Articles tagged with Biodiversity
Nepenthes attenboroughii, a rare carnivorous pitcher plant from the Philippines, is ranked #1 on the list of newly discovered species in 2009. The plant was named after Sir David Attenborough and features pitchers up to 30 cm high.
Researchers at University of California - Berkeley have identified four distinct species of the secretive Hemidactylus fasciatus gecko in West African rain forests. The discovery was made using new DNA analysis techniques that distinguish different species even when they appear similar.
New research from the University of Leeds found that organic farming provides only a 12% increase in biodiversity compared to conventional farming, which produces higher yields. The study raises questions about how to balance food production with wildlife protection on agricultural land.
Researchers from the University of Granada developed new farmland afforestation techniques that enhance young plant survival and development in Mediterranean environments. These techniques focus on relationships between land and plant to promote successful implementation of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.
The International Barcode of Life (iBOL) project has received a significant funding boost, totaling $80 million from Canadian agencies. The new funding will support the expansion of DNA barcode data and informatics platforms to facilitate species identification and discovery.
Sahotra Sarkar, a philosopher at the University of Texas at Austin, is working with Conservation International and energy companies to develop environmentally conscious development plans. His approach prioritizes local values and biodiversity protection, rejecting the 'fortress model' of preservation.
Researchers used DNA barcoding to study the spread and diet of insect pests in Papua New Guinea. The study found that migratory patterns and caterpillar diets are very dynamic, with species showing surprising adaptability across vast distances.
Researchers Ivette Perfecto and John Vandermeer argue that small family farms in tropical regions can provide a better way to meet both food production and biodiversity preservation goals. They propose an alternative model, the matrix quality model, which enables plants and animals to migrate between remaining forest fragments.
Michigan State University scientists found that diverse biofuel plantings attract more beneficial insects than single crops like corn. The research suggests that biofuel policies should consider the added benefits of insect attraction to inform policy decisions.
A new study calculates that ecosystems will need to shift about 0.42 kilometers per year to keep pace with global climate change over the next century. Mountainous habitats can move more slowly, while flatter ecosystems must move rapidly.
Researchers found Prussian blue can create essential biological molecules, including hydrogen cyanide and urea, under early Earth-like conditions. This study offers an alternative explanation for the formation of Banded Iron Formations.
Natural historians can now share and manage their data using the Scratchpads platform, which serves over 1100 users across 100 sites. The system allows users to create virtual workbenches to study aspects of organisms, promoting biodiversity informatics approaches.
Two peer-reviewed articles by Kevin Padian and James T. Costa explore common inaccuracies and insights into Darwin's life and work, shedding light on creative scientific thinking and the origins of his theory
Researchers found no support for theory that female choice is connected to 'good genes', suggesting females resist mating attempts primarily for their own benefit. Females with increased ability to reject males had higher fitness, while inadvertent selection for male persistence played a minor role.
Research at the University of Leeds found that logged rainforests can recover biodiversity to pre-logging levels within 15 years through managed restoration. This approach can also support carbon offsetting, providing a stronger incentive for protecting vulnerable forests.
A team of scientists, including those from the University of Toronto, identified two genes for cataloging the world's plants. DNA barcoding allows rapid classification using a short genetic marker in an organism's DNA.
The Academy of Natural Sciences' Ewell Sale Stewart Library has been accepted into the Biodiversity Heritage Library, a global initiative to preserve scientific literature on biodiversity. Over 35,500 volumes have been scanned and digitized, with over 14 million pages now available online.
A new report finds that paying to conserve billions of tons of carbon stored in tropical forests could also protect endangered large mammals like orangutans and pygmy elephants. The study, published in Conservation Letters, demonstrates a link between forest protection and biodiversity conservation.
Research finds that humans with diverse major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) are more likely to choose mates with dissimilar MHCs, increasing genetic variability and immune system efficiency. This evolutionary strategy may help ensure healthy offspring and avoid endogamy.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) recognizes Danielle N. Lee as a Diversity Scholar for her research on individual differences and behavioral syndromes in prairie voles. Lee plans to pursue an academic career emphasizing science outreach and participation of under-served audiences.
