Articles tagged with Biodiversity
The DNAqua-Net project aims to develop best-practice strategies for using novel genetic tools in bioassessment and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. Novel genomic tools offer solutions to biodiversity assessment, relying on DNA barcoding to identify species and assess biodiversity using standardized genetic markers.
A large-scale study found China's smaller parks in warmer regions were more heavily modified, while larger parks in colder areas remained pristinely untouched. The research provides valuable insights into the conservation value of protected areas and will aid in achieving international recognition for China's conservation efforts.
Scientists from the University of Exeter developed a groundbreaking technique using airborne laser scanning to create detailed 3D maps of vegetation. This allows for the mapping of small details beneath trees, such as woodland paths and urban shrubberies, promoting biodiversity and understanding its impact on human wellbeing.
A foreign beetle species, Ocypus nitens, has been detected in Ontario, Canada, and Vermont, USA, through citizen science efforts. The rove beetle was identified using digital photographs from the BugGuide online portal.
Researchers have discovered three new species of the enigmatic genus Thorius, which are the smallest tailed tetrapods, with populations declining precipitously over the last 30-35 years. The findings highlight the large number of amphibian species that remain to be discovered and formally described before they are lost.
Researchers analyzed sediments from a Tanzanian peat bog to reconstruct the region's ecosystem over 1,200 years. The study found that forest biodiversity remains relatively stable despite human activity, but climate change poses a threat to its future.
Scientists analyzed insect feeding damage to thousands of leaf fossils from Patagonia, Argentina, and found evidence that ecosystems there recovered twice as fast as in the United States. The findings suggest that Patagonia's distance from the impact crater in Mexico may have contributed to the rapid recovery of insect diversity.
A recent study found that citizen science is a valuable source of data on species occurrence, particularly for birds in North America and Europe. However, less than 10% of this data is currently used in global biodiversity monitoring due to resource constraints and interoperability issues.
A new research effort is underway in the Solomon Islands and surrounding nations to catalog biodiversity and study evolution. The project aims to fill gaps in data and test hypotheses using modern methods.
A recent study by Lund University reveals that small-scale farmers in Indonesia are leading to biodiversity decline and ecosystem disruption. The researchers found that the adoption of monoculture farming practices results in short-term financial gains but long-term environmental costs.
A University of Illinois study found that visitors to Channel Islands National Park in California were more likely to assign value to areas with charismatic wildlife encounters, rather than actually biodiverse regions. The research suggests that knowledge plays a crucial role in shaping people's perceptions of biodiversity.
Researchers found that a small fraction of phosphosites remain conserved across species, while new sites are rapidly evolved. This suggests that changes in protein regulation can quickly generate diversity in response to environmental conditions.
A new study finds that globalization has not increased food diversity as much as anticipated, with diets still largely determined by local biodiversity. The lack of specialization in agriculture has implications for the global food supply, including inefficiencies and potential trade-offs for food security.
The species Turinyphia cavernicola is a cave-dwelling spider endemic to the Azores, considered Critically Endangered due to population decline. The study identifies increasing anthropogenic impact on its habitat, leading to a decline in sustainable populations.
Researchers used environmental DNA to determine biodiversity in a river, finding thousands of species from aquatic insects to mammals. The method can be automated and may provide unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution for assessing biodiversity.
A global experiment by researchers found that adding multiple nutrients leads to reduced grassland diversity due to increased competition among species. This study provides evidence that human influence on nutrient cycles is driving environmental conditions beyond planetary boundaries, threatening irreplaceable biodiversity.
Researchers at the University of Washington support global restrictions on trade and collection of the chambered nautilus and its relatives, citing declining populations and unregulated fishing as major issues. The convention on international trade in endangered species will decide which species should be subject to new restrictions.
Researchers propose a new method to model how fast and where organisms will need to move in response to climate change. They find that even short movements in mountainous areas expose organisms to large climate differences, preventing them from maintaining suitable climates.
A new species of scorpionfish, Scorpaenodes barrybrowni, has been discovered in the Caribbean by a team of scientists using a manned submersible. The fish is found at depths between 95m and 160m, making it the deepest-living member of its genus in the western Atlantic Ocean.
