Some Bees Just Want to See The Prairie Burn
Prescribed burns of tall-grass prairies affect ecosystem-wide bee distribution and diversity.
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The Soil Seed Bank: Plant Communities’ Secret Weapon
Plant communities have a secret survival tool buried underground: the soil seed bank. When the environment changes, the seed bank helps buffer the plant community against those changes. But what if the seed bank can’t survive the environmental changes either? Scientists explore a wetland to learn more about the secretive soil seed bank.
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Algae In A Rotten Mood
Harmful Algal Blooms are an increasingly frequent phenomenon, but may be mitigated with help from a surprising source.
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The Fight for Fish Food: Invasive Armored Catfish vs. Native Fishes
Aquariums are beloved by many. Enthusiasts enjoy nurturing and viewing aquariums full of beautiful and unique fish from around the world. However, the aquarium trade contributes to lots of introductions of fish to ecosystems in which they are non-native. What does this mean for these ecosystems?
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Lost in Time Zones: Pandas Experience Jet-Lag in Zoos
All animals have an internal clock, called a circadian rhythm, that helps the body know when to perform key functions
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Plastic Pollution Drives Crabs Crabby
Differing types of plastic may affect certain wetland species more than others.
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The Clock is TICKing – Tick attachment may increase under climate change
Ticks are risk-takers facing a daily dilemma: stay near the damp soil or climb the grass to find a host. Choosing one means losing access to the other. Ticks use weather conditions to inform whether to climb or stay put, but climate change may alter their behavior. Life or death for the tick has huge implications for human and animal health since ticks can transfer diseases with their bite. Click the tick to find out how hotter, more humid days will affect tick behavior.
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Soil Quality Under Pressure
Industrial agriculture could be putting the soil in a pinch.
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Giving Them a Fighting Chance: How To Save Insects from Climate Change
Insects, as small as they are, are even more important than you may think. Sadly, climate change and warming are slowly depleting insect populations as our urban spaces grow and the use of pesticides in rural areas increases. Actions like planting native plants and decreasing the concentration of concrete-sealed spaces could help create a world where insects are more resilient to the changing environment.
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Biologists go the distance for the safe release of migratory birds
Migrating birds have embarked on treacherous voyages for hundreds of thousands of years. Yet, habitat loss and climate change might be their biggest challenge. With many species on the brink of extinction, conservation programs aim to return and sustain wild populations of the world’s most vulnerable species. Captive breeding programs must select the fittest birds to survive such a perilous flight. Researchers find that sharper wing tips might improve survival during the first migration. There’s no time for winging it.
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