Articles tagged with Natural Resources
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.
Research team led by University of Zurich found Arctic fires occurred 2.5 times more often in lit areas associated with human activity than in climatically similar unlit areas. Effective fire prevention and response can help reduce risks extending far beyond the Arctic.
The study demonstrates that biosphere reserves in the Western Amazon effectively prevent deforestation compared to similar areas. Transition areas and buffer zones are particularly effective in conserving biodiversity.
A global review of 411 studies found that river sand and gravel mining is removing sand faster than it can be replenished, threatening rivers, infrastructure, and communities. The study recommends better tracking, measurement, and regulation to manage extraction and protect the environment.
A new study by Hanyang University researchers found that carbon-based pricing can increase pro-environmental behavioral intentions among tourists. Participants who knew wasteful consumption could increase their costs reported stronger conservation intentions.
The Trump administration's 2025 repeal of the US Roadless Rule could put 25 million Americans at risk due to loss of access to pristine watersheds. The study assesses the value of this rule for both human health and nature.
This study found that households in metropolitan areas with higher population density and income levels show stronger voluntary water conservation during drought. The AI-based scenario analysis showed that increased drought-related news coverage leads to significant water savings in these regions, but has a limited impact on rural areas.
A new study confirms aspen trees can act as a fire barrier, with larger stands linked to lower fire severity. The research used remote-sensing data to create maps of forest stand disturbances, highlighting the importance of retaining aspen for biodiversity and fire prevention.
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.
Researchers found that long-term improvements in water quality, as well as increased occurrence of certain aquatic species, are associated with broad environmental regulations. Conservation policies have helped restore freshwater ecosystems and prevent extreme species loss, indicating the importance of protecting biodiversity and human...
A global analysis of fish biodiversity in rivers reveals that warmer climates and larger catchment sizes are associated with increased biodiversity. However, human activity weakens this relationship, particularly in smaller river catchments. The study demonstrates the potential of environmental DNA as a tool for rapid, large-scale biod...
The UN has launched an initiative calling on AI companies to publicly disclose their environmental impacts, including carbon, water and land footprint. The move comes after a report highlighted the massive electricity demand and environmental impacts of AI systems.
A University of Göttingen study reveals that traditionally farmed landscapes can produce food while protecting nature and preserving cultural traditions. The research highlights four key strategies for adapting these systems to local environments and markets.
Researchers identified tens of millions of small wetlands globally and found they produce a significant impact on methane emissions. Small wetlands have been difficult to detect due to their size, but high-resolution satellite imagery has revealed their substantial contribution to the world's total non-forested wetland emissions.
The global data centers powering artificial intelligence are projected to consume nearly triple the combined annual electricity use of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria by 2030. AI's environmental cost is being systematically mismeasured, with its water footprint equaling the basic annual domestic water needs of all 1.3 billion people ...
A study analyzing the Donlin Gold deposit finds that Alaska Native communities hold multiple roles in mine development, including subsistence activities and corporate shareholders. The research highlights the tension between economic opportunity, sovereignty, and environmental stewardship on traditional lands.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers links multinational activity to greater deforestation and biodiversity loss in Africa. Multinational firms are found to have a much larger environmental impact than domestic firms, driven by factors such as sector concentration and the 'pollution haven' effect.
Researchers used DNA metabarcoding to analyze benthic macroinvertebrates across 18 Ontario streams, detecting far greater biodiversity than traditional methods. The study found that DNA-based biomonitoring can reveal ecological patterns and changes linked to agriculture, water quality, and land use.
Researchers found that farmers and conservation groups share priorities on future uncertainty, collaboration, ecosystem-based approach, and creative management options. The study aims to improve dialogue and support effective management in the Klamath Basin and inform future river restoration efforts.
The University of Utah and National Laboratory of the Rockies have signed a three-year MOU to strengthen the US energy system. The partnership enables research on urgent national security and energy priorities, including water security, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing.
A new study published in Communications Sustainability reveals that investing in renewable energy yields more combined climate and public health benefits than direct air capture. The analysis models the health and climate benefit of cost-equivalent deployments of DAC, solar, and onshore wind across US grid regions from 2020 to 2050.
