Engineering Resilient Ecosystems News | Engineering Resilient Ecosystems

Study first author Maureen Kahiu, who earned her master’s degree from Penn State with this research project, maneuvers a light box on a research fairway, used to take closeup photos of turfgrass damage resulting from fungicides that golf course managers use to suppress diseases such as dollar spot. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Jul 08, 2025

Fungicides intended to suppress turfgrass diseases may damage fairways

Golf course managers have much more insight into which fungicides to use to suppress turfgrass diseases, such as the common and costly dollar spot disease, without damaging the grass on their fairways, thanks to a new study by researchers at Penn State.

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Jason Keagy, assistant research professor of wildlife behavioral ecology, is shown on the bank of an Icelandic lake holding a fish trap during a collection of threespined sticklebacks in a previous study. Credit: Janette Boughman. All Rights Reserved.

Jul 07, 2025

‘Scialog’ grant to study how rising ocean temperatures affect fish behavior

A wildlife behavioral ecologist at Penn State is part of a multi-institution team that received funding from Scialog: Neurobiology and Changing Ecosystems, a international three-year initiative that aims to spark new science exploring neurobiological responses to rapidly changing environments.

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This herbicide-resistant pigweed was found growing in a Pennsylvania soybean field. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Jun 23, 2025

Multistate herbicide-resistant weeds study aims to protect soybean crops

New grant will fund development of rapid testing to detect herbicide-resistant weeds in soybean fields; to gain a better understanding of plant mechanisms that contribute to resistance.

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Study co-first author Alayna Mead, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, stands among Torrey pine trees in southern California. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Jun 03, 2025

Isolated Torrey pine populations yield insights into genetic diversity

Researchers find a few genes that allowed trees from insular populations to adapt to local conditions may inhibit their adjustment long term to a new location.

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New York City is heating up, and East Elmhurst is feeling it. With an Outdoor Heat Exposure Index (OHEI) of 3.8, this Queens neighborhood faces medium-high heat risk due to elevated surface temperatures, low tree canopy and limited cool roofs. East Elmhurst ranks above both the NYC and Queens averages in heat exposure. Credit: Travis Flohr. All Rights Reserved.

May 20, 2025

Urban heat portal aims to tackle rising temperatures, protect at-risk residents

As heat and associated risks intensify in cities around the world, a new tool developed by researchers in the College of Arts and Architecture’s Stuckeman School at Penn State and the Department of Urban Policy at Hunter College aims to shed light on how rising temperatures affect New York City’s neighborhoods — and what can be done to protect the most vulnerable communities.

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The findings may have implications for policymakers hoping to make these conservation programs more impactful, according to the researchers. Credit: Jon Flobrant/Unsplash. All Rights Reserved.

May 08, 2025

Some water conservation programs may get more value by targeting rural farms

Conservation programs aimed at boosting environmentally friendly practices by incentivizing farmers may get more bang for their buck by targeting rural farms rather than more urban ones, according to a study led by researchers at Penn State.

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This study is the first to scientifically document use of ghost pipe in North America, along with the growing influence of social media and the internet on how and why people are turning to ghost pipe as a medicinal plant. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Apr 25, 2025

Traditional forest medicinal plant ghost pipe used differently today

Driven by the internet and social media, consumption of a strange white plant known as ghost pipe is enjoying a resurgence — but with a twist.

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The researchers discuss the project in its early stages. From left are Aline Novaski Seffrin, doctoral candidate in plant science; Francesco Di Gioia, associate professor of vegetable crop science; and Chenchen Kang, a former post-doctoral scholar in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Feb 28, 2025

New computer vision system can guide specialty crops monitoring

The technology applies an internet of things and artificial intelligence to enhance controlled environment agriculture in advanced greenhouse scenario.

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Pennsylvania’s native bumble bee queens are particularly vulnerable to outside pressures, such as harsh winters, according to the researchers. Credit: Sandy Millar/Unsplash. All Rights Reserved.

Feb 26, 2025

The complex effects of pesticide exposure on bumble bee health

The effects of pesticide exposure on pollinator health may be more complicated than originally thought, according to a team of researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences who recently published an article on the topic in Biology Letters.

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PlantVillage, a Penn State-based research lab, is working with smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia and the Americas to adapt to climate-related challenges. To guide its expansion and commercial efforts, PlantVillage participated in the Invent Penn State NSF I-Corps regional short course, which helps researchers start on the path toward commercializing their innovations. Credit: Katie DeFiore / Penn State. Creative Commons

Jan 14, 2025

PlantVillage empowers farmers around the world to combat climate change

UN-supported Penn State research-based non-profit expands into for-profit sector with help from Invent Penn State NSF I-Corps programming

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