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First-of-its-kind study definitively shows that conservation actions are effective at halting and reversing biodiversity loss

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A new study published online today, April 25, in the scientific journal Science provides the strongest evidence to date that not only is nature conservation successful, but that scaling conservation interventions up would be transformational for halting and reversing biodiversity loss—a crisis that can lead to ecosystem collapses and a planet less able to support life—and reducing the effects of climate change.

The findings of this first-ever comprehensive meta-analysis of the impact of conservation action are crucial as more than 44,000 species are documented as being at risk of extinction , with tremendous consequences for the ecosystems that stabilize the climate and that provide billions of people around the world with clean water, livelihoods, homes, and cultural preservation, among other ecosystem services. Governments recently adopted new global targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, making it even more critical to understand whether conservation interventions are working.

“If you look only at the trend of species declines, it would be easy to think that we’re failing to protect biodiversity, but you would not be looking at the full picture,” said Penny Langhammer, lead author of the study and executive vice president of Re:wild. “What we show with this paper is that conservation is, in fact, working to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. It is clear that conservation must be prioritized and receive significant additional resources and political support globally, while we simultaneously address the systemic drivers of biodiversity loss, such as unsustainable consumption and production.”

Although many studies look at individual conservation projects and interventions and their impact compared with no action taken, these papers have never been pulled into a single analysis to see how and whether conservation action is working overall. The co-authors conducted the first-ever meta-analysis of 186 studies, including 665 trials, that looked at the impact of a wide range of conservation interventions globally, and over time, compared to what would have happened without those interventions. The studies covered over a century of conservation action and evaluated actions targeting different levels of biodiversity—species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity.

The meta-analysis found that conservation actions—including the establishment and management of protected areas, the eradication and control of invasive species, the sustainable management of ecosystems, habitat loss reduction, and restoration—improved the state of biodiversity or slowed its decline in the majority of cases (66%) compared with no action taken at all. And when conservation interventions work, the paper’s co-authors found that they are highly effective .

For example:

• Management of invasive and problematic native predators on two of Florida’s barrier islands, Cayo Costa and North Captiva, resulted in an immediate and substantial improvement in nesting success by loggerhead turtles and least terns, especially compared with other barrier islands where no predator management was applied.
• In the Congo Basin, deforestation was 74% lower in logging concessions under a Forest Management Plan (FMP) compared with concessions without an FMP.
• Protected areas and Indigenous lands were shown to significantly reduce both deforestation rate and fire density in the Brazilian Amazon. Deforestation was 1.7 to 20 times higher and human-caused fires occurred four to nine times more frequently outside the reserve perimeters compared with inside.
• Captive breeding and release boosted the natural population of Chinook salmon in the Salmon River basin of central Idaho with minimal negative impacts on the wild population. On average, fish taken into the hatchery produced 4.7 times more adult offspring and 1.3 times more adult second generation offspring than naturally reproducing fish.

“Our study shows that when conservation actions work, they really work. In other words, they often lead to outcomes for biodiversity that are not just a little bit better than doing nothing at all, but many times greater,” said Jake Bicknell, co-author of the paper and a conservation scientist at DICE, University of Kent. “For instance, putting measures in place to boost the population size of an endangered species has often seen their numbers increase substantially. This effect has been mirrored across a large proportion of the case studies we looked at.”

Even in the minority of cases where conservation actions did not succeed in recovering or slowing the decline of the species or ecosystems that they were targeting compared with taking no action, conservationists benefited from the knowledge gained and were able to refine their methods. For example, in India the physical removal of invasive algae caused the spread of the algae elsewhere because the process broke the algae into many pieces, enabling their dispersal. Conservationists could now implement a different strategy to remove the algae that is more likely to be successful.

This might also explain why the co-authors found a correlation between more recent conservation interventions and positive outcomes for biodiversity— conservation is likely getting more effective over time . Other potential reasons for this correlation include an increase in funding and more targeted interventions.

In some other cases where the conservation action did not succeed in benefiting the target biodiversity compared with no action at all, other native species benefitted unintentionally instead. For example, seahorse abundance was lower in protected sites because marine protected areas increase the abundance of seahorse predators, including octopus.

“It would be too easy to lose any sense of optimism in the face of ongoing biodiversity declines,” said study co-author and Associate Professor Joseph Bull , from the University of Oxford’s Department of Biology. “However, our results clearly show that there is room for hope. Conservation interventions seemed to be an improvement on inaction most of the time; and when they were not, the losses were comparatively limited."

More than half of the world’s GDP, almost $44 trillion , is moderately or highly dependent on nature. According to previous studies, a comprehensive global conservation program would require an investment of between US$178 billion and US$524 billion , focused primarily in countries with particularly high levels of biodiversity. To put this in perspective, in 2022, global fossil fuel handouts--which are destructive to nature—were US$7 trillion . This is 13 times the highest amount needed annually to protect and restore the planet. Today more than US$121 billion is invested annually into conservation worldwide , and previous studies have found the cost-benefit ratio of an effective global program for the conservation of the wild is at least 1:100 .

“Conservation action works—this is what the science clearly shows us,” said Claude Gascon, co-author and director of strategy and operations at the Global Environment Facility. “It is also evident that to ensure that positive effects last, we need to invest more in nature and continue doing so in a sustained way. This study comes at a critical time where the world has agreed on ambitious and needed global biodiversity targets that will require conservation action at an entirely new scale. Achieving this is not only possible, it is well within our grasp as long as it is appropriately prioritized.”

The paper also argues that there must be more investment specifically in the effective management of protected areas, which remain the cornerstone for many conservation actions. Consistent with other studies, this study finds that protected areas work very well on the whole . And what other studies have shown is that when protected areas are not working, it is typically the result of a lack of effective management and adequate resourcing. Protected areas will be even more effective at reducing biodiversity loss if they are well-resourced and well-managed.

Moving forward, the study’s co-authors call for more and rigorous studies that look at the impact of conservation action versus inaction for a wider range of conservation interventions, such as those that look at the effectiveness of pollution control, climate change adaptation, and the sustainable use of species, and in more countries.

“For more than 75 years, IUCN has advanced the importance of sharing conservation practice globally,” said Grethel Aguilar, IUCN director general. “This paper has analyzed conservation outcomes at a level as rigorous as in applied disciplines like medicine and engineering—showing genuine impact and thus guiding the transformative change needed to safeguard nature at scale around the world. It shows that nature conservation truly works, from the species to the ecosystem levels across all continents. This analysis, led by Re:wild in collaboration with many IUCN Members, Commission experts, and staff, stands to usher in a new era in conservation practice.”

This work was conceived and funded through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) by the Global Environment Facility.

Lindsay Renick Mayer

[email protected]

+1 512-686-6225

Devin Murphy

+1 512-686-6188

The paper ‘The positive impact of conservation action’ has been published in Science:  https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.adj6598  

Additional quotes

Thomas Brooks, co-author and chief scientist, IUCN

“This paper is not only extremely important in providing robust evidence of the impact of

conservation actions. It is also extremely timely in informing crucial international policy processes, including the establishment of a 20-year vision for IUCN, the development of an IPBES assessment of biodiversity monitoring, and the delivery of the action targets toward the outcome goals of the new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”

Stuart Butchart, co-author and chief scientist, BirdLife International

“Recognising that the loss and degradation of nature is having consequences for societies worldwide, governments recently adopted a suite of goals and targets for biodiversity conservation. This new analysis is the best evidence to date that conservation interventions make a difference, slowing the loss of species’ populations and habitats and enabling them to recover. It provides strong support for scaling up investments in nature in order to meet the commitments that countries have signed up to.”

