Articles tagged with Population Ecology
Rising temperatures of just 1°C drastically increase the likelihood of malformation in Neotropical lizards. Thermal stress caused by climate change disrupts normal development, leading to severe consequences.
A young female fisher traveled 118 kilometers from Durham to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the longest recorded dispersal for the species. This journey, documented over winter with deep snow, underscores the fisher's adaptability and highlights the need for further research into movement patterns.
Researchers develop mathematical model to capture microbial cooperation and community stability, predicting the outcome of experiments with E. coli strains. The model's results show that auxotrophs contribute to stable communities by trading essential nutrients and limiting growth.
A UT San Antonio assistant professor is studying how climate change and urbanization affect freshwater ecosystems by tracking the expansion of exotic tropical fish species into northern regions. The project aims to provide practical tools for natural resource managers to protect Texas waterways.
Researchers developed a new theoretical framework that links individual animal movements to population dynamics across space and time. The range-resident logistic model incorporates interactions between multiple animals, providing a more accurate prediction of population sizes and helping inform real-world conservation recommendations.
A University of Stirling-led study finds that deforestation, farming, and urbanization can heighten the risk of zoonotic diseases like Covid-19 and malaria. The research highlights the need for careful land-use planning to protect both human health and nature.
A study led by Dr. Frédérik Saltré suggests that sterilizing 22% of adult females annually could stabilize the population at an estimated cost of $34 million over 25 years. This approach prioritizes both animal welfare and ecosystem health, offering a humane solution to the unsustainable koala numbers.
Researchers found that diverse plant communities emit more complex chemical signals, which can affect individual plants and the entire ecosystem. The study highlights the importance of biodiversity in maintaining natural signaling systems and supports sustainable agriculture practices to promote plant diversity.
Long-term ecological research faces severe threats from lack of funding, data manipulation, and political interference. The report highlights the need for institutional support to establish trustworthy facts and inform policy.
A comprehensive analysis reveals that raccoon roundworm has spread across nine European countries, primarily in Central Europe. The parasite can infect humans, causing severe neurological damage or death, especially in children.
A new study finds Golden Eagles in Nevada at risk due to high mortality rates and habitat loss, potentially drawing in birds from other areas. Conservation efforts, such as maintaining natural habitat structure, are crucial to mitigating these impacts.
Researchers found that urban female Eurasian red squirrels have a higher pregnancy rate and reproduce earlier than rural females. Urban females also reproduced longer, with some continuing up to five years of age, compared to four years in rural populations.
Researchers used hydrogen isotope analysis to track the origins of six American warbler species. The study found that vagrants originated from western parts of their breeding ranges, contradicting long-held assumptions. The findings provide new insights into bird migration mechanisms and range expansion.
A study by University of Groningen researchers found that enclosed camera traps are more effective in detecting small mustelids like weasels and stoats. Camera traps placed inside boxes with tubes, also known as Mostelas, proved to be the most successful method.
A recent study found that extinction rates in plants and animals peaked around 100 years ago and have declined since then. The researchers argue that past extinctions are not reliable predictors of current and future threats due to changing drivers such as habitat loss and climate change.
A recent study found that light color affects phytoplankton growth and nutrient cycling in lake ecosystems. The researchers discovered that the less light available to microalgae, the more important the color of light became for their growth.
A Bielefeld study analyzes audience questions and survey responses from over 1,300 participants to identify barriers to inclusion at scientific events. Small measures such as behavioral guidelines and free childcare options can have a significant impact on increasing diversity and equity.
A recent study by Western University researchers shows that wolves fully fear humans, even in protected areas, and avoid us to minimize risk. The findings verify the reason for this behavior is humanity's lethal impact on wildlife, particularly large carnivores.
A University of Maryland-led study found that wild canids create and stick to specific travel routes within their territories, while felids tend to roam more freely. The research challenges traditional assumptions about animal movement and has implications for conservation and management of at-risk mammalian carnivores globally.
A new study analyzing the dietary choices of wild woodrats reveals that individual diets may not be as diverse as previously assumed. The research suggests that the costs of specializing on one food source or diversifying one's diet have a strong impact on an animal's ability to survive and thrive.
