Articles tagged with Population Ecology
Researchers have discovered a new critical period for sex determination in sea turtle embryos, influenced by temperature fluctuations. The study reveals two peaks in temperature's impact on sex ratio during the thermosensitive period of development.
A distinct population of oceanic manta rays was identified off the coast of Ecuador, with an estimated total population of over 22,000 individuals, making it more than 10 times larger than any other known subpopulation. The population is large and potentially healthy due to favorable conditions in the region.
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 from the Indian Institute of Science sheds light on blackbucks' genetic diversity and survival strategies. Despite human activities restricting their habitats, male blackbucks disperse more than expected, contributing to geneflow, while females stay within native population ranges.
Scientists have discovered a new species of scops-owl on Príncipe Island, characterized by its unique 'tuu' call. The population is estimated at around 1000-1500 individuals and is considered Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and the construction of a hydro-electric dam.
A new study found that daytime pastoralist activities do not negatively affect spotted hyenas in Tanzania, contrary to previous research. The study analyzed 24 years of data from eight hyena clans and found that the hyenas' reproductive performance and physiological stress levels remained similar to those of unexposed clans.
The Great Salt Lake is losing freshwater input to agriculture and urban growth, causing salt concentrations to spike. Like Iran's Lake Urmia, it's reaching levels stressful for brine shrimp and brine flies, which are essential for migratory birds.
A research group from Nagoya University found that large-scale flowering and seeding of dwarf bamboo boosts Japanese field mouse populations, especially in mast years. The team's study showed an increase in both large and small mouse populations two years after the event, indicating good breeding conditions.
Michigan State University researchers forecast future breeding grounds for monarch butterflies in the Midwest and Ontario, Canada, to guide conservation efforts. The team's data-informed predictions suggest that eastern monarch populations will continue to decline under current climate change scenarios.
The winning image depicts a parasitic fungus infecting a fly, while other images showcase the relationships between species, biodiversity under threat, and research in action. The competition highlights the intersection of art and science, celebrating ecologists' creativity to protect the natural world.
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.
Researchers observed a decline in blue and yellow colouration among two blue tit populations over 15 years due to rising temperatures and falling rainfall. This change may affect mating patterns as traits like coloration serve as signals to indicate quality.
A long-term research project found creating wildlife habitats significantly increased local bird and butterfly populations without damaging food production. The study assessed the effectiveness of agri-environmental measures in reducing biodiversity losses caused by intensive farming practices.
Researchers developed VegSense, an open-source application that uses a Microsoft HoloLens to quantify mature trees in the wild. The device excels at detecting relatively healthy forests by capturing vegetation patterns with a holograph-like grid pattern.
A Dartmouth-led study found that urban gardens with rare plant species tend to attract rare bee and bird species. Women, older gardeners, and those living near the gardens are more likely to curate these rare plants, suggesting a cascading effect on biodiversity.
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.
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.
Scientists analyzed nearly two decades of underwater recordings to find that the distinctive songs of Chagos pygmy blue whales have increased in frequency over time. This suggests that stocks of the sub-species may be on the rebound after being hunted to near-extinction in the 20th century.
A new study challenges conservation paradigms, suggesting re-introduced wolves and predators do not significantly impact deer populations or livestock, nor restore degraded ecosystems. Instead, they coexist with humans and other species in a delicate balance.
Great White Sharks have been avoiding a South African coastal region due to the presence of Orcas. Long-term sightings and tagging data show that Great Whites flee areas with high Orca activity, adopting a 'flight' strategy reminiscent of wild dogs in response to increased lion presence.
Research from the University of Georgia shows that monarch populations have remained relatively stable over the past 25 years due to summer breeding growth. The study suggests that population growth during the summer compensates for losses due to migration, winter weather, and environmental factors.
A study by TUM researchers found that warmth-loving insect species increased in population trends, while cold-adapted species declined. This is partly due to improvements in water quality benefiting dragonflies, which depend on aquatic habitats.
A team of University of Hawaii researchers found that the number of hours of darkness during the lunar cycle triggers mature Hawaiian box jellyfish to swim to shore to spawn. The study also revealed that jellies are likely to come from the lee of Diamond Head Crater, where they benefit from shelter and food.
The Ecological Society of America will hold its 107th Annual Meeting in Montreal from August 14-19, 2022. This year's meeting combines resources and interests of the ESA and Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution, focusing on theme "A Change Is Gonna Come" exploring global environmental and evolutionary change.
A study of ancient shell remains found at El Mazo cave site reveals that prehistoric humans in Europe adapted to a 1,500-year cold period by exploiting different mollusc species and avoiding overfishing. This research provides insights into human responses to climate change and its impacts on marine environments.
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.
A University of Illinois-led study reveals a significant decline in tropical forest bird populations, with 70% of understory bird species experiencing a drop of half or more since 1977. The findings highlight the importance of long-term studies and the need to address the lack of data on tropical bird populations.
A study analyzing 10 years of citizen science data on wildlife roadkill in Flanders found that some species are more prone to being killed by vehicles. The research used data from online platforms like Waarnemingen.be, which has collected over 90,000 roadkill records since 2008.
A study found that lithium mining and climate change have caused a 10-12% decline in two species of flamingos in the Salar de Atacama lake. The birds can move to other lakes, but as demand for lithium increases, their habitats may be further threatened.
Researchers found 155,000 individuals of the rare Serapias neglecta orchid in a military base in Corsica, showcasing its high concentration and rarity. The area's unique conditions, including low vegetation and poor fertilization, contributed to the plant's thriving population.
A study by University of California, Davis, and NOAA Fisheries confirms a sharp decline in basking shark sightings off California's coast since the 1970s. The researchers found a significant link between shark presence and environmental factors, such as sea surface temperature and El Niño oscillations.
