ecology
Study Finds Aromatic Herbs Lead to Better Parenting in Starlings
The presence of aromatic herbs in the nest leads to some improved parenting behaviors in European starlings.
Think Chimpanzee Beds Are Dirtier Than Human Ones? Think Again
Study finds that chimpanzees appear to keep tidier sleeping arrangements than humans do.
Lack of Water is Key Stressor for Urban Trees
A recent study finds that urban trees can survive increased heat and insect pests fairly well – unless they are thirsty.
Leadership in Public Science: Meet Caren Cooper
Caren Cooper is an ecologist and Leadership in Public Science faculty cluster member who wrote the book on citizen science — literally.
Study Highlights Diversity of Arthropods Found in Homes Across the United States – From Swabs of Dust
Researchers used DNA testing and citizen science to create an “atlas” that shows the range and diversity of arthropods found in homes across the continental United States.
Does Biomass Harvest Affect Wildlife?
Researchers counted mammals, reptiles and amphibians on clearcut loblolly plantation sites in Georgia and North Carolina to find out how removing woody debris affected wildlife.
Expanding Outreach to Support Bees and Other Pollinators
A lot of people want to know what they can do to help bees – and a new initiative at NC State is aimed at helping to meet that demand.
First Study of Arthropods in U.S. Homes Finds Huge Biodiversity
The first study to evaluate the biodiversity of arthropods in U.S. homes finds that humans share their houses with any of more than 500 different kinds of arthropods – at least on a short-term basis.
Taking the Road Less Traveled
NC State ecologist Nick Haddad argues that we should find ways to mitigate the destructive effects of road building on animals and plants in an essay in the journal Science.
Urban Environments Boost Pathogen Pressure on Honey Bees
Researchers have found that urban environments increase pathogen abundance in honey bees and reduce their survival. The finding raises significant questions as urban areas continue to grow at the expense of rural environments, and urban beekeeping becomes more popular.
Citizen Science Effort Highlights How Little We Know About Invisible Life in Our Own Homes
Scientists are announcing the discovery of thousands of unidentified species living in and around homes in the United States. The work relied on advanced technologies and scientific expertise from multiple disciplines, but none of it would have been possible without one critical resource – a group of non-scientists who wanted to be part of making a discovery.
The Ecology of the Future and the Future of Ecology
Biologists are trying to understand the impact of global climate change while also working with college students from underrepresented groups to help shape the future of ecology research.
Experts Convene to Discuss How to Protect Bees, Other Pollinators
This autumn, researchers, educators, and industry experts from around the country will descend on a small town in rural North Carolina to discuss a question with repercussions for both the economy and the environment: what can be done to protect bees and other pollinators?
Researchers Seek Sneak Peek Into the Future of Forests
NC State scientists are bringing in researchers from around the country to participate in a project to get a glimpse of the future of forests in a warmer world.
Researchers Can Trace Dust Samples Using Fungal DNA
Researchers have developed a statistical model that allows them to tell where a dust sample came from within the continental United States based on the DNA of fungi found in the sample. The work offers law enforcement a new forensic biology tool.