The Protected Areas Database – United States (PAD-US) is a national inventory of protected lands in the US. The database contains information on over 22,000 highly protected areas, covering 15% of the country's land area.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that Amazonian amphibian diversity originated from ancestral frogs leaping into the region from the Andes Mountains, with at least 14 dispersals occurring between 23 and 1 million years ago.
A study published in Science shows that when the apple maggot shifted hosts from hawthorn to European apples, it triggered a cascade of evolutionary changes in a parasitic wasp. The research reveals the process of speciation in action and sheds light on biodiversity's role in creating new species.
A team of researchers observed the sequential development of new species in fruit flies and parasitic wasps after introducing apples to North America. The modification of one species triggers the modification of a second, dependent species, demonstrating biodiversity as a source for new biodiversity.
A new paper reveals how parasitic wasps and fruit flies co-evolve, leading to the formation of new species. The study shows that these interactions can create a chain reaction of biodiversity growth.
Laurance and Lovejoy received the award for their contributions to understanding habitat fragmentation and global change impacts on tropical forests. Their work promotes conservation research in imperiled forests, inspiring decision-makers and the public to establish and conserve large, interconnected forest reserves vital to ecologica...
New research found that tropical insects have shifted their habitats by an average of 67 meters over the past 42 years due to climate change, posing a major threat to global biodiversity. The study, published in PNAS, provides evidence for the impacts of climate change on these crucial species.
Researchers found that environmental changes affect amphibian and bird communities rapidly, especially in mountainous regions like the Andes and Himalayas. Amphibians are more sensitive to environmental conditions due to their narrow distributions.
Researchers will investigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity, wildfires, and people in the Pacific Northwest using two multi-site projects. They aim to develop policies that protect people from wildfire while conserving and protecting biodiversity.
A study published in Science warns that climate change may exceed life's ability to respond, threatening 53% of species with extinction. The research provides critical insights into the effects of warming on tropical ecosystems, highlighting the need for conservation measures.
Ecological restoration is a tool to reverse ecosystem fragmentation by reintroducing living components and reestablishing healthy interactions within landscapes. This approach can enhance land function beyond food production, fuel, and fiber, and mitigate its adverse effects.
The new center will foster collaborations among researchers with diverse expertise to tackle current biological problems using various tools and approaches. Researchers will be able to measure complex interactions and simulate events that cannot be studied experimentally, offering new insights into mechanisms.
The western Amazon, home to the most biodiverse rainforest left on Earth, is at risk from oil and gas projects. Over 180 blocks cover nearly 688,000 km2, overlapping with protected areas and indigenous territories. The study highlights the need for regional Strategic Environmental Assessments and indigenous rights protection.
According to Paul Ehrlich and Robert Pringle, a multi-pronged approach involving individual and small group efforts is crucial for preserving biodiversity. By making modest actions such as reducing meat consumption or maintaining living hedges, people can collectively have a significant impact on the environment.
A new Montana State University study utilizes thousands of bird watcher reports and a satellite sensor to analyze biodiversity across the continental United States, Canada, and Alaska. The research team found that MODIS technology provides comprehensive measures of vegetation, allowing for broad-scaled ecological studies.
Researchers used a neutral model to predict fish diversity in the Mississippi-Missouri River System, demonstrating its potential for analyzing complex systems. The approach, which assumes functional equivalence among species, provides new insights into biodiversity patterns and their relationship with environmental change.
A new conservation plan has been developed to protect thousands of rare species in Madagascar, using advanced analysis to identify the most critical areas. The researchers' method could be applied to other high-priority regions for conservation, providing a new approach to saving endangered species.
The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) has launched with the first 30,000 species pages, providing a vast resource for scientists and policymakers to compare and contrast information about life on Earth. The EOL aims to accelerate biological and biomedical discovery by aggregating knowledge on Earth's estimated 1.8 million known species.
Recent decades have seen a significant shift in oil palm research, with an increasing focus on the environment and biofuel production. However, biodiversity assessments remain scarce, particularly for insect species that carry out key ecosystem functions.
The Gishwati Forest Reserve in Rwanda will become the country's first national conservation park, focusing on restoration of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and promoting local economic development through ecotourism. The project aims to create a model for Africa's ambitious forest restoration efforts.
