Articles tagged with Natural Resources Management
A study led by the University of Texas at Austin found that groundwater levels in Sub-Saharan Africa frequently increased over time, with most aquifers replenishing their water supply during rainy periods. The research tracked long-term water storage gains and losses across Africa's major aquifers using NASA's GRACE satellites.
Scientists are creating a global audio collection of aquatic life to monitor changing marine life and identify new species. The GLUBS platform uses ocean hydrophones, AI, and citizen science to analyze soundscapes and track biodiversity on reefs and other ocean habitats.
New research suggests nuclear power can provide low-cost energy and replace natural gas as a backup source, enabling faster decarbonization in countries with poor wind resources. The analysis found that nuclear is the cheapest way to eliminate all electricity-system carbon emissions nearly everywhere.
A new method to produce hydrogen from water has been discovered, using cobalt and manganese as catalysts. This breakthrough could lead to a cleaner and more sustainable hydrogen economy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
A study by the University of Queensland found that strong demand for tropical sea cucumbers as a delicacy is putting these species at risk of extinction. The research highlights the need for regulatory changes to protect the remaining populations and maintain healthy ocean ecosystems.
A new study reveals that South and Southeast Asia's native tree diversity is at risk of extinction, with only 10% of ranges suitable for conservation. Coordinated conservation and restoration efforts are critical to prevent further destruction and biodiversity loss.
Researchers propose a new way to store renewable energy by speculatively performing computations in large data centers when energy is abundant, and retrieving the results later. This approach offers better efficiency than traditional battery storage methods and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A team of scientists from Korea Maritime and Ocean University has developed a novel synthesis route to produce a high-performance co-doped anode material for rechargeable seawater batteries. This breakthrough enables the creation of efficient and sustainable maritime applications, including emergency power supply for coastal nuclear pl...
The Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework is a new approach to guide decision-making in managing ecosystems under global change. It offers three pathways: resisting, accepting, or directing change to produce desirable outcomes.
A UConn study found that adding 5-7 centimeters of sediment to salt marshes in Connecticut increases plant growth, keeping the marsh afloat and reducing costs. The technique can help coastlines in the Northeast stay ahead of rising sea levels by promoting carbon sequestration.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new bat box design that provides more thermally appropriate roosting spaces for bats. The 'rocket box' style, with modifications to length and insulation, helps reduce the risk of overheating and provides space for bats to move and avoid extreme temperatures.
An international research team developed a novel sampling method called 'bat point counts' to detect and count flying bats. The new technique showed that insect-eating bats are more common than previously thought in oil palm plantations, playing a significant role in suppressing insect pests.
The report reveals that electronic waste generated in the region rose by 50% between 2010 and 2019, with only 3.2% collected and safely managed. The regional e-waste total jumped from 1.7 Mt to 2.5 Mt, with Russia generating the most e-waste.
A new analysis found that non-vegetarian diets result in higher greenhouse gas emissions than vegetarian diets, while a diet rich in nutrients and low in saturated fats can significantly reduce emissions. The study suggests small changes, such as cutting out sweets or switching brands, can make big environmental gains.
The Resist-Accept-Direct framework offers three pathways for managers to respond to ecological transformation: resisting, accepting, or directing change. The framework has been developed by natural resource managers and ecologists to guide decision-making in the face of intensifying global change.
New research from Stanford University reveals whales eat twice as much krill as previously estimated, impacting ocean ecosystem productivity. The decline of baleen whales has led to a decline in krill populations, highlighting the complex role of whales in their ecosystems.
A team of scientists tracked individual endangered Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats to understand their foraging behaviors and habitat preferences. The results show that most timber harvest strategies are neutral or even positive for the bats, with smaller patch cuts and thinning being compatible with conservation.
A study found that Amazonian and Afrotropical communities consuming wild meat may spare up to 71 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by replacing beef or poultry with wild meat. This could generate millions of dollars in carbon credit sales, but unsustainable hunting practices must be avoided.
A new study projects that marine heatwaves will wipe out hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fish available for catch in a country's waters by the century's end. Researchers warn that extreme temperatures will exacerbate impacts on fisheries and human communities, leading to significant job losses.
