Acipenser transmontanus NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of<a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=d55013d210f7439f8ca981b3b73576f2&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i60j69i57j69i60l2j69i59.492j0j4&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS"> North America</a> and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is a species of sturgeon in the family Acipenseridae of the order Acipenseriformes. They are an anadromous fish species ranging in the Eastern Pacific; from the Gulf of Alaska to Monterey, California. However, some are landlocked in the Columbia River Drainage, Montana, and Lake Shasta in California, with reported sightings in northern Baja California, Mexico.Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) &gt; Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons and paddlefishes) &gt; Acipenseridae (Sturgeons) &gt; Acipenserinae Etymology: : Latin, = sturgeon, 1853 (Ref. 45335); transmontanus: The specific name is derived from the Latin acipenser (sturgeon), trans (beyond), and montanus (mountain) (Ref. 27436).More on author: Richardson.

Acipenser transmontanus

Acipenser transmontanus NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation...

NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/changing-ocean-soundscapes-impact-animals-worldwide/">animals</a> too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=6af7b47b706a421cbff7d45ac370e984&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l3j0.971j0j4&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.The Cicek Minnow (Acanthorutilus handlirschi) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "fishes" and found in the following area (s): Turkey. This species is also known by the following name (s): Pseudophoxinus handlirschi, Oreoleuciscus handlirschi, Phoxinellus handlirschi. Source: Federal Register, U.S. Fish &amp; Wildlife Service (various authors), series (version undefined) Acquired: 1996 : Notes: Various listings from the Federal Register on the legal status of species : Reference for: Acanthorutilus handlirschi, cicek [English] Source: NODC Taxonomic Code, database (

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.This species is also known by the following name(s): Pseudophoxinus handlirschi, Oreoleuciscus handlirschi, Phoxinellus handlirschi.

Acanthorutilus handlirschi

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Accipiter fasciatus natalis NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/mistastin-lake-in-labrador-canada/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- Accipiter fasciatus natalis ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=84f1e8e9658b4caea7e69e7c7dff2555&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59j69i57j69i59j0j69i60l3.1774j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world. North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It can also be described as the northern subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Because it is on the North American Tectonic Plate, Greenland is included as part of North America geographically. North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), about 16.5% of the Earth's land area and about 4.8% of its total surface. North America is the third-largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa, and the fourth by population after Asia, Africa, and Europe.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.

Accipiter fasciatus natalis

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Accipiter francesii pusillus NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada.</a> NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=b465a6a06aa04b25a2b750c94d1fc9be&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i60j69i57j69i60l2j0.591j0j4&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.Anjouan Island Sparrowhawk, or Ndzuwani Goshawk Accipiter francesii pusillus, an extremely rare, possibly extinct, subspecies of Frances's Sparrowhawk Spot-tailed Goshawk, Accipiter trinotatus Grey Goshawk, Accipiter novaehollandiae. The Anjouan sparrowhawk (Accipiter francesiae pusillus), also known as Anjouan Island sparrowhawk, Ndzuwani goshawk or Joanna Island goshawk is a subspecies of Frances's sparrowhawk (Accipiter francesiae). It is endemic to the Comoros island of Anjouan. It was thought to be extinct until searches in the 1980s and in 2005 confirmed that it is still extant.· North America, the planet's 3rd largest continent, includes (23) countries and dozens of possessions and territories. It contains all Caribbean and Central America countries, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, the United States of America, as well as Greenland - the world's largest island.

Accipiter francesii pusillus

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Accipiter gentilis laingi NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=0e16320dcb6d40748a5d6a1b3d9cc5b8&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l3j0.896j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.Accipiter gentilis laingi Wildlife Species Description and Significance The Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies (Accipiter gentilis laingi) is a raven-sized, robust forest-dwelling raptor. Adults are brown-grey to slate-grey on the back, while underparts are pale-grey with fine horizontal grey bars and darker vertical streaking.The Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies (Accipiter gentilis laingi) is a raven-sized, robust forest-dwelling raptor. Adults are brown-grey to slate-grey on the back, while underparts are pale-grey with fine horizontal grey bars and darker vertical streaking. The head has a distinctive whitish line above the eye and a dark-grey to black cap.

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Accipiter gentilis laingi

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Accipiter striatus venator NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada.</a> NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=6af7b47b706a421cbff7d45ac370e984&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l3j0.971j0j4&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.The Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk, (Accipiter striatus venator), falcón de sierra or gavilán pecho rufo in Spanish, is an endemic subspecies of the North American sharp-shinned hawk, occurring only in Puerto Rico. Discovered in 1912 and described as a distinct sub-species, it has been placed on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service list of endangered species because of its rapidly dwindling population in Puerto Rico. It can be found in the Toro Negro State Forest.Accipiter striatus venator is an endemic subspecies of the North American Sharp-shinned Hawk, occurring only in Puerto Rico. This animal has been placed on the Federal endangered list because of its rapidly dwindling population on the island.

Accipiter striatus venator

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Achatinella spp. NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada.</a> NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=0e16320dcb6d40748a5d6a1b3d9cc5b8&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l3j0.896j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.Scientific name: Achatinella spp Hawaiian name: Kāhuli / Pūpū kani oe All 41 species of the genus Achatinella, also known as the O‘ahu tree snails, are federally listed as endangered. O‘ahu tree snails are diverse in patterns, colors, and shapes but all average about 3/4 inch in length.Oʻahu tree snails, genus Achatinella, form a large genus of colorful, tropical, tree-living, air-breathing, land snails, arboreal pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Achatinellidae. This genus of tree snails is endemic to Hawaii, and all extant species are endangered. They were once abundant and were mentioned extensively in Hawaiian folklore and songs, and their shells were used in lei and other ornaments.

Achatinella spp.

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Acinonyx jubatus NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada.</a> NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h (50 to 80 mph), and as such has several adaptations for speed, including a light build, long thin legs and a long tail. It typically reaches 67–94 cm (26–37 in) at the shoulder, and the head-and-body length is between 1.1 and 1.5 m (3.6 and 4.9 ft). Adults weigh between 20 and 65 kg (44 and 143 lb). Its head is small, rounded, and has a short snout and black tear-like facial streaks. The coat is typically tawny to creamy white or pale buff and is mostly covered with evenly spaced, solid black spots. Four subspecies are recognised. More gregarious than many other cats, the cheetah has three main social groups—females and their cubs, male "coalitions" and solitary males. While females lead a nomadic life searching for prey in large home ranges

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.

Acinonyx jubatus

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Acipenser brevirostrum NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=cd15138958b44bb2b853b45f848f47f2&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i60j69i57j69i60l2j0.896j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.The shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) is a small and endangered species of North American sturgeon. The earliest remains of the species are from the Late Cretaceous Period, over 70 million years ago. Shortnose sturgeons are long-lived and slow to sexually mature. Most sturgeons are anadromous bottom-feeders, which means they migrate upstream to spawn but spend most of their lives feeding in rivers, deltas and estuaries. The shortnose sturgeon is often mistaken as a juvenile Atlantic sturgeon, because of their small size. Prior to 1973, U.S. commercial fishing records did not differentiate between the two species, both were reported as "common sturgeon", although it is believed based on sizes that the bulk of the catch was Atlantic sturgeon. The shortnose is distinguishable from the Atlantic sturgeon due to its shorter and rounder head.

