Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the distribution of animals.
Tracking Penguin Colonies Through Their Droppings
Researchers are using satellite imagery to map Antarctica’s penguin population by estimating their numbers based on the large guano stains left behind.
What is the Difference Between a Crow and a Raven
Here are some ways you can determine the difference between the common raven (Corvus corax) and the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos).
These Butterflies Have the Longest Known Migration Route
Each fall, Painted Lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) migrate from Europe to subtropical Africa. Individuals can travel as far as 4,000 kilometers.
Biogeography Definitions
Here are some common terms in biogeography, a field of geography that studies the distribution of species.
Review | Extinctions: Living and Dying in the Margin of Error
This book sets out, in some nine chapters, both the ‘turbulent’ journey of that one species living 3.7 billion years ago to the 8.7 million today and the human activity threatening that biodiversity.
Introduction to Wildlife Corridors
Wildlife corridors are overpasses and underpasses that connect natural regions and provide safe transit for migratory animals through human infrastructure.
European Wolves Could Be Replaced by Wolf-Dog Hybrids
Scientists are now worried that the future of the 17,000 wolves known to live in Europe is in jeopardy due to crossbreeding with dogs.
Why Do Iguanas Drop From Trees When It’s Cold in Florida?
Occasionally, the temperature in southern Florida approaches freezing, leading to falling iguanas.
Spring Bird Migration is Happening Earlier for Some Birds
With changes in temperature due to climate change, researchers looking at 24 years of radar data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have found that migrating birds were more likely to arrive at certain stops earlier than they would have twenty years ago.
Plant Life is Expanding in the Area around Mount Everest
Using satellite imagery, researchers have found that subnival vegetation, the vegetation that grows between the treeline and snowline, is increasing in spatial extent around the Mount Everest and Himalaya area.
Connecting Fragmented Habitat Improves Biodiversity
Researchers found that connecting natural corridors of habitat to one another promotes biodiversity in the plants and animals that are able to thrive in those locations.
Do Bison Influence the Spring Season?
Researchers took a look at the foraging behavior of Yellowstone’s bison (Bison bison) to see how well their grazing behavior fits with the Green Wave Hypothesis.
How Wildfires are Changing Boreal Forests and Increasing Emissions
Boreal forests are changing along with our climate.
South Atlantic Humpback Whale Population Rebounds from Near-Extinction
Recent research and updated methods of counting and tracking whale populations has shown an increase in humpback numbers located in the South Atlantic.
Researchers Find Thriving Bee Populations in Power Line Corridors
Researchers have found that the bee populations located in the power line corridors were nearly ten times as high as the bee populations living in the more forested areas nearby.
Mule Deer Create Mental Maps Of Migration Routes
During their seasonal migrations, large grazing mammals like deer are able to easily navigate the state of Wyoming.
Structurally Complex Forests Better At Carbon Capture, Study Shows
Researchers have discovered that structurally diverse forests are better at carbon sequestration that monocultures.
Studies Show Acid Rain May Make Trees Thirstier
The Forest Service created an artificial environment in a forest in West Virginia to study how acid rain could influence processes in that forest.
Caltrans Plans to Build the World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing in California
With a proposed design spanning 200 feet (61 meters) across the 101 freeway, Caltrans in Southern California is moving along with plans to build the world's largest wildlife crossing and the first of its kind near a major city.
New Findings on How Trees Impact Droughts
Recently published research looked at the question of, "Instead of looking at how drought affects the forest, how might this go the other way around?"
GPS Tracking Shows That Black Bears Avoid Humans During the Day
A recent study found that American black bears tend to become more nocturnal during spring in summer to avoid interacting with humans as they search for food.
Can Using a Waterless Barrier Prevent the Expansion of Invasive Species?
In western Australia, researchers have proposed a waterless barrier method to halt the spread of cane toads.
Help Map Out Australia’s Dead Trees
By using a GPS-enabled smartphone, volunteers can capture imagery of tree health around Australia to help researchers map out where trees are dying in Australia.
Are Safaris the Best Answer for Elephant Conservation?
Tourism can be a great conservation tool as long as it is monitored closely.
Ethiopia’s Church Forests Are Pockets of Biodiversity
Also known as coptic forests, church forests range in size from a few acres to 300 hectares and provide a range of spiritual and ecological benefits to the local community.
Defining Biogeographic Regions
A recent paper published in Applied Geography explored ways to improve the determination of biogeographic regions using clustering techniques.