Ecology – Page 3 – PossibleThreat Articles

Fire blankets can protect buildings from wildfires

October 15, 2019 0 Comments Civil Engineering, Construction, Earthquakes, Ecology, Engineering and Construction, Natural Disasters, Thermodynamics, Wildfires

Wrapping a building in a fire-protective blanket is a viable way of protecting it against wildfires, finds the first study to scientifically assess this method of defense. Rigorous testing reveals that existing blanket technology can protect structures from a short wildfire attack, but for successful deployment against severe fires and in areas of high housing density, technological advancement of blanket materials and deployment methods, as well as multi-structure protection strategies, are needed.

News Science

Evolutionary history of oaks

October 14, 2019 0 Comments Anthropology, Early Humans, Ecology, Evolution, Evolutionary Biology, Exotic Species, Forest, Nature, Trees

Oaks have a complex evolutionary history that has long eluded scientists. New research, however, provides the most detailed account to date of the evolution of oaks, recovering the 56-million-year history that has made the oaks one of the most diverse, abundant and important woody plant groups to the ecology and economy of the northern hemisphere.

News Science

Scientists 'must be allowed to cry' about destruction of nature

October 10, 2019 0 Comments Child Psychology, Earth Science, Ecology, Environmental Issues, Environmental Policies, Marine Biology, Monkeys, Nature, Ocean Policy, PTSD, Social Psychology, World Development

Scientists witnessing the destruction of the natural world must be supported and 'allowed to cry,' researchers say.

News Science

New tool visualizes nature's benefits worldwide

October 10, 2019 0 Comments Agriculture and Food, Ecology, Ecology Research, Endangered Plants, Environmental Awareness, Environmental Issues, Nature, Sustainability

The researchers set out to understand where nature contributes the most to people and how many people may be affected by future changes. By 2050, up to 5 billion people could be at higher risk of water pollution, coastal storms and under-pollinated crops.

News Science

Sharing data for improved forest protection and monitoring

October 10, 2019 0 Comments Ecology, Ecology Research, Floods, Forest, Nature, Satellites, Space Exploration, Space Probes, Trees

Although the mapping of aboveground biomass is now possible with satellite remote sensing, these maps still have to be calibrated and validated using on-site data gathered by researchers across the world.

News Science

Removing invasive mice from the Farallon Islands would benefit threatened birds

October 10, 2019 0 Comments Ecology, mice, Nature, rodents, Severe Weather, Storms, Tornadoes, Zoology

New research shows the significant negative impact that invasive, non-native house mice on the Farallon Islands are having to the threatened ashy storm-petrel. Original modeling by ecologists shows the potential impacts to the petrel's population if mice are allowed to remain. The super-abundant mice encourage migrating burrowing owls to stay on the island, who later in the winter switch from eating mice to preying on the petrels.

News Science

Reef fish caring for their young are taken advantage of by other fish

October 10, 2019 0 Comments Coral Reefs, Ecology, Environmental Awareness, Exotic Species, Fish, Fisheries, Marine Biology, New Species

Among birds, the practice of laying eggs in other birds' nests is surprisingly common. This phenomenon, known as brood parasitism, was unknown in coral reef fish because most marine fish don't provide any parental care at all. Now, however, biologists studying an unusual kind of coral reef fish that does care for its young have found that, sure enough, other fish are taking advantage of this to get free parental care for their offspring.

News Science

The deeper these octopuses live, the wartier their skin

October 8, 2019 0 Comments Ecology, Environmental Awareness, Fish, Geography, Marine Biology, Nature, New Species, Oceanography

Deep beneath the ocean's surface, surprisingly cute pink octopuses creep along the seafloor. Some of them have super warty skin, and some are smooth. Scientists weren't sure if these octopuses were even members of the same species, and they didn't know how to explain the differences in the animals' looks. But a new study shows that the deeper in the ocean the octopuses live, the bumpier their skin and the smaller their bodies.

News Science

Cheap as chips: Identifying plant genes to ensure food security

October 8, 2019 0 Comments Agriculture and Food, Botany, Ecology, Endangered Plants, Exotic Species, Food and Agriculture, Grassland, Sustainability

Scientists have developed a new approach enabling researchers to more efficiently identify the genes that control plant traits. This method will enable plant breeders and scientists to develop more affordable, desirable, and sustainable plant varieties. The application will be most valuable for the fruit, vegetable and grain crops that are critical for global food security and human nutrition.

News Science

Machine learning helps plant science turn over a new leaf

October 8, 2019 0 Comments Agriculture and Food, Botany, Computer Modeling, Computer Programming, Ecology, Endangered Plants, Environmental Awareness, Exotic Species, Software

Researchers have developed machine-learning algorithms that teach a computer system to analyze three-dimensional shapes of the branches and leaves of a plant. The study may help scientists better quantify how plants respond to climate change, genetic mutations or other factors.