Nestling songbirds relocated as part of conservation programmes successfully learn the song repertoires they need to communicate – and ultimately survive – in the wild, a new study has found.
New Study Reports That Greenland Is a Methane Sink Rather Than a Source
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have concluded that the methane uptake in dry landscapes exceeds methane emissions from wet areas across the ice-free part of Greenland.
Trees Struggle to ‘Breathe’ as Climate Warms, Researchers Find
Trees are struggling to sequester heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) in warmer, drier climates, meaning that they may no longer serve as a solution for offsetting humanity’s carbon footprint as the planet continues to warm, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.
‘Tiny Tornadoes’ Around Leaves Spread Deadly Plant Pathogens
When raindrops hit a leaf of a wheat plant infected with rust – a pathogenic spore that has decimated crops globally – the leaf flutters, creating tiny swirling vortices of air that disperse the spores, where they could end up infecting healthy plants.
How Sea Otters Are Protecting the California Coast Against Climate Change
California sea otters were nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century, with only a small number surviving along the central coast.
Climate Change: Fungal Disease Endangers Wheat Production
Climate change poses a threat to yields and food security worldwide, with plant diseases as one of the main risks.
Climate Change Threatens Older Elephants Most, Jeopardizing African Elephants’ Future
A collaborative team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which runs the world’s largest field conservation program, has conducted first-of-its kind research into how global climate change affects African elephants.
Pollutants From Aerosols and River Run-Off are Changing the Marine Phosphorus Cycle in Coastal Seas
New research into the marine phosphorus cycle is deepening our understanding of the impact of human activities on ecosystems in coastal seas.
Death Toll Shows Extreme Air Pollution Events a Growing Urban Threat
New Curtin University-led research has estimated that 1454 avoidable deaths (one person every five days) occurred in Australian capital cities in the past 20 years because of fine particle air pollution from extreme events such as bushfires and dust storms, wood-heater smoke or industrial accidents.
Timber Efficiencies Could Help Ease Nation’s Housing Crisis
University of Queensland researchers have found improving timber production efficiencies by just 5% could unlock supply for an extra 8,000 homes to be built in Australia each year.