Articles tagged with Habitat Fragmentation
A study by Rothermel and Semlitsch found that juvenile amphibians preferentially use corridors of natural vegetation to move through fragmented forests. The researchers also discovered that these animals lose more water in open fields, making forest habitats a safer choice for survival.
A new model predicts that an animal's body size determines how often it encounters food in its environment. The researchers found that larger animals have bigger home ranges due to their ability to perceive and average over different scales of resource availability.
Two studies published in Ecological Applications found that wildlife corridors increase the movement and population density of butterflies and other habitat-restricted species. The most effective corridors were those that connected isolated patches of open space with existing forest, allowing for improved plant diversity and food sources.
Researchers found that African elephants can coexist with humans for a certain threshold, beyond which they disappear. The 'threshold hypothesis' suggests that land planners can distinguish areas suitable for elephant conservation from those that are not.
Behavioral factors can contribute to extinction, such as electrocution from roosting on electric wires or flying into lights. Biologists are using decoys and mimicry to reestablish colonies and attract species.
A new study found that forest fragmentation allows large predators like raccoons and opossums to target ground-nesting songbirds, leading to a decline in some species. The researchers discovered that small forest fragments have a higher incidence of predation from large species, which can lead to dramatic effects on reproductive success.
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.
Researchers are using sophisticated computer models to predict the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems facing unprecedented rates of climate change. Plant species may need to migrate at speeds up to 10 times faster than historically observed, but some terrains offer less suitable habitats for this adaptation.
A Brown University study reveals that many songbirds migrating south each autumn switch from insects to a berry-rich diet to store fat for the long haul. The study found that these 'pit stops,' crucial for tiny songbirds traveling thousands of miles, are under intense development and ecological pressure.
Researchers found that native aquatic plants hyperaccumulate contaminants in their tissue, transforming toxic metal forms into benign ones. Turtle shell fragments serve as sensitive biomonitors of uranium, nickel, selenium, and arsenic contamination, enabling environmental risk assessment and remediation project evaluation.