159 news posts in Environment

Environment

13 Aug 2019

Growing existing forests essential in mitigating global crises

“Proforestation” has significant potential in the United States; Frontiers in Forests and Global Change

Environment

01 Jul 2019

Young frogs that were stressed as tadpoles move less on land, putting their survival at risk

New Oregon State University research shows that juvenile northern red-legged frogs that have experienced climate-related stress as tadpoles are less likely to move on land, putting their survival at risk; Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Environment

19 Jun 2019

Research shows cattle ranching could help conserve rare African antelope, lions

Endangered African antelope and the lions that prey on them may benefit from certain cattle ranching practices in Kenya; Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Environment

23 May 2019

How light from street lamps and trees influences the activity of urban bats

The team found that the response of bats to artificial light was intensified in areas with high tree cover. Credit: Christian Giese. A German study sheds new light on how exactly ultraviolet (UV) emitting and non-UV emitting street lamps influence the activity of bats in the Berlin metropolitan area, and whether tree cover might mitigate the effects of light pollution — by Forschungsverbund Berlin Artificial light is rightly considered a major social, cultural and economic achievement. Yet, artificial light at night is also said to pose a threat to biodiversity, especially affecting nocturnal species in metropolitan areas. It has become clear that the response by wildlife to artificial light at night might vary across species, seasons and lamp types.A study conducted by a team led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) sheds new light on how exactly ultraviolet (UV) emitting and non-UV emitting street lamps influence the activity of bats in the Berlin metropolitan area and whether tree cover might mitigate any effect of light pollution. The study is published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. Tree Cover Mediates the Effect of Artificial Light on Urban Bats► Read original article► Download original article (pdf) Natural sunlight […]

Environment

17 May 2019

Scientists propose rethinking ‘endangered species’ definition to save slow-breeding giants

Researchers at the Smithsonian Institute have proposed a ‘demographic safe space’ for Asian elephants, to improve conservation of these and other large, slow-breeding animals; Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Environment

08 Apr 2019

Floodplain forests under threat

A floodplain forest dominated by oaks. Credit: Albert Reif. — by University of Freiberg, Germany A team from the Institute of Forest Sciences at the University of Freiburg shows that the extraction of groundwater for industry and households is increasingly damaging floodplain forests in Europe given the increasing intensity and length of drought periods in the summer. The scientists have published their results in the journal Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. Floodplain forests dominated by oaks are among the most at risk in Europe. Through conversion to arable land and pastures, as well as settlements, they have lost most of their original distribution. River regulation and drainage have also changed the natural hydrologic balance. The introduction of pests and diseases decimates native tree species such as elm and ash. At the same time, these forests play an important part in the control of flooding and protection of biodiversity. Groundwater Extraction in Floodplain Forests Reduces Radial Growth and Increases Summer Drought Sensitivity of Pedunculate Oak Trees (Quercus robur L.)► Read original article► Download original article (pdf) The root of the study by the Freiburg team was the observation that the vitality of old trees in the oak forests of the Rhine valley had […]

Environment

05 Mar 2019

Want to save the planet? Stop trying to be its friend

People tend to judge their environmental impact using moral intuition that evolved to handle social exchange — but these tree huggers may be doing more harm than good, say researchers; Frontiers in Psychology

Environment

22 Feb 2019

Squid could provide an eco-friendly alternative to plastics

Self-healing fabric, abrasion-resistant coatings, precision drug delivery and smart textiles are among the potential applications of squid ‘ring tooth’ protein; Frontiers in Chemistry

Environment

15 Feb 2019

Warning over deep-sea ‘gold rush’

Harmful deep sea mining could be avoided altogether if humanity moves towards a “circular economy” that focuses on reuse and recycling of metals, reduces overconsumption and limits built-in obsolescence of technology; Frontiers in Marine Science

Environment

01 Feb 2019

Comparing the world’s mega-canals

Researchers have compiled a database of all the water transfer megaprojects currently existing and planned by 2050; Frontiers in Environmental Science

Environment

29 Jan 2019

Which animals will win and lose in a warming Antarctic?

Seafloor predators and open-water feeding animals will benefit from climate change, while those associated with sea ice for food or breeding are most at risk; Frontiers in Marine Science

Environment

25 Jan 2019

Boston Harbor cleanup was economically justifiable, finds new study

The cleanup of America’s filthiest harbor is now worth between $30 and $100 billion in ecosystem services; Frontiers in Marine Science

Environment

21 Dec 2018

Farmers will benefit from a new method of monitoring pasture nutrients

By quickly monitoring changes in pasture nutrients, farmers can adapt their animals’ grazing methods accordingly: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

Environment

28 Sep 2018

How safe is GM cotton?

GM cotton in Mexico is delivering monster crops, without the Frankenstein – thanks to traditional farming practices and use of non-GM ‘refuges’; Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.