Articles tagged with Native Species
Systematic conservation planning can help protect endangered species and habitats in a changing world, say experts. The Great Barrier Reef is a case in point, as climate change advances, corals will migrate towards more suitable environments, requiring protected areas to shift.
The invasive grass Microstegium vimineum can impede the regeneration of woody species in southern US forests by blocking sunlight and seeds. Researchers found that M. vimineum biomass increased significantly after forest canopy disturbances, leading to a decline in native species richness.
Research suggests that a video of an extinct woodpecker in Arkansas may be a case of mistaken identity, as it closely resembles another native species. The analysis compares the footage with fresh recordings of the Pileated Woodpecker, revealing similarities in wing movement and plumage
A study of 10 Northeastern urban forests found no common urban park plant complex, but shows that population levels impact native and nonnative species diversity. The research suggests that urban park managers should consider the ratio of native to nonnative species when implementing vegetation restoration projects.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have found a natural way to control the spread of destructive Argentine ants by manipulating their chemical cues. The team created a synthetic version of a recognition compound that causes untreated nest mates to attack, disrupting cooperative behavior within colonies.
A six-year study at a massive experimental landscape found that wildlife corridors support more plant species, particularly native ones, than isolated areas. The results suggest that corridors are crucial for preserving both wildlife and plant biodiversity.
A new study reveals that landscape corridors can promote plant diversity by connecting isolated patches of habitat. The research found that patches with corridors retained high numbers of species, while those without lost species. Corridors provide the largest benefit to native species.
University of Michigan researchers found that invasive cattails alter the environment in ways that hinder native species but benefit the invaders. The cattails' litter accumulation creates a different environment with higher nutrient levels and lower light, which favors the invaders' growth.
A recent study found that exotic herbivores, such as cattle and goats, increase the abundance of invasive exotic plants by 70% compared to native plants. This is due to selective consumption of native plants, freeing resources for exotic plants. Meanwhile, native herbivores decrease the relative abundance of exotics by 28%.
Research at Georgia Tech suggests that native plant eaters prefer exotic meals over native plants, contradicting the enemy release hypothesis. This finding supports the 'new associations' hypothesis, which states that newly introduced plants may lack defenses against native consumers due to their evolutionary history.
Researchers found that round goby abundance has increased dramatically throughout the Great Lakes basin since its arrival in 1990, leading to concerns over native species extinctions. Gobies have been shown to eat eggs and young of various native species, contributing to their decline or extinction.
Researchers suggest introducing a new species to balance ecosystem health and mitigate the risk of farmed fish escapes. Dr. Ian Fleming argues that this could be a solution to limit ecological impact.
The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Alert System tracks the spread of invasive aquatic species across the US. The system allows users to report sightings, receive automatic alerts, and search for specific species.
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that Lehmann lovegrass, an invasive species introduced in the 1930s, remains unchanged despite controlled burns. The study suggests that fire is not effective in reducing the spread of non-native species, forcing land managers to explore alternative methods for controlling the invasive grass.
Researchers found that as rural forests are developed, native bird species face risks due to habitat loss and increased predation. The study suggests that housing density is a key driver of these changes, with some birds benefiting from human activities like feeding stations and nesting boxes.
In contrast to many other introduced species, most marine invertebrates increase in size after invasion. This size increase may have significant implications for the impacts of these species on native ecosystems. The study's findings highlight the need for further research into the effects of invasive species on non-native regions.
A more realistic extinction scenario shows that rare and uncommon plant species removal doesn't impact aboveground plant growth, but instead affects remaining rare species. Dominant species impart resistance to ecosystem change even in the face of a 3-fold decline in species.
Study reveals floodplains have significantly higher diversity of native and exotic plants due to flooding, which washes away existing plants and transports seeds. This creates opportunities for invasive species to establish themselves, posing a threat to native plant populations.
The introduction of non-native species has accelerated invasions, with many becoming economically beneficial but ecologically destructive. Biocontrol methods are often ineffective and can harm native species.
Research found significant species diversity in riparian areas, with up to 40 times more exotic species per plot compared to uplands. Flood frequency also impacts species richness, with decreased numbers of exotic species as flood frequency decreases.
A comparative study of plants and birds on oceanic islands found that invasive species outnumber native species, causing extinctions but increasing overall diversity. The total number of land bird species has remained relatively unchanged despite the loss of native species.
Researchers found that native plants outcompete exotic species when provided with seeds, but their low seed availability is likely due to historical grazing and drought. This discovery suggests that providing seeds may be enough to restore native species in many areas.
Researchers found that a weevil released to control Canada thistle in the US instead harms a native thistle species, Tracy's thistle. The weevil reduced seed production by two-thirds in infested stands, with no impact on non-native thistles.
Researchers discover widespread hybridization between introduced rusty crayfish and native species, altering ecosystems and leading to population displacement. The study highlights the significant impact of non-native species invasions on biodiversity.
A new interactive multimedia tutorial for woody plant identification has been released by Kendall/Hunt Publishing. The software includes 9,500 color photographs and scientifically tested to increase identification skills among users.
Several mesocarnivore species, including marten, fisher, and red fox, have staged remarkable recoveries in the Northeast. However, wolves and cougars, two large predators native to the region, continue to face challenges due to persecution and habitat loss.