Jamie Carr, co-author and researcher in climate change and biodiversity governance, Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, UK “This work represents a huge effort on the part of many conservation professionals, all of whom are committed to reversing the loss of the world's biodiversity. It is encouraging to find that the past work of other conservationists has had a positive impact on nature, and I sincerely hope that our findings inspire those working now and in the future to ramp up their efforts."

Piero Genovesi, ISPRA, co-author and chair, IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group

“Species and ecosystems are facing a dramatic crisis, and the Biodiversity Plan of the United Nations is an urgent global call to action. This paper shows that eradication, control and management of invasive alien species have the largest impact in terms of conservation, and can help reverse the current trends of biodiversity loss, potentially saving hundreds of species from extinction. It is essential that governments and donors support the struggle against invasive alien species if we want to meet the agreed biodiversity targets by 2030.”

Mike Hoffmann, co-author and head of wildlife recovery, Zoological Society of London

“The major advance of this study is its sheer weight of evidence. We can point to specific examples, such as how captive breeding and reintroductions have facilitated the return of scimitar-horned oryx to the wild in Chad, but these can feel a bit exceptional. This study draws on more than 650 published cases to show that conservation wins are not rare. Conservation mostly works—unfortunately, it is also mostly significantly under-resourced.”

Madhu Rao, chair, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas “With less than six years remaining to achieve ambitious biodiversity targets by 2030, there is a great sense of urgency for effective conservation action. We can take proven methods to conserve nature, such as protected areas, and scale them up for real conservation impact. This research clearly demonstrates that conservation actions are successful. We just need to take them to scale.”

Jon Paul Rodriguez, chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission

“Anyone involved in the field of conservation will have witnessed the power of nature to regenerate and grow, given a chance to do so. From fishery exclusion zones, to ecological restoration on land, and animal, fungi and plant recovery efforts, there are numerous examples of halting and reversing biodiversity declines. Langhammer and colleagues synthesize knowledge on the impact of conservation action, and demonstrate that evidence-based conservation efforts indeed work in the majority of cases, not just in a few hand-picked examples. Much more money is spent on destroying nature than on protection and recovery. The authors show that tipping the balance in favor of nature is likely to help us deliver the world's ambitious biodiversity conservation targets.”

Gernot Segelbacher, co-author, professor and co-chair of Conservation Genetic Specialist Group, University Freiburg

“Conservation matters! While we so often hear about species declining or going extinct, this study shows that we can make a difference.”

Stephen Woodley, co-author, ecologist and vice chair for science and biodiversity, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas

“The world needs hope that conservation action can work to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.  This paper demonstrates that a range of conservation actions are highly effective. We just need to do more of them.”

Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need. Learn more at rewild.org .

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Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE)

The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) is a research centre at the University of Kent. Its teaching and research is designed to break down the barriers between the natural and social sciences and produce real-world impact. Its mission is to conserve biodiversity and the ecological processes that support ecosystems and people, by developing capacity and improving conservation management and policy through high-impact research.  

University of Kent

The University of Kent in England is renowned internationally for the quality of its teaching and research, with many of its academic schools and centres being among the best in their disciplines across the arts and humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Its campuses at Canterbury and Medway welcome more than 17,000 students from over 150 countries. The University of Kent is individually and collectively in the pursuit of progress, with a student-focused approach which is supportive, challenging and rewarding, and interdisciplinary research driven by collaboration to create positive impact. We are proud to be a values-driven university and work hard to ensure that our students are at the heart of all we do. We are committed to offering one of the best education and student experiences in the UK, undertaking research and innovation of the highest standard, and being a civic university that serves and contributes to our communities.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 16,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)

The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is the world's premier network of protected and conserved areas expertise. The Commission has over 2500 members spanning 140 countries who provide strategic advice to policymakers and work to strengthen capacity and investment for protected areas establishment and management.

Arizona State University

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. www.asu.edu

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BirdLife International is the world's largest nature conservation Partnership: a global family of 122 national NGOs covering all continents, landscapes and seascapes. BirdLife is driven by its belief that local people, working for nature in their own places but connected nationally and internationally through the global Partnership, are the key to sustaining all life on this planet. This unique local-to-global approach delivers high impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people.

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral family of funds dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, and supporting land and ocean health. Its financing enables developing countries to address complex challenges and work towards international environmental goals. The partnership includes 186 member governments as well as civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth, with a focus on integration and inclusivity. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided nearly $25 billion in financing and mobilized another $138 billion for thousands of priority projects and programs. The family of funds includes the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund, Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund (NPIF), and Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency Trust Fund (CBIT).

Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

Founded in 1826, ZSL is an international conservation charity, driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world; by protecting critical species, restoring ecosystems, helping people and wildlife live together and inspiring support for nature. Through our leading conservation zoos, London and Whipsnade, we bring people closer to nature and use our expertise to protect wildlife today, while inspiring a lifelong love of animals in the conservationists of tomorrow. Visit www.zsl.org for more information.   

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Peer-reviewed

Research Article

Trends in Ecological Research during the Last Three Decades – A Systematic Review

Affiliation Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

* E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliation Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Affiliation Department of Biology and Environment, University of Haifa at Oranim, Kiryat Tivon, Israel

Affiliation Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

• Yohay Carmel, 
• Rafi Kent, 
• Avi Bar-Massada, 
• Lior Blank, 
• Jonathan Liberzon, 
• Oded Nezer, 
• Gill Sapir, 
• Roy Federman

• Published: April 24, 2013
• https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813
• Reader Comments

It is thought that the science of ecology has experienced conceptual shifts in recent decades, chiefly from viewing nature as static and balanced to a conception of constantly changing, unpredictable, complex ecosystems. Here, we ask if these changes are reflected in actual ecological research over the last 30 years. We surveyed 750 articles from the entire pool of ecological literature and 750 articles from eight leading journals. Each article was characterized according to its type, ecological domain, and applicability, and major topics. We found that, in contrast to its common image, ecology is still mostly a study of single species (70% of the studies); while ecosystem and community studies together comprise only a quarter of ecological research. Ecological science is somewhat conservative in its topics of research (about a third of all topics changed significantly through time), as well as in its basic methodologies and approaches. However, the growing proportion of problem-solving studies (from 9% in the 1980s to 20% in the 2000 s) may represent a major transition in ecological science in the long run.

Citation: Carmel Y, Kent R, Bar-Massada A, Blank L, Liberzon J, Nezer O, et al. (2013) Trends in Ecological Research during the Last Three Decades – A Systematic Review. PLoS ONE 8(4): e59813. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813

Editor: Luís A. Nunes Amaral, Northwestern University, United States of America

Received: September 16, 2012; Accepted: February 19, 2013; Published: April 24, 2013

Copyright: © 2013 Carmel et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Funding: This study was funded by the Israel Science Foundation (grant number 486-2010). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction

Ecologists often describe ecological science as dynamic. ‘Ecology is a science in transition’ [1] . This transition is characterized by several significant shifts in emphasis and perspective [2] . During most of the 20 th century, the majority of ecologists conceptualized ecological systems as balanced and stable, typically at equilibrium, or as returning to such equilibrium deterministically following rare disturbances [3] . In recent decades, there has been a shift towards an understanding of ecological systems as nonlinear, constantly changing, and unpredictable in time and space [4] , [5] . The concept of equilibrium was replaced by other concepts, for example, the concept of non-equilibrium change, in which the system is often described as rotating between alternative states [6] .

Ecologists are split on the question of whether the changes in ecological science represent a Kuhnian ‘paradigm shift’ [5] , [7] , [8] , [9] , or, alternatively, a gradual accumulation of modifications, better characterized as ‘evolution’ rather than ‘revolution’ [2] , [10] . In contrast, other ecologists maintained that progress in ecology is lacking [11] or limited [12] .

