Articles tagged with Biodiversity
A two-year project found significant declines in birds of prey across Botswana, with 14 out of 29 species monitored showing decreases. The study suggests climate change and poisoning by poachers as potential causes, highlighting the need for urgent research.
Researchers analyzed over 40,000 protected areas worldwide to determine areas needing further protection. The analysis found that nearly half of mountain ranges lacked stringent PAs and failed to meet biodiversity conservation goals.
A Montana State University ecologist has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright appointment to work on a project helping countries meet conservation goals set by an international agreement. The project aims to analyze ecosystem data gathered by NASA, which could help over 30 countries protect biodiversity.
Introduced species are deliberately excluded from biodiversity reports, distorting international nature reports and the public's view of nature. The study recommends including their positive contributions to accurately track the state of biodiversity and its evolution.
A well-preserved horse burial at Tombos has provided new insights into the social significance of equids in the Nile Valley during the Third Intermediate Period. The discovery suggests that horses represented symbols of a larger social, political and economic movement in ancient Nubian culture.
The project seeks to understand the evolution and organization of life by sequencing and functionally annotating the genomes of 1.5 million eukaryotic species, including plants, animals, fungi, and single-cell organisms. This initiative aims to reveal unknown species and provide a freely available resource for scientific discovery.
The Earth BioGenome Project is a 10-year scientific grand challenge to document life on Earth. The project's challenges include international coordination and governance, economic benefits, and biodiversity conservation.
An independent analysis of aggregated occurrence records found that ALA and GBIF data processing leads to significant data loss and unjustified changes in scientific names. The audit revealed up to 1 in 5 records were altered due to aggregator errors, with major disagreements on names between aggregators also reported.
The digitization of botanical collections data is revolutionizing the field of botany, making valuable information accessible for computational analysis. Methods and challenges for extracting data from specimens have been discussed, as well as applications for collections data once digitized.
A new study from Stockholm University shows that prescribed burning in southern Ethiopia's tree heather heathlands maintains biodiversity and habitats for alpine plant species. The practice, which has been used for at least 2000 years, is recommended to be maintained but regulated to protect local ecosystems and societies.
The Macropis Cuckoo Bee, one of North America's rarest bees, has its known range greatly expanded after a new record was found in Alberta, Canada. Scientists have discussed the conservation status of this species and emphasized the importance of monitoring for populations to ensure its survival.
A new butterfly species, Cyllopsis tomemmeli, has been recognized nearly 60 years after it was first collected by Thomas Emmel in Mexico. The species was named to honor Emmel's dedication to lepidoptera research.
Students from a field course in Borneo successfully described a male spider species of the genus Opadometa sarawakensis, with striking orange, gray, black, and silver colors. They used smartphones paired with headlights to gather data and took advantage of an open-access workflow to compile their manuscript within a month.
750 world experts will finalize landmark reports on biodiversity, nature's contributions, and land degradation, providing unprecedented insights into the status of global biodiversity and land quality. The reports will inform better decisions about nature and set biodiversity targets for the period after 2020.
The Brazilian savanna has significant natural regeneration potential, but its resilience is limited to tree regrowth. Human management, including exotic grass eradication and native plant reintroduction, is necessary to restore degraded areas to typical Cerrado with rich biodiversity.
A new collection captures the long-neglected human side of science through peer-reviewed stories on conservation. The collection highlights the emotional highs and lows of scientists working to preserve species and ecosystems.
The study analyzed nearly 46,000 records of alien species from 1500-2005, finding that a substantial proportion of newly recorded species had not been previously reported elsewhere. This suggests that access to new potential alien species has increased over time, contributing to the global rise in emerging alien species.
Bacterial diversity may have a much longer lifespan than previously thought, according to University of Montana researchers. They found that some specialized cells called heterocysts can produce different kinds of bacteria, which has been preserved for tens of millions of years.
Entomologist Brian Brown discovers the new fly species, named Megapropodiphora arnoldi, with highly reduced legs and tiny wings. The fly is likely a parasitoid of ants or termites.
The Earth BioGenome Project will map the DNA of all known eukaryotic species, including plants, animals, and single-celled organisms. The ambitious 10-year project is expected to cost $4.7 billion.
