Articles tagged with Biodiversity
A new bush tomato species has been discovered in Limmen National Park, and named after Senior Botanist Peter Jobson. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting natural areas and supporting conservation efforts.
A new WCS study reveals that leopards are abundant in tea-garden landscapes in north-eastern India, but their presence doesn't lead to conflicts with people. The research found that leopards use tea-gardens due to dense ground vegetation cover and avoid developed areas.
Two new species of African mole-rats were formally described as Fukomys hanangensis and Fukomys livingstoni. Genetic analysis revealed two distinct evolutionary lineages that suggest geological and volcanic activity isolated these populations in East Africa.
Kim Sneppen, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, has been awarded a large ERC grant to explore diversity in biological systems using methods from physics and complex systems. His project aims to understand how diversity emerges and is maintained in complex biological systems.
A new genus and new species of fully arboreal crab was discovered in the Western Ghats, India. The species, named Kani maranjandu, is characterized by its elongated walking legs and can be found living in trees.
Research finds that dengue virus transmissions are often centered in and around homes, with a high percentage of cases related to individuals living within a short distance. The study's findings could aid in developing targeted mosquito control programs and reducing severe illness.
A Cornell professor explains how to use the 35-year-old evolutionary Tree of Life (TOL) classification system to make sense of biodiversity. The TOL approach reveals the diversity of life by matching and mapping relationships on a branching diagram, showing inferred evolutionary connections between taxa.
A new study argues that taxonomic images, as standardized references for biodiversity data, are exempt from copyright laws. The authors recommend reusing such images without permission, citing ethical and scholarly standards.
The museum's walls draw in six butterfly and eight moth families, representing 52 genera and 60 species. Bright colors play a crucial role in attracting insects, while also encouraging curious behavior.
The article outlines policies and guidelines for scholarly publishing of biodiversity and biodiversity-related data. The guidelines cover general concepts, including dataset definitions, incentives to publish data, and licences for data publishing.
A study found that the average distance from any point in the United States to the nearest forest increased by 14% between 1990 and 2000. This increase is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban settings, posing challenges for wildlife and broad effects on ecosystems.
Conservationists from around the world gather to discuss a critical shift in thinking, recommending a more vigorous application of information from the fossil record. They suggest embracing novelty in ecosystems while preserving natural diversity, highlighting cases where conservation can benefit both humans and nature.
Research suggests that characteristically male brain anatomy is associated with a higher probability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in males. The study found that biological females with more typical male brain anatomy were about three times more likely to have ASD than those with characteristically female brain anatomy.
A global study found that carnivores are more seriously threatened by roads than previously acknowledged. The research highlights the need to update the protection status of species such as the puma, American black bear, and brown bear, which are severely affected by road habitats cut through their habitat.
A new model exploring evolutionary dynamics found that phenotypic diversity co-evolves with contingent cooperation to protect against defectors, fostering group cohesion. The study's findings suggest that a high level of phenotypic diversity is crucial for successful cooperation and resistance to invasion.
Researchers examine how native grass management can enhance soil health and agricultural productivity in the eastern US. They focus on optimizing fertility and cover crop strategies for nutrient-efficient species like switchgrass and big bluestem, which produce extensive root systems that support micro-invertebrate communities.
A group of scientists is recommending giving the world's nature reserves a makeover to defend not only flora and fauna but also people. The authors propose clusters of nature reserves that would foster connectivity and permit human activity, potentially garnering more local and national support for protected areas.
Researchers used remote sensing data to identify 36 forest functional classes and 6 groups, revealing conservation hotspots. The study found that 32-46% of each group is currently protected, with opportunities for protection in highly threatened forests.
Researchers used remote sensing data to identify functional diversity hotspots in the Peruvian Andes and Amazon basin, revealing 36 forest functional classes. Up to 46% of these areas are currently protected, with government control over two-thirds and indigenous lands holding one-third.
The Lomonosov Moscow State University has launched the world's largest digital herbarium, featuring over 786,000 scanned images of plant samples. The database is part of the 'Noah's Ark' project and provides a valuable resource for studying and conserving biological diversity.
The Robust Rattan Palm has been assessed as Endangered due to habitat loss and over-harvesting. Its limited range of 40 km² in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire makes it highly vulnerable to extinction.
A new plant species, Espeletia praesidentis, has been discovered in Colombia's Páramo de Presidente region. The plant was named in honor of President Juan Manuel Santos due to his Nobel Peace Prize achievements, which made the area safe for researchers.
Scientists compiled data on original Hydroides names and published a checklist paper revealing the genus is feminine, leading to re-examination of 107 species. The study provides insight into the origin of species names, including those based on descriptive characteristics or people/places.
Research suggests that climate change affects microbial biodiversity most strongly in natural environments and those with high nutrient levels. The study found that warming temperatures lead to a decline in biodiversity as enrichment increases.
The University of Nevada, Reno's Global Water Center is launching a new 5-year initiative to preserve the Mekong River's biodiversity and ecosystem. The project aims to study the river's climate, hydrology, and biodiversity, build partnerships for sustainable development, and educate communities about the importance of a healthy Mekong.
A $2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will support fundamental advances in sustainability science at Colorado State University. The project aims to address pressing global problems by integrating natural sciences with sociological and economic disciplines, focusing on water, energy, and food issues.
The article discusses the importance of remote sensing in biodiversity research, highlighting its potential to measure biological diversity, identify species, and track ecosystem processes. However, field studies are still necessary to provide crucial information on ecological potency, stress behavior, and adaptability.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.