In the natural world, family often defines survival strategies. Across species, cooperation among relatives has evolved into a powerful tool to ensure success in challenging environments. Yet few creatures embody this principle so intricately as the long-tailed tit.



Found flitting through British gardens, these small birds reveal extraordinary loyalty to their kin. Far from fleeting connections, long-tailed tits show unwavering commitment to family, even during the upheaval of migration. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooperation-in-animal-societies">Cooperation in animal societies</h2>



Recent research from the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a> brings the hidden social lives of long-tailed tits into sharp focus, offering new insights into how cooperation shapes animal societies.



Decades of careful observation and rigorous analysis culminated in a study that redefines what we know about the evolution of social behaviors. 



Through the lives of these tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-adapt-their-survival-strategies-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>, we glimpse powerful lessons about kinship, resilience, and the surprising complexity of animal communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-tailed-tits-stay-loyal-to-family">Long-tailed tits stay loyal to family</h2>



The study, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, draws on an extraordinary 30-year dataset. It confirms that long-tailed tits retain strong family bonds throughout migratory movements - a phenomenon never before documented so consistently in cooperative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/big-brains-and-wide-ranges-cant-save-birds-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>.



Long-tailed tits migrate not as isolated individuals but as tightly knit family units. This behavior ensures that when they arrive at new locations, they are surrounded by familiar, trusted kin ready to support each other.



"This 30-year study is unique in its depth and has allowed us to understand the evolution of cooperation in a way that would not have been possible otherwise. The discovery of family ties persisting through migration is particularly exciting," noted Dr. Jennifer Morinay, co-lead author of the research.



"These tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> essentially travel with their support network, ensuring that when they reach their new location, they have their kin ready to assist. It highlights the profound importance of family in their social structure."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-groups-survive-together">Family groups survive together</h2>



The research identifies several intertwined processes that create and sustain these family structures. Limited natal dispersal ensures many young birds settle close to their birthplace. Even when they do move, long-tailed tits often migrate alongside their siblings, keeping family bonds intact across vast distances.



At the same time, environmental pressures, particularly high predation rates, play a significant role. Frequent nest failures result in clusters of surviving families, making the presence of close kin nearby more likely. Together, these ecological and demographic factors form what scientists term "kin neighborhoods."



Incredibly, even migratory long-tailed tits, such as those studied in Estonia, preserve these ties during long journeys. Studies found that 82% of migratory flocks included at least one first-order relative. These findings challenge longstanding assumptions that migration disrupts social cohesion among birds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-roots-of-helping-behavior">Evolutionary roots of helping behavior</h2>



Long-tailed tits do not only stick close to their families; they actively help them. When breeding attempts fail, many individuals redirect their efforts to assist <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-birds-are-at-great-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relatives</a> raising broods. This redirected helping strengthens the survival chances of their kin’s offspring, ultimately boosting their own inclusive fitness.



"The push and pull between cooperation and competition is something we readily recognize in our own lives. This study demonstrates that these same fundamental tensions are at play in the social dynamics of long-tailed tits and likely many other species," noted Professor Ben Hatchwell, co-lead author of the study.



"Our long-term research provides significant insights into the ecological and social conditions that favour cooperative behaviour and the evolutionary forces that sculpt these intricate social interactions."



Helping decisions are not random acts of kindness. They are influenced by various factors including the bird’s own breeding success, its relatedness to nearby individuals, and the strength of prior social bonds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mistakes-in-kin-recognition">Mistakes in kin recognition</h2>



Despite their strong social instincts, long-tailed tits sometimes help unrelated individuals. 



About 30% of helpers were found assisting nests of non-kin. Scientists believe this stems from errors in kin recognition rather than a deliberate choice.



The birds rely heavily on learned acoustic cues to identify relatives. Calls learned during the nestling stage help them recognize kin, but these vocal cues are not always completely reliable. Studies show overlap in call similarities between kin and non-kin, leading to occasional misdirected care.



Efforts are ongoing to determine whether other cues, such as olfactory signals, also influence how long-tailed tits recognize their family and make crucial helping decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environment-shapes-cooperation">Environment shapes cooperation</h2>



The study also shows how environmental pressures influence the rates of cooperation. Moderate levels of nest predation foster the highest levels of helping behaviour. 