Acipenser brevirostrum

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Acipenser medirostris NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/faking-death-is-a-good-way-for-animals-to-stay-alive/">animals</a> too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports --Acipenser medirostris  ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=0e16320dcb6d40748a5d6a1b3d9cc5b8&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l3j0.896j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.Sturgeons are among the largest and most ancient of <a title="Actinopterygii" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actinopterygii">ray finned fishes</a>. They are placed, along with <a title="Paddlefish" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddlefish">paddlefishes</a> and numerous fossil groups, in the infraclass <a title="Chondrostei" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chondrostei">Chondrostei</a>, which also contains the ancestors of all other bony fishes. The sturgeons themselves are not ancestral to modern bony fishes but are a highly specialized and successful offshoot of ancestral <a title="Chondrostei" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chondrostei">chondrosteans</a>, retaining such ancestral features as a <a title="Fish fin" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_fin">heterocerca</a>l tail, fin structure, jaw structure, and spiracle. They have replaced a bony skeleton with one of <a title="Cartilage" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartilage">cartilage</a>, and possess a few large bony plates instead of scales. Sturgeons are highly adapted for preying on bottom animals, which they detect with a row of sensitive <a title="Barbel (anatomy)" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbel_(anatomy)">barbels</a> on the underside of their snouts. They protrude their very long and flexible “lips” to suck up food. Sturgeons are confined to temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Of 25 extant species, only two live in California, the green sturgeon and the <a title="White sturgeon" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_sturgeon">white sturgeon</a> (A. transmontanus). (Moyle 2002)

Acipenser medirostris

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Acipenser mikadoi NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.The Sakhalin sturgeon is a species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is found in <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=japan&amp;cvid=b99abe0ea03d49319f23b97aa3ab6c4e&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59j0l6.1785j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">Japan</a> and Russia.The Sakhalin Sturgeon (Acipenser mikadoi) has 8-12 dorsal scutes, 25-30 lateral scutes, 7-11 ventral scutes, 29-41 dorsal fin rays and 18-28 anal fin rays. Colouration ranges from olive-green to dark green on the back to yellowish green-white on the ventral side with an olive-green stripe on the side between the lateral and ventral scutes.

The Sakhalin sturgeon is considered to be a species that migrates up the river from the sea in order to spawn. During the months of April to May, the Sakhalin sturgeon feeds in the freshwater and then returns to the ocean during the summer

Acipenser mikadoi

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Acipenser naccarii NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada.</a> NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.The Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) is a species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is native to the Adriatic Sea and large rivers which flow in it of Albania, Greece, Italy, and States of former-Yugoslavia. Specimens can be seen in several public aquarium, such the Milan Aquarium, Aquarium Finisterrae, Aquarium of the Po, and Oasis of Sant'Alessio in Lombardy.The Adriatic Sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) is a thick set fish, growing up to 2 metres but 1.5m is more usual. Weight is 20-25kg. A long lived species, the Adriatic sturgeon has been recorded to reach 50 years of age. Acipenser naccarii has 10-14 dorsal scutes, 32-42 lateral scutes, 8-11 ventral scutes, 36-48 dorsal fin rays and 24-31 anal fin rays. The short snout is wide and rounded at the tip. The colour is grey-brown on the dorsal side

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.

Acipenser naccarii

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Acipenser oxyrinchus (=oxyrhynchus) desotoi NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/mistastin-lake-in-labrador-canada/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- Acipenser oxyrinchus (=oxyrhynchus) desotoi ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=84f1e8e9658b4caea7e69e7c7dff2555&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59j69i57j69i59j0j69i60l3.1774j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world. North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It can also be described as the northern subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Because it is on the North American Tectonic Plate, Greenland is included as part of North America geographically. North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), about 16.5% of the Earth's land area and about 4.8% of its total surface. North America is the third-largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa, and the fourth by population after Asia, Africa, and Europe

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Acipenser oxyrinchus (=oxyrhynchus) desotoi

Acipenser oxyrinchus (=oxyrhynchus) desotoi NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe...

Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=2c2e13fdcefb416498254b6003035344&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59j69i60j69i57j69i60l2j0l2.1080j0j1&amp;pglt=299&amp;FORM=ANNTA1&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world. North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It can also be described as the northern subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean. Because it is on the North American Tectonic Plate, Greenland is included as part of North America geographically. North America covers an area of about 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,540,000 square miles), about 16.5% of the Earth's land area and about 4.8% of its total surface. North America is the third-largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa, and the fourth by population after Asia, Africa, and Europe.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video. The Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) is a member of the family Acipenseridae and along with other sturgeon it is sometimes considered a living fossil. The Atlantic sturgeon is one of two subspecies of A. oxyrinchus, the other being the Gulf sturgeon (A. o. desotoi). The main range of the Atlantic sturgeon is in eastern North America, extending from New Brunswick, Canada, to the eastern coast of Florida, United States. A disjunct population occurs in the Baltic region of Europe. Atlantic sturgeon live in rivers and coastal waters from Canada to Florida. Hatched in the freshwater of rivers, Atlantic sturgeon head out to sea as juveniles, and return to their birthplace to spawn, or lay eggs, when they reach adulthood.

Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus

Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer...

Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=6af7b47b706a421cbff7d45ac370e984&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l3j0.971j0j4&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.The Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) is a member of the family Acipenseridae and along with other sturgeon it is sometimes considered a living fossil. The Atlantic sturgeon is one of two subspecies of A. oxyrinchus, the other being the Gulf sturgeon (A. o. desotoi). The main range of the Atlantic sturgeon is in eastern North America, extending from New Brunswick, Canada, to the eastern coast of Florida, United States. A disjunct population occurs in the Baltic regionof Europe Atlantic sturgeon live in rivers and coastal waters from Canada to Florida. Hatched in the freshwater of rivers, Atlantic sturgeon head out to sea as juveniles, and return to their birthplace to spawn, or lay eggs, when they reach adulthood.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.Acipenser oxyrinchus is mostly native to the countries of Canada and the United States, with a smaller population in northern Europe (essentially the Baltic region ). They can be found in temperate and subtropical climates and in marine or freshwater environments

Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada.</a> NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=0e16320dcb6d40748a5d6a1b3d9cc5b8&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i57j69i60l3j0.896j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.The Atlantic sturgeon is a member of the family Acipenseridae and along with other sturgeon it is sometimes considered a living fossil. The Atlantic sturgeon is one of two subspecies of A. oxyrinchus, the other being the Gulf sturgeon (A. o. desotoi). The main range of the Atlantic sturgeon is in eastern North America, extending from New Brunswick, Canada, to the eastern coast of Florida, United States. A disjunct population occurs in the Baltic regionof Europe

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.Acipenser oxyrinchus is mostly native to the countries of Canada and the United States, with a smaller population in northern Europe (essentially the Baltic region ). They can be found in temperate and subtropical climates and in marine or freshwater environments. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), proposed to designate critical habitat for the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, and Chesapeake Bay Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of Atlantic sturgeon ( Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus

Acipenser sinensis NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada.</a> NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.The Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis; Chinese: 中華鱘; pinyin: zhōnghuá xún) is a critically endangered member of the family Acipenseridae in the order Acipenseriformes. Historically, this anadromous fish was found in China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula, but it has been extirpated from most regions due to habitat loss and overfishing. It is strictly protected by the Chinese government, named a "national treasure" much like its mammalian counterpart, the giant panda. China has several conservation programmes, including reserves specifically aimed at this species and restocking through release of juveniles in the Yangtze River.

Acipenser sinensis

Acipenser sinensis NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is...

Acipenser sturio NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/">Canada.</a> NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=d55013d210f7439f8ca981b3b73576f2&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i60j69i57j69i60l2j69i59.492j0j4&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.The European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), also known as the Atlantic sturgeon or common sturgeon, is a species of sturgeon previously found on most coasts of Europe. It is anadromous and breeds in rivers. It is currently a critically endangered species. Although the name Baltic sturgeon sometimes has been used, it has now been established that sturgeon of the Baltic region are A. oxyrinchus, a species otherwise restricted to the Atlantic coast of North America.Manufactured products are derived from eel, sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), salmon and trout (Salmo spp.), and, in the case of aquaculture species, tilapia (Tilapia spp.), tench (Tinca tinca), carp (Cyprinus spp.), salmon and trout. All of these form part of a sizeable range of widely distributed and economically important species.

Acipenser sturio

Acipenser sturio NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is...

Acrocephalus familiaris kingi NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and<a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-fall-rhapsody-in-ottawa/"> Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=cd15138958b44bb2b853b45f848f47f2&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i60j69i57j69i60l2j0.896j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.Acrocephalus familiaris kingi The Nihoa Millerbird is a tiny land bird that was discovered on the island of Nihoa in 1923. Another subspecies once occurred on Laysan Island, where it went extinct in the early 20th century after the island was devegetated by introduced rabbits.

FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.The millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris) is a species of Old World warbler in the family Acrocephalidae. It has two subspecies, A. f. kingi and A f. familiaris. The latter, the Laysan millerbird, became extinct sometime between 1916 and 1923. The former, the critically endangered Nihoa millerbird, remains the only race left, inhabiting the small island Nihoa in Hawaiʻi, though it has since been reintroduced to Laysan.

Acrocephalus familiaris kingi

Acrocephalus familiaris kingi NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer...

