Articles tagged with Food Webs
Scientists have characterized thousands of small molecules in coral reef ecosystems, providing insights into food web dynamics and chemical ecology. The study found that corals and seaweeds release diverse compounds that influence nutrient concentrations and availability in the ecosystem.
A team of scientists from NTU Singapore has developed a plant-based emulsifier that is rich in protein and antioxidants, allowing it to replace eggs or dairy in food staples. The emulsifier is made by fermenting brewers' spent grain and can help cut down on food waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The article examines how the pandemic affected the protein sector's food supply chains, discussing lessons learned from the experience. The authors highlight the importance of building food supply chain resilience through improved efficiency and technology adoption, but warn that larger firms may pose a threat to smaller local systems.
Researchers found monarch-like genetic mutations in four organisms that eat monarchs, including the black-headed grosbeak and eastern deer mouse. These mutations help these predators tolerate the toxic milkweed toxins stored in the butterflies' bodies.
Aspen recovery in Yellowstone National Park has been found to be less robust than previously believed due to biased sampling methods. Random sampling of all young aspen within a stand revealed a slower rate of recovery compared to the five tallest young aspen, which were used in previous studies.
A new study from the University of Montana's Flathead Lake Biological Station reveals how invasive lake trout disrupt native food webs, forcing native fishes to feed on suboptimal sources and causing the loss of threatened species like bull trout. The research shows that lake trout can create divergent biological communities over time.
New research reveals that blue, fin and humpback whales consume an average of three times more food each year than scientists previously estimated. This increased consumption plays a crucial role in maintaining ocean health and productivity by recycling key nutrients.
Researchers found that warmer seawater temperatures decreased the nutritional content of giant kelp, a vital food source for many marine species. This decline could lead to population declines among consumers of kelp, including fish, invertebrates, and shorebirds, with far-reaching effects on entire ecosystems.
Research found that warming water temperatures and browning increase methylmercury transfer to phytoplankton, reducing essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. This impacts the food chain, exposing higher organisms to toxic mercury and compromising nutrition, posing a threat to human health.
Researchers used stable isotopes and fatty acids to unlock the secrets of jellyfish feeding. They found that jellyfish diets could look quite different than expected, with some species not incorporating certain prey into their bodies.
A study found that climate change will alter functioning of marine microbial communities, with plankton at the poles being particularly badly damaged by rising temperatures. In temperate zones, they'll suffer from reduced nutrient flows, while in the tropics, increased salinity will affect them.
A study of coral reef systems worldwide reveals that most fish species are picky eaters, with a single larger species extinction jeopardizing the entire ecosystem. The research found that even small losses can create imbalances in food webs.
Researchers found that predators play a crucial role in regulating small mammal populations, contradicting previous assumptions about the importance of herbivore-plant interactions. The study's unique Arctic vole ecosystem provided a simple model to test predator-prey dynamics, shedding light on population cycles and climate variability.
Researchers developed a model that shows diverse supply chains can explain up to 90% of historically observed food supply shocks in US cities. This finding has practical implications for boosting city supply chain resilience and developing policies to mitigate supply chain shocks.
A team of researchers from Penn State and Northern Arizona University developed a statistical risk model linking supply chain diversity to the probability of a city experiencing food shocks. The study found that higher diversity in the supply chain leads to lower probabilities of food shock, highlighting the importance of diversifying ...
A recent study found that Finland's lakes in Lapland will have higher mercury levels due to climate change and increased land use. The warmer climate and more intense land use lead to the leaching of nutrients and carbon-bound mercury into waterways, causing a biomagnification effect on fish and food webs.
Researchers used climate models to demonstrate that climate change can alter Antarctic marine ecosystems, but natural variability can mask human-driven trends. Understanding both is crucial for planning and managing krill harvest limits.
Researchers discovered that fungus creates an underappreciated express lane for carbon, diverting up to 20% of fixed carbon from the microbial loop. This finding has implications for climate change mitigation and management of industrial and recreational settings dealing with harmful algal blooms.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry reveals high levels of contaminants in killer whales near Norway, affecting their tissues and offspring. The findings also highlight the persistence and mobility of chemicals in marine ecosystems.
A recent study has shown that the deep sea is home to a vast array of unique and highly specific organisms, including protists, foraminifera, and ciliates. The diversity of these organisms was found to be highly specific to individual deep-sea basins, with little overlap between them and coastal regions.
