Tag

Urban Ecology

All articles tagged with #urban ecology

science1 month ago•9 min saved

Cornell researchers estimate 5.5 million solitary bees nest underground in Ithaca cemetery

A 2022 discovery by a Cornell technician revealed that East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York, hosts an estimated 5.5 million regular mining bees. Researchers used emergence traps to estimate the population, finding the site supports one of the largest solitary bee aggregations ever recorded. The bees have likely inhabited the sandy soil for nearly a century, providing critical pollination services for nearby apple orchards. Danforth now advocates for protecting such urban green spaces from development.

via Space Daily|

#conservation #cornell-university #entomology

science5 months ago•4 min saved

Tiny Wall-Dwelling Spider Hunts Prey Six Times Its Size

A newly identified spider species, Pikelinia floydmuraria, about 3–4 mm long, lives in urban wall crevices in southern Brazil and can capture prey up to six times its size, often near artificial lights that attract insects like mosquitoes and flies; described in Zoosystematics and Evolution, the discovery sheds light on the ecology of the Pikelinia genus, with DNA studies needed to clarify its evolutionary relationships.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#pikelinia-floydmuraria #predation #science

environment5 months ago•7 min saved

Urban Birds Flee From Women Faster Than From Men

A European, multi-country study across 37 bird species found urban birds take flight sooner when approached by women than by men, with men able to stand closer by about a meter. The exact cues driving this sex difference—such as scent, gait, or body shape—remain unknown, and researchers call for follow-up experiments to identify the responsible signals. The 2,701 observations suggest urban birds are sensitive to subtle human cues, with implications for urban ecology and how scientists study animal behavior in cities.

via SciTechDaily|

#birds #environment #europe

science5 months ago•2 min saved

Urban Birds Startle More at Women Than Men, Study Finds

An international study of 37 urban bird species across five European countries found birds let male researchers approach about three feet closer before fleeing than female researchers, a robust sex-based difference in flight initiation distance across cities and species. Researchers ruled out obvious factors like hair length, body size, and height, and suggested possibilities such as subtle appearance cues or odor, but no definitive explanation yet. The finding is consistent but remains puzzling to scientists.

via Nautilus | Science|

#birds #cross-country-study #flight-initiation-distance

environment-energy6 months ago•11 min saved

Paris quiets the streets, but urban birds still sing with higher pitches

New research shows Paris has become quieter over the past decade thanks to measures like cyclist-friendly streets, automated noise cameras, and Bruitparif monitoring, reducing noise by about three decibels. However, great tits in Paris still sing at higher pitches than birds in nearby quiet forests, indicating that further noise reductions are needed before urban birds can revert to their natural songs. The study also notes that quieter periods, such as COVID-19 lockdowns, briefly allowed some birds to lower their pitch, illustrating the potential for change when cities become quieter.

via The Conversation|

#birdsong #decibels #environment-energy

environment7 months ago•7 min saved

Bat-Friendly Red Streetlights Spark Denmark’s Urban Ecology Experiment

In Gladsaxe near Copenhagen, Denmark replaced standard white LED streetlights with red LEDs along Frederiksborgvej to protect a nearby bat colony and reduce light pollution, balancing driver safety with wildlife. The project is part of a broader EU Lighting Metropolis program advancing greener urban lighting aligned with UNDP sustainable-city goals.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#bat-conservation #denmark #environment

environment1 year ago•6 min saved

Chicago River Hosts First Open-Water Swim in Nearly a Century

Hundreds of people participated in the first organized swim in the Chicago River in nearly 100 years, symbolizing the significant environmental improvements made over the past decades to clean up the river, which was once heavily polluted and considered untouchable. The event highlights the progress in restoring urban waterways and the ongoing efforts needed to maintain these ecological gains.

via The Guardian|

#chicago-river #environment #pollution-reduction

biology2 years ago•3 min saved

"Invasive Joro Spiders Thriving in Urban Landscapes Across the US"

A study from the University of Georgia suggests that the invasive Joro spider is surprisingly tolerant of urban vibrations and noise, making it more successful in urban landscapes than most native spiders. The research found that the spiders near busy roads are somewhat less likely to attack simulated prey, but this doesn't seem to affect their body mass or health. The study indicates that the Joro spider's tolerance of urban vibrations and sounds is likely a factor in its exponential growth, but researchers assure that the spiders are rather timid.

via Phys.org|

#biology #invasive-species #joro-spider