Articles tagged with Natural Resources
Researchers propose a 'state space' approach to reframe farming planning questions, enabling analytics and machine learning to explore optimal crop combinations and simulate different scenarios. This framework allows farmers to design diverse agricultural landscapes based on natural ecosystems, increasing crop yield and sustainability.
African provinces' inclusive wealth per capita rose modestly by 1% between 2012 and 2018, signaling weak sustainability performance. The study highlights the tradeoffs between income and natural capital growth, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing national and subnational interventions.
A worldwide study found that non-English-language literature was extensively used in national reports but failed to be reflected in global reports. The team suggests that international collaboration and multilingual databases can help develop more effective conservation science.
The DOE has committed $237.9 million to the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) for a five-year extension, continuing groundbreaking work toward U.S. energy independence. Researchers will develop fuels and products by integrating three highly interconnected priority areas.
A new study from the University of Illinois forecasts how increased tile drainage and crop rotation will impact nitrogen loads in Midwestern watersheds. The research team developed a model that reveals the mechanism behind nitrate increases with flow, providing a starting point for reducing nutrient loss.
A recent study at Baskett Forest found that forests reach an ecosystem wilting point between 2-4 weeks of extreme drought, requiring soaking rainfall to rejuvenate. This concept explains how whole forests respond to drought and is essential for understanding their dynamics under climate change.
Researchers have identified critical areas in northern, northwestern, and western Iran for urgent conservation action. The study used maps of threatened species to pinpoint regions necessary to protect critically endangered species like the Asiatic cheetah and Persian leopard.
A new study suggests that the invasive rusty crayfish may be dying off naturally, allowing native water plants and snails to flourish. In some Northern Wisconsin lakes, crayfish populations have declined by nearly zero, leading to a resurgence of plant life and potential ecosystem recovery.
Researchers found a significant gap between when private wells were sampled and when they were likely to become contaminated, with higher levels of bacteria detected in summer months. The study has implications for national and global water sources, highlighting the need for more guidance on seasonal timing for testing.
A new algorithm and framework for evaluating approaches have improved the accuracy of land change imagery by removing cloud cover. This allows for more accurate analysis of land surface changes, enabling scientists to study events like forest harvesting and urban development.
A new paper by UConn researchers introduces a multifaceted perspective on land change, considering location, time, target, metric, and agent aspects. The framework emphasizes the need for consistent language and multi-source data fusion to accurately describe observations.
University of Illinois scientists developed a way to accurately map tilled land in real-time using ground, airborne, and satellite imagery. The method increased mapping accuracy by 67% compared to upscaling directly from the ground to the satellite.
Researchers connected global climate modeling with local hydrological data to improve water flow models. They found that using smaller tree samples and younger trees yielded better model validation results.
A recent study found that human-caused mortality triggers instability in wolf packs in national parks, decreasing the chance of pack persistence and reproduction. Wolves living outside park boundaries are at a higher risk of being killed by humans, with poaching being the most common cause of death.
Researchers at UBC identified three compounds derived from natural sources that prevent COVID-19 infection in human cells. The discovery paves the way for developing new medicines using natural sources.
A new study from Ritsumeikan University reveals the essential role of relational values in people's readiness to participate in and support sustainable social-ecological system (SES) management. The research shows that integrating relational values into SES management plans can promote pro-SES behavior among people.
A team of ecologists is calling for the designation of World Heritage Environmental Datasets to secure funding and ensure their long-term accessibility. These datasets, which include vital information on climate change adaptation, resource management, and environmental policy, are essential to understanding global change.
A new study synthesizes years of research on monarch habitat, finding that establishing habitat near crop fields with insecticide use will support breeding generations and increase population growth. The study suggests a 100-125 feet buffer is essential to add conservable land.
West Virginia University researchers, Ember Morrissey and Kinsey Reed, are working with private farms to diversify forage species and improve soil health. The project aims to increase economic gains for farmers while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
A new study reveals that the US Midwest has seen a significant increase in cover crop adoption, with 7.2% of cropland being planted with cover crops in 2021. This is attributed to government programs and funding initiatives, which have been shown to strongly correlate with the onset of cover crop assistance.
