Articles for category: Ecology, Marine Biology

A satellite orbiting above Earth with a view of land and ocean.

How Space Telescopes Help Us Study Earths Biodiversity from Above

Space telescopes are often associated with exploring distant galaxies, stars, and the mysteries of the universe. However, their utility stretches beyond the cosmic to offer valuable insights into Earth’s own systems. By capturing data from above, space telescopes play a crucial role in studying and understanding the complex tapestry of life on our planet. This ...

New York’s Fossil Forest: When Manhattan Had Tropical Trees and No Rent

Annette Uy

Long before the city’s iconic skyline pierced the clouds and yellow taxis zipped through bustling streets, Manhattan was a world entirely unrecognizable to us—a place where ancient trees soared, giant ferns unfurled in the humid air, and not a single soul worried about rent. Imagine a New York so lush, so wild, that crocodile-like creatures ...

Intestinal bacteria. Microbiome.

How Microbiomes in Wild Animals Are Influencing Evolutionary Research

The study of microbiomes—the complex communities of microorganisms living in and on organisms—has rapidly advanced over the last decade, transforming our understanding of health and disease in humans. However, a burgeoning area of research is now extending the exploration of microbiomes into the wild, examining how they influence the evolutionary trajectories of different animal species. ...

Close-up profile of a Cape buffalo.

Evolutionary Arms Races How Animals Compete and Coevolve for Survival

In the grand theater of nature, evolutionary arms races depict an ongoing struggle between competing species, each striving to outwit and outmaneuver the other in their quest for survival. This dynamic process results from natural selection, driving species to develop adaptations and counter-adaptations in a relentless cycle. This article explores the fascinating world of evolutionary ...

Beaver Pond Icing Up.

The Town With No Roads: Life in America’s Most Isolated Village

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine stepping into a place where cars are strangers, highways are myths, and silence is only broken by the whisper of wind through ancient forests. In a world obsessed with speed, convenience, and constant connection, there exists an American village so remote, so untouched, that no paved road dares to reach it. Here, time seems ...

Aerial view of the Amazon Rainforest.

The Amazon Rainforest: A Biodiversity Hotspot in Danger

Trizzy Orozco

The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” is an enormous tropical rainforest spanning over 5.5 million square kilometers across nine countries in South America. It plays a crucial role in the global ecosystem, contributing significantly to the planet’s oxygen supply and carbon dioxide absorption. However, its immense biodiversity and ecological ...

The Mountain That Grows — Yes, Actually Grows — Every Year

The Mountain That Grows — Yes, Actually Grows — Every Year

Annette Uy

Imagine a colossal mountain, ancient and imposing, not content to remain frozen in time. Instead, it pushes skyward inch by inch, year after year, defying the odds and rewriting what we think we know about the natural world. While most mountains are slowly worn down by wind, water, and ice, there are rare giants on ...