Ecosystems News

RSS

Oil Discharges Related to Recreational Activity Threatens Marine Ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean

From recreational boats and fishing vessels to commercial cruise ships and private marinas, a newly published study shows that oil discharges related to human maritime activity on the Canadian coast is posing a major threat to marine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean.

26 Sep 2014

Climate Warming Does Not Accelerate Soil Organic Carbon Decomposition Despite Increases in Ecosystem Productivity

The Earth’s soils store four times more carbon than the atmosphere and small changes in soil carbon storage can have a big effect on atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. A new paper in the journal Nature Climate Change concludes that climate warming does not accelerate soil organic carbon decomposition or affect soil carbon storage, despite increases in ecosystem productivity.

25 Sep 2014

Fossils Could Help Restore Lost Biodiversity

Many native species have vanished from tropical islands because of human impact, but University of Florida scientists have discovered how fossils can be used to restore lost biodiversity.

23 Sep 2014

Tropical Rabbitfish Pose a Major Threat to the Mediterranean Ecosystem

The tropical rabbitfish which have devastated algal forests in the eastern Mediterranean Sea pose a major threat to the entire Mediterranean basin if their distribution continues to expand as the climate warms, a new study warns.

22 Sep 2014

Most of the Marine Debris Along Australia's Coast is Plastic

In a report released today, CSIRO scientist Denise Hardesty says her team surveyed sites approximately every 100 km along the Australian coastline.

16 Sep 2014

Kill-Spill Project Aims to Accelerate Natural Bio-Degradation Oil Spills

Imagine if oil spills could be completely cleaned up soon after a marine accident. And this could be made possible thanks to none other than warrior microorganisms who attacked and completely broke down the oil.

12 Sep 2014

Wetland Construction and Restoration Can Improve Living Conditions of Bird Populations

The construction and restoration of wetlands can improve the living conditions of bird populations. According to a recent study, grazing is the single most important maintenance method for wetlands, due to its diversifying impact. This type of maintenance benefits waders in particular, as well as other birds living in wetlands.

12 Sep 2014

NSF Grants $11.4 Million to Address Concerns for Acidifying Oceans

With increasing levels of carbon dioxide accumulating in the atmosphere and moving into marine ecosystems, the world's oceans are becoming more acidic.

11 Sep 2014

Study Suggests New Standard to Better Protect Adirondack Loons

Biodiversity Research Institute’s (BRI’s) Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS’s) Adirondack Program announced today that three new articles summarizing research on Adirondack loons have been published in a special issue of the journal Waterbirds that is dedicated to loon research and conservation in North America.

11 Sep 2014

Forest Managers Must Look for Strategies That Enhance Forest Ecosystem Resilience

A recent study in the Journal of Environmental Management carried out by researchers at the European Forest Institute and their partners in the FP7 funded MOTIVE project (Models for Adaptive Forest Management) discusses how forest managers and decision makers can cope with climate uncertainties.

10 Sep 2014