Through its Integrated Pest Management program, WVU Extension educates growers on safe techniques, including barriers, insect traps, and predatory insects. The goal is to reduce pesticide use and promote environmentally friendly practices.
A team at the University of Manchester has received funding to develop a novel hydrogen separation technique, which could make clean energy production cheaper and more sustainable. The project aims to overcome cost barriers for commercial hydrogen extraction from unrecyclable wastes, supporting ambitious clean energy targets.
Eastern red bats, now the most commonly detected bat in Midwestern forests, have a significant impact on tree regeneration due to their appetite for insect-damaging bugs. Forest managers can benefit from considering these bats' landscape preferences, particularly ponds and smaller forest openings.
A new study found that bats play a crucial role in protecting young tree seedlings from insect damage, with three times fewer bugs and five times more defoliation when bats are absent. The research reveals a mutually beneficial relationship between bats and oak trees, with bats serving as a key predator for insects that harm the trees.
A recent study by University of the West of Scotland found that citrus honey has significantly higher antioxidant activity than other types of floral honey. The research discovered compounds such as hesperetin, linalool, and caffeic acid in citrus honey, which are linked to its enhanced antioxidant properties.
The study focuses on reducing insects and pathogens that threaten crops, with manure serving as a potential solution. Researchers will investigate the most effective ways to apply manure to improve soil health and plant resistance to insect pests.
A new AI model developed by researchers at the University of Georgia uses artificial intelligence to analyze terabytes of quail call recordings, allowing wildlife managers to gather data in a matter of minutes. The model is accurate, picking up between 80% and 100% of all calls, even in noisy recordings.
A study by the University of Exeter shows that urban life leads to a decline in plant awareness, which can be addressed through activities like wild food foraging. The research found that people's interest in plants develops where they have frequent interactions with relevant plants.
New research highlights how logging operations have shifted to lower-value components of forests over time, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and intergenerational access. The study suggests that policy interventions can influence management paradigms and shape the distribution of forest harvesting across the landscape.
Researchers identified favorable reservoir-forming conditions and modes in the Ordovician buried hills of the Jizhong depression. The study found that three sets of source rocks from the Carboniferous-Permian and Paleogene geologic periods provide adequate quantities of hydrocarbons required for oil and gas reserves.
A new study reveals that bats' diets are more similar than previously thought, with both species eating a variety of insects and agricultural pests. The research found that the northern long-eared bat tends to pick up larger prey items due to its gleaning strategy.
A Rutgers-led study finds that biodiversity of the bee population is crucial for maintaining stable pollination services over a growing season and years. The research suggests that different bee species pollinate the same plants at different times and dominate pollinators on specific types of plants in different years.
A new University of Illinois study shows that fathead minnows can handle simulated heatwaves with few nasty side effects. Most minnows rapidly returned to normal physiological functioning after cooling down, but some became more susceptible to oxidative stress.
A new study suggests that investing $16 billion a year can restore 65% of fire-impacted species habitat and sequester up to 291 megatons of carbon dioxide. The research also highlights the need for urgent removal of invasive species, replanting, and stopping native forest logging.
Experts are optimistic about converting coal plants to production of clean geothermal energy, citing the number of enabling technologies coming online. The potential market is substantial, with around 4,200 coal plants worldwide, many of which can be repurposed due to advancements in technology and a lack of economic incentive.
Researchers aim to uncover information on blotchy bass syndrome's prevalence, distribution, and potential risks through data collected by citizens. The study will help determine which bass species are susceptible and which seem immune.
The Nature's Notebook platform has collected over 30 million phenological records, enabling data-driven natural resource management. The platform is well-suited for answering well-defined questions but faces limitations in addressing unplanned queries due to spatial and temporal unevenness and species biases.