Stem cells in humans and animals have garnered significant attention for their ability to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. 



From treating degenerative diseases to enabling advanced therapies, these cells have revolutionized medical research. However, stem cells are not exclusive to the animal kingdom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-stem-cells">Plant stem cells</h2>



Plants, too, possess their own remarkable stem cells, quietly driving growth and regeneration beneath their roots and shoots. 



While plant stem cells have not received the same spotlight, they hold immense potential for advancing agriculture and food sustainability.



According to Huanzhong Wang, professor of plant molecular biology at the <a href="https://cahnr.uconn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources</a> (CAHNR), plant stem cells have significant potential to support human development - especially through enhancing food supply resilience.



“It’s not just humans and animals,” said Professor Wang. “Plants have stem cells too, and we should be paying attention to them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stem-cells-and-plant-development">Stem cells and plant development </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants</a> owe their growth and longevity to a variety of stem cells that govern cell division and differentiation. These cells, embedded deep within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autophagy-what-makes-plant-roots-grow-faster-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roots</a>, shoots, and the vascular system of plants, are critical to the plant's ability to develop.



Professor Wang noted that this intricate network of stem cells ensures that plants can grow both upwards and downwards, forming thicker stems or trunks when necessary.



“Plants can grow for many, many years because different types of stem cells basically ensure they can grow up in the air and deep into the ground,” said Wang. “To grow a thicker stem or trunk, they need another type of stem cell.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-role-of-the-hva-gene">Critical role of the HVA gene</h2>



While plant stem cells haven’t attracted as much attention as their biomedical counterparts, they hold incredible potential for bolstering our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-heat-is-threatening-wheat-and-the-global-food-supply/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food supply</a>. 



Professor Wang's research highlights how understanding these cells can lead to stronger, more resilient crops. His lab recently published a study in New Phytologist that describes the role of a transcription factor gene called HVA.



The HVA gene controls cell division in vascular stem cells, which are responsible for producing the vascular bundles that transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.



Overexpressing this gene dramatically increases the number of vascular bundles, boosting the plant's structural resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-agricultural-resilience">Enhancing agricultural resilience</h2>



“In plants without HVA gene overexpression, we observed around five to eight vascular bundles,” said Professor Wang. “In contrast, plants with one copy of the overexpressed gene had over 20, and those with two copies had more than 50 bundles.”



The implications for agriculture are clear. Taller, slender crops like corn could benefit from enhanced wind resistance with the aid of additional vascular bundles.



“When plants grow taller, there is a risk that they could topple over,” said Wang. “Having more vascular bundles ensures the plant can stand still and resist those conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-research-beyond-mustard-plants">Expanding research beyond mustard plants</h2>



Though the research was conducted using a mustard family model organism, the HVA gene is present in various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-plant-species-remain-unphotographed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a>, suggesting broad applicability. 



Wang’s team plans to investigate other transcription factors in the same gene family to further unravel the mysteries of plant vascular development.



“We are interested in studying other closely related genes to find out their function,” noted Wang. “It will be interesting to study further how this gene family affects vascular development.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-stem-cells-and-sustainable-agriculture">Plant stem cells and sustainable agriculture</h2>



As the global population continues to rise, the demand for sustainable and resilient food sources becomes increasingly urgent. 



Plant stem cells, with their unique ability to drive growth and regeneration, could play a pivotal role in this effort. 



By harnessing the regenerative power of these cells, scientists can develop crops that not only grow faster but also exhibit greater resilience to environmental stressors like drought, pests, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-how-plants-adapt-to-changing-climates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changing climate</a> conditions.



Research into plant stem cells also opens up the possibility of reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. 



With more robust crops, farmers could see increased yields while minimizing environmental damage. This aligns with the broader movement toward sustainable farming and reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.19970" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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How plant stem cells could support human growth

Stem cells in humans and animals have garnered significant attention...

Pile,Of,Freshly,Cut,Wood,Logs,And,Empty,Field,With

Forests are the Earth's lungs, forever sucking up carbon dioxide and throwing out fresh oxygen. But that's only half the story.



Here's the twist -- forests also exhale CO2. In short, they inhale carbon dioxide for growth, but they also exhale it back out, usually in smaller amounts. A bit of an unexpected plot twist.



Now, the University of Leicester's new study has a cheeky bit more to add to this story. 



Tree stems in tropical forests that are bouncing back from logging are found to produce carbon dioxide at a greater rate than those in untouched forests.



So, bouncing back from logging, and yet they're sending out more carbon dioxide?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-and-carbon-dioxide">Trees and carbon dioxide</h2>



When we talk about fewer surrounding trees to compete with, the tree stems in logged forests are seen to have a growth spurt and take in carbon dioxide at a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-practices-boost-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">faster rate</a> than stems in untouched forests. 



However, this rapid growth also comes with a side effect -- a faster release of carbon dioxide. So, chopped down, left with fewer competitors, and now, they're growing at a quick pace and just as quickly giving out carbon dioxide.



This research was led by Maria Mills, a PhD student from the University of Leicester's School of Geography, Geology and the Environment (<a href="https://le.ac.uk/gge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GGE</a>). 



Their conclusion calls for a spotlight to be thrown on logged landscapes that are currently understudied despite being more prominent than old-growth forests across the tropics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-of-a-forest-s-carbon-cycle">Heart of a forest's carbon cycle</h2>



What is 'carbon flux'? Think of it as the forest's way of balancing its books. It measures the net carbon balance. 



But this doesn't tell us much about where the fluctuations are coming from -- it's like knowing your bank balance without any information on the transactions.



If we don't know where the fluctuations are coming from, we also don't know why we're getting certain fluxes and what's driving those fluxes.



The researchers gathered data from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> in Malaysian Borneo as part of a long-term ecological monitoring program. 



By measuring the individual components of the forest carbon cycle and carbon fluxes, they were able to observe certain patterns and fluxes. 



Understanding these is crucial for predicting future climate change and land use change scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-carbon-dioxide-in-forests">Studying carbon dioxide in forests</h2>



Did you know that most of a forest’s biomass is stored in the stems or woody trunk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-is-important-but-reforestation-can-help-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a>? Well, these scientists did, and they used this information to their advantage. 



The team studied stem respiration of a tree sample, and then extrapolated the values for all the trees in the one-hectare study plots.



Shockingly, tree-level results showed higher carbon release levels per unit of stem surface area in logged versus old-growth plots. 



Specifically, 37 grams of carbon per meter squared of woody stem every month in a logged plot versus only 26 grams in an old-growth plot.



Also, it is important to note that when scaled across the entire one-hectare plots, there was no difference between logged and old-growth results.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncharted-territory-of-carbon-dynamics">Uncharted territory of carbon dynamics</h2>



This study was about considering individual trees versus the whole ecosystem, and what drives carbon emissions at both levels. 



"There are differences between individual trees, and between individual ecosystems, for example logged versus unlogged forests," Mills explained.



“We see higher respiration per square meter in logged plots because the trees in those plots are growing faster. Growth has a metabolic cost, so we get respiration following growth." 



The trees in logged plots grow faster because they have access to more light -- as there are more gaps in logged plots from when timber trees have been extracted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-logging-and-carbon-emissions">Forests, logging, and carbon emissions</h2>



There are other reasons for these differences which link back to the trees’ functional traits and soil nutrients, but ultimately it comes down to the priority for trees in logged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-fires-diminish-forests-carbon-storage-ability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> to invest in growth. 



In old-growth plots, alternatively, there is a lot more investment and priority for tree maintenance.



"Given how expansive logged forests are, they could be considered as the ‘new normal’ for contemporary tropical forests.  We need to put more research efforts into understanding what goes on in logged forests, both in terms of their carbon fluxes and their wider ecological functioning," Mills concluded.



To sum it all up, Mills and her team uncovered very important information on how climate change is impacted by forest carbon dynamics. 



Let's remember, understanding how forests drive environmental conditions is not just about satisfying our curiosity, it's also crucial in our fight against climate change. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.20043" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Trees in forests recovering from logging release much more carbon dioxide

Forests are the Earth's lungs, forever sucking up carbon dioxide...

What lies at the bottom of the ocean? For many, it’s a dark and mysterious place, full of creatures we know little about. But sometimes, discoveries shed light on these mysteries. A new study has done just that, focusing on an unusual deep ocean dweller who likes to eat Sargassum.



