All articles tagged with #ecosystem impact
Britain's deer population has surged to around two million, causing significant ecological, agricultural, and road safety issues, prompting calls for more aggressive management strategies including culling, fencing, and rewilding with predators like wolves and lynx, though these solutions face social and logistical challenges.
The bird flu H5N1 has caused the largest recorded mortality event among southern elephant seals in Argentina, decimating nearly 97% of pups and leading to a 60% population decline, with potential long-term ecological consequences and a slow recovery estimated to take at least 70 years.
A record-breaking heat wave in Florida in 2023 has nearly wiped out two key coral species, elkhorn and staghorn, rendering them functionally extinct and causing significant ecological and economic damage, including increased coastal vulnerability and loss of biodiversity, highlighting the urgent need for advanced conservation efforts amid ongoing climate change.
New research warns that rapid, interconnected changes in Antarctica's ice, oceans, and ecosystems could trigger irreversible global impacts, including a potential collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet leading to over three meters of sea level rise, unless greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced.
Scientists have identified bacteria Vibrio pectenicida as the cause of the mysterious sea star wasting disease that killed over 5 billion sea stars along the Pacific coast, leading to ecological consequences like kelp forest decline. This discovery opens avenues for potential interventions to restore sea star populations and protect marine ecosystems.
Researchers have identified the bacteria Vibrio pectenicida as the cause of sea star wasting disease, which has decimated sea star populations along the West Coast, leading to ecological disruptions such as unchecked sea urchin populations and kelp forest decline.
Scientists have identified the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida as the cause of the devastating sea star wasting disease that has wiped out billions of sea stars along the Pacific Coast, opening new avenues for conservation and recovery efforts.
Scientists have identified the cause of sea star wasting disease as a strain of Vibrio pectenicida, leading to potential recovery efforts for affected species and ecosystems, especially kelp forests, which are vital for marine biodiversity and coastal protection.
Scientists have identified a strain of bacteria, Vibrio pectenicida, as the cause of the wasting disease that has killed billions of starfish along the West Coast since 2013, leading to ecological shifts such as sea urchin overpopulation and kelp decline. The discovery offers hope for recovery efforts, including breeding resistant starfish and restoring kelp forests, while raising questions about environmental triggers like climate change.
Great white sharks, long the ocean's top predators, are now being preyed upon by orcas in Australian waters, marking a significant shift in marine predator dynamics. Evidence shows orcas targeting sharks' livers with surgical precision, which could lead to declines in shark populations and broader ecological impacts. This behavior, previously observed in South Africa, is spreading, indicating a potential change in the marine food chain.
Joro spiders, giant venomous arachnids from Japan, are expected to invade the Northeast US, including New York, after initially spreading in the Southeast. Known for their striking appearance and ability to "balloon" through the air, these spiders could disrupt local ecosystems by preying on native insects. While their venom is not typically deadly to humans, it can cause discomfort and allergic reactions. Pest control experts emphasize the need for education and responsible management to coexist with these invasive spiders.
A study led by Northern Arizona University ecologist Andrew Richardson found that even slight increases in temperature in boreal forests can lead to a significant reduction in snowpack, resulting in increased plant stress, mortality, and potential fire risk. The research, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, used long-term warming experimental results to show that less snowpack leads to warmer air temperatures and more snowmelt, with implications for ecosystem functioning and climate modeling. The findings suggest that transitioning to low- or no-snow winters could have major negative impacts on northern ecosystems.
A first-of-its-kind study suggests that deep-sea mining could harm jellyfish by disrupting their metabolism. Sediment stirred from mining sites could activate stress responses in jellyfish, leading to excessive mucus production and increased energy requirements. This could potentially lead to starvation and harm the health of jellyfish. If other gelatinous organisms in the deep ocean respond similarly, commercial harvesting of the sea floor could reduce biodiversity and threaten crucial ecosystem functions.
Melting permafrost due to global warming is releasing ancient viruses that have been preserved for tens of thousands of years. A recent study modeled the interactions between an ancient virus and modern bacteria to assess the potential impact on the ecosystem. While most invading viruses had little effect, in 1.1% of simulations, an invasive virus had a substantial impact, leading to a drop in biodiversity by 32%. Although the risk may seem low, the sheer number of potential exposures is staggering. However, the least populated places on Earth are covered with permafrost, reducing the risk of widespread infection.