Articles tagged with Biodiversity
A new species of pterosaur, Nipponopterus mifunensis, has been discovered in Japan, providing crucial insight into the diversity and evolution of pterosaurs in East Asia. The fossil, found in the Mifune Group geological formation, features striking characteristics not seen in any previously known species.
Scientists from University of Leicester collaborate with traditional Amazonian communities to monitor biodiversity using artificial intelligence, enabling them to maintain control over their resources and territories. The project aims to reshape conservation approaches in the world's largest tropical rainforest.
A new study reveals that 83% of ectomycorrhizal fungi are dark taxa, meaning they can't be linked to named or described species, posing problems for conservation efforts. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting these underground fungi, which regulate Earth's climate and ecosystems.
A study found that three lizard species in Madagascar consume fruits from over 20 plant species and expel viable seeds, indicating their potential crucial role as seed dispersers. This discovery is significant as environmental degradation affects large frugivores like lemurs, but lizards can continue to inhabit degraded environments.
International collaborations leveraging MBARI’s expertise and advanced technology better understand polar environments, including the Arctic seafloor and Southern Ocean. Researchers study seafloor processes, carbon and climate, and biodiversity in these regions.
The Ecological Society of America presents a compilation of five research articles exploring various ecological topics. Researchers found that historical nursery catalogues can predict plant invasion likelihood and identify invasive species. Urban ecosystems provide critical habitat for monarch butterflies in Northern California, while...
New research led by Princeton University demonstrates that Australia can fully decarbonize its domestic and energy export economies by 2060 while avoiding harm to important areas for biodiversity outcomes. The study proposes a 'traffic-light' approach for siting renewable infrastructure, identifying suitable lands for development and t...
Researchers found that artificial water bodies, especially historic stone tanks, support a higher diversity of species compared to natural habitats. These structures serve as stable environments for vulnerable eggs and larvae, providing a lifeline for amphibian populations amidst climate change and land-use change.
A new study reveals how urban rewilding is restoring wildlife to former habitats, improving mental health and fostering environmental stewardship. The research highlights the potential of integrating wildlife into urban landscapes for healthier and more resilient cities.
A new study finds that 75% of forest-dwelling birds are well-represented by ecosystem service priority areas, including the Appalachian Mountains and Sierra mountain ranges. The research highlights areas where protecting nature can have co-benefits for biodiversity, climate, and human health.
A meta-analysis from the University of Copenhagen shows that flower strips with at least two sown species increase the number of natural enemies by an average of 70 percent. This is due to the diverse range of flowers attracting a broader range of beneficial insects, such as ladybirds and hoverflies.
A recent study found that fully protected marine areas in Brazil are contaminated by microplastics, with an average concentration of 0.42 particles per gram of wet tissue. The contamination was detected in all ten integral protection areas studied, with the highest levels found in the Alcatrazes Archipelago Wildlife Refuge.
Under carbon limitation, trees shift from roots to mycorrhiza for nutrient acquisition. Mycorrhizal colonization and extramatrical hyphal length increase, while root physiological activity declines.
A narrow coastline results in lower biodiversity, making it more vulnerable to sea level rise. Effective nature management and spatial planning can help boost biodiversity in these areas.
Native bee species play diverse roles in Australian ecosystems, from pollination services to hosting parasitoids and parasites. Dr. Prendergast's research emphasizes the importance of conserving these unique species and provides guidance on how individuals can support their protection.
The latest watchlist identifies 145 non-native animals and plants that could impact biodiversity, ecosystems, human health, and economies in Britain. The top 20 threats include invasive salmon, clams, seaweed, and species like the yellow-legged hornet, raccoon, and Emerald ash borer.
A study found that road networks have a significant effect on the distribution of plant specimens in China, with collection activities becoming increasingly reliant on roads. To improve representativeness and completeness of survey outcomes, future surveys should prioritize areas with limited road network coverage.
Research published in Global Change Biology found that tiger presence is associated with higher forest vegetation carbon stocks, lower carbon dioxide emissions, and higher carbon dioxide removal. Tiger density also seems to have a guardian effect to protect forests from deforestation and associated carbon emissions.
The PteridoPortal is an online repository of fern and lycophyte information, allowing researchers to access digitized specimens from 35 herbarium collections. This project has significantly impacted biodiversity research, enabling scientists to inventory species in Colombia and other countries.
