Ecosystems

Ecosystems

America’s duck lands: These ‘potholes’ are under threat

North America’s prairies are in trouble. Scientists race against the clock for clues about how to save the plants — and animals — that call it home.

Ecosystems

Underwater meadows appear to fight ocean germs

The seagrasses that sway in coastal currents are more than aquatic groundcover. They can reduce harmful bacteria that might otherwise sicken neighboring animals, new data show.

Animals

Under blanket of ice, lakes teem with life

Life under frozen lakes is vibrant, complex and surprisingly active, new research finds. In fact, some plants and animals can only live under the ice. But with climate change, will that continue?

Oceans

Creative ways to help coral reefs recover

Coral reefs are under siege from threats ranging from climate change to explosives. But scientists are developing ways to rebuild reefs before they disappear.

Ecosystems

Earthworms: Can these gardeners’ friends actually become foes?

Asian jumping worms can strip leaf litter from floor of U.S. forests, new data show. Many native plants need that leaf litter for their seeds to germinate.

Ecosystems

Scientists Say: Tundra

A tundra is an ecosystem found in Earth’s far north. It has a layer of soil deep underground that remains frozen — sometimes for thousands of years. But the top layer thaws in the summer, allowing plants to grow.

Ecosystems

Algae embedded in sea ice drive the Arctic food web

Scientists traced where zooplankton in the Arctic get their energy from. Many open ocean species rely on algae found in sea ice, which is disappearing.

Health & Medicine

Will chicken cologne guard you from malaria?

Mosquitoes that carry malaria are repelled by the smell of chickens. In malaria country, that could make these birds a human’s best friend.

Environment

Non-scents: Pollution can confuse pollinators’ sniffers

New research uses computers to predict how much longer it takes bees and other pollinating insects to sniff out lunch in a polluted environment.

Animals

Current coral bleaching event is the longest known

Heat stress has led to the longest coral bleaching event on record. Scientists now worry that global warming may make such prolonged crises more frequent.

Environment

Uh oh! Baby fish prefer plastic to real food

Given a choice, baby fish will eat plastic microbeads instead of real food. That plastic stunts their growth and makes them easier prey for predators.

Earth

How ancient African fish feed today’s Amazon

Many of the world’s lushest tropical forests would starve if winds didn’t bring them nutrient-rich dust from across an ocean.