Ecology is a branch of biological and environmental sciences that investigates the distribution, abundance, and dynamics of organisms in relation to each other and to their physical and chemical environments. It encompasses hierarchical levels of organization, including populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere. Ecological research examines flows of energy and cycles of matter, species interactions (such as predation, competition, and mutualism), and responses to abiotic factors like climate, nutrients, and disturbance. Quantitative ecological models and empirical studies are used to understand patterns of biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and the resilience and stability of ecological systems.
Ever found a bare-nosed wombat napping under your house or heard a possum thumping around in your attic?
Plants & Animals
Sep 3, 2026
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For decades, wildlife traffickers have illegally captured and sold hundreds of thousands of wild parrots native to Mexico. Despite changes to international wildlife laws, the conservation status of these birds has continued ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 24, 2026
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Biologists, zoologists and psychologists have been trying to trace the origins of human language for centuries. One well-known theory, known as the social brain hypothesis, suggests that increasingly complex social lives ...
A new study out of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine suggests that West Nile virus (WNV) has had impacts on one in five Pennsylvania bird species, demonstrating how decades of community science ...
Ecology
Aug 10, 2026
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With summer comes the warmth and sunshine that wine grapes need to thrive. It also comes with more vineyard-destroying rodents. To keep vermin at bay while reducing the need for harmful pesticides, California vineyards have ...
Ecology
Jul 30, 2026
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40
What happens after death? An international study led by the University of Granada (UGR), involving Ana Mateos and Jesús Rodríguez, researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), argues ...
Evolution
Jul 29, 2026
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9
A study published in Royal Society Open Science reveals striking trade-offs when it comes to different methods of egg production. Using UK data, the study compared several possible scenarios for the egg industry, including ...
Ecology
Jul 28, 2026
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72
Ants are known allies in the fight against coffee pests known as coffee berry borers. Now, a discovery made by Jonathan "Jonno" Morris while he was a University of Michigan graduate student has revealed there may be a new ...
Ecology
Jul 28, 2026
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Birds are facing a crisis—nearly 3 billion birds have been lost across North America since 1970 as a result of human activities affecting birds and their habitats.
Plants & Animals
Jul 27, 2026
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7
Birdsong carries meaning across open space, helping birds attract mates, defend territory and communicate with rivals. While there has been much research into the use of birdsong across species, researchers have lacked a ...
