ecology

2023-06-14 @ 19.35.34 ∈ In English

Climate change has increased diversity of butterflies in Sweden and Finland, may have major ecosystem consequences

New research shows that butterflies have expanded their ranges over the past 120 years to cope with a warmer climate in Sweden and Finland. Although driven by a warmer climate, range expansions have also been influenced by human land use and vary according to species thermal tolerances and habitat preferences.

2023-06-11 @ 14.05.01 ∈ Suomeksi

HS Ympäristö | Tuulivoimala voi olla kotkalle kohtalokas – jo kymmeniä kuolleita lintuja löydetty

Tuulivoimalan silpomaksi on Suomessa päätynyt tiettävästi 48 merikotkaa, kertoo Hannu Tikkanen Metsähallituksesta. […] Tiettävästi yhtään maakotkaa ei ole vielä Suomessa kuollut tuulivoimalatörmäyksessä, sillä nykyisiä voimaloita ei juuri ole niiden reviireillä.

2023-06-10 @ 19.37.00 ∈ In English

Hidden carbon: Fungi and their ‘necromass’ absorb one-third of the carbon emitted by burning fossil fuels every year

[New] research shows [mycorrhizal fungi] may quietly be playing a bigger role in storing carbon than we thought. [Researchers] estimate the world's plants are transferring a staggering 3.58 billion tonnes of carbon per year to this underground network.

2023-06-10 @ 19.32.15 ∈ In English

Invasive oak processionary moth caterpillars cause concern for England’s trees

An insect that can be hazardous to human health is spreading across southeast England. […] "As the oak processionary moth is a relatively recent arrival to the UK, any potential predators haven't had much time to familiarize themselves with it. This means the caterpillars are able to spread faster than they would otherwise."

2023-06-09 @ 17.49.03 ∈ In English

Wolves in Minnesota switch to fish as a main source of food in the spring

A team of wildlife specialists from the University of Minnesota, the University of Manitoba and Voyageurs National Park has found […] that wolves do, in fact, catch and eat fish, almost exclusively in the spring. This was because deer are a less reliable food source due to reductions in population each year over the hunting season.

2023-05-25 @ 18.46.43 ∈ In English

Weevils, long-nosed beetles, are unsung heroes of pollination

A new study in the journal Peer Community in Ecology provides a deep dive into the more than 600 species of weevils, including ones whose entire life cycles are interwoven with a specific plant that they help pollinate.

2023-05-03 @ 18.09.10 ∈ In English

Example of tool use by an insect found in Australian assassin bugs

In simply watching the bugs, the researchers noted that both males and females would scrape resin off grass blades and apply it to parts of their bodies—most specifically their forelegs. […] After testing a number of the bugs, the research team found that they were 26% more successful at capturing their prey when the resin was on their bodies.

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