A recent study by American Institute of Biological Sciences reveals that nonnative plant species are a major force behind the growing number of insect invasions worldwide. The research challenges traditional assumptions and highlights the importance of controlling the spread of nonnative plants in mitigating biological invasions.
A new study reveals that islands are home to around one in three of the world's plant species, with 63,280 endemic species native to islands. The research provides a comprehensive assessment of vascular plants native and endemic to marine islands worldwide.
A new study suggests that Miami's native trees may not survive in the coming decades due to global warming, but tropical species can thrive and provide shade. The research recommends planting trees from the Caribbean region, such as black olive and gumbo-limbo trees, to mitigate the heat island effect and absorb carbon dioxide.
Research led by Penn State scientists found that indigenous hunter-gatherer practices played a key role in seed dispersal and genetic diversity of native plants. The study challenged the conventional notion of agriculture and suggested humans impacted plant populations long before farming began.
The invasive tiger mosquito expands its host range as it spreads across regions, with a greater diversity of hosts in the invasive range. The mosquito's ability to adapt to new environments and act as a bridge vector for pathogens increases the risk of disease transmission.
Research reveals European flat oysters formed large reefs of living and dead shells, supporting rich biodiversity and stabilizing shorelines. Historical records show that these reefs existed along Europe's coasts from Norway to the Mediterranean, but were destroyed over a century ago due to overfishing.
Researchers discovered a massive number of evolutionary events in the Asteraceae family on remote islands, resulting from rapid speciation over short time periods. The findings confirm that larger, isolated islands harbor unique species and highlight the importance of protecting this diverse group of plants.
A new study reveals that palaeolithic hunter-gatherers on Cyprus are responsible for the disappearance of two species of megafauna: dwarf elephants and hippos. The research suggests that these small human populations could have driven both species to extinction due to their hunting practices.
Four plants eaten by western lowland gorillas in Gabon, also used by local traditional healers, show antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Researchers identify four plant species with promising targets for treating multidrug-resistant infections.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that the diversity and abundance of flowers in a garden, rather than its surroundings, have a greater impact on attracting pollinators. The researchers discovered that providing blooms all season long is crucial for promoting local pollinator communities.
A recent genomics study of prairie chickens in five states has found evidence of hybridization between the two species, with no clear indication of genetic problems. The study suggests that these species may belong to the same species and challenges wildlife management nationwide.
A new study found a strong correlation between pesticide use and fewer wild bee sightings, suggesting a direct link between pesticide exposure and bee population declines. Alternative pest control strategies, such as integrated pest management, are essential for conserving these crucial pollinators.
A new study found that microplastics impact plant reproduction, while seawater flooding causes greater tissue death in coastal plants. Combining both stressors amplifies threats to ecosystem wellbeing.
A study found that invasive cicad aulacaspis scale alters leaf litter decomposition dynamics of cycad species, releasing nutrients too quickly. This damage threatens ecosystem balance and conservation efforts in invaded islands.
A global analysis of wildlife on money reveals that native fauna are depicted on 15.2% of banknotes, with a strong bias towards terrestrial species and bird and mammal representations.
Researchers found 16 native species of mammals using timber plantations as corridors and refuges in Central Panama. However, teak monocultures showed the lowest records of species, highlighting the importance of restoring natural habitats for comprehensive wildlife conservation.
Genetic analysis reveals that ancient Indigenous people brought the native tuber to southern Utah, adding to the list of culturally significant plant species domesticated in the Southwestern U.S. The Four Corners potato was transported and cultivated by various tribes, including Pueblo and Apache communities.
A study proposes changes to simplify licensing for landowners in the Atlantic Rainforest biome, making conservation policy more effective. The current legislation allows for the destruction of valuable forests due to its subjective and imprecise criteria.
Drylands cover 42% of the earth's land surface but receive inadequate protection, with only a small fraction slated for conservation. The study highlights the urgent need to protect dryland species and ecosystems due to human actions, which may lead to severe biodiversity loss.
A recent study by Brown University biologists reveals that even small variations in temperature and moisture can have massive impacts on tropical epiphyte species, threatening ecosystems they support. The research found that most species struggled to survive outside their native ranges in climate conditions differing from what they typ...