A new report highlights the catastrophic risks of nature loss on food systems, economies and societies. Chronic pressures like soil degradation and water scarcity are already reducing crop yields and increasing food prices.
A new report by the UN University finds that critical minerals extraction is causing severe environmental and health crises in vulnerable communities, while benefits accumulate mainly in wealthy nations. The investigation highlights intense water requirements, contaminated water, lost livelihoods and serious health consequences.
A study found that policies reducing deforestation in Brazil have failed to stop forest degradation, a slower and more dangerous form of destruction. Forests are becoming increasingly fragile due to fires, logging, and other human activities.
A Princeton-led study examines the complexities of translating natural resource wealth into economic prosperity. Higher social and human capital, as well as institutional safeguards, are critical in avoiding the 'resource curse,' a phenomenon where extraction leads to limited growth and unstable institutions.
Researchers discovered that limonene can be used as a reaction solvent for the Mitsunobu reaction, allowing efficient separation and purification. This characteristic promotes high reaction efficiency and simplified purification, making it an attractive alternative to traditional methods.
A new study reveals that freshwater fish are accumulating antidepressants, opioids, and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, which can alter their behavior, development, and reproduction. The research uses a novel analytical method to detect these substances in small fish living in rivers receiving urban wastewater.
A team of researchers has discovered over 3,700 new bacteria species in coral reefs, each producing unique bioactive compounds with vast industrial and medical applications. The findings reveal the immense genomic potential of reef-building corals and highlight the importance of conserving these ecosystems.
AEM expands its scope to cover the full breadth of modelling in agricultural and environmental sciences, introducing a structured range of article types for formal recognition. The journal applies FAIR principles to data, code, and models, requiring open access and reproducibility.
Natalie Bennett argues that the current food system is unsustainable, with half of global calories coming from just three crops. She proposes alternative approaches rooted in indigenous experience, such as permaculture and agroecological methods.
The study found that jurisdictions with rising deforestation are effectively penalized by the baseline structure, making it harder for them to implement conservation policies. The researchers identified an 'anticipatory moral hazard' where pre-enrollment spikes in deforestation inflate the baseline, making reductions during the crediti...
The Re-Analysis of Water for Society (RAWS) project seeks to create a detailed daily record of the world's freshwater systems spanning 60 years. By combining advanced water modeling with artificial intelligence and integrated global datasets, RAWS aims to provide a clearer picture of how water systems have changed over time.
A new study by Nirma University reveals that policy synchronization is key to reducing pollution costs in Mediterranean nations. The research found that when a country's environmental taxes, green protection spending, and renewable energy adoption move in perfect synchronization, the overarching cost of pollution drops significantly.
A new report suggests that changing domestic shower and toilet habits could help close England's projected 5 billion litre daily water shortfall. The report identifies key behaviour change targets, including reporting or fixing in-home leaks, showering, and flushing toilets, and argues that effective behaviour change depends on underst...
A new study from Drexel University found that individuals who spent more time in nature reported better dietary behaviors, such as eating more fruits and vegetables. Participants who spent more time in nature also experienced improved mental health, including reduced depression, anxiety, and stress.
The Global Coral Tech Transfer Project brings together SECORE International, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and FUNDEMAR to share coral breeding techniques and technologies for large-scale restoration. The partnership aims to create a comprehensive toolbox for boosting reef resilience worldwide.
Oregon State University's Experimental Deep Geothermal Energy lab will recreate extreme underground conditions in the lab with Quaise Energy's support. The goal is to learn about superhot rock geothermal energy, which could supply 63 terawatts of firm, carbon-free power.
The study found that carbonation occurred during shallow crustal extension, challenging earlier interpretations of deep subduction environments. Naturally carbonated ultramafic rocks provide a valuable natural analogue for long-term carbon storage in solid minerals.
Emerging microbially-powered technologies can convert up to 35% of wastewater's chemical energy into electricity and extract valuable nutrients. This approach could power agriculture, global sanitation and its own treatment, while reducing pollution and overcoming regulatory obstacles.
A new study estimates that each hectare of tropical forest generates 2.4 million litres of rain annually, enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. This process is known as evapotranspiration, where the sun's energy is used to transfer moisture from the leaves into the atmosphere.
