applied ecology

Apr 23, 2024

Celebrating Connection: Applied Ecology Turns 10

Faculty, staff and students from the Department of Applied Ecology recently celebrated 10 years as a department in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. 

Feb 13, 2024

Irwin to Study Bee Abundance With Support From Kriz Endowment

With support from the Kriz Faculty Study Leave Endowment, Rebecca Irwin, professor of applied ecology, will return to Colorado later this year to continue studying bee abundance in the Rocky Mountains. 

Dec 13, 2023

Aquatic Insects in Restored Streams Need More Rocks to Lay Their Eggs

If you want aquatic insect egg populations to take off, you need more runways, according to a new study. 

Dec 11, 2023

Bee Species in Wake County: Are They Missing or Just Hard to Find?

Study shows no evidence that bee species richness is declining in booming area of North Carolina, but missing species could be a concern. 

Nov 30, 2023

Rare Ant Species Rediscovered in North Carolina Trees

The discovery is the first time scientists have photographed or collected any males from the elusive species. 

Oct 24, 2023

A Parasitic Haunting: When Snakes are Eaten From Within

Imagine a wormlike crustacean that eats snakes from the inside out. 

Oct 11, 2023

Using Different Flours for Sourdough Fosters Different Bacteria – and Flavors

Using different types of flour fosters distinct bacterial communities, which contribute to the variation of sourdough aromas and flavors. 

Sep 14, 2023

Podcast: Guts

Erin McKenney talks palatial guts, six degrees of academic separation, and cecum envy on this episode of Audio Abstract. 

Jul 5, 2023

Is Our Phosphorus Use Sustainable? Most Stakeholders Doubt It

The study underscores the complex challenges facing efforts to ensure our continued access to a critical agricultural and industry resource. 

Jun 5, 2023

How Studying Poop May Help Us Boost White Rhino Populations

Researchers have identified significant differences in the gut microbiome of female southern white rhinos who are reproducing successfully in captivity, as compared to females who have not reproduced successfully. 

May 17, 2023

Newcomers May Change Ecosystem Functions – Or Not

Caddisfly study shows resident species can continue managing ecological processes when similar newcomers move in, but their role changes when newcomers are different. 

May 17, 2023

Study Finds Carrying Pollen Heats Up Bumble Bees, Raising New Climate Change Questions

The study raises questions about how bee species will be impacted by a warmer world due to climate change. 

Apr 24, 2023

Study Finds Significant Variation in Anatomy of Human Guts

Researchers found significant variation in the anatomy of the human digestive system, with pronounced differences possible between healthy individuals. 

Apr 19, 2023

Nature’s Chefs: Scientists Propose Food-Making as Means of Understanding Species Interactions

Researchers are proposing a new way to think of some interactions between species, classifying a variety of plants, animals and fungi as “nature’s chefs.” 

Mar 7, 2023

What Do Messy Lawns Have to do With Bee Food? A Bee Expert Explains

An NC State bee expert weighs in as part of a series exploring whether the way we manage our home lawns and gardens could make a difference for pollinators.