Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL’s Post

Fascinating Biodiversity Insight: The Turtle-Tortoise Classification As a testament to nature's complexity, here's an interesting taxonomic relationship: while all tortoises are technically turtles, not all turtles are tortoises. This exemplifies the importance of precise classification in biological sciences. Key distinctions: Turtles (Order: Testudines): Umbrella term for 300+ species of shelled reptiles Anatomical integration: Their shells are part of their skeletal structure Habitat adaptation: From deserts to oceans, showing remarkable evolutionary diversity Survival timespan: 200+ million years of evolutionary success Conservation note: Both land and marine species are currently endangered, highlighting the urgent need for environmental protection measures. #Biodiversity #Conservation #Biology #Science #Environment"

A recent study in the Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics highlights the stark differences in the adaptive abilities of native and non-native species facing habitat shifts due to climate change. Non-native species are expanding their ranges at a rate almost 100 times faster than their native counterparts. This rapid expansion is fueled by traits favoring quick dispersal, often seen in invasive species, further accelerated by human activities. Researchers stress the importance of species keeping pace with changing environments, with projections indicating the need for a range shift of 3.25 kilometers per year to adapt to rising temperatures. While invasive species can navigate this shift, many native species struggle without intervention. The study emphasizes the critical need to address climate change and invasive species' threats to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem stability. For further insights, access the study here: https://lnkd.in/gBVnnUsC 📸 Photo by Simon de TREY-WHITE / WWF-UK #ClimateChange #Biodiversity #ResearchStudy #Ecology #Ecosystem #InvasiveSpecies

https://lnkd.in/gutvAtPA This summarizes the latest on #invasivespecies from the IPBES report. Although invasive alien species have long been recognized as a major threat to nature and people, until now there has been no comprehensive global review of the status, trends, drivers, impacts, management and governance challenges of biological invasions. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Thematic Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and Their Control (hereafter ‘IPBES invasive alien species assessment’) drew on more than 13,000 scientific publications and reports in 15 languages as well as Indigenous and local knowledge on all taxa, #ecosystems and regions across the globe. Therefore, it provides unequivocal evidence of the major and growing threat of invasive alien species alongside ambitious but realistic approaches to manage biological invasions. The extent of the threat and impacts has been recognized by the 143 member states of IPBES who approved the summary for policymakers of this assessment. Here, the authors of the IPBES assessment outline the main findings of the IPBES invasive alien species assessment and highlight the urgency to act now.

🌿Researchers from CE3C - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes are working to improve the #genome annotation of the white crowberry (Corema album). This important coastal species faces conservation challenges due to climate change & habitat loss. Learn more about this Biodiversity Genomics Europe case study: https://lnkd.in/ecdZ7Dzx #genomes for #biodiversity #conservation #annotation #ERGA #ERGAPilot

Exploration, discoveries and tracking changes in biodiversity over space and time are important for conservation planning and for science and education. Well over a hundred years after a colonial era expedition in the beginning of the last century, a multi-disciplinary team revisited the Siang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, which is part of a global biodiversity hotspot. The study emphasised the importance of documenting bird species in areas outside protected regions, especially in zones with significant human impact. The expedition contributes valuable insights into avian diversity and anthropogenic pressures on bird species in the less-studied regions of Arunachal Pradesh's Siang Valley. This paper on birds is one of the many outputs from the National Geographic-funded expedition.  Read the paper: https://bit.ly/4dFz2a7 Jagdish Krishnaswamy, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, National Geographic, Indian BIRDS #IIHS #IIHS_Reserach #Conservation #SiangBiodiversity #ExpeditionInsights

Source: BMC ecology and evolution Study on tepui-summit toad Oreophrynella quelchii reveals large population (12M), limited dispersal, and strong resilience against environmental stress, supporting OCBIL theory. Findings challenge genetic data predictions, emphasizing ecological robustness over diversity in isolated habitats.

