Articles tagged with Habitat Diversity
A new study by Bournemouth University found that 'pioneering pairs' of ospreys, which nest away from others, are key to driving population recovery. These birds create separate subpopulations and increase the speed of recovery for the species through long-distance dispersal.
A new synthesis paper examines how ecological structures and processes help ecosystems withstand disturbances while providing benefits. The study highlights the importance of 'portfolio effects' in maintaining ecosystem resilience.
The Conservation Gap Analysis of Select Native Asian Oaks reveals over half of native ranges are under human pressure, with many species lacking backup in botanical collections. The report prioritizes oak conservation efforts in Southeast and East Asia, focusing on regions with high human impact and limited protected area coverage.
A new study reveals critical fine-scale spatial heterogeneity of mesozooplankton across three brackish bays of the Central and Eastern Baltic Sea. Salinity and temperature drive distinct zooplankton assemblages, with clear inter-bay community separation emerging.
A new white paper by 135 EU researchers highlights the decline of wild pollinators, threatening food security and societal functions. The report calls for policy coordination and education on ecosystems and pollinators to reverse the trend.
A new framework developed by IIASA researchers helps identify where conservation can prevent biodiversity loss and where restoration efforts are likely to have the greatest impact. The framework integrates ecological thresholds with protected area coverage to assess how upstream pressures affect downstream fish communities.
New research reveals alpine butterflies closely match local warming in range shifts, but habitat availability drives community composition and climate change response. The study finds that butterfly communities have become warmer-adapted over the past two decades, with specialist species vulnerable to elevational hostplant mismatches.
A new policy brief from PollinERA proposes a regional pesticide budget system to manage total pesticide pressure at landscape scale. The system would align with EU environmental law and provide farmers with a practical incentive to choose lower-impact products.
Ecosystems with diverse species and predators function more effectively, maintaining natural processes like pest control and climate regulation. The study analyzed over 300 global food webs and found up to 70 times more predation in diverse ecosystems.
The Crown Princess Victoria Professorship in Biodiversity at the University of Gothenburg aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research into biodiversity and develop innovative strategies for its conservation. Alexandre Antonelli, a leading researcher, has been appointed to lead this initiative.
Researchers found that rewetted peatland solar parks in Northern Germany support threatened bird species and exhibit an unusual mix of species, providing a unique habitat for biodiversity. The study suggests that this novel land use can be a valuable tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring peatland ecosystems.
Researchers discovered a new cave cricket species, Dolichopoda balrogi, thriving in man-made tunnels on the Greek island of Kastellorizo. The species, found exclusively in a tunnel system, highlights the importance of exploring artificial underground environments for unique endemic species.
A new study by The Morton Arboretum reveals that oaks rapidly diversified in the Americas when they encountered high-elevation terrain, forming a unique biodiversity hotspot. This is supported by data from 322 of the world's approximately 450 oak species, with Mexico and Central America home to at least 160 different oaks.
A newly discovered pitviper, Trimeresurus lii, is found to be a distinct lineage with unique physical characteristics and venomous properties. The species was previously mistaken for the bamboo pitviper due to similar green appearance.
A global paradigm shift is needed to protect intact ecosystems and prioritize Nature Positive framework, integrating Indigenous knowledge and finance. The webinar series on May 28, 2026, will explore effective actions for people and nature, guided by the Three Conditions Framework.
A new paper warns that halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 is urgent to avoid destabilizing the Earth's vital systems. The authors call for a unified 'Nature Positive' approach to global environmental goals and governance.
A new study published in Biodiversity Data Journal reveals a profound look at life up to nearly 10 kilometers below the ocean's surface in the Japan, Ryukyu, and Izu-Ogasawara trenches. The research catalogs at least 108 distinct organism groups, including a baffling unidentified animal that has left global taxonomic experts stumped.
A new study reveals that improving surrounding landscape quality can increase bird species survival in forest remnants, with modest increases in nearby tree cover substantially boosting numbers. This contradicts traditional views on habitat fragmentation and highlights the importance of a more hospitable matrix for conservation.
Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species agree to list 40 additional species on Appendices I and II, including iconic species like cheetahs, hyenas, and great hammerhead sharks. The agreement also includes multi-species conservation plans for key regions like the Amazon.
Nations are coming together at the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) to address declining population trends and extinction threats among migratory species. The meeting aims to establish conservation policies and protections for over 2,000 species under threat.
A new study led by University of Arizona researchers suggests that global vertebrate biodiversity has been significantly underestimated, with on average two unrecognized species for every recognized one. This finding could have consequences for conservation efforts if these hidden species are not properly identified.
A new study proposes a comprehensive roadmap for Europe's biodiversity monitoring system, which could become a global model. The system would track changes in species and ecosystems using 84 Essential Biodiversity Variables and integrate data from various sources, including DNA, digital technologies, and human expertise.
Researchers identified 255 insect species in perennial grasses, but few in annual grasses, highlighting the importance of unmown refuges for biodiversity
The METAGROLAND project aims to improve environmental farming schemes by studying plant-pollinator interactions and land manager networks. Key findings include the development of practical guidance for agri-environmental schemes that align ecological processes with real-world management.
The Chicago Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum have pledged to protect endangered species such as Cucharillo and Stone's Paphiopedilum through collaborative conservation strategies. These institutions will co-host the 9th Global Botanic Gardens Congress in 2027 to accelerate crucial conservation work.
According to a University of Arizona-led study, scientists are discovering new species at a rate that far exceeds extinction. The team analyzed taxonomic histories of 2 million species and found an average of more than 16,000 new species each year, including insects, plants, fungi, and vertebrates.
A new study of 1960s maps created by young people has provided important insights into the timing and extent of habitat losses in England and Wales. The analysis revealed a significant decline in semi-natural habitats, including rough grassland, heath, and wetland, which have lost 42% of their original area over the past 90 years.
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'...
Researchers found that species diversity is highest in landscapes with 60% unmanaged forests and 40% intensively managed forests. Extensively managed forests contribute little to support species richness, but improving their ecological performance can help maintain forest biodiversity.
Insect pollinators like bees and butterflies require more natural habitat with diverse flora to thrive, according to a new study analyzing over 178,000 individual pollinators from 19 countries. The research found minimum habitat requirements vary between species, ranging from 6% for hoverflies to 37% for butterflies.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen argue that creating diverse landscapes with various habitats is necessary for biodiversity preservation. Habitat diversity can include arable land, natural areas, and structures like nesting sites, promoting species movement and reduced extinction risk.
Researchers analyzed seeds from a now-extinct plant population on Nishinoshima, tracing its lineage to nearby Chichijima island. The study found distinct genetic traits and a strong founder's effect due to limited seed dispersal opportunities.
A recent study reveals that African forest habitats maintain a species-rich Pimplinae fauna compared to nearby farmland, making them valuable for conserving unknown dark biodiversity. The research also suggests that parasitoid wasps occupy a high position in food webs and are vulnerable to biodiversity loss.
Researchers have recorded the sliteye shark for the first time on the Great Chagos Bank, highlighting the ecological importance of the archipelago's Marine Protected Area. The discovery provides new insights into deepwater seagrass habitats and their role in supporting marine biodiversity.
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.
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.
The book examines biodiversity, ecology, and conservation strategies across Mexico's deserts, focusing on the Baja California Peninsula, Chihuahuan Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. Key findings include the ecological roles of natural products and traditional medicinal plants.
Researchers conducted the world's biggest bird survey in Colombia, recording 971 species and finding that clearing rainforest for cattle pasture causes a 60% greater biodiversity loss than previously thought. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the larger-scale impact of deforestation on biodiversity.
A new study by Macquarie University researchers found that adding colour to concrete panels increased marine biodiversity in Sydney Harbour. The team discovered that red panels supported communities distinct from other coloured panels, attracting higher numbers of green algae and barnacles.
A recent study found that the 2014-2016 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave caused unprecedented ecological disturbance, resulting in widespread kelp and seagrass declines and mass mortality events. The research highlights cascading impacts on species interactions, plankton communities, and offshore ocean productivity.