Bathyopsurus nybelini, an isopod living nearly 3.7 miles (6,100 meters) deep beneath the ocean's surface, has a very unique diet: it feeds on Sargassum algae that sinks down from the ocean’s surface.



The study, led by Johanna Weston, a hadal ecologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (<a href="https://www.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHOI</a>), reveals just how connected the surface of our oceans is to the deep sea. 



Let's find out what makes this discovery so fascinating and important.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sargassum-in-the-deep-ocean">Sargassum in the deep ocean</h2>



In the summer of 2022, a group of researchers set out on an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-new-hydrothermal-vents-discovered-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adventure with Alvin</a>, a human-occupied submersible, to explore the Puerto Rico Trench and the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center in the Caribbean Sea. 



Thanks to Alvin's recent upgrades, including better deep-diving abilities and high-res image capturing, this journey became a reality.



While exploring the ocean depths, the team observed something unexpected: an isopod swimming upside down and away from the seafloor, clutching a frond of Sargassum algae as long as its own body. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-worm-discovered-off-costa-rica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">At these depths</a> -- between 5,001 and 6,284 meters -- Alvin filmed 32 individual isopods and collected two samples for further study. 



According to Weston, “It was exciting to see this beautiful animal actively interacting with Sargassum, deep in the ocean. This isopod is so rarely seen; only a handful of specimens were collected during the groundbreaking 1948 Deep Sea Swedish Expedition.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-food-source">Unexpected food source</h2>



Sargassum is a type of brown algae typically found floating on the ocean's surface, forming dense mats that stretch for miles. In the sunlit zone, it thrives, photosynthesizing like any other plant. 



However, when Sargassum dies or detaches from its floating mats, it begins a slow, downward journey into the dark abyss.



That’s where Bathyopsurus nybelini comes in. This deep-sea isopod seems to wait patiently, adapted to find and feast on this sunken source of nutrients. 



“This isopod illustrates that an animal in a dark and high-pressure environment at the bottom of the seafloor has evolved multiple adaptations to feed on algae that grow in a sunlit ecosystem," explains Mackenzie Gerringer, a deep-ocean physiologist at <a href="https://www.geneseo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY Geneseo</a> and co-lead author of the study.



It’s an unlikely meal, but one that provides essential nourishment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isopods-and-deep-ocean-sargassum">Isopods and deep ocean Sargassum</h2>



Why is this discovery such a big deal? For one, Bathyopsurus nybelini has developed unique adaptations to survive in an environment where most creatures would struggle to find food. 



It uses a specialized swimming stroke, moving upside down and backward with large paddle-like legs, to carry Sargassum fronds off the seafloor. This might be a clever strategy to avoid predators by lifting its food into the water column.



But the adaptations don’t stop there. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">isopod has mouthparts</a> that are serrated and ideal for tearing and consuming the tough, fibrous Sargassum. 



Inside its gut, it harbors bacteria that help break down the algae’s complex polysaccharides -- molecules that are notoriously difficult to digest. 



“Life everywhere, even in the deepest depths of the sea, is inexorably connected to the microorganisms around it,” says Logan Peoples, an aquatic microbial ecologist at <a href="https://flbs.umt.edu/newflbs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flathead Lake Biological Station</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-web-of-life-from-surface-to-seafloor">Web of life from surface to seafloor</h2>



The presence of Sargassum at such deep depths has bigger implications for how we understand ocean ecology. This study highlights the close connection between the surface ocean and the deep sea.



When Sargassum sinks, it plays a role in carbon cycling and storage, which affects global climate patterns. 



We’re already seeing significant ecological and economic impacts on coastal communities due to changes in how much Sargassum is found in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.



Researchers are eager to figure out just how much Sargassum makes it to the seafloor and how its arrival varies with the seasons and long-term environmental changes. 



Understanding these dynamics could help us predict how deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-pigs-unicumbers-strange-stunning-creatures-discovered-abyssal-plains-ccz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean communities</a> respond to shifting environmental conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-this-matter">Why does this matter?</h2>



The discovery of Bathyopsurus nybelini feeding on Sargassum also highlights the importance of advanced technologies in deep-sea exploration. 



Alvin, the submersible that made this observation possible, was recently certified to dive to depths of 6,500 meters. 



This achievement opens new doors for marine research and underscores the significance of developing new tools and techniques to explore and study the ocean’s most remote regions. 



As Anna Michel, Chief Scientist for the <a href="https://ndsf.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Deep Submergence Facility</a>, noted, "The discovery described in this paper was possible due to its new deeper diving capabilities, which is very exciting for the Alvin team."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-sea-ecosystems-and-human-impact">Deep-sea ecosystems and human impact</h2>



Why should we care about an isopod munching on seaweed at the bottom of the ocean? Well, it all comes down to how connected our planet’s ecosystems are. 



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-forms-dust-clouds-that-devastate-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human activities change ocean conditions</a> -- from climate change to pollution -- it’s really important to understand how surface processes link to deep ocean ecosystems.



Every discovery, like that of Bathyopsurus nybelini, reminds us that even the most extreme environments on Earth are part of a larger, interconnected web of life. 



The more we learn, the better equipped we are to protect these ecosystems and manage the impacts of our actions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-sargassum-on-the-deep-ocean">Impact of Sargassum on the deep ocean</h2>



This study is just the beginning. Scientists plan to continue investigating how Sargassum and other surface-derived materials affect life in the deep sea. 



More research is needed to understand the seasonal and long-term changes in the abundance of Sargassum and its impact on deep-ocean food webs.



As we explore further, new discoveries will undoubtedly reshape our understanding of these hidden ecosystems. 



As Weston puts it, “We’re excited to share its amazing story of adaptation and this important reminder that habitats and organisms on our planet are deeply and intricately connected.”



The ocean is vast, and there is so much more to uncover. So, what other secrets lie in the deep, dark waters? Only time, curiosity, and continued exploration will tell. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0823" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.



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Robot discovers surprising food source for deep ocean creatures

What lies at the bottom of the ocean? For many,...

We've entered an age when a once demonized plant is experiencing a resurgence in acceptance. It’s an era of fading misconceptions and growing understanding. Just as the scent of change permeates the air, so too does the aroma of cannabis among older adults.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-no-barrier-to-cannabis-use">Age: No barrier to cannabis use </h2>



Older adults are not hiding their affinity for the herb. A recent study by the University of Michigan <a href="https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Poll on Healthy Aging</a> reveals that 21% of individuals aged 50 and above have used some form of cannabis in the past year.



THC, the component that gives cannabis its distinguishing "buzz," is a common ingredient in products ranging from edibles to topical creams.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-adults-using-cannabis">Older adults using cannabis</h2>



What's fascinating is the consistency of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-production-may-soon-get-a-major-boost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis ventures</a>. More than half of the respondents admitted to frequent use, with 12% of adults aged 50 and above admitting to monthly use. 



The study showed that individuals aged 50-64, those in lesser health, or in lower-income households were more likely to report monthly cannabis use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-driving-the-trend">What is driving the trend?</h2>



The question beckons, "why"? Many older adults turn to cannabis for sleep aid (68%), pain relief (63%), mental health support (53%), or simply to unwind or feel at ease (81%).



However, this newfound <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-cannabis-use-protects-against-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endorsement of cannabis</a> comes with its share of hitches. The most concerning results disclose that 20% of annual users admitted to driving within two hours of usage.



This percentage jumps to a startling 27% among monthly users. In addition, nearly half of frequent users have not discussed their use with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-directly-linked-to-head-and-neck-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthcare professionals</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-risk-of-cannabis">Growing risk of cannabis</h2>



Dr. Erin E. Bonar is a psychologist affiliated with IHPI, the University of Michigan <a href="https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/programs/addiction-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Addiction Center</a>, and the University of Michigan <a href="https://injurycenter.umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Injury Prevention Center</a>.



"With some form of cannabis use now legalized in 38 states and on the ballot this November in several others, and the federal rescheduling process under way, cannabis use is likely to grow,” noted Dr. Bonar.



“But as this poll shows, it is not risk-free, and more attention is needed to identify and reduce those risks."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-beliefs-on-cannabis">Changing beliefs on cannabis</h2>



Dr. Bonar emphasized the need for heightened <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-cannabis-significantly-increases-the-risk-of-heart-attack/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public awareness</a>. With their knowledge of cannabis rooted in the past, older adults may not realize the changes in potency and addictive potential of modern cannabis.



