Vegetation Patterns

Mid-domain effect and wooded habitats jointly shape Mediterranean reptile communities

Vegetation patterns and ecosystem resilience: relationship status “complicated”

Researchers challenge long-held assumptions about vegetation patterns in dryland ecosystems, finding that such patterns can actually indicate reduced ecosystem resilience. The new theoretical framework takes into account spatial constraints and environmental heterogeneities, revealing that ecosystem stability depends on specific enviro...

Team tracks vegetation recovery from sudden permafrost collapse

A new study found that some Arctic regions regain their 'greenness' within a decade of a sudden permafrost collapse, while others can take centuries or more to recover. The difference is directly related to each site's gross primary productivity, allowing scientists to predict how long it will take a specific site to recover after a pe...

Global greening: The Earth’s green wave is shifting

A team of researchers has developed a novel method to track the Earth's greenness by calculating its centre of mass. They found that the 'green centre' oscillates between northernmost positions in mid-July and southernmost positions off the coast of Liberia in March, with a consistent northward shift across all seasons.

Is it possible to cut CO2 emissions from European agriculture by 40 per cent?

A recent study from Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggests that optimizing production in fertile areas while allowing less productive areas to lie fallow can cut greenhouse gas emissions. By doing so, food production can be maintained while reducing pressure on biodiversity by up to 20%.

Access to green space was a mental health lifeline during COVID-19 pandemic

A Canadian national study found that older adults living in greener neighborhoods were less likely to experience depression during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to nearby green spaces acted as a mental health buffer, especially for those without a prior history of depression, lower-income Canadians, and individuals ...

Research reveals the main patterns and predictive models of summer vegetation variations in eastern Siberia

Researchers identified three principal modes of interannual summer vegetation growth patterns in eastern Siberia, influenced by factors like soil moisture and sea surface temperature anomalies. The year-to-year increment method developed for climate prediction shows superior predictive capability.

Researchers develop novel biomimetic fabrication technique for flexible electronics such as wearable sensors and electronic skins

A research team at the University of Turku developed a novel biomimetic fabrication technique to replicate bioinspired microstructures found in plant leaf skeletons. The resulting surfaces offer superior flexibility, breathability, and transparency, making them ideal for next-generation flexible electronics.

The changing sky that plants see

Researchers developed a numerical tool to quantify sunlight intensity and its influence on plant growth, enabling accurate predictions of sunlight patterns. The model can help farmers optimize greenhouse conditions and planting schedules, leading to improved crop yields.

Livestock grazing influences insect populations in the Himalayas

A long-term study in the Spiti valley of the Himalayas found that livestock grazing leads to reduced spider populations and increased grasshoppers and disease carriers like ticks and mites. The researchers suggest rewilding native herbivores and improved surveillance to mitigate these changes.

Human fingerprint on forest disturbance patterns as viewed from space

A recent study published in Nature Sustainability analyzed global forest disturbance patterns from 2002 to 2014, identifying four main types of patches and mapping their distribution across different biomes. Human activities tend to leave similar patterns globally, with potential implications for forest resilience.

Gourds made by Indigenous women supplied the European luxury market in the 18th century

Indigenous women in the Amazon region of Brazil created varnished gourds with complex decorations inspired by local flora and fauna as well as European and Asian embroidery patterns. The craft was recognized at the beginning of the 18th century and was mainly produced for the European market, participating in a process of globalization.

Heat-sensitive trees move uphill seeking climate change respite

A new study reveals that trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are migrating uphill to escape rising temperatures, while some species are moving downhill. The research found that younger trees in high-altitude forests are growing more rapidly and moving uphill.

How a plant app helps identify the consequences of climate change

Researchers used Flora Incognita data to identify plant rhythms and ecological patterns year-round. The algorithm accounts for user observational tendencies, revealing synchronized responses among plants and ecological shifts with the seasons.

‘Winners and losers’ as global warming forces plants uphill

A new study found that about half of Cerrado plant species will experience a net range loss due to climate change by 2040, leading to less plant diversity in lowland areas. The research suggests that the fate of plant species depends on their geographical range, with mountain plants having nowhere to go.

Plant groupings in drylands support ecosystem resilience

Research reveals that spatial patterns in dryland vegetation are critical for adapting to changing environmental conditions. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the role of self-organized clusters in maintaining ecosystem function and health.

Spacing characteristics between vegetation could be a warning sign of degrading dryland ecosystems - study

A new study found that the spatial arrangement of plants in drylands can be a sign of environmental degradation. Healthy ecosystems adjust their structure to cope with stressors, but degraded ones lose this adaptability and become more prone to further decline.

Have researchers found the missing link that explains the mysterious phenomenon known as fairy circles?

A new study by Prof. Ehud Meron and colleagues proposes that pairing spatial patterning and phenotypic changes is the missing link to understanding fairy circles. The researchers found that combining plant-level phenotypic changes with population-level spatial patterning can result in resilient ecosystem responses to water stress.

Pregnant women are missing vital nutrients needed for them and their babies – and situation could worsen with plant-based foods

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that 90% of pregnant women in high-income countries lack key vitamins necessary for healthy pregnancies and fetal development. The situation is expected to worsen as more people adopt plant-based diets, leading to increased risk of nutrient deficiencies.

Rice researcher scans tropical forest with mixed-reality device

A Rice University scientist used a mixed-reality headset with custom-designed software to measure and analyze forest floor vegetation in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The study found that mammal diversity increases with forest floor habitat surface area, leading to a greater variety of ecological characteristics.

Can macroclimate explain the distribution of the Eurasian forest-steppe zone?

Researchers used statistical methods to investigate the extent of climate support for the Eurasian forest-steppe zone's delineation. The study found that macroclimate explains a significant portion of the zone's distribution, with some regions showing strong agreement and others requiring further refinement.

North American mountain vegetation is rapidly shifting higher as the climate warms

Vegetation in North America's mountains is shifting to higher elevations at an unprecedented rate, driven by climate change. This shift is occurring faster than many animal species can adapt, with widespread changes observed across diverse ecosystems.

Research project RESILIENCE receives a EUR 10 million ERC Synergy Grant to Study How to Evade Ecosystem Collapse

A multidisciplinary team will investigate how spatial patterns can prevent tipping points in ecosystems and promote resilience to climate change. The RESILIENCE project aims to identify novel directions to evade catastrophic ecosystem collapse.

Predicting bear intrusions on settlements: A 15 year Beech tree flower study

A 15-year study found that the availability of beech nuts can predict bear intrusions into human habitats. The research used numerical modeling and observed beech flowering patterns to forecast bear activity, reducing direct conflicts between humans and bears.

In African 'fairy circles,' a template for nature's many patterns

Scientists propose a theory that large-scale vegetation patterns in arid ecosystems result from local interactions among plants and animals, rather than a single cause. Insect nests create visible clues for territory boundaries, influencing vegetation patterns.

New theory may explain mystery of Fairy Circles of Namibia

A new theory suggests that termite engineering and vegetation self-organisation jointly create the distinctive patterns, leading to a more nuanced understanding of ecosystem interactions. The findings provide insights into regular vegetation patterns observed globally.

Recovery From Mass Extinction Is Unexpectedly Diverse

A study by University of Chicago paleontologist David Jablonski reveals that recoveries from mass extinctions differ significantly across geographical regions. He found varying ratios of surviving local species to foreign invaders and unique patterns of diversification, challenging previous assumptions about extinction intensity.