A new study by the University of British Columbia found that many catch share fisheries globally are not paying royalties on their harvests, despite generating an estimated US$17.7 billion in value. The study highlights that countries like Canada do not charge for the use of these natural resources.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that seagrass ecosystems are more vulnerable to loss and degradation than mangrove ecosystems. Communities with greater reliance on fisheries and tourism income have higher socio-economic sensitivity due to low adaptive capacity, leading to limited alternatives to fishing. Improving acce...
A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...
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.
New research published in PNAS suggests that community-based monitoring can improve water management in rural Costa Rica by reducing groundwater extraction and improving water quality. The program, which used a smartphone application and WhatsApp, showed modest but significant effects after one year.
A new study predicts that the population of San Nicolas Island foxes will remain at a low risk of extinction due to their isolated habitat and relatively dry environmental conditions. The researchers suggest strategies such as biosecurity, restoration of habitats, and minimizing human-wildlife conflict to increase the foxes' resilience...
A new study finds that female walruses in the Chukchi Sea rely on biomarkers from algae growing within sea ice as a primary food source. The researchers tracked these markers using liver tissues from harvested animals, revealing a difference in foraging behavior between males and females.
A revised model of wildlife conservation, I-NAM, incorporates Indigenous histories, perspectives, and knowledge systems into the original NAM framework. The new approach emphasizes continuous learning, listening, and respecting diverse views to improve wildlife management.
New research from the University of Arizona identifies climate-related threats to US Department of Defense facilities in the southwestern United States. The study recommends emphasizing risks to DOD missions, finding champions at individual bases, and integrating climate considerations into existing plans to mitigate these challenges.
Researchers studied captive African elephant trunk usage during feeding, finding varied strategies for manipulating different food types. The study revealed a correlation between food item shape and grasping strategy, allowing efficient feeding and increased food intake.
A new study finds that sea otter recovery generates significant economic benefits, including increased tourism and carbon capture, which outweigh the losses to commercial fisheries by up to $46 million annually. However, the costs of recovery are not evenly distributed, with Indigenous communities experiencing disproportionate impacts.
LSU's wildlife management program offers students a unique educational experience through hunting, connecting them to the wildlife resource and promoting stewardship. The program aims to create the next generation of conservation professionals by teaching holistic knowledge of wildlife.
Research by SDSU finance professors found that mutual fund managers invest more in firms with similar political leanings, leading to lower returns and higher volatility for clients. The study analyzed over 1,300 active mutual funds and 16,655 firms, revealing a partisan bias among fund managers' portfolios.
A study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research found that water-based outdoor recreationists on Lake Erie overwhelmingly support offshore wind energy development. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between OWD support and positive perceptions of tourism opportunities and enhanced recreation experiences.
Researchers developed a new management system for lithium batteries in renewable energy facilities, improving their performance and lifetime. The system uses mathematical models to optimize battery usage, balancing the need for efficient energy storage with minimizing degradation.
The study reveals that new WUI area expanded by over 46 million acres, with significant growth in the East region. The expansion poses broad challenges for natural resource management and wildfire management, highlighting the need for effective planning and policy to reduce risk.
A new study led by Colorado State University found less irreversible damage from livestock in Mongolia's rangelands, with most areas only slightly or moderately degraded. However, key areas may be reaching a tipping point of irreversible damage due to persistently high levels of forage use.
A new study finds that most US and Canadian hunt management plans do not adhere to science-based approaches, lacking hallmarks like measurable objectives and independent review. The study highlights the need for agencies to adopt science-based management to improve natural resource management.
A 35-year study of a protected alligator population has found that male and female alligators exhibit 'determinate growth,' stopping at some point after reaching sexual maturity. Females are reproductive far longer than previously thought, with one case reaching 46 years past onset of sexual maturity.
Synaptec, a spinout from the University of Strathclyde, has secured £370,000 investment to boost its renewable energy and subsea operations. The funding will enable the company to hire new staff and broaden its capabilities in areas such as subsea development and renewable energy.