This gap is reflected in the finding that 21% of older adults do not believe cannabis is any stronger now than it was two to three decades ago. Over a quarter were unaware of the possibility of cannabis addiction.



For those who use cannabis, especially those who use it frequently, poll director&nbsp;Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren said the findings show the importance of communicating with a health care provider about their use.



Only 56% of monthly users have had this conversation with their doctor. Such discussions can help spot <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-found-in-cannabis-plants-can-actually-reduce-cannabis-induced-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risky drug interactions</a> and early indications of dependence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signs-of-dependence">Signs of dependence</h2>



Cannabis dependence is more common than perceived. In the study, 22% of monthly users increased their consumption to achieve the desired effect, and 21% reported a decreased effect from the same amount. 



Furthermore, 17% increased the frequency or quantity of cannabis use and 13% reported strong cravings or desires to use THC-rich cannabis.



Dr. Kullgren, a primary care physician at the <a href="https://www.va.gov/ann-arbor-health-care/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System</a> and associate professor of internal medicine at U-M, emphasized the need for transparency about cannabis use. Such dialogue could help avoid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-linked-to-elevated-risk-of-severe-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unexpected drug interactions</a> and diagnose potential signs of dependence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-the-landscape-of-cannabis-policy">Navigating the landscape of cannabis policy</h2>



The evolving landscape of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-legalization-does-not-increase-youth-substance-abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis legislation</a> remains a decisive factor in its acceptance and usage among older adults.



As more states and countries relax legal restrictions, there is an increasing need for policies that also address the healthcare needs of the aging population. 



These policies must provide a solid framework for healthcare professionals to guide patients safely and foster informed use.



The delicate balance between enabling access and ensuring safety highlights the urgency for comprehensive public health guidelines and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/americas-cannabis-capitals-people-these-us-cities-consume-most-marijuana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">educational initiatives</a>.



As legislation advances, policymakers must consider the unique needs of older adults who often utilize cannabis for therapeutic purposes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pathway-to-future-research">Pathway to future research</h2>



As federal cannabis restrictions shift, research constraints may relax, potentially paving the way for more clinical trials involving cannabis products and human participants.



In conclusion, while the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-smokers-not-lazy-unmotivated-despite-stereotypes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acceptance and use of cannabis</a> are on the rise, it is crucial we do so responsibly.



Regular communication with healthcare providers, awareness of risks, understanding potential dependencies, and staying updated with the latest research are key elements to focus on.



The report is published by <a href="https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/how-older-adults-use-think-about-and-discuss-cannabis">National Poll on Healthy Aging</a>.



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Cannabis use is rising significantly among older adults

We've entered an age when a once demonized plant is...

Environmentalists and climate scientists have long emphasized the urgency of preserving the Amazon rainforest.



Contributing significantly towards the global climate-control mechanism, the Amazon rainforest is more than a verdant wonder - it is the breathing "lungs" of our planet.



However, a startling revelation about the world's largest tropical rainforest has raised new concerns.



Almost 40% of the Amazon - the areas most crucial to mitigating climate change - remain unprotected. These regions are not shielded as Indigenous sanctuaries or nature reserves, according to a new report.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon-s-unprotected-regions">Amazon's unprotected regions</h2>



These unprotected territories are primarily situated in the extreme southwest of the Amazon in Peru, and the far northeast in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname.



What makes these parts exceptionally significant in the climate change combat "Those parts of the Amazon have the biggest, densest trees and the most continuous canopy cover," noted Matt Finer, who leads the Amazon Conservation's <a href="https://www.maaproject.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project</a> (MAAP).



These regions store large amounts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-release-carbon-faster-than-we-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a>, potentially turning into climate-warming greenhouse gases if jeopardized by fire or logging.



Combining the powers of satellite imaging and machine-learning models, the Amazon Conservation team produced a 3D image of the forest, focusing solely on aboveground vegetation.



The analysis has been instrumental in mapping the most pristine parts of the Amazon that still exist. "It really just gives this overall roadmap in terms of some of the highest carbon areas that are important to protect," said Finer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diminishing-levels-of-protection">Diminishing levels of protection </h2>



According to the MAAP analysis, 61% of the peak carbon areas in the Amazon are guarded as indigenous reserves or other protected lands. However, the remaining areas lack any formal designation.



Countries like Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana show a diminished level of protection with only 51% of high carbon areas labeled for preservation. Peru, on the other hand, protects a higher ratio of its critical areas. 



However, certain unprotected regions have been marked for logging, causing concern among environmentalists.



With an earlier analysis indicating that the Amazon held a staggering 71.5 billion tons of carbon, approximately double the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global carbon dioxide emissions</a> anticipated for 2022, the need to protect these regions becomes more crucial than ever.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-unprotected-amazon">Protecting the unprotected Amazon</h2>



The study also revealed that the Amazon absorbed more carbon than it released in the decade leading up to 2022, offering a glimmer of hope for the global climate scenario. 



Yet, this is still a hot topic of debate. Some research suggests that the Amazon has now become a source of emissions, instead of a carbon sink.



Without a doubt, safeguarding our environment is not just an option, it's our duty. Recognizing the urgency to protect these remaining pristine parts of the Amazon, therefore, is vital for the long-term health of our planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-impact-of-the-amazon">Global impact of the Amazon</h2>



The Amazon rainforest plays a pivotal role in maintaining global climate stability. Often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," the forest absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-takes-a-major-toll-on-childrens-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>.



Its complex ecosystems also serve as critical habitats for millions of species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. 



Beyond its ecological significance, the Amazon influences weather patterns across the planet, contributing to rainfall in regions far beyond South America.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-threat-of-deforestation">The threat of deforestation</h2>



Despite its importance, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brazilian-amazon-crisis-deforestation-is-escalating-in-indigenous-territories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a> and degradation continue to threaten the Amazon. Logging, mining, and agricultural expansion have left significant portions of the forest vulnerable.



The destruction of these areas not only accelerates biodiversity loss but also disrupts the Amazon's ability to act as a carbon sink. 



If deforestation trends continue, scientists warn that the Amazon could reach a tipping point where it would shift from being a vital carbon store to a carbon emitter, exacerbating the global climate crisis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-the-amazon">The future of the Amazon</h2>



Protecting the Amazon is not just a regional issue but a global responsibility. Efforts to create more protected areas, enforce conservation laws, and involve indigenous communities in land stewardship are crucial for safeguarding the rainforest’s future.



As the largest tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainforest</a> on Earth, the Amazon's preservation will play an essential role in the fight against climate change. 



Every unprotected area represents a missed opportunity to secure the planet’s ecological balance, and immediate action is necessary to prevent further loss.



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Nearly 40% of climate-critical Amazon rainforest is unprotected

Environmentalists and climate scientists have long emphasized the urgency of...

A new study reveals that bees and other pollinators are not just attracted to colorful petals or the sweet scent of nectar. The hidden bullseyes in the flower pattern play a significant role in attracting bees.



Hibiscus flowers, for instance, possess an invisible pre-pattern during the early stages of petal formation. This blueprint dictates the size of their bullseyes, a feature that directly impacts their attractiveness to pollinators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-and-flower-patterns">Bees and flower patterns</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>'s Sainsbury Laboratory have unearthed some compelling findings. It turns out, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bee-day-2024-bee-engaged-with-youth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> are quite choosy. 



Bees have a clear preference for larger bullseyes and buzz faster towards artificial flower discs with larger bullseyes. This preference may enhance the efficiency of both bees and blossoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-patterns-the-making-of-bullseyes">Hidden patterns: The making of bullseyes</h2>



The researchers ventured into the mysterious world of petal designs. Using a small hibiscus plant as a model, they compared closely related plants with identical flower sizes but differently sized bullseyes.



Dr. Edwige Moyroud, a leading researcher at the Sainsbury Laboratory, has been studying the mechanisms underlying pattern formation in petals. She noted that a pre-pattern sets up on the petal surface early in the flower’s formation, long before any visible color shows up on the petal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-bullseye-patterns">Evolution of bullseye patterns</h2>



Study lead author Dr. Lucie Riglet further investigated how these bullseye patterns form and evolve. She discovered that the pre-pattern begins as a small, crescent-shaped region, even before the bullseye is visible on tiny petals that are less than 0.2mm in size.



