Ecosystems

Ecosystems

Virtual skylarks suffer weed shortfall

A new mathematical model raises the concern that switching to transgenic herbicide-tolerant crops could deprive birds of weed seeds.

Ecosystems

Zebra mussels to the rescue

Bioengineers have harnessed zebra mussels to help avert algal blooms by cleaning particles, including algae, from the water.

Ecosystems

At a Snail’s Place: Rock climbing cuts mollusk diversity

As rock climbing soars in popularity, some cliff-side snail populations may be crashing.

Ecosystems

Cultivating Weeds

Some formerly mild-mannered plants turn into horticultural bullies when planted far outside their native range.

Ecosystems

Spring Forward

Scientists who study biological responses to seasonal and climatic changes have noted that the annual cycles for many organisms are beginning earlier on average, as global temperatures rise.

Ecosystems

After Invasions: Can an ant takeover change the rules?

A rare before-and-after study of a takeover by an invasive ant species shows the interloper quickly disassembling the basic rules of the invaded community.

Ecosystems

Lab ecosystems show signs of evolving

An ambitious test of group selection considers whether natural selection can act on whole ecosystems as evolutionary units.

Ecosystems

Ultimate Sea Weed Loose in America

The unusually invasive strain of seaweed that has been smothering coastal areas of the Mediterranean has shown up in a California lagoon, the first sighting of this ecologically devastating alga in the Americas.

Ecosystems

Why didn’t the beetle cross the road?

Beetle populations confined to specific forest areas by roads seem to have lost some of their genetic diversity.

Ecosystems

Trust That Bird? A bit of future-think lets jays cooperate

A blue jay will cooperate with a buddy for mutual gain in food despite opportunities to betray the partnership.

Ecosystems

Worm Attacks: Invading earthworms threaten rare U.S. fern

An unusual study of the effects of invading earthworms on North American plants finds that the exotics might be on the way to killing off a rare fern.

Ecosystems

Insects, pollen, seeds travel wildlife corridors

Strips of habitat boost insect movement, plant pollination, and seed dispersal among patches of the same ecosystem.