Tag: ecology
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Humans Driving Extinctions at Rates Not Seen Since the Dinosaurs, Scientists Warn
Humanity’s Role in a Rapid Biodiversity Crisis New research synthesizing decades of environmental data and paleobiology suggests that humans are triggering the most rapid biodiversity loss since the asteroid wipeout that ended the age of the dinosaurs. While the current pace of species extinctions is extraordinary, scientists say we have not yet crossed the threshold…
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Humans Driving Extinctions On a Scale Not Seen Since the Dinosaurs, Scientists Warn
Human activity pushes biodiversity toward a historic crossroads New research suggests that human activity is triggering an extinction episode on a scale not seen since the dinosaur era. While not yet classified as a true mass extinction, scientists say the current rate of species loss is extraordinarily high and could become irreversible if biodiversity loss…
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Humans Driving Extinctions On a Scale Not Seen Since Dinosaurs, Scientists Say
Human activity may trigger the greatest extinction event since the dinosaurs New research synthesizes decades of environmental data and expert workshops to argue that human activity is driving biodiversity loss at a pace that rivals the most dramatic extinction events in Earth’s history. While the study stops short of labeling today’s declines as a true…
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Instagram Photos Reveal Invasive Carpobrotus Flowering Patterns
Uncovering the truth behind a coastal floral carpet When vacation photos capture the vibrant carpets of pink and yellow that blanket cliffs from California to the Mediterranean, they appear as simply picturesque scenes. Yet for coastal ecologists, those same images are data streams revealing how Carpobrotus, commonly known as ice plants or sour fig, is…
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Building Floating Wetlands: A Living Laboratory on Lake Decatur
Introduction: A New Phase for Lake Research After more than a year of planning, a dedicated research team is launching the next phase of a long-term study of lake health. The project centers on two floating wetlands—small islands built from steel cages and thick coco fiber logs (coir)—that will drift on Lake Decatur. These living…
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10 Animals That Have Hundreds (or Millions) of Babies at Once
Introduction: A Strategy Based on Numbers In the natural world, some species rely on sheer numbers to survive. By producing hundreds or even millions of offspring at once, these animals increase the odds that a portion will reach adulthood despite predators, disease, and harsh environmental conditions. Here are ten remarkable examples of prolific breeders, from…
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10 Animals That Produce Hundreds or Millions of Babies at Once
Introduction: Why some animals produce so many offspring In the animal kingdom, there are strategies for surviving harsh environments, and some species rely on sheer numbers to ensure that at least a few offspring reach adulthood. From the oceans to forests and deserts, certain animals release hundreds or even millions of young in a single…
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Nitrogen Runoff and Marine Sponges: Tolerance and Risks
New study investigates nitrogen run-off and sponge health A recent study led by researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington explores how nitrogen fertilizer run-off could affect marine sponges. Published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, the research tested seven sponge species—three from Wellington, New Zealand, and four from Lough Hyne,…
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10 Animals That Reproduce in Massive Litters
Introduction: The Power of Numbers in the Animal World In the wild, not every offspring survives, but many species rely on sheer numbers to ensure the next generation. From ocean giants to tiny rodents, some animals release hundreds or even millions of eggs and offspring in a single reproductive event. Here are ten remarkable examples…
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Three-Legged Lizards Thrive, Challenge Evolution Assumptions
Introduction: A surprising clue from the Bahamian branches In the wild, lizards are famed for their speed, agility, and razor‑sharp ecological tuning. Yet a chance encounter in the Bahamas changed how some lizard biologists view adaptation. A typically uncooperative brown anole proved elusive, only to reveal a missing entire left hind leg after capture. That…