How a butterfly tree becomes a web
Evolution is often portrayed as a tree, with new species branching off from existing lineages, never again to meet. The truth however is often much messier. In the case of adaptive radiation, in which species diversify rapidly to fill different ecolo.....»»
Research suggests monarch butterflies may be in less danger than we think
The migratory monarch butterfly might not be as endangered as previously thought, according to a new study published in Current Biology......»»
Museum researchers enlist hundreds of home gardeners in fight to save the iconic monarch butterfly
On a suburban street with smooth lawns and trimmed bushes, Martha Chiplis' yard stands out. It's not just the wildflowers: purple wild petunia, golden lanceleaf coreopsis, hot-pink Bush's poppy mallow. It's the lemon-yellow goldfinches that snack on.....»»
Tree mortality in the Black Forest on the rise, climate change is key driver: Study
Climate impacts such as dry, hot summers reduce the growth and increase the mortality of trees in the Black Forest because they negatively influence the climatic water balance, i.e., the difference between precipitation and potential evapotranspirati.....»»
Long wait nearly over for Psyche asteroid probe"s Space Coast launch
Just off a tree-covered side road past businesses selling boats and fishing gear sits a fenced-off building that's home to a $700 million satellite nearly ready for launch. Its mission: To study the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, which scientists suspec.....»»
Without climate action, property values will take a hit from escalating wildfire risk and tree mortality, study finds
Earth's rapidly changing climate is taking an increasingly heavy toll on landscapes around the world in the form of floods, rising sea levels, extreme weather, drought and wildfire......»»
New leaf-tailed gecko from Madagascar is a master of disguise
Leaf-tailed geckos are masters of camouflage. Some species have skin flaps around the whole body and head, as well as flattened tails. During the day, they rest head-down on tree trunks with these skin flaps spread out, and blend seamlessly into thei.....»»
Study provides insight to early establishment of agroforestry systems in tropical areas
Land use change is one of the greatest threats to soil biodiversity and ecological functions. Tropical deforestation to establish monoculture cash tree plantations poses the greatest threat to biodiversity. However, how such a transition affects soil.....»»
Biodiversity research and conservation efforts may be missing half the world"s species
Our understanding of the biodiversity on Earth is unbalanced and biased towards certain species within the Tree of Life, according to a new study......»»
Throwing shade: Model maps NYC street trees" cooling benefits
Cornell researchers' "leaf-level" visualization of every tree in New York City—and how much shade each provides—could inform new strategies for mitigating extreme heat there, and in other cities coping with record-breaking temperatures......»»
India was a tree planting laboratory for 200 years. Here are the results
Allowing forests to regenerate on their own has been championed as a strategy for reducing planet-heating carbon in the atmosphere while also boosting biodiversity, the benefits ecosystems offer and even the fruitfulness of livelihoods......»»
Biologists find what colors a butterfly"s world
As butterflies flit among flowers, they don't all view blossoms the same way. In a phenomenon called sexually dimorphic vision, females of some butterfly species perceive ultraviolet color while the males see light and dark. University of California,.....»»
Pacific wasp named as a new species more than a century after first being spotted
Improving our knowledge of the Samoan swallowtail butterfly, and the relationships it has with other species, is vital to stop the species from becoming extinct......»»
Ravaged by fire, Mojave Desert"s famed Joshua trees may be gone forever
A wildfire burning near the California-Nevada border has ravaged parts of the Mojave National Preserve's famed Joshua tree forests, and experts worry that the massive blaze will forever change the fragile desert ecosystem......»»
York fire in Mojave Desert along California-Nevada border balloons to 77,000 acres
A wildfire blazing along the Southern California-Nevada border, burning through delicate Joshua Tree forests, continued to swell Monday—becoming the state's largest of the fire season......»»
"Fire whirls" threaten Joshua tree desert in scorching US
A huge wildfire was raging out of control through the environmentally sensitive Mojave Desert on Monday, with "fire whirls" threatening the Joshua trees that are found almost entirely in the southwestern United States......»»
Prized 750-ton rain tree moved to new home—critics fear it won"t survive.
A majestic rain tree has lived through 100 years of nasty weather, surviving torrential flooding, fierce storms and powerful hurricanes. But some worry the landmark tree won't survive its latest test, a journey of 50 feet that moved it closer to the.....»»
Wildlife lovers urged to join UK"s annual butterfly count
Wildlife enthusiasts across Britain are being encouraged to log sightings of butterflies and some moths, as the world's largest annual survey of the increasingly endangered pollinating insects returns......»»
Home gardeners become accidental citizen scientists for Wollemi Pine
When the unusual branches of a tall tree were first noticed in a canyon northwest of Sydney in 1994, it sparked great excitement in the botanical world. The tree was new to science. It had very few living relatives and a lineage dating back millions.....»»
Getting to the root of the problem in tree digital twin models
Trees have immeasurable societal benefits. They provide wood, absorb carbon dioxide, and shelter animals and insects, but also provide shade and space for people to relax......»»
Aphids make tropical milkweed less inviting to monarch butterflies, study finds
Many gardeners will tell you that aphids are the bane of their existence. According to a new study from the University of Florida, these tiny pests also pose problems for the iconic monarch butterfly. The study found that when oleander aphids infeste.....»»