Articles tagged with Tropical Ecosystems
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.
Researchers propose a new way to harvest aguaje fruit from the Mauritia flexuosa palm tree without cutting down female trees, increasing fruit production by 51% and generating $62 million annually. This method could provide a sustainable economic alternative for local communities and reduce deforestation in Amazonia.
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 recent study published in Nature Geoscience has found that tropical trees' trunk growth is reduced in years with drier and warmer conditions. The researchers also discovered that the effect of climatic fluctuations is more dramatic in arid or warm regions, suggesting climate change may increase the sensitivity of tropical trees.
A new study from UC Berkeley provides the first detailed description of the fungal biodiversity on Mo'orea, discovering over 200 species of macrofungi. The research team's findings suggest that most species were carried by easterly winds from Australia or other South Pacific islands.
Researchers have developed a model to predict Vibrio vulnificus abundance in the canal by analyzing rainfall, water temperature, dissolved nutrients and organic matter. The study found that warmer waters due to climate change may lead to an increase of twice or three times current levels of bacteria by the end of the century.
The expanded protected area protects fourteen marine mammal species and improves connectivity of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor. The new management plan prohibits fishing in two-thirds of the area and allows sustainable fishing, reducing bycatch and promoting conservation.
Researchers have discovered a new plant species, Castela senticosa, in the Martín García mountain range of the Dominican Republic. The species was found to be rare and endangered due to its limited geographic distribution.
A new study predicts that six tropical fish species in Japan will expand northward due to rising sea temperatures. The model found that minimum sea surface temperature is the most important factor affecting distribution patterns for all species, with potential habitat range changes minimised by stringent mitigation measures.
A new study predicts that El Niño events will increase in frequency by 2040, regardless of efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The researchers used state-of-the-art climate models to examine the potential impacts of different emissions scenarios on global weather fluctuations.
A recent study found that rainfall significantly affects the abundance of Vibrio vulnificus in the Ala Wai Canal, with moderate rainfall leading to high concentrations of the bacterium. The researchers suggest that while exposure is still a risk, precautions such as washing off with soap and water can minimize the danger.
A study by Brazilian researchers found that regular fires enhance functional diversity and carbon fixation in savannas. They measured species numbers, attributes, and carbon dynamics in two areas, one with frequent fires and the other without fires for 16 years.
A new study found that Amazonian forests are impacted by high maximum temperatures, causing tall trees to shed their leaves and branches. The study, led by the University of Helsinki, used LiDAR to track the effects of fragmentation and climate change on plant phenology.
Researchers found that tropical forests can recover soil fertility in under 10 years, plant functioning in less than 25 years, and species diversity in 60 years. Allowing secondary forests to regrow can be an important part of tropical forest conservation, providing a toolkit for ecosystem restoration.
Scientists have characterized thousands of small molecules in coral reef ecosystems, providing insights into food web dynamics and chemical ecology. The study found that corals and seaweeds release diverse compounds that influence nutrient concentrations and availability in the ecosystem.
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers, including Indigenous Kichwa and Waorani families, will study biodiversity impacts in the Amazon basin. They will incorporate traditional knowledge into their approach to examining tropical species interaction.
A new species of leafhopper, Phlogis kibalensis, has been discovered in the Kibale National Park in western Uganda. The insect belongs to a rare genus that was last recorded in Central African Republic in 1969.
A new study reveals that coral reef ecosystems support diverse small-scale fisheries, providing essential micronutrients vital to the health of millions in the tropics. Following bleaching events, reef fisheries can remain rich sources of these nutrients, even increasing their nutritional value for some minerals.
A new study by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute reduces uncertainty in predicting carbon dioxide release from deforestation scenarios. It highlights the capacity of young, regenerating or secondary forests to pull greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, suggesting that these forests can store up to 15% of Panama's national carbo...
Banana Blood disease has arrived in mainland Malaysia, spreading rapidly across the country and potentially threatening food security. The disease, first reported in Indonesia in 1905, has already devastated banana plantations in many parts of Southeast Asia.
A global study found that deforestation-fuelled heat is making work increasingly intolerable for millions across the Tropics. The research highlights how tropical forests provide natural air-conditioning services, and warns of disproportionate heat exposure for populations in deforested areas.