A genome study has identified regional adaptations in American chestnut trees, informing restoration efforts and climate resilience. The research provides guidance for conserving genetic diversity across the Appalachian region, with a focus on preserving the most genetically diverse southern population.
Researchers analyzed six US cities and found that tree species in parks were more drought-tolerant and reflected greater native biodiversity than those in residential yards. The study highlights the importance of planting drought-tolerant trees in urban areas to adapt to future climate change.
The Key Largo tree cactus has been declared extinct in the US due to sea level rise, with saltwater intrusion and soil depletion causing significant pressure on its limited population. Researchers have salvaged fragments of the plant to cultivate it off-site for conservation.
A recent study finds semi-natural habitats play a crucial role in conserving pollinator diversity, outpacing the impact of pesticide use. The research suggests that prioritizing habitat conservation can be more effective than reducing pesticide application in rice fields.
Scientists have developed a near chromosome-level genome for the Mojave poppy bee, which is a specialist pollinator of conservation concern. The genome assembly will help researchers understand the bee's biological traits, including host-plant specialization and susceptibility to pesticides.
A study published in Ecology Letters found that humans have a greater impact on alien species diversity than geographic variables on most islands. Human factors such as colonisation pressure, habitat modification, and connectivity drive disparities in functional and phylogenetic diversity.
SourceCNRS·JournalEcology Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 1, 2024
Researchers found that ants need three main things to succeed when hitchhiking: climbing ability, foraging/colonizing behaviors, and temperature tolerance. The study tracked the spread of invasive ants through non-commercial transport on personal vehicles, highlighting a significant threat to native species.
New research found that non-native burros are altering plant growth, reducing ground cover and foliage density, and negatively impacting native wildlife species in the Sonoran Desert.
A study found that heath goannas are more effective in removing blowflies from the landscape than introduced European mammals. This reduces the emergence of 'fly strike', a disease affecting sheep, and has significant implications for the Australian sheep farming industry.
A new research study led by UMass Amherst found that non-native species are expanding their ranges much faster than native ones, with a speed of 35 kilometers per year on their own and 1,883 kilometers per year when humans factor in their role. This means that native species cannot keep up with climate change without human help.
The introduction of Nile perch to Lake Victoria led to severe population loss and genetic bottlenecks in local cichlid species. The study reveals that four species experienced a 'bottleneck event' resulting in reduced genetic diversity, highlighting the devastating impact of exotic species invasion.
Researchers found isolated refuges in cities where species like wrentits, mourning doves, and gopher snakes thrive. Urban planning initiatives can support more biodiversity by creating habitat for species that avoid cities.
A study using crowd-sourced data from iNaturalist found that slugs and snails are more common in urban areas than other native species. In contrast, butterflies and moths were the least tolerant of urban environments. The analysis provides valuable insights for city planners to increase urban biodiversity.
A new study highlights the human impacts of endangered species mating with domestic relatives, causing economic loss and death. Conservation efforts are also overlooked for marginalized pastoralist populations, who often lack effective defense against aggressive wild males.
A new study by York University finds that community science programs, such as Bumble Bee Watch, play a crucial role in monitoring bumble bee distributions and detecting endangered species. The program provides valuable data on bee populations, habitats, and distribution patterns, complementing traditional scientific methods.
An OSU study found evidence of intentional camas harvesting dating back 3,500 years, contributing to Traditional Ecological Knowledge research. Indigenous groups selectively harvested camas bulbs when plants were four or five years old and had reached sexual maturity, likely to maintain sustainable populations.
A new pupfish family member has been discovered in New Mexico through genetic analysis. The study found that genetic drift was the primary driver of speciation, rather than natural selection. The researchers sequenced the entire genome of individual pupfish and compared them to previous genetic sampling.
Researchers found that young African fish raised in cloudy water developed larger eye structures than those raised in clear water. As the fish age, they lose this ability to adapt. The study also showed that older fish have bigger brains and optic lobes, suggesting different sensory demands at various stages of life.
Citizen scientists uncover rare species in urban areas, increasing knowledge of urban biodiversity and guiding management. BioBlitzes provide a cost-effective tool for local governments to make informed decisions on environmental stewardship.
Researchers found that diverse native wildflower plantings increase flower resources for pollinators, with higher abundance and diversity in heterogeneous landscapes. The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining wildflower plantings for multiple years to maximize floral diversity.