Here, we ask if the topics and methodologies of ecological research as reflected in the literature of the last 30 years provide evidence to support notions of dramatic shifts, or of gradual change. We characterize various aspects of ecological research, using an extensive survey of ecological literature. In particular, we ask three questions regarding general aspects of ecology, and look for possible changes in these aspects over the last 30 years:

• Domains of ecological research : What proportion of research is devoted to the various domains in ecology (population, species, community, and ecosystem)? What are the major topics of ecological study? Has there been a change in the frequency of investigation of any of these topics and, if so, which ones?
• Types of research : Is ecology an experimental science, or a science of observation and measurement? How often are models used in ecological research? To what degree do ecologists use meta-analysis of data from previous studies (vs. collecting new data in each research)?
• Basic science or problem-solving oriented discipline : Is ecology becoming a problem-solving science? In other words, how often does ecology relate to actual, specific environmental problems, in an attempt to provide solutions (or at least new insights on how to make progress towards solutions)?

Preliminary expectations

A. domains of ecological research..

The concepts of ecosystem and community have become increasingly dominant in ecological thinking. In a survey conducted among members of the British Ecological Society, ecosystem was identified as the single most important concept in ecology [13] . More recently, the Ecological Visions Committee of the Ecological Society of America issued a report that listed eight critical environmental issues for prioritizing ecological research [14] . Only two of those topics related to populations and species, while five topics were clearly within the domains of ecosystems and communities . We expected an increase in research conducted at the ecosystem level, and at the community level, accompanied by a proportional decrease in studies of single species. We also expected specific topics to become more frequent subjects of ecological study (such as biodiversity, climate change, biogeochemistry, and scale).

B. Types of research.

Observations and experiments are known to be the two dominant tools of ecological research . In this research, we expected to identify an increase in the frequency of models, for two reasons: (1) the ecosystem has increasingly been described as ‘complex’, and models are often the only tools available for the study of complex systems, and (2) due to the substantial increase in the availability of modelling tools during the last three decades. We also expected an increase in the proportion of meta-analysis studies, for two major reasons: (1) a growing awareness of the incapacity of single studies of specific systems, conducted under narrow ranges of conditions, to provide insights on broader ecological issues [15] , and (2) the increased access to information and data in the age of the Internet.

C. Is ecology a problem-solving science?

In the past, ecologists have been reluctant to engage in applied research [16] . Applied science was considered inferior to basic, ‘pure’ science [17] . Some applied ecological issues, such as conservation, are emotionally charged [2] , and perceived by some ecologists as ‘advocacy’ [18] . More recently, ecologists have become increasingly concerned about the implications of their work to society's problems [15] , [17] , while environmental agencies have expressed an increased demand for ecological solutions to environmental problems [19] . For these reasons, we expected to find an increase in the proportion of applied studies over the last three decades.

In order to attempt to answer these questions, a quantitative survey of ecological research is required. Surprisingly, few attempts have been made to systematically quantify trends in ecological research. Typically, these studies have used an automated count of words in titles and abstracts to assess trends in ecology [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] . Shorrocks [24] used an alternative method to survey trends in ‘the Journal of animal ecology’ –he actually sampled 13 volumes of the journal between 1932 and 1992. Here, we followed that method: we inspected a large sample of the ecological literature, classifying it according to its content. This process is time-consuming, but the resulting analysis is probably more reliable than an automated word count.

Two surveys

One major consideration was our choice of target population within the ecological literature. Two plausible alternatives existed: we could either sample the entire pool of ecological research, or sample only leading journals. There are pros and cons to each choice. Including the entire range of ecological literature may introduce research of varying quality into the analysis. On the other hand, niche journals (the vanguard of novel research) may serve as early indicators of transitions and trends. We therefore decided to conduct two parallel surveys, using identical methods. In survey 1, we included all 136 journals that concern ecology, while in survey 2 we sampled eight ‘core journals’ that were published throughout the entire study period. A brief description of the data collection approach can be found in the Prisma 2009 flow diagram and checklist.

Journal selection

For survey 1, we selected all relevant journals that appeared during at least parts of the study period 1981–2010. This pool consisted of 136 journals. From the entire collection of articles published in these journals during this period, we limited the selection to research articles in English, and received a total of 110,965 articles (see Appendix S1 for a full list of journals sampled for this survey).

For survey 2, we selected eight prominent journals, using the following criteria: (a) high-impact factor (among the top 30 ecological journals, using ISI Web of Science Impact Factor), (b) generality (cover the entire scope of ecological research), and (c) consistency (were published throughout the study period). Not a single journal satisfied all three criteria. We therefore selected eight journals belonging to three major ecological societies that issue their own journals; thus, each group, as such, satisfies all three criteria. The eight journals were those issued by the Ecological Society of America ( Ecological Applications , Ecological Monographs , and Ecology ); the British Ecological Society (Journal of Ecology, Journal of Animal Ecology, and Journal of Applied Ecology), and the Nordic Ecological Society ( Oikos and Ecography ). Ecological Applications , first published in 1991, was an offshoot of Ecology, and Ecography , first published in 1991, was an offshoot of Oikos ; we assumed that the range of topics covered by each of the pairs was similar to that of the parent journal prior to the split. The pool of all research articles published in these journals in the period 1981–2010 consisted of 22,788 articles).

For each of the two surveys, we used a random selection scheme to select 25 articles from each year, totalling 750 articles in each survey. The classification (domain, topics, research type, applied or basic science) was performed by the authors of the current study, based on the articles. In many cases, reading the abstract provided sufficient information for classifying the article. In order to ensure a high degree of consistency between the classifiers, we carried out a pilot exercise, in which the degree of agreement between the classifiers was assessed prior to the research study. A set of 29 articles was classified independently by all classifiers. Classifications were then discussed until consensus was reached for each classification. For each topic and for each classifier, the level of agreement between initial classification and final ‘consensus’ was recorded.

Article characterization

A. ecological domains..

We predefined 20 topics that describe major research fields in ecology, and grouped these 20 topics into five broad ecological domains: (1) Single Species (demography, physiology, distribution, behaviour, evolution, genetics); (2) Species Interactions (grazing, predation, mutualism, parasitism, competition); (3) Community (biodiversity, community structure); (4) Ecosystem (food web, climate change, vegetation dynamics, biomass and productivity, biogeochemistry); and (5) Other topics (scale, statistics). We limited topic-based characterization to three topics per article.

B. Type of research.

We classified the type of ecological research according to four general categories: experiment, observation, model, and data analysis. An article was classified as ‘experiment’ if an actual experiment was conducted in the laboratory, or if a field study included some sort of treatment or manipulation of the natural environment. Where research included both observation and field experiment, the article was labelled ‘experiment’. ‘Observation’ was a study where the major activity was any sort of measurement of ecological phenomena. An article was labelled ‘model’ if its sole activity or the major endeavor was to construct a model. In cases where a model was only a minor part of the research, the article was labelled ‘experiment’ or ‘observation’. Articles that did not present any new data, but used data collected in previous studies, often conducting meta-analysis, were labelled ‘data analysis’. Articles that did not include any of the above types of research, but discussed ecological issues qualitatively were omitted from the survey (and a replacement was added).

C. Problem-solving.

Our goal here was to determine the degree to which ecology is oriented towards problem-solving. We assigned the category of ‘application’ to all articles that either searched for solutions to problems associated with anthropogenic activities, or proposed tools for practical problems (such as practices for conservation, global change mitigation etc.).

