idea paper ecological research

Promoting idea sharing via Idea Paper (past information)

Proposal of special feature in ecological research.

Title: Promoting idea sharing via Idea Paper

Handling Editor : Takeshi Miki (Ryukoku University), Masahiro Nakamura (Hokkaido University), Kazuaki Matsui (Kindai University)

Outline with aims :

With this special feature, we intend to propose a new style of scientific article, named “idea paper”, which aims to promote sharing of research ideas. This is a kind of experiment to better design the framework for developing research ideas in a community. Through the communications between the editors, reviewers, and authors during reviewing and publication processes, we are going to revise and improve the framework of the idea paper (e.g., paper format and reviewing criteria). This process will mature a proposed idea to seeing realized in a community and make the “idea paper” distinguishable from Review and Perspectives.

Although our final goal is to propose the framework of the idea paper as a regular section in Ecological Research , this final goal is beyond our focus in the special feature proposed here.

The aims of idea paper are 1) to promote research idea sharing by making it easier to publish new ideas compared to original papers and the existing types of review/perspective papers, and then 2) to advance ecological sciences by encouraging i) maturation of immature ideas in a community, ii) group research based on the shared research ideas, and iii) sharing/recycling the ideas that have (will) not be tested by the proposed scientist group.

Submission deadline :

Manuscript length and format

The maximum length of an idea paper is three pages , which corresponds to approximately 1830 words (including References) plus 250 words abstract. When figures/tables are included, the corresponding space should be included in 1830 words. A figure or table of which size is a single column width and one-quarter to one-third of a page height consumes approximately 140 words’ space. The idea paper should follow the specific format (see the next section). The items that are not specified below should follow the general guideline of Ecological Research .

Format with section headings

The title of the paper should start with "Idea Paper:" (2020/03/02 modified).

[1] Research question

Clearly present the target research question covered in this paper.

Clearly describe why the target research question is valuable (e.g., interestingness, ecological significance, position in the focal scientific disciplines).

[3] Relevant hypothesis

Clearly discuss at least one of the major relevant hypotheses that have given some solutions to the target research question; cite several related papers and explicitly discuss the shortcomings of 1) these hypotheses or 2) their predictions.

[4] New research idea

Present a new research idea.

[5] How to solve the question through the new idea

Explain how to solve the shortcomings of the relevant hypotheses with the new ideas? Consider the following two points in the description.

[5-1] Cite the existing ideas in other research fields (if any), which are related to the proposed idea, and summarize the similarities and dissimilarities between the new idea and the existing ideas. Note that the citations here are independent from the relevant hypotheses in [3].

[5-2] Briefly and specifically describe the potential approaches and techniques to obtain empirical data or generate theoretical predictions in order to validate the proposed new idea.

[6] References

Prepare the reference list following the guideline for Ecological Research .

Systematic keyword selection

Choose at least one keyword from each of the following two categories. In addition, supply one to three additional keywords (e.g. the target organisms or systems).

1) The focal scale of ecological hierarchy

Individual (e.g. physiology and behavior), population, evolution, community, ecosystem

2) Potential method to validate the new idea

Observation, experiment (including field experiment), mathematical and computational modeling (e.g. theoretical dynamic modeling), data analysis (e.g. statistical modeling and empirical dynamic modeling)

Peer review checklist (Publication criteria)

Rating method

For each question, grade 0(No), 1, 2, 3 (Completely Yes), or N/A

For each question, reviewers should explain their answers and may point out any related issues (if any)

[1] Is the research question specified?

[2] Is the value of solving the question specified? Subjective assessments of ecological significance of the proposed research idea are not a part of evaluation.

[3] Are relevant papers cited and are their interpretations and criticisms appropriate?

[4] Is the idea concrete? Isn’t it just reinvention of the ideas that have been proved to be invalid in the research field?

[5.1] Are appropriate papers cited, which are linked to the proposed idea? Is the summary of similarities or dissimilarities clear?

[5.2] Are methods and techniques specifically provided for testing the proposed new idea?

[6] Is the selection of keywords appropriately reflecting the content of the paper?

原稿の長さとフォーマット

アイデア・ペーパーの最大長は3ページであり、約1830ワード(引用文献リストを含む)に加えて250ワードの要旨を加えたものに相当する。図表を含める場合は、該当するスペースは1830ワードのうちに含まれる。シングルコラムの幅で、ページ高さの1/4から1/3の図または表は、約140ワードのスペースを消費します。アイデア・ペーパーは、特定のフォーマット(次のセクションを参照してください)に従う必要があります。以下に明記されていない項目は、Ecological Researchの一般ガイドラインに従うものとする。

論文フォーマットとセクションタイトル

論文タイトルは"Idea Paper: "を冒頭につける（2020/03/02追記）

１） Research question

この論文でターゲットとする問題を明示する

その問題を解く価値（面白さ、重要性、分野内の位置づけ等）を明記する

３） Relevant hypothesis

これまでにこの問題に解を与える（与えてきた）関連仮説について、それらのうち主要な仮説を少なくとも一つ挙げ、その関係論文を数本挙げる。またそれらの仮説（に基づく予想）や関係論文の欠点を挙げる