A new study found that people's intuitive perception of biodiversity through visual and audio cues is remarkably accurate, aligning closely with scientific measures. Participants sorted images and audio recordings of forests based on perceived biodiversity, noticing vegetation density and light conditions visually, while acoustically d...
A study by University of Göttingen researchers found that mixed deciduous-conifer forests promote coexistence between red squirrels and dormice. The team observed both species living side by side in these forests, suggesting a potential role for mixed forest management in supporting biodiversity.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and UK identified a set of flower mixtures that attract both pollinators and delight the human eye. The study found that seed mixes containing species like yarrow, cornflower, and purple viper's bugloss establish themselves better in soil and bloom for longer.
A new study by the University of Göttingen and Freie Universität Berlin found that Mediterranean-type regions require tailored restoration methods due to varying soil and climate conditions. The research suggests that compromises are often needed, and what works best depends on local goals and conditions.
Research published in Global Change Biology found that tiger presence is associated with higher forest vegetation carbon stocks, lower carbon dioxide emissions, and higher carbon dioxide removal. Tiger density also seems to have a guardian effect to protect forests from deforestation and associated carbon emissions.
A study analyzing nearly 270,000 seed plant species reveals environmental conditions, particularly climate, play a significant role in shaping global plant distributions. Physical barriers have a smaller effect on ancient plant groups that have had longer periods to disperse widely.
The new service enables users to create and download customised reports summarising species occurrences in a format suitable for biodiversity modelling and indicators. This expansion of GBIF's capabilities aims to improve the usability of biodiversity data, particularly for Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and indicator workflows.
A new study led by the University of Exeter shows that social media can be used to monitor animal species relocating due to climate change. The researchers examined posts about Jersey tiger moths on Instagram and Flickr, finding they are unexpectedly common in towns and cities.
A research team from Göttingen University has compared algae and plants that span 600 million years of independent evolution, identifying a shared stress response network. This comprehensive dataset can be further explored for its physiological impact across plant diversity.
Citizen science data from scuba divers reveals distinct seasonal patterns among shark species, including hammerhead sharks and tiger sharks. The study also identified changes in shark populations over time, with some species increasing in abundance while others decrease.
The study highlights the importance of semi-dry forests in Nui Chua NP, which have the highest diversity and occupancy of the silver-backed chevrotain. Conservation efforts should prioritize these transitional habitats to protect this flagship species.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that diverse landscapes with good connectivity between quarries and calcareous grasslands support wild bees. Large, old, and flower-rich quarries are particularly valuable habitats for endangered species.
A new study highlights the pressures human activities place on tropical marine ecosystems, with fishing techniques and tourism posing the greatest threat. The research provides insights into the impact of various activities on different habitats, shedding light on how to ensure sustainable management.
Research by Göttingen University and collaborators reveals that tree islands within oil palm monocultures can naturally regenerate native tree diversity through ecological restoration. Larger island areas are particularly essential for endemic tree species struggling to find habitats.
Research by an international team found that birds, bees, and bats working together increased macadamia nut production by up to four times, while reducing insect infestation by 40%. The effectiveness of these ecosystem services depends on altitude and natural habitats.
A team of biologists at UT Arlington has discovered a new species of gecko, Pseudogonatodes fuscofortunatus, with distinct skeletal features and genetic data. The discovery highlights the unique characteristics of this tiny lizard, found in the Paria Peninsula of Venezuela.
Researchers discovered that highland deer mice have evolved distinct ways to acclimate to low oxygen conditions, surpassing their lowland counterparts. The study also showed that the highland mice possess a genetic advantage that helps suppress pulmonary hypertension.
A nationwide coyote survey reveals that human hunting practices may increase, rather than reduce, local coyote numbers. Coyotes are found to be most abundant in grasslands and agricultural landscapes.
A new study found that well-managed electric rights-of-way can increase the diversity and abundance of pollinating insects, as well as flowering plants. By mimicking natural disturbances like wildfires, utility crews can create successional habitats that support rare plant communities.
A new study of 21,000 marine animals reveals that even pristine habitats are at risk due to human activities and climate change. The research highlights the impact of cumulative human stressors on global marine fauna, emphasizing the need for targeted conservation efforts.