Protecting and regenerating tropical mangroves
Mangroves were once seen as inhospitable malarial swamps and were among the fastest disappearing habitats in the world. Now, with input from Bangor University, one community project in Kenya is working to restore mangroves in a project which benefits.....»»
Protecting polar bears is the aim of new and improved radar technology
Research testing new technology to more effectively locate polar bear dens across the Arctic is showing promising results. Researchers from Simon Fraser University and Brigham Young University (BYU), collaborating with Polar Bears International, hope.....»»
In 2020, 30% of the Pantanal was burned to cinders by wildfires
In 2020, the Pantanal, the largest tropical freshwater wetland in the world and a biodiversity hotspot, was swept by high-intensity fires that destroyed native vegetation in an area totaling 44,998 square kilometers, or about 30% of the Brazilian por.....»»
Why Scientists Are Bugging the Rainforest
Scientists use microphones and AI to automatically detect species by their chirps and croaks. This bioacoustics research could be critical for protecting ecosystems on a warming planet......»»
AI models identify biodiversity from animal sounds in tropical rainforests
Tropical forests are among the most important habitats on our planet. They are characterized by extremely high species diversity and play an eminent role in the global carbon cycle and the world climate. However, many tropical forest areas have been.....»»
Warming and habitat loss shrink pollinator numbers. That may hit coffee, cocoa crops hard in future
Changes in the climate and land use are combining to dramatically shrink the numbers of insects pollinating key tropical crops. As those problems interwine and intensify, it likely will hit coffee lovers right in the mug, according to a new study......»»
Scientists Argue Conservation Is under Threat in Indonesia
Researchers have been banned from working in Indonesia’s tropical rain forests after the government disagreed with their scientific conclusions......»»
Study investigates impact of extreme weather events on ocean circulation in tropical Pacific
The strength of the wind has an important influence on ocean circulation. This is particularly true for extreme events such as storm fronts, tropical storms and cyclones. These weather patterns, which last from a few days to a few weeks, will change.....»»
NY officials announce legislation aimed at protecting kids on social media
Two new bills meant to protect children's mental health online by changing the way they are served content on social media and by limiting companies' use of their data will be introduced in the New York state legislature, state and city leaders said.....»»
Scientists call for real-time analysis of tropical cyclones in the context of climate change
The need for quick and "real-time" forecasting of tropical cyclones is more necessary than ever given the impact of climate change on rainfall amounts. Two climate scientists who believe this take the notion further by suggesting a storyline case stu.....»»
Lidia leaves at least one dead in Mexico, weakens to storm
Hurricane Lidia was downgraded to a tropical storm early Wednesday as it weakened after making landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast, where it left at least one dead and caused flooding and blocked roads, officials said......»»
Newly-discovered "margarita snails" from the Florida Keys
The "Margaritaville" in Jimmy Buffett's famous song isn't a real place, but it's long been associated with the Florida Keys. This string of tropical islands is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US, along with many animals.....»»
Building environmental policy on America"s support for a clean environment
Listening to some politicos on the campaign trail, it's easy to assume that most Americans are against protecting the environment and that government should simply let the market regulate itself. For decades the Gallup poll has posed a question about.....»»
Study finds tropical ecosystems more reliant on emerging aquatic insects, potentially at greater risk
A team of researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Campinas in Brazil has found that tropical forest ecosystems are more reliant on aquatic insects than temperate forest ecosystems and are therefore more vulnerable to di.....»»
How phytochemical diversity affects herbivore damage in a tropical tree community
Recent advances in metabolomics are improving our understanding of the ecological impacts of plant chemical diversity. However, few studies have examined how phytochemical diversity affects herbivore damage at the community scale in tropical tree com.....»»
Models suggest interlinking rivers in India to meet water demand may adversely impact monsoon rainfall amounts
A team of civil engineers and meteorologists at the Indian Institute of Technology, working with colleagues from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the University of Hyderabad, has found, via modeling, that a plan to interlink rivers in.....»»
Are we dating the same guy? Online groups toe the line between protecting women and defaming men
Infidelity and deception have always been part of dating and relationships. Traditionally managed privately between the parties or through legal processes, these issues have recently been co-opted by online vigilante communities that shame daters—m.....»»
New research into pangolin genomics may aid in conservation efforts
A new paper in Molecular Biology and Evolution provides, for the first time, a comprehensive set of genomic resources for pangolins (sometimes known as scaly anteaters) that researchers believe will be integral for protecting these threatened mammals.....»»
"Invasion" of tropical birds known as limpkins reported in Illinois—invasive snails may be attractive food source
While on a recent visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden, Ann Harness spotted a creature she'd never seen before. The tall brown bird with a long bill looked like a cross between a rail and a heron......»»
Carbon-capture tree plantations threaten tropical biodiversity for little gain, ecologists say
The increasingly urgent climate crisis has led to a boom in commercial tree plantations in an attempt to offset excess carbon emissions. However, authors of an opinion paper published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution argue that these carb.....»»
Improved mangrove conservation could yield cash, carbon, coastal benefits
A shift in the way we think about the benefits mangroves provide to coastal regions could yield significant economic and biodiversity gains and protect millions from flooding, research has revealed......»»