How we measure biodiversity can have profound impacts on land-use
The world's human population is expanding, which means even more agricultural land will be needed to provide food for this growing population. However, choosing which areas to convert is difficult and depends on agricultural and environmental priorit.....»»
Protecting just 0.7% of world"s land could help save a third of unique and endangered species
Conservation efforts directed towards just 0.7% of the world's land mass could help protect one third of the world's threatened and unique tetrapod (four-limbed vertebrate) species, new research by Imperial College London, On the Edge, and ZSL has sh.....»»
Unlocking oceanic mysteries: Satellites shed light on aerosol layer height
Aerosol layer height (ALH) is a key parameter for assessing aerosol impacts on weather, climate, and atmospheric correction. Accurate ALH retrieval improves the understanding of aerosol-cloud interactions and aids in surface air quality monitoring......»»
Eclipses create atmospheric gravity waves, student teams confirm
Student teams from three U.S. universities became the first to measure what scientists have long predicted: eclipses can generate ripples in Earth's atmosphere called atmospheric gravity waves. The waves' telltale signature emerged in data captured d.....»»
Conservative governments protect more land while socialists and nationalists label more species as "threatened"
The dire state of biodiversity across the globe suggests that not all governments are willing to act decisively to protect nature. Why is that the case, and is a country's political ideology a factor?.....»»
Healthier, happier, fairer: New research shows major life benefits from decarbonizing transport
With walking and cycling funding halved in the government's recently released National Land Transport Programme, and a weaker transport emissions reduction plan, the potential health benefits of a low-carbon transport system have hit a real speed bum.....»»
For decades, we"ve been told 80% of the world"s biodiversity is found on Indigenous lands—but it"s wrong
Everyday people understandably rely on information quoted by scientists. But when that information turns out to be incorrect, things get complicated......»»
The ecological impact of herbivore dung on plant communities
Xingzhao Sun of the research group Wildness, biodiversity and ecosystems under change of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) explored the complex ecological interactions between herbivore dung and plant communities, providing new insights into the r.....»»
Soil pollution surpasses climate change as top threat to underground biodiversity, study finds
Earthworms, insects and mites are all at risk from soil pollution, and scientists are worried that we know very little about the damage it's causing......»»
Plankton mark seasons in the sea, just like leaves and flowers on land
Britain's seas are rich in wildlife, but many of its species can only be seen with a microscope. These are the plankton—tiny algae and animals found throughout the ocean that are the foundation of the entire marine food web......»»
Recreated 1870s railway photos reveal profound changes to Kansas and Colorado plains
A new book chronicling transformation on the plains of Kansas and western Colorado uses repeat photography—contemporary re-creations of 1870s photos—to reveal startling changes to the landscape......»»
Examining experiences of the pandemic requires a more critical eye, says researcher
The coronavirus pandemic was, in many ways, a unique period whose impacts are still being seen and felt today. The effects of the pandemic live on in people's memories, fears, hopes, and bodies......»»
Organic farms can double plant diversity—but only with time
It takes a long time, up to several decades, before the benefits of organic farming take full effect on land that was previously cultivated conventionally, a new study from Lund University suggests. After thirty years, the plant species richness arou.....»»
Engineers smash rocks to see what occurs when top layer of an asteroid-like object is hit with extreme external force
Johns Hopkins engineers have uncovered new details about how granular materials such as sand and rock behave under extreme impacts—findings that could someday help protect the Earth from dangerous asteroids......»»
Healthy soils are good for your gut, brain and well-being, researcher says
Often overlooked, soil is one of our planet's largest living ecosystems and the foundation of our lives. It provides 95% of our food, supports global biodiversity and helps balance the climate by storing atmospheric carbon......»»
The New Glenn rocket’s second stage set to roll to the launch pad on Monday
The large rocket will attempt to land on its debut flight. Enlarge / Image of the New Glenn second stage on its mobile test stand. (credit: Blue Origin) Blue Origin plans to enter the final phase of its launch preparati.....»»
Curbing toxic metals in spinach and rice crops grown for baby food
Rice and spinach are staples for babies' and young children's diets, but toxic metals and metalloids found in those foods can cause severe health impacts......»»
Understanding how human activity impacts zooplankton is essential for managing and protecting lakewater
Freshwater ecosystems are impacted by human activities, including climate change, pollution and invasive species......»»
Scientists Plan ‘Doomsday’ Vault on Moon
Climate change is threatening Earth’s biodiversity. Could frozen regions of the moon be the best place to “back up” life-forms?.....»»
Biodiversity loss: Many students of environment-related subjects are partly unaware of the causes
As far as the causes of global biodiversity loss are concerned, there are evidently perception gaps among students of environment-related subjects worldwide, as a survey conducted by Goethe University Frankfurt with more than 4,000 students from 37 c.....»»
How a salt giant radically reshaped Mediterranean marine biodiversity
A new study paves the way to understanding biotic recovery after an ecological crisis in the Mediterranean Sea about 5.5 million years ago. An international team led by Konstantina Agiadi from the University of Vienna has now been able to quantify ho.....»»