behaviour ecology – envirobites

Salt marshes are full of crustacean inhabitants. In particular, fiddler crabs and purple marsh crabs of New England modify these coastal ecosystems by burrowing beneath the waterlogged soils, chewing up plants, and increasing nutrient exchange rates. But it is uncertain to what extent each species contributes to the modification of a salt marsh. Research by Alexandria Moore found the presence of crabs had a significant effect on multiple aspects of salt marsh health and that the herbivore, purple marsh crab, modifies salt marsh ecosystems beyond eating plants.

Climate Environmental Science

Burning Desire to Forage

November 29, 2018December 3, 2018 Aidan Barry 0 Comments behaviour ecology, Climate Change, Conservation

During the fall of 2018, California had some of the worst and deadliest fires to date, with devastating costs to human communities. Communities of plants and animals are also greatly impacted by fires. But how does wildlife respond to wildfires? Burns alter the environment and open up new habitats allowing smaller shrubs to recolonize in areas that were dominated by tall trees. A recent study in Oregon suggests that elk utilize a wide array of habitats and that burned forests are critical areas for food for many herbivores.

Climate Environmental Science

Intertidal Examination: Competition Between an Invasive and Endemic Species

July 3, 2018July 3, 2018 Aidan Barry 0 Comments behaviour ecology, Conservation, Ecology, ecosystems, environmental science, fisheries, invasive species

Coastal New England isn’t independent from the world of invasive species. The Asian shore crab has encroached on many crustaceans habitats in the last few decades and recently this includes the American lobster. Work done by Baillie and colleagues suggest that specific life stages of the lobster may be negatively impacted by the invasion of the crab. Not only will understanding the interactions between these two species aid in preservation of one of North America’s most important fisheries, it may also provide critical insight into the fascinating relationship between endemic and invasive species.

Case Studies Cities Environmental Science

Out to lunch or sticking with the worm diet? Food decisions of the Australian ibis

June 10, 2018June 10, 2018 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments behaviour ecology, cities, Ecology, urban ecology

If you’ve been to a busy park during lunch hour, surely, you’ve noticed that many birds are on the prowl for some of your delicious lunch crumbs! Recently, urban ecologists have been interested in learning how much human food animals eat, and how it might affect them. Read on to learn more about how the Australian ibis decides whether to grab some human grub or stick to its natural diet.

Environmental Science

Little fish, big job: How the absence of a small cleaner wrasse causes parasite infestation to rise!!

March 28, 2018March 28, 2018 Sandra Schleier 0 Comments behaviour ecology, ecosystem services, Ocean

Article: Grutter, A. S., De Brauwer, M., Bshary, R., Cheney, K. L., Cribb, T. H., Madin, E. M. P., …

Climate Environmental Science

The Landscaping Snowshoe Hare

December 4, 2017 Aidan Barry 0 Comments behaviour ecology, Climate Change, ecosystems, environmental science, forests

Boreal forests of Alaska are expanding north and to higher latitudes due to higher annual temperatures, but the snowshoe hare may be limiting the growth of these forests.

Cities Environmental Science

Permanent urban resident edges out an urban newcomer

December 1, 2017 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments behaviour ecology, cities, urban ecology

For many animals, life in the city is no easy task. However, some animals are able to exploit the features of the city and resulting in larger body sizes and more reproductive advantages compared to forest populations. Read more to find out whether a permanent urban resident and an urban newcomer both gain these advantages in the city.

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Some Tuna Are More Toxic Than Others!

November 3, 2017May 1, 2018 Clifton Dassuncao 0 Comments behaviour ecology, environmental science, fisheries, Pollution

Hundreds of toxic chemicals were measured in tuna across global oceans to show that location of capture may matter more than other criteria for fish advisories.

Cities Environmental Science

Fat and happy in the city

October 6, 2017October 15, 2017 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments behaviour ecology, urban ecology

Wildlife may not always struggle when living in the city. For example, many birds and mammals benefit from access to human food and in some cases, encounter fewer predators in the city. Learning more about how wildlife deals with life in the city can help us learn what features of the city benefit or harm different species. Eastern chipmunks are abundant in both forest and urban habitats making them a suitable species to study to determine whether populations living in the city do better or worse. Researchers found that chipmunks in the city were fatter than forest chipmunks and less stressed, highlighting how some animals can thrive because of urbanization.

Environmental Science

Getting toad-smart: Endangered mammal learns to avoid lethal prey introduced by humans

August 30, 2017August 30, 2017 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments behaviour ecology, cane toads, invasive species

Humans have transported plants and animals all over the world, causing dramatic habitat changes. In Australia, the human introduction of cane toads has caused devastating population losses for many Australian predators. Cane toads are deadly prey because their skin produces a lethal toxin. Can Australian predators learn to avoid this new lethal prey and avoid extinction?