Articles tagged with Biodiversity
Primary forests in Europe are scarce and irreplaceable, requiring top priority protection. Restoration is a viable option where no primary forests remain, storing carbon and benefiting biodiversity. An expansion of protected areas by just 1% can suffice to safeguard most remaining primary forests.
The 'Barcoding Galapagos' scheme trains naturalist guides to survey wildlife and plants using genetic techniques, providing an alternative income source for a population reliant on eco-tourism. The project aims to fill gaps in biological knowledge of the islands and lessen the impact of illegal harvesting.
A new paper published in Science Advances confirms Latin America is twice as rich in plant species as tropical Africa, with a third of the world's biodiversity. The study provides essential baseline data for conservation efforts, focusing on areas with the greatest biodiversity.
Professor Teja Tscharntke, a renowned agroecologist at the University of Göttingen, has received the prestigious Marsh Award for his groundbreaking research on biodiversity and ecosystem services. His work focuses on understanding how landscape structure affects local biodiversity and pollination processes.
A German-Israeli research team found that nature conservation initiatives rarely lead to behavioral changes, citing the need for a broader range of interventions. The study analyzed eight national strategy papers on pollinator conservation and identified a lack of focus on behavioral change interventions, with most measures relying on ...
A new framework helps protect over 300 invasive alien species threatening UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including rats, cats, and Argentine ants. The framework provides a systematic method for reporting on invasive species management, threat levels, and knowledge gaps.
A review paper examines the influence of systemic inequalities on ecology and evolution, finding that racism reduces biodiversity, increases urban heat island effects, and augments climate crises. The authors advocate for environmental justice and anti-racism practices to transform biological research and conservation.
A long-term study in Southeast Asian rainforests found that active restoration accelerates forest recovery, with areas recovering up to 50% faster than those left to regenerate naturally. However, the high cost of restoration currently limits its impact on mitigating climate change.
A new study found large gaps in soil macroecological studies and a lack of data for most diverse tropical regions. Researchers highlight the need for a globally standardized sampling system to overcome limitations and support policy and decision-making.
Research reveals Cape Floristic Region in South Africa is rich in plant species due to long period of ecological stability, contradicting theory that high productivity is required for high diversity. The study emphasizes the need for protection and conservation in extraordinary places threatened by climate change.
Scientists combined environmental DNA and hydrological models to assess riverine ecosystems' biodiversity with unprecedented accuracy, identifying unseen hotspots for conservation strategies. The new method enables rapid application of research findings in Switzerland, finalizing guidelines for the Federal Office for Environment.
A recent study using 2.7 million human activity records found that humans have extensively used Antarctica over the last 200 years, with only 16% of Important Bird Areas located within negligibly impacted areas. This highlights the need for swift action to declare new protected areas and conserve biodiversity.
A team of researchers has quantified human activity across Antarctica, revealing that almost every area has been visited. Biodiversity is not well-represented within these areas, highlighting the need for swift action to declare new protected areas.
High accuracy surface modeling (HASM) integrates extrinsic and intrinsic properties, producing accurate results in various applications. The fundamental theorem for earth surface system modeling (FTESM) combines surface theory, system theory, and optimal control theory.
The pandemic has highlighted the need for greater collaboration between biodiversity collections and other fields of study. Biodiversity data can be used to prevent or mitigate future infectious outbreaks. New investments are needed to support research and education in biodiversity science.
A new deep-water dogfish shark, Squalus shiraii, has been discovered in the tropical waters of Southern Japan. The species boasts distinctive features, including a tall first dorsal fin and caudal fin with broad white margins.
A study presents clear opportunities to conserve what remains of Earth's ice-free land without significant human influence. The research aims to inform the upcoming global Convention on Biological Diversity and emphasizes the importance of maintaining natural lands in separating animal and human activity.
A recent study found that public parks fulfill essential human needs, including social connection, self-determination, and community engagement. The use of parks is linked to improved overall well-being, making them a crucial component of sustainable development.
Researchers analyzed sea-surface temperatures and planktonic foraminifer shells to determine that tropical ocean biodiversity started declining around 15,000 years ago, before the Anthropocene era. Continued global warming may further reduce biodiversity in tropical oceans.
Pensoft has launched a pilot phase with its open-access journal Biodiversity Data Journal, certifying reviewers' contributions via ReviewerCredits. Reviewers can now record their peer reviews and earn virtual credits redeemable for benefits, including discounted APCs.