Statistical analyses

The number of articles assigned to each ecological topic, label, and variable was recorded for each survey. The differences between surveys in terms of the frequency of each term were analyzed using Chi square test. To evaluate change in the frequency of these variables over time, we used logistic regression [25] , with publication year as a continuous variable and survey type as a fixed variable. In order to account for multiple comparisons, we applied the Bonferroni correction. Fifty comparisons (25 comparisons in each survey) yielded a threshold of p<0.001 . The Bonferroni correction becomes very conservative when the number of comparisons becomes large, as it controls the probability of false positives only, at the cost of increasing the probability of false negatives [26] . We therefore report the results using Bonferroni correction, as well as for less conservative thresholds.

Classification consistency

Classifiers' results were in good agreement with the consensus of the test articles, with an overall average agreement rate of 90%. The average accuracy of parameter classification was high in all cases, ranging from 86% for ‘topics’ and ‘problem solving’, to 93% and 94% for ‘research type’ and ‘domain’, respectively. In what follows, wherever we report two figures, the first figure refers to the ‘all journals’ survey, and the second figure refers to the ‘core journals’ survey.

Domains of ecological research

(1) Single Species was the most frequent domain of study in this survey of ecological research, with 71% (66%) of all the studies involving topics within this domain ( Table 1 ). In both surveys, the four most common topics related to this domain: demography, physiology, behaviour and distribution. Taken together, these topics appeared in 64% (63%) of all articles. Only 4% (3%) of all articles studied evolution. (2) In the Species Interactions domain, predation and competition were the frequent terms, recorded in 5–9% of the articles, while mutualism and parasitism were recorded in 2–4% of the articles. (3) Community-related topics (biodiversity and community structure) appeared in 17% of the studies in both surveys, and (4) Ecosystem-related topics appeared in nearly a quarter of the articles. Among ecosystem topics, biogeochemistry accounted for 11% (8%) of ecological research and 2% of the research concerned climate change studies ( Table 1 ).

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.t001

The frequency of community studies increased significantly (nearly significantly in the ‘core journals’) during the studied period, while the other three domains remained quite constant over time ( Table 2 , Figure 1 ).

White bars denote ‘all journals’ and gray bars denote ‘core journals’. Temporal trend was significant for community studies only (a logistic model, see Table 2 ).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.g001

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.t002

There were significant changes in the frequency of several topics over time. The frequency of two topics climate change and biodiversity, increased significantly with time in both surveys ( Table 2 , Figure 2 ). The frequency of three additional topics changed significantly in the ‘all journals’ survey only: physiology and behaviour decreased, while genetics increased. An increase in the frequency of scale was the single significant change that appeared in the ‘core journals’ only. Additionally, five topics revealed a nearly significant frequency change through time in that survey (p<0.05): demography , grazing , and vegetation dynamics decreased, while evolution and parasitism increased in frequency with time ( Table 2 ).

White bars denote ‘all journals’ and gray bars denote ‘core journals’. *** Temporal trend was significant (a logistic model, see Table 2 ), p<0.001. ** p<0.01. * p<0.05.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.g002

Differences between the two surveys

The results of both surveys were quite similar for 14 of the 20 topics, while significant differences between the two surveys were found for six topics: physiology , behaviour and genetics were much more frequent in the ‘all journals’ survey, while demography , grazing , and vegetation dynamics were much more frequent in the ‘core journals’ survey ( Table 1 ). Most domains appeared at similar frequencies in the two surveys, except Species Interactions, which was nearly twice as frequent in the ‘core journals’ survey compared to its frequency in the ‘all journals’ survey ( Table 1 ).

Type of research

Observations constitutes the major type of ecological research (59%, 45%), followed by experiments (28%, 36%), while models (12%, 12%) and data-analysis (9%, 6%) were less frequent ( Table 3 ).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.t003

The proportion of data-analysis studies increased significantly with time in the ‘all journals’ survey. The use of models as a primary research tool slightly decreased in ‘all journals’ and slightly increased (nearly significant) in the ‘core journals’ survey ( Table 4 ).

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.t004

Observation studies were significantly more frequent in the ‘all journals’ survey, while experiments were somewhat more frequent in the ‘core journals’ survey.

Is ecology a problem-solving science?

Overall, 17% (15%) of the articles were labelled ‘problem solving’ ( Table 3 ). In both surveys, their proportion increased significantly over time, from 9% (7%) in the 1980s to 21% (21%) in the 2000 s ( Table 4 , Figure 2 ).

Few systematic surveys of ecological literature have been conducted to date, and most have been restricted to a single theme or a narrow branch of ecological science [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] . For example, [22] evaluated relations between the size of the organism and its relative representation in ecological research. Swihart [12] quantified the rates of appearance of new ecological terms and disappearance of old terms. Shorrocks [24] was perhaps the only investigator to quantify various trends in ecological science, using articles published in The Journal of Animal Ecology between 1932 and 1992. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first attempt to systematically survey the entire breadth of ecological literature, in order to quantify various characteristics of the science of ecology, as well as their temporal trends. The results suggest that ecology may be substantially less dynamic than is generally acknowledged.

Ecology is mostly a study of single species. Most of the ecological research focused on the demography, physiology and distribution of single species. The proportion of single-species studies has slightly decreased in the past three decades, but still consists of more than 60% of the studies. In comparison, community and ecosystem studies represented a minor fraction of ecological research. This surprising finding seems at odds with the strong emphasis on the community and the ecosystem as major concepts in ecology [27] , [28] . Also surprising was the scarcity of a few topics which are thought to be central in ecology. Two notable examples are evolution, and food-web, each of which appeared as a research topic in 2–4% of the articles. Most of the increase in community studies occurred in the 2000s, probably reflecting the renewed interest in this field, after the neutral theory challenged the prevalence of the niche concept.

The analysis of changes in the frequency of research topics over time provided inconclusive results. Only two topics, climate change and biodiversity, showed a significant change in both surveys. The increase in both topics probably relates to the fact that both were non-issues at the beginning of the period under study. Four other topics changed significantly, and seven other topics changed nearly significantly, in only one of the surveys. Overall, there does not seem to be a drastic transformation in the relative importance of domains and topics in the field of ecology, but the apparent change in topics and research types signifies that ecological science is not entirely stagnant.

The frequency of more than half of the topics and domains was very similar in both surveys, but nearly a third of the topics differed significantly between the surveys. Interestingly, the topics that were significantly more frequent in the ‘all journals’ survey related to the basic and static aspects of a species (genetics and physiology), and the ecosystem (biomass and productivity). In contrast, the topics that were significantly more frequent in the ‘core journals’ related to dynamic processes (demography, vegetation dynamics, and grazing).

Observation and experiment were by far the predominant tools of ecological study, together accounting for 80% of the research; these proportions did not change over time. Interestingly, modelling (∼12% of all studies), is no more common today than it was thirty years ago, despite a drastic increase in the availability of modelling tools during this period. Data-analysis became a more common research tool. Many of the studies in this category were, in fact, meta-analyses (analyses of data from several sources). The major increase in data-analysis studies was in the mid-90s, suggesting that the increased availability of information in the age of the Internet had an important role in this trend.

Comparing the two surveys in terms of type of research revealed a fundamental difference: the ratio of experiments to observations in the ‘all journals’ survey was 1:2, while in the ‘core journals’ survey it was 7:9. The prevalent consensus that ecology has changed during the 20 th century, from an observational to an experimental science, may be somewhat overstated; nevertheless, such a change appeared more prominently in the ‘core journals’ survey.

Ecological research is mostly a basic science, with only a small proportion of ‘problem solving’ studies. Yet, in both surveys we found a significant and consistent increase in the number of ‘problem solving’ articles published during the survey period. If this trend continues in future decades, it may prove to be a major shift in the orientation of ecology.

Is ecology a dynamic science?