A new study reveals that more than half of the world's protected areas are at risk from climate change, with severe extinctions and altered landscapes predicted. Countries such as Benin, Bhutan, and Ecuador face the greatest threats, highlighting the urgent need for consistent data to develop solutions.
A study found large gaps in GBIF's biodiversity data, with over 70% of Legume species lacking formal records or poor-quality location information. The research highlights the need for governments to invest in digitizing and publishing more biodiversity data from museums.
Experts will assess progress and global priorities in DNA barcoding, a field with potential applications in disease prevention, environmental monitoring, and consumer protection. The conference aims to share latest insights and techniques among scientists and officials.
A study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that some protozoa are globally dispersed, while others are geographically restricted, suggesting a moderate degree of endemicity. The analysis used a new fast-evolving DNA marker to reveal higher biodiversity than previously thought.
A new Texas A&M University program aims to tackle conservation challenges by integrating biology, culture, and governance. Led by Dr. Lee Fitzgerald and Dr. Amanda Stronza, the project will train students in interdisciplinary research and fieldwork to address pressing issues like invasive species, habitat loss, and social conflict.
The GBIF Data Portal offers instant mapping and plotting of biodiversity data on Google Earth, facilitating ecological studies and predicting species response to climate change. The portal is expected to significantly increase the number of participating institutions, making global biodiversity data freely available worldwide.
A study projects that climate change and land conversion will imperil 950 to 1800 bird species by 2100, with tropical birds being particularly vulnerable due to their small ranges. The protection of tropical forests is crucial in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity.
A team of international scientists has described the rules that govern how plants arrange flowers into branching structures, known as 'inflorescences'. The new unifying theory provides an explanation for the diversity of inflorescences in nature, including regional variations and developmental patterns.
FSU is leading a collaborative project to create high-resolution digital images of 100,000 plant specimens from the East Gulf Coastal Plain. The project aims to enhance biodiversity documentation and provide online access to botanical information.
A team of international scientists, including Case Western Reserve University's Matthew Sobel, has proposed eight ways to improve biodiversity forecasting in the face of global warming. The researchers aim to provide more accurate predictions and reduce misinformation that can divert resources away from other areas. By acknowledging th...
Research reveals significant differences in gene expression between individuals and populations, with individual-level factors dominating variations. This study challenges the notion of biological races, highlighting the importance of understanding human genetic variation for better disease treatment and drug development.
A team of researchers calls for better forecasting of extinction rates due to global warming. They argue that current models overestimate extinction risks and propose eight recommendations to improve forecasts, including clarifying biodiversity definitions and testing existing models more rigorously.
Chris Austin, an LSU molecular genetics lab expert, discovered a new lizard species in Borneo through extensive field research and DNA analysis. The species was confirmed by comparing its genetic variations with closely related species.
Researchers found that intermittent streams provide crucial habitats for coho salmon smolts, while the US Supreme Court's decisions may impact these ecosystems. Additionally, natural sacred sites like sacred groves can hold valuable insights into biodiversity management and conservation.
Coral reefs face severe threats from human activities, and current MPAs are often insufficient to protect biodiversity. A global network of MPAs with optimal size and isolation is necessary to conserve coral reefs.
A study on Kentish plovers found that females are more likely to desert if there are local unpaired males, suggesting a strategy likely to persist in evolution. In species with young requiring extensive parental care, cooperative rearing is more likely to endure.
University of Michigan researchers John Vandermeer and Ivette Perfecto argue that peasant farming practices actually support conservation in the tropics. The study found that agroforests, where fruit and timber trees share space with other crops, serve as thoroughfares for migrating animals and promote biodiversity.
A new lemur species has been named Microcebus mittermeieri in honor of Conservation International President Mittermeier. The discovery was made by researcher Mireya Mayor and her team, highlighting the importance of protecting Madagascar's vital lemur habitat.
A new study published in Nature confirms that biodiversity stabilizes ecosystems and can be used to produce a sustainable supply of biomass for biofuels. Biodiverse prairie grasslands are 240% more productive than those with single species, offering a promising solution to meet growing energy needs while restoring global ecosystems.
Scientists discover that higher temperatures near the equator speed up metabolism, fueling genetic changes and leading to speciation. This finding helps explain why more living species exist near the equator.