Research found that cacao agroforestry systems support unique bird species in tropical dry forests, while bats are more abundant in these areas than in nearby forests. This suggests that cacao farms can serve as biodiversity-friendly oases, providing food and refuge for birds and bats.
A team of scientists has redefined indicators for biological diversity, analyzing ecosystem and species distribution. They found that areas with many species don't always have high biodiversity, and some protected areas may not be effectively conserving species and ecosystems.
Researchers used mathematical models to reconstruct evolutionary history of photosymbiosis in Scleractinia, identifying groups where association is stable and others that may be more flexible. The study found that certain lineages are more likely to retain the reef-building trait in a changing climate.
A global meta-analysis supports the U.N.'s goal of restoring habitats, finding mangrove restoration performs better than unvegetated mud, sand flats or abandoned aquaculture ponds. Restored mangroves yield significant ecological benefits and economic value, making them an ecologically and economically sound choice.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in streams adjacent to young secondary forests recover to resemble those of mature forest streams within a decade after cattle is removed from the land. This study provides hope for restoring water quality through passive reforestation, which can be crucial for human health and the environment.
A recent study found that whale sharks in Panama may originate from the Arabian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean, highlighting their ability to travel long distances. This discovery underscores the need for transboundary conservation measures like marine corridors to protect this endangered species.
A newly discovered ancient crab fossil, Cretapsara athanata, has shed new light on the evolution of crabs. The 100 million-year-old fossil, found in amber, provides evidence that crabs transitioned to land around 100 million years ago, bridging a previously unknown gap in their evolutionary history.
Researchers warn that global warming could make the Amazon barren, the Midwest tropical, and India too hot to live in by 2500. Climate models project a future where vegetation and crop-growing areas shift towards the poles, leading to drastic changes and potential human fatalities.
A new plant species, Aenigmanu alvareziae, has been identified after nearly 50 years of scientists unable to classify it. The plant's DNA analysis revealed its closest relatives were in the Picramniaceae family.
Researchers discovered an ancient mangrove ecosystem in the Yucatan Peninsula, revealing how coastal mangroves adapted to a warmer world with higher sea levels. The study provides insights into past climate change impacts and its relevance to future scenarios of relative sea-level rise.
A 10-year study in Panama's Barro Colorado Island found that liana density increased dramatically due to natural canopy disturbance, with most of the growth attributed to gaps in the canopy. The study suggests that environmental factors like climate change may also be contributing to this phenomenon, but to a lesser extent.
Ancient human societies adapted to tropical ecosystem dynamics, revealing their adaptability and resourcefulness. By studying these past interactions with the environment, scientists can better understand how to conserve tropical environments.
A new study assesses the impact of environmental policies on Amazon biodiversity, finding that 40-73,400 square miles of rainforest have been affected by fires since 2001. The research highlights the need for strong antideforestation policies and recognition of Indigenous lands to protect the region's biodiversity.
A new study found that tropical coral species in Western Australia's Kimberley region and offshore reefs are at risk of disappearing or moving south due to climate change. The research predicts a significant decline in coral biodiversity across the entire WA coastline, with many species likely to be driven to local extinction.
Researchers found that one-third of female hummingbirds resemble males, allowing them to feed without being attacked. This phenomenon suggests non-sexual social selection plays a role in the evolution of female ornamentation.
Research team investigates urbanization's impact on farmland bird communities in Bangalore, India, finding that urbanization homogenizes bird species, eliminating insect-eating birds essential for pest control. The study highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity to maintain ecosystem resilience and food production systems.
Researchers have discovered that bat pups 'babble' as part of their initial language-learning stage, mirroring human infant babbling. This behavior suggests social feedback is crucial during vocal development in this species, similar to humans.
New research reveals that destroying tropical ecosystems leads to reduced soybean income by an average of US$100 per hectare per year due to increased extreme heat. Conservation of the Amazon and Cerrado biomes can prevent this damage, estimated to cost the sector US$3.55 billion annually.
A new study found that global ecosystem changes began to accelerate around 11,000 years ago, with a second period of rapid change starting between 4.6 and 2.8 thousand years ago. The researchers used fossil pollen records to compare rates of change across different continents and regions.
