Articles for author: Maria Faith Saligumba

school of fish beside coral

The Relationship Between Global Warming and Coral Bleaching

Coral reefs are often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea” due to their immense biodiversity. These underwater ecosystems are built by tiny animals called coral polyps, which form symbiotic relationships with algae known as zooxanthellae. The algae are crucial for coral health, providing nutrients through photosynthesis. Coral reefs not only support a wide ...

skeletonizing leaf beetle from Java

The Flesh-Eating Beetles Used to Clean Skeletons in Museums

Imagine stepping behind the velvet ropes of a natural history museum, into a private back room where the secrets of preservation are kept. Here, you won’t find old brushes or harsh chemicals—what you’ll discover is far more alive and astonishing. In rows of glass tanks and plastic boxes, an army of flesh-eating beetles is hard ...

Liquid being transferred to a small vial using a dropper.

The Use of Wildlife Monitoring to Track Health and Disease in Animal Populations

Wildlife monitoring is a vital component in understanding and preserving biodiversity. It involves the systematic observation and recording of animal populations and environmental conditions to assess the health and status of wildlife. With concerns about biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and climate change rising, wildlife monitoring serves as an essential tool for researchers, conservationists, and policymakers ...

The bogs

Ireland’s Bogs Preserve Dead Bodies… and Also Really Weird Spoons

It’s almost impossible to believe, but beneath the misty, windswept surface of Ireland’s bogs lies a hidden world where history sleeps undisturbed—sometimes for thousands of years. These marshy landscapes are more than just wild, hauntingly beautiful places; they are time capsules, holding secrets of ancient lives, deaths, and daily rituals. Imagine a place where human ...

Data being tracked through a monitor.

How AI and Big Data Are Revolutionizing Wildlife Conservation Efforts

In recent years, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data has emerged as a transformative force in wildlife conservation efforts. As our planet faces unprecedented biodiversity loss, with an estimated one million species at risk of extinction, innovative solutions are needed more than ever. AI and big data technologies are providing conservationists with ...

Forest of old black walnut trees

The Tree That Poisons Its Neighbors to Steal the Sun

Imagine walking through a lush forest, where the sunlight dances through the leaves, painting golden patches on the earth below. But look closer—beneath the towering branches, a silent war is raging. One tree, seemingly regal and serene, is secretly plotting against its neighbors. It releases invisible toxins, sabotaging those who dare grow too close, all ...

The Dangerous Cassowary

New Zealand’s Moa Were Nine Feet Tall and Definitely Not Chill

Imagine walking through the dense, misty forests of New Zealand, only to come face-to-knee with a bird taller than most basketball players. The moa, a giant flightless bird that once roamed Aotearoa’s wild landscapes, was every bit as imposing as it sounds. Towering up to nine feet tall, these prehistoric giants weren’t just interesting oddities—they ...

Elephant mastodon

Animal Parents The Most Amazing Ways Animals Care for Their Young

In the diverse world of the animal kingdom, parental care varies greatly, from species that offer no support to their offspring to those that partake in astonishing acts of care and protection. The strategies employed by animal parents are as fascinating as the creatures themselves and demonstrate evolutionary adaptations that enhance the survival of their ...