Articles tagged with Species Richness
A field experiment shows that competition for light drives the decline of plant diversity in grasslands under eutrophication and lack of grazing. Adding light to low-growing plants reduces this loss.
A study analyzing historic habitat mapping data in Hamburg found a decline of species-rich habitats due to urbanization, while also revealing the colonization efforts of certain plant species. The research highlights the potential of these datasets for biodiversity research, with trends observed across Germany and Europe.
Soil ecological values are often overlooked in nature conservation management; the new study identifies global hotspots where they need to be prioritized. Temperate ecosystems show high local species richness, while biodiversity uniqueness peaks in arid and tropical ecosystems.
A new study reveals that losing endangered fruit-eating animals in the Atlantic Forest could severely disrupt seed-dispersal networks, leaving plants without an effective means to regenerate. Nearly 55% of specialist plant species rely solely on these frugivores for seed dispersal.
Researchers discovered three new cryptozoic snake species in Ecuador's Andes, named after institutions supporting cloud forest conservation. The discovery highlights the need for habitat protection due to widespread destruction of native habitats.
Researchers analyzed 170,000 vegetation plots from all climate zones to find that small areas can have high biodiversity, like Eastern European steppes and Siberia. This challenges the idea of large-scale conservation, as smaller protected zones may be more effective in preserving ecosystems.
The study found that island size and location have a significant impact on seasonal bird species richness. Islands in the Northern Hemisphere at mid-latitudes during migration periods host the highest number of species, while tropical islands peak with species numbers during the non-breeding season.
A new study analyzing 72 lakes in four large Neotropical wetlands of Brazil reveals that human impacts on biodiversity compromise wetland multifunctionality. Strong associations between aquatic organism diversity and wetland functioning were found, highlighting the crucial role of species richness in driving ecosystem health.
A new study used artificial intelligence to create the largest global map of insect diversity, highlighting areas with high ant biodiversity and potential conservation priorities. The researchers also found that only a low percentage of these areas are protected.
A high-resolution map of ant biodiversity has been created, revealing areas with high diversity and potential for new species discovery. The study's findings highlight the importance of protecting critical regions with high ant diversity.
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.
An international team of researchers has successfully classified fossil gobies into a family tree for the first time. The study used an integrative phylogenetic approach to inferring relationships between fossil gobioids and their modern descendants.
Researchers from the University of Turku have described seven new species of tropical ferns, including six from the genus Danaea and one from Dennstaedtia. The newly discovered species range from 20cm to 2m tall and offer insights into the biodiversity of Amazonian rainforests.
A conceptual species 'stock market' aims to assign economic value to species and ecosystems, promoting sustainability and biodiversity conservation. The SSM would enable the valuation of ecosystem services and actions that harm or benefit biodiversity, fostering a unified approach to environmental decision-making.
A new study describes a troglobitic clam species from northern Brazil, characterized by lack of pigmentation and reduced size. The discovery highlights the importance of conserving fragile subterranean habitats threatened by recently amended laws in Brazil.
A new species of dusky salamander has been discovered in the Gulf Coastal Plain of Mississippi and Alabama, increasing knowledge of the region's biodiversity. The species, Desmognathus pascagoula, is similar to another recently discovered species but has distinct morphological, genetic, and geographic characteristics.
A review study finds that conservation measures can greatly slow human-induced climate change by preserving biodiversity. The creation and management of protected areas are key to mitigating climate change through carbon capture and storage, with current coverage at 12-16% globally.
A new study reveals that freshwater habitats have the highest animal species richness per area, with more than 99% of known animal species inhabiting land and 12% ocean habitats. The research suggests that preserving freshwater ecosystems can protect more species and evolutionary history.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that crows and ravens' diverse traits enabled their rapid global expansion. Their intelligence allowed them to adapt to new environments, while their big bodies gave them a competitive advantage.
