Study Reveals Glitter’s Impact on Aquatic Plant Growth
Recent study reveals the concerning impact of glitter on aquatic plant growth, as the metal coating on glitter reduces the amount of light penetrating water bodies, impairing photosynthesis in the Large-flowered waterweed Egeria densa. Glitter, often made of microplastics and metals, is a common pollutant in rivers and seas, accumulating in aquatic environments. The research focused on the effects of glitter on E. densa, an important macrophyte native to South America, highlighting the potential harm that glitter can cause to aquatic plant life.
Invasive Earthworm Species Threaten Native Ecosystems in North America
A new study warns of the threat posed by at least 70 imported earthworm species in North America. These earthworms, largely overlooked, are disrupting native ecosystems and biodiversity. The research highlights the need to better understand and manage these invaders, which have been brought to the continent from Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa since the late 1800s.
Study Finds Removal of Apex Predators from Ecosystems Has Long-Lasting Effects
A recent study by Colorado State University found that the removal of apex predators from an ecosystem can have long-lasting effects. The study challenges the belief that reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park restored the degraded ecosystem, revealing that the absence of apex predators for nearly a century transformed the food web and landscape. Lead author Tom Hobbs emphasized that disturbing ecosystems by changing the makeup of a food web can lead to lasting changes that are not easily fixed.
Spider Webs as Traps for Environmental DNA
Spider webs, often associated with catching flies, have been found to be a useful trap for environmental DNA, offering a potential breakthrough for environmental scientists. The discovery that spider webs can capture fragments of skin, hair cells, or body fluids…
Ancient Kelp Forests Thriving for Over 32 Million Years, Study Finds
Recent scientific findings suggest that kelp forests have been thriving in the oceans for over 32 million years, providing a crucial habitat for a diverse range of marine life. The study, published in PNAS, challenges previous assumptions about the age…
Challenging the Concept of Fractality in Forest Canopies
The complexity of forests has long fascinated scientists, as the way trees grow together in a forest does not resemble how branches grow on a single tree. The structure of the top layer of a forest, known as the canopy,…
The Role of Plant Community Dynamics in Post-Glacier Succession
After the retreat of glaciers, the dynamics of plant communities play a crucial role in the ecological succession of these areas. A recent study, conducted by a team of researchers from various institutions, sheds light on the importance of species…
Sea Otters Play Crucial Role in Preventing Declines in California’s Kelp Forests, Study Finds
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium has revealed the crucial role played by sea otters in preventing widespread declines in California’s kelp forests over the past century. The study, published in the journal PLOS Climate,…
The Interconnected Crises: Global Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT The Interconnected Crises: Global Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change By: Salman Akhtar Published: January 16, 2024 at 8:42 pm EST | Updated: Jan 17, 2024 at 8:36 am EST In a powerful plea echoed across 200 health…
Antarctica’s Coastal Waters May Double in Acidity by 2100, Threatening Marine Life
New research from CU Boulder indicates that by 2100, the acidity of Antarctica’s coastal waters may double, severely impacting marine life in the Southern Ocean. This increase in acidity, primarily due to CO2 emissions, threatens the entire ecosystem, including whales…