Ecosystems

Plants

Pollinators send out good vibrations — and plants respond sweetly

Snapdragon blooms can distinguish between the sounds of pollinators and thieves. They boost or drop the sugar in their nectar depending who’s arriving.

Animals

Whale pee is an ocean bounty

Some migrating cetaceans move thousands of miles to their breeding grounds, where whale urine fertilizes ocean waters with valuable nutrients.

Ecosystems

Scientists Say: Ecosystem

The interplay between living things and the physical environment gives rise to Earth’s thriving, life-sustaining ecosystems.

Environment

Study uncovers secrets in water’s underground treks

Water's subterranean travels can be long, slow — and carry pollutants far from where they first got drawn into the Earth.

Animals

Captive-breeding axolotls may help avoid their extinction

The axolotl program's success shows promise in helping protect this highly popular amphibian — currently found in only one lake — from dying out in the wild.

Animals

The ‘bone collector’ caterpillar wears its prey as camouflage

For months, the caterpillar scavenges spider webs for scrapped insect body parts to cover its protective case. Later, that case will serve as its cocoon.

Animals

Freshwater fish are in trouble: Here’s how we can help them

Human activities threaten the survival of many freshwater fish species. Research is now pointing to how we can best overcome those threats.

Plants

For some trees, acting as lightning rods helps them survive

Being struck by lightning is usually bad. But for one tropical tree, a mighty zap can kill rivals and parasitic vines.

Agriculture

A secret climate superhero lies beneath our farms

Agriculture contributes to climate change. But changes to how farms manage soil might help remove carbon and other greenhouse gases from the air.

Plants

Could trees ever get up and walk away?

In fantasy, trees can walk, climb and even fight. Real trees move, too. It just happens in extreme slow mo.

Ecosystems

Analyze This: In movies, wetlands often get a bad rap

Swamps in films are often linked to danger, death and strange things. But movies also highlight wetlands’ biodiversity and resources.

Ecosystems

There’s life beneath the snow — but it’s at risk of melting away

The organisms that make winter homes in this subnivium help forests thrive year-round. But climate change is making this ecosystem disappear.