Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity
Published

Unveiling the reproductive secrets of red-swamp crayfish      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The red-swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is a highly invasive species native to American freshwaters but has also invaded many freshwater ecosystems around the world. Now, researchers conducted a comparative analysis to compare reproductive characteristics of American crayfish with Japanese crayfish. They identified morphological characteristics which can aid in distinguishing the invasive properties of crayfish at the peak of their reproductive form, ultimately assisting in their effective population control.

Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
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Acidity of Antarctic waters could double by century's end, threatening biodiversity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Without drastically reducing global emissions, the Antarctic Ocean could become too acidic for hundreds of species living there, many already endangered by rising temperatures and sea ice loss.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

The rock that creates clouds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Felspar dust in the air can create clouds. The feldspar particles act as nucleation sites to which water molecules can attach extremely efficiently. Why this is the case has remained a mystery for a long time. Scientists have now studied feldspar using a special atoimic force microscope and managed to explain this remarkable property of feldspar on an atomic level. The atomic structure is just right to create a layer of OH-groups which in turn can connect to water molecules perfectly.

Archaeology: General Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General
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Nine new snail species discovered in Papua New Guinea, a biodiversity hot spot at risk      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study describes nine new species of carnivorous land snails, all of which are so small they could fit together on a U.S. nickel. They present a rare opportunity to study a group that in many other places is disappearing fast. Worldwide, mollusks account for more than 50% of all recorded extinctions since the year 1500, and many of these were land snails from Pacific islands.

Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues
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Scientists outline a bold solution to climate change, biodiversity loss, social injustice      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team of scientists has used a novel 500-year dataset to frame a 'restorative' pathway through which humanity can avoid the worst ecological and social outcomes of climate change.

Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species
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Nutrition needs drive bee appetites      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists studied the foraging habits of wild bees. Their findings can help guide seed and plant choices that support and enhance wild bee populations. In short, their research showed that different bee species have different nutritional needs. Given that not all pollens are the same, bees forage accordingly to meet their unique needs. This research may help fight against pollinator declines through better design of rangeland restoration projects.

Biology: Biochemistry Ecology: General Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Severe Weather
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Global study of extreme drought impacts on grasslands and shrublands      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A global study shows that the effects of extreme drought -- which is expected to increase in frequency with climate change -- has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands. The findings quantify the impact of extreme short-term drought on grassland and shrubland ecosystems across six continents with a level of detail that was not previously possible. It is the first time an experiment this extensive has been undertaken to generate a baseline understanding of the potential losses of plant productivity in these vital ecosystems.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: General
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Widespread population collapse of African Raptors      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team of researchers has found that Africa's birds of prey are facing an extinction crisis. The report warns of declines among nearly 90% of 42 species examined, and suggests that more than two-thirds may qualify as globally threatened.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Ecology: Animals Ecology: Invasive Species
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Some mosquitoes like it hot      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Certain populations of mosquitoes are more heat tolerant and better equipped to survive heat waves than others, according to new research.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Earthquakes
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Seismic and infrasonic signals used to characterize Nord Stream pipeline events      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study provides further evidence that the Nord Stream seismic signals came from a complex source. The signals lasted longer than would be expected from a single explosive source, the researchers say, and were more like the signals detected from an underwater volcano or a pipeline venting gas.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
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Microbial awakening restructures high-latitude food webs as permafrost thaws      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Wildlife biologists used a novel technique to trace the movement of carbon through Arctic and boreal forest food webs and found that climate warming resulted in a shift from plant-based food webs to fungal-based food webs for several high-latitude species, with potential indirect effects on nutrient cycling and ecosystem function.

Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
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Re-calibrating the sail plan for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders in ocean sciences      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In Hawaii and across much of Oceania, Pacific Islanders celebrate the connections between their islands and the ocean that surrounds them.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography
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Understanding climate mobilities: New study examines perspectives from South Florida practitioners      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A recent study assessed the perspectives of 76 diverse South Florida climate adaptation professionals. A new study explores the expectations and concerns of practitioners from the private sector, community-based organizations, and government agencies about the region's ability to adapt in the face of increasing sea level rise and diverse consequences for where people live and move, also known as climate mobility.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Geology Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General
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From NYC to DC and beyond, cities on the East Coast are sinking      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Major cities on the U.S. Atlantic coast are sinking, in some cases as much as 5 millimeters per year -- a decline at the ocean's edge that well outpaces global sea level rise, confirms new research. Particularly hard hit population centers such as New York City and Long Island, Baltimore, and Virginia Beach and Norfolk are seeing areas of rapid 'subsidence,' or sinking land, alongside more slowly sinking or relatively stable ground, increasing the risk to roadways, runways, building foundations, rail lines, and pipelines, according to a new study.

Anthropology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Wildfires
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Western Cascades landscapes in Oregon historically burned more often than previously thought      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Forests on the west slope of Oregon's Cascade Range experienced fire much more often between 1500 and 1895 than had been previously thought.