151 Items Tagged

Ecology

Home sweet home?

Snails, Leeches, and Other Critters Are Right at Home on River Trash

Garbage doesn't belong in water, but in some of Britain's urban areas, it makes for a surprising habitat.

Jessica Leigh Hester February 11, 2021

Ernie's training culminated with a parking-lot demonstration of sniffing prowess.

The Milwaukee Dogs That Learned to Sniff Out New Zealand Mud Snails

In a Wisconsin basement, two Labradors learned to detect tiny aquatic hitchhikers.

Ashley Stimpson January 11, 2021

Mantas gliding by a shore covered by <em>Pisonia</em>, a native flowering plant species in the Palmyra Atoll.

To Restore Remote Palmyra Atoll, Getting Rid of Rats Was Just the First Step

Researchers are now focused on the coconut palms, to make the atoll more friendly to seabirds.

Luna Shyr December 7, 2020

Not good at all.

For Wildlife, Disposable PPE Is Far From Protective

It may take years—even decades—to fully understand the impact of disposable masks and gloves on the environment.

Jessica Leigh Hester October 2, 2020

Pine cones lie strewn on the floor of a ponderosa pine forest in New Mexico, nearly three decades after fire moved through the area and scarred the tree in the foreground.

The Climate Isn't Just Worsening Wildfires, It Can Hobble Forests' Ability to Recover

"What we’re most concerned about is things can still get worse.”

Luna Shyr September 24, 2020

This intrepid individual was the first khulan to set foot on the eastern steppe since 1955.

After 65 Years, a Wild Ass Is Back in Eastern Mongolia

Khulan have been on the wrong side of the tracks for far too long.

Isaac Schultz June 17, 2020

There are billions and billions of galaxies out there, beyond our own.

How to Help Scientists Without Leaving Home

Gaze out the window or at your computer, in the name of data.

Jessica Leigh Hester March 25, 2020

This individual remains unidentified, because the algorithm that researchers used couldn't pick up the spots from this angle.

Scientists Want You to Photograph This Curious, Enigmatic Giant

Keep an eye out for the giant sea bass's spots.

Jessica Leigh Hester March 18, 2020

Vía Verde Vertical Gardens

Mexico City, Mexico

Vía Verde Vertical Gardens

The extremely grey columns of one of Mexico City's most iconic beltways are slowly gaining a bit of color.

You can't easily spot the poop in the soupy green water, but it's definitely down there.

Pablo Escobar’s Hippo Herd Is Treating Colombia's Lakes Like One Big Toilet

They're thriving, pooping, and fouling up the water around the drug lord's former estate.

Jessica Leigh Hester February 12, 2020

Firefly populations seem to be flickering in many spots around the world. The insects are pictured here in the Santuario de las Luciernagas, in Tlaxcala, Mexico, in 2017.

The 21st Century Might Not Be So Magical for Fireflies

Experts are flashing a warning for the future.

Jessica Leigh Hester February 4, 2020

Japan's charismatic raccoon dogs are back in business. Only wild boars are appearing in greater numbers.

9 Years Later, Furry Friends—and Foes—Are Returning to Fukushima

Few of them seem to miss the missing humans.

Isaac Schultz January 21, 2020

Hungry?

Air-Dropped Carrots Might Be a Temporary Answer to a Threatened Wallaby's Prayers

After devastating Australian bushfires, root vegetables could help the brush-tailed rock-wallaby hang on.

Jessica Leigh Hester January 16, 2020

Invasive blue catfish only have one known predator: humans.

Invasive Catfish Are Rewriting Chesapeake Bay Cuisine

An unloved invader has found its way onto menus across the region.

Luke Fater January 9, 2020

It's hard to picture Joshua Tree without its goofy namesakes, but they're in trouble.

The Art and Science of Falling in Love With Joshua Trees

"HeyJTree" is built like a dating site, but it matches readers with the charismatic, threatened plants.

Jessica Leigh Hester December 26, 2019

At Marina Beach in Chennai, visitors waded into the foam.

How Frothy Waves of Sea Foam Coated the Coast of Chennai

Don't play in the bubbles.

Jessica Leigh Hester December 5, 2019

Welcome back to England, buddy!

On an English Estate, Reintroduced Beavers Might Make a Damn Difference

These ecosystem engineers have a good track record in helping restore wetlands.

Jessica Leigh Hester December 5, 2019

Guardian of Eden outside NMA

Guardian of Eden

This 18-foot-tall steel lotus is a meditation on ecological crisis that originally appeared at Burning Man.