Articles tagged with Species Distribution
A new study using 4.4 million citizen science observations found that competition from other species limits the elevation ranges of tropical mountain birds. The research suggests that when bird species overlap with each other, their ranges become smaller.
A team of researchers, led by UTA biologist Eric Smith, has identified six new species of miniature frogs in Mexico. These tiny amphibians have evolved to retain juvenile characteristics, limiting their adult growth and size.
A new database has been created to support conservation efforts by filling the large gaps in our understanding of where and how human activities threaten wild species around the world. The database presents a valuable tool for planning conservation actions at any spatial scale and preventing species extinctions globally.
At least 30 out of 114 North American bird species have become less well-adjusted to their climate over the last 30 years, according to a recent study. Climate decoupling, where species distributions and abundances diverge from climate conditions, is particularly prominent among habitat specialists.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
A new study reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructure, habitat degradation, and climate change. The research identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions.
A study by TUM researchers found that warmth-loving insect species increased in population trends, while cold-adapted species declined. This is partly due to improvements in water quality benefiting dragonflies, which depend on aquatic habitats.
A study analyzing long-term monitoring data for 1,478 species in Finland reveals that climate change has led to shifting between 'good', 'ideal', and 'worse' parts of their climatic niches. This impacts biodiversity, with some species benefiting from warmer temperatures while others decline as conditions become too warm.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.
This study reveals that topography and soil pH are key factors influencing the spatial distribution and activity density of termites in tropical forests. The researchers found that different feeding groups respond to environmental influences, such as plant biomass and litter mass, affecting their co-occurrence and ecological impact.
A University of Otago study analyzed ancient DNA from the eastern moa, finding that the species altered its distribution as the climate warmed and cooled. The research highlights how past climate change impacted different species in unique ways, challenging a 'one size fits all' model.
Researchers at UBC's Sea Around Us initiative identified four high-traffic areas in the Pacific Ocean as crucial for conserving large pelagic fishes like tuna and swordfish. By analyzing migration routes, genetic sequencing studies, and catch distribution maps, they pinpointed 'blue corridors' where strict fisheries management measures...
Researchers created a warbler distribution map to identify areas important for conservation, indicating places where habitat improvement and restoration can benefit the species. The model suggests promoting woodlands with high tree canopy cover, 60–80% Ashe juniper composition, and tree heights over 3 meters.
Scientists have developed Community Distribution Models (CDMs) to predict upland vegetation communities from published data at a national scale. The approach uses publicly available and open-access NVC records and environmental data, with models based on random forests being the most accurate.
A new study reveals that freshwater habitats have the highest animal species richness per area, with more than 99% of known animal species inhabiting land and 12% ocean habitats. The research suggests that preserving freshwater ecosystems can protect more species and evolutionary history.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
A recent study published in PNAS found that cities can mitigate the impact of urban expansion on species habitats. The research identified hotspot cities with high biodiversity hotspots and highlighted the need for global conservation efforts to include policies protecting species in urban lands.
A new study predicts that six tropical fish species in Japan will expand northward due to rising sea temperatures. The model found that minimum sea surface temperature is the most important factor affecting distribution patterns for all species, with potential habitat range changes minimised by stringent mitigation measures.
Researchers found 155,000 individuals of the rare Serapias neglecta orchid in a military base in Corsica, showcasing its high concentration and rarity. The area's unique conditions, including low vegetation and poor fertilization, contributed to the plant's thriving population.
Camera trap surveys in six sites across the Annamite Mountains have provided new insights into the occurrence and distribution of two threatened species, the Annamite striped rabbit and dark muntjac. The study identified factors influencing their presence, including elevation and proximity to human settlements.
Researchers developed a simple and efficient method for surveying amphibians using environmental DNA analysis, which can be conducted by anyone without specialist knowledge. This technique resolves issues with conventional methods such as capture and observational surveys, allowing for more accurate monitoring of amphibian habitats.
Mathematicians at the University of Leicester have developed a new mathematical model that could greatly increase the efficiency of pest control. The model uses field data and computer simulations to predict the distribution of slugs in arable fields, accounting for individual creature movements.
