Julia Bebout

Insect pollinators are in trouble, and many plants on farms or in the wild need them to be able to grow fruits and reproduce. With so much at stake for plants around the world, and the humans who depend on them, how can we stop the decline of insect pollinator populations? Urban gardens may have a role to play in supporting pollinators, especially if we plant flowers that provide a stable supply of nectar, their most important food.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

July 7, 2022 Julia Bebout

Buried Alive: How Plants Bounce Back from Volcanic Debris

When a volcano erupts, what happens to plants growing nearby? Some are buried by volcanic tephra, dust and rocks thrown into the air by the volcano. Amazingly, newly published results suggest that this might not kill the plant community under the debris.

Environmental Science

June 7, 2022 Julia Bebout

Predicting Wildfire Hazards: How It Works and Why It Matters

By using remote sensing at the Haard forest in Germany, researchers have shown that predicting wildfire hazards could be practical for large forests all around the world.

Ecosystems Environmental Science Remote Environments

May 7, 2022 Julia Bebout

Shark Movements Can Be Used to Design Better Marine Protected Areas

Marine protected areas can be very effective at protecting marine life, and they’re even more effective when the actual movements of wildlife are used to guide the drawing of their borders. By using telemetry, scientists can make shark-friendly protected areas and watch how effective they are at reducing commercial fishing.