４） New research idea

新しいアイデアを提示する

５） How to solve the question through the new idea

その欠点を新しいアイデアでどのように解決するのか？以下の２点を含めて説明する。

５-１）新しいアイデアに類似した他の分野では既存のアイデアがあるなら引用し、類似点・非類似点を整理する。ただしここで挙げる論文は３）で挙げる論文とは同一でないことに注意する。

５-２）新しいアイデアの検証を目的として経験データを取ったりモデルから理論的予測を得たりするための、アプローチ方法や技術について簡単かつ具体的に示す。

６） References

Ecological Research誌の一般ガイドラインにしたがって引用文献リストを作成する

システマティックなキーワード選択

二つのキーワード群からそれぞれ少なくとも一つのキーワードを選択し、それに加えて1つから３つのキーワードを挙げる。

本論文で注目する生態学的階層

本論文での新アイデアの妥当性を立証するために可能な方法論

Observation, experiment (including. field experiment), mathematical and computational modeling (e.g. theoretical dynamic modeling), data analysis (e.g. statistical modeling and empirical dynamic modeling)

それぞれのチェックポイント（質問）に対し、査読者はどうしてその点数を付けたかを説明し、関連する問題があれば指摘する。

１）問題は明記されているか？

２）問題を解く価値が明記されているか？ 価値の高低については審査しない

３）適切な関連論文が引用され、その解釈やそれらに対する批判は妥当であるか？

４）アイデアが具体的に提示されているか？ かつ、すでに有効性が否定されているアイデアの焼き直しに終始していないか？

５－１）適切な論文を引用しているか？ 類似点または非類似点の整理は明確か？

５－２）検証の為の方法や技術が具体的に提示されているか？­

６）論文内容を適切に反映したキーワード選択となっているか？

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Collection  10 March 2022

Top 100 in Ecology

This collection highlights our most downloaded* ecology papers published in 2021. Featuring authors from aroud the world, these papers showcase valuable research from an international community.

*Data obtained from SN Insights which is based on Digital Science's Dimensions.

The first true millipede—1306 legs long

• Paul E. Marek
• Bruno A. Buzatto
• Juanita Rodriguez

Lethal coalitionary attacks of chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes troglodytes ) on gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla ) in the wild

• Lara M. Southern
• Tobias Deschner
• Simone Pika

Defining priority areas for blue whale conservation and investigating overlap with vessel traffic in Chilean Patagonia, using a fast-fitting movement model

• Luis Bedriñana-Romano
• Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete
• Daniel M. Palacios

Earliest evidence of herd-living and age segregation amongst dinosaurs

• Adriana C. Mancuso
• Vincent Fernandez

Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons

• Jörn Köhler
• Miguel Vences

Excess protein enabled dog domestication during severe Ice Age winters

• Maria Lahtinen
• David Clinnick
• Suvi Viranta

Honey bee hives decrease wild bee abundance, species richness, and fruit count on farms regardless of wildflower strips

• G. M. Angelella
• C. T. McCullough
• M. E. O’Rourke

Tracking late Pleistocene Neandertals on the Iberian coast

• Eduardo Mayoral
• Ignacio Díaz-Martínez
• Ricardo Díaz-Delgado

Exposure to foreign gut microbiota can facilitate rapid dietary shifts

• A. M. Fisher

Self-care tooling innovation in a disabled kea ( Nestor notabilis )

• Amalia P. M. Bastos
• Kata Horváth
• Alex H. Taylor

Discovery of a colossal slickhead (Alepocephaliformes: Alepocephalidae): an active-swimming top predator in the deep waters of Suruga Bay, Japan

• Yoshihiro Fujiwara
• Masaru Kawato
• Shinji Tsuchida

Microplastics in fish and fishmeal: an emerging environmental challenge?

• Christina J. Thiele
• Malcolm D. Hudson
• Giovanna Sidaoui-Haddad

An Italian dinosaur Lagerstätte reveals the tempo and mode of hadrosauriform body size evolution

• Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza
• Matteo Fabbri
• Federico Fanti

Seagrasses provide a novel ecosystem service by trapping marine plastics

• Anna Sanchez-Vidal
• Miquel Canals

Mistaken identity may explain why male sea snakes ( Aipysurus laevis , Elapidae, Hydrophiinae) “attack” scuba divers

• Tim P. Lynch
• Ross A. Alford
• Richard Shine

Explainable identification and mapping of trees using UAV RGB image and deep learning

• Masanori Onishi
• Takeshi Ise

The giant panda is cryptic

• Ossi Nokelainen
• Nicholas E. Scott-Samuel

Pivot burrowing of scarab beetle ( Trypoxylus dichotomus ) larva

• Haruhiko Adachi
• Makoto Ozawa
• Shigeru Kondo

Redefining the oceanic distribution of Atlantic salmon

• Audun H. Rikardsen
• David Righton
• Kim Aarestrup

Chest beats as an honest signal of body size in male mountain gorillas ( Gorilla beringei beringei )

