Ask the Eucalyptus connoisseurs Koalas may be the pickiest marsupials around: They evolved to feed almost exclusively on the leaves of Eucalyptus trees, and they are highly selective when it comes to which species and even which individual trees they visit. When the furry leaf-eater settles on a particular tree, it relies on a number of factors, including taste, to…
Study finds that bare, beetle-killed trees may actually decrease crown fire likelihood Conventional wisdom about the effects of the mountain pine beetle (MPB) on forest fires across western North America has often assumed that the beetle-induced death of trees has led to an increase in rapidly spreading forest fires. However, in a study published online recently in Ecological Monographs, a journal…
Study shows a one percent annual energy loss and 44-93 percent reduction in bat fatalities While wind energy has shown strong potential as a large-scale, emission-free energy source, bat and bird collisions at wind turbines result in thousands of fatalities annually. Migratory bats, such as the hoary bat, are especially at risk for collision with wind turbines as they fly…
F. Stuart “Terry” Chapin, III, Professor of Ecology from the Institute for Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks has been named President of the Ecological Society of America (ESA). Elected by the members of ESA for a one-year term, Chapin presides over the world’s largest professional organization of ecologists—representing some 10,000 scientists in the United States and around…
Scientists emphasize the increasing importance of natural science collections worldwide Currently unfolding in Russia is the potential loss of more than 5,000 distinct varieties of fruit trees and plants, most of which are extinct or endangered around the world. These plants are held at the Pavlovsk Experiment Station near Saint Petersburg and the site is slated to be auctioned off…
Previous research has claimed that the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 is helping restore quaking aspen in risky areas where wolves prowl. But apparently elk hungry for winter food had a different idea. They did not know they were supposed to be responding to a “landscape of fear.” According to a study set to be published…
Research on invasive species, pollution and environmental disasters at ESA’s Annual Meeting Research is continually emerging on the impacts of invasive species, pollution and environmental disasters on ecosystems and communities. Ecological scientists will discuss widespread environmental changes—from the recent discovery of genetically modified plants in the wild to the implications of mercury found in bottlenose dolphin skin, and even exploring…
Infectious disease, nanotechnology and urban ecology to be explored at ESA’s Annual Meeting Whether it is a single rock being overturned or an entire mountaintop being removed, humans play a continuous role in environmental processes, and vice versa. Ecological scientists will discuss findings on human-ecosystem interactions—from the effects of nanomaterials on plant growth to the diversity of insect species on…
Mate selection, foraging and defense mechanisms explored at ESA’s Annual Meeting In this time of global change, understanding the basics of animal behavior and environmental interactions is just as important as predicting and planning for widespread impacts. Ecological scientists will assess the fundamentals of animal behavior—such as plant toxin detection in bushbaby foraging—and current adaptations to global change—like defense mechanisms…
Successful environmental strategies are tied to engaging society in science What can we do for the environment? What can individual scientists, agencies and institutions do to improve the quality of environmental decision-making? These are among the questions explored by scientists and communications experts in a Special Issue of the Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Ecology and the…
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) will present its third annual Regional Policy Award to Mayor John Fetterman of Braddock, Pennsylvania at its 95th Annual Meeting on August 1, 2010 in Pittsburgh. The award recognizes a regional or local policymaker who has an outstanding record of informing his political decision-making with ecological science. “Wow, what an incredible honor,” said Fetterman….
Ecosphere to provide online-only, open-access, rapid publication and cover wide range of topics On August 3, during its 95th Annual Meeting, the Ecological Society of America will officially launch its newest journal, Ecosphere. Welcoming submissions from all sub-disciplines of ecological science,Ecosphere will provide a rapid-publication, online-only, open-access alternative to the Society’s existing journals, while maintaining the rigorous peer-review standards for which printed ESA…
Society to provide peer-reviewed resources to environmentally themed high schools Since 1995, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has run an environmental leadership program for teenagers and their educators. The Toyota USA Foundation provides lead support for LEAF (Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future), a program which combines an enriched curriculum at environmentally themed high schools with paid internships for students…
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) will present seven societal awards to distinguished ecologists at its 95th Annual Meeting from August 1-6, 2010 in Pittsburgh. The meeting, which has the theme “Global Warming: The legacy of our past, the challenge for our future,” draws a critical combination of more than 3,000 scientists, policymakers and concerned citizens to explore the causes…
In an effort to assess ties between birds’ feeding habits and the spread of nonnative invasive plants, researchers provided ornithologists from four U.S. states with questionnaires on daily bird-plant encounters. The 1,143 unique interactions reported by the birders laid the groundwork for a study on the role of native birds in the seed dispersal of invasive plants throughout the U.S….
Registration opens for the meeting of the world’s largest organization of ecological scientists Registration is now open to the press for the Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) 95th Annual Meeting which will be held August 1-6, 2010 in Pittsburgh. The meeting, which has the theme “Global Warming: The legacy of our past, the challenge for our future,” draws a critical combination of…
Scientists review the benefits and tradeoffs of current methods in forest carbon storage While the U.S. and other world leaders consider options for offsetting carbon emissions, it is important to take into account the role forests play in the global carbon cycle, say scientists in a paper published in the spring edition of Issues in Ecology. Currently, the carbon stored in…
Scientists specializing in marine wildlife, offshore oil production and coastal areas are available The Ecological Society of America (ESA), the nation’s largest organization of ecological scientists, recommends six members of its Rapid Response Team (RRT) to discuss the current and future status of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill as it pertains to wildlife and ecosystems. These experts have backgrounds…
Analyzing biofuel sources and predicting effects on water, soil and the atmosphere The promise of switchgrass, the challenges for forests and the costs of corn-based ethanol production: Ecological scientists review the many factors surrounding biofuel crop production and its implications on ecosystem health in three new Biofuels and Sustainability Reports. Produced by the Ecological Society of America (ESA), the nation’s largest…
Scientists identify 25% of cod and haddock in Dublin seafood industry as different species Ecological scientists in Ireland recently used DNA barcoding to identify species of fish labeled as either “cod” or “haddock” in fish and chip shops, fresh fish counters and supermarkets in 10 postal districts in Dublin. They found that 39 out of 156 (25%) randomly sampled “cod”…