Articles tagged with Population Ecology
A study published in Avian Conservation and Ecology reveals that the iconic Blue-footed Booby population has declined by over 50% in less than two decades. The drastic drop is attributed to a lack of sardines in their diet, leading adult birds to elect not to breed, which in turn causes the population to shrink.
A 32-year study in Finnish Lapland found that 90% of moth species are stable or increasing, despite rising temperatures and precipitation. However, warmer temperatures reduced population growth rates, suggesting unknown ecological forces may be masking the negative effects of climate change.
A four-year study in Ireland found that five percent of badgers traveled over 7.5km from their setts, with the longest recorded distance being 22.1km. This information is crucial for designing policies to tackle tuberculosis within cattle populations and understanding how infection is maintained and spread within badger populations.
A genetic and demographic analysis of river herring populations along the U.S. east coast has identified distinct genetic stocks, providing crucial guidance for efforts to manage their declining populations. The most severe declines have occurred in the Southern New England stocks and the Mid-Atlantic stocks, highlighting the need for ...
The study highlights the importance of sustainable land management in reducing deforestation and preserving ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, combined with policies and incentives, can minimize environmental degradation and secure the health of forests and streams in the Amazon and other tropical regions.
A UCI study has found that Southern California sagebrush populations are more adaptable to climate change than those in the north. The researchers transplanted sagebrush from sites along the California coast to a test garden, measuring its responses to altered precipitation and long-term climate data.
Researchers have identified specific parent ants and their children in wild colonies, allowing them to study reproduction trends. The study found that only about 25% of colonies reproduce annually, with most relying on just a few successful queens.
A recent study by the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station has found that fisher populations in the southern Sierra Nevada are stable. The research, which monitored fisher distribution across a 7,606-square-mile area over eight years, found no increase or decrease in population numbers.
A new study found that UK butterfly populations' sensitivity to extreme drought is affected by habitat type area and degree of fragmentation. Larger, more connected patches of woodland habitat reduced population sensitivity and facilitated faster recovery.
A recent analysis reveals unexpected trends in the growth of a northern muriqui monkey population, including increases in fertility and mortality rates. The study suggests that behavioral changes, such as increased use of the ground for food and mating, may be driving these shifts.
Researchers found that gregarious bat species will continue to decline due to white-nose syndrome, but changes in social behavior may help the little brown bat persist. In contrast, solitary species like the northern long-eared bat are more susceptible to the disease.
A study led by biologists at UCSC found that gregarious bat species are more likely to decline and potentially go extinct due to white-nose syndrome. In contrast, solitary species like the tri-colored bat have stabilized at low levels. The little brown bat's social behavior has changed, but it may persist at smaller populations.
A new ecosystem model reveals how women are being driven out of academia due to institutional barriers, including the lack of part-time work opportunities and biased research metrics. Women who take career breaks or go part-time may struggle to remain competitive with full-time peers.
The Mia J. Tegner Memorial Research Grants support research on the history of ocean ecology, aiming to predict future impacts from human interactions. The 2012 grants were awarded to four researchers studying various marine ecosystems, including Antarctica and the eastern Mediterranean seascape.
A Montana State University study found that population densities around some US national parks rose 2,000-3,100% between 1940 and 2000, while housing densities grew 11-13.6%. The study also identified unique challenges for each of the five land-use category categories, including wildland-protected and urban parks.
Researchers tracked wolf characteristics in Yellowstone National Park from 1998 to 2009, finding that some traits are related to population ecology, while others are genetically determined. The study developed a new model to predict wolf responses to environmental conditions, which suggests that mean environmental changes impact wolf p...
A study of Yellowstone wolves has improved predictions of how these animals will respond to environmental changes. The research used a new model to compare data on wolf characteristics to environmental conditions, revealing that changes in mean environment conditions impact wolf population size more than variability.
A University of Adelaide scientist highlights the potential of freely available software tools to predict the spread of diseases in Australian wildlife and commercial stock. The team used these tools to estimate that up to 100,000 buffalo would need to be culled annually for 15 years to reduce TB prevalence near zero.
A team of ecologists challenges the idea of a universal species-area relationship, finding that geometric constraints and biological effects shape the connection between species richness and plot size. They discovered specific geometric limits that restrict how quickly the number of species can increase with area.