Scientists sequenced DNA and measured Island Monarchs, revealing they settle down more readily than expected after colonizing an island. The study confirms the importance of island regions in species evolution, adding new knowledge to biogeography.
According to a new study, climate change will force 45% of transboundary fish stocks to shift significantly by 2100, raising tensions and potential conflicts over resource management. This shift will disproportionately affect tropical countries and potentially collapse international agreements.
The DNAqua-Net team developed a practical guide for implementing DNA-based biomonitoring tools, considering four sample types and two primary analysis types. The guide sets out scientific consensus and trade-offs, addressing logistics, time, and budget constraints.
A team of scientists has redefined indicators for biological diversity, analyzing ecosystem and species distribution. They found that areas with many species don't always have high biodiversity, and some protected areas may not be effectively conserving species and ecosystems.
Current climate models underestimate species extinction rates by neglecting the complexities of ecosystems. Researchers used piñon pine data to model how climate affects tree populations and distribution, finding indirect effects that cannot be captured by climate-only models.
Researchers discovered new species and genera related to the genus Ctenopharyngodon, revealing that grass carp originated during the Oligocene in western China. The fossil record shows a transformation from carnivorous ancestors to herbivores as the environment changed.
Researchers found polar bears can be used as indicators of environmental shifts, highlighting how changes affect marine mammal prey populations. They also discovered that polar bears are flexible eaters and will consume available prey, making them an ideal monitoring tool for tracking environmental changes.
A study by University of British Columbia researchers reveals that southern resident killer whales have access to four to six times more Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea than northern residents. This challenges the common notion of a prey shortage for southern residents during summer feeding grounds.
A new study reveals that 1,330 nurseries and retailers sell hundreds of invasive plant species, including 20 illegal ones. Regional regulation and outreach are needed to reduce their spread.
A new study reveals that just 42% of nations have expanded their scientific understanding of bird species distributions in the last decade. The researchers developed two new metrics to assess biodiversity data coverage and effectiveness, finding that regions like Asia and South America are closing knowledge gaps.
A Yale study has identified significant gaps in biodiversity maps, limiting effective conservation decisions globally. The researchers created regional trends maps to assess the distribution of 31,000 terrestrial vertebrates, highlighting opportunities for citizen scientists and government agencies to support biodiversity monitoring.
A long-running survey of ants at Stanford's Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve found that the distribution of Argentine ants has receded by 30% since 1994. Climate change was identified as a significant factor in this decrease, particularly during an extreme drought from 2012 to 2015.
Scientists used DNA data and predictive modelling to identify regions where an invasive sea squirt could thrive in South America. The study found that a slight change in currents and sea temperature may lead to the species' expansion across northern Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.
A University of Otago study found that the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake created an ecological opportunity for a previously South Island restricted seaweed species to colonize and establish itself in the North Island. This discovery highlights the potential of tectonic disturbance to shape biodiversity, including marine environments.
A recent review analyzed over 2,000 species in the Alps, finding that many have shifted their life cycles earlier and are moving higher up the elevational gradient as climate change intensifies. This shift is often lagging behind the rate of climate change, with some species experiencing little or no elevation change.
Climate change and poaching pressure are expected to significantly impact kangaskhan habitat suitability, according to a new study. Researchers used several species distribution modeling algorithms to predict the species' future survival.
Researchers at Yale have created a global map of undiscovered species, revealing that Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Colombia hold the greatest opportunities for new discoveries. The study also highlights the importance of taxonomists in finding undiscovered species, and emphasizes the need for more funding to close knowledge gaps.
Researchers from The George Washington University reclassified the banana spider genus Phoneutria, revealing two previously thought-to-be-similar species: P. boliviensis and P. depilata. Genetic analysis revealed significant differences between the two forms, which differ in their geographic distribution and morphological characteristics.
A study models bird and mammal species distributions under climate scenarios, revealing potential conservation issues across national borders. The authors project that border barriers could obstruct the dispersal of nonflying species as their ranges shift, emphasizing the need to mitigate these impacts.
