Case Studies

Hive Minds: Bumblebees Collaborate to Learn Complex Behaviors

March 27, 2024March 25, 2024 Lauren Glevanik 0 Comments animal behavior, bees, behavior, behavioral ecology, Culture, innovation, social, social learning

In a groundbreaking discovery, bumblebees have been shown to have a more sophisticated social culture than previously known. Bees could learn to solve a challenging puzzle through social interaction, demonstrating their ability to learn new and complex behaviors beyond their individual cognitive abilities. This study suggests that advanced social learning is not unique to humans, and encourages further exploration of collaboration and culture in the animal kingdom.

Case Studies

Theory versus Reality: How Biodiversity Indicators Were Re-Evaluated in The Gishwati-Mukura National Park

April 1, 2023May 10, 2023 Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments biodiversity, biodiversity indicators, chimpanzees, flagship species

Chimpanzees were thought to be an indicator of ecosystem biodiversity in the Gishwati-Mukura National Park until a group of scientists found there was no relationship between abundance of chimpanzee and biodiversity in that particular National Park—this does not mean this assumption is inherently wrong, it is just wrong for the area in question, showing us how biodiversity can be a difficult concept to measure.

Case Studies Climate Sustainabililty

Do Mangoes Like It Hot? Climate Change And Your Favorite Fruit

March 7, 2023March 6, 2023 Julia Bebout 0 Comments agriculture, plant biology, tropical

Can your favorite fruits and vegetables survive the effects of climate change? Scientists are finding creative solutions to this problem.

Animal behavior Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science

How Many Ways Can You Count Wolves?

November 10, 2022November 9, 2022 Lauren Otolski 0 Comments endangered species, wildlife conservation, wolves

Although radio-collaring is often used to monitor wolf populations, scientists are turning their attention towards methods that do not require live-capture of animals. What are some of these options, and how do they stack up against radio-collaring?

Animal behavior Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science

How Citizen Science Led to The Discovery of Tree-Dwelling Toads

July 15, 2022September 12, 2022 Brianne Palmer 0 Comments amphibians, citizen science, Community science, toads

Two groups of citizen scientists in the UK discovered something previously unknown to science– toads living in trees. Read on to learn about how citizen science and collaborations with scientists can lead to more interesting questions and discoveries.

Some Bees Just Want to See The Prairie Burn

Soil Quality Under Pressure

Theory versus Reality: How Biodiversity Indicators Were Re-Evaluated in The Gishwati-Mukura National Park

Do Mangoes Like It Hot? Climate Change And Your Favorite Fruit

What’s Right with Lights at Night?

How Many Ways Can You Count Wolves?

“Where Did the Turtles Go?”: How One Case Study Brings Perspective On How Endangered Species Populations Are Studied

Parasite Problems Call for Microbiome Maintenance

How Citizen Science Led to The Discovery of Tree-Dwelling Toads