August research news from the Ecological Society of America
The mishmash of regulations surrounding invasive species, bee-boosting strategies for urban farms and more from ESA’s journals.
Press Releases
Study: Periodical cicadas may be doomed to extinction
Biologists find the insects cannot recover when old-growth forests are removed.
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Forest Floor to Treetops, Cameras Reveal Congo Basin’s Hidden Wildlife
Researchers used vertically stacked infrared camera traps to monitor mammals from the forest floor to the canopy in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Grassland birds are disappearing even from areas designed to protect them
A new study analyzed 16 years of bird survey data and found that bird nesting season in the Minnesota prairie isn’t quite what it used to be.
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Listening for extinction: Study finds areas of critical concern for northern spotted owls
Northern spotted owl populations are approaching or have already crossed functional extinction across large areas of the Pacific Northwest, according to a new study.
Large mammals alter soil chemistry and increase the fertility of the Atlantic Forest
A new study reveals that tapirs, peccaries, and other jungle mammals serve as ecosystem engineers in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
Fallen trees support river flow and aquatic habitats: The deep relationship between riparian forests and river organisms
A new study finds that Japanese riparian forests shape habitat within rivers, at multiple scales.
Understanding Uncertainty, Four Realms at a Time
By melding scientific measures with human emotional responses and values, National CASC researchers and partners discuss a more holistic way to understand the uncertainties caused by accelerating global changes.
New Study Demonstrates How NASA Hyperspectral Imaging and Machine Learning Can Transform Biodiversity Management in California
New research reveals how advanced hyperspectral remote sensing and machine learning can equip land managers with tools to prioritize restoration and monitor ecosystem health over time.
Who are the secret gardeners of a parasitic plant?
A new study suggests hermit crabs are dispersing the seeds of an unusual parasitic plant.
Managing ecosystems under climate change using nature’s hidden design
Ecosystems become more resilient to environmental change through “portfolio effects” operating across multiple levels of ecological organization.
In Wine Country, Barn Owls Eat Rodents—and Scare Them
Cal Poly Humboldt researchers found that barn owls reduce the number of rodents in vineyards not only by eating them but also scaring them.
Bats were preying on migratory birds in flight—the first ever visual observation and recording of aerial predation in the world
For the first time, researchers observed and recorded bats preying on small migratory birds in the air at night.
U-M researcher discovers new ant behavior that could help protect coffee from pests
For the first time, ants were observed using the homes of pests known as coffee berry borers to rear their own young.
How invasive rats rewire coral reef food webs creating winners and losers
Invasive rats on tropical islands are creating winners and losers among the underwater animals near the bottom of the food chain that inhabit surrounding reefs.
ESAL and the Ecological Society of America partner to provide civic education resources for ESA members
The partnership will offer an interactive learning experience a group of ESA members interested in building their local civic engagement skills.
Faculty member from UB appointed member of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Ecological Society of America
In July 2026, Associate Professor Dr. Virgil Alexandru Iordache was appointed a member of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Ecological Society of America.
As snowpack shrinks, Sierra Nevada mountain ponds undergo dramatic change
Study finds winter snowfall shapes summer pond conditions, with implications for biodiversity as California’s climate changes.
Media Tip Sheet: Wildlife Ecology at ESA’s 2026 Annual Meeting
At this year’s ESA Annual Meeting, researchers will present new findings on the ecological relationships between wildlife, their habitats and the growing influence of human activities across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Disturbance has a greater effect on giant kelp productivity than does resource availability
The amount of kelp that survives winter storms greatly influences the productivity of the giant kelp forest in the next growing season.