Researchers have discovered that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can serve as a communication signal to indicate plant stress, which is critical for crop survival and can significantly decrease with multiple stressors. By monitoring ROS levels, farmers can identify plants under stress and take corrective measures to prevent crop loss.
A new methodology predicts soil recovery after wildfires by analyzing the impact of microbes and nutrients on soil regeneration. The study found that including uncommon soil microbiota was critical to predicting water quality and terrestrial ecosystem recovery.
Researchers found 61 out of 86 species threatened with extinction, with coastal sharks facing greatest conservation concern. Increased protections and international trade regulations are crucial to prevent extinctions among these species.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
Researchers found that farm management practices like crop diversification and native plant presence support wild bee conservation. Urban agriculture can benefit local bee populations if managed sustainably.
A molecular feedback-loop regulates plant growth by balancing high auxin levels, which stimulates cell division and elongation. The discovery involves PILS proteins that transport auxin into the endoplasmic reticulum, modulating its effect on plant development.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
A new sorting technology at Chalmers University of Technology reduces fish waste by up to 50%, creating five nutritious cuts from the whole fish. The innovation is being implemented in a Swedish herring processing plant, which aims to produce healthier and more sustainable food products.
Researchers found that zinc ion serves as a master-regulator of various processes in sperm to facilitate fertilization. Zinc helps maintain sperm in the non-capacitated state, preventing premature capacitation during artificial insemination.
Wealthy individuals are more likely to purchase unsustainable products with higher price tags, feeling entitled to the benefits despite environmental costs. However, when encouraged to think about equality, this effect is diminished.
A new $1.25 million NIH grant provides teaching resources and professional development for middle school teachers to boost disciplinary literacy skills and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects. The program aims to help traditionally underrepresented groups feel confident about potential careers in STEM.
A new study by Cornell University found that rare and endangered insects and spiders can be easily purchased without adequate oversight through basic internet searches. Many species, including those with valuable ecological services like ladybugs and pollinators, are being sold illegally online.
The study highlights the interconnectedness of the Arctic's natural resources, ecosystems, and people with global events. Climate change, conflict, and increased resource extraction are identified as key drivers of socioeconomic and environmental changes in the region.
A new study by a University of Georgia researcher finds that plastic bag bans or fees can lead to an increase in the sale of smaller trash bags, potentially offsetting any reduction in plastic waste. Sales of larger trash bags remain relatively unchanged.
A University of Illinois study found that neighborhoods with fewer trees have higher medical costs and poorer health outcomes. Residents in areas with more tree cover incur $374 less in medical costs per year, a difference that translates to approximately $194 million annually.
A study by HSE University and University of Basel found that the brain's pleasure centre is suppressed when resources are depleted, but responds differently to private and public resources. This understanding may help identify measures to preserve common natural resources.
Urbanization in China has led to an increase in biomass and carbon stocks, both in rural areas and recently developed cities. The country's afforestation strategy and green policy initiatives have contributed to this positive effect on its climate balance.
Research by Shan Jiang found that introducing nature views into hospital corridors can significantly ease confusion and anger in navigating large medical complexes. The study revealed that participants used shorter time and walked less distance to complete wayfinding tasks when exposed to green spaces.
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.
The study found that nitrogen fertilizer accelerated residue decomposition, producing more carbon dioxide and reducing the incorporation of residues into soil organic matter. This long-term problem can cause microbes to attack stable organic matter, leading to a decline in soil health.
The study tracked nations' progress in meeting basic needs and respecting environmental limits, finding that no country meets both criteria without overconsuming resources. Wealthy countries like the US and UK drive ecological breakdown while poor countries like Bangladesh struggle to meet basic human needs.
A new study describes a proof of principle for engineering Gluconobacter oxydans bacteria to extract rare earth elements from ore in a way that meets U.S. environmental standards. The method is more efficient than current thermochemical extraction and refinement methods, with potential to control the resource and meet domestic demand.
A URI researcher has published a series of articles in the journal Biological Invasions to address concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion. The study found that the editorial board was overwhelmingly American and white, with most papers published by Americans and Europeans.