Researchers have discovered a new Ebola-like virus, Lloviu, in bats from northern Spain, which is the first filovirus native to Europe. The study reveals that Lloviu may be a cause for concern as it was detected in deceased bats with signs of an immune response, but not in healthy bats.
The 2011 survey found a significant increase in young-of-year striped bass numbers in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, with over 27 fish per seine haul recorded. This strong year class is expected to grow into a sustainable population, benefiting both recreational and commercial anglers.
A USGS-led study found that the population health of the red knot is directly tied to the number of egg-laying horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay during the red knot's northward migration each spring. The research suggests that managing horseshoe crab populations and their harvest may help conserve red knots.
Research reveals that genetic divergence, rather than ecological adaptation, is responsible for the reproductive isolation of lungless salamander populations. The study found strong associations between genetic and ecological divergence, but only nuclear divergence was linked to hybridization.
A new study disputes the use of a single minimum viable population number as a yardstick for conservation policies. Populations show rapid declines due to human activities, but removing negative effects, even small populations could be viable in the long term.
Scientists investigate how a virus affecting the Indian meal moth impacts its host populations in size, with potential to inform better pest management strategies. The research could lead to improved techniques for controlling invasive species and pests.
A new appreciation of the ecology-evolution dynamic reveals that environmental factors can influence evolutionary changes and shape ecological traits. This emerging field of study highlights the interconnectedness between ecology and evolution, suggesting a feedback loop where ecological changes affect evolution and vice versa.
A 13-year study reveals that natural reforestation in the Pyrenees is benefiting the endangered Cypripedium calceolus orchid by enabling its recovery and stabilization. The research highlights the positive impact of landscape changes on forest species at the edge of their range.
Scientists studied Scots Pine genes to discover they still harbor genetic variation from their continental ancestors, which could aid future populations' adaptation and survival under changing climate conditions. The research found Scottish pine tree populations are genetically diverse enough to cope with future change.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast found that Northern Ireland's lizard population is under threat from agricultural intensification, which may lead to their disappearance from the landscape. The researchers highlight the need for a new ecological network to preserve heath and boglands, essential habitats for the species.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers suggests that the largest amphibian monitoring program in the US may have inaccuracies in its data, leading to overestimates of frog populations. The issue lies in observer error, as volunteers report hearing species they don't actually hear, which can skew population estimates.
Researchers have found that a tiny alien insect pest called cycad aulacaspis scale (CAS) can hide in hard-to-reach areas of native cycad plants, allowing it to evade natural enemies. The study's findings suggest the need for a new biological control organism that can target CAS in its secret hiding places.
Researchers found that each junco has a unique and recognizable odor profile stable over two weeks, distinguishable from other individuals. The study's findings suggest that smell could play a role in reproductive isolation and the origin of new bird species.
A new study by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and colleagues found that diverse landscapes with varying habitats help maintain stable butterfly populations. This can aid conservation efforts, as stable populations are better equipped to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Research found that Pacific dunlins have lost weight and spend more time flying to escape peregrine falcons, a response to the increased threat of predation. The dunlins' adaptations help them survive harsh winters with reduced risk of starvation.
A new study found that fluctuating water chemistry and temperature variations in freshwater lakes can actually increase biodiversity, while a stable but variable environment can also be detrimental. Zooplankton populations respond quickly to changes due to their fast reproduction rate.
A new study published in Molecular Ecology suggests that minke whale populations are not preventing the recovery of larger whales due to competition for food resources. The research found that genetic diversity within the minke whale population is similar to pre-whaling levels, allowing large whale species to recover.
Researchers have created a method using microphone arrays to estimate bird population density from recorded sounds, which may also be applied to tracking whales and dolphins. This innovative approach eliminates the need for observers to count birds, providing a more accurate index of abundance.
A team of ecologists highlights the importance of combining environmental conditions with climate models to predict species distribution. Paleoecological studies show that past climate variability has affected tree species distributions, and future changes in climate variability need to be considered when predicting species responses.
Researchers at Yale University found that predator-prey interactions play a crucial role in creating spatial synchronicity among living organisms. The study showed that changes in these interactions can have disastrous consequences for ecosystems.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that California's horned lizard diverged into at least three new species when it moved north from Baja California. The findings provide clarity for conservation actions to follow, highlighting the importance of integrating genetic, anatomical and ecological in...
