The ocean is 71% of Earth’s surface, moderates our climate and feeds billions of us yet it is in trouble. Overfishing, plastic pollution and rising temperatures are driving marine ecosystems to the brink. The onus falls on the next month’s U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, France, to be a turning point where all nations look these crises in ...
Beneath the shimmering waters of Florida’s Nature Coast lies an ecological treasure one of the last thriving seagrass meadows in the world. While these underwater prairies have vanished at alarming rates globally, a new study reveals that Florida’s northern Gulf Coast has quietly preserved its seagrass ecosystems for thousands of years. Using an unconventional approach ...
When one recent study hinted that trees could “converse” with one another in expectation of a solar eclipse, headlines flashed with the exciting prospect of plant communication. The research, published in Royal Society Open Science, said spruce trees in Italy’s Dolomite mountains had synchronized bioelectric activity hours in advance of a partial solar eclipse bordering ...
The concept of a fungus transforming people into zombie mind slaves, as seen in The Last of Us, is currently firmly in the world of fantasy. But the premise of the show is not entirely unrealistic. In the real world, fungal infections are becoming increasingly dangerous, with climate change increasing their reach and drug-resistant strains ...
Ecosystem restoration is an essential practice aimed at reversing the degradation of ecosystems, recovering their ecological functionality, and enhancing biodiversity. This type of work is critical in mitigating climate change impacts, supporting wildlife, and securing natural resources for future generations. Let us explore eight transformative ecosystem restoration projects from around the world that are making ...
For decades, oyster reefs were considered relics of the past lost victims of overharvesting, pollution, and coastal development. But in a breathtaking find, scientists have revealed extensive, living oyster reefs running along Australia’s tropical north, some covering as much as five hectares and comparable to football fields in size. These reefs, concealed in plain sight, ...
The mysterious depths of Earth’s oceans hold some of the most elusive and least understood ecosystems on our planet. These deep-sea environments, shrouded in darkness, are home to a plethora of unique and bizarre creatures, many of which are still unknown to science. Despite the challenges of exploration, technological advancements are progressively unveiling the secrets ...
Coral reefs are often dubbed the “rainforests of the sea” due to their high biodiversity and complex ecosystems. These underwater structures, primarily built from calcium carbonate secreted by corals, provide a vital habitat for a plethora of marine species. As vibrant and dynamic ecosystems, coral reefs are not just beautiful underwater landscapes; they are crucial ...
First the forest seems quieter, then the grass grows taller, and finally the rules of life itself begin to warp. When apex predators disappear, the change often hides in plain sight – more deer at the roadside, fewer songbirds in a shrinking thicket, a coastline stripped to rock by sea urchins. Scientists have a ...
Imagine a world where nature’s ultimate hunters simply disappear. You might think removing a few large predators wouldn’t matter much in the grand scheme of things. After all, there are so many other animals and plants in an ecosystem, right? The reality is far more dramatic than you might expect. their natural habitats, they trigger ...
