Sunday, June 7, 2026

Welcome to Envirobites

We want to make cutting edge research in the environmental sciences accessible to all by highlighting recent studies and explaining how these advances shape the understanding of our world.

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Ecosystems
Brandi Pessman

Oversimplified – Deforestation cuts down spider species

We tend to value simplification over complexity in our day-to-day lives, but animals rely on complex environments to maintain diversity. When we cut down forests for agriculture, livestock, or manufacturing, we simplify environments by reducing the diversity of plants – a disturbance that forces out many vital animals. A recent study showed that converting the diverse Atlantic Forest in Argentina into rows of pine trees for paper production has had severe consequences for spider species. Can time heal the wounds caused by clear-cutting?

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ClimateEnvironmental SciencePaleontologyScience through time
Abigail Donahue

The Great Oxidation Event: How our atmosphere went from deadly gas to fresh air

In the beginning, Earth’s atmosphere had no oxygen. Then photosynthesis made life as we know it possible, produced much of our mineable iron, and caused an ice age.

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ClimateEcosystemsEnvironmental Science
Maria Marlin

Is the Bark Stronger Than the Bite? The Use of Models to Predict Bark Beetle-Induced Tree Mortality

Bark beetles can cause widespread tree mortality by disrupting the flow of water and nutrients. These trees are critical in sequestering carbon from greenhouse gas emissions. By accounting for beetle phenology as well as tree physiology, modeling can help predict bark-beetle induced tree mortality that can result from climate change.

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Animal behaviorCase StudiesEnvironmental ScienceHuman Exposure and Public HealthScience through time
Cypress Novick

Freezing Frogs Help Preserve Human Organs for Transplant

Primary Source: Al-Attar R, Storey KB. Lessons from nature: Leveraging the freeze-tolerant wood frog as a model to improve organ

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ClimateEcosystemsRemediation
Andrea Valcarcel

Relief for the Reef – Connecting Coral Resilience with Restoration Efforts

Coral reefs are ecologically important for both marine and land species, offering support for high biodiversity. They also represent one of the most threatened ecosystems, especially as a result of climate change and human intervention. Due to their vulnerability and significance, many efforts have been made to restore these vital ecosystems, yet the worldwide success rates for coral reef restoration aren’t nearly as high as scientists had hoped. So, now the question is: is there anything that can be done to make coral reefs and their restoration more resilient to the threats they face?

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Environmental Science
Abigail Donahue

“Zombie deer disease” spreads through deer, humans could be next

Chronic wasting disease, a neurological disease in deer, elk, and moose, has reached 27 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Experts worry that the disease could make the leap to humans.

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