• Edward Wright
• Sven Grawunder
• Martha M. Robbins

Powered flight in hatchling pterosaurs: evidence from wing form and bone strength

• Darren Naish
• Mark P. Witton
• Elizabeth Martin-Silverstone

Two wild female bonobos adopted infants from a different social group at Wamba

• Nahoko Tokuyama
• Kazuya Toda
• Shintaro Ishizuka

Multiple pygmy blue whale acoustic populations in the Indian Ocean: whale song identifies a possible new population

• Emmanuelle C. Leroy
• Jean-Yves Royer
• Tracey L. Rogers

Action potentials induce biomagnetic fields in carnivorous Venus flytrap plants

• Anne Fabricant
• Geoffrey Z. Iwata
• Dmitry Budker

North Pacific warming shifts the juvenile range of a marine apex predator

• Kisei R. Tanaka
• Kyle S. Van Houtan
• Salvador J. Jorgensen

Spatial and temporal pattern of wildfires in California from 2000 to 2019

• Tirtha Banerjee

Effects of climate change and land cover on the distributions of a critical tree family in the Philippines

• Sean E. H. Pang
• Jose Don T. De Alban
• Edward L. Webb

African soil properties and nutrients mapped at 30 m spatial resolution using two-scale ensemble machine learning

• Tomislav Hengl
• Matthew A. E. Miller
• Jonathan Crouch

Russian forest sequesters substantially more carbon than previously reported

• Dmitry Schepaschenko
• Elena Moltchanova
• Florian Kraxner

Isotope data from amino acids indicate Darwin’s ground sloth was not an herbivore

• Julia V. Tejada
• John J. Flynn
• Brian N. Popp

Late Pleistocene human paleoecology in the highland savanna ecosystem of mainland Southeast Asia

• Kantapon Suraprasit
• Rasmi Shoocongdej
• Hervé Bocherens

Early Pleistocene faunivorous hominins were not kleptoparasitic, and this impacted the evolution of human anatomy and socio-ecology

• Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo
• Enrique Baquedano
• Diego González-Aguilera

An ecological niche shift for Neanderthal populations in Western Europe 70,000 years ago

• William E. Banks
• Marie-Hélène Moncel
• Frédéric Santos

Surface slicks are pelagic nurseries for diverse ocean fauna

• Jonathan L. Whitney
• Jamison M. Gove
• Gregory P. Asner

Field measurements of a massive Porites coral at Goolboodi (Orpheus Island), Great Barrier Reef

• Nathan Cook
• Vicki Saylor

Ongoing ecological and evolutionary consequences by the presence of transgenes in a wild cotton population

• Valeria Vázquez-Barrios
• Karina Boege

Novel and disappearing climates in the global surface ocean from 1800 to 2100

• Katie E. Lotterhos
• Áki J. Láruson
• Li-Qing Jiang

Partial shading by solar panels delays bloom, increases floral abundance during the late-season for pollinators in a dryland, agrivoltaic ecosystem

• Maggie Graham
• Serkan Ates
• Chad W. Higgins

The early hunting dog from Dmanisi with comments on the social behaviour in Canidae and hominins

• Saverio Bartolini-Lucenti
• Joan Madurell-Malapeira
• Lorenzo Rook

Comprehensive comparative morphology and developmental staging of final instar larvae toward metamorphosis in the insect order Odonata

• Genta Okude
• Takema Fukatsu
• Ryo Futahashi

G enome-wide data implicate terminal fusion automixis in king cobra facultative parthenogenesis

• Daren C. Card
• Freek J. Vonk
• Warren Booth

New evidence from exceptionally “well-preserved” specimens sheds light on the structure of the ammonite brachial crown

• C. P. A. Smith
• N. H. Landman

Population decline in a ground-nesting solitary squash bee ( Eucera pruinosa ) following exposure to a neonicotinoid insecticide treated crop ( Cucurbita pepo )

• D. Susan Willis Chan
• Nigel E. Raine

Tropical deforestation induces thresholds of reproductive viability and habitat suitability in Earth’s largest eagles

• Everton B. P. Miranda
• Carlos A. Peres
• Colleen T. Downs

Biodiversity and ecosystem functions depend on environmental conditions and resources rather than the geodiversity of a tropical biodiversity hotspot

• Christine I. B. Wallis
• Yvonne C. Tiede
• Jörg Bendix

Summer weather conditions influence winter survival of honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) in the northeastern United States

• Martina Calovi
• Christina M. Grozinger
• Sarah C. Goslee

Evidence that spillover from Marine Protected Areas benefits the spiny lobster ( Panulirus interruptus ) fishery in southern California

• Hunter S. Lenihan
• Jordan P. Gallagher
• Daniel C. Reed

Metal concentrations in coastal sharks from The Bahamas with a focus on the Caribbean Reef shark