A new species of venomous snake, Talamancan Palm-Pitviper, was discovered in Costa Rica after being mistaken for its close relative, the Black-Speckled Palm-Pitviper. The team used genetic analysis and museum collections to confirm the discovery.
A team of UBC researchers has determined that vineyards in the Okanagan region have a negative impact on soil quality, with differences in bacterial and fungal communities found between vineyard and natural habitats. This study highlights the importance of preserving soil biodiversity for sustainable wine production.
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) has secured additional funding of EUR 36.4 million over four years, a 32% increase from the first period. This will enable iDiv scientists to investigate biodiversity using various methods and increase their activities.
The Global Names project enables the rapid indexing of content using scientific names, improving the discovery of small data. The study found that name-matching was improved to almost 85% with simplified or canonical versions of names.
The EU-funded project EU BON provides conceptual and practical advice for implementing available data sharing and publishing tools. The report highlights two main challenges facing the biodiversity data community: a lack of unified user interfaces and gaps in data coverage and quality.
A new study combines large datasets to estimate the number of microbial and non-microbial species on Earth, suggesting nearly 1 trillion species exist. The research uses universal scaling laws to predict species numbers, revealing simple yet powerful trends in biodiversity.
The new atlas, compiled by over 120 experts from 29 countries, reveals a vast and underappreciated natural resource – soil biodiversity. With nearly 200 pages of detailed information, the atlas aims to promote sustainability and encourage research efforts to tackle global challenges.
The Bell Museum has launched the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas, providing public access to hundreds of thousands of plant and animal specimens. The Atlas serves critical needs like guiding field surveys, conservation planning, and enabling research on biodiversity in Minnesota.
Dr. Michael Skvarla's Ph.D. research at the University of Arkansas has discovered 30 previously unknown sawfly species in the state. The study highlights the vast natural history still to be explored about insects, with many species having large range extensions across hundreds of miles.
Researchers in Switzerland conducted an empirical experiment proving that avoidance of competition and endogenosymbiosis drive the evolution of biological diversity. This contradicts traditional views suggesting that competition is the main driver of speciation.
Shiny Cowbirds have been spotted in Quito, Ecuador at an altitude of 2,800m, expanding the species' distribution range by approximately 500m. This finding suggests human disturbances like forest fragmentation and climate change may be prompting the birds to breed in higher altitudes.
Researchers at Indiana University estimate that nearly 1 trillion species exist on Earth, using large datasets and ecological models to conclude that 99.999 percent remain undiscovered. The study highlights the vast diversity of microbial life on the planet.
Researchers Warren Savary and Rob Bryson have discovered a new species of scorpion in the Sierra Nevada foothills, related to several previously described species from California. The discovery highlights the state's vast and underexplored biodiversity, with many scorpion species remaining to be described.
Scientists used NASA satellite data to study cloud cover, finding it helps identify the size and location of important animal and plant habitats. The study found that variations in cloud cover sharply delineate the boundaries of ecological biomes relevant to many unique species.
An international team has compiled the largest library of bat sounds, allowing researchers to accurately identify and differentiate between 59 bat species found in Mexico. The developed method can be used to monitor biodiversity change and characterise bat communities in different regions.
A new roundworm species discovered in India is a bridge between two genera, Acrostichus and Diplogastrellus. The species exhibits intermediate characteristics, such as a narrow mouth cavity and robust male copulatory organs, making it a transitional species.
A research team captured unique video of thousands of red crabs swarming in low-oxygen waters just above the seafloor off Panama. The crabs were identified as Pleuroncodes planipes and represent a new southernmost range for the species.
A new study finds that cold-water species are more resilient to climate change than previously thought, with many populations expected to persist this century. Mountain landscapes play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, giving conservationists time to complete extensive surveys and develop effective conservation strategies.
Scientists have discovered a new species of dark-winged fungus gnat in Germany's Alexander Koenig Museum garden, characterized by its unique reddish, black, and yellowish-white hues. The species was identified through DNA barcoding and shows strong connections to New Zealand relatives.
A new study uses cloud data to map ecological biomes and predict species habitats. The technique has the potential to improve biodiversity research and inform conservation policies.
The EU-funded FP7 project EU BON shares stakeholder roundtable reports, providing insights on policy, citizen science, and local/regional stakeholders. The reports outline conclusions on biodiversity information, open-access availability, data workflows, and integration of citizen science.
