Just 30 species of tree dominate world's most diverse savanna Scientists have found that a mere 30 species of trees in the Cerrado -- the world's largest and most floristically diverse savanna -- account for nearly half of all its trees. The 'hyperdominance' by a few species could help researchers understand how this vast ecosystem functions.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/05/2505

Fewer parasites in the Indian River lagoon signal big ecosystem problems Parasites are crucial indicators of ecosystem health, and their absence can signal trouble. Once pristine, Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL) now faces pollution and algal blooms that have damaged essential habitats like seagrass beds. New research finds parasite levels in the IRL are significantly lower than in comparable ecosystems worldwide -- 11% lower overall and 17% lower for larval parasites requiring multiple hosts. This sharp decline suggests a disrupted food web likely caused by pollution and habitat degradation, and a less resilient and more vulnerable ecosystem.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/05/2505

Replanted rainforests may benefit from termite transplants Termites -- infamous for their ability to destroy wood -- are rarely welcomed into rainforests that have been painstakingly replanted. But a new paper suggests that termite transplants may be necessary to help regenerating forests to thrive. Scientists found that termites are not thriving in replanted rainforests in Australia. Because decomposers like termites are essential for recycling nutrients and carbon, the researchers worry that the insect's slow recovery could hinder the growth and health of the young forests.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/05/2505

Invasive rats and rainforest mammals are sharing gut microbes as urban areas grow As urban development continues to creep further into Earth's oldest and most diverse rainforests, a study reveals native and invasive small mammals aren't just adapting to their changing habitats -- they may also be sharing their microbes.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/05/2505

Intensifying farmland can sometimes degrade biodiversity more than expansion The intensification of existing farmland can sometimes be more harmful to local biodiversity than expanding the area covered by agricultural land, finds a new study.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/05/2505