diversity – envirobites

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Using mangrove genes to protect where the land meets the sea

February 20, 2022February 20, 2022 Brandi Pessman 0 Comments coasts, diversity, genetics, mangroves, Restoration

When two of Earth’s forces meet, we often get monumental products. Where the land meets the sea, the mighty mangrove forest protects the coastline and all its inhabitants. Deforestation has led to rapid declines of mangroves, threatening the diversity of life that they support. Analyzing the genetic variation in a forest is a promising tool for protective measures and restoration. Saving mangrove forests might be in the genes.

Environmental Science

How do kelp forests change water conditions and microbial communities?

October 21, 2019October 20, 2019 Lindsay Green-Gavrielidis 0 Comments blue carbon, diversity, kelp forests, microbes, nitrogen, ocean acidification, World Algae Day

In honor of World Algae Day which is celebrated on October 12th, we cover a recent study on charismatic kelp forest in the Pacific Northwest. A study led by Cathy Pfister at the University of Chicago shows that kelp forests can change water conditions by locally decreasing pH which can benefit organisms with shells. Furthermore, kelp forests increase the diversity of microbes, which may have previously overlooked consequences for nutrient cycling.