Prominent ecologists have claimed that ecology has undergone transitions [29] , and even paradigm shifts [5] in recent decades, and is now a mature and competent science [30] . Our survey reveals that these claims perhaps overstate the case. The science of ecology appears to be changing slowly, in the sense that major research subjects and principal methodologies have not changed dramatically for at least 30 years. In particular, the popular image of ecology as a science in transition [7] , dealing chiefly with ecosystems and communities [1] seems at odds with the major proportion of single species studies reported here.

A contrasting view, put forward by O'Connor [11] , claimed that ecology lags after other life sciences, and makes very little progress. O'Conner's study ignited a debate, wherein various arguments were employed to disprove this claim [31] , [23] , or put it in a balanced perspective [12] . This debate is still ongoing, and is probably driven by emotions no less than by objective evaluations. The current study does not substantiate O'Connor's claim, and it was not meant to evaluate progress. However, it is safe to assume that a major advance in ecology would be accompanied by a major change in the frequency of domains, topics, and types of research; yet, as shown here, these have changed only moderately in the course of three decades.

A major aspect of progress in science is the rate at which basic questions in ecology are being answered [12] , which we have not evaluated, and is very difficult to evaluate quantitatively. Also, we could not detect conceptual shifts, such as network thinking, that do not connect to particular terms or topics. Swihart et al. [12] provide an interesting attempt to quantify progress based on ‘birth rate’ and ‘death rate’ of ecological terms, and claim to show viable progress in ecology. In contrast, the list of 100 fundamental questions in ecology [32] reports profound knowledge gaps regarding the central mechanisms driving ecosystems, communities, and even population dynamics.

Our approach could not, and was not meant to detect changes in particular methods and technologies applied within each research domain or topic. The availability of advanced molecular and genetic tools and the increase in computing power have allowed analyses to become more complex and sophisticated. However, the use of these new technologies and processing power does not imply enhanced knowledge or understanding. Also, such surveys may not detect conceptual shifts, such as network thinking, which do not connect to particular terms or topics.

Perhaps the single and most important change in the study of ecology is the growing proportion of ecological research directed towards problem solving. This trend by itself, if continued, may represent a major transition in ecology in the long run.

Our results may be disturbing to some researchers, insofar as they portray an ecological discipline which is considerably less dynamic than ecologists would like to believe. The value of this research is precisely in reviving the debate and presenting an opportunity for self-assessment to those who strive to advance the discipline, all of which can serve to stimulate the investigation of new and groundbreaking tools, paradigms and perspectives. Only through meta-scale monitoring of the scope of research can we understand, and hope to influence, the trajectory of ecological research in the years to come.

Supporting Information

Appendix s1..

A full list of journals sampled for survey 1.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.s001

Flow Diagram S1.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.s002

Checklist S1.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059813.s003

Acknowledgments

Curtis Flather, Mark Burgman, Leon Blaustein, Yaacov Garb, Yaron Ziv and Daniel Statman have provided valuable comments on a draft of this manuscript.

Author Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: YC AB LB RF. Performed the experiments: YC RK AB LB JL ON RF GS. Analyzed the data: RF YC GS. Wrote the paper: YC RK AB LB RF JL ON.

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Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

• Ecology /ecological science
• Atmospheric science
• Oceanography
• Soil science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

• The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
• The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
• Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
• The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
• The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
• The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
• The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
• The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
• The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

• The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
• The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
• The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
• Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
• The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
• The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
• The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
• The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
• The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

• The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
• The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
• The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
• Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
• The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
• The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
• The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
• The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
• The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
• The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

• The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
• The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
• The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
• Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
• The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
• The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
• The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
• The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

• The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
• The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
• The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
• Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
• The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
• The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
• The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
• The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
• The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
• The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

• The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
• The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
• Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
• The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
• The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
• The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
• The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
• The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
• The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

• The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
• The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
• The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
• Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
• The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
• The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
• The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
• The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
• The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
• The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

• The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
• The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
• The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
• Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
• The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
• The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
• The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
• The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
• The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
• The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

• The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
• The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
• The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
• Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
• The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
• The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
• The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
• The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
• The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
• The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
• The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
• Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
• Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
• Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
• Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
• The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
• Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
• Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
• Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
• A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
• Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
• Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
• Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

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50 best ecology topics for your research paper.

Finding the right ecology topics is not the easiest thing in the world. Because topics within the field of ecology vary widely, it may be difficult to make a choice. However, with the list of ecology topics in this article, you’ll find it easier to make a choice. These topics in ecology will help you get ecology project ideas for your ecology research, presentation, etc. So without further ado, let us explore some interesting ecology topics!

Ecology refers to the study of how ecosystems function. It refers to the relationships between living organisms and their environment. Most ecological processes occur very slowly. Sometimes, they could happen rather rapidly. Ecology remains crucial in studying ecosystems and is important for survival.

Ecology Research Paper Topics

We have some interesting ecology research topics spanning many aspects of ecology. With these ecology topics for research paper , you’ll be able to carry out meaningful research. Let’s delve into some of the ecology paper topics we have for you!

• Novel ways to introduce new predators into an area
• The discovery of manure and its impact on plant growth
• The effect of acid rain on trees
• Effective strategies to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the environment
• Proven strategies to make the environment more sustainable

Evolutionary Ecology Research Topics

The following ecology topics will be sure to get you top grades in your evolutionary ecology research.

• How maternal structures evolved functional roles to ensure the survival of offspring.
• How invaders affect the evolution of soil fungal communities.
• How social complexity in humans evolved.
• How climate change affects the evolutionary change in natural and managed biodiversity.
• Transcriptomic changes that allow the successful evolution of plant species from aquatic habitats terrestrial habitats

Human Ecology Topics

Being able to relate humans and our impact on ecology and vice versa is important. What influence do humans have on the environment? The following human ecology topics are sure to get you an A+ in that research!

• Can people safely live in Megacities?
• How can Ecologists effectively protect marine species that are at risk?
• Overconsumption and its effect on the environment
• Physiological ecology and its importance to us
• An exhaustive description of the agrarianism philosophy
• Fast food and possible problems it poses to the environment.
• Human macroevolution and the future
• Similarities between Cultural and Genetic Evolution

Ecology Research Project Ideas

Ideas rule the world. However, ideas are not easy to come by. Do you have to come up with an interesting ecology project but have hit the wall? Are you short on ideas? Well, we’ve got some ecology research project ideas and topics that you can explore.

Are you in college and need an ecology project idea? It is no news that college professors require students to have more in-depth information on various subjects. If you want to wow your college professors, then these ideas for ecology project will let you stand out! The listed ideas contain some ecology project ideas for college students. Come, and let’s explore some worthwhile ecology project topics for you!

• An analysis of the effect of climate change on plant species
• Green roofs: The working design and why they should be in use
• Exploring the benefits of natural green effects
• Mirroring the environment: freeing the environment from toxins
• How to completely adopt renewable sources of energy.
• The Principle of competitive exclusion and advantages
• Novel methods of recycling waste paper more effectively
• Analyzing the effectiveness of various weed killers

Environment and Ecology Research

Carrying out environment and ecology research is not the easiest research area. However, researching environment-related concepts could be very rewarding. Environmental and ecology research covers areas such as biodiversity, biogeography, ecosystem ecology, wildlife management, and so on.

Here are some interesting topics for ecology papers that will help you in your environmental ecology research. Feel free to discover more environment topics .

• Climate change and the migration of Polar Bears
• A look into the major changes in the ecosystem
• Wind energy: How the environment can help in energy conservation.
• Analyzing the growth or decline of farming in the last five years
• Analyzing the impact of fracking on the environment
• The best methods for measuring worldwide climate change.
• Are human damages to the environment irreversible?

