Animals

Organic Honey Bee Hives Can Be as Productive and Healthy as Conventional Hives, Study Finds

Organic Honey Bee Hives Can Be as Productive and Healthy as Conventional Hives, Study Finds

Organic farming methods mean less pesticides in our soil and food. They ensure agricultural runoff won’t contain toxic chemicals that can make their way into our waterways, polluting the water supply and potentially harming wildlife and ecosystems. They also consider animal welfare. So why do farmers continue to use synthetic pesticides? The answer is simple: […]

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    Human Activities Have Drastically Reduced Habitats for Asian Elephants

    Human Activities Have Drastically Reduced Habitats for Asian Elephants

    Despite their iconic status and long association with humans, Asian elephants are one of the most endangered large mammals. Believed to number between 45,000 and 50,000 individuals worldwide, they are at risk throughout Asia due to human activities such as deforestation, mining, dam building and road construction, which have damaged numerous ecosystems.

    Excessive Foraging for Wild Mushrooms and Garlic a ‘Risk to Wildlife’ in UK

    Excessive Foraging for Wild Mushrooms and Garlic a ‘Risk to Wildlife’ in UK

    In the UK, experts have expressed concern that some foragers for wild mushrooms and garlic have been taking too many ingredients from protected sites, putting wildlife at risk, reported The Guardian. The National Trust is concerned that people have been gathering foraged foods to sell them, damaging delicately-balanced ecosystems. “Foraging brings us closer to nature […]

    <strong>Urbanization Stresses Wild Bees, but Green Spaces Can Help</strong>

    Urbanization Stresses Wild Bees, but Green Spaces Can Help

    Urban environments can be stressful places for wild animals. They are not only exposed to loud noises, vehicles and humans, but to other environmental stressors like lack of adequate food sources and fragmented habitats. In a new study, researchers from Canada’s York University looked at the increased environmental stressors — such as difficulty finding mates […]

    Egg Labels, Decoded

    Egg Labels, Decoded

    Faced with a wall of egg cartons at the grocery store, all plastered with different labels and phrases, it’s hard to know what to choose. Which is better: cage-free, free range or pasture-raised? What does “farm-fresh” mean? What lies behind the USDA Organic label? Are vegetarian-fed hens healthier and happier? Without uniform regulation of these […]

    9 Good Bugs for Your Garden and How to Attract Them

    9 Good Bugs for Your Garden and How to Attract Them

    Not all creepy-crawlers are welcome in the garden, but some insects are very beneficial to the success of your flowers, herbs and veggies. According to Almanac, beneficial bugs fall into three categories: pollinators, which help pollinate plants; predators, which feed on garden pests; and parasitizers, like parasitic wasps and other insects that lay eggs inside […]

    Researchers Install Artificial Rockpools on Seawalls to Create Wildlife Habitats

    Researchers Install Artificial Rockpools on Seawalls to Create Wildlife Habitats

    In Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight, artificial rockpools installed on seawalls have become habitats for marine life. Researchers established the rockpools back in 2020 and are now finding them to be successful habitats in places where coastal development has restricted natural habitats. Scientists first placed a total of 114 rockpools along seawalls at three […]

    Ecuador Establishes Debt-for-Nature Deal for Galápagos Islands Conservation

    Ecuador Establishes Debt-for-Nature Deal for Galápagos Islands Conservation

    Ecuador has just agreed to the largest debt-for-nature exchange ever recorded. The deal involved selling a “blue bond” to provide over $12 million annually toward conservation around the Galápagos Islands. Last week, Credit Suisse bought three of the country’s bonds, with a value of $1.6 billion, at about $656 million. This highly discounted rate will […]

    How to Attract Pollinators to Your Yard

    How to Attract Pollinators to Your Yard

    Pollinators are crucial for growing the food we eat and supporting the diverse plant life that sustains our ecosystems. When feeding on pollen or nectar for energy, pollinators carry pollen from the stamen of the flower to the stigma, which fertilizes the plant so it can produce fruit and seeds. While honeybees and bumblebees might […]