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A twenty-year study in Congo's largest protected park confirms that rangers are effective in preserving endangered bonobos Scientists now know how many bonobos live in one of the largest pristine tropical forests, a place believed to be the world's stronghold for the endangered species. The research, conducted over two decades by a team of 48 scientists, estimates that between 8,000 to 18,000 adult bonobos inhabit Salonga National Park in the DRC.

Research team led by Göttingen University studies carbon movement from tree to root fungi   The idea of trees "talking" to one another through underground fungal networks - the so-called "wood wide web" - has captured the imagination of the public. This concept, where trees supposedly share nutrients with each other via these networks, has been popularized by books and documentaries.

Research team led by the University of Göttingen investigates carbon transport from the tree to the root fungus The idea that trees "communicate" with each other via underground fungal networks - the so-called "Wood Wide Web" - has captured the imagination of many people. Books and documentaries have popularized the concept of trees supposedly exchanging nutrients with each other through these networks.

Particulate matter and microplastics are much-discussed risks to the environment and health. A new study by the Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability at the University of Hamburg and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon has now investigated the role of tire and brake wear in the formation of urban particulate matter for the first time.

A new study in the journal Nature shows that the oceans were less cold in the early 20th century (1900-1930) than previously thought. During this period the ocean appears too cold due to the way some measurements were taken. This makes global ocean surface temperature measurements during this period inconsistent with both land air temperatures and palaeoclimatic data and the differences between land and ocean are larger than shown in climate models.

International research team led by Göttingen University define optimal shade trees in agroforestry   Agroforestry systems, which integrate trees and shrubs into farming, are vital to achieving sustainable cocoa production in West Africa where 70 percent of the world cocoa is produced. Climate change induced drought means that it is ever more critical to adapt farming practices and find new approaches.

Compared to intensive land use, sustainable land use allows better control of underground herbivores and soil microbes. As a result, the soil ecosystem is more resilient and better protected from disturbance under sustainable management than under intensive land use. Researchers from Leipzig University, the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and other research institutions found that the total energy flux and the activities of so-called decomposers, herbivores and predators in the soil food web remained stable.

Study by the University of Bonn shows that deforestation in the Amazon region is also detrimental to human health Rainforest protection is not only good for biodiversity and the climate - it also noticeably improves the health of humans who live in the corresponding regions. This is the conclusion drawn by a current study by the University of Bonn and the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil.

Research team led by Göttingen University investigate native species recovery in Sumatra Southeast Asia's tropical forests are renowned for their biodiversity, but at the same time face significant threats from the expansion of oil palm plantations. With global demand for palm oil rising, the urgency for effective restoration strategies in these landscapes has become critical.

Emission reductions from climate mitigation projects are significantly lower than claimed, a new meta-study shows. A new meta-study published in Nature Communications has revealed that emission reductions from climate mitigation projects are significantly lower than claimed. Dr. Benedict Probst, Head of the Net Zero Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, and coauthors systematically reviewed more than 60 empirical studies, uncovering substantial quality issues with carbon credits.

After immigrating to a new place, birds rapidly learn useful tricks from local experts Scientists have found a trigger for social learning in wild animals. An experiment on great tits has pinpointed a single factor-immigration-that can cause birds to pay close attention to others, leading them to rapidly adopt useful behaviors.

Research team analyse biodiversity, ecosystems and economics of enriching beech forests with conifers Forests provide biodiversity, ecosystem functions, income and much more. How can these diverse and seemingly diverging demands be met? An international research team led by the University of Göttingen addressed this question by analysing the effects of enriching beech forests in Germany with commercially valuable native (to mountainous regions of Europe) and non-native conifer species, in this case, the Norway spruce and Douglas fir, respectively.

New study on the toxicity of hydrocarbons The international maritime shipping industry contributes to air pollution, particularly in coastal areas and port cities. The 'International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships' regulates, among other things, air pollution from shipping and sets limits for the sulphur content in fuels.

News from Atmospheric aerosol particles are essential for the formation of clouds and precipitation, thereby influencing the Earth's energy budget, water cycle, and climate. However, the origin of aerosol particles in pristine air over the Amazon rainforest during the wet season is poorly understood.

A research alliance is studying how future potato cultures could be adapted to handle climate change Heat, dry spells and flooding-the whole of nature is under stress, and potatoes are no exception. As a food staple, there is particular interest in getting potatoes fit for the new climate reality. As part of the EU's four-year ADAPT project, an international team led by the University of Vienna and involving the University of Bonn has now investigated how this might be done.

International research team investigates sustainable increase in macadamia nut production An international research team led by the Universities of Göttingen and Hohenheim has gained new insights into how the interaction between bees, bats and birds significantly increases the quantity and quality of macadamia nuts.

International research team finds pollinators and predators promote profitable, sustainable farming   An international research team led by the universities of Göttingen and Hohenheim in Germany has gained new insights into how the interaction of birds, bees and bats significantly increases the quantity and quality of macadamia nuts.

Research network investigates how future potato varieties can be adapted to climate change Heat, drought and flooding - nature is under stress, and so is the potato. As a staple food, there is a particular interest in making potatoes climate-ready. An international team led by the University of Vienna and with the participation of the University of Bonn has now investigated how this can be achieved in the four-year EU project ADAPT.

International research team finds that islands are home to around one in three of world's plant species From Tasmania to Madagascar to New Guinea, islands make up just over five per cent of Earth's land. Yet, a study led by Macquarie University, Australia, and Göttingen University, Germany, reveals that islands are home to over 31 per cent of the world's plant species.

The changes scientists expect in the climate could cause the toxic metals naturally occurring in soils to become more mobile, destabilize ecosystems and increasingly enter the human food chain via agriculture. Such scenarios are particularly likely to occur in slightly acidic soils, which make up around two thirds of all soils.