Researchers assess Ethiopian bird species through six years' worth of bird banding efforts, finding high species richness near lower elevations and six new species at higher elevations. The study establishes baseline observations for tropical birds in East Africa.
A new study has found that probiotic bacteria can help corals resist heat stress, potentially protecting these vital ecosystems from extinction. By modifying the coral's microbiome, scientists have shown improved resistance to bleaching in experiments.
Research team analyzed fossilized pollen from 27 islands, finding a consistent pattern of accelerated vegetation turnover after human arrival. The study suggests that earlier settlements may have been more resilient to human impact, while later settlers' practices were more transformative.
A new study suggests that ecosystems respond differently to rising temperatures, with warmer climates showing a weaker effect on carbon respiration and cold climates experiencing an extreme rise. This finding has implications for climate change predictions and conservation efforts.
Ecosystem collapse is occurring in 19 case studies across Australia and Antarctica, driven by global climate change and human impacts. A three-step framework to combat irreversible damage is proposed, emphasizing awareness, anticipation, and action to protect key ecosystems.
The study found that eight montane hotspots harbor 58% of fern species, with heightened diversity at elevations over 1000m. Ferns' rapid diversification is linked to tropical mountain ecosystems with stable climates.
New research reveals that Arctic greening is offset by declining tropical productivity due to water limitations. Global carbon absorption has been canceled out as warming temperatures and droughts reduce plant growth near the equator.
Fossil discovery provides insights into ancient Tibetan biota and land surface height in the middle Eocene. The study reveals a diverse and humid subtropical forest ecosystem at an elevation of 1,500 meters under a monsoonal climate.
Researchers observed wrinkle-faced bats displaying unique courtship behavior, including ultrasonic echolocation calls and trill song sequences. The species' face masks were found to be crucial in attracting females, with males using them to seduce potential mates.
Researchers analyzed dietary signatures of African and South American mammals to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. They found a similar mean dietary carbon isotopic value between Amazonian and African closed-canopy rainforests, but lacked highly negative values used to infer rainforests in fossil records.
A new study finds that integrating terrestrial and freshwater conservation planning doubles protection of tropical freshwater ecosystems. This approach can increase freshwater species protection by up to 600% with only a 1% reduction in terrestrial species protection.
Researchers predict that Páramos ecosystems in the Andes will shrink substantially without conservation efforts, threatening biodiversity and human populations. The study focuses on Espeletia species, which are highly diverse and adapted to extreme conditions, but may not evolve fast enough to keep up with climate change.
A significant reduction in fruit production by trees has coincided with a decline in the physical condition of fruit-eating forest elephants. The study found an 81% decline in fruit production between 1986 and 2018, alongside an 11% drop in the physical condition of fruit-dependent forest elephants since 2008.
A study by University of Göttingen researchers reveals that reforestation can only partially restore degraded tropical soil properties. The team analyzed data from 130 studies and found that soil degradation persists even decades after deforestation, with deeper soil layers losing significant amounts of carbon.
Researchers analyzed over 4,200 camera trap photos in Costa Rica's Braulio Carrillo National Park, finding that trait diversity within the park did not decline despite deforestation. The study suggests national parks can be more resilient than expected, particularly in terms of functional redundancy.
Researchers discovered fossil trees on Peru's Central Andean Plateau, revealing a more humid ecosystem than predicted by climate models. The findings support the hypothesis that tectonic uplift occurred in rapid pulses, shaping the region's climate and vegetation.
A new study using data from 123 studies worldwide found that smaller habitats lead to more species extinctions when compared to larger habitats. The researchers developed a way to develop more realistic biodiversity forecasting models by accounting for ecosystem decay.
Research reveals that lightning damages approximately 832 million tropical trees each year, with a quarter of them dying from injuries. The study found that lightning strikes are more frequent in forests, savannas, and urban areas, altering ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers from Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute analyzed sediment cores and historical records to study the long-term effects of damming on Lake Gatun's ecosystem. The findings highlight the importance of natural river processes in maintaining biodiversity in tropical ecosystems.
A new study highlights the critical role of mangroves and coral reefs in protecting coastal communities from climate-related disasters. With over 8.5 million people benefiting directly from these natural defenses, conservation and restoration efforts are essential to address growing vulnerability across highly exposed regions.