The Monte Gordo Grasshopper, thought extinct since 1980, has been rediscovered in Cape Verde's São Nicolau island. The species, a 'living fossil,' has shown remarkable resilience in the challenging environment.
A new study using satellite data and genetic analyses reveals that increased vegetation growth in European mountains reduces the genetic diversity of medicinal plants, including Greek mountain tea. Genetic diversity dwindles as shrubs and trees spread in previously open grasslands.
A new study by University College London researchers suggests that intensifying existing farmland can degrade local biodiversity more than expanding agricultural land, depending on factors like region and crop type. The study highlights the need for sustainable intensification techniques to mitigate the impact of farming on the environ...
International experts urge cities to embed nature in infrastructure for better health, climate resilience, and equity. Urban greening benefits include cooler streets, cleaner air, improved mental health, and greater biodiversity.
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of snail, Anauchen picasso, named after artist Pablo Picasso. The unique shell shape and features make it stand out from other snails.
A new study by Griffith University reveals that the term 'nature positive' is being used more for political rhetoric than actual conservation efforts, posing a threat to biodiversity. The research found that only 0.01% of the global tourism sector makes net positive contributions to conservation.
A new study reveals high hare densities in two Danish cities, surpassing rural habitats in Europe. Biodiversity-friendly urban planning and innovative monitoring tools likely contributed to the high populations.
The Caspian Sea is projected to decline by 5-21m in water level by 2100, posing significant threats to the region's biodiversity and human infrastructure. The research highlights the need for dynamic biodiversity protection approaches to safeguard ecosystems and human interests.
Research articles explore relative effectiveness of wildfire fuel treatments, geese impact on Arctic breeding grounds, bumble bee foraging behavior in agricultural areas, and the discovery of epiphytes in cities.
A new approach is needed to monitor species and protect them from climate change, land use, pollution, and invasive non-native species. The study proposes a framework that integrates all available methods for studying insects, including comparing diversity and abundance over time and across different habitats.
A new study analyzes modern pollen data with biodiversity indices to reconstruct angiosperm diversity patterns across China. The results show that climate strongly influenced diversity, with coldest-month temperatures being the dominant factor.
A study analyzing nearly 270,000 seed plant species reveals environmental conditions, particularly climate, play a significant role in shaping global plant distributions. Physical barriers have a smaller effect on ancient plant groups that have had longer periods to disperse widely.
The new service enables users to create and download customised reports summarising species occurrences in a format suitable for biodiversity modelling and indicators. This expansion of GBIF's capabilities aims to improve the usability of biodiversity data, particularly for Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and indicator workflows.
A new study co-authored by Indiana University researchers finds that mountain formation directly influences the evolution of species. The study's findings suggest that as mountains rise, they create new habitats and isolate populations, leading to the emergence of new species through a process known as allopatric speciation.
Incorporating neglected and underutilized species into school meal programs in Nairobi's informal settlements significantly improves nutrition for children while reducing costs. The study found that these climate-resilient crops, such as African nightshade and hyacinth bean, meet up to 30% of daily nutritional needs.
The research analyzed satellite images and machine learning to detect forest loss in Ukraine during the war. The study found that Ukraine lost over 800 km² of forests in 2022 and 772 km² in 2023, mainly due to fires in war-torn regions.
Researchers found that terrestrial snakes on Sado Island coexist by differentiating their activity time, habitat, and diet. Niche complementarity among species with overlapping food resources reduces overlap in other dimensions.
Anemonefish provide food to bubble-tip anemones through active provisioning, which increases the host's growth rate. This symbiotic behavior is crucial for the anemonefish as it benefits them by making their hosts larger.
Researchers at MSU's Zipkin Quantitative Ecology Lab advocate for assemblage-level conservation, which considers the interactions between multiple species in a habitat. This approach aims to better estimate and manage biodiversity declines by protecting groups of related species.
A study found that reductions in zinc and copper pollution led to improvements in freshwater biodiversity in England's rivers. The researchers used statistical modeling to investigate various factors contributing to the decline in metal pollution.
A Connecticut College professor has been awarded a $204,499 NSF grant to consolidate his research on protists, integrating decades of data to better understand their role in aquatic ecosystems and climate change. The project aims to provide critical insights into nutrient cycling, ecosystem stability, and species migration over geologi...
