The study highlights the importance of a diverse city tree population, with private residences contributing significantly to urban forest diversity and structure. The research found that private trees serve unique functions such as providing fruit, flowers, or aesthetic beauty, while municipal trees tend to be bigger and more resilient.
A recent study by University of Washington researchers found that climate 'presses' and 'pulses' have equal importance on Magellanic penguin population survival. The team analyzed nearly four decades of data at Punta Tombo, Argentina, revealing a decline in breeding pairs from 400,000 to 150,000 between the 1980s and 2019.
A new study published in Current Biology elucidates 230 years of Caribbean history, identifying eight major genetic lineages of breadfruit and their connections to Oceania. The research highlights the crop's potential as a sustainable and climate-resilient option for food security and sovereignty.
A new study by the University of Bath suggests that diving birds like penguins and puffins are more prone to extinction than non-diving birds. The research found that diving evolved independently 14 times and led to a loss of evolutionary diversity in these species.
Researchers found that simultaneously acting global change factors decrease grassland plant community diversity, regardless of individual factor quality. This effect is linked to increased biomass production due to the influence of highly influential factors like eutrophication.
A new study provides insights into which pressures cause damage to plant species, revealing that agricultural activities pose a significant threat across diverse ecosystems. The transformation of production practices can mitigate this risk, reducing extinction rates by up to 54% in Norway.
Researchers found a close correspondence between bat species' wing shapes and their echolocation vocalizations, with both linked to foraging ecology. The study reveals distinct 'foraging syndromes' that have evolved repeatedly in each family, matching optimal evolutionary solutions for different habitats.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 9, 2022
Forests with multiple tree species have been shown to be more productive, as different species fill distinct niches and compete less. Additionally, genetic diversity within each tree species also promotes forest productivity by increasing resource use efficiency and reducing damage from herbivores and fungi.
Research finds most Asian countries have failed to protect at least 17% of land by 2020, and the outlook for achieving 30% protection by 2030 is bleak. To meet targets, Asian countries need to increase their rate of establishing protected areas by up to six times faster.
Researchers analyzed 3,114 mammal species across Asia and adjacent continents to understand the origin and timing of its rich biodiversity. The study found that tropical forests are a major center of diversity, while Himalayan and Hengduan Mountains are accumulation centers with lineages migrating from other regions.
Researchers found that less intensively managed grasslands had greater diversity of plant species and correlated with better soil health, including increased nitrogen and carbon levels. In contrast, intensively farmed plots showed fewer plant species, but some saw improvements in soil health over time.
A new species of herbivore, Transylvanosaurus platycephalus, has been revealed with a remarkably flat head. The discovery challenges the assumption that Europe had low diversity during the Late Cretaceous period.
A new study by Imperial College London found that the most unique birds on the planet are also the most threatened. The researchers analyzed the extinction risk and physical attributes of 99% of all living bird species, revealing a significant link between uniqueness and threat status.
A study reveals that porcini mushrooms have evolved in different ways across the globe, with local ecological factors playing a stronger role in maintaining genetic distinctiveness than genetic flow. The findings challenge traditional notions of species development and suggest multiple evolutionary strategies for this organism.
Researchers modelled relationship between plant diversity and environmental conditions, capturing how diversity varies along environmental gradients. The models predict highest concentrations of plant diversity in environmentally heterogeneous tropical areas like Central America and the Amazonia.
Researchers developed a pedigree for aquarium-bred corals, revealing relationships between individuals and identifying genetic differences. The study provides insights into maximizing genetic diversity and adaptability in corals bred for conservation, crucial for their resilience to threats like ocean warming and acidification.
Scientists discovered that ancient fish favored cold, dark waters of the deep sea, challenging the assumption that shallow habitats have always been diverse. The study revealed three major events that drove speciation rates in the deep sea, including the breakup of Pangea and the Cretaceous Hot Greenhouse period.
Fossils of ostrich-like dinosaurs from Mississippi provide valuable insights into the diversity and distribution of North American ornithomimosaurs. The discovery reveals that these dinosaurs lived side-by-side with multiple species, including giant body sizes weighing over 800kg.
A study by Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found that 41% more plant species in Germany have decreased in abundance over the past 100 years, while only 19% have increased. This uneven distribution of gains and losses indicates a significant loss of biodiversity.