"At the earliest stage we could dissect, the petals have around 700 cells and are still greenish in color, with no visible purple pigment and no difference in cell shape or size," noted Dr. Riglet.



"When the petal further develops to 4,000 cells, it still does not have any visible pigment, but we identified a specific region where the cells were larger than their surrounding neighbors.&nbsp;This is the pre-pattern.”&nbsp;



The cells that Dr Riglet studied are essential as they mark the position of the bullseye boundary, the line on the petal where the color changes from purple to white. And what happens without a boundary? No bullseye.



Dr. Argyris Zardilis developed a computational model that delivered additional insights. These models showed that hibiscus can change bullseye dimensions very early during the pre-patterning phase by adjusting cell expansion or division later in development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flower-patterns-from-a-bee-s-perspective">Flower patterns from a bee's perspective</h2>



Dr. Riglet explored the impact of the bullseye patterns on pollinators, using artificial flower discs that mimic the dimensions of the three different bullseyes.



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-face-a-multitude-of-complex-stressors-in-the-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> not only preferred the medium and larger bullseyes over the small bullseye, they were also 25% quicker visiting these larger flower discs," said Dr. Riglet.



"Foraging requires a lot of energy and so if a bee can visit 4 flowers rather than 3 flowers in the same time, then this is probably beneficial for the bee, and also the plants."



These pre-pattern strategies in flowers could have deep evolutionary roots, possibly influencing the diversity of flower patterns across different species. 



The research team, led by Dr. Edwige Moyroud, continues to dig into the signals that generate these early patterns and explore similar pre-patterning mechanisms in other plant organs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-agriculture">Implications for agriculture</h2>



The newfound understanding of bullseye patterns' impact on pollinator behavior holds significant implications for both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bee-colonies-are-collapsing-as-climate-change-progresses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation and agriculture</a>.



Enhancing our knowledge of these floral designs can aid in developing strategies to bolster pollinator visits, which is vital for the success of crops reliant on pollination. 



By aligning agricultural practices with these insights, farmers could potentially boost yields by modifying or selecting plant varieties with optimal bullseye patterns that are more attractive to pollinators, thereby improving pollination efficiency and crop production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-into-bullseye-patterns">Future research into bullseye patterns </h2>



The scope of research into bullseye patterns is set to expand, opening new avenues for discovery. Future studies may explore the genetic underpinnings that determine the formation and variability of these patterns in different floral species.



Unraveling the genetic and environmental factors that modulate bullseye dimensions can lead to unprecedented insights into plant-pollinator coevolution. 



Furthermore, exploring the application of computational models across diverse plant species could unveil universal principles of pattern formation, informing not only botanical science but also biomimetic design in technology and art.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-bullseyes-and-biodiversity">Bees, bullseyes, and biodiversity</h2>



This research not only advances our understanding of plant biology but also reinforces the intricate bonds between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-spring-flowers-can-save-bees-and-boost-pollination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants and their environments</a>. 



The precision of natural designs plays a crucial role in species survival and evolution. The H. trionum, for example, with larger bullseye sizes, possibly attracts more pollinators, enhancing its reproductive success.



So, the next time you admire a flower, remember there's more to it than meets the eye. Beneath the surface beauty, there's a world of complex, precise patterns - nature's very own masterpiece.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp5574" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Bees prefer flowers with large bullseyes

A new study reveals that bees and other pollinators are...

In an astounding revelation, scientists have shed new light on the contributing factors behind Amazon rainforest carbon emissions. 



Using high-resolution aerial scans and cutting-edge computational modeling, the researchers have identified wildfires, storms, and selective logging as the dominant culprits.



These disturbances, once thought to have a lesser impact, surprisingly outweigh traditional clear-cutting practices in terms of Amazon carbon loss.



This new understanding challenges long-held assumptions and highlights the urgent need to address multiple drivers of degradation to protect the Amazon’s crucial role in regulating Earth's climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unveiling-the-drivers-of-amazon-carbon-loss">Unveiling the drivers of Amazon carbon loss</h2>



Instead of relying on conventional methods, the researchers used drones equipped with state-of-the-art light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors.



These sophisticated devices allowed the experts to accurately map and measure tree biomass and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/circular-economy-needed-to-reduce-americas-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon emissions</a> across vast stretches of Brazilian forests.



"Here, we estimate changes of forest aboveground carbon (AGC) stocks attributed to both human-induced degradation and natural disturbances, and the postdisturbance regrowth over an area of active land use change in the southern Brazilian Amazon," noted the researchers.



With the backing of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the scientists uncovered alarming findings. Of the estimated 90.5 million tons of carbon lost annually, a staggering 60 million tons were attributed to forest degradation caused by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-in-old-growth-amazon-forests-increased-by-152-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a>, storms, and selective logging.



In contrast, only about 24 million tons could be traced back to clear-cutting, challenging the traditional view of deforestation as the primary driver of carbon loss in the Amazon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-dynamics-in-forests">Carbon dynamics in forests </h2>



Study co-author K.C. Cushman is an environmental scientist and expert in data analytics at the <a href="https://www.ornl.gov/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxY-3BhAuEiwAu7Y6sz_5c-_3HT-Qu7Wo4kTAuc8pjs6xQqv5i_IiLOxqGcEn-S4Su1nfFRoCAa8QAvD_BwE">Oak Ridge National Laboratory</a>.



"It's important to calibrate models to local conditions to achieve the best estimates," noted Cushman. "Tree shape varies a lot from one setting to another even if it's the same species."



The research highlights the urgency of addressing these newly uncovered triggers for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainforest</a> carbon emissions.



Cushman and his team are now applying similar cutting-edge methodologies to study carbon dynamics in forests across the U.S. Southeast and also in tropical regions, further broadening the understanding of global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-explores-forest-degradation-in-the-atlantic-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest degradation</a>.



While clear-cutting was once considered the primary villain behind carbon emissions in rainforests, the new findings shift the focus to other key contributors.



Coordinated action is urgently needed to safeguard the planet's rainforests, which play an essential role in stabilizing Earth's climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon-carbon-loss-and-global-warming">Amazon carbon loss and global warming</h2>



The Amazon rainforest is often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth” due to its vast capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide, acting as a critical buffer against climate change. 



Covering an estimated 5.5 million square kilometers, the Amazon plays a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate by sequestering massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, which helps mitigate global warming.



Recent findings emphasize that disturbances such as wildfires, storms, and selective logging significantly disrupt this delicate balance, leading to a surge in carbon emissions. 



These destructive forces not only release stored carbon but also weaken the forest's ability to regenerate and continue functioning as a major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-can-flip-forests-from-carbon-sinks-to-carbon-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon sink</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efforts-to-mitigate-climate-change">Efforts to mitigate climate change </h2>



Protecting the Amazon’s integrity is not just a regional issue but a global necessity. As the Amazon continues to lose its ability to act as a carbon sink, efforts to mitigate climate change could face serious setbacks. 



Without immediate intervention, the degradation of this invaluable ecosystem could accelerate, pushing the world closer to climate tipping points.



In light of these new insights into the hidden drivers of carbon emissions, scientists and policymakers are calling for a more comprehensive approach to Amazon rainforest conservation. 



Efforts must move beyond simply preventing clear-cutting and should address forest degradation caused by smaller-scale but equally destructive activities. 



Integrating advanced technologies like LiDAR into conservation strategies will be vital in monitoring and managing forest health. 



Local communities, governments, and international organizations must collaborate to enforce stricter logging regulations, prevent wildfires, and restore degraded areas to safeguard the Amazon’s ecological and carbon-regulating functions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2310157121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Hidden triggers of Amazon carbon emissions revealed

In an astounding revelation, scientists have shed new light on...

It is a well-established fact that the ozone layer shields our planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation, playing a vital role in protecting life on Earth. 



Preserving this layer stands as a golden feather in the environmental preservation cap, representing one of humanity’s greatest successes in global environmental cooperation.



However, when ozone managed to take residence at the ground level, it ceased to be a silent guardian; it became a dangerous threat to both the environment and public health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-ground-level-ozone">Impacts of ground-level ozone </h2>



Ground-level ozone is a harmful combination of pollutants emitted from human activities such as industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and deforestation. 



