Friday, July 26, 2024

envirobites

environmental science research for everyone

Climate

Animal behavior Climate Environmental Science 

Birds of a feather flock to bad weather: Study reveals how seabirds chase cyclones

Lauren Glevanik 0 Comments , , , , ,

Oceanic seabirds can spend weeks at a time traveling thousands of kilometers in search of food on the open ocean. A new study finds a perplexing and never-before-seen behavior in which birds intentionally follow cyclones across the north Atlantic. Researchers compared the trajectories of storms with GPS tracks of birds and examined how ocean conditions change in the wakes of cyclones. They conclude that cyclones enhance mixing of ocean waters and bring prey to the surface where they are easily accessible food sources for birds.

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Climate Ecosystems 

Navigating the Seas of Change: The Divergent Impact of Ocean Acidification and Warming on Marine Trophic Levels

Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments , , , , ,

Ocean acidification and warming are profoundly altering marine ecosystems, impacting organisms from the bottom to the top of the food chain. Trophic levels—ranging from primary producers to apex predators—illustrate the complex web of energy transfer within these systems. In response, a team of scientists conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to better understand how ocean acidification and warming would affect different marine trophic levels. Amidst these changing environments, understanding these energy dynamics becomes essential for devising effective conservation strategies.

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Climate Environmental Science 

How Can We Protect Salmon from Climate Warming? It Depends on the River

Julia Bebout 0 Comments , , , ,

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) are sensitive to changes in temperature. To survive, salmon must be adaptable, particularly in a warming and increasingly unpredictable climate. However, little is known about how this culturally valuable fish responds to dramatic changes in temperature.

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Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science 

The Soil Seed Bank: Plant Communities’ Secret Weapon

Julia Bebout 0 Comments ,

Plant communities have a secret survival tool buried underground: the soil seed bank. When the environment changes, the seed bank helps buffer the plant community against those changes. But what if the seed bank can’t survive the environmental changes either? Scientists explore a wetland to learn more about the secretive soil seed bank.

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