Ecosystems research
Ecosystems research
Ecosystems are the foundation of life on Earth. They sustain biodiversity, regulate essential processes, and provide critical services, including the provision of food and water, climate stability, pollution removal, and a vast range of cultural needs.
Yet, these systems increasingly face unprecedented threats from climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, and overexploitation.
Stay up to date on ecosystems research from PLOS
Ecosystems are the foundation of life on Earth. They sustain biodiversity, regulate essential processes, and provide critical services, including the provision of food and water, climate stability, pollution removal, and a vast range of cultural needs.
Yet, these systems increasingly face unprecedented threats from climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, and overexploitation.
Stay up to date on ecosystems research from PLOS
Leading ecosystems research with global impact
PLOS journals bring together cutting-edge research that addresses ecosystem challenges across local and global scales. Our researchers examine biotic and abiotic interactions, track responses to global change, uncover resilience mechanisms, and design strategies for sustainable management.
By bridging natural and social sciences and collaborating with policymakers, resource managers, and communities, they help ensure findings move from insight to action.
Sharing knowledge to drive real-world solutions
At PLOS, we champion open science in ecosystem research. By removing barriers to access and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we accelerate discovery and amplify impact.
The following articles showcase ecosystem research that informs conservation, supports communities, and guides global sustainability efforts.
Explore the latest insights and help shape the future of ecosystems research.
Research spotlights
As a leading publisher in the field, these articles showcase research that has influenced academia, industry and/or policy.
Aboveground and belowground biodiversity have complementary effects on ecosystem functions across global grasslands
Plant and soil microbial diversity work hand in hand to keep grasslands healthy. This global study reveals how their combined influence drives productivity and nutrient storage, with shifting roles under different climates, offering vital insights for conserving resilient ecosystems in a drying world.
PLOS Biology
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Continuing recovery of wolves in Europe
Wolves are making a remarkable comeback across Europe despite human pressures and land-use changes. This study documents population growth, highlights policy and management challenges, and explores ways humans and wolves can coexist sustainably.
PLOS Sustainability and Transformation
Insecticides, more than herbicides, land use, and climate, are associated with declines in butterfly species richness and abundance in the American Midwest
This large-scale study shows that insecticides, especially neonicotinoid-treated seeds, are the main driver of butterfly declines in the US Midwest. It highlights how multiple environmental pressures interact and underscores the urgent need for integrated conservation strategies.
PLOS One
Ecosystems research topics
PLOS publishes research across a broad range of topics. Take a look at the latest work in your field.
Read the latest research developments in your field
Our commitment to open science means others can build on PLOS ecosystems research to advance the field. Discover selected popular ecosystems research below:
Shallow seamounts create hotspots for sharks, tuna, and seabirds, acting as oases in the open ocean. This study reveals how these features support predator diversity and biomass, offering new insights for marine reserve design and conservation planning.
PLOS Biology
Browning events in Arctic ecosystems: Diverse causes with common consequences
Arctic “browning” events reduce plant biomass and disrupt ecosystem productivity, but many areas recover within a few years. This review examines evidence on different types of browning events, revealing patterns that help predict future ecosystem responses under climate change.
PLOS Climate
Cover crops support the climate change mitigation potential of agroecosystems
Planting cover crops in maize fields reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health. The study quantifies the climate benefits and highlights how integrating cover crops into farming systems can contribute to large-scale agricultural sustainability.
PLOS One
Sea otter recovery buffers century-scale declines in California kelp forests
Sea otter populations help reverse long-term declines in California kelp forests, influencing ecosystem structure and resilience. By linking historical and contemporary data, this research highlights how keystone species shape ecosystem recovery and inform restoration strategies.
PLOS Climate
Ecological economics combines environmental limits, fair resource distribution, and social justice to guide sustainable development. This paper explains core concepts and debates, showing how the field can influence policy and tackle pressing global challenges.
PLOS Climate
Researchers integrated ecological, social, and health perspectives to study the Nechako Watershed. Their work maps climate and land-use impacts, highlights key species, and identifies opportunities for cross-disciplinary solutions to protect this vital river system.
PLOS Water
Illegal dumping threatens Grenada’s coasts and waterways, with plastics and construction debris most common. This study maps waste patterns and identifies community-level solutions, offering actionable insights for regional environmental management.
PLOS Water
Browse the full PLOS portfolio of open access ecosystems articles
43,620 authors from 197 countries chose PLOS to publish their ecosystem research*
Reaching a global audience, this research has received over 23,343 news and blog mentions^
Research in this field has been cited 76,833 times after authors published in a PLOS journal*
Related ecosystem research collections
Covering a connected body of work and evaluated by leading experts in their respective fields, our collections make it easier to delve deeper into specific research topics from across the breadth of the PLOS portfolio.
Check out our highlighted PLOS research collections:
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Related journals in ecosystems research
We provide a platform for ecosystems research across various PLOS journals, allowing interdisciplinary researchers to explore ecosystems research at all preclinical, translational and clinical research stages.
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*Data source: Web of Science. © Copyright Clarivate 2025 | January 2020 – September 2025
^Data source: Altmetric.com | January 2024 – September 2025