A new DNA metabarcoding technique identifies nearly 3,000 insect species in European forests, revealing that forest dieback affects insect community composition and ecological functions. The study highlights the importance of preserving environmental features supporting biodiversity.
University of Otago researchers suggest kurī have significant ecological impact on New Zealand's biodiversity, predating kiore and humans. Kurī may have contributed to extinctions of moa chicks, takahē, kākāpō, kiwi, and marine mammals.
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.
A major new study found that woodland and hedgerow creation can support higher numbers of pollinators, including bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The survey, which covered hundreds of sites across Wales, revealed the importance of carefully managed habitats in land management incentive schemes.
A recent study by McGill University researchers found that hunter-gatherer societies were limited by the seasonal availability of food, with groups in short-growing seasons requiring a high percentage of meat in their diets. This finding is supported by ethnographic observations and simulations using a mathematical model.
Research found that damselflies infected with Wolbachia bacterium have reduced genetic diversity, making them less adaptable to changing environments. This could lead to a decline in the species' ability to expand its range and survive climate change.
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 reveals that a female elephant seal's age and experience are more important than ocean conditions in determining the condition of her pup at weaning. Higher population densities lead to smaller pups, but older females outperform younger ones.
Researchers found fish, reptiles, and mammals made up the jaguar's diet, with aquatic prey providing energy to burn or play. The high density of jaguars was attributed to abundant aquatic subsidies in the region.
Researchers warn that climate change and human pressure have eroded benefits of long-distance migration for animals, leading to lower reproductive success and higher mortality. This has serious consequences for ecosystem structure and function, with many species unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A new study found that parental care does not seem to affect sperm-mediated effects in threespine sticklebacks, contrary to previous expectations. The researchers tested the behavior and stress responses of offspring from predator-exposed fathers with or without parental care.
Research confirms two separate tiger shark populations in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans, despite trans-oceanic migrations. This long-term separation has resulted in distinct genetic diversity among Hawaiian and Indian Ocean tiger sharks, emphasizing the need for tailored management plans and targeted conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that male giraffes have higher social connectedness than females, with males forming more acquaintances and older males having shorter social paths. This complexity could impact conservation efforts for endangered giraffes.
Researchers developed a method to forecast blue whale locations up to three weeks in advance, enabling proactive conservation and management. The tool helps minimize the burden on ocean users while protecting whales.
Researchers successfully detected local mammals and birds by collecting 18 litres of water from a two-kilometre stretch along the river Mulde. The team identified 50% of fish species, 22% of mammal species, and 7.4% of breeding bird species in the region.
A new study by the ICTA-UAB establishes that populations of hunter-gatherer groups with strong seasonal dependence on meat had fewer people per square kilometer than those relying on abundant plant foods. This result is based on a complex set of calculations showing how diet composition influenced population density.
Researchers found that predators play a crucial role in regulating small mammal populations, contradicting previous assumptions about the importance of herbivore-plant interactions. The study's unique Arctic vole ecosystem provided a simple model to test predator-prey dynamics, shedding light on population cycles and climate variability.
A new study found that LED streetlights have a detrimental impact on local insect populations, with moth caterpillar numbers being 52% lower under LED lighting than in unlit areas. The study suggests that this is due to female moths laying fewer eggs in habitats illuminated by streetlights.
Researchers found that bumblebee flight performance rises rapidly from 12°C and peaks between 25-27°C, but declines beyond this. This study suggests that climate warming may benefit some northern-latitude bee species, but poses risks to southern-latitude populations due to more frequent extreme weather events.
The winning image by Kristen Brown depicts a school of jack fish in a spiral formation, symbolizing the beauty and bounty of oceans as well as the spiralling crisis of coral reef decline. The competition celebrates Earth's biodiversity and its evolutionary origins through six categories.
The University of Exeter has developed a virtual safe space tool called BEE-STEWARD to test different land management techniques for bumblebee survival. The tool provides a computer simulation of bumblebee colony survival in a given landscape, allowing researchers and farmers to predict the impact of their decisions.
Researchers successfully detected and monitored Arctic narwhals and beluga whales using satellite orbiting 617km high, a breakthrough in cetacean tracking. This achievement demonstrates the potential of space-based monitoring for conservation efforts, providing valuable insights into these endangered species' habitats and behaviors.
A single butterfly species introduced to an island in the 1990s had a significant impact on several insect populations, leading to genetic decline and high extinction risk for some species. The parasitoid wasp's mobility and symbiotic bacterial relationships played key roles in shaping this outcome.
A new study challenges the notion that widespread Indigenous population decline led to significant forest regrowth in tropical regions. Instead, it found that dense and highland forests were less likely to show signs of afforestation following Spanish contact.
A University of Otago study found that the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake created an ecological opportunity for a previously South Island restricted seaweed species to colonize and establish itself in the North Island. This discovery highlights the potential of tectonic disturbance to shape biodiversity, including marine environments.
New research shows Mediterranean green turtle populations are recovering, but loggerhead turtles face additional threats due to high mortality rates. The study found stable reproduction rates among loggerheads, suggesting deaths among all ages impede their recovery.
The study uses Monte Carlo computer simulation to determine the population numbers of T. rexes, with a standing population size of 20,000 adults at any given time. The total number of individuals that existed over its lifetime could have been anywhere from 140 million to 42 billion.
A new study estimates that nearly 20,000 T. rex lived concurrently, with a total of 2.5 billion individuals over their entire existence. The authors used Darmuth's Law to estimate population-level traits and the rate of fossil preservation, finding that only about 1 in 80 million T. rex survived as fossilized remains.
Researchers at Lund University investigated X and Y chromosome evolution and adaptation in a population. The results show that breaking up coevolved sets of sex chromosomes can lead to lower survival rates among offspring.