Articles tagged with Food Webs
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.
The study reveals links between the health of cod and seal with the availability of bottom-living animals, affecting their food supply. Climate change and eutrophication are driving these changes, threatening the Baltic Sea's ecosystem.
A new method has been developed to predict the vulnerability of ecosystems, focusing on predators' body mass and prey characteristics. The approach enables researchers to determine habitat structure and stability without comprehensive data on all organisms.
A cross-disciplinary study examines humans' interactions with plant and animal species across different cultures worldwide through time. The researchers found that humans can have a stabilizing effect on their ecosystems by providing ecosystem services such as lighting fires, while also playing a destructive role in other cases.
A new study reveals that even small changes in oxygen levels can have devastating effects on marine life, particularly tiny fish and zooplankton. These species are already pushed to their physiological limits in Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs) and may be forced into shallower waters with increased risk of predators.
A new study from Ohio State University finds that artificial light at night is detrimental to ecosystems, affecting species composition and food chain length. The research explores the impact of existing artificial light on streams and wetlands, revealing changes in energy flow and nutrient cycles.
A new study reveals that coral reef fish species at the extremes of the food chain, such as strict herbivores or predators, evolve faster than those in the middle with varied diets. This finding has valuable conservation implications for managing fisheries exploitation and preserving functional diversity on coral reefs.
Studies across multiple countries find that popular restaurant chains serve high-calorie meals, failing to meet public health guidelines. Only a small minority of meals met the recommended calorie limit, highlighting the need for intervention targets such as portion reduction and mandatory labelling.
Researchers discovered a mechanism explaining positive correlations in natural populations, highlighting the importance of food web conservation. Complex food webs mitigate environmental variability and make ecosystems more predictable.
Researchers found that those who used an average of 15 strategies when eating out had fewer reactions, while non-reactors only used six. People can minimize risk by using multiple strategies such as ordering simple ingredients and checking food before eating.
Researchers have found that rewilding can mitigate the impact of rising temperatures in the Arctic, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming, and enhance wetland plant diversity. The approach involves reintroducing native carnivores to suppress invasive herbivores and restore ecosystem balance.
A recent study by University of Delaware researchers found that residential yards dominated by non-native plants have fewer arthropods, leading to a decline in bird populations. The research suggests that prioritizing native plant species can support biodiversity and sustain wildlife.
Bacterioplankton's reliance on vitamin B1 and its precursors has been found to be more significant than previously thought. This study highlights the crucial role of exogenous nutrient availability in supporting growth and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems.
A new study explains recent Bay nettle scarcity, attributing it to warm waters and decreased reproductive rates. The research warns of potential cascading impacts on Bay fisheries and ecosystems, as climate change may increase the prevalence of low-oxygen bottom waters and alter food web dynamics.
A new study reveals that while nutrients exceed average requirements, inefficiencies in the supply chain lead to nutrient losses, leaving many people deficient. The research highlights the need for a holistic approach to addressing malnutrition and food security.
A study of fossilized teeth shows that marine predators thrived as sea levels rose during the Jurassic Period, while species in shallower waters declined. The research also found that the food chain structure beneath the sea has remained largely unchanged since the Jurassic era.
In the EU, 35.3 kg of fresh produce is wasted per person per year, with 50% coming from fruit and vegetables. Researchers found that applying targeted prevention strategies could reduce avoidable waste by 14.2kg per capita.
Researchers from IGB and international colleagues found that energy efficiency in lake ecosystems is lower than assumed, with only 10% of energy remaining after each trophic transfer. This discovery opens new possibilities for investigating aquatic ecosystems using size distribution as a tool.
Researchers studied fossilized remains from Morocco and Niger to reconstruct the past's food chains, explaining how large predators coexisted. Calcium isotope analysis showed that carnivores shared resources by subtly hunting different prey types, such as herbivorous dinosaurs or fish.
New research shows that biodiversity loss can lead to a domino effect of further extinctions, where the removal of one species creates a gap for other species to fill. This can result in simpler ecological communities at greater risk of extinction cascades with potential losses of many species.
Scientists studying seawater's viscosity are investigating its impact on marine life. The two-year project aims to improve understanding of nutrient cycling and food webs in the oceans.
A new study suggests that climate change could lead to increased body sizes in certain herbivores as plants become more nutritious. This is because larger herbivores can convert the foliage to energy more efficiently than smaller competitors.
A new study by Yale University researchers found that human waste is a significant source of nutrients in suburban ponds. The study analyzed the nitrogen stable isotope composition of different pond organisms and discovered that many received up to 70% of their nitrogen from septic wastewater.
A study using American dippers found that run-of-river dams can cause a spike in methylmercury levels due to reservoir formation and temperature increases. However, no significant differences were observed between regulated and unregulated streams in terms of mercury levels.
Researchers measured the effect of low-level mercury concentrations on microalga gene expression, revealing widespread deregulation of genes involved in various processes. This study provides insight into the environmental and public health implications of mercury's entry into the food chain.
Marine biologists analyzed three dolphin species' diets, revealing overlap in feeding ecology despite differences in hunting strategies. The research provides valuable insights for conservation and management of dolphin populations worldwide.
A new study reveals oil spills can alter the structure of aquatic food webs, leading to increased fish populations like menhaden in the Gulf of Mexico. The research found that the loss of top predators reduced predation on forage fish, resulting in a surge in their abundance after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout.
Researchers used time-lapse photography to study interactions between predatory fishes, urchins, and algae in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The findings show that triggerfish control pencil urchin abundance, affecting algae consumption, while green urchins are not preyed upon by fish.
