Ecology & Zoology

The productivity and biodiversity of an ecosystem is significantly affected by the rate at which organisms move between different parts of the ecosystem, according to new research. Ecologists and…

Ant colonies are always used as the model for working together rather than for individual gain but that isn't so, say researchers from the University of Leeds and the University of Copenhagen. Dr.…

Snakes don't eat fugu, the seafood delicacy prepared from blowfish meat and famed for its poisonous potential. However, should a common garter snake wander into a sushi restaurant, it could…

When exotic species invade new territory, they often present a major threat to the other plants and animals living there, that much is clear, but in addition to their destructive tendencies, invasive…

The Hercules Beetle is remarkable not only for its strength, able to carry up to 850 times its own weight, but also the protective outgrowth of its exoskeleton, which also changes from green to black…

Plant leaves are photosynthetic organs. Their main job is to harvest energy from sunlight, and use that energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates. In addition to capturing…

Sometimes relationships work out well. Not talking romance here. I'm thinking of the partnership that has evolved between various species who, despite great differences, do rather well together. In…

How long have salmon been making the trek to the sea, the rivers and back again? We are all familiar with the image of salmon returning to fresh water, to the rivers of their youth, to spawn and…

Ski tourism raises stress levels among capercaillie and could harm the birds’ fitness and ability to breed successfully, write ecologists in the Journal of Applied Ecology. They warn that forests…

Scientists at the John Innes Centre in Norwich have discovered how roots find their way past obstacles to grow through soil. The discovery also explains how germinating seedlings penetrate the soil…