• Oliver N. Shipley
• Cheng-Shiuan Lee
• Austin J. Gallagher

First tracks of newborn straight-tusked elephants ( Palaeoloxodon antiquus )

• Carlos Neto de Carvalho
• Zain Belaústegui
• Clive Finlayson

An integrative analysis uncovers a new, pseudo-cryptic species of Amazonian marmoset (Primates: Callitrichidae: Mico ) from the arc of deforestation

• Rodrigo Costa-Araújo
• José S. Silva-Jr.
• Tomas Hrbek

eDNA sampled from stream networks correlates with camera trap detection rates of terrestrial mammals

• Arnaud Lyet
• Loïc Pellissier
• Robin Naidoo

Large-scale variations in the dynamics of Amazon forest canopy gaps from airborne lidar data and opportunities for tree mortality estimates

• Ricardo Dalagnol
• Fabien H. Wagner
• Luiz E. O. C. Aragão

Tipping point realized in cod fishery

• Christian Möllmann
• Xochitl Cormon
• Martin Quaas

Temporal activity patterns suggesting niche partitioning of sympatric carnivores in Borneo, Malaysia

• Miyabi Nakabayashi
• Tomoko Kanamori

No evidence of physiological declines with age in an extremely long-lived fish

• Derek J. Sauer
• Britt J. Heidinger
• Mark E. Clark

International fisheries threaten globally endangered sharks in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean: the case of the Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999 reefer vessel seized within the Galápagos Marine Reserve

• Elisa Bonaccorso
• Nicté Ordóñez-Garza
• Juan M. Guayasamin

Indirect effects of invasive rat removal result in recovery of island rocky intertidal community structure

• Carolyn M. Kurle
• Kelly M. Zilliacus
• Donald A. Croll

Assessing the carbon capture potential of a reforestation project

• David Lefebvre
• Adrian G. Williams

The evolutionary history of manatees told by their mitogenomes

• Érica Martinha Silva de Souza
• Lucas Freitas
• Mariana Freitas Nery

Microplastics accumulate fungal pathogens in terrestrial ecosystems

• Gerasimos Gkoutselis
• Stephan Rohrbach
• Gerhard Rambold

Advances in automatic identification of flying insects using optical sensors and machine learning

• Carsten Kirkeby
• Klas Rydhmer
• Kaare Græsbøll

Aboveground plant-to-plant communication reduces root nodule symbiosis and soil nutrient concentrations

• Yuta Takahashi
• Kaori Shiojiri
• Akira Yamawo

The rhizosphere microbiome plays a role in the resistance to soil-borne pathogens and nutrient uptake of strawberry cultivars under field conditions

• Cristina Lazcano
• Kelly Ivors

Highest risk abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear

• Eric Gilman
• Michael Musyl
• Brandon Kuczenski

Future thermal regimes for epaulette sharks ( Hemiscyllium ocellatum ): growth and metabolic performance cease to be optimal

• Carolyn R. Wheeler
• Jodie L. Rummer
• John W. Mandelman

Earliest evidence of marine habitat use by mammals

• Anton F.-J. Wroblewski
• Bonnie E. Gulas-Wroblewski

Constraining the chronology and ecology of Late Acheulean and Middle Palaeolithic occupations at the margins of the monsoon

• James Blinkhorn
• Hema Achyuthan
• Jana Ilgner

Neonicotinoids disrupt memory, circadian behaviour and sleep

• Kiah Tasman
• Sergio Hidalgo
• James J. L. Hodge

Evaluation metrics and validation of presence-only species distribution models based on distributional maps with varying coverage

• Kamil Konowalik
• Agata Nosol

Ecosystem response persists after a prolonged marine heatwave

• Robert M. Suryan
• Mayumi L. Arimitsu
• Stephani G. Zador

Rhizobia use a pathogenic-like effector to hijack leguminous nodulation signalling

• Safirah Tasa Nerves Ratu
• Albin Teulet
• Shin Okazaki

Camera trap placement for evaluating species richness, abundance, and activity

• Kamakshi S. Tanwar
• Yadvendradev V. Jhala

Assessing biophysical and socio-economic impacts of climate change on regional avian biodiversity

• Simon Kapitza
• Pham Van Ha
• Brendan A. Wintle

Smell of green leaf volatiles attracts white storks to freshly cut meadows

• Martin Wikelski
• Michael Quetting
• Jonathan Williams

Dinosaur senescence: a hadrosauroid with age-related diseases brings a new perspective of “old” dinosaurs

• Justyna Słowiak
• Tomasz Szczygielski
• Dawid Surmik

Positive effects of COVID-19 lockdown on river water quality: evidence from River Damodar, India

• Baisakhi Chakraborty
• Biswajit Bera
• Pravat Kumar Shit

Snow algae blooms are beneficial for microinvertebrates assemblages (Tardigrada and Rotifera) on seasonal snow patches in Japan

