Ecosystems – Page 2 – envirobites

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Can Human Infrastructure Improve Biodiversity?

March 4, 2021March 4, 2021 Brianne Palmer 0 Comments fragmentation, humans and wildlife, infastructure, Restoration, wildlife

Electrical towers are dotted across landscapes around the world, bringing power to people in cities and the country. But can these towers be used to help wildlife? In a new study, researchers in Sevilla, Spain modified the base of these towers to attract wildlife. They found that not only do these man-made structures attract wildlife, but they can also act as wildlife corridors — providing safe passage for critters as they move across human-modified landscapes.

Cities Ecosystems

Dead and Gone? – The loss of decaying wood communities in urban forests

March 3, 2021March 3, 2021 Brandi Pessman 0 Comments decomposition, forests, fungi, insects, wood

Forests are beautiful. From flourishing plants to tranquil wildlife to decaying logs, all parts are beautiful, vital, and connected. Dead logs are responsible for maintaining a healthy forest thanks to teams of fungi and wood-dependent insects inside. These organisms break down plant material to add nutrients back to the ecosystem. Forests are essential for human health and well-being, but human disturbance could threaten these ecosystems. To keep our forests healthy and beautiful, we depend on these decomposers, but can they rely on us?

Ecosystems Environmental Science

Benthic Biodiversity: A silver lining to microplastic accumulation in oceans

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 Mary Davis 0 Comments benthos, oceanplastics, plastic

Giant floating islands of plastic pollution are a common topic in the news, but the ocean surface is not the

Ecosystems Environmental Science

Penguins and Conservation: How penguins can help us conserve an entire ecosystem

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments Antarctica, Conservation planning

Marine protected areas (MPAs) can be a good way to protect species threatened by human activities and climate change. Antarctica has two MPAs right now, but there are plans for several more in the future. To help decide where these MPAs would be most effective, a group of researchers studied different penguin species. The presence and health of a penguin population shows that the ecosystem has good habitat and food sources, which indicates a healthy ecosystem. Protecting healthy ecosystems within the future MPAs will offer protection for all of the species that live within it.

Animal behavior Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health Toxicology

The “Heartbreaking” Effect of Algal Blooms – Heart disease and the Southern Sea Otter

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 Brianne Palmer 0 Comments Conservation, health, marine pollution, ocean health, Pollution, toxins

Our favorite hand-holding marine mammals, sea otters, are threatened by environmental toxins. Chemicals produced by algae blooms move up the food chain and cause a multitude of diseases in top predators. A new study documented how algae blooms cause heart disease in sea otters, what this means for our own seafood consumption, and proposes solutions to our pollution.

Animal behavior Ecosystems Environmental Science

Cats and Dogs: Canine Distemper Virus and the Endangered Amur Tiger

January 20, 2021January 20, 2021 Munim Deen 0 Comments Canine Distemper, Ecology, tiger, virus

Canine Distemper Virus, commonly found in domesticated dogs, in increasingly common in Amur tigers, which are the least numerous of the major tiger subspecies. Recent research challenges long-held ideas about CDV transmission, and present new strategies to counteract CDVs deadly effects on endangered Amur tigers.

Animal behavior Ecosystems Environmental Science

When lightning strikes, it’s best not to be a giraffe

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021 Andrew Abraham 0 Comments

Standing at over five metres tall, giraffe exploit a feeding niche unavailable to most hooved animals. However, standing out from the crowd can also result in unexpected dangers. When violent storms clash in the skies above, giraffe become vulnerable to death by lightning strikes.

Ecosystems Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

What is to blame for harmful algal blooms?

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 Sarah Shainker 0 Comments dams, HABs, Harmful Algal Blooms, hydropower, reservoir, rivers

The world’s largest dam provides a massive amount of energy, but has unintended consequences as well.

Cities Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science

Blue and green make grey work better: how blue and green infrastructure can improve equity of ecosystem services in urban areas

December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 Jessica Wright 0 Comments Blue infrastructure, development, equity, green infrastructure, urban ecology

Andersson, E. J. Langemeyer, S. Borgström, T. McPhearson, D. Haase, J. Kronenberg, D.N. Barton, M. Davis, S. Naumann, L. Röschel,

Animal behavior Ecosystems

Lending a helping hand (or fin)

December 12, 2020December 11, 2020 Lucila Bloemendaal 0 Comments ecological facilitation, oyster reefs, reef restoration

In the wild we often think organisms compete with each other in the struggle for survival, but many species, including the unassuming oyster, actually help each other out. Helping organisms from the same and different species can lead to healthier ecosystems where more than just one group benefits.