Researchers will conduct scientific research cruises, sampling fixed stations to understand how the Chesapeake Bay plume changes over time and its impact on fisheries and nutrient cycling. The project aims to develop a hydrodynamic model of the plume and gather empirical data to inform ecosystem-based management applications.
A new dataset includes over 21,000 interactions between 942 species, thoroughly annotated, providing a detailed look at kelp forests. The study highlights unseen parasite interactions that have been overlooked by ecologists.
A multidisciplinary project between NAU and ASU aims to create a secure identification system for food traceability throughout the supply chain. Dendritic tags, which offer unique identities, could enable real-time tracking of contaminated products and reduce economic losses.
Researchers analyzed narwhals' tusks to understand past living conditions, revealing a shift from sea-ice linked prey to open ocean food sources. The findings support the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and highlight the need for mercury pollution reduction efforts.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that even if ecosystem services themselves aren't directly threatened, they can become vulnerable to secondary extinctions when surrounding species go extinct. This highlights the need to protect key species that support these services to mitigate indirect threats.
A new study reveals that global warming can reduce energy transfer in plankton food webs by up to 56%, threatening the survival of larger animals. Warmer temperatures cause metabolic rates to accelerate faster than growth rates, leading to less efficient energy flow and reduced biomass.
The study argues that trophic levels are insufficient to assess aquaculture sustainability due to changing feed compositions and energy requirements. Researchers advocate for more nuanced assessments, such as voluntary certifications and incentives for environmentally responsible practices.
Research in the Lower Gunnison River Basin found that selenium concentrations in fish prey were highest in April and August due to snowmelt and irrigation. This study highlights the importance of considering the timing of exposure to selenium, which can impair development and survival in aquatic species.
Research reveals that coral reefs in the Maldives get more than 70% of their predator's diet from offshore resources. The findings highlight the importance of understanding food web dynamics to predict impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.
A new study found that nanomaterials can bind strongly to microorganisms, entering the food chain and accumulating in organs like the brain. The use of nanomaterials is challenging to regulate because of their small size, making it difficult to assess their possible risk.
Domoic acid exposure increases southern sea otters' risk of fatal heart disease by 1.7-fold, with prime-age adults particularly vulnerable. Climate change projections indicate rising toxic blooms and domoic acid levels, posing a long-term threat to the species.
Researchers developed a method to account for missing soft-bodied organisms in ancient food webs, revealing differences between hard- and soft-bodied taxa that have existed for at least 48 million years. This work strengthens future research in ancient food web reconstruction and allows for more robust predictions of future ecosystems.
A new study published in Nature Food investigated how to ensure the food supply chain functions under environmental disruptions, highlighting key areas for future research. The researchers identified the need to understand the shape of a supply chain, evaluate simultaneous shocks, and quantify substitutions within supply chains.
A new analysis of global data reveals that fertilizer pollution in streams and rivers can lead to increased growth across the food web, including algae, insects, and fish. The study suggests regulators should expand their view beyond algal responses to reduce nutrient runoff.
A new study by University of Delaware Professor Doug Tallamy identifies the most critical plants needed to sustain food webs across the United States. These powerhouse plants, including oaks, willows, and goldenrod, support insects that are essential for energy transfer and soil decomposition.
A study analyzing snailfish and amphipods from deep-sea trenches found high mercury concentrations, suggesting human activity contributes to ocean pollution. Mercury accumulates in fish consumed by humans, posing a health risk.
Research found that warmer lakes support higher biomass of algal and cyprinid fish communities, while clear-water lakes have decreased quality of primary producers. Despite changes in prey item quality, fish biomass increased in murky lakes due to a shift towards roach-dominated communities.
Scientists at Linköping University simulated habitat loss on ecosystems and found that top predator species die out first. Initiatives to preserve biodiversity must consider ecosystem interactions and prioritize valuable habitats.
Cities are crucial actors in tackling food waste, launching effective policies and initiatives to address it. A new framework for assessing urban food waste policies and initiatives has been presented, highlighting the importance of integrated management and multi-actorial collaboration.
A study examining the impact of human activity on carnivore niches found that more than a quarter of average carnivore diets consist of human food. Human disturbance leads to significant dietary changes, increasing trophic niche overlap and conflict among species.
