Saturday, April 27, 2024

envirobites

environmental science research for everyone

Restoration

Ecosystems Environmental Science 

Reef Remodeling: How Reef Carpets Could Change How We View Reef Restoration

Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments , , , , , , , ,

Coral reefs are one of the most important marine ecosystems in the world, but climate change and other stressors are pushing on their wellbeing and leading to degradation. That’s where reef restoration comes in, where scientists and volunteers work to reproduce tiny corals and transplant them onto degraded reefs—but this restoration mostly focused on survivability, and not variety. In a new approach, a group of scientists have constituted what they call “Reef Carpets”, which are patches of restoration efforts filled with biodiversity. They found that these “Carpets” jumpstart a whole reef ecosystem, leading to better outcomes in the long run.

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Climate Ecosystems Remediation 

Relief for the Reef – Connecting Coral Resilience with Restoration Efforts

Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Coral reefs are ecologically important for both marine and land species, offering support for high biodiversity. They also represent one of the most threatened ecosystems, especially as a result of climate change and human intervention. Due to their vulnerability and significance, many efforts have been made to restore these vital ecosystems, yet the worldwide success rates for coral reef restoration aren’t nearly as high as scientists had hoped. So, now the question is: is there anything that can be done to make coral reefs and their restoration more resilient to the threats they face?

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Climate Remediation 

Using mangrove genes to protect where the land meets the sea

Brandi Pessman 0 Comments , , , ,

When two of Earth’s forces meet, we often get monumental products. Where the land meets the sea, the mighty mangrove forest protects the coastline and all its inhabitants. Deforestation has led to rapid declines of mangroves, threatening the diversity of life that they support. Analyzing the genetic variation in a forest is a promising tool for protective measures and restoration. Saving mangrove forests might be in the genes.

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Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science Remediation 

Radioactive exclusion zone or restoration at work? Insights from the re-wilding of Chernobyl

Brianne Palmer 0 Comments , ,

In 1986 a nuclear disaster rocked Belarus and forced thousands of people to abandon their homes for fear of radiation exposure. Now, removed from the impacts of human settlements, wildlife are returning to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ). In a new study, researchers studied the raptors in the CEZ to test re-wilding and ask the question: can removing humans from a landscape help restore the natural environments? And like all things in ecology, the answer is more complicated than it seems but offers a glimmer of hope for re-wilding endeavors in this Decade on Ecological Restoration.

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Animal behavior Cities Ecosystems Environmental Science 

Can Human Infrastructure Improve Biodiversity?

Brianne Palmer 0 Comments , , , ,

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.

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Ecosystems Environmental Science Remediation 

What does the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration mean for you?

Brianne Palmer 0 Comments , , , ,

The Decade of Ecological Restoration is nearly here! The process of helping ecosystems regain function and biodiversity is a new and complex field. It requires collaboration across academic disciplines and requires connecting the needs of humans and ecosystems. So, what can restoration ecologists learn from sociologists to bridge the gap between humans and nature and help make the coming decade a success?

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Cities Ecosystems Environmental Science 

From Cropland to Cities: Aerial Transport of Fungi

Brianne Palmer 0 Comments , , ,

How connected are our farms to our cities? If you are a flying fungus, they may be very connected! In a new study, researchers from De Paul University found fungi from the soil on the rooftops of Chicago and wondered why. It turns out, small fungal spores can travel from agricultural fields through the air into the cities and form friendships with the city-dwelling plants. Understanding how these spores move from agriculture to cities could help researchers develop new insight of the urban ecosystem.

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