New research from the University of East Anglia reveals that wild bees are actively foraging in the sunlit woodland canopy, particularly among Sycamore trees. A diverse community of wild bees was found to thrive in this habitat, with nectar and pollen-rich trees providing essential food sources.
A new study reveals that losing endangered fruit-eating animals in the Atlantic Forest could severely disrupt seed-dispersal networks, leaving plants without an effective means to regenerate. Nearly 55% of specialist plant species rely solely on these frugivores for seed dispersal.
A team of scientists and high school students collaborated to study Hong Kong's soil biodiversity, collecting 3,588 individual samples and identifying 150 species. The project also raised public awareness about the importance of citizen science in understanding local biodiversity.
Researchers found that coral symbiont community structure responds to environmental conditions in Kaneohe Bay, which can help predict how corals will respond to future heat stress. Corals in areas with less light and temperature variability hosted less of the stress resilient symbiont.
Researchers documented social ties between individual chimpanzees and gorillas that persisted over years and across different contexts. The study found enhanced foraging opportunities to be a key benefit of interspecies social interactions, with apes sharing knowledge of diverse plant species.
Researchers found that small amounts of development can positively impact bee species in a given area, revealing the importance of forest remnants and blended landscapes. The study discovered 111 species, representing 20% of known Georgia bee species, and provided a framework for future research to assist in bee conservation.
Researchers found that hedges and perennial flower strips complement each other to support wild bees in orchards, with species visiting flowers at different times of the year. Perennial flower strips were more beneficial for wild bees than annual strips, attracting different bee communities over time.
Research reveals that tree species diversity enhances drought resistance in nearly half of the world's forests, with a greater impact on dry and drought-prone regions. The study suggests that restoring tree species diversity could increase drought resistance by up to 3.2% in global plantation forests.
A recent genomic analysis reveals that all South American canid species descended from a single ancestral population that arrived on the continent between 3.5 million and 4 million years ago. The study found that genetic mutations leading to extreme variations in height, size, and diet were introduced artificially through selective bre...
A study on common ragweed found that its gene adaptation is key to its successful invasion of Europe. The plant's ability to resist local pathogens and hybridize with other species has allowed it to outcompete native species.
Researchers found that unique coloration makes songbirds more sought after as pets, threatening their populations and the aesthetic value of nature. The study identifies nearly 500 bird species at risk due to their colors, emphasizing the need for sustainable trade regulations.
Researchers have identified a new-to-science species of octopus, Callistoctopus xiaohongxu, found in the southeast waters of China. The species has distinctive smooth skin and reddish-brown coloration, making it a significant discovery for cephalopod diversity in Chinese waters.
New research finds that most tokay geckos sold in Hong Kong's TCM shops originated from Southeast Asia, not locally. The study highlights the need for stricter control of pet trade releases to protect this vulnerable species.
A new study reveals that bats' diets are more similar than previously thought, with both species eating a variety of insects and agricultural pests. The research found that the northern long-eared bat tends to pick up larger prey items due to its gleaning strategy.
A new standard will help identify critical areas for shark conservation using criteria that consider biological and ecological needs. The framework aims to support the protection of apex predators facing extinction due to human threats.
The study quantifies the impact of human activity on the Atlantic Rainforest's carbon storage capacity, highlighting that forest degradation leads to significant losses and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation efforts are crucial to reverse these effects and protect the biome's carbon stocks.
A Rutgers-led study finds that biodiversity of the bee population is crucial for maintaining stable pollination services over a growing season and years. The research suggests that different bee species pollinate the same plants at different times and dominate pollinators on specific types of plants in different years.
Research by Oregon State University finds that old-growth forests with diverse tree sizes and species can provide refuge for birds threatened by warming climate. Cooler microclimates and higher forest diversity tend to reduce negative effects on bird populations.
Researchers analyzed 170,000 vegetation plots from all climate zones to find that small areas can have high biodiversity, like Eastern European steppes and Siberia. This challenges the idea of large-scale conservation, as smaller protected zones may be more effective in preserving ecosystems.
Researchers have identified eight new species of tiny brown geckos in Madagascar's rainforests, expanding our understanding of their distribution and evolution. The discovery highlights the importance of continued sampling across the region to uncover new species.
Researchers have used state-of-the-art technology to study the prehistoric Trilophosuchus rackhami, a tiny crocodile found in north-west Queensland. The analysis reveals distinctive ridges on its skull and brain cavity similarities with distantly related terrestrial extinct crocs from Africa and South America.
