ScienceDaily: Ecosystem News

Predators affect the carbon cycle, study shows

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:09:09 EDT

A new study shows that the predator-prey relationship can affect the flow of carbon through an ecosystem. This previously unmeasured influence on the environment may offer a new way of looking at biodiversity management and carbon storage for climate change.

Underwater springs reveal how coral reefs respond to ocean acidification

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:08:08 EDT

Ocean acidification due to rising carbon dioxide levels will reduce the density of coral skeletons, making coral reefs more vulnerable to disruption and erosion, according to a new study of corals growing where submarine springs naturally lower the pH of seawater. The study is the first to show that corals are not able to fully acclimate to low pH conditions in nature.

Pesticides significantly reduce biodiversity in aquatic environments

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:07:07 EDT

The pesticides, many of which are currently used in Europe and Australia, are responsible for reducing the regional diversity of invertebrates in streams and rivers by up to 42 percent, researchers report.

'Cold snap' 116 million years ago triggered marine ecosystem crisis

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:52:52 EDT

A "cold snap" 116 million years ago triggered a similar marine ecosystem crisis to the ones witnessed in the past as a result of global warming, according to new research. The international study confirms the link between global cooling and a crash in the marine ecosystem during the mid-Cretaceous greenhouse period.

Secrets of biological soil crusts uncovered

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:56:56 EDT

Biologists have performed a molecular level analysis of desert biological soil crusts -- living ground cover formed by microbial communities -- to reveal how long-dormant cyanobacteria become activated by rainfall then resume dormancy when the precipitation stops.

Study of oceans' past raises worries about their future

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:16:16 EDT

Scientists have now completed the first global study of changes that occurred in a crucial component of ocean chemistry, the nitrogen cycle, at the end of the last ice age. The results of their study confirm that oceans are good at balancing the nitrogen cycle on a global scale. But the data also shows that it is a slow process that may take many centuries, or even millennia, raising worries about the effects of the scale and speed of current changes in the ocean.

Oysters could rebound more quickly with limited fishing and improved habitat

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:43:43 EDT

A new study shows that combining improved oyster restoration methods with limits on fishing in the upper Chesapeake could bring the oyster population back to the Bay in a much shorter period of time. The study assessed a range of management and restoration options to see which ones would have the most likelihood of success.

Rapid adaptation is purple sea urchins' weapon against ocean acidification

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:40:40 EDT

In the race against climate change and ocean acidification, some sea urchins may still have a few tricks up their spiny sleeves, suggesting that adaptation will likely play a large role for the sea creatures as the carbon content of the ocean increases.

Life underground: Microbes active far beneath seafloor

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:47:47 EDT

Genetic researchers have revealed active bacteria, fungi and other microbes living in 5 million-year-old ocean sediment.

Deep biosphere harbors active, growing communities of microorganisms

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:30:30 EDT

The deep biosphere -- the realm of sediments far below the seafloor -- harbors a vast ecosystem of bacteria, archaea, and fungi that are actively metabolizing, proliferating, and moving, according a new study. The finding of so much activity in the deep biosphere has implications for our understanding of global biogeochemical cycles.

Carbon dioxide absorption in Antarctic seas

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:26:26 EDT

Diatoms stuff more iron into their silica shells than they actually need. As a result, there’s not enough iron to go around, and the added iron during fertilization experiments may stimulate less productivity than expected. The study also says that the removal of iron through incorporation into diatom silica may be a profound factor controlling the Southern Ocean’s bioavailable pool of iron, adversely affecting the ecosystem.

River dredging reduced fish numbers, diversity

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:30:30 EDT

Comparing dredged and undredged sections of the Allegheny River, reduced populations of fish and less variety of aquatic life occurred in areas where gravel extraction took place, according to researchers.

Leakage of carbon from land to rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal regions revealed

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:51:51 EDT

When carbon is emitted by human activities into the atmosphere it is generally thought that about half remains in the atmosphere and the remainder is stored in the oceans and on land. New research suggests that human activity could be increasing the movement of carbon from land to rivers, estuaries and the coastal zone indicating that large quantities of anthropogenic carbon may be hidden in regions not previously considered.

Potentially 'catastrophic' changes underway in Canada's northern Mackenzie River Basin

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:43:43 EDT

Canada's Mackenzie River basin -- among the world's most important major ecosystems -- is poorly studied, inadequately monitored, and at serious risk due to climate change and resource exploitation, a panel of international scientists warn. Largest single threat to the Basin: a potential breach in the tailings ponds at one of the large oil sands sites mining surface bitumen. A breach in winter sending tailings liquid under the ice "would be virtually impossible to remediate or clean-up."