If predation is too low, there are fewer failed breeders needing alternative strategies. If too high, there are simply fewer successful nests available to help.



Shorter breeding seasons similarly encourage cooperation. With less time to attempt new broods after failure, many birds abandon independent breeding and instead opt to help their kin.



Interestingly, overall population density did not seem to impact cooperation rates, suggesting that the quality of family connections matters more than simple numbers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choosing-where-to-live">Choosing where to live</h2>



Where a bird chooses to settle has long-term fitness consequences. Males who stay close to their natal territory accrue higher indirect fitness by helping relatives. Conversely, males who disperse far have fewer opportunities to help and lower overall inclusive fitness.



Females experience a different dynamic. Those who disperse farther tend to achieve slightly better direct reproductive success, likely because dispersal reduces inbreeding risks.



These differing pressures create a fascinating tug-of-war, shaping dispersal behaviours across generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-ties-of-long-tailed-tits">Family ties of long-tailed tits </h2>



Perhaps the most striking revelation is that migration, once believed to hinder the evolution of cooperation, does not necessarily break social bonds. Long-tailed tits maintain their family ties even after traveling hundreds of kilometres.



This finding challenges traditional theories and highlights the incredible flexibility of social strategies in the natural world. Stable territorial groups are not the only route to successful cooperation. 



Dynamic, migratory species can also evolve and sustain sophisticated social systems based on family loyalty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-long-tailed-tits-recognize-family">How do long-tailed tits recognize family?</h2>



Looking ahead, the researchers aim to untangle the specific mechanisms that allow long-tailed tits to recognize and remember their kin.



Current efforts focus on understanding the role of calls, scents, and social associations built during early life stages. Scientists are investigating whether maintaining winter flock associations with relatives influences recognition in later breeding seasons.



These studies promise to deepen our understanding of how cooperation, kinship, and social cognition evolve across species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-birds-with-mighty-hearts">Tiny birds with mighty hearts</h2>



Through the lives of long-tailed tits, we see how powerful, enduring, and flexible family bonds can be, even in a world full of risks and change.



The study from Sheffield shows that nature’s loyalty is not reserved for mammals or large social species alone. In every tiny flutter of a long-tailed tit’s wing, there lies a rich story of kinship, survival, and the enduring power of cooperation.



The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.14237" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Animal Ecology</a>. 



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Long-tailed tits migrate in family units and maintain lasting bonds

In the natural world, family often defines survival strategies. Across species, cooperation among relatives has evolved into a powerful tool to ensure success in challenging environments. Yet few creatures embody this principle so intricately as the long-tailed tit. Found flitting through British gardens, these small birds reveal extraordinary loyalty to their kin. Far from fleeting connections, long-tailed tits show unwavering commitment to family, even during the upheaval of migration. Cooperation in animal societies Recent research from the University of Sheffield brings the hidden social lives of long-tailed...

Dungeness crab, Pacific herring, and red abalone are among the coastal species that appear most vulnerable to climate risks such as rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and deoxygenation.&nbsp;



The susceptibility of these species to environmental stressors could have significant consequences for local economies and cultural traditions that rely on healthy fisheries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-vulnerability-to-climate-risks">Species vulnerability to climate risks</h2>



In a new paper titled “A Collaborative Climate Vulnerability Assessment of California Marine Fishery Species,” researchers have outlined which animals are most threatened by predicted changes in the state’s coastal waters.&nbsp;



The study was led by Timothy Frawley, an assistant project scientist at <a href="https://ims.ucsc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of Marine Sciences</a> and assistant professor at UC Davis’s Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology.



The research aims to assist the <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Department of Fish and Wildlife</a> (CDFW) in developing “climate-ready” management strategies for commercial and recreational fisheries.



By detailing how different species respond to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-fisheries-threatened-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental shifts</a>, the team hopes to lay a foundation for policies that can better adapt to and mitigate climate-related challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economically-important-fisheries">Economically important fisheries</h2>



“The results are striking,” said Frawley, who spent five years as a commercial fisherman before earning a PhD in marine biology. “Some of California’s most economically and culturally important fisheries are assessed as being among the most vulnerable to projected future environmental changes.”