A new study from the University of South Australia shows that captive frogs can be protected from the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) through natural skin shedding processes. However, captivity also reduces skin bacteria diversity and richness, potentially affecting the frogs' resilience to pathogens.
New research from the University of East Anglia finds that hydropower developments lead to flooding forests, driving biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruptions. The study reveals widespread species extinction, especially among large-bodied species, highlighting the need for sustainable energy security and biodiversity conservation.
Researchers found that in almost two-thirds of cases, agricultural diversity had a positive effect on food security. However, the relationship was mixed or showed no effect in about one-third of cases. The study highlights the importance of preserving agrobiodiversity to ensure food systems can adapt to climate change and other stresses.
Researchers have found a 30-million-year-old beaver fossil that challenges previous theories on the evolution of semi-aquatic beavers in North America. The discovery, published in Royal Society Open Science, suggests that these animals may have evolved to swim earlier than previously thought and were likely adapted for aquatic life.
A comprehensive study reveals that nitrogen-fixers are most diverse in arid regions of the US, contrary to expectations. Plants have evolved creative ways to acquire nitrogen, and their diversity increases in these environments due to adaptations such as thicker cuticles.
A new study by Flinders University scientists highlights the importance of prey and habitat diversity for the coexistence of Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins. The research found that subtle differences in their habitat use and prey selection promote the coexistence of these ecologically similar dolphin species.
Researchers studied 28 clades with 1,437 species in subtropical East Asian caves to understand biotic colonization. They found that climate changes and forest evolution drove colonization over time.
Researchers discovered that male spiders select sexual organ with more sperm for first copulation with cannibalistic females and transfer significantly more sperm when risk is high. The study supports the male mating syndrome theory, which posits that males evolve strategies to counter female cannibalism.
Researchers have found that small mammal diversity decreased with increasing human modification and that modern communities are fundamentally distinct from past ones. Even protected spaces can conserve native small mammal communities, highlighting their importance in urban conservation projects.
Climate change is driving the expansion of invasive insect species, such as the oak gall wasp, into more northerly oak savannas. This can lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem, as these insects can overwhelm native species without natural predators or competitors.
A team of researchers at the University of Hawaii collected over 3,000 microbial samples from Waimea Valley's watershed, discovering that microbes follow the food web and are maintained within soil and stream water. The study also found that local distribution of a microbe predicts its global distribution.
A new study analyzing 72 lakes in four large Neotropical wetlands of Brazil reveals that human impacts on biodiversity compromise wetland multifunctionality. Strong associations between aquatic organism diversity and wetland functioning were found, highlighting the crucial role of species richness in driving ecosystem health.
A study of wild baboons in southern Kenya found that most carry traces of hybridization in their DNA, with about a third of their genetic makeup coming from another species. However, new genetic evidence reveals that some borrowed genes came at a cost, affecting the hybrids' survival and reproduction.
A new study used artificial intelligence to create the largest global map of insect diversity, highlighting areas with high ant biodiversity and potential conservation priorities. The researchers also found that only a low percentage of these areas are protected.
A high-resolution map of ant biodiversity has been created, revealing areas with high diversity and potential for new species discovery. The study's findings highlight the importance of protecting critical regions with high ant diversity.
A UBC research team created a computer modelling program to predict coral reef impact and restoration plans. They found that more diverse communities are most resilient, with species having unique traits contributing to habitat quality.
Researchers investigate how foraging adaptations affect Arctic charr resilience to climate change. The team aims to develop a framework linking genetic and malleable components of feeding trait diversity to population demography, habitat, and eco-evolutionary potential.
Scientists have discovered a new, venomous pit viper species in Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, China. The newly described snake has unique characteristics and is found to feed on small mammals in sunny days by the roadside.
A new study in Frontiers in Microbiology found that centuries-old lava caves on Hawaiʻi Island harbor an astonishing number of previously undiscovered bacterial species, including the Chloroflexi group. These microbes play key ecological roles in their communities and may have played a crucial role in shaping life on Mars and early Earth.
Research predicts that bird species extinction will decrease morphological diversity among remaining birds at a rate greater than species loss alone. Birds with extreme features are most likely to be affected, including the largest and smallest species, as well as regions like the Himalayan mountains and south Vietnam/Cambodia.