A large-scale survey of woodrat populations in North America reveals that costs of specialization and generalization dictate diet breadth. Woodrats' diets are not as broad as previously thought, but individuals select a consistent subset of plants to manage risks and costs.
A study found that Finnish moth communities are becoming increasingly dominated by warm-adapted species, while cold-adapted species in the north face rapid declines. This thermophilisation is driven by local disappearance of cold-adapted species, with southern Finland experiencing an influx of new warm-adapted species.
Researchers found that the caterpillars' cycles interact with natural controls like viral disease, and they're highly adapted to their environment. Outbreaks can be predicted and damage controlled, but the exact timing is linked to specific factors.
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.
A long-term study in southeastern Madagascar found that protected forest fragments improve the survival of endangered mouse lemurs. The study suggests that habitat protection is critical for conserving this species.
A large-scale study found that zoos are often breeding endangered animals in skewed sex ratios, which can limit genetic diversity and increase the risk of extinction. The research highlights the need for zoos to collaborate and share data on their animal populations to manage conservation efforts effectively.
Scientists discovered that marine copepods rely on both genetic and epigenetic changes to survive climate change. Epigenetic changes, which are temporary chemical modifications, play a crucial role in helping these tiny crustaceans adapt to ocean acidification and warming conditions.
A recent study found that behavioral flexibility is related to foraging breadth, not social or habitat use behaviors, in great-tailed grackles rapidly expanding their geographic range. The researchers discovered that flexible individuals switched between different food types more often in the wild.
A new study finds that the copper-based molluscicide used to treat invasive mussels in Idaho's Snake River has devastating effects on the local ecosystem. Nearly half of the original mass of copper is gone after just 10 days, but dissolved copper concentrations remain toxic for over two weeks.
A new analytical method reveals overlooked species at risk of extinction, providing a valuable layer of insight for conservationists. The dual-role approach captures both predator and prey interactions, identifying keystone species and vulnerabilities.
A 26-year study found that removing feral animals like cats and foxes from a reserve sparked an ecological transformation, favoring the growth of smaller rodents like Bolam's mouse and spinifex hopping mouse. Larger species like plains mouse and stripe-faced dunnart also surged in population after five to nine years.
Northern Arizona University is taking stock of its 5,000-6,000 trees to advance sustainability and carbon sequestration. The project will provide hands-on research opportunities for students and shed light on the trees' ability to mitigate climate change.
A new study found that individual leopard seals specialize in specific diets, significantly impacting local prey populations. The research highlights the need to examine individual hunting behaviors in apex predators.
A recent study across 3,058 populations reveals that 24% of Wadden Sea species are declining significantly, while only 14% are increasing. The declines affect native species and those at the base of the food web, highlighting a potential warning signal of local extinction.
A global research team tracked over 100 species of marine animals, revealing key migration patterns and hotspots critical for conservation. The study, MegaMove, uses satellite data to inform a new blueprint for ocean conservation, highlighting the need for targeted mitigation efforts.
Researchers at GEOMAR identify that EU fisheries management's reliance on national interests and ICES advice leads to overfishing, resulting in the collapse of many fish stocks. A new approach is proposed to set quotas independently of national interests and prioritize sustainable catches.
A study of nearly 600 white-tailed deer in southwest Wisconsin reveals how habitat selection and social interactions affect chronic wasting disease transmission. The research found that certain habitats, like agricultural fields, facilitate easy transmission between deer groups.
A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences sheds light on how a 252-66 million-year-old 'marine revolution' influenced foraminifera diversity and survival. The study found that calcareous forams flourished after the MMR, becoming dominant types living today.
University of Michigan researchers developed a statistical method to give a more complete sense of human ancestry. The Gaia algorithm estimates an individual's genetic ancestors, identifies their average location based on movement assumptions, and tracks it back over centuries.
A new study suggests that extreme weather events are crucial to understanding phenological responses in plants and insects. The research found that disruptions to the delicate relationships between certain species, such as the yucca plant and yucca moth, can have significant consequences for survival.
