Articles tagged with Population Ecology
Researchers discover a novel mechanism of heterosis in naturally occurring plant populations. Human actions inadvertently favor heterozygous volunteers, leading to the persistence of high heterozygosity despite inbreeding.
Species diversity varies greatly across tropical and temperate regions due to differing ecological pressures. Higher rates of evolutionary diversification may contribute to observed gradients in richness.
Humans annually require 20% of land-based plant growth for food and fiber, with regional consumption varying greatly. Large urban areas consume significantly more than local production, while sparsely populated areas like the Amazon have low consumption rates.
Wetland restoration projects must consider the inevitable creation of mosquito habitats, which can increase exposure to diseases like West Nile virus. Elizabeth Willott suggests explicitly addressing mosquito control in proposals to strengthen project outcomes.
A facultative symbiont is identified in pea aphids associated with host plant specialization, increasing fecundity on clover and failure to survive on alfalfa. Genetic data suggests the aphid genome, not symbiont, causes specialization.
Researchers at UGA's SREL will conduct experiments to identify major factors affecting amphibian population persistence and responses to upland habitat alteration. The study aims to model species responses to forest management at larger scales.
A recent study found that invasive North American populations of garlic mustard were outcompeted by those from native European populations. This suggests the species has evolved to be less competitive due to a lack of strong competitors in invaded habitats.
A study quantifying incidental catch of loggerheads and leatherbacks in the global pelagic longline fishery reveals alarming bycatch rates. The authors estimate that thousands of hooked turtles die from longline takes each year, posing a significant threat to Pacific turtle populations.
Pelagic shark assemblage declines drastically, with oceanic whitetip shark declining by over 99%, yet no conservation attention is given to these species.
Research by Rudgers et al. reveals symbiotic fungi facilitate invasive plant invasion in various plant communities. The study highlights the complex interactions between fungal pathogens and native plants, ultimately leading to ecosystem disruption.
A recent study by A. A. Hoffmann et al. found that the fruit fly Drosophila birchii lacks genetic variation to adapt to changing thermal conditions, a concern for endangered species. UC Riverside's Derek Roff warns that global warming may exacerbate this issue, threatening the survival of already endangered species.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers discovered that wood mice employ a sophisticated navigation system involving 'portable signposts'. These signs, created by moving small objects, help the mice orient themselves and efficiently explore their home-ranges. The findings provide new insights into the complex behavior of non-human species.
Researchers analyzed historical records of measles and whooping cough infections in European cities from 1883 to 1932, finding that the diseases exhibit negative correlation when one disease removes susceptible hosts. This 'ecological interference' can lead to alternating cycles of infection, affecting multiple strain dynamics.
Research shows that population stability and size tend to increase with community diversity, likely due to variation in local productivity. This finding challenges ecological theory, which predicts a decline in population stability as community diversity increases.
A recent study suggests that dissolved organic matter in water absorbs UV-B, protecting 85% of amphibian habitats. The timing of breeding also plays a crucial role, with early breeding reducing UV-B exposure in certain regions.
A recent study predicts that the 2002 European seal plague outbreak may claim up to 10,000 harbour seals in Denmark and Sweden alone. The researchers used mathematical models to compare the 2002 findings to a previous 1988 outbreak, predicting similar impacts on the population.
Researchers found that male lions are intimidated by longer manes, while females prefer darker-maned males. Darker manes also correlate with higher testosterone levels, which may be an advantage for attracting mates and defending territories. Despite this, there is no correlation between mane length and temperature regulation.
Researchers found that some bird species experience population increases when nesting in fragmented landscapes due to the availability of suitable habitats. The study revealed that regional landscape patterns play a significant role in determining population trends among forest-nesting birds.
A study using virtual blue jays as predators found that they drove the evolution of diverse wing markings in a population of virtual moths. The research, funded by the NSF, used a genetic algorithm to favor moths with more cryptic markings and found evidence of increased diversity after 100 generations.
Researchers find that human population growth is slowing due to increased birth rates being offset by negative feedback from crowding and resource depletion. The world population is expected to reach 10-12 billion around 2100, despite a near doubling in numbers.
Tick-borne encephalitis incidence in Sweden has increased since the mid-1980s, with mild winters and early spring favouring tick activity being key contributors. Climate change is also linked to changes in host animal populations and access to vaccination.
The symposium explores the ecological implications of these stressors on Western mountain ecosystems. Research has helped quantify stress effects at regional scales, challenging land managers and policymakers.