• Nozomu Takeuchi
• Krzysztof Zawierucha

Coastal wetlands can be saved from sea level rise by recreating past tidal regimes

• Mahmood Sadat-Noori
• Caleb Rankin
• William Glamore

Identifying unknown Indian wolves by their distinctive howls: its potential as a non-invasive survey method

• Sougata Sadhukhan
• Holly Root-Gutteridge
• Bilal Habib

Optimal fishing effort benefits fisheries and conservation

• Emma V. Sheehan
• Martin J. Attrill

The spreading of the invasive sacred ibis in Italy

• Marco Cucco
• Gianfranco Alessandria
• Irene Pellegrino

Exceptional fossil assemblages confirm the existence of complex Early Triassic ecosystems during the early Spathian

• Christopher P. A. Smith
• Thomas Laville
• Arnaud Brayard

Allelopathic effect of Artemisia argyi on the germination and growth of various weeds

Organophosphate poisoning of Hyacinth Macaws in the Southern Pantanal, Brazil

• Eliane C. Vicente
• Neiva M. R. Guedes

The critical role of natural history museums in advancing eDNA for biodiversity studies: a case study with Amazonian fishes

• C. David de Santana
• Lynne R. Parenti

Novel approach to enhance coastal habitat and biotope mapping with drone aerial imagery analysis

• João Gama Monteiro
• Jesús L. Jiménez
• João Canning-Clode

High resolution biologging of breaching by the world’s second largest shark species

• Jessica L. Rudd
• Owen M. Exeter
• Lucy A. Hawkes

The largest hoplophonine and a complex new hypothesis of nimravid evolution

• Paul Zachary Barrett

Dangerous demographics in post-bleach corals reveal boom-bust versus protracted declines

• Juliano Morais
• Renato A. Morais
• David R. Bellwood

Welwitschia : Phylogeography of a living fossil, diversified within a desert refuge

• Norbert Jürgens
• Imke Oncken
• Barbara Rudolph

Response of bacterial and fungal communities to high petroleum pollution in different soils

• Polina Galitskaya
• Liliya Biktasheva
• Svetlana Selivanovskaya

Integrating multiple chemical tracers to elucidate the diet and habitat of Cookiecutter Sharks

• Aaron B. Carlisle
• Elizabeth Andruszkiewicz Allan
• John O’Sullivan

Environmental stressors, complex interactions and marine benthic communities’ responses

• Charlotte Carrier-Belleau
• David Drolet
• Philippe Archambault

eDNA metabarcoding for biodiversity assessment, generalist predators as sampling assistants

• Louise Nørgaard
• Carsten Riis Olesen
• Laura Iacolina

Distance sampling surveys reveal 17 million vertebrates directly killed by the 2020’s wildfires in the Pantanal, Brazil

• Walfrido Moraes Tomas
• Christian Niel Berlinck
• Ronaldo Morato

Description of five new species of the Madagascan flagship plant genus Ravenala (Strelitziaceae)

• Thomas Haevermans
• Annette Hladik
• Patrick Blanc

A symbiotic aphid selfishly manipulates attending ants via dopamine in honeydew

• Tatsumi Kudo
• Hitoshi Aonuma
• Eisuke Hasegawa

Ixodiphagus hookeri wasps (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in two sympatric tick species Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis concinna (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the Slovak Karst (Slovakia): ecological and biological considerations

• Alicja Buczek
• Weronika Buczek
• Michał Stanko

Genomic signatures of the evolution of defence against its natural enemies in the poisonous and medicinal plant Datura stramonium (Solanaceae)

• I. M. De-la-Cruz
• J. Núñez-Farfán

Timely poacher detection and localization using sentinel animal movement

• Henrik J. de Knegt
• Jasper A. J. Eikelboom
• Herbert H. T. Prins

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Nature’s Secrets: Top 200 Ecology Research Topics

Welcome to the world of Ecology, where the study of nature evolves like an interesting story. Ecology helps us solve the complex relationships between living organisms and their environments. In this fascinating journey, we will see ecology research topics that reveal the secrets of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the delicate balance of nature. 

From understanding how different species react to the impact of human activities on our planet, Ecology offers insights that go beyond the ordinary. 

So, whether you’re fascinated by the web of life in a forest, the dynamics of a coral reef, or the challenges of conservation, these research topics will guide you into the heart of ecological wonders. Let’s start this adventure of knowledge, discovering the hidden secrets that shape the world around us.

What Is Ecology?

Table of Contents

Ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. It explores relationships between plants, animals, and their surroundings, helping us understand how nature works and how different elements in ecosystems connect.

What Are The 6 Topics Studied In Ecology?