A new global dataset of bioclimatic indicators at high spatial resolution is released to aid in understanding future species distribution and climate change impacts. The dataset, called CMCC-BioClimInd, provides valuable information for studies using species distribution modeling.
Researchers have identified small-seeded native plants that may have fed as many Indigenous people as maize, thanks to the presence of bison. By following bison trails and paths in tallgrass prairies, scientists were able to harvest seeds from continuous stands of these crops, including little barley, sumpweed, and maygrass.
A new study from the New England Aquarium improves species distribution models for predicting whale habitats by incorporating food availability, such as zooplankton. The prey-centric model suggests that protections are needed in areas where whales are currently found and may be migrating to due to climate change.
A new Amazon study suggests that by redesigning conservation projects to consider both freshwater and land species, big positive gains can be made for critical freshwater ecosystems. Conservation efforts could deliver up to 600% more protection for these ecosystems without negatively affecting land species.
Researchers tracked baleen whale movements using passive acoustic recordings, finding four species have changed their distribution patterns in the past decade. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than other regions, resulting in changes in distribution for five out of six baleen whale species.
A new species of riffle beetle, Podonychus gyobu, is described from Kyushu, Japan, with a disjunct distribution across the equator to Indonesia. The genus was previously known only in Indonesia and has a unique characteristic of having six-segmented antennae.
A new monograph published in PhytoKeys reveals details about the 425 New World species in the largest genus of morning glories, including six new species and nine new subspecies. The study found that most plants originated from two large centers: South America and the Caribbean Islands.
A recent book on the ecology of woody introducents in the Murmansk oblast of Russia identified only 4 out of 19 plant-damaging insect species correctly. The study emphasizes the need for accurate insect identification to prevent cascading effects of mistakes.
Research reveals physical connectivity between southern Red Sea and Indian Ocean, highlighting need for regional marine conservation approach. Genetic patterns suggest clearer separation between northern and southern parts of sea.
A new study by University of Alberta biologists found that birds of the same species do not use the same habitats in different parts of the Canadian boreal forest. This phenomenon, known as differential habitat selection, has significant implications for conservation planning and management strategies.
A study published in PNAS found that humans are driving the loss of biodiversity among narrow-ranged plant species in China, while widespread species are thriving. The research revealed that human impact factors lead to a negative correlation with narrow-ranged species and a positive correlation with widespread species.
Computational analysis identifies gaps in mosquito species distribution models, highlighting the need for improved data and models to advance disease understanding. Key regions with high uncertainty were found, particularly in borderland habitats and areas like Florida's panhandle.
A study by researchers at Technical University of Munich found that fungal communities have darker mushrooms in cold climates, suggesting a correlation between coloration and temperature regulation. This mechanism may improve reproduction by allowing fungi to harness solar energy.
Researchers found that public interest in US bird species increases with body size and abundance, while endangered species attract high local interest. Certain well-known species are also popular nationwide, despite their limited range.
A new study found that physiological coordination between plant height and xylem hydraulic traits is linked to habitat water availability. The researchers discovered that taller plants from wet habitats exhibit greater xylem efficiency, wider conduits, and lower sapwood density.
An international team of biodiversity modelers has developed best-practice standards framework with detailed guidelines. The standards enable scoring of studies based on species distribution models for use in biodiversity assessments, ensuring transparency and consistency in policy recommendations. The framework proposes four levels of...
A new review article explores how fire histories affect animal movement patterns and the distribution of species. It highlights the consequences of altered fire regimes and habitat fragmentation on animal populations, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research to better understand these complex interactions.
A Brazilian study found that climate change could lead to the extinction of up to 10% of frog and toad species endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest biome within the next 50 years. The researchers used spatial distribution data and ecological niche models to predict which areas would be favorable for each species.
The study uses Landsat and Aster satellites to identify ecologically relevant environmental and biotic variation, and machine learning algorithms predict species distributions. The findings provide important information for forest management and conservation in the Peruvian lowland Amazonia.