A Mississippi State University scientist has discovered 16 new species of grasshoppers living in the thorny scrubs of U.S. and Mexican deserts, showcasing the thriving biodiversity in arid ecosystems. The newly uncovered species are native to the southern U.S. and Mexican deserts and were described in a recent scientific journal article.
Researchers propose a new framework describing living matter as a double cascade spanning 18 orders of magnitude in space and time, with critical points marking the emergence of self-replicating machines and complex societies.
A Frontiers-led project creates community forest stewardship to grow local economies and preserve biodiversity in Amazonia. The project, led by Dr João Campos-Silva, has been designated a Pilot Science Mission for Sustainability at the International Science Council's Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue.
Researchers found a thriving mussel bed community in Northern California, similar to one surveyed in 1941, revealing more species than expected. The study highlights the value of non-traditional resources like old manuscripts and Indigenous knowledge.
A newly resurveyed mussel bed in Northern California has found 90 species of invertebrates living within it, including warm-adapted species not typically found in the area. The study, published in Scientific Reports, documents a thriving mussel bed community that shows signs of climate change.
A comprehensive assessment of logging and conversion to oil palm plantations reveals that these activities have significantly different and cumulative environmental impacts. Logging mostly affects forest structure, while converting logged forests to plantations has greater impacts on biodiversity.
A new study examines legislation and conservation efforts in the Mediterranean region to protect over 80 shark and ray species. The research reveals substantial differences in countries' efforts, with European Union countries leading implementation of measures.
The Horizon Europe-funded PollinERA project has launched a new open-access collection in the Food and Ecological Systems Modelling Journal to tackle pollinator population declines. The collection provides ecotoxicological knowledge gaps datasets, pollinator pesticide risk indicators, and models for chemicals and pollinator populations.
A new AI image tool, INQUIRE, can aid in analyzing millions of wildlife images uploaded to the internet for insights into climate change impacts on species. Current AI algorithms can identify species but struggle with more complex questions.
Researchers found that international trade has caused over 90% of biodiversity loss in tropical regions due to agricultural land conversion. The study tracked land use changes between 1995 and 2022, revealing a significant impact on species loss in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, and Madagascar.
A new study estimates that more than 9,000 invertebrates, including pollinators and earthworms, have become extinct in Australia since European arrival. The study suggests that many species remain at high risk of extinction due to habitat loss and climate change.
A group of international scientists is urging the European Commission to implement protective measures for subterranean ecosystems, which store 97% of the world's drinking water and harbor unique biodiversity. Regular surveys of subterranean fauna can reveal the health of these ecosystems, which are sensitive to contaminants.
Researchers introduce a framework to classify biodiversity credits, highlighting the challenges of representing biodiversity in a single unit. The study demonstrates the risks of relying on 'offsetting' and emphasizes the need for genuine nature recovery funding.
A new study reveals that less than a quarter of the world's tropical rainforests have sufficient quality to support thousands of threatened species. The research highlights the urgent need for conservation strategies that prioritize forest integrity over mere preservation of cover.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that diverse landscapes with good connectivity between quarries and calcareous grasslands support wild bees. Large, old, and flower-rich quarries are particularly valuable habitats for endangered species.
A global analysis of 1.7 million plant community datasets reveals no positive correlation between functional and phylogenetic diversity in most ecosystems. Instead, many plots exhibit a high level of functional diversity with low phylogenetic diversity.
Research found that plants adapted to colder temperatures have a higher rate of photoinhibition repair when exposed to cold conditions. This adaptation allows them to survive in colder regions. The study used Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes from around the world to demonstrate this phenomenon.
A pioneering study reveals that transplanting vibrant invertebrate and microbial communities from healthy reefs to damaged ones significantly boosts coral health. The innovative approach, known as 'a coral reef ecosystem transplant,' demonstrates notable improvements in coral photosynthetic efficiency and physiological function.
Red squirrels adapt their diurnal activities to minimize predation risk from domestic cats, while avoiding humans and wildlife. During COVID-19 lockdowns, they increased activity in gardens with food sources.
Researchers used stable isotope analyses to determine the nitrogen isotope ratios in the hair of four closely related civet species, revealing that faunivory was much more common than previously thought. The study suggests that varying degrees of consumption of animal sources is the key mechanism of niche partitioning among these species.