Accurately modeling extreme precipitation events remains a major challenge for climate models. These models predict how the earth's climate may change over the course of decades and even centuries. To improve them especially with regard to extreme events, researchers now use machine learning methods otherwise applied to image generation.
Putting a price on CO₂ emissions and thus making emissions more expensive can make a significant contribution to reducing them. In a study published in the Economic Journal, Prof. Dr. Fabian Herweg, University of Bayreuth, and Prof. Dr. Klaus M. Schmidt, LMU Munich, compare two governmental instruments of carbon pricing with regard to their effectiveness: A carbon tax strengthens the willingness of households to voluntarily reduce CO₂ emissions. In contrast, a market for trading emission allowances that is based on a pre-determined emissions cap has a discouraging effect. It leads to higher emissions and shifts the burden of climate protection onto consumers with lower incomes.
Gradual global warming culminated at the end of the Permian Period in a gigantic extinction event.
The World Biodiversity Council (IPBES) has selected Dr Stephanie Thomas, a scientist in the Biogeography research group at the University of Bayreuth, as lead author of the next IPBES report. She is one of two experts from Bavaria who will work on the new report. IPBES reports collect and evaluate existing knowledge on the state of nature worldwide, and use it to derive options for action by governments to protect biodiversity. IPBES has 139 member states worldwide.
Living conditions for forests at high elevations have changed significantly in recent decades as a result of climate change. In many mountain regions, they have become more favorable above the tree line than in lower-lying forested areas. Nevertheless, climate change has not yet led to forests adapting directly to this change and shifting to higher regions. This is confirmed by a new biogeographical study of the University of Bayreuth using the example of the Mediterranean island of Crete. The scientists present their research results in the journal "Forest Ecosystems". They warn of the possible consequences.
Microplastic particles can be deposited in river floodplains and penetrate into deeper areas of the soil. The number of particles identified depends in particular on surface plant cover, the frequency of flooding, and soil properties. Researchers from the Universities of Bayreuth and Cologne determined this during investigations in the Rhine floodplain of Langel-Merkenich north of Cologne. The study, published in the journal "Science of the Total Environment", is the result of interdisciplinary cooperation in the DFG Collaborative Research Centre 1357 "Microplastics" at the University of Bayreuth.
Little is known about the food webs of herbivorous insects. A team from the Würzburg Biocenter is investigating, in Lower Franconia as well as in the Berchtesgaden Alps.
How do canopy insects react to the sudden disappearance of their host tree? A study in the floodplain forests along the river Elbe shows surprising results.
Protected areas are among the most effective tools for preserving biodiversity. However, new protected areas are often created without considering existing ones. This can lead to an overrepresentation of the biophysical characteristics, such as temperature or topography, that define a certain area. A research group at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now assessed a global analysis of the scope of protection of various biophysical conditions.
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded both Prof. Dr. Johanna Pausch, Junior Professor of Agricultural Ecology at the University of Bayreuth, and Prof. Dr. Matteo Bianchini, Chair of Inorganic Active Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage at the University of Bayreuth, an ERC Starting Grant. Pausch will receive € 1.5 million and Bianchini € 1.8 million for their respective research projects over the next five years.
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