A study finds that inner city rodents form distinct neighborhoods, with most spending majority of their lives within a city block. This understanding provides information on which populations may spread disease, highlighting the need to target entire families for eradication efforts.
Scientists have discovered that high CO2 levels are causing ocean acidification, leading to reduced shell growth and calcification in shellfish. Eastern oysters are particularly susceptible, with a 16% decrease in shell area and 42% reduction in calcium content.
A University of Michigan study found that snails' venoms evolved to target a broader array of prey when they experienced ecological release, allowing them to expand their diet and habitat. The research provides insight into the genetic basis of this phenomenon and its implications for our understanding of adaptation and evolution.
Researchers found that birds target salamanders with dominant traits more frequently, even when the ratio of these traits changes. This suggests that predators prioritize common prey forms, allowing unusual traits to persist.
The study reveals that African Pygmies and their farmer neighbors diverged approximately 60,000 years ago. Genetic analysis indicates a common origin for all Pygmy populations, with distinct physical traits possibly inherited from a shared ancestor.
Research suggests that ecological and evolutionary factors can buffer some species against climate change, with rapid adaptation playing a critical role. The study of the pea aphid shows that bacteria living symbiotically within the aphids can confer heat tolerance, influencing population responses to environmental changes.
The Flint Hills region is experiencing population declines in three grassland bird species: dickcissel, grasshopper sparrow, and eastern meadowlark, with estimated declines of up to 29% per year. Birds are not breeding successfully due to high nest destruction by predators.
Researchers found that African elephants in Tanzania's Mikumi National Park formed unusually small groups and chose to forge new bonds with unrelated females. The effects of poaching on group size, relatedness, and social bonding persist for up to 20 years after the killing has ended.
A recent study suggests that Neanderthals went extinct due to competition with Cro-Magnon populations. The researchers used a predictive method to analyze the distribution of archaeological sites and reconstructed climatic conditions during this period.
African cities are experiencing rapid growth, transforming natural resource use and affecting rural areas. The main driver of deforestation is not fuel wood demand but rather agricultural land clearing in peri-urban areas to feed growing urban populations.
A previously undescribed fungus has been linked to the deaths of over 100,000 hibernating bats in the northeastern United States. The fungus, commonly found on bat skin and wings, is believed to be a major contributor to the decline of North American bat populations.
Penguin populations are declining globally due to human influences such as climate change, commercial fishing, and oil spills. The threats to these species are likely to intensify in the coming years, highlighting the need for coordinated conservation efforts.
Scientists have discovered that genetic variation in Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes plays a vital role in the immune system of tailed amphibians. This finding highlights the importance of understanding species-specific adaptations for conservation strategies, particularly for globally declining amphibian populations.
An invasive population of the freshwater snail Melanoides tuberculata shows a tremendous amount of genetic variation for key life-history traits, allowing for large potential for evolutionary change. This diversity can arise from multiple invasions and amplification through sexual reproduction.
Cities face significant sustainability challenges, but urban ecologists can help by applying ecological principles to design and develop projects. By integrating biodiversity and ecosystem function into urban planning, researchers aim to create sustainable environments that support human well-being.
Researchers address questions about future city shape and population growth's effects on the environment, highlighting cities as substantive ecosystems with complex human-environmental interactions. Cities' growing footprints contribute to global biodiversity loss, climate change, and resource depletion.
A new study suggests whale shark populations are healthy and growing in Ningaloo Reef due to regulated ecotourism. The research used computer-assisted photographic identification to track individual sharks and found two-thirds of the sharks were repeat visitors.
The emerging field of neuroecology explores how neural mechanisms influence population dynamics and community interactions. Researchers discuss the ecological functions of chemical defenses, such as neurotoxins and inking, which have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems.
A new study reveals that long-term climate change can initiate conflict and lead to population decline. The researchers found a cyclic pattern of turbulent periods when temperatures were low, followed by tranquil ones when temperatures were higher, resulting in increased wars and population declines.
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) received the 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The award recognizes ESA's Strategies for Ecology Education, Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) program, which has increased diversity among its members and provided mentoring opportunities ...