Scientists at The University of Osaka develop transparent, plastic-free wood without lignin or additives, showcasing the crucial role of cellulose microfibril skeleton alignment in achieving transparency. This breakthrough paves the way for sustainable transparent materials with applications in energy-efficient buildings and devices.
A field-deployable CRISPR-based biosensing platform has been developed for rapid, on-site monitoring of marine species and ecosystems, offering a sustainable solution for tracking ocean health. The technology has the potential to detect critical species, predict outbreaks, and support early warning systems for ecosystem disruptions.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that forest soils in south-western Germany absorb more methane as climate conditions become drier and warmer. This contradicts current international meta-analyses, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring for assessing the effects of climate change.
Researchers from Hokkaido University used a new method to track groundwater levels and greenhouse gas emissions in Southeast Asia's peatlands, finding they release more gases than previously thought. Human activities like drainage and agriculture increase emissions by tripling or sixfolding, contributing 30% of Japan's annual emissions.
A team of mechanical engineers has created a wood-based material that can store and release heat to make building temperatures more comfortable. The phase-change material reduces the need for air conditioning by harnessing excess heat from the environment.
Researchers at EPFL developed thermal paper coatings using lignin, a major component of wood, which have low or no toxic signatures. The new formulations match commercial thermal paper performance while showing improved safety profiles.
A new study finds that environmental regulations in the US reduce medical costs and financial losses by up to five times more than the costs associated with implementing these rules. The EPA's operating budget is tiny compared to federal spending, yet it helps protect the environment and save lives.
A research team led by Göttingen University found that urban blue spaces play a critical role in food security and social inclusion in four major Indian cities. Women, the elderly, and marginalized communities most frequently collected, shared, cooked, and sold food products.
A recent study published in Nature Health found that higher park accessibility is associated with increased daily physical activity. The researchers analyzed wearable step-counter data from 7,013 anonymous users in 53 U.S. metropolitan areas and found a strong link between park accessibility and movement.
A new analysis challenges traditional conservation strategies by highlighting the importance of sustainable pastoralism in protecting global biodiversity. Rangelands harbor vast biodiversity and support millions of people, yet only a small percentage receive formal protection.
MIT engineers have developed an ultrasonic device that vibrates at high frequency to shake out water molecules from a material, recovering clean drinking water in minutes. This design is 45 times more efficient than existing heat-based systems, which can take hours or days.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that about half of Oregon's elk population carry a gene variant that makes them less susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This could help slow down the spread of the disease in the state. The research also highlights the importance of monitoring and managing cervid populations.
A study published in npj Ocean Sustainability reveals that traditional Hawaiian fishponds (loko iʻa) effectively shield fish populations from the negative impacts of climate change. The research found that loko iʻa fish populations were more resilient to rising water temperatures than those in surrounding estuaries.
Researchers found that rats contributed significantly to Rapa Nui's deforestation by consuming palm nuts, preventing trees from regrowing. The islanders cleared land for agriculture and used slash-and-burn practices, but the slow-growing palm trees made them vulnerable to rat predation.
Rice University researchers outline emerging solutions to make graphite production cleaner and more resilient, including synthetic graphite from renewable sources. The study emphasizes the critical role of graphite in energy storage technologies and the need for sustainable supply chain management.
Irrigation expansion has increased water losses from land through evapotranspiration, depleting freshwater resources in hot spot areas. In regions like South Asia, climate change and irrigation exacerbate humid-heat stress risks.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg are developing boronic acid-catalysed amidation reactions that use sustainable solvents, consume little energy, and produce only water as a by-product. The AI-powered approach aims to improve resource efficiency in the chemical industry and achieve United Nations' global sustainability goals.
A long-term study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire found that recovering forests are using roots to mine minerals for nutrients, leading to improved stream pH but depleted soil fertility. This process enhances mineral weathering, which can make forests more vulnerable to future pollution.
The University of Texas at Arlington is revamping a course on conservation of natural resources with the help of an NSF grant. The new course will introduce students to decision-making frameworks for managing resources like water, air, and food.