Articles tagged with Habitat Diversity
Researchers identified glacial refugia for Campanula americana and found that populations nearest the refugia had highest potential for speciation. This discovery highlights the importance of conserving habitats in Southeastern regions.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
A new study reveals that freshwater habitats have the highest animal species richness per area, with more than 99% of known animal species inhabiting land and 12% ocean habitats. The research suggests that preserving freshwater ecosystems can protect more species and evolutionary history.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that crows and ravens' diverse traits enabled their rapid global expansion. Their intelligence allowed them to adapt to new environments, while their big bodies gave them a competitive advantage.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
Researchers found varied diversity of gut microbiomes among brown bears at three national parks in Alaska, with Katmai showing the most diversity due to its diverse food sources. The study advances understanding of wildlife habitat, diet, and gut microbiome diversity.
The EuropaBON project aims to develop a unified approach to monitoring Europe's biodiversity and ecosystems. A list of 15 essential variables has been identified for harmonization across countries, but most are not currently being monitored adequately.
A recent study found that bison reintroduction to mixed-grass prairies increases bird diversity and cervid occupancy in riparian areas. Vegetation changes associated with bison grazing promote biodiversity, benefiting multiple species.
Scientists used data from 1 million marine mammal sightings to identify areas of high marine mammal diversity along the US East Coast. The study found that the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument has some of the richest marine mammal diversity, particularly in the northern part of the Atlantic Coast.
Researchers found that soybean plants adjacent to pollinator habitats produce larger seeds due to increased bee visitation. The presence of pollinators also influences the bee communities in soybean fields, with bees leaving for outside flowers less likely.
A 100-million-year-old cockroach fossil provides insights into its sensory organs, which suggest the species lived in bright environments during the day. The study found that the extinct species had well-developed eyes and a unique pattern of receptors on its antenna, indicating it may have used these to communicate between sexes.
A diverse pollen diet and varied landscape contribute to better colony growth and more offspring for young queens. This diversity also reduces the negative effects of infestation with parasitic wax moth larvae.
A new study by UBC researchers found that larger farms lead to a 15% decrease in bird diversity in the farmland bordering the former Iron Curtain. Maintaining diverse habitats within agricultural landscapes is crucial for conserving bird diversity.
Researchers have discovered a new genus of tarantulas that live exclusively in bamboo stalks, found exclusively in high hill forests in northern Thailand. The new genus, Taksinus bambus, is unique due to its association with bamboo and can only be found at an elevation of about 1,000 m.
Researchers observed diverse aquatic biota in post-flood communities, with changes in flow dynamics and water chemistry supporting biological adaptation. The study highlights the role of floods in shaping floodplain ecosystems.
Eukaryotic plankton are highly diverse taxonomically, phylogenetically, and ecologically. The study found that ocean currents significantly influence their biogeography, with smaller organisms being more sensitive to local environmental conditions.
Researchers found that in dry years, birds funnel into riparian environments due to increased greenness, leading to overcrowding and decreased bird populations. The study highlights the importance of understanding how birds respond to climate change for conservation purposes.
A new study found that birds and mammals evolved into new species at higher rates where the land has risen most over the past three million years. This effect was found to be greater than historical climate change, present-day elevation, and temperature in driving speciation.
A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that safe passages for species adapting to climate change are often not being protected. The researchers found that important connecting patches were left out of existing networks of protected areas, resulting in a 13.6% shortfall in connectivity.
A team of researchers from NUS developed an integrative approach to boost accuracy in mosquito surveillance by including larvae and species identification using mini-barcodes. This approach improves overall diversity estimates by 38% compared to adult-only data, contributing to baseline knowledge on potential vectors in Singapore.
Researchers found that lizards with sticky toepads prevail in the arboreal environment, accessing new resources unavailable to padless lizards. This evolutionary advantage enables them to stay in trees and rarely leave, whereas padless species often transition to ground life.
Researchers found that semi-natural habitat patches complement existing flower strips in protecting pollinators, attracting a greater number of species and providing year-round flowers. These small structures, such as hedgerows and overgrown fences, offer potential retreats and nesting sites for overwintering bumblebees.
Research reveals that cocoa agroforestry systems can support diverse bird populations by maintaining canopy cover from native trees. Intensified, low-shade cocoa monocultures lead to sharp declines in bird diversity. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable agroforestry practices to conserve habitats and biodiversity.
A new angiosperm, Gansufructus saligna, has been discovered in Northwest China, providing valuable insights into the evolution of flowering plants. The fossil specimens show characteristics of a small, terrestrial herbaceous eudicot with paniculate infructescences.
A Northern Arizona University ecologist is studying pollinators in utility rights-of-ways to improve ecosystem health and biodiversity. The research project aims to evaluate the impact of different vegetation management treatments on plant and pollinator abundance in Arizona's electric power delivery lines.
Researchers found that Yosemite's Spotted Owl numbers and nesting rates remained stable after the Rim Fire, which burned one-third of their habitat in 2013. The owls' ability to thrive despite the fire can be attributed to the park's unique history and management strategy.
The extinction of mites, crucial to ecosystems worldwide, is occurring at an alarming rate, threatening environmental health and species survival. Human activities such as habitat destruction and climate change exacerbate the issue.
Increasing crop diversity in landscapes with high proportions of semi-natural habitats increases the diversity of beneficial insects like pollinators and ground beetles. This benefit was only observed in landscapes with both high crop diversity and semi-natural habitat cover.
A study found that urban community gardens can be a rich habitat for diverse pollinators, with higher pollination rates compared to other park types. Community gardens showed similar levels of visitation as rural sites, while recreational parks had lower visitation rates.
Insects are moving northwards in response to climate change, but often find no suitable habitats for settlement. Habitat availability plays a crucial role in determining expansion rates, with some species thriving in certain conditions while others struggle.