Researchers analyzed DNA markers to discover potential new scrub mint species and found evidence of cryptic diversity. The study highlights the unique evolutionary history of these plants, which thrived in harsh conditions but lost adaptability.
Research on South Georgia reveals that invasive species are colonizing newly exposed ground as glaciers retreat due to climate change. This process allows exotic plants and animals to rapidly adapt and spread across the island.
A product used to control pest slugs on farms is deadly to the least one type of native woodland snail endemic to the Pacific Northwest. The study found that the product's effects depended on concentration and snail size, with all 90 snails killed in exposure groups versus 30 in a control group.
A team of scientists has discovered over 1,000 new plant and lichen species in Agguttinni Territorial Park, including rare species found nowhere else in Canada. The comprehensive checklist provides valuable information for park managers and botanists, aiding in the conservation and management of the protected area.
A study by IB-UNICAMP researchers showed that restoring biodiverse ecosystems can prevent exotic grass invasion, which is hard to eradicate. The study found that higher plant diversity reduces invasion, likely due to competition for resources in the nutrient-poor soil.
Research found that introduced ribwort plantain populations have higher concentrations of chemical defense compounds than native populations, despite showing slightly greater feeding damage. Climatic conditions also play a role in the accumulation of volatile compounds and the plants' ability to cope with environmental stresses.
Researchers at Curtin University have discovered a new potential predator for the endangered western spiny-tailed skink, raising concerns about the susceptibility of similar-sized juvenile lizards. The spotted mulga snake's consumption of a pygmy spiny-tailed skink suggests that these snakes may also prey on vulnerable juveniles.
A new study analyzed over 5,700 invasive plant species and found nearly one-third exhibited lag periods between introduction and rapid expansion, with the average time being 40 years. This latency allows them to be overlooked, contributing to their eventual emergence as a serious ecological threat.
A new study found that Tanna's forests showed remarkable recovery after Cyclone Pam, with high resprouting and widespread recruitment of most tree species present. Customary stewardship practices appear to augment the capacity for resilience by promoting a diversity of tree species and life histories.
Researchers at ANU and CSIRO discovered three distinct species of delicate mouse in Australia, previously considered a single species. The discovery sheds light on the conservation status of these tiny rodents, which have evolved over five million years.
A new study finds that biodiversity is becoming more similar through time, but an almost equal number of communities are becoming more distinct. The analysis of 527 datasets shows a balanced trend between homogenisation and differentiation across landscapes.
A new large-scale study finds that functional traits, not nativeness, play a key role in shaping the effects of large mammalian herbivores on plant communities. Introducing feral cattle or water buffaloes into local areas could be a good idea for complementing native deer and promoting plant diversity.
A study found that crop diversification in the Cerrado biome leads to increased numbers of native mammals and a decrease in invasive species such as wild boars. Diversified crops helped control invasive species that cause damage to farmers.
A recent study published in Invasive Plant Science and Management identifies the most likely invasive plants to expand into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US states by 2050. These high-impact species are associated with negative impacts on ecological communities and socio-economic effects.
The study reveals that non-native earthworms have colonized 97% of soils across North America, with alien occupation higher in the northern part of the continent. This poses a threat to native ecosystems, including forests and grasslands, and highlights the need for better understanding and management of these invaders.
A new study published in Science found that eradicating non-native animals to protect plant species can be a flawed practice, costing millions and slaughtering healthy wild animals. The research compared the effects of native and introduced large herbivores on plant communities, finding no significant differences.
A Dartmouth-led research team created an experimental green roof to test the effect of native prairie microbes on soil microbial community development. Their findings demonstrate that active management accelerates soil development faster than passive reestablishment, fostering a more diverse and sustainable soil community.
Research in Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy reveals invasive big-headed ants have reduced lions' effectiveness at killing zebras. Lions now primarily target African buffalo instead, maintaining population stability.
A study in PLOS ONE suggests that Galápagos penguins may accumulate microplastics at a high rate within their food web, with the excretion rate playing a key role. The research uses modeling to simulate microplastic movement through the Galápagos penguin ecosystem and highlights the potential for biomagnification across trophic levels.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 24, 2024
A study published in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation proposes a novel methodology for projecting native tree growth and optimizing timber production in forest restoration. This approach reduces the time to harvest by 25% and increases stand density by 38%, making large-scale forest restoration more attractive to landowners.