Alien invasion: Non-native earthworms threaten ecosystems
An alien invasion capable of triggering catastrophic changes is underway across North America. At least 70 imported earthworm species have colonized the continent, and represent a largely overlooked threat to native ecosystems, according to a new stu.....»»
New research sheds light on relationships between plants and insects in forest ecosystems
U.S. Forest Service researchers and partners published new findings on how leaf-eating insects affect forest ecosystems worldwide......»»
Coinfecting viruses obstruct each other"s cell invasion
The process by which phages—viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria—enter cells has been studied for over 50 years. In a new study, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Texas A&M University have used cutting-.....»»
Wildfires in Colorado burn dozens of homes and structures, threaten hundreds more
A wildfire burning in Colorado's heavily populated Front Range region has burned dozens of homes and outbuildings, while a second fire crept within a quarter-mile of evacuated homes near Denver on Thursday......»»
Even more expensive coffee prices are brewing, but there are some good reasons why
What's going on in the coffee industry? Roasters and cafe operators are faced with rising costs that, when passed onto consumers, threaten to bring to a shuddering halt almost 30 years of continuous, at times dizzying growth......»»
Restoring logged forests doesn"t mean locking them up as "wilderness"—it means actively managing them
On January 1 this year, the commercial logging of native forests ended in Victoria and Western Australia. It was one of the most significant changes in the history of forest management in Australia......»»
Atmospheric rivers shape long-term changes in Arctic moisture variability
Recent decades have seen rapid warming in the Arctic, known as Arctic amplification, which has impacted the Arctic's cryosphere and ecosystems and influenced global weather and climate through changes in atmospheric circulation......»»
Invasive insect herbivore alters ecosystem services delivered by cycads
A study published in the June 2024 issue of the journal Pedosphere looks at how a non-native armored scale insect alters the leaf litter decomposition dynamics of the novel host cycad species on newly invaded islands. The scale insect, known as cycad.....»»
The Purple Track at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games Has a Secret Ingredient
Recycled shells of mollusks native to the Mediterranean Sea were used to manufacture the synthetic floor of the athletics track, as part of the Games’ commitment to sustainability......»»
New method detects environmentally unfriendly chemicals
Substances called polyethylene glycols, or PEGs, are widely used in industry, medical, cosmetics and personal care products. The problem is, when they enter the environment and build up, they can harm ecosystems and natural resources......»»
Scientists identify the predictability limit of oceanic mesoscale eddy tracks in the South China Sea
Oceanic mesoscale eddies (OMEs) are swirling water structures that play a crucial role in ocean dynamics. These eddies transport heat, salt, nutrients, and other materials across the ocean, significantly influencing marine ecosystems and global clima.....»»
Research shows that brown treesnakes frequently kill prey too large to swallow
Brown treesnakes are not indigenous to Guam. The species arrived shortly after World War II, perhaps aboard shipping vessels. Since then, they have caused the local or total extinction of most native forest bird species......»»
Q&A: Why wildfires don"t just burn, but can also pollute aquatic ecosystems
Last week, wildfires blazed across western Canada, turning the town of Jasper, located near Alberta's Jasper National Park, into ashes. The local government estimated that the fire damaged or destroyed up to half of the town's structures......»»
Endangered gazelles find Libyan "safe haven"
Cocooned in white bags and nestled in the arms of volunteers, eight young rhim gazelles—an endangered species native to North Africa—have been transferred to an uninhabited Libyan island......»»
Rare rodent prefers an invasive noxious weed over native vegetation, study finds
In a twist to the native animal survival story, new research shows that a threatened rodent that only survives on offshore islands prefers one of Australia's most invasive weeds for food and shelter......»»
Non-native species are threatening vulnerable Svalbard plant life, study warns
New, non-native plant species are constantly being found in Svalbard, and researchers are working to ascertain what threat these species pose to the native plants......»»
Inspired by cicada wings, researchers study the insects" antimicrobial properties to develop antibacterial surfaces
Trillions of periodical cicadas—several species of the genus Magicicada that emerge every 13 or 17 years—broke soil across the Eastern U.S. this summer. News outlets likened the event to Armageddon, an apocalypse or an invasion. But what about us.....»»
Net effects of man-made nitrogen attenuate global warming, researchers find
Nitrogen fertilizers and nitrogen oxides from fossil fuels are known for their environmental damage: they pollute the air and drinking water, lead to over-fertilization of water and land ecosystems, reduce biodiversity and damage the ozone layer......»»
How biodiversity is changing in one of the world"s most productive ocean ecosystems
In research published in Global Change Biology, investigators have examined DNA within ocean bottom sediment cores to assess changes in living organisms within one of the world's most productive marine ecosystems: the Atacama Trench in the eastern Pa.....»»
Counter-drug strategies in Central America are worsening deforestation, threatening many species of birds
Activities associated with cocaine trafficking threaten two-thirds of the most important landscapes in Central America for 196 forest bird species, including 67 migratory species. This is the key takeaway from a study that colleagues and I published.....»»
Why the stinky durian really is the "king of all fruits"
There's little else in the food world that brings about as much social turbulence as the durian. This so-called "king of all fruits" is considered a delicacy across its native Southeast Asia, where durian season is currently in full swing......»»