A new study by University College London (UCL) researchers found that climate change and intensive agricultural land use have already led to a 49% reduction in insect populations in the most impacted parts of the world. Insect declines are linked to rising temperatures and land use changes, with tropical areas seeing the biggest declines.
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 genome-based study reveals how Amazonian rivers contribute to bird biodiversity by isolating populations and sparking speciation. The research highlights previously unknown species at risk of extinction due to dynamic river systems.
The SPRING project is establishing an EU-wide census of pollinators, building on existing butterfly monitoring schemes. The project will use a variety of methods, including standard routes for counting wild bees and hoverflies, to gather data on the diversity and abundance of pollinators.
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 research team from the University of Göttingen found that vanilla agroforestry systems have advantages for both humans and nature, particularly when planted on fallow land. However, price fluctuations pose a challenge to sustainable cultivation.
A new study estimates that there are approximately 73,300 tree species on Earth, with 9,000 yet to be discovered. The majority of these unknown species are rare and endemic to specific regions, particularly South America.
A global collaboration of scientists has estimated that there are approximately 73,300 tree species in the world today, with more than 9,000 still undiscovered. This estimate is based on a massive dataset of over 38 million trees spanning 90 countries and 100 territories.
The English Channel prevents many rockpool species from reaching the UK due to unfavorable ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in intertidal wildlife richness in the UK as warmer-water species fail to replace threatened ones. As climate change causes sea temperatures to rise, this barrier may prevent species from adapting.
Despite over 200 restored wetlands in Denmark, botanical diversity remains low, with only 9.5 species per four square meters found in the studied areas. High nutrient input from agriculture continues to affect plant species dispersal and immigration, making it a significant barrier to increased biodiversity.
Researchers found that species-rich forests produce more wood and are less affected by extreme weather conditions. The main reason for this stability is the diversity of functional characteristics among tree species, which helps counterbalance fluctuations in climate.
A recent study in Frontiers in Marine Science has found over 100 underwater animal species thriving on a 2,200-year-old Mediterranean shipwreck. The 'ecological memory' of the wreck provides valuable insights into how marine animals colonize empty sites and form diverse communities.
A group of Croatian students used photographs from iNaturalist to describe a new species of pygmy grasshopper, challenging traditional methods. The study highlights the potential of citizen science and encourages people to engage with nature to raise awareness about conservation.
Climate change has already altered 20% of the Earth's landscapes, and this trend is set to triple under business-as-usual emissions growth. The research found fundamental shifts in life zones, with boundaries shifting poleward and towards higher elevations, affecting tropical and temperate climates.
A new study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that the greatest increase in marine biodiversity on Earth occurred due to changes in climate cycles, rather than an asteroid explosion. Fossil analysis revealed a shift towards colder climates around 469 million years ago, leading to the blooming of marine life.
A study found that large herbivore biomass is only present in African reserves, with a close correlation between plant productivity and consumer biomass. In contrast, non-African ecosystems have low herbivore densities, even in protected areas.
A new study reveals that spring soundscape acoustic diversity and intensity are declining due to changes in bird communities. The research suggests that reductions in natural soundscapes may be the primary mechanism through which population declines impact humans.
Researchers found that high biodiversity enhances ecosystem functions by 20%, with environmental heterogeneity significantly boosting this positive impact. Species richness was more important for ecosystem functioning than species turnover in African ecosystems along Mount Kilimanjaro's elevational gradient.
Pollinators contribute significantly to global food production, particularly for small-scale farmers who rely heavily on these services. The author emphasizes the need for increased support and research efforts to maintain biodiversity and improve crop yields.
A new study found that birds and mammals evolved into new species at higher rates where the land has risen most over the past three million years. This effect was found to be greater than historical climate change, present-day elevation, and temperature in driving speciation.
Researchers found that agri-environmental schemes can help maintain species richness across flowering fields and seminatural grasslands in Germany. The study suggests a combined network of both is necessary to maximize biodiversity conservation efforts.
