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Giants that vanished 10,000 years ago triggered ripple effects that are still felt today, and here’s where

A new study reveals that the disappearance of large mammals led to significant changes in food webs across different continents. The researchers found that regions with more severe past extinctions had distinct differences in their current mammal populations, indicating a lasting impact on food webs.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2026

China discovers terrestrial "Life oasis" from end-Permian mass extinction period

A new study reveals a region in China's Turpan-Hami Basin served as a refugium for terrestrial plants during the end-Permian mass extinction. The discovery suggests that some land areas were shielded from the worst effects of the extinction, allowing for continuous evolution and rapid ecological recovery afterward. The region's stable,...

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 12, 2025
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Biodiversity increases nutrient availability

The study found that a decrease in insect and spider biodiversity is accompanied by a decline in biomass and key fatty acid content. Aquatic ecosystems show less pronounced land use effects, whereas terrestrial ecosystems exhibit significant differences depending on land use.

SourceSwiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research WSL·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 23, 2024

Peregrine falcons expose lasting harms of flame retardant use

Researchers found high concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in peregrine falcon eggs across North America, indicating long-term exposure to phased-out flame retardants. The study highlights the persistence of flame retardant pollution in wildlife and potential health risks for humans.

SourceGreen Science Policy Institute·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 9, 2024

Microbial awakening restructures high-latitude food webs as permafrost thaws

A recent study found that climate warming is altering carbon flow and food web dynamics in Arctic tundra and boreal forest ecosystems, with fungi replacing plants as the main energy source for animals. This shift has significant implications for ecosystem function and animal responses to climate change.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Research Station·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 3, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Burro-ing into the past

A new study reveals that mountain lion predation on wild donkeys is widespread and leads to changes in their behavior and ecological effects on desert wetlands. This interaction between predator and prey suggests a more dynamic ecosystem than previously thought.

SourceNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJul 27, 2022

Humans disrupting 66 million-year-old feature of ecosystems

A study has discovered that humans are disrupting a fundamental pattern in ecosystems, which dates back at least 66 million years. The U-shaped relationship between diet and size in modern land mammals has been found to span across multiple vertebrate groups, including birds, reptiles, and fish.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 21, 2022

You taste like mercury, said the spider to the fly

A Dartmouth-led study found that stream insects consumed by spiders transfer methylmercury to terrestrial predators, highlighting the importance of dissolved organic carbon in mediating mercury bioavailability. The research reveals a broader reach of mercury contamination than previously recognized.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEcological Applications·DateMar 23, 2016
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