disturbance – envirobites

Friday, April 19, 2024

Oversimplified – Deforestation cuts down spider species

June 20, 2022June 20, 2022 Brandi Pessman 0 Comments Deforestation, disturbance, loss, spiders

We tend to value simplification over complexity in our day-to-day lives, but animals rely on complex environments to maintain diversity. When we cut down forests for agriculture, livestock, or manufacturing, we simplify environments by reducing the diversity of plants – a disturbance that forces out many vital animals. A recent study showed that converting the diverse Atlantic Forest in Argentina into rows of pine trees for paper production has had severe consequences for spider species. Can time heal the wounds caused by clear-cutting?

Animal behavior Cities Ecosystems

Life in the City – Humans alter city habitats for plants and animals

October 5, 2020October 5, 2020 Brandi Pessman 0 Comments adaptation, cities, disturbance, urbanization

Cites are ecosystems, just like a forest, desert, and prairie are ecosystems. As human populations grow and move to urban areas, cities expand into other ecosystems. Plants and animals must adjust to the rapid changes that result. Humans are the biggest threat to organisms, but why are cities challenging environments for plants and animals? Let’s learn more about one of the largest and growing ecosystems on land… cities!

Ecosystems Environmental Science

Warblers out of the Woods: Savanna Restoration Creates Bird Habitat

May 30, 2019September 18, 2022 Abigail Bezrutczyk 0 Comments birds, Conservation, disturbance, ecosystem, forest ecology, habitat, Restoration, savanna, woodland

Savannas and woodlands are being restored in the Midwest– but how is that restoration affecting birds? The new habitat can be a good thing for bird conservation.