Articles tagged with Population Ecology
The Isle Royale wolf population has remained steady at two individuals for the third consecutive year, with the moose population continuing to grow above historic averages. The study's citizen science volunteers have contributed significantly to the research efforts, gathering data on moose skull sizes and wolf activity.
Researchers investigate how populations across different locations respond to environmental changes, aiming to improve fisheries management and conservation. By analyzing hierarchical dynamical systems, the study sheds light on species populations and predicts factors that increase the risks of extinction.
Researchers found that changing water temperature and algal blooms affected sea urchin populations, leading to abnormal development of their larvae. The study provides valuable insights into the importance of long-term monitoring for detecting ecological changes and understanding their causes.
Brown bears may fall into evolutionary and ecological traps due to poor decision-making on environmental cues, leading to declines in population. The article proposes mechanisms by which these traps can affect brown bear dynamics and viability in human-modified landscapes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that US National Parks are essential for bird conservation in a changing climate. By 2041-2070, the average park is expected to support 29% more species in winter and 6% more species in summer.
A new study led by researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has discovered a supercolony of over 1.5 million Adélie penguins in the Danger Islands, off the Antarctic Peninsula's northern tip. The population appears to be resilient to climate change, providing valuable insights for future monitoring and conservation eff...
A recent expedition using satellite imagery and quadcopter-based aerial photography revealed the Danger Islands have over 751,527 pairs of Adélie penguins, making them the third and fourth largest colonies worldwide. The discovery sheds light on how climate change affects this species, with potential implications for conservation efforts.
A Michigan State University study reveals that the endangered piping plover population may decline over the next decade due to increasing predator pressure. The researchers developed an integrated population model coupled with a Bayesian population viability analysis to improve accuracy in forecasting population changes.
Researchers used carbon isotopes to track shark feeding habits, finding that coastal sharks forage in a range of coastal food webs, while deeper ocean sharks rely on specific areas of colder water. The findings may help conservationists design more effective protection strategies for declining shark populations.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led study confirms that climate factors limit species expansion in stressful environments, but interactions with other species play a crucial role in shaping range limits. The researchers found that stress impacts plant growth, survival, reproduction, and germination, which drives the pattern.
A 40-year study on Isle Royale moose reveals a 16% decline in skull size, indicating smaller individuals and shorter lives, likely linked to climate warming. The population's growth may be an imbalance in the predator-prey dynamics, with wolves' decline contributing to malnutrition.
The study reveals that the Sumatran rhinoceros population declined significantly around the middle of the Pleistocene, approximately one million years ago, due to climate change and habitat loss. The effective population size was reduced from an estimated 57,800 individuals to just 700 by 9,000 years ago.
A new study sheds light on the source and spread of the white-nose syndrome fungus, which has wiped out millions of bats in North America. Researchers found that the fungus was introduced to North America from Europe and has since spread rapidly due to the effective dispersal abilities of bats.
Researchers tracked individual albatrosses for their entire lives to identify intrinsic quality that drives performance, including reproductive success and longevity. The study found that birds born in warmer years were smaller and performed poorly, while those from denser populations had reduced success.
A genomic study of Scandinavian wolves has found extensive inbreeding, with some individuals having entire chromosomes without genetic variation. The study also revealed that immigrant wolves were partly inbred, contradicting the assumption of unrelated founders.
A new version of Markowitz's portfolio theory predicts inflated growth and reduced volatility in diverse populations across the landscape. It was developed by Prof Cang Hui and colleagues to quantify population demographics and behavior in invasive species management.
A Penn State study found that glow sticks can greatly increase amphibian captures by up to six times, making it a more efficient and cost-effective method. The researchers used glow sticks to lure adult salamanders and frogs into traps set in vernal pools, resulting in a significant capture rate.
A new mapping tool is being developed to help understand how global warming affects plant and animal populations globally. The Map of Life team, in collaboration with UB ecologist Adam Wilson, aims to integrate environmental and climatic data into the platform.
A new study reveals Easter Island's maximum population size could have reached 17,500 people, supported by the island's agricultural potential. The research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, aims to unravel the mystery of the giant statues and population crash.