Ecology studies the relationships between living things and their environment. Here are six topics studied in ecology:

• Ecosystems: Examining how living organisms, like plants and animals, interact with each other and their non living surroundings, such as soil, water, and air.
• Biodiversity: Analyzing the variety of life in different ecosystems, including the number and types of species present.
• Population Dynamics: Understanding how the numbers of individuals in a species change over time, including factors like birth rates, death rates, and migration.
• Community Interactions: Exploring how different species in a specific area interact with each other, such as through competition or cooperation.
• Ecological Succession: Studying the increasing changes in ecosystems over time, including how new communities of plants and animals replace older ones.
• Conservation Biology: Focusing on protecting and preserving ecosystems and species, especially those facing threats or endangerment.

Top 200 Ecology Research Topics

Now the wait is over and here we will be listing top 200 ecology research topics. And they are as:

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Biodiversity Conservation

• Conservation Genetics and its Role in Biodiversity Preservation
• Ecological Consequences of Habitat Fragmentation on Biodiversity
• Monitoring and Assessing Biodiversity in Changing Landscapes
• Conservation Strategies for Endangered Species
• The Significance of Protected Areas in Biodiversity Conservation
• Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity Conservation
• Citizen Science Initiatives in Biodiversity Monitoring
• Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in Biodiversity Conservation
• Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity and Conservation Measures
• Human-Wildlife Conflict and its Implications for Biodiversity Conservation

Top 10 Research Topics On Climate Change Impacts

• Climate Change Effects on Biodiversity and Ecosystems
• Influence of Climate Change on Global Water Resources
• Rising Sea Levels and Coastal Ecosystem Vulnerability
• Climate Change Affects on Agriculture and Food Security
• Extreme Weather Events and their Ecological Consequences
• Ocean Acidification: Ecological and Marine Life Impacts
• Changes in Species Distribution by Climate Change
• Climate Change and Migration Patterns of Wildlife
• Effects of Climate Change on Polar and Alpine Ecosystems
• Climate Change and Human Health: Ecological Perspectives

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Habitat Restoration

• Ecosystem Recovery after Habitat Disturbance
• Effects of Restoration Techniques on Soil Health
• Ecological Succession in Restored Habitats
• Invasive Species Management in Restoration Projects
• Role of Native Plant Species in Habitat Restoration
• Impact of Restoration on Wildlife Communities
• Community Engagement in Urban Habitat Restoration
• Restoration of Wetland Ecosystems and Biodiversity
• Historical Ecology and its Role in Habitat Restoration
• Evaluating Long-Term Success of Habitat Restoration Projects

Top 10 Research Topics On Ecosystem Services

• Valuation of Ecosystem Services for purpose of Sustainable Resource Management
• Biodiversity’s Role in Providing Ecosystem Services
• Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystem Services
• Urban Ecosystem Services and Green Infrastructure
• Cultural Ecosystem Services: Linking Nature and Well-being
• Watershed Services: Sustainable Water Resource Management
• Forest Ecosystem Services and Sustainable Forestry Practices
• Marine Ecosystem Services: Conservation and Management
• Agricultural Practices and Ecosystem Service Delivery
• Restoration Ecology for Enhancing Ecosystem Services

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Wildlife Ecology

• Behavior and Social Structure of Wild Animal Populations
• Conservation Genetics in Wildlife Management
• Human-Wildlife Conflict and Mitigation Strategies
• Wildlife Habitat Use and Selection
• Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife Ecology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology and Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Predator-Prey Dynamics in Natural Ecosystems
• Movement Ecology and Migration Patterns
• Wildlife Monitoring Techniques and Technology
• Restoration Ecology for Wildlife Habitat Enhancement

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Marine Ecology

• Coral Reef Resilience and Conservation
• Marine Biodiversity in Deep-Sea Ecosystems
• Ocean Acidification & its Impact on Marine Life
• Fisheries Management for Sustainable Marine Ecology
• Marine Protected Areas and Conservation Strategies
• Plastic Pollution & its impact on Marine Ecosystems
• Seabird Ecology and Conservation
• Mangrove Ecosystems: Function and Conservation
• Climate Change Impacts on Marine Ecosystems
• Seagrass Ecology and Restoration efforts in Coastal Areas

Top 10 Research Topics On Urban Ecology

• Urban Biodiversity and Conservation Strategies
• Green Spaces & Ecosystem Services in Urban Environments
• Urban Heat Island Effect and Mitigation Measures
• Urban Wildlife Ecology and Human-Wildlife Interactions
• Sustainable Urban Planning and Design for Ecosystem Health
• Urban Agriculture: Impacts on Biodiversity and Food Security
• Air Quality and Urban Tree Canopy: A Nexus in Urban Ecology
• Stormwater Management and Ecological Solutions in Urban Areas
• Urbanization Effects on Microbial Communities in Soil
• Citizen Science Contributions to Urban Ecology Research

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Forest Ecology

• Old-Growth Forest Ecology and Conservation
• Forest Fragmentation and its Impact on Biodiversity
• Fire Ecology: Natural Processes and Human Intervention
• Forest Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change Mitigation
• Dynamics of Tree-Soil Interactions in Forest Ecosystems
• Invasive Species Management in Forested Landscapes
• Forest Restoration Ecology and Reforestation Strategies
• Effects of Logging and Timber Harvesting on Forest Ecology
• Microbial Communities in Forest Soils: Diversity and Function
• Ecological Consequences of Climate Change in Forested Regions

