http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/grasslands/ Grassland biome. Read all the latest scientific research on the grassland biome, including articles on grassland animals and the effect of global warming on the grasslands. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/grasslands/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092049.htm The kelp forests off southern California are considered to be some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet, yet a new study indicates that today's kelp beds are less extensive and lush than those in the recent past. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111092049.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028192613.htm Fire is often thought of something that trees should be protected from, but a new study suggests that some trees may themselves contribute to the likelihood of wildfires in order to promote their own abundance at the expense of their competitors. The study says that positive feedback loops between fire and trees associated with savannas can make fires more likely in these ecosystems. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028192613.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001081307.htm One of the unintended consequences of crop-based biofuels may be the loss of wildlife habitat, particularly the birds who call this country's grasslands home. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001081307.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002100351.htm Scientists in Oregon found that rangelands that have been grazed by cattle recover from fires more effectively than rangelands that have been protected from livestock. These surprising findings could impact management strategies for native plant communities where ecological dynamics are shifting because of climate change, invasive weeds and other challenges. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002100351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002100714.htm Using sheep to control leafy spurge works best if it's done in the spring every year, according to a new study. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002100714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814101839.htm In the near future, butterflies in China are likely to be monitored using European monitoring methods. Ecologists from several Chinese research institutions and from Germany recently laid the foundations for this cooperation. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090814101839.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090830100514.htm Bluegrass hybrids ideal for pasture and for lawns could be developed faster using recently developed genetic markers. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090830100514.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803205828.htm A new oral vaccine against sylvatic plague is showing significant promise in the laboratory as a way to protect prairie dogs and may eventually protect endangered black-footed ferrets who now get the disease by eating infected prairie dogs, according to new results. Sylvatic plague is an infectious bacterial disease usually transmitted from animal to animal by fleas. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803205828.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709174751.htm The Census Bureau is good at profiling the US population by sampling small groups of people. Biologists, however, lack a good theory of how to estimate the richness of life in large areas like the Amazon from small-plot studies. Ecologists have applied information theory to develop a new and robust theory that does a much better job predicting biodiversity in large biomes and could be a boon to conservation biologists. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709174751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623162121.htm Elemental hyperaccumulation in plants is hypothesized to represent a plant defense mechanism. The objective of this study was to determine whether selenium hyperaccumulation offers plants long-term protection from the black-tailed prairie dog. This study is the first to test the ecological significance of hyperaccumulation over a long period in a hyperaccumulator's natural habitat. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623162121.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706171538.htm New research shows how plants gain nitrogen and how this allows some species to invade and take over native plants. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706171538.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609220601.htm African bird species could struggle to relocate to survive global warming because natural features of the landscape will limit where they can move to, according to new research. Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609220601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601102021.htm Mass migrations of herbivores like pronghorn, zebra, and wildebeest are in a world-wide decline because of human changes to the landscape. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601102021.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430144532.htm Fertilized grasslands are more productive but poorer in species. Researchers have now identified the mechanisms that lead to loss of biodiversity through fertilization. The new results show that nutrient enrichment of grasslands must be more strongly controlled if plant diversity is to be preserved. Fri, 01 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430144532.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090415074852.htm Crop growth, drinking water and recreational water sports could all be adversely affected if predicted changes in rainfall patterns over the coming years prove true, according to new research. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090415074852.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090331112627.htm The wheat curl mite is a minute menace that wreaks havoc on the Texas region's wheat crop, but it has no enemies currently that can take it out. That doesn't mean scientists aren't trying to find ways to curb its appetite. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090331112627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090302182954.htm The African savanna is world famous for its wildlife, especially the iconic large herbivores such as elephants, zebras, and giraffes. But managing these ecosystems and balancing the interests of the large charismatic mammals with those of other species has been a perpetual challenge for park and game mangers. Now a new study reports the successful test of new remote-sensing technology to monitor the impact of management decisions on the savanna ecosystem. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090302182954.