biodiversity

A Ray of Hope for Some Coral Reefs

A Ray of Hope for Some Coral Reefs

Sometimes, change is good.  Scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science have discovered a new resiliency in certain coral reefs in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Dominant, foundational coral species on those reefs have survived multiple marine heat waves so far by changing out the symbiotic algae within their […]

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    How to Be More Sustainable in Suburbia

    How to Be More Sustainable in Suburbia

    When trying to be environmentally sustainable, living in suburbia can make it pretty difficult.  The suburbs have been responsible for 50% of carbon emissions in the United States, mainly due to a reliance on automobiles. Suburban homes also conserve far less energy due to the heating and cooling of larger houses, which also contributes to […]

    Kelp Forests Generate $500 Billion per Year, Study Finds

    Kelp Forests Generate $500 Billion per Year, Study Finds

    Beneath Earth’s coastal waters lie vast forests of a nutritious and useful brown algae seaweed known as kelp. For thousands of years, kelp has sustained and been a part of the culture of people around the world. A new study published in Nature Communications has found that the planet’s vast undersea kelp forests generate an […]

    ‘Most Animals Move Around’: Environmental Impact Assessments Underestimate Harm on Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife

    ‘Most Animals Move Around’: Environmental Impact Assessments Underestimate Harm on Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife

    An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an essential tool used to identify the likely environmental — as well as socio-economic and cultural — impacts of a proposed project or development prior to decision making. The purpose of the report is to find ways to reduce adverse impacts by providing information and options to those making […]

    Those Seeds Clinging to Your Hiking Socks May Be From Invasive Plants – Here’s How to Avoid Spreading Them to  New Locations

    Those Seeds Clinging to Your Hiking Socks May Be From Invasive Plants – Here’s How to Avoid Spreading Them to New Locations

    With spring settling in across the U.S. and days lengthening, many people are ready to spend more time outside. But after a walk outdoors, have you ever found seeds clinging to your clothes? Lodged in your socks and shoelaces? Perhaps tangled in your pet’s fur? While most of us don’t give these hitchhikers much thought, seeds and burrs may be the first signs of invasive plant spread.

    Scientists Discover ‘Breathtaking Mix’ of Biodiversity in Galápagos Deep-Sea Reefs

    Scientists Discover ‘Breathtaking Mix’ of Biodiversity in Galápagos Deep-Sea Reefs

    Designated as a protected area in 1998, the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest marine protected areas on Earth. Covering approximately 51,352 square miles, the GMR is home to Galápagos penguins, Galápagos brown pelicans, Galápagos sea lions, the blue-footed booby and other unique animal species. Recently, […]