🌍 Among the Most Cited Researchers Worldwide: Franz Essl, Andreas Richter, and Mathew White from ECH 🌟 The 2024 list of the world's most cited researchers includes seven outstanding scientists from the University of Vienna (Universität Wien), three of whom are members of the Environmental Change Hub (ECH): Franz Essl, Andreas Richter, and Mathew White. This recognition underscores the global impact of their research on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. 🌱 Franz Essl, Associate Professor at the Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, studies the effects of global change on species and habitats. A member of the Austrian Biodiversity Council (Österreichischer Biodiversitätsrat), he focuses on the introduction of non-native species and their role in the ongoing global species extinction. 🔬 Andreas Richter, Professor of Ecosystem Research and Head of the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, explores the ecology of climate change. His current focus is on soil microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles, particularly how thawing permafrost impacts the carbon and nitrogen cycles. 🧠 Mathew P. White, Senior Scientist at the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, specializes in ecological public health. His work examines how natural and urban environments influence mental health and behaviors. As Principal Investigator of the EU Horizon Europe project RESONATE, he investigates how contact with nature enhances biopsychological resilience. This international acknowledgment reflects the groundbreaking quality of their work and its vital contribution to addressing global challenges. Congratulations to our members! 🎉 💡 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dgwERpYi #Science #Biodiversity #ClimateChange #ECHvienna #HumanHealth

🎉 Thrilled to announce my latest publication in Molecular Ecology! Our study, "Empowering Regional Conservation: Genetic Diversity Assessments as a Tool for Eelgrass Management," highlights the role of genetic diversity in conserving and restoring eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows along the Swedish northwest coast. 🌱 Five genetic clusters were identified, providing a foundation for regional management strategies. 🧬 Higher inbreeding was observed in meadows located in areas with significant eelgrass loss, emphasising the importance of genetic monitoring. 🤝 This project exemplifies collaboration between scientists and managers and how we can integrate conservation genomics into regional management. 🌊 We estimate current indicators and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), offering insights into their application challenges in marine facultative clonal species This work demonstrates how conservation genomics can guide effective management and restoration strategies for marine ecosystems. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ecNTEPWZ A big thank you to my co-authors, collaborators, and funding agencies for making this possible! Let’s continue the conversation on advancing conservation genomics for biodiversity! #ConservationGenomics #MarineBiology #Biodiversity #EelgrassRestoration #Genetics <Illustration generated using AI tools, inspired by the conservation of eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows and their role in marine ecosystems.>

Barbora Trubenová has been newly appointed as a Group Leader in the Aquatic Ecology department and Assistant Professor of Pathogen Evolution at Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS), ETH Zürich. She is interested in the resistance of bacteria, fungi and parasitic worms to drugs 👍 Her research focuses on the mathematical #modelling of how #drug resistance evolves and spreads in various #pathogens. She and her group are using mathematical modelling to determine the speed of this process and how it is influenced by factors such as drug dosing, how many sets of different chromosomes these organisms have or how they live or reproduce. “Our idea is to develop one general model that we can alter using different kinds of modules that we plug together”, explains Trubenová. “These organisms differ significantly, so a one-size-fits-all model would not work. But we can have one general model that can be adapted as needed.” 👉 More about her work and her group at Eawag: https://lnkd.in/dz-Ziazb 👉 Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zürich: https://usys.ethz.ch/ 📷 ETH Zurich, Melinda Thulin #environmentalsystems #mathematicalmodelling #research #drugresistance

I am excited to share the publication of my recent study "Niches beyond borders." This paper delves into the biases affecting predictions for future biodiversity change. Our limited knowledge on species' niches challenges our ability to forecast biodiversity changes. Moreover, I highlight the urgent need for advanced methods and data to accurately quantify species' niches. Integrating historical and current distributions with process-based models and studying genetic adaptation can enhance our comprehension of the ecological factors supporting species survival. Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) Globe Institute Københavns Universitet - University of Copenhagen #research #biodiversity #science #publication #ecology #IPCC #IPBES #niche https://lnkd.in/drYAPig4