The BMC Ecology Image Competition 2017 has produced a diverse array of winning and highly commended images showcasing pressing issues in ecology. The competition highlights the intersection of art and science, with images capturing intricate species interactions, conservation efforts, and natural processes.
New research reveals that commercial seismic surveys cause a two to three-fold increase in mortality of adult and larval zooplankton. The study found significant negative impacts on zooplankton populations up to 1.2 kilometers away from the air gun signals.
A recent study reveals that many plant species are resorting to 'last-stand' strategies, such as shrinking in size and suspending growth effort, to survive in deteriorating environmental conditions. The research found that these species are more vulnerable to further changes and disturbances due to climate change.
The designation as a Biosphere Reserve has improved the life quality of Urdaibai citizens by promoting well-being and sustainability, according to research. However, some residents feel the measures do not go far enough to guarantee conservation.
Researchers found that devils with higher fitness rates are more likely to contract devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a transmissible cancer. The study suggests that socially dominant individuals may be more susceptible due to their aggressive behavior and mating encounters.
A new study reveals that variability in shared resources available to microbes in the human body explains significant person-to-person differences in microbial species abundance. The research also found that closely related species tend to share common resources and are more abundant in certain body sites.
A PhD student is conducting research on the Australian night parrot, a cryptic and nocturnal species from arid Australia. Preliminary data suggests low breeding success rates, but the project aims to improve conservation efforts through studies of ecology and survival in arid landscapes.
European monitoring programs lack sufficient historical data to accurately assess human impact on biodiversity, leading to underestimated consequences for nature conservation. This is due to data gaps from the 18th and 19th centuries, making it difficult to define targets for conservation efforts.
Zoologists at the University of Basel and Lund University found that spiders kill an enormous number of insects worldwide, with estimates ranging from 400-800 million tons per year. This has significant implications for maintaining ecological balance in nature.
A new mathematical model describes ecological invasions as a random walk, categorizing randomness into spatial, demographic, and temporal factors. The model replicates key properties observed in computer simulations, resolving an ongoing argument between ecologists and mathematicians.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that climate change improves breeding chances for migratory geese in the Arctic, but increases the death rate among mothers. This is because warmer conditions require extra energy for laying eggs and make them more vulnerable to predators.
Researchers found eelgrass population stable across Puget Sound basin despite increased human population and shoreline development. Localized declines have been observed at individual beaches, with other shorelines showing healthy eelgrass growth.
Research from University of Michigan found that herbicide-resistant morning glory populations self-fertilize more than susceptible ones. This adaptation helps perpetuate resistance genes and blocks the flow of susceptibility genes from other plants. The study highlights unintended consequences of human activities on wild plant species.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that dispersal distances rank biological groups by genetic and community levels, supporting neutral theory predictions for marine biological connectivity. Dispersal limitation maintains species coexistence and promotes regional biodiversity.
A University of Adelaide study found that warmer waters and higher CO2 levels can lead to a twenty-fold increase in the population of a common marine crustacean. Males become larger and more attractive to females, resulting in a massive population explosion.
The BMC Ecology Image Competition 2016 featured a diverse range of images showcasing biodiversity, natural beauty, and biological interactions. Davide Gaglio's silhouette of antelope grazing against the sunrise in the Kalahari Desert won the top prize.
Researchers found that bird species with increasing populations occupy a broader range of climate conditions, while declining species lose their range. This discovery has practical applications for conservation biologists, who can use the new findings to develop more accurate habitat protection strategies.
Researchers developed a mathematical framework to identify key life cycle components driving population growth. This approach can be applied to existing data to provide more robust answers to demographic questions in ecology and evolution.
A UCI study reveals that climate change is altering the growth patterns of male and female Valeriana edulis over elevation in the Colorado Rockies. The shift in sex ratios allows female plants to successfully produce more seeds, while males become more common at higher elevations.
Research reveals that street lights change moth behavior, causing them to shift from vegetation level to lamp-post height, disrupting night-time pollination. Moth populations play a crucial role in plant pollination, and their decline could have significant effects on ecosystems.
