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Scientists Highlight Importance of Asynchrony in Stability of Ecosystems

Whether an animal or plant community remains stable despite external impacts does not depend on biological diversity alone: asynchrony across the species is also a crucial factor. The more the species in an ecosystem fluctuate in their evolution over time, the less they are likely to falter. As a result, diversity takes second place in terms of the factors to be considered in the context of ecosystem stability. A team of scientists spearheaded by the TU Munich and TU Darmstadt have published these findings in the journal “Nature Communications”.

15 Feb 2016

Researchers Discover Characteristic Traits of Trees for Survival in a Location

Life is not easy for the trees in a forest: To avoid being edged out by other trees, they must prevail in the struggle for resources. Ultimately, the successful trees are those whose traits are best suited to their location. An international team, which included researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena, has now discovered how three characteristic traits – wood density, maximum height and specific leaf area – decide which trees will emerge victorious in the competition between neighbouring individuals.

15 Feb 2016

New Findings Reveal Major Northward Expansion of Marine Mammal Exposure to Toxins

Toxins from harmful algae are present in Alaskan marine food webs in high enough concentrations to be detected in marine mammals such as whales, walruses, sea lions, seals, porpoises and sea otters, according to new research from NOAA and its federal, state, local and academic partners.

12 Feb 2016

Study Establishes Role of Plankton Networks in Removing Carbon from Atmosphere

The ocean’s power to rein in carbon and protect the environment is vast but not well-understood.

11 Feb 2016

WSU Biologist Finds Genetic Mechanism that Enables Fish to Live in Toxic and Acidic Water

A Washington State University biologist has found the genetic mechanism that lets a fish live in toxic, acidic water. The discovery opens new insights into the functioning of other “extremophiles” and how they adapt to their challenging environments.

10 Feb 2016

UCLA-Led Team Reports Damages Caused to Ecosystem Due to Movement of Non-Native Plants

A UCLA-led study examining whether plant species in California have shifted to higher elevations, possibly in response to climate change, discovered that non-native plants are moving fastest, altering and potentially damaging ecosystems.

9 Feb 2016

Ocean Acidification Affects Formation of Skeleton of Coralline Algae

Ocean acidification (the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere), is affecting the formation of the skeleton of coralline algae which play an important part in marine biodiversity, new research from the University of Bristol, UK has found.

9 Feb 2016

Regenerated Tropical Forests Sequester More Carbon than Old-Growth Tropical Forests

Researchers find that regenerated tropical forests exhibit a high level of resilience and play a much larger role in sequestering carbon than previously thought.

9 Feb 2016

Scientists Report Effects of Shipping Traffic and Offshore Construction Activities on Marine Ecosystem

Underwater sound linked to human activity could alter the behaviour of seabed creatures that play a vital role in marine ecosystems, according to new research from the University of Southampton.

8 Feb 2016

Additional Grants Sanctioned to Study Impact of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Marine Ecosystem

When it occurred on April 20, 2010, scientists and marine biologists knew almost immediately it was one of the worst environmental incidents in human history. Almost as soon as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was capped, researchers set about studying the immediate and long-term effects it had on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.

4 Feb 2016