Articles for category: Ecology, Plants

Purple Sea Urchin, strongylocentrotus purpuratus, California

Why Is Purple So Rare in Nature—and Why Did Royalty Love It?

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine walking through a field of wildflowers on a bright spring day. Reds, yellows, and blues jump out at you, painting the landscape in bursts of color. But where is the purple? You might spot a violet here or a lavender there, but compared to the riot of other hues, purple seems almost like a ...

Antarctic Moss.

How Antarctic Moss Can Survive Being Frozen for 1,500 Years

Trizzy Orozco

The icy expanses of Antarctica are home to some of the most resilient life forms on Earth. Among these tenacious organisms, Antarctic moss stands out as a remarkable survivor. Imagine a plant that can endure the harshest climates, lying dormant under layers of ice for centuries, only to spring back to life when the conditions ...

Mycelium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with false color.

How Plants Secretly Communicate Through Underground Fungal Networks

Trizzy Orozco

Beneath our feet lies a bustling communication network, more intricate than any human-made system. This network, often called the “Wood Wide Web,” connects plants through miles of underground fungal threads. It’s a world that remains hidden from the naked eye yet plays a crucial role in the survival and thriving of plant ecosystems. The concept ...

The roots of a mangrove tree.

Mangrove Restoration Efforts in Singapore: Reviving Coastal Ecosystems

Trizzy Orozco

Singapore, a bustling metropolis famed for its urban landscape, harbors a lesser-known natural treasure: mangroves. These coastal ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, protecting shorelines, and mitigating climate change. However, like many natural habitats, they face threats from urbanization and environmental changes. The island-nation has embarked on an inspiring journey to restore these ...

The Science Behind Glowing Forests and Bioluminescent Fungi

The Science Behind Glowing Forests and Bioluminescent Fungi

Gargi Chakravorty

Picture yourself wandering through a dense forest on a moonless night. The darkness surrounds you like a thick blanket, yet suddenly your eyes catch glimpses of an ethereal greenish glow emanating from fallen logs and tree trunks. You might think you’re witnessing something supernatural, but you’ve actually stumbled upon one of nature’s most mysterious phenomena. ...

How Desert Plants Survive with Almost No Water - The Science of Adaptation

How Desert Plants Survive with Almost No Water – The Science of Adaptation

Jan Otte

Life in the desert seems impossible to most of us. Yet across the world’s harshest landscapes, remarkable plants not only survive but thrive in conditions that would quickly kill ordinary vegetation. These botanical survivors have developed some of the most ingenious water conservation strategies found anywhere in nature. Understanding how desert plants achieve this extraordinary ...