A new study reveals how climate change impacts the fishery of Lake Tanganyika, a major African fishery, and its potential effects on food security for millions of people in eastern Africa. High frequency variability in climate can lead to disruptions in the lake's food web.
A new study reveals a large-scale change from predatory fish to stickleback dominance in the Baltic Sea, threatening local ecosystems. The shift is linked to eutrophication and climate change, and its effects include reduced recruitment of pike and perch.
A 40-year study reveals that the rise of sticklebacks, a key predator of algae, is driven by reduced numbers of larger fish species. This shift from predator-dominated to algae-dominated ecosystems has significant implications for ecosystem restoration and management.
Researchers found 24 diverse species feeding on snowshoe hare carcasses, challenging previous thought of food webs. The study revealed prey species' impact on both direct predators and scavengers, highlighting the complex role of scavenging in ecosystems.
Researchers from UConn and Wesleyan University found high levels of mercury in the Still River, exceeding EPA guidance levels for weekly consumption. The study suggests that legacy mercury pollution is persisting in the environment and impacting the food web, with bioavailable forms posing a significant health risk to humans and wildlife.
A University of Michigan study found that Michigan coyotes in the Upper Peninsula have a less meat-based diet due to coexistence with gray wolves. The researchers analyzed scat samples and gut microbiomes to determine the animal's position in the local food web.
Researchers replicated extreme rainfall events in Central and South America's neotropics, finding top-heavy food webs with predators when rainfall varied daily. This altered the trophic structure of bromeliad tanks, affecting energy flow through ecosystems.
The study finds that rampant human population growth is causing massive reductions in global mammal populations, including iconic species like Tibetan wild yaks and African zebras. The researchers warn that future ecosystems will be drastically different without drastic changes in human behavior.
Scientists identified strong links between ecosystem groups leading to biomagnification of PFAS compounds in the river's aquatic food chain. The study found that PFAS accumulation occurs at each step of the food chain, including in humans who consume contaminated fish.
A new study by UMD researchers highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in reducing global food waste due to date labeling. The study aims to clarify the science or lack thereof behind food date labels, with a focus on developing interventions to reduce behaviors that increase food waste.
A study in Colombia and Spain found that territorial short food supply chains foster governance processes that prioritize social narratives, reflexive governance, and network governance. These mechanisms enable stakeholders to participate in decision-making and collective action, leading to more sustainable and democratic food systems.
A University of Vaasa researcher highlights the need for retailers to adopt creative solutions to reduce bread waste. By managing potential food waste, implementing marketing strategies, and engaging with staff, stores can minimize hazardous waste and meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
A study found that microplastics transfer through the food chain in coastal ecosystems, impairing fish growth. Organisms also fail to detect DDT-laden microparticles, increasing exposure risks.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that microbes from humic lakes can transform polyethylene into beneficial fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6. This discovery suggests that microplastic degradation may be more pronounced in certain environments than previously thought.
A new computational model suggests that the human gut microbiome follows a four-level food web, with energy flowing from microbes that consume nutrients in food eaten by humans, to those that eat nutrients produced by these microbes. The model predicts systematic changes in species composition along the length of the gut.
Researchers found that nematodes from infested areas are resistant to benzoxazinoids, a defense substance stored in maize roots. This resistance allows the nematodes to become immune to self-defense mechanisms used by the pests, enabling them to continue controlling pest populations effectively.
Researchers analyzed moose droppings to understand their dietary choices and found that moose prefer rare plants when they are available. The study suggests that moose's selective foraging behavior has a stabilizing effect on the entire food web, with implications for ecosystem stability.
A team of scientists will conduct a scientific cruise to the Arctic Ocean to understand the behavior of copepods, small crustaceans that are a vital source of food for fish and other species. The research aims to shed light on how climate change affects the Arctic food chain, with implications for ecosystem dynamics.
A new species of lizard, Indrasaurus wangi, was discovered in the stomach of Microraptor zhaoianus, revealing a unique diet and expanding Cretaceous diversity. The finding supports the interpretation that Microraptor was an opportunistic predator feeding on various prey.
A new study reveals that DDT persists in remote lakes at concerning levels half a century after its ban, impacting key aquatic species and potentially entire lake food webs. The study found high levels of DDT in modern sediments, similar to those found in previously sprayed areas of Canada and the U.S.