Ecology Issues

More than ever, the ecosystem is beginning to feel the impact of humans. Most of the activities and actions of humans have negative effects on the environment. These effects are growing every day and becoming increasingly undeniable. We are endangering the lives of future generations of all species!

Many people are still unaware of how their activities bring about negative changes to the ecosystem. Although terms such as “genetic modification” and “climate change” seem commonplace, many cannot connect the dots to see why they actually matter.

Would you like to shed some more light on pressing issues in ecology? Well, we shall provide you with a list of ecological problems you can start with! Here, we shall examine some of the biggest environmental problems we face on our planet today. Explore these ecology issues now!

• Climate change and the availability of natural resources
• Presence of reactive nitrogen in the environment
• Air pollution and its effect on the ecosystem
• Polluted freshwater ecosystems
• Conservation of forests

Ecology Experiment Ideas

When you have a solid idea for an experiment, it becomes more fun than ever! Here are some ecology lab ideas that are not only interesting but also practical!

• Exploring the effects of acid rain on aquatic life
• How can plants help to measure tap water quality?
• Hydrogen peroxide and plant roots: the effect
• Common invasive plants and why they are ubiquitous
• Effect of fertilizers on the aquatic environment
• Novel ways to neutralize hazardous waste in the environment

Ecology Topics for Presentation

Are you confused on what to talk about in your next ecology presentation in a group or class? Well, you don’t have to worry anymore! Here are some of the best ecology topics for presentations!

• How do species survive the harshest of conditions?
• Why do we have salt marshes?
• Dead zones in seas: the causes
• Why human exploration is having negative impacts on the environment
• Which species is the most successful?
• Latest technologies to make hazardous waste harmless

We have provided you with 50 well-researched ecology topics and ideas for your ecology research, project, presentation, experiments, and lots more. Use these topics to get that much-needed A+. Our academic writers are always happy to help you. Never forget to do something remarkable always!

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122 Best Ecology Topics To Sparkle Your Writing

Global warming, climate change, and environmental conservation are the center of discussion worldwide; ecology is undoubtedly a fascinating academic field.

However, selecting ecology research topics that you can comfortably handle, find a wide range of relevant sources, and earn stellar grades can be a painstaking process for many college students.

Yet, there are several sources of inspiration for your ecology essay topics. You can evaluate your coursework to find ecology research ideas that will impress your educator. Similarly, you are free to refer to daily life events or check out different news items. If you are struggling to develop a good topic, do not lose heart. We have put together a great list of ecology topics just for you.

Top Ecology Research Paper Topics

• Discuss practical ways to curb the emission of carbon dioxide into the environment
• What are some of the proven methods to make the environment more sustainable?
• Look into how climate change impacts the evolutionary change in managed and natural biodiversity.
• Examine how ecologists can effectively keep safe marine species that are at risk of extinction
• What is psychological ecology, and what are some of its importance to humans
• Analyze the impact of climate change in plant and animal species in the 21 st century
• Exploring green roofs: Break down their working design and look at why they need to be incorporated.
• In what ways can we ultimately adopt renewable sources of energy
• Break down the principles of competitive exclusion and highlight its advantages
• What are the main methods of recycling waste paper more effectively
• Herbicides: Evaluate the effectiveness and potential side effect of various weed killers
• What are the best approaches to measure and evaluate the impact of climate change?
• Pollution: Find out whether human damage to the environment is reversible
• Analyze the magnitude of fracking on the environment
• Explore the impact of acid rain on aquatic life

First-Class Ecology Topics For Presentation

• What are some of the latest technologies incorporated in making hazardous waste less harmful?
• Highlight how different species can survive the harshest conditions created by pollution.
• Are fertilizers worth it? Discuss the detrimental impacts of fertilizers on the aquatic environment
• How can plants help to measure tap water quality?
• What is the correlation between intelligence in animal and the efficiency of social foraging
• Outline examples of highly altruistic behavior in lions and how it affects their fitness levels.
• Look into how environmental factors and population affect desertion rates in birds.
• Economic dependability as the central aspect of behavioral ecology: the imbalance in the cost and benefits as the cause of territorial behavior
• Prove the theory that killing the cubs of a new pride enables females to start reproducing at a fast rate
• Look into the link between population and the choice of parenting style among animals.
• What are the main reasons why animals make signals to share food sources and attract direct members of their species?
• Animal communication and neural process: Discuss the importance of traits like participation in cooperation activities in animal groups
• Examine whether the processes impact the life cycle of migratory birds’ species if habits they choose to live in

Latest Ecology Project Ideas For College

• What are the differences between mating strategies in lions, and how does it impact producing offspring?
• Outline patterns used by birds to navigate, respond to the environment effectively and transmit vital information.
• Evolutionary ecology and climate change: a case study of adaptive evolution of sexually selected traits in eagles
• Evaluate the best methods of studying tolerance
• Study evolutionary ecology forces that affect the coevolution and coexistence of the pollinator and the fig
• What is the implication of humans frequently feeding wild birds on their population size and transition to urban environments?
• Effects of natural calamities on genetic diversity and gene flow in endangered animal species
• Impacts of extreme desert temperatures on the fertility of male and female ostriches
• What measure can ensure turtles do not incur significant clutch losses
• Observe the relationship between the regulatory of fluctuations in population size and specific activities among predators
• Highlight the main reason for instability in mortality rates among passerine birds
• What forces determine fecundity in aquatic plants?
• Highlight ways to market an eco-friendly product in the modern-day
• What are the major ecological problems impacting the African savanna today
• Discuss ways by which human consumerism is detrimental to the environment
• What are the leading causes of dead zones in seas
• Explain the formation of different types of reefs
• Break down the formation of salt marshes
• Examine eutrophication and its implications
• Outline the bright side if the natural green effect
• Discuss the difference between the nitrogen cycle and the phosphorus cycle

Ecological Topics For Environmentalists

• Evaluate the principle of competitive exclusion and mention valid examples
• Evaluate the implications of pollution on the tundra
• Highlight the effects of hydrogen peroxide in a plant’s root
• Explain different methods used by ecologists to protect marine species that are at risk
• Describe the philosophy behind agrarianism
• Outline the primary methods used to measure the impact of climate change in the world.
• Examine how climate change has impacted the migration pattern of monarch butterflies
• Break down the evolution of human social complexity
• What are the adverse effects of high atmospheric CO2 content on plants
• Examine how human activities bring about an imbalance in biogeochemical cycling
• What is the link between the migration of species and global warming?
• What are the implications of mosquito eradication on the environment?
• Point out the effects of overharvesting on the environment
• Discuss the concept of extinction debts and their causes
• Explain the principle of competitive exclusion
• Explain the importance of preventive engineering strategy on industrial ecology
• What is ecological footprint, and how is it measured?
• What is eco-efficiency?
• Define biodiversity and explain its importance to the environment
• What is conservation biology, and how important is this field?

Human Ecology Topics

• Evaluate different types of symbiotic relationships
• Point out the primary sources of air pollution
• Highlight the key reasons why a country may ignore serious environmental concerns
• What are the indirect and direct values of biodiversity?
• Discuss sustainable agroecology in temperature ecosystems
• What is the origin and application of social ecology?
• Outline the significant components of gastric macrobiotic
• What is estuary ecology
• Study black smokers and outline their importance to marine life
• Evaluate the ecology of Chinese megacities and explain if they are safe for the human population
• Discuss the long term environmental implications of the Chernobyl disaster
• How can we control plastic pollution in the sea?
• What is media ecology, and how important is it in environmental conservation?
• Discuss diversity and stream morphology
• Break down the hydrologic cycle
• Is it possible to do away with non-renewable energy sources entirely?

