Articles tagged with Biodiversity
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that biotech cotton produces similar yields to traditional cotton with fewer pesticides used. The study, which examined 81 commercial cotton fields in Arizona, revealed that growers using Bt cotton needed fewer applications of broad-spectrum insecticides.
Researchers have found that organic nitrogen can be directly taken up by plants, allowing them to share nitrogen and maintain biodiversity. This discovery has significant implications for unfertilised grasslands where organic nitrogen often dominates.
John Wieczorek receives Ebbe Nielsen Prize for his work on integrating biosystematics and biodiversity informatics research. He will use the prize to expand projects in North America and beyond.
Inland water overfishing leads to declines in catch per unit effort and size of individuals captured, as well as sequential species declines. This can have severe impacts on human health, particularly in developing countries where fish are a primary protein source.
Scientists have evaluated the status of all ecosystems on Earth, finding that environmental benefits are rapidly being degraded. The assessment, commissioned by the United Nations, reveals that human societies depend on ecosystem services such as food, clean air, and potable water, which are at risk due to environmental change.
Researchers have discovered a 62 million year fossil diversity cycle, with the history of life on Earth being shaped by this cycle. The cycle is also evident in extinctions and originations, with longer-lived genera resisting the cycle better than shorter-lived ones.
The winners operate in the UAE, Australia, Barbados, and Indonesia, showcasing a balance between tourism and nature conservation. The awards recognize companies making significant contributions to protecting natural areas, cultural heritage, and promoting sustainable tourism.
The team aims to maximize biodiversity on the site, addressing issues of re-introduction of native plants and animals, habitat fragmentation, and invasive species control. The park will be built by August 2008 for the Games' enjoyment and education, complementing Beijing's cultural sites.
Researchers Rampal Etienne and Han Olff propose a novel framework linking local community diversity to ancestral immigration patterns. Their approach sheds light on the relationship between biodiversity and genetic diversity in ecosystems.
A study predicts that climate change will put 15-37% of species in biodiversity-rich regions at risk of extinction by 2050. The study used computer models to simulate the impact of changing temperatures on species distributions, and found that well over a million species could be threatened with extinction.
The Virginia Tech International Cooperative Biodiversity Group has received a three-year grant to study biodiversity in Madagascar and develop potential cancer compounds. Researchers will focus on tropical plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms, while also supporting local communities with economic projects.
Research supports ranches as effective biodiversity protectors, surpassing nature reserves. Ranches showed higher ground- and shrub-nesting bird densities compared to rural developments and nature reserves.
The global protected area network is underfunded, with a chronic lack of resources leading to ineffective management and degradation of resources. The shortfall has catastrophic results, including habitat loss and extinctions in developing countries.
A global analysis reveals that 44% of the Earth's land surface consists of 24 wilderness areas, but they are occupied by only 3% of the world's population. These high-biodiversity wilderness areas face significant threats from human activities, and conservation efforts are necessary to protect them.
Bacteria are a crucial component of Earth's biodiversity. Increasing primary productivity in experimental ponds results in changes to the number and types of bacteria present, with differences observed across various taxonomic groups.
Farm-raised male salmon outcompete wild males in spawning events, fertilizing large numbers of eggs with their rapid maturity and high reproductive performance. This accelerates the gene flow into native populations.
A study by Michigan State University suggests that preserving biodiversity is essential for human health and economic development. The researchers emphasize the importance of finding ways to protect China's vast system of nature reserves while addressing socio-economic challenges.
High fish biodiversity does not guarantee ecosystem resilience in coral reefs. Human activities negatively impact bioerosion rates, even on unexploited reefs.
A study by Michigan State University scientist Jianguo Liu and colleagues found that household dynamics, including smaller households and urban sprawl, contribute to biodiversity loss and increased resource consumption. The results highlight the need for policy changes to protect wildlife habitats and ecosystem services.
A new study reveals that coral reef biodiversity hotspots are not driven by local endemic species, but rather by the overlap of globally dispersed species. Conservation efforts should target both high and low biodiversity regions.
The Tumucumaque Mountains National Park, covering 9,562,770 acres, protects pristine forests and endangered species like jaguars, giant anteaters, and harpy eagles. The park ensures the conservation of biodiversity in the Brazilian Amazon.
Researchers found that the scale of interaction and dispersal is crucial to maintaining biodiversity in bacterial communities. Localizing these interactions helps preserve genetic diversity, allowing weaker competitors to persist over time.
Researchers found that the interaction between Lithophragma parviflorum and Greya politella is a rare example of coevolution in action, with outcomes ranging from mutualism to antagonism. The study highlights the importance of considering large geographic scales to understand how coevolution shapes biodiversity.
Wild meat harvesting is a major threat to threatened species, with big mammals and conspicuous birds being most at risk. Conservation biologists and organizations must work together to address poverty and unmanaged wildlife use to mitigate overhunting.
The study predicts that over 50 years, changing climate will bring about great instability for wildlife, reshuffling ecosystems and introducing new diseases and parasites. A majority of species are expected to have smaller geographical ranges than today, with some local communities experiencing up to 40% species turnover.
The Ecuadorian government has signed a decree to create a globally outstanding protected area in the Andean foothills, led by The Field Museum and the Cofán Survival Fund. This marks the first time federally protected lands have been placed in official custody of indigenous people, with the Cofán residents set to manage the 195-square-...
The study, led by UC Berkeley professor James Kirchner, found that the diversification of life obeys 'speed limits' set by evolutionary processes. Biodiversity takes time to recover after an extinction due to complex ecological niche building and evolution.
Research reveals that US nature reserves are unevenly distributed across ecological zones, leaving many plant and animal species unprotected. The study suggests that involving the private sector in conservation strategies can help preserve America's biodiversity.
A new study reveals that fruit-fly mating conflicts lead to continual changes in genes, a game of leapfrog that could have significant evolutionary consequences. Females frequently alter their genetic profiles to adjust the males' competitive odds.