Ecosystems

Environment

‘The High Seas’ tells of the many ways humans are laying claim to the ocean

The book explains how the race for ocean resources from fish to ores to new medicines — the Blue Acceleration — is playing out.

Animals

Want to see butterflies in your backyard? Try doing less yardwork

Growing out patches of grass can lure adult butterflies and moths with nectar and offer lawn mower–free havens for toddler caterpillars.

Environment

A new approach to fighting wildfires combines local knowledge and AI

Land managers in the western United States are using potential operational delineations, or PODS, to prepare for — and take advantage of — wildfires.

Ecosystems

Noise pollution can harm birds even before they hatch

Exposing zebra finch eggs and hatchlings to traffic sounds had lifelong health impacts, raising concerns about increased anthropogenic noise.

Plants

Plant ‘time bombs’ highlight how sneaky invasive species can be

Sycamore maples and some other plant invaders lurked for centuries before starting to choke out native ecosystems and species.

Ecosystems

A new road map shows how to prevent pandemics

Past viral spillover events underscore the importance of protecting wildlife habitats.

Ecosystems

Flowers may be big antennas for bees’ electrical signals

The finding suggests a way for plants to share information about nearby pollinators and communicate when to trigger nectar production.

Animals

Does this drone image show a newborn white shark? Experts aren’t sure

If a claim of the first-ever sighting of a newborn white shark holds, it could help solve a mystery of where adult white sharks give birth.

Ecosystems

How an invasive ant changed a lion’s dinner menu

An invasive ant is killing off ants that defend trees from elephants. With less cover, it’s harder for lions to hunt zebras, so they hunt buffalo instead.

Animals

A new exhibit invites you into the ‘Secret World of Elephants’

As elephants face survival threats, the American Museum of Natural History highlights their pivotal role in shaping landscapes — and their resilience.

Environment

Landscape Explorer shows how much the American West has changed

The online tool stitches together historical images into a map that’s helping land managers make decisions about preservation and restoration.

Animals

This bird hasn’t been seen in 38 years. Its song may help track it down

Using bioacoustics, South American scientists are eavesdropping on a forest in hopes of hearing the song of the long-missing purple-winged ground dove.