Studies examined point-light displays of biological motion in twins, revealing individual variation tied to genetic factors; participants with higher autistic traits showed impaired local BM processing. A shared genetic basis may underlie both perception and autistic characteristics.
Only one-third of countries meet global targets for protected area connectivity, with EU Member States averaging 18.9% connected land coverage. The study recommends designating new PAs in strategic locations to enhance connectivity and support biodiversity conservation.
Global experts recommend a broader appreciation of nature's contributions beyond ecosystem services, recognizing cultural significance and local knowledge. The new approach aims to increase the effectiveness and legitimacy of policies by incorporating a richer information base.
Researchers have identified 18 new species of pelican spiders in Madagascar, known for their unique biology and hunting behavior. The discovery sheds light on the island's biodiversity and emphasizes the need to conserve its shrinking forests and unique species.
A pan-European sampling campaign has shed light on the vast diversity of freshwater plankton in lakes across Europe. The research team found that plankton communities are highly specific to distinct lakes and reveal signals of the past due to geological changes over the past 12,000 years.
The oVert project provides free, high-resolution 3D images of internal vertebrate anatomy for research and education. The database contains scanned CT scans of over 20,000 specimens from around the world.
A research team has developed a model that predicts biodiversity on the Antarctic seafloor using satellite data and ocean currents. The model's predictions have been verified by physical sampling of seafloor sediments, providing valuable insights for conservation and management.
A field course organized by Taxon Expeditions led to the discovery of six new beetle species in Maliau Basin, Malaysian Borneo. The citizen scientists employed the Winkler extraction method to collect and identify the insects, with three new species published in the Biodiversity Data Journal.
Research reveals that variation within species has significant ecological consequences, often rivaling those of species themselves. The study found that trait differences can affect prey populations and grazing insects, leading to indirect effects on ecosystems.
Scientists have discovered a mass emergence of rare mantis-flies in an Australian macadamia orchard, capturing the first-ever images and videos of their larval stage. The larvae feed on unknown prey, prompting further research to uncover their diet.
The Carpathian region faces significant threats from poaching and uncontrolled logging, which endanger its biodiversity. Eurac Research experts recommend increasing public awareness and improving law enforcement to combat environmental crimes.
A pilot study analyzing over 1,100 hours of birdsong reveals insights into the spread and diversity of bird species on Okinawa island. The research uses acoustic monitoring to track the influence of human activity on endemic species such as the Okinawa Rail and Ruddy Kingfisher.
A study published in Biodiversity Data Journal uses deep learning techniques to differentiate between similar plant families with high accuracy. The researchers trained neural networks on digitized herbarium specimens, achieving up to 99% accuracy in distinguishing between two challenging species.
A University of Queensland researcher suggests that conservation burials, where burial fees support threatened species conservation, have substantial potential to increase biodiversity. By generating revenue exceeding the cost of saving all threatened species, conservation burials could effectively protect endangered wildlife.
Researchers analyzed 560 European peat bog samples to study how they respond to different temperatures, precipitation levels, and air pollution. They found that functional redundancy allows the ecosystem to survive despite changing species due to climatic conditions.
An international team developed a statistical approach to examine forest populations and predict biodiversity, highlighting the importance of rare species in maintaining ecosystem health. The new method provides accurate estimates of species numbers and abundances, enabling conservation efforts to focus on vulnerable species.
Researchers at SDSU and partners have developed a new method to identify medicinal properties in unknown coral reef molecules. By analyzing molecular fingerprints, they can predict the potential therapeutic value of these molecules.
A new study by Cambridge University Press found that removing invasive Amur honeysuckle shrubs alongside a stream improves the diversity of aquatic organisms. The research, conducted over three years, showed a substantial positive impact on macroinvertebrates in the stream.
A new DNA study has revealed a 2000% increase in our knowledge of seafloor molluscs in the Pacific Clarion Clipperton Zone. This includes the discovery of 21 previously unknown species, including one considered a living fossil.
A new study using DNA metabarcoding technology is helping to improve the monitoring of Canada's vital boreal forest. The approach enables quick and accurate detection of aquatic organisms, providing valuable insights into ecosystem health.