Researchers tracked changes in baleen whale song detection over six years, finding correlations with shifts in foraging conditions and food availability. The study's findings suggest that whale song data can provide insights into the health of marine ecosystems and inform conservation efforts.
The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) has made a comprehensive dataset on the tidal flats of the Dutch Wadden Sea available, providing valuable insights into biodiversity and ecosystem changes. The SIBES project has collected data since 2008, revealing shifts in benthic animal species due to climate change.
A new study explores how city life is influencing the evolution of urban coyotes, revealing genetic changes related to diet, health, thermoregulation, behavior, cognition, and reproduction. The research also highlights the challenges of studying urban coyotes, which are increasingly common in urban areas throughout the US.
Researchers found genetic variants that confer a benefit to chimpanzees in specific habitats, particularly those related to malaria. The study suggests that climate and land use changes will impact different chimpanzee groups differently.
Historical records show manatee populations increased alongside human populations in the 1800s and 1900s. The study suggests that Florida manatees are more abundant today than any previous time in North American human history.
Researchers at Uppsala University developed a mathematical model to understand how seabird species coexist on isolated islands. The model shows that different species use distinct fishing zones, maximizing energy intake based on traits like wing length and diving depth.
Researchers are using deep learning to help protect chimpanzees in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem, Tanzania. A new acoustic detector has been developed to identify chimpanzee sounds and monitor population density more efficiently, allowing for better conservation strategies.
The study shows an alternating series of interaction and gene flow between inhabitants of mountainous upland regions and steppes to the north of the Caucasus. Innovations in herd management, dairying, and mobility enabled autonomous nomadic lifestyles adapted to exploit the Eurasian steppe zone.
Researchers used 16 years of radar weather data to monitor bird migration patterns from Tasmania to northern Queensland, finding millions of birds migrate each year. The study revealed unique patterns, including variation in migration direction, timing, and intensity compared to Northern Hemisphere birds.
A genetics study suggests that bonobos have three distinct populations, each with unique genetic patterns. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these groups and ensure the species' survival.
A new perspective paper highlights the importance of understanding migration dynamics in rural areas, which are often driven by slow changes related to climate and environment. The researchers propose integrating land system science into migration studies to develop effective sustainability policies.
A team analyzed 45 zooarchaeological remains and compared findings with contemporary data to assess the effect of sustained subsistence harvests on beluga genetic diversity, population structuring, and foraging ecology. The study found no significant changes in genetic diversity or population structuring over time.
Researchers found that even tiny city gardens with native milkweed species attracted monarchs and caterpillars. Older, established milkweed plants were more likely to support eggs, while a variety of blooming plants provided nectar for adult monarchs.
New research reveals that artificial light at night (ALAN) attracts larval fish to artificially lit environments, reducing their chances of survival. ALAN has been shown to lower fish growth rates, metabolic rates, and overall survival, with serious consequences for fish conservation.
Researchers create special language Phenoscript to describe traits in a way that both humans and computers can understand. This allows for large-scale studies of organismal traits, boosting the emerging field of phenomics. The new language is being tested and aims to integrate semantic species descriptions with nanopublications.
Research by Osaka Metropolitan University suggests that converting vacant homes in old new towns into healthcare facilities can slow population decline. This urban transformation can enable older adults to remain in their communities, promoting healthy and connected living.
The Ecological Society of America honors its 2024 award recipients, including Juan Carlos Castilla for his pioneering research on marine ecology and Alan R. Berkowitz for his long-standing service to ESA and education in ecology. These awards recognize outstanding achievements across various domains.
A study led by Spanish researchers reveals Bonelli's eagles colonized the Mediterranean 50,000 years ago due to early human settlement, displacing golden eagles as the dominant species. Human activities now threaten the eagle's survival.
A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that a surge in purple sea urchins is devastating kelp forests, reducing zooplankton populations and impacting the primary prey of gray whales. This cascading effect affects the top predator, causing them to spend less time foraging in the affected area.
The Zipkin Quantitative Ecology lab examines 36 highly cited papers on statistical ecology published in the journal Ecology since its inception in 1920. The team found a persistent evolution of models and concepts in the field, driven by refinements in techniques and exponential increases in computational power.