Researchers created digital food web capturing human interactions with environment, revealing how humans disrupted existing ecosystems when introducing corn and altering food sources. The study sheds light on future human choices and climate change impacts.
Researchers from Harvard SEAS developed a mathematical model explaining the emergence of phytoplankton blooms under Arctic sea ice. The study found that thinning ice and increased melt ponds allow more sunlight to penetrate, creating conditions favorable for plankton growth.
Scientists analyzed seabird bones to find evidence of a significant change in the North Pacific's food web, likely caused by human activities such as industrial fishing. The study found that petrels' trophic level had declined over time, suggesting a shift in the structure of the ocean's ecosystem.
Juvenile polar cod rely heavily on ice algae for sustenance, with 50-90% of their carbon coming from these tiny organisms. As Arctic sea ice melts, the fish's food source is threatened, posing a risk to the entire food web.
Research by Jeroen Ingels reveals that meiofauna, small organisms living in sediment, contribute to food production, nutrient cycling, and waste breakdown. These tiny creatures help regulate the Earth's system, impacting marine ecosystems and human life.
Researchers found that cone snails, crucial for the ocean food chain, struggle to catch their prey when exposed to rising CO2 levels. This study suggests that ocean acidification may have far-reaching impacts on marine ecosystems and potentially affect commercially important seafood species.
A new study by Rutgers University and others found that climate change could lead to a 300-600% increase in toxic mercury levels in zooplankton, tiny animals at the base of the marine food chain. This would have significant implications for fish consumption advisories aimed at protecting human health.
Research at Umeå University found a sevenfold increase in methylmercury in zooplankton due to altered food web structures. Climate change scenarios predict similar increases, highlighting the need for considering effects on ecosystems and human exposure.
A new study by Nereus Program researchers found that climate change will affect energy flows in ocean ecosystems, leading to decreased fish catch in some areas. The authors used a mathematical model to explore the processes that mediate the transfer of energy from phytoplankton growth to fish growth.
A recent study found that coral reef food webs are altered when fishing impacts on valued species, leading to potential collapse of top-tier predators. Lightly fished reefs can support these valuable fish, while moderate fishing levels cause a decline in mid-tier predators, ultimately affecting the ecosystem.
A new study reveals how Roseobacter bacteria claim heme from algal cells, recycling iron into the marine food web. This process keeps iron near the surface, influencing plankton growth and ocean nutrient cycles.
Researchers from the University of Surrey propose a new comprehensive categorisation of food scares to address consumers' distrust in the food supply chain. The system differentiates between scares caused by wilful deception and transparency issues, enabling risk management teams to develop effective strategies.
A new study forecasts potential human health impacts from hydroelectric projects on indigenous communities in Canada, finding that over 90% of proposed projects will increase methylmercury concentrations. Mitigation efforts can help reduce these exposures, particularly for those who rely heavily on locally caught food.
Yale researchers argue that most climate change ecology research focuses on single variables and trophic levels, leading to incomplete and inaccurate predictions. A more complex, integrative approach is needed to explore interactions between food web components and accurately predict ecosystem responses to climate change.
Researchers at RIT will study innovative technologies and policies to minimize and manage food waste across the supply chain. The goal is to create efficient use of energy and water resources while addressing social, economic, and environmental impacts.
A study published in Nature found that diverse ecosystems populated by many species provide higher levels of ecosystem services, including food production, soil development, pest control, and climate regulation. The research highlights the importance of maintaining species-rich ecosystems for human well-being.
Hydroelectric dams can have devastating effects on aquatic insect populations and the food webs they support. Hydropeaking, which generates artificial tides to meet power needs, is a significant contributor to these environmental impacts.
Research suggests that cigarette butts can leach metal contaminants into the marine environment and potentially harm local species. The study found varying levels of metals in cigarette butts at nine locations along the Persian Gulf, with significant changes not detected between assessments.
Research from the University of South Carolina found that fast casual restaurants have a higher average calorie count than fast food establishments. The study analyzed menus at 34 fast food and 28 fast casual restaurants, finding that fast casual entrées averaged 561 calories compared to 760 for fast food.
Researchers have identified two key traits that contribute to chemicals reaching toxic levels in aquatic food webs: easy breakdown and solubility in water. This study provides a screening technique to determine which chemicals pose the greatest risk to ecosystems.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers identified how flooding frequency and duration affect mercury biogeochemistry along a 40-mile stretch of the Yuba/Feather River system. The study found that about 5 percent of the total mercury in this lower section has the potential to become toxic.
Research found parasitoid wasps can convert up to 90% of prey body mass into biomass, contradicting previous estimates of food chain lengths.
Intense fishing changes fish characteristics, passed down to future generations, causing population fluctuations and destabilizing the ecosystem. The study simulates these effects in Lake Constance, highlighting the importance of considering the entire ecosystem when evaluating fishing impacts.
Researchers found that most coral reef sharks consume small prey items, such as fish and molluscs, and often go hungry between meals. The study's findings suggest that reef sharks are opportunistic eaters, not always consuming large quantities of food.
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that simplified nutritional labeling spurs healthier food choices in grocery stores. The study used the NuVal scoring system and found a 20% increase in healthy choices, while price sensitivity dropped by 19%.
A team of biophysicists from the Niels Bohr Institute has formulated a mathematical model called Lotka-Volterra to assess an ecosystem's balance and predict the impact of invasive species. This formula calculates mutual influence, crucial for sustainable coexistence, and can also forecast extinction due to native animal removal.