A new study by UC Santa Cruz reveals that field courses help build self-confidence among students, particularly those from underrepresented groups. The research shows that students who participate in field courses are more likely to graduate, have higher GPAs, and stay in the ecology and evolutionary biology major.
Researchers found that specialized cold-water invertebrate communities have persisted through time even after deglaciation, suggesting that high-altitude streams and snow-fed water sources are key to preserving mountain biodiversity. The study used biological and glacier retreat data from Glacier National Park to support these findings.
New research highlights the importance of legally protecting large indigenous territories in Brazil to preserve biodiversity, traditional livelihoods, and cultural heritage. Almost 90% of indigenous territories retain higher native vegetation cover than their surroundings, safeguarding over 100 million hectares of forests and savannahs.
The Belt and Road Initiative's six terrestrial infrastructure corridors crisscross ecologically fragile geographies, threatening 150,000 square kilometers of critical habitat. Financiers' lack of binding biodiversity impact mitigation requirements poses significant risks to the world's species.
The recent 18th International Congress of Myriapodology brought together top experts to present the latest findings on myriapod diversity, distribution, and biology. The research highlights the lack of dedicated funding for threatened species conservation and urges for the establishment of a Myriapoda Specialist Group.
A new species of green pit viper was discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and is named Trimeresurus salazar. The species is characterized by its unique orange to reddish stripe on the head and body of males.
A recent study found that only five percent of tropical reefs globally can meet multiple goals, including providing enough fishing stocks and maintaining biodiversity. Marine reserves placed in areas with low human pressures had the best results for helping reefs get on the 'A-list', meeting all goals simultaneously.
Researchers used eDNA metabarcoding to detect biodiversity in two regions of Western Australia, finding that bulk arthropods and animal droppings detected the most species. The study suggests that eDNA can be a fast and accurate tool for biomonitoring, but careful surveys are needed to avoid contamination from outside organisms.
Researchers recorded 2,750 minutes of underwater sounds in five major river systems, identifying over 7,000 distinct sounds. Most were from unknown biological sources, while human-caused noise dominated the landscape, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems.
A European research network is funding a study to investigate how biological diversity influences chains of infection for mosquito-borne diseases. The project aims to develop reliable risk assessments and identify the impact of biodiversity, landscape diversity, and socio-economic conditions on disease transmission.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Matthew Knope found that ecologically diverse animal groups are more resistant to extinction and dominate the modern ocean's biodiversity. The study analyzed fossil and living marine animals over 500 million years, showing a link between diversity and resistance to mass extinctions.
A new species of land snail has been discovered by citizen scientists working with Taxon Expeditions, a company that organizes scientific field trips. The newly described snail belongs to the caenogastropods group, which is sensitive to drought, temperature extremes, and forest degradation.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered at least nine directions of brain-gender variation using a unique dataset and machine learning algorithms. This finding has important consequences for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada and beyond.
A new study highlights the need for systematic surveys and novel data collection methods to assess poaching's impact on biodiversity in forested areas. The research provides critical information for protecting rare species in landscapes with severe defaunation.
A new study suggests that accounting for climate change in conservation planning can effectively protect biodiversity, but may come at a higher cost. Researchers analyzed 1,460 species and found that unless climate change impacts are considered, 14% would not have a viable place to live.
A global meta-analysis of organic farming systems reveals a significant increase in biodiversity and profitability relative to conventional agriculture. The study found that larger field sizes around organic sites are associated with higher biodiversity, but lower crop yields and profit margins compared to conventional sites.
A recent study found that organic farms with larger surrounding field sizes exhibit higher biodiversity and profits compared to conventional farms. However, the advantage in profitability decreases as the size of the surrounding fields increases.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that carcasses of dead deer have a positive effect on biodiversity in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve. Plants near carcasses grew five times larger, attracting more insects and predators. The researchers call for relaxing regulations to allow dead large grazers to remain, benefiting other natu...
Researchers found that animal carcasses contribute to increased plant growth, attracting herbivorous insects and their predators. This has a positive impact on the local food chain, persisting even five months after death.
A research team found 261 'gyotaku' rubbings with printed specimens, providing distributional data for 235 species. The study suggests that 'gyotaku' may be an important source of historical biodiversity data for rare and endangered species.