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224230711.htm A new study shows it is possible to predict how fast a population will spread and reveals the importance of habitat conservation in helping threatened species survive environmental change. The research tracks the recovery of a rare British butterfly over 18 years and offers hope for the preservation of other species. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224230711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303112439.htm The wide-open spaces of the Flint Hills may no longer provide a secure home on the range for several familiar grassland birds, according to research by a Kansas State University ecologist and her colleagues. The researchers found that three bird species common to the Flint Hills region of Kansas and Oklahoma are experiencing serious population decline in the face of extensive land-management practices like annual burning and widespread grazing. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303112439.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090220191837.htm The northward and inland movement of North American birds, confirmed by thousands of citizen-observations, has provided new and powerful evidence that climate change is having a serious impact on natural systems, according to a new report. Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090220191837.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090131123819.htm Grass filter strips placed in riparian zones not only curb soil erosion, but can help block and degrade the widely used herbicide atrazine, scientists report. Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090131123819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112201210.htm Ecologists have identified the invasive plant species they believes pose the biggest threats to southern forest ecosystems in 2009. Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112201210.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090115190458.htm A recent study has confirmed that although there was a large reduction of organic carbon and total nitrogen pools when prairies were first cultivated and drained, there has been no consistent pattern in these organic matter pools during the period of synthetic fertilizer use, that is, from 1957-2002. Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090115190458.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090113203903.htm Cattle and sheep grazed on natural grasslands help maintain biodiversity and produce tastier, healthier meat, according to a new study. The research, which draws together the social and natural science, concluded that pasture-based farming is good for the environment, the consumer and the producer but needs stronger support from British policy makers if it is to realize its full potential. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090113203903.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112201017.htm Last winter, government agencies killed one third of Yellowstone National Park's bison herd due to concerns about the possible spread of a livestock disease to cattle that graze in areas around the park. However, such drastic measures may be unnecessary, according to researchers who have assessed the risk of disease transmission from Yellowstone bison to cattle. Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112201017.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081228193530.htm Grazinglands in the Asian steppes and the rangelands in the western United States share similar climates, vegetation, land-use practices and problems. So an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist joined a search in Asia to find and preserve native forage plants--and to see if these plants can be used to sustain and restore arid grasslands in other parts of the world. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081228193530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081229200736.htm Researchers have discovered that grazing animals such as deer and rabbits are actually helping to spread plant disease -- quadrupling its prevalence in some cases -- and encouraging an invasion of annual grasses that threaten more than 20 million acres of native grasslands in California. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081229200736.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081203184924.htm Researchers are examining the effect of golf courses on salamander populations. Working with 10 golf courses in North Carolina, they are measuring stream salamanders' abundance and diversity in order to make biologically relevant management suggestions for golf course superintendents. The researchers are hoping to balance human recreation with the protection of wildlife. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081203184924.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081202133228.htm Converting forests or fields to biofuel crops can increase or decrease greenhouse gas emissions, depending on where -- and which -- biofuel crops are used, researchers report. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081202133228.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118131857.htm Americans are woefully out of touch with the fact that the American bison, or buffalo, is in trouble as a wild, iconic species, but they do love them as an important symbol of their country -- and as an entree on the dinner table. These sentiments were found in a public survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society at a national conference on restoring bison populations in the North America. Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118131857.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081119142110.htm The results of the biggest and most comprehensive survey of Britain's countryside and its natural resources are unveiled in a report published this week by the Countryside Survey partnership. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081119142110.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081105083540.htm Extreme weather events have a greater effect on flora than previously presumed. A one-month drought postpones the time of flowering of grassland and heathland plants in Central Europe by an average of 4 days. With this a so-called 100-year drought event equates to approximately a decade of global warming. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081105083540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081013195322.htm Many agricultural products can be converted into feedstocks for alternative fuel. Now analysis from the Agricultural Research Service suggests that they can be used this way without reducing the nation's food supply, soil production capacity or environmental quality. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081013195322.