Climate change may cause geographical mismatches between crops and their pollinators, threatening crop yields. The study found potential declines in the distribution of some wild bees that pollinate tomatoes, particularly in the eastern United States.
Researchers found significant distribution disparities in coral reef fish species across trophic groups, with a disproportionate number of planktivores in the IAA. Planktivore species richness was highest near Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, but declined sharply outside the region.
A study found that plant species richness reduces viral infections in both wild and cultivated meadow environments. In contrast, the number of virus species increases near agricultural fields due to confusing disease regulation mechanisms.
A study found that a high diversity of flowering plants can compensate for the negative effects of insecticides on wild bee reproduction. The research team discovered that red mason bees reproduced successfully when kept in enclosures with diverse flower mixtures compared to those with only oilseed rape.
A study analyzing 79 plant communities worldwide found that greater species synchrony predicts less community stability. Higher species richness is associated with increased stability, but this effect is relatively small.
A study from Lund University found that population density, not vegetation cover, has the biggest impact on species richness of pollinators in residential areas. Urban environments with high population densities have fewer species of wild bees and hoverflies.
A new checklist of New Guinea's 13,634 vascular plant species has been built by 99 scientists from 56 institutions and 19 countries. The list contains 20% more species than Madagascar or Borneo, with many endemic plants found only in the region.
A study on the BEF-China experiment found that directed species loss in high-diversity ecosystems leads to significant reductions in forest productivity. The researchers simulated both random and directed species extinction scenarios and analyzed the data, revealing that diversity alone does not protect against losses.
The study reveals that species richness is largely determined by the evolution of animal niches and their subsequent dispersal across the continent. The researchers used models to calculate species richness in South America and found a clear pattern following natural habitats or vegetation biomes.
A new study finds that biodiversity loss is causing a smaller, less diverse snake community in the tropics. The decline of tropical snakes is an 'invisible' outcome of biodiversity loss and has upward effects on higher-order predators.
A new study suggests that global biodiversity levels could be lower than previously thought due to the long-lasting impact of abrupt land changes. Biodiversity assessments may be underestimating species loss at sites with recent disturbances, such as deforestation or agriculture intensification.
A new study reveals an unusual diversity gradient in the Amazon Basin, with higher species richness in the western portion than expected. The research, led by scientists from France and Brazil, analyzed data from 97 subdrainage basins along the main stem of the Amazon and its tributaries.
A study by NRRI scientist Chris Filstrup found that the evenness of species distribution is a stronger signal of ecosystem function than species richness. This discovery has implications for conservation practices and understanding biodiversity loss impacts, especially in the face of climate change stress.
A team of scientists mapped global biodiversity change, revealing greater changes in species composition in marine systems than on land. The study highlights the importance of protecting regions with high biodiversity loss rates and improving monitoring for conservation strategies.
Research team discovers that habitat loss causes double damage to biodiversity, with local extinctions linked to reduced ability for species to recolonize neighboring patches. Spatial processes and metacommunities play a key role in this phenomenon.
Research in Ethiopian sacred church forests reveals that human disturbances, such as buildings and clearings, significantly reduce forest density and species richness. Culturally sensitive conservation strategies are recommended to protect these forests, including restorative planting and protection of large trees.
A study of 32,000 butterflies found that semi-natural grasslands with surrounding forests support the highest number of butterfly species, while agricultural fields have limited resources. The results highlight the importance of preserving landscapes with diverse habitats to ensure the survival of pollinators.
A recent study of native wild bees in Mexico's tropical dry forest found that preserved vegetation areas support significantly greater bee richness and diversity. Urbanization and agriculture lead to major shifts in species composition, threatening local extinctions.
Researchers from Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena studied the correlation between tropical moth size and elevation, finding clear patterns in their measurements. Moths from two species-rich families increase significantly in size at higher elevations, contradicting expectations under the Bergmann rule.