Top-Rated Ecology Research Paper Topics

• Examine whether the deep ecology movement can be a religion
• What methods can combat ecological catastrophes
• What is the link between the Columbian exchange and ecology
• Highlight strategies that can solve overconsumption
• What is the purpose of factorial ecology?
• Investigating endangered species and possible ways to alter their extinction
• Studying evolutionary systems and the process of a microorganism
• Analyze how the destruction of natural habitats by humans affects the rates of the sixth mass extinction
• What are the significant reasons why less than ten percent of plastic ever produced is recycled?

Creative Ecology Research Project Ideas

• Explain why some genetics and taxonomy specialists claim each organism can only be classified if its genotype is available
• What is the importance of thiamine and its availability to conserve and protect animal species in the northern hemisphere?
• Discuss the significance of Charles Darwin’s works considering the implications of biodiversity on ecosystem health for modern functional ecology
• Examine why functional ecology helps in the classification and detection and how it differs from other approaches
• Analyze the link between railroad construction in the Amazon rainforest and climate change as it relates to carbon sink status
• Outline the leading artificial and natural causes of floodplains build-up in land elevation
• Water pollution: movement of genes and degradation of the compounds from rare species into more common ones in lakes with organic toxins
• Is it necessary for the US to ban the use of plastics to protect delicate ecosystems?

Ecology Issues Topic Ideas

• Do governments need to enact new laws to curb the use of energy produced by fossil fuels?
• Tectonic movements: What impacts do they have on the environment?
• Investigate whether global warming is a part of a natural cycle of the earth or a result of human activity
• Why do humans try to prevent the extinction of endangered species?
• Examine deep-sea mining and whether it is safe for oceans or aquatic life
• What brings about groundwater contamination? How can it be detected and prevented?
• What is the role of volcanoes in the development of modern earth?
• Is it possible to reinforce the ozone layer?
• What is the importance of small water bodies like lakes and ponds?
• How can humans harness the greenhouse effect?
• Global warming: What is likely to happen if glaciers melt?
• How did the Fukushima and Chernobyl disasters affect worldwide ecology?
• Study types of clouds, their formation, and their importance
• What are eco-villages, and how effective are they?
• Highlight some of the new animal and plant species seen in the last two years
• What is the influence of diversity in ecosystem function?
• Examine the importance of herbivore in preventing competitive exclusion
• Discuss the role of competition in determining the community composition of different ecosystems
• Meta-analysis of multidecadal biodiversity trends in Europe
• An Ecophysiological evaluation of salinity tolerance in olive

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As Putin continues killing civilians, bombing kindergartens, and threatening WWIII, Ukraine fights for the world's peaceful future.

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Class Acts: Yunfeng Ge

Biology student to pursue conservation work in China

If you want to see Yunfeng Ge’s face light up with joy, just ask about her love of birds and nature. A native of China, she was excited to explore all that Washington University in St. Louis’ biology program had to offer. 

Unfortunately, the pandemic delayed her on-campus experience, but Ge hit the ground running her sophomore year. She sought after opportunities on campus to develop friendships and get involved in research. 

“I want to emphasize the diverse research experience,” Ge said. “I don’t think every university has as many opportunities to get involved in research or a lab. I found my first lab by simply emailing a professor. The professors are really nice and care about students.”

As Ge prepares for life after graduating this month with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Arts & Sciences, she will take a gap year and return to China and do conservation work for nongovernmental organizations. She plans to apply to graduate school to study ecology and evolution. 

Here, Ge reflects on what she has learned and the research and volunteer work she completed during her time at WashU.

Favorite places to study nature

My favorite place to study nature in St. Louis is Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. It’s an amazing place for waterfowl. I also love Forest Park’s wooded area. It’s an original Missouri oak-dominated forest, and it’s creating a small habitat for birds to stay during their migration. I go there almost every weekend.

I also love high-altitude mountains. I’ve been to Yellowstone National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ve been to the Tibetan Plateau in China. I’m attracted to those high-altitude landscapes because they have very different habitats. Even a few hundred meters higher or lower and there is a drastic difference in the ecosystem. I think that’s really amazing.

What were your favorite biology classes?

One of them is called “Field Methods for Environmental Science,” taught by Doug Ladd. We would go on field trips every Friday and learn different field techniques for environmental science. We also learned about conservation ranging from animals to insects and mammals and different ecosystems like rivers and forests.  I also loved the “Behavioral Ecology” class, taught by my mentor, Joan Strassmann. It’s a very different class setting. We did readings in class and had discussions. The big assignment for that class was for each student to write two Wikipedia pages. Wikipedia sometimes is not really scientifically accurate, but we made sure that we cited literature and to make it reliable. That’s so much better than just writing a thesis or a paper for class. We were really contributing to the science world. 

You are the founder and president of the WashU Bird Club . What has the club been able to accomplish?

I’m a very passionate birder. When I came to WashU, I realized there wasn’t a community for lovers of birding. I met another birder during a class, and we decided to start this club and it’s been pretty successful, in different kinds of ways. First of all, we created a place for birders at WashU. We also take weekend birding trips to Forest Park and Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary during the semester. We’ve invited speakers and professors to give talks about their research.  We’re also doing conservation work. We started to notice there are bird and window collisions at some glass buildings on campus. It’s really easy, especially during migration seasons, for birds to collide into the windows and die. So we started doing monitoring as of spring-fall 2021. We created a Google form and people on campus can report the bird, so that we will know where the hotspot of bird collisions is.

What was your experience like as an undergraduate fellow at the Tyson Research Center?

I’ve gotten involved in all kinds of biodiversity research. When you work in the lab, you just work on one thing, but at Tyson there are all kinds of professors working on all kinds of different things. As a fellow there, I got involved in tick sampling and tick classification. I collected ticks in the field and used a microscope in the lab to identify the species based on some diagnostic keys.  I’ve also helped with wildlife monitoring in general. We have infrared deer cameras at Tyson, and every winter we set up cameras there. We did a national project looking at vegetation covers and different kinds of environmental variables affecting the breeding behaviors of amphibians like salamanders. I’ve also been involved in general vegetation surveys and insect surveys and also bird counting surveys.

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*New* CSDE Computational Demography Working Group (CDWG) Hosts June Yang on Supervised Topic Modeling with GPT-Assisted Text Annotations: A Study of Ideas around Cohabitation (5/8/2024)

Posted: 5/2/2024 ()

On Wednesday 5/08 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, CDWG will host June Yang to present her research. June Yang is a Ph.D. candidate at UW’s Department of Sociology, a CSDE T32 fellow in Demography and Data Science, and recently joined UW CSDE and eScience Institute as a research scientist. Her current research projects include 1) using social media text data to study attitudes around alternative forms of union formation and childbearing choices, and 2) using complex survey data to study the homeless population in King County, WA. The event will occur in 223 Raitt (the Demography Lab) and on Zoom (register here ). Learn more about the talk in the full story.

Title: Supervised Topic Modeling with GPT-assisted Text Annotations: A Study of Ideas around Cohabitation

This study examines values and ideas around cohabitation using text data from the Chinese social media website Zhihu. Scholars have heavily cited the Second Demographic Transition theory to account for rising trends of cohabitation in different countries. The theory argues for the prominent role played by ideational changes such as individualism and the quest for self-actualization in leading to diffused patterns of union formation. China has witnessed a rising cohabitation but paradoxically, according to existing research, marriage is still largely seen as the only cultural ideal in the society. Using text data, this study aims to reveal the complexities of the choice of cohabitation in a patriarchal context. Methodologically, this study utilizes GPT-4 to generate a label from the text data that measures a liberal/non-liberal attitude about cohabitation and further adopts supervised topic modeling to generate latent topics from the text that predict the label.