Researchers found prairie strips increase insect and bird biodiversity and nutrient retention while reducing water runoff. Fields with prairie strips experienced minimal loss in crop production compared to fields without them.
A new study using Big Butterfly Count (BBC) data from citizen scientists shows that mass-participation science can provide additional assessments of biodiversity change. The results demonstrate the potential for citizen science to inform long-term monitoring of butterfly populations and complement standardised biodiversity monitoring.
Research monitored wildlife acoustic activity before, during and after major forest fires in Southeast Asia, revealing a 37.5% decline during the haze. The damage was likely greater near fires, where air pollution levels were 15 times higher.
Urban green spaces play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health, despite management challenges and limitations in data availability. Recent discussions highlight the need for effective strategies to manage human-affected ecosystems and balance urban development with environmental conservation.
Researchers from Wake Forest University and Smithsonian detail a new genus of large forest tree commonly found in the tropical Andes. The Incadendron esseri, also known as 'Esser's tree of the Inca', is a canopy tree that stretches up to 100 feet tall and is susceptible to climate change.
Scientists discover new species of clearwing moth in Malaysian rainforest, displaying rare mud-puddling behavior. The newly discovered species, Pyrophleps ellawi, is a wasp-mimicking insect with transparent wings and blue sheen.
A recent study calls for the expedited sampling and digitizing of Arctic specimens on an international scale to fill gaps in biological diversity. The goal is to develop a comprehensive and accessible collection that can be used by researchers, educators, and the public to tackle conservation problems and promote STEM education.
Researchers tap into indigenous storytelling to revitalize biocultural heritage, fostering emotional connections with landscapes and wildlife. This approach bridges cultural revitalization and nature conservation, offering a new asset for conservation efforts.
Research reveals a striking underrepresentation of biodiversity-rich regions among editors of top conservation journals. This mismatch may impact policy and funding decisions, hindering global conservation goals.
A team of entomologists has solved the mystery of a secretive fly species by studying mushrooms in Los Angeles. The females were found to lay eggs on mushroom caps, while males were discovered only after citizen scientists alerted researchers.
A CCNY-led team, including expert Ana Carnaval, will receive $500,000 over five years for their project exploring biodiversity's effects on the planet and human well-being. The team's research aims to understand how biodiversity is generated, maintained, and lost, highlighting its crucial role in addressing societal challenges.
A study models urban impacts on river and stream ecosystems, finding that hard infrastructure affects over 1,200 species nationwide and contributes to 260 local extinctions. Cities can improve environmental quality through infrastructure policies beyond their boundaries.
A study on Costa Rican tropical bird species reveals that climate change and habitat conversion are driving the loss of biodiversity by favoring similar species in both wetter and drier areas. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting wetter forests and incentivizing private landowners to create forest patches near their farms.
A University of Oklahoma biology professor has been awarded a $1.2 million National Science Foundation grant to investigate the impact of climate on terrestrial arthropod communities. The project aims to generate standardized field data on ground-dwelling arthropods, which are abundant and diverse animal groups.
A new public database, Genomic Observatories Metadatabase (GeOMe), provides contextual information for genetic data, enabling researchers to track biodiversity across time and location. The database aids in comparing biodiversity worldwide and tracking its impact on the planet.
A new study reveals that amplicon sequencing is more robust than shotgun sequencing in discovering microbial biodiversity, with 27% more families identified. The research has significant repercussions for future analyses of microbial diversity.
Two undergraduate students from the University of Illinois improved plant carbon-cycle models by discovering variation in stomata behavior among different tree species. Their findings reduced error rates by 30-60%, increasing model accuracy and improving predictions of crop growth, biomass production, and ecosystem dynamics.
A research team has developed a universal model that accurately estimates the maximum speed of any animal, regardless of size or species. The model, which uses only an animal's weight and medium of movement, was tested on extinct dinosaur species and found to match complex simulations.
In a study on eastern mosquitofish, researchers found that females prefer males with average sexual activity, rather than high or low drives. This is due to the cost-benefit ratio, as high-activity males can be hazardous to their safety and feeding opportunities.
A team of researchers explores the disproportionate ecological importance of small natural features, highlighting their significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. These elements, such as salt marshes and rocky outcrops, are often overlooked but can provide resources that limit key populations or support unusual diversity.