Under the unforgiving glare of sunlight, ozone pollution is causing considerable disturbance to our ecosystems.



Not only does it pose serious health risks to humans, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular problems, but it also interferes with plants' ability to absorb carbon dioxide, undermining their role in mitigating climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ozone-and-stunted-forest-growth">Ozone and stunted forest growth</h2>



New research published in the journal Nature Geoscience paints an alarming picture of the growing threat posed by ground-level <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ozone-pollution-may-endanger-millions-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ozone pollution</a>. It is significantly stunting the annual growth of tropical forests, with an average reduction of 5.1% in new growth.



The situation is even more severe in Asia, where certain regions are experiencing a dramatic 10.9% decline in new forest growth, highlighting the unequal impact of ozone pollution across the globe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduction-in-forest-carbon-storage">Reduction in forest carbon storage </h2>



According to Dr. Alexander Cheesman from <a href="https://www.jcu.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Cook University</a> and the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>, tropical forests play a crucial role in offsetting carbon dioxide emissions. "Our study shows that air pollution can jeopardize this critical ecosystem service."



The study estimates that ozone pollution has prevented the capture of a staggering 290 million tons of carbon annually since 2000.



This significant loss of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> sequestration capacity underscores the detrimental effect ozone pollution is having on tropical forests, which are critical for absorbing excess atmospheric carbon and mitigating the impacts of climate change.



"The resulting cumulative loss equates to a 17% reduction in carbon removal by tropical forests so far this century," said Dr. Cheesman.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ozone-pollution-and-forest-restoration-efforts">Ozone pollution and forest restoration efforts</h2>



Urbanization, industrialization, and increased burning of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuels</a> have escalated emissions of "precursor" molecules, such as nitrogen oxides, that lead to ozone formation. 



"Ozone concentrations across the tropics are projected to rise further due to increased precursor emissions and altered atmospheric chemistry in a warming world," said Dr. Flossie Brown, co-lead author of the study.



These rising ozone levels pose a significant threat to current and future forest restoration efforts, particularly in areas critical to mitigating climate change. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-air-quality">Improving air quality</h2>



"We found that areas of current and future forest restoration are disproportionately affected by this elevated ozone. It is clear that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-and-bushes-near-highways-improve-air-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air quality</a> will continue to play an important but often overlooked part in the way forests absorb and store carbon," said Dr. Brown. 



Improving air quality is vital for enabling forests to effectively absorb and store carbon, noted study co-author Professor Stephen Sitch.



"Embracing a future with greater environmental protection would lead to reduced ground-level ozone, improved air quality, and the additional benefit of enhanced carbon uptake in tropical forests," said Professor Stitch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dual-nature-of-ozone">The dual nature of ozone</h2>



Ozone exists in two forms: one as a protective shield in the stratosphere and the other as a harmful pollutant at ground level. 



While stratospheric ozone is essential for blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation, ground-level ozone (also known as tropospheric ozone) forms when pollutants from vehicles, industrial activities, and fires react with sunlight.



This ground-level ozone acts as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas</a>, trapping heat and contributing to climate change.



Ozone pollution is not only a threat to tropical forests but also to a wide range of ecosystems. In addition to stunting forest growth, ozone can damage crops, reduce agricultural productivity, and affect water quality by altering plant and soil interactions.



The broader ecological consequences of ozone pollution are becoming clearer, signaling an urgent need for stricter air quality regulations and the reduction of emissions that lead to its formation. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01530-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Ozone pollution is stunting tropical forest growth

It is a well-established fact that the ozone layer shields...

Cannabis agriculture is experiencing a revolution brought on by genetic research, propelling a new era in the cultivation and production of this globally sought-after crop.



At the heart of this transformation is the ability to manipulate plant genetics for optimized growth and productivity. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-genetics-and-enhanced-production">Cannabis genetics and enhanced production </h2>



A recent breakthrough centers around a key gene called CsMIKC1, which influences the number of flowering sites in Cannabis sativa.



The role of this gene in the development of the inflorescence, the flowering part of a plant, presents brand new opportunities for enhancing productivity in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/infectious-pathogen-has-spread-to-90-percent-of-cannabis-farms-in-california/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis farming</a>.



Through meticulous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/boosting-crop-colors-with-gene-editing-can-improve-weed-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene editing</a> and functional analysis, scientists have uncovered the substantial impact of CsMIKC1 on flower production. The discovery could lead to transformative change in agricultural practices.



The research may ultimately pave the way to the creation of highly productive and resilient cannabis strains that are custom-designed to maximize both medicinal and industrial uses. This would help to address the growing global demand for specialized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabinoids-as-pesticides-study-reveals-potential-of-hemp-compounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabinoids</a> and hemp-based products.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-demand-for-cannabis-products">Global demand for cannabis products</h2>



The perceived value of Cannabis sativa is largely hinged on its cannabinoids, derived chiefly from female inflorescences. However, optimizing flower and grain yield has been a daunting task due to inadequately explored genetic control of inflorescence development. 



As the global demand for cannabis-derived products escalates, it is vital to understand the regulatory mechanisms that lie beneath the surface.



Research into the genetic influences on inflorescence development can lay the fundamental groundwork for developing strategies to meet global production requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inflorescence-in-cannabis-sativa">Inflorescence in Cannabis sativa</h2>



A collaborative team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.caas.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences</a> has gained significant insights into the genetic makeup of inflorescence.



"Female inflorescence is the primary output of medical cannabis. It contains hundreds of cannabinoids that accumulate in the glandular trichomes," noted the researchers. "However, little is known about the genetic mechanisms governing cannabis inflorescence development."



The experts identified the CsMIKC1 gene as a controlling factor in cannabis flowering. They examined how mutations and overexpression of CsMIKC1 influenced flower and grain production. The study highlights the gene’s potential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-nitrogen-oxide-pollution-could-boost-crop-yields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amplifying crop yields</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extensive-genetic-network">Extensive genetic network </h2>



In their investigation, the scientists identified a key quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 8 linked to the number of inflorescences per branch, leading to the discovery of the CsMIKC1 gene. 



This gene works as a transcription factor, influencing inflorescence growth by interacting with proteins CsBPC2 and CsVIP3. 



When the CsMIKC1 gene was overexpressed in transgenic plants, there was a significant hike in the number of inflorescence, flower production, and grain yield. 



Conversely, mutants with CsMIKC1 showed stunted growth and lower yields, highlighting the regulatory significance of this gene. 



The study also revealed the influence of ethylene signaling pathways on CsMIKC1. By mapping key genes regulated by CsMIKC1, the researchers identified an extensive genetic network that governs inflorescence formation, providing crucial insights for future crop enhancement strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimizing-crop-performance">Optimizing crop performance </h2>



Study co-author Dr. Jianguang Su is an expert at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.



“The identification of CsMIKC1 as a regulator of inflorescence development marks a significant step forward in cannabis genetics. This gene is crucial in determining flower yield, which has profound implications for both medicinal and industrial uses," said Dr. Su. 



"By utilizing genetic modification techniques, we can develop targeted approaches to optimize crop performance, enhancing the Cannabis industry’s potential. This research not only deepens our understanding but also opens up exciting possibilities for developing high-yielding strains.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-cannabis-cultivation">The future of cannabis cultivation</h2>



Looking ahead, it's clear that the discovery of CsMIKC1 and its influence on inflorescence development opens up a whole new domain for genetic engineering to boost cannabis yields.



This newfound knowledge can stimulate the creation of novel cultivars with improved flower and grain production, optimizing agricultural efficiency. 



Furthermore, the involvement of ethylene signaling pathways presents opportunities for refined agronomic practices, such as ethylene treatments, to further amplify flower yield.



These advancements hold enormous promise to escalate cannabis production, keeping pace with the accelerating demand for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-may-be-a-highly-effective-treatment-for-cancer-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medicinal</a> and industrial applications globally.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/hr/article/11/8/uhae161/7691881" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horticulture Research</a>.



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Cannabis production may soon get a major boost

Cannabis agriculture is experiencing a revolution brought on by genetic...

The Amazon rainforest is a unique biodiversity hotspot, home to an astonishing array of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Many of these species are restricted to specific regions, but the reasons behind this have long puzzled scientists. 



