admin First study of its kind shows that decades of coconut palm agriculture have led to deforestation on over 80 percent of Pacific atolls, and coconut palms now cover more than half the atolls’ forested areas. The Gist Coconut palms are king throughout the tropics serving as the foundation for human lives and cultures across the … Read more
Chris Barton is reeling through the creatures documented on the study sites: six species of bats, a long list of birds including rarities like cerulean warbler, a variety of salamanders, mayflies, stoneflies. Barton, a professor of forest hydrology and watershed management at the University of Kentucky, is discussing monitoring of sites in the Central Appalachian … Read more
Research from French Polynesia and TNC’s Palmyra Atoll Preserve shows that, by feeding on microbial pathogens in marine sediment, the weird and wonderful sea cucumber can enhance reef resilience by suppressing coral diseases. The Gist The sea cucumber, a humble bottom-dwelling marine invertebrate famous for both eating and breathing through its butt, hardly seems to … Read more
“Trapping small mammals is a lot like fishing,” says Mike Schrad, bending down to pick up a small, metal box tucked beneath the grass. “Some days you catch a lot, and some days you don’t catch anything.” We’re standing in a patch of remnant sandhill prairie, and the morning dew is seeping through my hiking … Read more
Published in Biological Conversation, a new paper argues that, to have any chance of being equitable, market-based climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation solutions must also consider gender at their core. The Gist The paper, “When solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises ignore gender, they harm society and the planet,” examines evidence that market-based solutions, … Read more
Last week, I posted a blog on the growing popularity of trail cameras and included a number of photos and videos of cool wildlife. I have received a number of comments and questions about one video in particular. In it, a black bear walks down a path, with something large and rope-like trailing behind it. … Read more
As the world grapples with increasingly common and devastating heat waves, new science shows that nature-based solutions—like tree planting and water conservation—are important and cost-effective ways to help protect vulnerable, frontline communities in arid locations from the worst effects of rising heat. But time is of the essence. The Gist For the report, “Roots of … Read more
Farmers in the tropics can harness the cooling benefits of tree cover by incorporating trees within their pasturelands. Known as silvopasture, this practice can reduce local temperatures up to 2.4°C for every 10 metric tons of woody carbon added per hectare, according to recently published research. The Gist Depending on the density of planting, researchers … Read more
Using novel applications of satellite radar imagery and a specialized computer algorithm, a new study examining flooding caused by Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018) shows that current flood hazard maps are inadequate for accurately assessing flood risks and protecting communities in North Carolina. The Gist Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the paper by … Read more
Chinmay Sonawane sits by garbage in Africa. And add flip flops and hyenas to the dark night in the dump. Always hyenas, but flip flops only once. “I started to notice needles when I arrived that first day in flip flops,” says Chinmay Sonawane, a Stanford University Ph.D. student. “My attire quickly changed.” He changed … Read more