A study by researchers from the University of Exeter found that marine turtle trade continues despite conservation efforts, with a shift towards commercial harvesting in certain islands. The study suggests refining conservation interventions and focusing on suppliers and consumers for more robust solutions.
A recent study found that the San Nicolas Island fox population has extremely low genetic variation, making it vulnerable to extinction. Genetic rescue from other island fox subspecies could be necessary to preserve this important ecosystem member.
A recent study found that non-blind individuals carrying a mutant gene are likely to be widely distributed within the population, making eradication of the mutation difficult. The mutant gene also leads to more offspring per year, suggesting its persistence in the future.
A new study reveals that local populations of threatened species may adapt to specific conditions, necessitating different conservation strategies. The research suggests using ecological models to predict suitable areas for each population, improving conservation efforts for the Karner blue butterfly and Siberian primrose.
Research led by UI Scientist Brian Dennis finds honeybees' decline rooted in hive size, which becomes unstable when cooperative functions are degraded. The study proposes regional pesticide management and conservation programs to help honeybees.
Researchers developed a new model to estimate male lion mortality, providing insights into human impact on populations. The model can be applied to various species facing local extinction, enabling data-driven conservation strategies.
A new analysis of 26 shrub species in South Africa reveals that climate, fire, and soil factors significantly influence population dynamics. The study's findings provide insights into how these interactions shape the reproductive and survival patterns of plants.
Researchers studied tree responses to temperature and dry-season stress in Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. The study found significant changes in second-growth tropical forests due to multi-year droughts.
Researchers developed a software framework called plant to investigate how plant species coexist with varying traits. The tool examines physiological rules and functional trade-offs in vegetation structure and diversity.
Rising global temperatures may skew gender imbalance among the marine turtle population, according to new research. The sex of marine hatchlings is influenced by incubating temperatures, with warmer temperatures producing a higher number of female hatchlings.
Researchers used COMPADRE database to study 418 plant species, finding half of variation in life history is caused by growth rate and reproductive strategy. The study suggests understanding these patterns can help predict population persistence, extinction, and diversification.
A team of biologists found that current harvest levels for gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains lead to decreased survival and reproduction, smaller packs, and social disruption. The research highlights the need for stronger science-based policies to guide regulated carnivore hunting.
Researchers found that winter temperatures drive synchrony in aphid flight timings, affecting commercial crops like alfalfa and wheat. Climate change influences spatial synchrony in many species, with implications for public health and commercial endeavors.
A new study suggests that strategic directional fencing and/or corridors can be a viable solution for lion conservation by maintaining protected areas and directing lions to suitable habitats. The research highlights the critical role of landscape connectivity in the survival of African lions.
A new study by researchers from Linnaeus University demonstrates that a higher degree of individual variation is beneficial to populations and species. The findings suggest that more variable populations are less vulnerable to environmental changes, show decreased fluctuations in population size, have superior establishment success, la...
Research finds that fishermen in Turks and Caicos Islands are increasing the local prevalence of a disease affecting turtle populations worldwide by selectively harvesting healthy creatures and throwing back infected animals. The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, suggests that this practice has the opposite effect of cul...
A new study reveals that humans prey on adult species at rates up to 14 times higher than other predators, leading to widespread extinction and restructuring of food webs. This behavior alters observable traits in prey populations and transforms ecological interactions.
Stan Yavno's research on non-native pumpkinseed sunfish found high levels of morphological plasticity, facilitating their ecological adaptations in new areas. This finding is significant as it suggests that invasive species can outcompete native populations through phenotypic plasticity.
A University of California, Davis study found that the Ising model can explain synchronous events like fruit tree boom and bust years and insect outbreaks. The model applies to understanding population dynamics and has broader implications for extinction and disease.
A study analyzed gaps between biodiversity data and policy reporting needs, identifying essential elements like population abundances and ecosystem structure. The research used the Essential Biodiversity Variables framework to quantify indicators and proxies.
A new study reveals that invasive species like Asian carp use landmarking to find mates by congregating at easily identifiable locations. This strategy allows them to reproduce even when population densities are low, posing a significant threat to conservation efforts.