https://phys.org/biology-news/ecology en-us The latest science and research news on ecology When you are driving through a rain storm, traction is key. If your tires lack sufficient tread, your vehicle will slip and slide, and you won't have the grip needed to maneuver safely. When torrential rains hit near-shore, shallow water ecosystems, sea urchins experience a similar challenge. Heavy precipitation can alter the concentration of salt in the ocean waters, causing lower salinity levels. Even a slight change in salinity can affect the ability of sea urchins to securely attach their tube feet to their surroundings—like tires gripping the road. This becomes a matter of life and death for the small spiny creatures, as they rely on their adhesive structures to move in the wave-battered rocky area near the seashore. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-sea-urchins-struggling-climate-ecosystems.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:09:13 EDT news610211348 New research published today in Nature has revealed the importance of mineral forms of iron in regulating the cycling of this bio-essential nutrient in the ocean. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-highlights-importance-mineral-iron-ocean.html Ecology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:31:48 EDT news610198302 Contributing to the pursuit of sustainable farming, especially sugarcane growing, Brazilian researchers have shown that water bodies such as ponds and even puddles can maintain ecosystem services, provided there are tolerant animals in the vicinity to replace those most sensitive to agricultural practices. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-substitution-tolerant-sensitive-species-ecosystems.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:23:07 EDT news610194183 A study led by The University of Western Australia has revealed a tool used by prey to conceal 3D body shapes in nature, providing a different perspective on how camouflage works. The findings have been detailed in, " Camouflage using three-dimensional surface disruption," and published in Biology Letters. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-depth-camouflage.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:51:35 EDT news610181489 In the peak heat of summer, beachgoers don't want their plans thwarted by harmful algal blooms (HABs). But current methods to remove or kill toxin-producing algae and cyanobacteria aren't efficient or practical for direct applications in waterways. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-sponge-algal-blooms.html Ecology Biotechnology Tue, 01 Aug 2023 17:00:07 EDT news610128005 With mighty jaws and plate-like teeth, the whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) can pretty much crunch on anything. In fact, hard clam farmers in Florida's Indian River Lagoon have considered this species a threat to their production efforts and profit margin. This assumption, however, is mostly anecdotal. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-dna-decodes-dining-shell-shucking-whitespotted.html Plants & Animals Ecology Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:10:12 EDT news610121401 Birds can be electrocuted if they come into contact with two energized parts of a power line at once—which can happen when they spread their wings to take off from or land on a power pole. Because of this, energy companies invest substantial time and money into making sure power lines are avian safe, installing safe perches and insulating energized elements. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-illegal-responsible-birds-dead-power.html Plants & Animals Ecology Tue, 01 Aug 2023 11:00:01 EDT news610100853 North Carolina State University researchers have identified the specific blend of pheromone chemicals—including a newly revealed aphrodisiac—used by male moths during courtship as they attempt to entice females to mate. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-male-moth-aphrodisiac-revealed.html Ecology Molecular & Computational biology Tue, 01 Aug 2023 11:00:01 EDT news610098586 Researchers often think how and when their results will be published. However, many research projects don't see the light until decades (or even centuries) later, if at all. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-year-old-tassie-tiger-brain-sample.html Evolution Ecology Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:35:33 EDT news610104929 Researchers have revealed the unique 'cheating' strategy a New Zealand insect has developed to avoid being eaten—mimicking a highly toxic species. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-pays-survival-strategy-insect-uncovered.html Ecology Molecular & Computational biology Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:17:03 EDT news610103821 A study published in the journal Current Biology provides valuable insights into understanding how individual species persist under climate change and its implications for the global carbon cycle and marine food webs. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-deep-unveiling-secrets-microalgae-cope.html Evolution Ecology Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:19:03 EDT news610028341 The REPLANT Act provides money for the US Forest Service to plant more than a billion trees in the next nine years. The World Economic Forum aims to help plant a trillion trees around the world by 2030. Many US cities have plans to shade their streets with millions of trees. Major government and private funding is being invested in planting trees as a powerful tool to fight climate change, protect water, clean air, and cool cities. In short, trees are hot. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-billions-trees-threatened-massive-undersupply.html Plants & Animals Ecology Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:00:02 EDT news610014985 Increasing urbanization is reducing biodiversity with cities proving harsh places for many of Australia's native wildlife to live—not least magnificent birds of prey which face lack of habitat, high buildings and disturbance by car noise and night lights. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-cities-australian-eagles-smaller-raptors.html Plants & Animals Ecology Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:19:03 EDT news610024741 Researchers have shown from stable isotope ratios in the baleen of pygmy right whales that this species of baleen whales remains in waters off southern Australia year-round and feeds on Australian krill and copepods. Unlike larger relatives, they don't make seasonal migrations to Antarctic regions. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-scientists-enigma-pygmy-whales-habits.html Plants & Animals Ecology Mon, 31 Jul 2023 10:10:06 EDT news610017001 Bangladesh remains a major hub for the poaching of endangered tigers despite government claims of a successful crackdown on pirate groups involved in the trade, according to research published Friday. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-bangladesh-major-hub-tiger-poaching.html Ecology Sat, 29 Jul 2023 03:07:31 EDT news609818829 Four decades of conservation spending totaling more than $9 billion in inflation-adjusted tax dollars has failed to improve stocks of wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin, according to Oregon State University research. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-billions-wild-fish-stocks-columbia.html Ecology Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:20:30 EDT news609772819 An international research study led by the University of Vienna (Austria) and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE) in Barcelona (Spain), recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, provides a better insight into the evolutionary history of gorillas. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-gene-extinct-gorilla-population-eastern.html Evolution Ecology Fri, 28 Jul 2023 09:39:37 EDT news609755973 Resilient corals, often referred to as "super corals," have recently been seen as potential saviors in the face of climate change and its detrimental effects on coral reefs. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-highlights-extreme-coral-habitats.html Evolution Ecology Fri, 28 Jul 2023 05:00:02 EDT news609683332 Ancient pathogens that escape from melting permafrost have real potential to damage microbial communities and might potentially threaten human health, according to a new study by Giovanni Strona of the European Commission Joint Research Center and colleagues, published July 27 in the open-access journal PLOS Computational Biology. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-time-traveling-pathogens-permafrost-pose-environment.html Ecology Cell & Microbiology Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:00:01 EDT news609672050 At first glance, the hexagonal cells build by honey bees and social wasps may seem similar, but they are significantly different. Honey bees build using wax, whereas wasps use paper. Honey bees build their double-sided combs vertically, whereas wasps build single-sided comb horizontally (i.e., the opening of each cell faces downward). https://phys.org/news/2023-07-bees-wasps-architectural-solutions-large.html Evolution Ecology Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:00:01 EDT news609672044 It is an early autumn morning. Three researchers from the Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen venture into a Danish forest carrying plastic boxes with DNA air samplers. Wearing latex gloves and face masks, the researchers strap the samplers to tree trunks and attach air filters. They then turn on the power. A faint hum reveals that the collection of airborne particles is in progress. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-scientists-vacuum-animal-dna-air.html Ecology Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 27 Jul 2023 13:23:03 EDT news609682981 Many gardeners will tell you that aphids are the bane of their existence. According to a new study from the University of Florida, these tiny pests also pose problems for the iconic monarch butterfly. The study found that when oleander aphids infested tropical milkweed—a nonnative milkweed species commonly used across southern portions of the U.S. stretching from California to Florida—the butterflies laid fewer eggs on the plants, and caterpillars developing on those plants were slower to mature. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-aphids-tropical-milkweed-monarch-butterflies.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:00:02 EDT news609579716 All plants and lichens listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act are sensitive to climate change but there are few plans in place to address this threat directly, according to a new study by Amy Casandra Wrobleski of Pennsylvania State University and colleagues, published July 26, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS Climate. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-climate-threatens-endangered-lichen-species.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:00:02 EDT news609579572 Some of the world's most distinct and ancient animal species, which play crucial roles in our planet's ecosystems, are exploited for the wildlife trade across large parts of the world, according to new research from the University of Sheffield. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-global-wildlife-evolutionary-history-ecosystem.html Evolution Ecology Wed, 26 Jul 2023 12:17:04 EDT news609592621 The Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) is a critically endangered species native to the Orinoco River basin in Colombia and Venezuela. It is one of the largest crocodilian species in the world, reaching lengths of up to seven meters. Despite its impressive size, it is also the most endangered and least-studied of the New World crocodilians. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-genetic-reveals-captive-bred-population-endangered.html Ecology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:56:11 EDT news609591368 Artificial reefs might help to restore the ocean's ability to fight against climate change. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-artificial-reefs-seagrass-meadows-climate.html Ecology Biotechnology Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:12:05 EDT news609588721 About 15 years ago, researchers reported that the timing of spring in high-Arctic Greenland had advanced at some of the fastest rates of change ever seen anywhere in the world. But, according to new evidence reported in the journal Current Biology on July 26, that earlier pattern has since been completely erased. Instead of coming earlier and earlier, it seems the timing of Arctic spring is now driven by tremendous climate variability with drastic differences from one year to the next. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-earlier-high-arctic-extreme-year-to-year-variation.html Ecology Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:00:01 EDT news609580536 Arctic terns—which fly on the longest migrations of any animal on Earth—may be able to navigate the dangers posed by climate change, new research suggests. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-arctic-terns-climate-dangers.html Plants & Animals Ecology Wed, 26 Jul 2023 05:00:01 EDT news609515882 Keeping a watchful eye on newly settled corals at submillimeter scale on the Great Barrier Reef is now much easier, with Southern Cross University and CSIRO successfully using underwater macrophotogrammetry for the first time. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-advanced-imaging-technology-baby-corals.html Ecology Biotechnology Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:02 EDT news609522071 African cuckoos may have met their match with the fork-tailed drongo, which scientists predict can detect and reject cuckoo eggs from their nest on almost every occasion, despite them on average looking almost identical to drongo eggs. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-egg-signatures-drongos-cuckoo-forgeries.html Plants & Animals Ecology Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:00:01 EDT news609494301