Articles for category: Ecology

The Economics of Catastrophic Flooding

Could Megafloods Return to North America?

Jan Otte

The specter of truly catastrophic flooding has been haunting scientists across North America as our climate continues to shift in unprecedented ways. From California’s Central Valley turning into an inland sea to entire coastal communities in the Pacific Northwest being swallowed by rising waters, the question isn’t if megafloods will return, but when they’ll strike ...

brown and black frog on brown soil

How Scientists Are Fighting Invasive Species Without Harming Native Wildlife

Trizzy Orozco

In the battle against invasive species, scientists are engaged in an ongoing struggle to protect native ecosystems without causing additional harm. These unwelcome invaders can dramatically alter habitats, outcompete native species for resources, and disrupt the delicate balance of our natural environments. As the need for sustainable and effective solutions grows, researchers have developed innovative ...

Pride flag in nature.

Queer Ecologists and the Future of Conservation Leadership

Trizzy Orozco

Have you ever wondered who’s really steering the future of our planet’s wild places? Imagine this: deep in a rainforest, a scientist with rainbow pins on their hat is brushing aside leaves, searching for a rare frog. In a boardroom, a conservation director confidently introduces herself and her wife before sharing a plan to save ...

The Sahara Desert Was Once a Lush Wetland — And Might Be Again

Annette Uy

Picture this: You’re standing in what is now the world’s largest hot desert, but instead of endless dunes and scorching sun, you’re surrounded by vast grasslands swaying in a gentle breeze. Hippos splash in crystal-clear lakes, elephants trumpet as they move across the savannah, and ancient hunters track giraffes through acacia forests. This isn’t science ...

Why Thunderstorms Are Becoming More Intense Worldwide

Why Thunderstorms Are Becoming More Intense Worldwide

Andrew Alpin

The air feels different these days when storm clouds roll in. There’s something more electric, more ominous about the rumbling darkness overhead. You might think you’re imagining things, but scientists have been tracking this shift for years now. Our thunderstorms aren’t just getting more frequent – they’re becoming powerhouses of destruction that would make previous ...

Kudzu: The Vine That Ate the South

The Kudzu That Ate the South: How a Vine Became an Ecological Nightmare

Trizzy Orozco

A green curtain drapes the American South, swallowing trees, swallowing houses, sometimes even swallowing whole memories of what once stood there. People have called it “the vine that ate the South,” and if you’ve ever driven a backroad through Georgia or Alabama, you’ve seen its leafy arms stretching over telephone poles and abandoned tractors. But ...

The tenerife el Teide landscape.

The Canary Islands Volcanic Ecosystems Studying Life in One of Europes Most Extreme Environments

Maria Faith Saligumba

The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, are renowned for their stunning landscapes, dynamic climates, and rich biological diversity. However, beneath their scenic beauty lies a geological foundation created by volcanic activity, shaping these islands into some of Europe’s most extreme environments. This article explores the unique volcanic ecosystems ...

Mount Kilimanjaro

Frozen in Time: The Prehistoric Plants Thriving on Kilimanjaro’s Slopes

Trizzy Orozco

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time—to touch something ancient, something that survived ice ages, volcanic eruptions, and the relentless march of evolution? On the misty, wind-swept slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, some of the world’s most extraordinary botanical survivors flourish. These prehistoric plants look as if they belong ...