New theory proposes solution to long-running debate as to how stable the Earth system is

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:42:42 EDT

Researchers have proposed an answer to the long-running debate as to how stable the Earth system is. Earth, with its core-driven magnetic field, oceans of liquid water, dynamic climate and abundant life is arguably the most complex system in the known Universe. Life arose on Earth over three and a half billion years ago and it would appear that despite planetary scale calamities such as the impacts of massive meteorites, runaway climate change and increases in brightness of the Sun, it has continued to grow, reproduce and evolve ever since. Has life on Earth simply been lucky in withstanding these events or are there any self-stabilizing processes operating in the Earth system that would reduce the severity of such perturbations? If such planetary processes exist, to what extent are they the result of the actions of life?

How do you feed nine billion people?

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 19:57:57 EDT

An international team of scientists has developed crop models to better forecast food production to feed a growing population -- projected to reach 9 billion by mid-century -- in the face of climate change.

Large-scale biodiversity is vital to maintain ecosystem health

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:03:03 EDT

Over the years ecologists have shown how biological diversity benefits the health of small, natural communities. New analysis by ecologists demonstrates that even higher levels of biological diversity are necessary to maintain ecosystem health in larger landscapes over long periods of time.

Climate conditions determine Amazon fire risk

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:35:35 EDT

Using an innovative satellite technique, NASA scientists have determined that a previously unmapped type of wildfire in the Amazon rainforest is responsible for destroying several times more forest than has been lost through deforestation in recent years.

Predicting the future of coral reefs in a changing world

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:06:06 EDT

Scientists have described for the first time the biological process of how corals create their skeletons, which form massive and ecologically vital coral reefs in the world's oceans. They identified specific proteins secreted by corals that precipitate carbonate to form the corals' characteristic skeleton.

Alpine lakes reflect climate change

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:05:05 EDT

Global warming impacts lakes' structure, function and water quality. Increases in temperature as a result of climate change are mirrored in lake waters where temperatures are also on the rise. A new study forecasts surface water temperatures in large Austrian lakes for 2050 and discusses the impact on the lakes' structure, function and water quality.

Drought, river fragmentation forcing endangered fish out of water, biologist finds

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:00:00 EDT

North American drought has caused dramatic changes in native fish communities.

A lucky catch: A tiny new fish, Haptoclinus dropi, from the southern Caribbean

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:01:01 EDT

A lucky catch, a new species of tiny blenniiform fish has been discovered as a part of the Smithsonian Institution's Deep Reef Observation Project. The new, beautifully colored Haptoclinus dropi is only about 2 cm long. It was collected from poorly studied deep reefs that lie beyond the reach of scuba divers. It represents the second species in the genus and an exciting catch for Caribbean marine diversity.

Human deforestation outweighs climate change for coral reefs

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 07:17:17 EDT

Better land use is the key to preventing further damage to the world's coral reefs, according to new research. The study has important implications for Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The study authors write that preventing soil erosion and sediment pollution arising from human activities such as deforestation are crucial to reef survival.

Anatomy determines how lizards attract partners and repel rivals

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:40:40 EDT

Catching the attention of females in a darkened rainforest amid a blur of windblown vegetation is no easy task. But male Anolis lizards on the island of Jamaica have evolved an ideal visual technique. A new study now solves the mystery of why their close relatives on the neighboring island of Puerto Rico do not adopt the same strategy.

White-tailed deer and the science of yellow snow

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:39:39 EDT

New research from wildlife ecologists indicates that white-tailed deer may be making the soil in their preferred winter homes unfit to grow the very trees that protect them there.

The intensity of land use doubled in the 20th century

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:45:45 EDT

The growth of green plants – which can be measured in terms of “net primary production”, or NPP for short – provides the energetic foundation for all life on Earth. The share of NPP appropriated by humans (HANPP) through agriculture and forestry, bioenergy production, and vegetation fires doubled over the course of the past century. Researchers have shown that while land is used more efficiently, simultaneously, the intensity of land use has increased continuously. Researchers warn that an increased expansion of bioenergy use would drastically raise HANPP to over 40%.

Diet likely changed game for some hominids 3.5 million years ago

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:41:41 EDT

A new look at the diets of ancient African hominids shows a "game changer" occurred about 3.5 million years ago when some members added grasses or sedges to their menus, according to a new study.

Acceleration of ocean denitrification during deglaciation documented

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:39:39 EDT

As ice sheets melted during the deglaciation of the last ice age and global oceans warmed, oceanic oxygen levels decreased and "denitrification" accelerated by 30 to 120 percent, a new international study shows, creating oxygen-poor marine regions and throwing the oceanic nitrogen cycle off balance.

