ecology

Jun 7, 2017

Research Within Reach

NC State scientists are reaching out to get the public involved in research, by sharing findings and involving everyone in the work of discovery. 

Jun 7, 2017

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. 

Nov 1, 2016

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. 

Jul 5, 2016

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. 

Jun 29, 2016

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. 

Jan 19, 2016

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. 

Dec 7, 2015

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. 

Nov 4, 2015

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. 

Aug 26, 2015

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. 

Jul 20, 2015

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. 

Jun 9, 2015

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? 

Jun 2, 2015

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. 

Apr 15, 2015

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. 

Apr 1, 2015

Isotope Study Shows Which Urban Ants Love Junk Food

Research finds that some – but not all – of the ant species on city streets have developed a taste for human food, offering insight into why certain ants are thriving in urban environments. The findings stem from a study that tested isotope levels in ants to determine the makeup of their diet. 

Mar 2, 2015

Tracking Bald Eagles in Coastal North Carolina

NC State researchers are part of a team that’s using state-of-the-art GPS transmitters to track bald eagles in coastal North Carolina.