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New Insights in Political Ecology

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As the third decade of the 21st Century approaches, the achievements made by scholars have been exceptional, leading to major advancements in the fast-growing field of Political Ecology within Environment-Society Studies. This field is far from coherent, however. It is characterised by oftentimes conflicting ...

Keywords : Environment-Society, Political Ecology, Environmental Governance & Development, Multi-Actor Governance, Climate Change Debate, Latest Discoveries

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Voters’ views of Trump and Biden differ sharply by religion

The U.S. electorate continues to be sharply divided along religious lines.

The latest Pew Research Center survey finds that most registered voters who are White Christians would vote for Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Joe Biden if the 2024 presidential election were held today. More than half of White Christians think Trump was a “great” or “good” president and don’t think he broke the law in an effort to change the outcome of the 2020 election.

In stark contrast, most registered voters who are Black Protestants or religious “nones” – those who self-identify as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular” – would vote for Biden over Trump. Large numbers in these groups also say Trump was a “terrible” president and that he broke the law trying to overturn the 2020 election results.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to highlight religious differences in U.S. voters’ views about the 2024 presidential election. For this analysis, we surveyed 8,709 adults – including 7,166 registered voters – from April 8 to 14, 2024. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories.  Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Here are the  questions used for this report , along with responses, and the  survey methodology . Here are details about sample sizes and margins of error for groups analyzed in this report.

Religion and the 2024 presidential election

While most White Christian voters say they would vote for Trump over Biden if the election were held today, there are some differences by religious tradition. Trump draws support from:  

• 81% of White evangelical Protestant voters
• 61% of White Catholics
• 57% of White Protestants who are not evangelical

By contrast, 77% of Black Protestant voters say they would vote for Biden over Trump. Most religious “nones” also say this, including:

• 87% of atheist voters
• 82% of agnostics
• 57% of those whose religion is “nothing in particular” 

These presidential preferences reflect the partisan leanings of U.S. religious groups . White Christians have been trending in a Republican direction for quite some time, while Black Protestants and religious “nones” have long been strongly Democratic.

The Center’s new survey includes responses from Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and people from many other religious backgrounds, as well as adherents of smaller Christian groups like Hispanic Protestants and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (widely known as Mormons). However, the survey does not include enough respondents from these smaller religious categories to be able to report on them separately.

Church attendance and voting preferences in 2024

Among Christians, support for Trump is somewhat higher among regular church attenders than non-churchgoers. Overall, 62% of Christian voters who say they go to church at least once or twice a month support Trump over Biden. Among Christians who go to church less often, 55% would vote for Trump if the election were today.

Among White evangelical Protestant voters, 84% of regular churchgoers say they would vote for Trump, compared with 77% of White evangelicals who don’t go to church regularly.

White nonevangelical Protestants are the only Christian group in which support for Trump is significantly stronger among nonattenders than among regular churchgoers.

Voters’ views of Biden and Trump as presidents

About three-quarters of White evangelical Protestant voters say Trump was a “great” (37%) or “good” (37%) president. Roughly half of White Catholics and White nonevangelical Protestants share this view.

When it comes to Biden, atheists and Black Protestants rate the current president’s performance most favorably. Roughly half of voters in each of these groups say Biden is a great or good president.

Overall, Trump gets higher marks on these questions than Biden. This is because Trump supporters are more inclined to say he was a great or good president than Biden supporters are to say the same about him.

Views of whether Trump broke the law in effort to change 2020 election outcome

People in the religious groups that are most supportive of Biden tend to think Trump broke the law in an effort to change the outcome of the 2020 election. Most atheists (83%) say this, as do 70% of Black Protestants and 63% of agnostics.

By contrast, just 16% of White evangelical Protestants say Trump broke the law trying to change the 2020 election outcome. Another 15% of White evangelicals say they think Trump did something wrong but did not break the law, while the largest share by far (47%) say Trump did nothing wrong.

Note: Here are the  questions used for this report , along with responses, and the  survey methodology .

• Donald Trump
• Election 2024
• Religion & Politics

Gregory A. Smith is an associate director of research at Pew Research Center .

In Tight Presidential Race, Voters Are Broadly Critical of Both Biden and Trump

Changing partisan coalitions in a politically divided nation, about 1 in 4 americans have unfavorable views of both biden and trump, 2024 presidential primary season was one of the shortest in the modern political era, americans more upbeat on the economy; biden’s job rating remains very low, most popular.

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Economies take off with new airports: Research shows positive impacts of airport investments

by Singapore University of Technology and Design

Be it for work or vacation, chances are that many will have passed through an airport. In the largest cities, the airport presents to travelers the first glimpse of a new land and a reflection of the surrounding city. Beyond first impressions, airports stand as an important economic hub for local policymakers, with a continuous flow of goods and passengers fueling the urban economy.

However, current literature on the economic impact of airport investment is primarily based on developed cities localized to North America and Europe. In these cases, airport capacity development is focused on upgrading existing infrastructure. For emerging cities in less developed countries, especially for those intending to build their first airport, the economic benefits are not as clear-cut.

Recognizing the importance of a more generalizable analysis, Assistant Professor Jin Murakami of the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) collaborated with researchers in Japan to close this gap.

In their paper " Does new airport investment promote urban economic development?: Global evidence from nighttime light data ," Asst Prof Murakami highlights that developing new airport infrastructure often requires billions in capital investment , with evidence and information on long-term returns playing a key role in decision-making. The research is published in the journal Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice .

To conduct the study, the team first required access to city-scale statistical data across the global regions, including emerging economies in Asia and the Middle East. Previous studies on large cities used the gross domestic product (GDP) and employment rates as key indicators for economic growth. In smaller cities, however, these statistics are poor and inconsistent, and in some cases, altogether unavailable.

Inspired by other empirical studies on emerging economies, the team used nighttime light intensity (NTL) as a proxy for the degree of economic development. Urban researchers have noted that urbanization, employment, industrial production, and energy consumption activities can be tied to light emissions at night.

With modern satellite observation technologies, nighttime images over a wide span of geographical locations and time periods have become readily available. Asst Prof Murakami and his team were able to examine cities with and without new airport construction across the world at finer spatial resolution and more regular time intervals.

Modeling the relationship between airport development and economic growth proved to be a difficult task. "The two-way causal relationships between transport infrastructure investment and urban economic growth have long been debatable. It is also likely that rapid urban economic growth calls for new airport construction projects," explains Asst Prof Murakami.

To distill the "net" economic impact of new airport construction, a difference-in-differences (DID) method was applied that compares the changes in NTL over the years between similar cities that differ only by local airport construction. The team scoured more than 13,000 cities worldwide to identify suitable control groups for comparison, systematically matching each case study .

The team found that less-developed cities without airports would benefit the most from constructing their first airport. The increased accessibility to the global aviation network brings about broader economic benefits and opportunities to such communities.

The researchers suggest that new airports go beyond expanding capacity to meet air transport demand—they promote inclusive growth and connectivity to people living in remote locations.

The holistic analysis of recent airport construction projects provides new generalizable global evidence that can help small towns and cities to make pivotal decision where regional accessibility is a concern.

With their findings, Asst Prof Murakami hopes to encourage global investors, policymakers, and financial institutions to reassess the bankability or economic feasibility of airport development projects in emerging economies based on current environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing criteria.

"This study stresses the importance of incorporating the wider economic benefits to be attained in relatively small and/or geographically remote cities, towns, and communities in airport capital investment evaluation practices for regional network connectivity and inclusive economic growth , particularly in Asia and the Middle East," emphasizes Asst Prof Murakami.

Provided by Singapore University of Technology and Design

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