Top 10 Research Topics On Invasive Species Management

• Ecological Impacts of Invasive Species
• Mechanisms of Invasion Success
• Early Detection and Rapid Response Strategies
• Effects of Climate Change on Invasive Species Dynamics
• Management Strategies for Aquatic Invasive Species
• Biological Control of Invasive Species
• Evolutionary Responses in Invasive Species
• Community-Level Impacts of Invasive Species
• Economic Costs and Benefits of Invasive Species Management
• Restoration Ecology After Invasive Species Removal

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Conservation Genetics

• Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Endangered Species
• Population Genetics of Rare and Threatened Plants
• Conservation Genomics in Wildlife Management
• Genetic Adaptation to Changing Environments
• Genomic Approaches in Assessing Inbreeding Depression
• Landscape Genetics and Habitat Connectivity
• Genetic Monitoring for Effective Conservation
• Genomic Tools in Studying Hybridization and Introgression
• Conservation Genetics of Migratory Species
• Genetic Markers for Non-Invasive Monitoring of Wildlife

Top 10 Research Topics On Landscape Ecology

• Spatial Patterns and Dynamics in Landscape Ecology
• Connectivity and Fragmentation of Landscape
• Urbanization and its Impact on Landscape Structure
• Landscape Heterogeneity and Biodiversity Conservation
• Ecosystem Services in the Context of Landscape Ecology
• Remote Sensing and GIS Applications in Landscape Ecology
• Modeling Landscape Change and Future Scenarios
• Landscape Ecology and Climate Change Impacts
• Land-Use Change Effects on Landscape Patterns
• Resilience and Sustainability in Landscape Ecology

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Agroecology

• Sustainable Farming Practices for Agroecosystem Health
• Agroecology and Biodiversity Conservation in Agricultural Landscapes
• Soil Health and Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
• Organic Farming Systems: Ecological Impacts and Benefits
• Agroecological Approaches to Pest Management
• Agroforestry Systems and Ecosystem Services
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Agroecological Frameworks
• Indigenous and Traditional Agro Ecological Knowledge
• Integrating Livestock into Agroecosystems for Sustainability
• Socioeconomic Dimensions of Agroecological Transition

Top 10 Research Topics On Ecological Modeling

• Spatial and Temporal Dynamics in Ecological Models
• Integrating Climate Change in Ecological Modeling
• Agent-Based Modeling in Ecological Studies
• Ecological Network Models: Structure and Dynamics
• Predictive Modeling for Conservation Planning
• Individual-Based Models in Animal Behavior Ecology
• Dynamic Energy Budget Models in Population Ecology
• Bayesian Approaches in Ecological Modeling
• Ecological Niche Modeling for Species Distribution
• Coupling Ecological and Economic Models for Sustainability

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Environmental Pollution

• Affects of Air Pollution on Ecosystems and Human Health
• Microplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems: Sources and Effects
• Soil Pollution and its Consequences for Terrestrial Ecology
• Noise Pollution and its Effects on Wildlife Behavior
• Heavy Metal Contamination in Urban Ecosystems
• Emerging Contaminants: Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
• Pesticide Pollution and Agricultural Ecosystems
• Oil Spills and Marine Ecosystems: Recovery and Resilience
• Plastic Waste in Marine Environments: Ecological Impacts
• Urbanization and its Role in Environmental Pollution

Top 10 Research Topics On Ecotourism Impact

• Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation
• Socioeconomic Impacts of Ecotourism on Local Communities
• Sustainable Practices in Ecotourism Operations
• Wildlife Disturbance and Ecotourism: Balancing Conservation
• Ecotourism and Cultural Heritage Preservation
• Assessing the Environmental Footprint of Ecotourism
• Ecotourism and Sustainable Resource Management
• Community Involvement in Ecotourism Development
• Monitoring and Mitigating Ecotourism Impacts on Fragile Ecosystems
• Ecotourism Certification and Standards for Responsible Tourism

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Plant Ecology

• Plant-Animal Interactions and Mutualistic Relationships
• Impacts of Climate Change on Plant Communities
• Plant Functional Traits and Ecosystem Functioning
• Plant-Insect Interactions: Pollination and Herbivory
• Dynamics of Plant Communities in Disturbed Habitats
• Plant Defense Mechanisms Against Herbivores
• Allelopathy: Chemical Interactions among Plants
• Plant Invasions and their Ecological Consequences
• Influence of Soil Microbes on Plant Health and Diversity
• Role of Mycorrhizal Fungi in Plant Ecology

Top 10 Research Topics On Evolutionary Ecology

• Adaptation and Evolutionary Dynamics in Changing Environments
• Coevolutionary Interactions between Species
• Evolutionary Consequences of Mutualistic Relationships
• Evolutionary Ecology of Life History Strategies
• Evolutionary Responses to Anthropogenic Stressors
• Evolutionary Ecology of Invasive Species
• Historical Biogeography and Evolutionary Patterns
• Evolutionary Ecology of Plant-Animal Interactions
• Evolutionary Drivers of Biodiversity
• Evolutionary Consequences of Climate Change