Threatened frogs palmed off as forests disappear

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:39:39 EDT

The study describes how forests converted to palm oil plantations are causing threatened forest dwelling frogs to vanish, resulting in an overall loss of habitat that is important for the conservation of threatened frog species in the region.

Hidden effects of climate change may threaten eelgrass meadows

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:23:23 EDT

Some research has shown that the effects of changes in the climate may be weak or even non-existent. This makes it easy to conclude that climate change will ultimately have less impact than previous warnings have predicted. But it could also be explained as direct and indirect effects cancelling each other out, as scientists show.

Effects of interannual climate variability on tropical tree cover: Satellite data reveal how tropical ecosystems may respond to climate extremes

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:44:44 EDT

Tree cover in the tropics will likely change in surprising ways as climate change increases the frequency of extreme rainfall events, according to a new study.

Catastrophic climatic events leave corals facing a decade-long fight for recovery

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:39:39 EDT

Coral reefs can take more than a decade to recover from catastrophic climatic events, with some species taking up to 13 years to recolonise their original habitats, scientists have discovered.

Acidifying oceans could spell trouble for squid

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:39:39 EDT

Acidifying oceans could dramatically impact the world's squid species, according to a new study. Because squid are both ecologically and commercially important, that impact may have far-reaching effects on the ocean environment and coastal economies, the researchers report.

Microbial changes regulate function of entire ecosystems

Fri, 31 May 2013 15:13:13 EDT

A major question in ecology has centered on the role of microbes in regulating ecosystem function. Now scientists show how changes in the populations of methanotrophic bacteria can have consequences for methane mitigation at ecosystem levels.

International negotiations: Playing games with the climate

Fri, 31 May 2013 10:39:39 EDT

Researchers have applied game theory to the problem of climate change to help analyze the relationships between international players on the world stage, occurrence and effects, attitude towards carbon emissions, the power struggles taking place and the negotiations that are under way between nations, energy companies and the public.

Croaking chorus of Cuban frogs make noisy new neighbors

Thu, 30 May 2013 16:58:58 EDT

Scientists have shown the adverse impact of invasive frog species’ songs.

New maps show how shipping noise spans the globe

Thu, 30 May 2013 15:28:28 EDT

Scientists have modeled shipping noise on a global scale.

Human activity echoes through Brazilian rainforest

Thu, 30 May 2013 14:19:19 EDT

The disappearance of large, fruit-eating birds from tropical forests in Brazil has caused the region's forest palms to produce smaller, less successful seeds over the past century, researchers say. The findings provide evidence that human activity can trigger fast-paced evolutionary changes in natural populations.

Rainforests take the heat, paleontologists show

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:24:24 EDT

Rainforests thrived during previous global warming events, say paleontologists.

Land-based carbon offsets: False hope? Forest and soil carbon is important, but does not offset fossil fuel emissions

Thu, 30 May 2013 09:50:50 EDT

Leading world climate change experts have thrown cold water on the idea that planting trees can offset carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. Land carbon sinks cannot solve the problem of atmospheric carbon emissions but they legitimize the ongoing use of fossil fuels.

Small dams on Chinese river harm environment more than expected, study finds

Thu, 30 May 2013 09:50:50 EDT

A fresh look at the environmental impacts of dams on an ecologically diverse and partially protected river in China found that small dams can pose a greater threat to ecosystems and natural landscape than large dams. The research team's surveys of habitat loss and damage at several dam sites on the Nu River and its tributaries in Yunnan Province revealed that, watt-for-watt, the environmental harm from small dams was often greater than from large dams.

Microplastic pollution prevalent in lakes, too

Wed, 29 May 2013 09:29:29 EDT

Researchers have detected microplastic pollution in one of Western Europe's largest lakes, Lake Geneva, in large enough quantities to raise concern.

Simplified solutions to deforestation ineffective in long run

Wed, 29 May 2013 09:21:21 EDT

Deforestation is the second largest source of CO2 emissions after consumption of fossil fuels. So-called PES programs, where landowners are paid to replant or protect forests, have been promoted as a way to reduce deforestation. However, the effectiveness of the programs has been questioned, and new research points to potential negative long-term effects and a need for broader guidelines and policies.

Ancient plants reawaken: Plants exposed by retreating glaciers regrowing after centuries entombed under ice

Tue, 28 May 2013 20:25:25 EDT

When Catherine La Farge threads her way through the recently exposed terrain left behind by retreating glaciers, she looks at the ancient plant remains a lot closer than most. Now, her careful scrutiny has revealed a startling reawakening of long-dormant plants known as bryophytes.

