and house finches.
A new study suggests that a massive reduction in green pastures and the spread of forests may have been the primary cause of the decline of mammals like the woolly mammoth. The research found that climate change and habitat changes made grazing difficult for large mammals, leading to their extinction.
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.