A new study on tropical trees shows that most species are clumped together, rather than randomly dispersed, across the landscape. The findings have significant implications for designing nature reserves, selecting native trees to reforest degraded areas, and determining biologically sustainable harvest rates for timber.
A new UC Berkeley study reveals that diverse ecosystems are not immune to invasion by alien species. In a series of experiments, researchers found that high diversity actually increases the likelihood of invader establishment in larger ecosystems.
Researchers found that a soil pathogen in temperate forests kills most black cherry seedlings within a few meters of their parent tree. This allows other species to take root and increase forest diversity. The study suggests microbial pathogens play a crucial role in shaping forest communities.
The boom in global trade poses a significant threat to the US ecosystem, resulting in $136 billion in annual losses from invasive species. Invasive insects, plant pathogens, and weeds are entering the country through nursery stock, cargo containers, and imports, causing widespread damage to crops, forests, and native wildlife.
Jan Kohlmeyer and his team have identified a new order of marine fungi, Lulworthiales, which includes species that break down dead seaweed, marsh plants, and wood in oceans and estuaries. These microorganisms are crucial for recycling nutrients and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.
A recent study found that an introduced fruit fly, Drosophila subobscura, has evolved a wing size pattern mimicking established populations in Europe within two decades of its introduction to North America. The fly's rapid evolution has significant implications for the dynamics of invasions and native species interactions.
The introduction of non-native smallmouth and rock bass into Canadian lakes has profound effects on native fish populations, particularly lake trout. The study uses stable isotope techniques to quantify the food-web consequences of recent invasions, revealing a dramatic impact on ecosystem functioning.
A microscopic fungus infecting common eastern US grass, tall fescue, can significantly impact plant diversity and local ecosystems. The fungus alters the host plant's growth, making it more toxic to other herbivores and drought-resistant.
A study by Anthony Ricciardi and Joseph Rasmussen reveals freshwater species are dying out five times faster than terrestrial species. At this rate, many at-risk species will disappear within the next century, with non-native species and dams identified as major threats.
The USGS has successfully released captive-reared puaiohi birds into the wild, with four chicks having already fledged. This is a significant step towards the species' recovery, with biologists optimistic about re-establishing a self-sustaining population.
Research by Leslie Ries and colleagues found that restored prairie along roadsides increases the number of sensitive butterfly species, with twice as many rare butterflies present compared to grass and weeds. This could provide crucial corridors for butterfly habitats, reducing road-crossing risks.
The Ecological Society of America will host three symposia on topics such as the impact of urbanization on water quality and animal life, the effects of non-native species invasions, and research into sustainable land-use practices. The symposia aim to explore options for managing invasive species and promoting sustainable urban systems.
A study by Cornell University ecologists estimates that non-indigenous species in the US cost $123 billion annually. These invasive species, including weeds, insects, and mammals, cause significant economic damage and threaten native ecosystems.
A new study reveals Argentine ants' success mechanisms, including numerical advantage and lack of natural enemies. The ants' unique colony structure and ability to form large supercolonies enable them to dominate native ant populations.
Researchers found that invasive non-native plants compete with native species for regeneration opportunities, inhibiting native tree seedlings and juveniles. Invasive species exhibit similar ecological roles as natives, posing a threat to conservation efforts.
The USGS presents various studies on invasive species, including a workshop on non-native plant invasions and their impact on native ecosystems. Additionally, researchers discuss the effects of grazing on plant species diversity and find that habitat conditions play a significant role in shaping species variation.
A new study highlights the risks of biological control gone wrong, as a widely released weevil has attacked five native thistle species. The Eurasian weevil, introduced to the US in 1968, has damaged native plants' seed production by 86% and expanded its distribution.
A CU-Boulder professor is developing artificial habitats for captive-born Aruba Island rattlers to promote fear of predators and rattle behavior. He's also studying lab-raised Aruba rattlers' ability to locate suitable temperature and humidity conditions in the wild.
Ecologists are exploring how many species must be saved to keep an ecosystem functioning, with studies suggesting that losing even a small percentage of biodiversity can have significant consequences. Key findings include the importance of 'keystone' species and the impact of genetic variability on ecosystem resilience.
A recent study found that high levels of nitrogen deposition in grasslands lead to the loss of plant species diversity and the disruption of ecosystem functioning. Native prairie species are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of excessive nitrogen addition, which can cause their extinction and reduce carbon storage.
Valery Terwilliger's research on plant growth in Central America aims to inform reforestation efforts and capitalize on native species. The study reveals how well plants use carbon dioxide and water in tropical forests, which can aid in restoring lost ecosystems.
Scientists have documented the invasion of a single-celled amoeba-like organism, Trochammina hadai, into San Francisco Bay, raising concerns about the impact on native species and ecosystem. The introduction of exotic microorganisms is a growing problem in US waters, with potential consequences for harbors and waterways.
University of Wisconsin-Madison biologists document a staggering decline in native prairie plant diversity over the last 30 to 50 years. The research reveals that short, small-seeded plants like legumes experienced the heaviest losses due to fire suppression and dense growth.
The Asian longhorned beetle is attacking Brooklyn's horsechestnut and Norway maple tree population, which are under immense pressure due to urbanization. The beetle's larvae can weaken trees structurally, posing a significant threat to the city's tree population.