A new study by Indiana University law professor Robert L. Fischman and Vanderbilt University's J.B. Ruhl finds that natural resource agencies often apply adaptive management in ways that don't promote learning, leading to a gap between theory and practice. The study cites examples of court decisions where judges overturned resource man...
The Ecological Society of America releases a report highlighting the benefits of citizen science in ecology, including improved data quality and increased public engagement. The report showcases successful case studies and provides guidance for organizations to design effective citizen science projects.
Ecosystems subjected to disturbances like fires or insect outbreaks are more sensitive to climate change, research finds. The study suggests that reducing disturbance intensity and frequency can help make ecosystems less vulnerable to climatic change.
Concord found between professional groups on which questions are most important for natural resource management. The most critical questions relate to the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater necessary for human populations and ecosystem resilience.
A prescribed burn is being conducted on the 22,000-acre Otis Air National Guard installation to manage habitat and reduce wildfire risk. The burn aims to eliminate dead wood and debris that can act as fuel for wildfires.
Assistant professor Hamed Mohsenian-Rad is designing plug-and-play energy consumption scheduling devices to control energy usage in electric cars and industrial machinery. His research aims to encourage consumer cooperation, support renewable energy integration, minimize generation cost, and maintain electrical power quality.
The USDA Forest Service's Eastern Forest and Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Centers have unveiled a new satellite-based monitoring and assessment tool called ForWarn. This web-based tool recognizes and tracks potential forest disturbances caused by various natural or human-caused events, providing near-real-time views...
A recent study found that people in neighborhoods adjacent to public forest lands trust natural resource managers due to the severity of wildfire risks. Local, personal relationships play a crucial role in coming to agreement on management plans and policies.
Researchers found that polar bear populations could decline by two-thirds by mid-century, but emissions reduction can mitigate this. Sea ice habitat won't face a catastrophic 'tipping point' under mitigation scenarios.
A new study reveals that abandoning traditional beliefs in local Islamic Saints is linked to agricultural expansion and the introduction of new sheep breeds, affecting agro-pastoral resource management. The research highlights the importance of individual religious beliefs in shaping environmental practices.
The University of Guam and the Guam Navy have partnered to conserve the endangered fadang cycad species on Tinian, which faces threats from alien insect invasions. The donation of over 200 plants aims to establish a safe haven for the species in case all plants on Guam are killed.
For the first time, a NASA study has mapped Africa's coastal mangrove forests, showing widespread destruction due to pollution, deforestation, and real estate development. The maps provide detailed information on forest area, height, biomass, and structure, enabling scientists and officials to monitor and conserve these vital ecosystems.
The NOAA report offers a comprehensive look at the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' marine life, revealing relatively pristine ecosystems with dominant top predators. This knowledge will aid in managing resources and researching natural coral reef ecosystems.
The study reports on a case-based approach to managing forest ecosystems before and after hurricanes, considering risk assessment and outcome mitigation strategies. Key findings include the importance of stand spacing, tree height, and species selection in reducing hurricane damage, as well as the need for long-term recovery plans.
The Valles Caldera Trust employs science-based adaptive management to monitor natural resources and adjust management activities in response to changing conditions. This approach, pioneered by forest ecologist Thomas Swetnam, aims to improve the long-term sustainability of federal lands like national parks and forests.
A new Web site allows users to compare greenness from one year to the next, between years, against a 14-year average and at two-week intervals. This information is invaluable for making long-term land management decisions, enabling natural resource managers to monitor vegetation dynamics through time and across landscapes.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach to managing natural resources using advanced mathematics. By applying mathematical models to predict the behavior of complex ecosystems, they aim to improve conservation efforts and address issues such as fisheries management and disease spread.
Researchers found that variable rate technology (VRT) with GPS and zone soil sampling reduces lime need by 60% and improves soil pH variability. The study suggests a combination of these technologies provides reasonable and efficient management of soil acidity and lime application.
The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment is launching an electronic meeting place to facilitate collaboration between conservation biologists and natural resource managers. This initiative aims to promote interdisciplinary research and answer resource managers' questions, addressing a need for large-scale studies in...