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Freshwater Ecology

• Biodiversity and Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems
• Aquatic Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators of Water Quality
• Effects of Climate Change on Freshwater Ecology
• Nutrient Cycling in Freshwater Environments
• Impact of Invasive Species on Freshwater Ecosystems
• Dynamics of Aquatic Food Webs in Lakes and Rivers
• Restoration Ecology of Freshwater Habitats
• Ecological Consequences of Dams and Water Management
• Microbial Communities in Freshwater Environments
• Threats to Freshwater Ecosystems: Pollution and Habitat Loss

Top 10 Research Topics On Microbial Ecology

• Microbial Diversity in Natural Environments
• Microbial Interactions in Soil Ecosystems
• Human Microbiome and Health
• Microbial Ecology of Extreme Environments
• Microbes in Aquatic Ecosystems: Dynamics and Roles
• Microbial Communities in Plant Rhizospheres
• Microbial Biogeography and Distribution Patterns
• Impact of Climate Change on Microbial Ecology
• Microbial Responses to Pollution and Environmental Stress
• Microbial Roles in Biogeochemical Cycling

Top 10 Ecology Research Topics On Sustainable Agriculture

• Agroecological Practices for Sustainable Farming
• Soil Health Management in Sustainable Agriculture
• Water Conservation Strategies in Agricultural Systems
• Organic Farming: Impacts on Ecology and Sustainability
• Integrated Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture
• Biodiversity Enhancement through Crop Rotation
• Agroforestry: Integrating Trees into Agricultural Landscapes
• Climate-Smart Agriculture Approaches
• Efficient Nutrient Management in Sustainable Farming
• Sustainable Livestock Farming Practices

Top 50 Ecology Essay Topics

In addition to the above topics we are giving you a bonus of top 50 ecology essay topics based on different categories and they are as:

Top 10 Essay Research Topics On Environmental Sustainability

• Climate Change Impacts and Mitigation Strategies
• Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices
• Renewable Energy Solutions
• Waste Management and Circular Economy
• Urban Planning for Sustainable Cities
• Water Conservation and Management
• Environmental Policies and Governance
• Corporate Social Responsibility in Sustainability
• Indigenous Knowledge and Practices in Environmental Sustainability

Top 10 Essay Research Topics On Social Justice and Equity

• Racial Inequality and Systemic Racism
• Gender Equality and Women’s Rights
• LGBTQ+ Rights and Inclusivity
• Economic Disparities and Poverty
• Access to Education: Challenges and Solutions
• Criminal Justice Reform and Fair Policing
• Disability Rights and Inclusion
• Indigenous Rights and Land Sovereignty
• Immigration Policies and Human Rights
• Healthcare Disparities: Addressing Equity in Access and Treatment

Top 10 Essay Research Topics On Technology and Society

• Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Privacy and Security Concerns
• Impact of Social Media on Society
• The Role of Technology in Education
• Automation and the Future of Work
• Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Cities
• Biotechnology and Bioethics
• Technology and Healthcare: Advancements and Concerns
• Accessibility and Inclusivity in Technological Innovations

Top 10 Essay Research Topics On Health and Wellness

• Mental Health Stigma and Awareness
• Healthcare Disparities in Underserved Communities
• Impact of Technology on Mental Health
• Lifestyle Factors and Chronic Disease Prevention
• Access to Affordable Healthcare
• Public Health Strategies for Disease Prevention
• Global Health Challenges and Solutions
• Integrative Medicine and Holistic Health Approaches
• Nutrition and its Role in Overall Wellness
• Aging Population: Health Challenges and Innovations

Top 10 Essay Research Topics On Global Economic Trends

• The Impact of Globalization on Economic Inequality
• Sustainable Development Goals and Economic Growth
• Technological Advancements and Economic Transformation
• Trade Wars and their Effects on Global Economies
• The Rise of Gig Economy and Changing Workforce Dynamics
• Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment
• COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Global Economic Trends
• Green Finance and Environmental Sustainability in Economics
• Economic Policies for Post-Pandemic Recovery
• The Role of Emerging Markets in Shaping Global Economic Trends

As we conclude our exploration of Ecology Research Topics, we’ve uncovered a big collection of subjects into the wonders of our natural world. From studying Biodiversity Conservation to researching Microbial Ecology, these topics offer a deeper understanding of the balance of our ecosystems. 

In addition to these research topics, we’ve provided a bonus of 50 Ecology Essay Topics, adding more layers to your knowledge. Remember, Ecology is like solving nature’s puzzle, and each topic contributes to revealing its secrets. 

We’ve also touched upon the six fundamental topics in Ecology, providing a foundation for your ecological journey. So, let curiosity be your guide, and explore the mysteries that our planet holds.

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