A special issue of ZooKeys reports 303 new beetle records for New Brunswick, Canada, expanding the fauna by 13% over three years. The findings include 32 species new to science and contribute to a total of 3,062 known species in the region.
Research suggests that land bridges between ancient India and Eurasia acted as 'freeways' for the exchange of animals and plants. Indian Dragon Lizards show multiple origins in Southeast Asia, indicating a two-way flow of biodiversity. The findings shed light on the origins of modern species.
The EU BON project published guidelines for standardized, easy-to-find, re-shareable, and re-usable biodiversity data. The report aims to increase interoperability of data and make its re-use both easy and legal. EU BON also promotes the use of biodiversity data as a common resource for human society.
A return on investment model could bring clarity and openness to resource allocation for endangered species recovery. By redistributing funds from overfunded to underfunded species, over 180 plant and animal species may see improved recovery success rates.
A UCSB biologist and colleagues used satellite data on fishing to help protect ocean biodiversity. They analyzed billions of vessel data points to assess the effectiveness of new marine parks in stopping illegal fishing. The researchers also created a global map of human use of high seas, paving the way for more effective management of...
Akinori Teramura's Twitter post revealed the first recorded case of illegal bluegill fish release in Japan, sparking concerns about native aquatic insect biodiversity. The researchers concluded that the fish were likely released from an aquarium or home aquarist, highlighting the need for community awareness and improved reporting.
A research team has discovered new populations of the endangered banana frog in Southwest Ethiopia, expanding its geographical range. The study, published in ZooKeys, suggests that the frogs are more tolerant to forest degradation than expected, increasing conservation efforts.
Botanists in Hawai'i have discovered a new species of plant with heart-shaped fruits, which they named Coprosma cordicarpa. The new species is a member of the coffee family and is currently listed as vulnerable to extinction due to its limited range and rarity.
Researchers warn of the need for more basic research on rewilding's consequences before implementing it as a major conservation approach. The authors advocate for focusing on protecting biodiversity and reducing environmental threats instead.
Biologists discover 14 new spider species in southwestern US, nearly doubling the known number. The new species, including Aphonopelma johnnycashi, are found in California and have unique characteristics that set them apart from other tarantula species.
A new study reveals that grey squirrels may not be as hardy as thought and were helped more by humans in their conquest of the British Isles. The research shows that different populations are genetically distinct, tracing human intervention in their movement to new areas.
The BioUnify project brings together EU biodiversity scientists and their data to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing. The initiative promises to improve data access and reproducibility, while promoting skills transfer between researchers and information technologists.
The PhD project plan aims to publish outputs from the whole research cycle using an open science approach. It focuses on digitizing scholarly papers and data, making them more accessible and citable, and ensuring reproducibility.
Researchers warn that dam projects on Amazon, Congo, and Mekong rivers put many unique fish species at risk due to habitat disruption and human displacement. An improved approach to dam evaluation and siting is needed to balance costs and benefits of hydropower.
Sherborn's monumental work, Index Animalium, provides a rigid framework for knowledge and has remained the most complete reference source for animal nomenclature. Biodiversity informatics aims to build on his work, expanding to be digital, diversified, and accessible.
A four-year survey in North East England monitored changes in common plant species abundance to understand the effects of climate change and inform conservation strategies. The study provided a benchmark for future comparisons and contributed to the tracking of biodiversity data.
Researchers found that warming ponds had 70% more species and higher rates of photosynthesis in phytoplankton, which could remove more CO2 from the atmosphere. Phytoplankton communities were more species-rich and dominated by larger species, with increased biodiversity and evenness.
A recent study has identified 116 species of round-waisted predatory beetles in Haleakala volcano, including 74 new to science. The discovery highlights the extreme diversity and abundance of beetle fauna on the volcano, with many species occupying specific microhabitats.
Researchers have uncovered a 380-meter-deep time capsule from Lake Malawi, providing unprecedented insight into the past of this African lake. The study found that changes in lake level over the last 1.3 million years played a significant role in the development of the lake's diverse fish species.
Researchers from University of Alberta engaged citizen scientists to investigate the effects of bird feeders on bird-window collisions. The study found that the presence of a bird feeder does indicate collision risk, but other factors like vegetation and house characteristics also play a role.