A new study suggests that human-caused biodiversity decline started millions of years ago, with early hominins competing with carnivores for food. The researchers propose that human ancestors stole recently killed animals from other predators, leading to the extinction of large carnivore species in East Africa.
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, a pioneering marine biologist and educator, has been awarded the first-ever Mary Sears Medal for her groundbreaking work on biodiversity and rocky seashore ecology. Her contributions to restoring ocean health and sustainable fisheries have had a lasting impact on the field of marine biology.
Researchers discovered 10 new species and subspecies of songbirds from three under-explored islands off Sulawesi, Indonesia. The findings mark the largest number of new species identified from a small geographically confined region in over a century.
A study of 15 South Tyrolean waterways found that extensive pastures increase biodiversity in streams and rivers. Aquatic macroinvertebrates perform more diversified tasks in pastures, with greater species diversity than in woodland and rocky areas.
Recent fossil discoveries revealed three evolutionary patterns on the Tibetan Plateau: local endemism, out-of-Tibet dispersal, and intercontinental exchange. These patterns reflect the biological responses to tectonic uplift and its impact on biota globally.
A recent study found that biodiversity in the Camargue has substantially changed, with declines in grasshoppers, crickets, and amphibians detected. The research also revealed increases in vascular plants and some bird species, but highlights the failure of current protection measures to safeguard certain taxa.
Researchers investigated primate societies' evolutionary paths and found pair living played a crucial role in transitioning from solitary life to complex societies. The study suggests that paternal care increased offspring survival, reinforcing pair living and paving the way for group living.
Research finds water samples insufficient for detecting EPTO groups and other macroinvertebrates, bulk benthos sampling provides richer taxonomic recovery. Bulk-benthos samples show stronger association with EPTO families than water samples.
A study of 9,701 Chinese plant species reveals that human-dominated regions exhibit opposite range-filling trends to those with low human activity. Human activities lead to replacement of narrow-ranged species by widespread ones.
A University of Queensland-led team proposes a global goal to limit the loss of nature by setting a 'no net loss' target for natural ecosystems. The researchers considered socioeconomic factors across 170 countries and recognized the need for equitable contributions to conservation and restoration.
Climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum significantly predicts community structure in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Human activities also play a crucial role in shaping mammal communities globally.
Researchers propose transforming low-productivity agricultural land into conservation reserves, which could help nations meet their United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The approach recognizes the value of uncontested lands, allowing for quicker and cheaper conservation efforts than traditional methods.
The study highlights the severe impacts of urban growth on natural habitats, particularly in tropical coastal regions. Researchers suggest that scientists are not studying the issue adequately and propose future research focusing on lower-income countries, indirect impacts, and quantifying urban effects on biodiversity.
Researchers describe an extremely well-preserved pterosaur specimen from the Afro-Arabian continent, shedding light on the evolutionary history of these creatures. The study suggests that this type of pterosaur likely fed on crustaceans and lived in shallow marine waters during the Late Cretaceous period.
Expert survey reveals conflict between renewable energy and bat protection, with most stakeholders agreeing that ecosystem sustainability is crucial. Possible solutions include accepting reduced wind turbine efficiency to compensate for shutdown times and prioritizing bat conservation over green electricity production.
A study found that boreal lakes exhibit enhanced chemical and microbial diversity in response to rising organic matter levels, leading to increased decomposition of carbon dioxide and methane. This correlation has significant implications for the global carbon cycle and potential greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found that local grassland plant diversity increased significantly over time but incompletely recovered, while plant productivity did not significantly recover. After 1-91 years of abandonment, fields had 38-73% of the plant diversity and 34-53% of the plant productivity compared to untouched land.
Research reveals artisanal gold mining is altering water clarity and dynamics in the Madre de Dios River watershed, causing increased sediment levels that contain mercury and other contaminants. This has severe impacts on fish populations and other aquatic life, disrupting natural seasonal cycles and habitat of endangered species.
Research reveals significant increases in suspended sediment concentrations in affected Amazon river reaches due to artisanal gold mining. Elevated turbidity is likely to impact fish community structure, while ASGM-associated sediments may facilitate mercury transport to nearby communities.
The researchers propose a strategic approach to conservation, focusing on keystone ecosystems that support large numbers of dependent species. This mega-conservation approach has the potential to enhance biodiversity and facilitate effective global-scale conservation efforts.