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135630.htm Talk about a field of dreams. Cornell bioenergy plant experts are learning which field grasses are the best candidates for "dedicated energy" crops in the Northeast, considering the region's climate and soil conditions. Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135630.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020171454.htm The Earth is in the midst of the sixth mass extinction of both plants and animals, with nearly 50 percent of all species disappearing, scientists say. Which plants should be a top priority to conserve? Researchers say the most genetically unique species are the ones that have the greatest importance in an ecosystem. Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020171454.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081015120734.htm An increase in average temperature of only two degrees Celsius could have a devastating effect on populations of Australia's iconic kangaroos. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081015120734.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100636.htm A new experiment to find out how British plant ecosystems may be affected by future changes to climate and biodiversity is underway at Imperial College London. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080926100636.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924085543.htm Extreme flood events in floodplain grasslands affect carabid beetles and molluscs more than plants. Biologists did several years of observations before and after the Elbe floods of August 2002 in this study. Flow variations are known to be most important drivers in structuring riverine communities. However, until now, the effects of extreme flood events on the flora and fauna of floodplains have been largely unknown, despite the fact that such events are likely to become more frequent as a result of climate change. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924085543.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924111401.htm Scientists are reporting findings on the long-term effects of warming anomaly on grassland productivity and ecosystem carbon cycling. They found that warming by 4 degrees Celsius in the Reno greenhouse not only depressed plant growth and suppressed land carbon absorption in the treatment year but also resulted in prolonged suppression of plant growth and carbon absorption in the following year. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924111401.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919183823.htm Natural grass fires are evidently more important for the ecology of savannahs than has previously been assumed. This is the finding of a study carried out in Etosha National Park in the north of Namibia. It is the first study to have investigated the complex interplay of the factors fire, competition, moisture and seed availability in relation to a grass species. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919183823.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145131.htm Plants and soils act like sponges for atmospheric carbon dioxide, but new research on the cover of this week's Nature finds that one abnormally warm year can suppress the amount of carbon dioxide taken up by some grassland ecosystems for up to two years. The findings followed a four-year study of 12-ton containerized grassland plots at Nevada's Desert Research Institute. Plots were extracted intact from the Oklahoma prairie and sealed inside four, living-room-sized environment chambers. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080917145131.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908102811.htm Researchers in Norway report that injecting a special type of seawater called "smart water" into certain low-yield oil wells may help boost oil extraction by as much as 60 percent. The study could help meet rising energy demands and provide consumers with some financial relief at the gas pump in the future, the scientists suggest. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908102811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080818183508.htm The impact of global warming in the Arctic may differ from the predictions of computer models, according to new research, which shows that grazing animals will play a key role in reducing the anticipated expansion of shrub growth in the region, thus limiting the shrubs' predicted and beneficial carbon-absorbing effect. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080818183508.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804100143.htm Scientists have long pointed to physical changes in the Earth and its atmosphere as indicators of global climate change. But changes in climate can wreak havoc in more subtle ways, such as the loss of habitat for plant and animal species. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804100143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804100139.htm The undisputed queen of animal pollinators is the bee, whose daily flights aid in the reproduction of more than half of the world's flowering plants. In recent years, however, an unprecedented decline in bee populations has placed the health of ecosystems an crops in peril. A group of scientists are exploring the problem of bee habitat loss to determine what can be done to preserve bees in their native habitats. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804100139.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080720092205.htm Soils with native grasses such as switchgrass have higher levels of a key soil component called glomalin than soils planted to non-native grasses. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080720092205.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708155608.htm While many plant species move to a new location or go extinct as a result of climate change, grasslands clinging to a steep, rocky dale-side in Northern England seem to defy the odds and adapt to long-term changes in temperature and rainfall, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The 13-year experiment involved subjecting 30 small grassland plots to microclimate manipulation. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708155608.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080703113617.htm Small mammals, such as rabbits and mice, play a major role in the development of natural diversity. Biologists researched how scrub becomes established in natural grassland. It seems that prickly shrubs are important in protecting plants and preventing animal species from grazing. Researchers have also demonstrated that natural disturbances such as flooding and animal diseases are very important for the diversity of natural areas. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080703113617.htm