Now, a new international study, led by the <a href="https://www.ceh.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Center for Ecology &amp; Hydrology</a> (UKCEH), offers fresh insights into the Amazon's evolution during the last Ice Age, between 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fragile-ecosystems-of-the-amazon">Fragile ecosystems of the Amazon</h2>



The research challenges long-standing beliefs about how the Amazon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-and-the-looming-threat-of-drought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainforest</a> responded to climatic changes during the Ice Age. 



The findings suggest that the Amazon is far more sensitive to environmental fluctuations than previously thought, providing yet another reminder of the dangers posed by rapid, human-induced climate change and large-scale land use shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interconnected-refuge-for-specialized-species">Interconnected refuge for specialized species</h2>



For years, scientists have debated whether, during the Ice Age, the Amazon was divided into isolated “forest islands” known as refugia, or whether the forest remained continuous, similar to its current expanse.&nbsp;



The UKCEH-led study, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44185-024-00056-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Biodiversity</a>, offers a new perspective: while forest islands existed, they were connected by woodlands and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazons-rainforests-are-at-risk-of-transforming-into-dry-grassy-savannas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">savannas</a>. This allowed certain adaptable animals to move between different habitats, while acting as a barrier for more specialized species that rely on specific ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-of-the-amazon">Biodiversity of the Amazon</h2>



The vegetation and climate of a region play a key role in natural evolution. As environmental conditions changed, animals across the Amazon adapted, leading to the emergence of new species in different areas. This process explains why the Amazon hosts such a diverse range of life today.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate changes</a> in the past played a huge role in shaping how the Amazon forest looked and where it grew. Similar changes are coming very soon and much faster,” said lead author Douglas Kelley, a land surface modeler at UKCEH. 



“Previously, fluctuations in climate took thousands of years to happen, enabling plants and animals to adapt, but now significant global warming is happening within decades due to increasing human-driven greenhouse gas emissions.”



The research team included scientists from institutions such as the <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/forest-research" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ontario Forest Research Institute</a>, Kiel University in Germany, the UK’s Met Office, and the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon-biodiversity-of-the-ice-age-nbsp">Amazon biodiversity of the Ice Age&nbsp;</h2>



By combining advanced climate and vegetation modeling with fossilized pollen records from sediment, the experts were able to create detailed predictions of the types of plants that thrived in the Amazon during the Ice Age. Previous research had largely relied on single techniques, but this study incorporated a broader range of data and methods.



Crucially, the researchers considered the gaps between areas where fossilized pollen has been found and analyzed whether animals could have moved between these habitats.&nbsp;



Computer and statistical models predicted what types of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-vegetation-database-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vegetation</a> likely existed in these in-between areas, verifying the team's predictions with the plant types recorded in adjacent regions.



During the Ice Age, the Amazon’s forest cover was dramatically reduced due to the colder, drier climate. Lower levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, along with dry conditions, limited tree growth and led to more frequent wildfires, which destroyed large portions of the forest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-nature-of-the-research-nbsp">Innovative nature of the research&nbsp;</h2>



Study co-author Dr. Hiromitsu Sato of the Ontario Forest Research Institute highlighted the innovative nature of the team's approach.&nbsp;



“We believe our study, involving integrated modeling methods, provides the best evidence to date on the origins of the rich <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-impact-of-fire-on-amazon-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> in the Amazon,” said Dr. Sato.



“Using land surface modeling to provide crucial information on biodiversity is a new and very exciting innovation that could be used in future to investigate the history of species where there is a shortage of data.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-amazon-diversity-of-the-past">Understanding Amazon diversity of the past</h2>



Looking ahead, the researchers plan to explore how various groups of Amazonian species - such as monkeys, frogs, antbirds, butterflies, and lianas - diverged over thousands of years in response to changing environments.&nbsp;



By continuing to investigate the intricate relationship between climate, vegetation, and species evolution, the team hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the Amazon’s past - and how this knowledge can inform efforts to protect its future in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.



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How the Amazon became a biodiversity hotspot

The Amazon rainforest is a unique biodiversity hotspot, home to...

With carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rising sharply over recent decades, scientists and policymakers alike are becoming increasingly concerned about the long-term impact on global climate patterns. 



As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, there is a growing urgency to develop effective strategies for capturing and holding carbon. 



One promising approach focuses on the role of soil in carbon sequestration, where innovative farming practices can help reduce atmospheric CO2 by trapping it within the earth’s natural processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-practices-and-soil-carbon-storage">Farming practices and soil carbon storage</h2>



Researchers from <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kansas State University</a> (K-State) are investigating how various farming practices can influence the amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-forests-can-store-the-most-soil-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon stored in soil</a>, a crucial factor in mitigating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survey-mother-nature-is-more-likely-to-solve-climate-change-than-geoengineering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. 



The study seeks to uncover how long-term agricultural techniques, particularly in no-till farming systems, impact the soil's ability to capture and retain carbon over time.



To gain deeper insights, the team utilized advanced imaging technologies at two of the world’s most cutting-edge research facilities: the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley, California. 



By analyzing soil from a Kansas cornfield that has been farmed using no-till methods for 22 years, they aimed to determine how different nitrogen management strategies influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-air-pollution-could-greatly-boost-carbon-sequestration-by-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon sequestration</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fertilizers-and-long-term-study-results">Fertilizers and long-term study results</h2>



During the 22-year period, the farm employed a range of soil nitrogen management practices, each with distinct impacts on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-adopt-regenerative-agriculture-better-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil health</a> and carbon storage. 



These practices included the use of no fertilizer, chemical fertilizers, and organic options like manure or compost fertilizers. 



By comparing these different methods, the researchers aimed to identify which practices are most effective in enhancing soil quality and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-food-systems-are-gaining-momentum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainability in agricultural systems</a>.



The findings, published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal, offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of soil enrichment, providing a clearer picture of how specific farming practices can enhance the soil's ability to act as a carbon sink.



“We were trying to understand what the mechanisms are behind increasing soil carbon storage using certain management practices,” said Dr. Ganga Hettiarachchi, professor of soil and environmental chemistry. “We were looking at not just soil carbon, but other soil minerals that are going to help store carbon.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-sequestration-and-imaging-insights">Carbon sequestration and imaging insights</h2>



Consistent with findings from previous research, the K-State team discovered that soil treated with organic matter, such as manure or compost fertilizer, demonstrated significantly higher carbon storage than soil treated with either chemical fertilizers or none at all. 



This highlights the potential of organic fertilizers not only to improve soil health but also to play a critical role in capturing and storing atmospheric carbon.



What sets this study apart is the use of ultrabright synchrotron light, a powerful tool that enabled the researchers to examine the soil structure at a microscopic level. 



This advanced technology allowed the team to visualize precisely how carbon molecules interact with the soil, revealing that much of the carbon was preserved in small pores and had bonded with minerals - an important factor in long-term carbon sequestration.



“It was preserved in pores, and some carbon had attached itself to minerals in the soil," noted Dr. Hettiarachchi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-diversity-and-carbon-storage">Microbial diversity and carbon storage</h2>



The experts also uncovered another important benefit of using manure or compost as a soil treatment: it led to higher levels of microbial carbon compared to soil treated with chemical fertilizers or left untreated.



This increase in microbial carbon is a clear indicator of greater microbial diversity and activity within the soil. 



A thriving microbial community is essential for soil health, as these microorganisms play a critical role in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and overall soil structure, all of which contribute to enhanced carbon storage and long-term soil fertility.



“To my knowledge, this is the first direct evidence of mechanisms through which organic enhancements improve soil health, microbial diversity, and carbon sequestration,” said Dr. Hettiarachchi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-sustainable-agriculture">Implications for sustainable agriculture</h2>



Because synchrotron imaging is non-destructive, the team could observe soil aggregate (clumps) in its natural state, without needing to disrupt the soil structure. This allowed them to look at the carbon chemistry in situ.



“Collectively, studies like this are going to help us move forward to more sustainable, regenerative agriculture practices that will protect our soils and environment while helping to feed growing populations,” concluded Dr. Hettiarachchi. 



“Understanding the role of different minerals, chemicals, and microbes will also help improve models for predicting how various farming practices affect soil carbon storage.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/saj2.20701" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soil Science Society of America Journal</a>.



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Organic farming practices boost soil carbon storage

With carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rising sharply over...

Endangered animals