Biology Research
Research Highlights
Methane is odorless, colorless and invisible to the naked eye. But it’s also one of the most damaging greenhouse gases impacting climate change.
Colorado State University biology professor Joe von Fischer researches how humans, plants, soil and soil microbes influence greenhouse gas emissions, including methane. Today, we’re talking with von Fischer about how methane compares to the more notorious carbon dioxide, his research into ways we can better measure methane emissions, and why measuring and reducing methane is a critical opportunity in the climate fight.
Have you ever wondered how artic ground squirrels survive the harsh winters? Assistant Professor, Cory Williams, along with USDA Forest Service researcher with the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Helen Chmura, have been delving deep into the ecological and physiological aspects affecting changes in hibernation patterns for these little critters. Utilizing analyses from an extensive dataset including soil and body-hibernation temperatures, their research has shown that artic squirrels may be benefitting from milder winters allowing them to store less fat to survive the cold. Learn more about their fascinating research using the links below.
Science Research Article | The Source Article | Photos courtesy of The Williams Lab
Research Scientist, Anping Chen, collaborated on several papers contributing to the global study of soil carbon levels and climate change. In partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Chen’s work highlights a new report which shows the amount of inorganic carbon in soil may be under-accounted for in global climate models. In his papers, Chen delves into the complexities of this mineral-based carbon storage and investigates its role in carbon dioxide sequestration and emissions, along with examining the impact of lost carbon which could potentially exacerbate climate change.
Check out his publications below to learn more about this fascinating topic of research.
“Fertilizer Management for Global Ammonia Emission Reduction” | Nature
“Size, Distribution, and Vulnerability of the Global Soil Inorganic Carbon” | Science
“Consistent Time Allocation Fraction to Vegetation Green-up Versus Senescence Across Northern Ecosystems Despite Recent Climate Change” | Science Advances
“Integrating Ecosystem Water Demands into Drought Monitoring and Assessment under Climate Change” | Nature Water
“Climate-induced Tree Mortality Pulses are Obscured by Broad-scale and Long-term Greening” | Nature Ecology & Evolution
Coming Soon!
Change is a constant, so it’s no surprise our birds are evolving too! New research from Dr. Kristen Ruegg’s Ornithology Lab, with postdoctoral researcher Sheela Turbek leading the study, reveals a genome-level climate adaptation in the San Diego, CA, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher – a change that just might save this endangered species. Read the full SOURCE article here for more birding details!