Rare species perform unique roles, even in diverse ecosystems

Tue, 28 May 2013 18:10:10 EDT

A new study reveals the potential importance of rare species in the functioning of highly diverse ecosystems. Using data from three different ecosystems -- coral reefs, tropical forests and alpine meadows -- a team of researchers has shown that it's primarily the rare species, rather than more common ones, that have distinct traits involved in unique ecological functions. As biodiversity declines, these unique features are particularly vulnerable to extinction because rare species are likely to disappear first.

Scientists develop CO2 sequestration technique

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:37:37 EDT

Scientists have discovered and demonstrated a new technique to remove and store atmospheric carbon dioxide while generating carbon-negative hydrogen and producing alkalinity, which can be used to offset ocean acidification.

Even farm animal diversity is declining as accelerating species loss threatens humanity

Mon, 27 May 2013 10:06:06 EDT

The accelerating disappearance of Earth's species of both wild and domesticated plants and animals constitutes a fundamental threat to the well-being and even the survival of humankind, warn scientists.

Understanding the past and predicting the future by looking across space and time

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:37:37 EDT

Scientists have validated a fundamental assumption at the very heart of a popular way to predict relationships between complex variables.

Reforestation study shows trade-offs between water, carbon and timber

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:22:22 EDT

More than 13,000 ships per year transit the Panama Canal each year. Each time a ship passes through, more than 55 million gallons of water are used. The advent of large “super” cargo ships has demanded expansion of the canal, leaving the authority to consider how meet increased demand for water. One proposed measure is the reforestation of the watershed.

Thinking 'big' may not be best approach to saving large-river fish

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

Large-river specialist fishes -- from giant species like paddlefish and blue catfish, to tiny crystal darters and silver chub -- are in danger, but researchers say there is greater hope to save them if major tributaries become a focus of conservation efforts.

Pinpointing how nature's benefits link to human well-being

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

What people take from nature -- water, food, timber, inspiration, relaxation -- are so abundant, it seems self-evident. Until you try to quantitatively understand how and to what extent they contribute to humans.

Small, speedy plant-eater extends knowledge of dinosaur ecosystems

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:20:20 EDT

Dinosaurs are often thought of as large, fierce animals, but new research highlights a previously overlooked diversity of small dinosaurs. Paleontologists have now described a new dinosaur, the smallest plant-eating dinosaur species known from Canada.

Vast methane-based ecosystem uncovered

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:30 EDT

A marine research expedition has led to the discovery of perhaps the world's largest methane cold seep. The seep lies deep in the western North Atlantic Ocean, far from the life-sustaining energy of the sun. Mussels blanketing the the seep rely on bacteria that use the methane to make energy. The process, known as chemosynthesis, forms the basis for life in the harsh environment and could help scientists better understand how organisms can survive under these types of extreme conditions.

Life scientists present new insights on climate change and species interactions

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:58:58 EDT

Life scientists provide important new details on how climate change will affect interactions between species in newly published research. This knowledge, they say, is critical to making accurate predictions and informing policymakers of how species are likely to be impacted by rising temperatures.

Climate change and wildfire

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:26:26 EDT

Concerns continue to grow about the effects of climate change on fire. Wildfires are expected to increase 50 percent across the United States under a changing climate, over 100 percent in areas of the West by 2050 as projected by some studies. Of equal concern to scientists and policymakers alike are the atmospheric effects of wildfire emissions on climate. A new article synthesizes recent findings on the interactions between fire and climate and outlines future research needs.

Changing Arctic: What should be done?

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:57:57 EDT

In two critical reports released at the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Kiruna, Sweden on May 15th, scientists helped inform an international body of senior government officials about changing conditions in the Arctic, and potential responses to those changes.

Amazon River exhales virtually all carbon taken up by rainforest

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:43:43 EDT

Woody plant matter is almost completely digested by bacteria living in the Amazon River. This tough stuff plays a major part in fueling the river's breath. The finding has implications for global carbon models, and for the ecology of the Amazon and the world's other rivers. Until recently, people believed much of the rainforest's carbon floated down the Amazon River and ended up deep in the ocean.

Why we need to put the fish back into fisheries

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:48:48 EDT

Overfishing has reduced fish populations and biodiversity across much of the world’s oceans. In response, fisheries are increasingly reliant on a handful of highly valuable shellfish. However, new research shows this approach to be extremely risky.

Frogs, salamanders and climate change

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:37:37 EDT

Increasingly erratic rainfall patterns can lead to declines in southeastern frog and salamander populations, but protecting ponds can improve their plight.

Invasive species: 'Away-field advantage' weaker than ecologists thought

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:23:23 EDT

For decades, ecologists have assumed the worst invasive species—such as brown tree snakes and kudzu—have an “away-field advantage.” They succeed because they do better in their new territories than they do at home. A new study reveals that this fundamental assumption is not nearly as common as people might think.