Ökologie

A new study shows that beavers in northern Switzerland have turned a stream corridor into a major carbon sink, storing over 1,000 tonnes of carbon in just 13 years. Researchers found these wetlands capture carbon at rates up to ten times higher than similar areas without beavers. The findings highlight beavers' potential role in climate mitigation.

19. März 2026 Von KI berichtet

Tropical peatlands are burning at levels unseen in at least 2,000 years, according to a new study analyzing ancient charcoal records. Fires had declined for over 1,000 years due to natural climate patterns but surged in the 20th century, particularly in Southeast Asia and Australasia. Human activities like land drainage for agriculture are driving this increase.

New research suggests that young dinosaurs became independent quickly, forming their own groups and occupying different ecological niches from their parents, unlike mammals with extended parental care. This distinction could reshape understandings of Mesozoic ecosystems. The study, led by Thomas R. Holtz Jr. from the University of Maryland, was published in the Italian Journal of Geosciences.

24. Februar 2026 Von KI berichtet

Scientists have discovered that blackwater lakes in the Congo Basin are emitting carbon dioxide from peat stored for thousands of years. Up to 40 percent of the CO2 from lakes like Lac Mai Ndombe originates from ancient sources, challenging previous assumptions about carbon stability in tropical peatlands. This finding highlights potential risks from climate change and deforestation in the region.