A study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that conserving a wide range of coral habitats is the best approach to protect these ecosystems from climate change. This strategy recognizes that corals can adapt rapidly to changing conditions, but also emphasizes the importance of protecting diverse habitats to provide future refug...
A global database of regional plant life has been developed to document and understand global plant diversity. The Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT) collates information about the plant species composition in nearly 2,900 regions, covering about 79% of the global land surface.
Prairie strips have been shown to significantly reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and increase beneficial insect populations. By converting a small portion of a crop field to prairie, farmers can lower their financial costs while creating numerous ecological benefits.
A new study found that ancient animal herders in Africa added to the ecological richness and diversity of the savanna thousands of years ago. Their practice of penning cattle, goats, and sheep at night created nutrient-rich grassy glades, or hotspots, that still attract wildlife and have increased habitat diversity in the region.
Researchers analyzed ecological features and DNA sequencing data to reconstruct the tree of life of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Europe. They found that oldest lineages have higher functional diversity than younger ones, which is influenced by their ability to colonize new habitats.
Human habitat alteration leads to global phylogenetic homogenization, replacing diverse species with similar clades. Average loss of 13.5% in phylogenetic diversity reported across five continents.
A Rutgers University-Camden study found that urban insects are more resilient in extreme weather due to adaptations to high-stress urban environments. Arthropod diversity declined after Hurricane Sandy in New York City parks, becoming indistinguishable from street medians.
Researchers investigated habitat diversity's impact on coastal sediment ecosystems and found that more habitats scored better in functionality than single-habitat ecosystems. Human activities like habitat homogenization threaten both species and habitat diversity.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that northern sockeye salmon can thermostate to find water temperatures that meet their physiological needs, reducing energy expenditure during heat waves. By moving to tributary plumes or deeper water, the fish conserve energy and avoid extreme temperatures.
A study reveals Ottawa as a biodiversity hotspot for Microgastrinae wasps, with 158 species recorded. This surpasses the total number of species found in Canada and Ontario, showcasing the region's unique habitats and diversity.
A new species of fungus-parasitizing orchid, Lecanorchis tabugawaensis, has been discovered in Japan. The orchid obtains its nutrients through a special symbiotic relationship with fungi, a phenomenon known as mycoheterotrophy.
A recent study estimated lake-wide fungal diversity for the first time and found that each habitat type has a distinct community, with biofilms being hotspots for aquatic fungi. The research highlights the importance of considering habitat heterogeneity when assessing fungal diversity in water bodies.
Researchers found that habitat warming decreases Anomura species diversity in marine environments, while increasing it in freshwater habitats. This suggests a habitat-dependent response to climate change, challenging the universal trend of increased diversity with warming temperatures.
A new species of nocturnal gecko, Paroedura hordiesi, has been discovered in northern Madagascar with a unique camouflage pattern to blend into its environment. The species is classified as Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and degradation.
A new study finds that diversified farming systems retain more evolutionary history than intensive agriculture, suggesting a strategy for conserving biodiversity. This is encouraging news as human activities drive half of known life to extinction.
A recent study published in Urban Ecosystems found that a lack of plant diversity is a significant contributor to the widespread defoliation caused by cankerworms in cities. Increasing plant diversity can help limit future damage. Native plants were particularly hard hit, while nonnative species were largely ignored.
A new orchid species, Lophiaris silverarum, has been named after UC Riverside researcher Katia Silvera. The species was discovered in central Panama and is currently growing only in that region. Its slow growth rate makes it rare and difficult to cultivate.
Researchers found that suitable habitats were settled first by early migrants, leading to a diverse patchwork of language groups. This process may account for global ethnolinguistic patterns.
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 study reveals a spectacular degree of evolutionary divergence in the satyrine butterfly genus Calisto, with 34 species and 17 subspecies identified. This radiation is believed to have occurred over a period of 4-8 million years, driven by ancient dispersal events rather than plate tectonics.
A team of scientists mapped global diversity patterns for over 11,000 marine species, finding temperature strongly linked to biodiversity and high overlap between areas of human impact and diversity hotspots. The study suggests ocean warming may greatly affect the distribution of life in the sea.
A new study by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and colleagues found that diverse landscapes with varying habitats help maintain stable butterfly populations. This can aid conservation efforts, as stable populations are better equipped to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Researchers successfully built a scale model of a living meandering river, demonstrating the critical role of vegetation in slowing erosion and reinforcing banks. Sand, typically avoided in stream restoration, was found to be essential for building point bars and blocking cut-off channels, leading to a more balanced ecosystem.
Scientists assess native plant diversity to evaluate invasion vulnerability and protect native plants, innovative field methods presented in a new book by USGS ecologist Tom Stohlgren. The book provides revised sampling approaches for measuring plant diversity at multiple scales, helping natural resource managers make informed decisions
Researchers found that an ancient marine invasion led to a significant increase in regional diversity, with gamma diversity rising by 26% due to changes in beta diversity. The study suggests that habitat distribution or increased habitat diversity may have contributed to this increase.
A team of scientists used artificial life to study evolution and diversity in nature, finding that there are limiting effects of productivity in finite environments. This research provides insights into the ecological relationship between environmental productivity and species diversity.
This study demonstrates that Symphonia globulifera, a widespread tropical rainforest tree, has a complex evolutionary history shaped by oceanic currents and land bridges. The research revealed distinct phylogeographic structure in Panama's Isthmus, linked to its historical connection with Central America and South America.
Caterpillars' shelter-building habits impact insect communities by reducing diversity, whereas artificial habitats have similar effects as natural ones. The study suggests regional patterns of insect herbivore diversity may be influenced by these ecosystem engineers.