Chew on this: Fighting climate change by reducing cow burps
Does seaweed have the power to fight climate change? Are cow burps contributing to global warming? Read on to find the answers!
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Gardeners for Biodiversity: How Surveys can Help Quantify Diversity in Urban Areas
Backyard gardens can boast surprising levels of biodiversity. Quantifying the diversity of many small gardens spread out across an urban area, however, can be difficult for scientists. In this study, researchers proposed a survey in which garden-owners were asked to give basic information about their gardens. From the responses, a statistical model was designed to determine the actual number of species present.
Read MoreDumpster diving diet: city rats have higher protein diet distinct from other rural mammals
Rats have shared our cities for a long time. Because of this they can be used a model to learn more about how animals colonized cities and what features of cities can be advantageous for some species. A new study focuses their attention on whether 19th century city mice had an advantage over their rural neighbors. Read on to find out more!
Read MoreThe Hunger Gaps: when flower supply fails to meet bee demand
Wild bees are indispensable pollen-transporters that support and maintain diverse plant communities in nature, but in discussions about the well-being of bees, they tend to lose the spotlight to their honeybee cousins. One issue where both wild bees and honeybees are struggling, however, is in facing the lack of food continuity throughout the growing season. Mapping the “hunger gaps” for foraging bees, and working to close such gaps, is a key issue for bee conservation.
Read MoreShining a light on the global spread of cities
Researchers demonstrate a machine learning approach using the nighttime glow of urban areas to streamline satellite-based mapping the worldwide extent cities.
Read MoreA mosquito’s feet think you stink: Researchers discover what makes DEET the most effective insect repellent on the market
When covered in widely used insect repellent DEET, a mosquito’s mouth thinks you are good enough to eat. But their legs would beg to differ. A recent study by scientist at Rockefeller University finally explains why DEET is the most effective bug repellent.
Read MoreEl efecto globo, después de la fiesta: las consecuencias desastrosas de la liberación de globos.
Artículo escrito por Maria Karousiou (Twitter: @MKarousiou), una contribuidora invitada a participar en Envirobites, publicado el 28 de mayo del 2019. Artículo traducido al
Read MoreEcological grief: In my feelings along the Gulf Coast
Aldo Leopold stated “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.” He meant that those of us with deep connections to the natural environment, whether that be a farmer, fisher, or ecologist, are more aware of declining ecological health. We notice that there are less birds. We notice all the dead turtles along the road. We notice that it hasn’t rained in weeks and all the plants are crying. The unprecedented changes stemming from climate change have gained an increasing amount of people’s attention leading to the formation of the term ecological grief. The verdict is out. Climate change is making many of us depressed.
Read MoreEvery birdie poops: How birds could be helping coral reefs in a changing climate
Warming ocean temperatures pose a big threat to coral reefs, but could coral reefs be getting some help from having feathered friends nearby? In this study, scientists investigate how the nutrients from bird poop may be helping to keep coral reefs from going to waste.
Read MoreSeaweed as far as the eye can see
In the center of the Atlantic Ocean lies the Sargasso Sea. The brown seaweed, Sargassum, gives the Sea its name. However, in the past decade this belt of Sargassum has been exploding. During certain seasons, the Sargassum belt has expanded from West Africa to the Americas. Beached seaweed has led to numerous problems and concerns for much of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Research led by Dr. Mengqiu Wang from the University of South Florida used previous data to determine what makes these seaweeds take over the ocean in order to better predict when these blooms may occur.
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