For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-improve-well-being-in-coastal-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal communities</a>, the threat goes beyond ecology - it touches on livelihoods. The iconic Dungeness crab fishery, for instance, delivers more than 8,200 tons annually, yielding over $45 million for local economies in a typical season.&nbsp;



While this crab fishery remains robust, others have not fared as well. Red abalone, once generating an estimated $24 to $44 million in recreational value per year, has been off-limits since 2018.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, Pacific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rapid-evolution-in-the-baltic-sea-how-herring-became-fish-eaters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herring</a> in San Francisco Bay - once the basis of a thriving commercial fishery - have seen biomass drop by over 75%, forcing many fishers to abandon the trade entirely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-species-in-a-warming-climate">Shifting species in a warming climate</h2>



“While overall across the Northeast Pacific, a species like Pacific Herring may do OK, try telling that to a herring fisherman based out of San Francisco Bay. If their resource moves hundreds of miles away, it’s a big deal to them,” Frawley explained.&nbsp;



“It’s important to do these assessments at a scale that provides results that will be practical at the local level. So in that respect, this represents a step forward.”



Such local-level nuance is crucial, since some species may simply relocate northward as waters warm. For example, market squid - currently a mainstay of the state’s fisheries - could shift offshore or to cooler regions off Oregon or Washington, undercutting California-based fleets.&nbsp;



By contrast, certain warm-water fish like Pacific bonito might expand their range into the California Current, potentially offering new fishing opportunities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-sensitivity-to-climate-risks">Species' sensitivity to climate risks</h2>



To determine which species face the greatest climate risks, the study evaluated 34 fish and invertebrates for their vulnerability over two periods: 2030-2060 and 2070-2100.&nbsp;



The researchers focused on both sensitivity (biological attributes such as reproductive rates, habitat preferences, and susceptibility to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-acidification-is-spreading-into-deeper-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acidification</a>) and exposure (projected ocean conditions, including temperature, salinity, upwelling, subsurface oxygen levels, and sea-level rise).



These factors were combined to rank species into four categories - blue (lowest vulnerability), yellow, orange, and red (highest vulnerability).&nbsp;



Dungeness crab, red abalone, Pacific herring, pink shrimp, and Pismo clam were among those ultimately placed in the red zone over the longer term, with ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and other compounding challenges expected to intensify.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-abalone-and-a-changing-coast">Red abalone and a changing coast</h2>



Among the most concerning examples is red abalone, a bottom-dwelling mollusk highly susceptible to marine heatwaves. Because it has limited mobility and depends on stable kelp habitats for food, any extreme temperature swings or shifts in ocean chemistry can devastate its populations.&nbsp;



The fishery’s closure in 2018 was a stark indicator of how vulnerable benthic species can be, and the new study reinforces the urgency of monitoring and protective measures.



Market squid, contributing an estimated $43.9 million annually, and spiny lobster, worth around $10.7 million, also show cause for concern. Ensuring that these high-value fisheries can adapt may require both policy interventions and collaborative planning with industry stakeholders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-coastal-communities">Supporting coastal communities</h2>



“My experience working as a fisherman has inspired me to focus my work as a marine scientist on supporting coastal communities by providing them with information required to better navigate risk and uncertainty,” Frawley said.&nbsp;



“My time at sea impressed upon me the links and feedbacks between environmental variability and change and marine-resource-dependent industries and communities, as well as an appreciation for fisheries as a team sport.”



Though the public often views fishing as fiercely independent, Frawley explained that it requires a complex network.&nbsp;



“To make the gears turn, it requires a team of individuals working together on deck, groups of boats sharing information; dock workers and truck drivers to unload and transport the product; buyers and processors to package and market it; and managers and scientists to set the harvest levels and ensure that operations are sustainable."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anticipating-changes-to-protect-fisheries">Anticipating changes to protect fisheries </h2>



In highlighting the most at-risk species, this study provides a vital roadmap for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as it works to develop adaptive measures. 



Possible strategies include flexible harvest regulations, real-time monitoring of populations, and broad collaboration among scientists, fishers, and policymakers.



While shifts in ocean conditions are already underway, the ability to anticipate change is essential for managing fisheries so they remain viable in the decades to come.&nbsp;



With clear evidence that climate change is already reshaping marine environments, proactive planning could mean the difference between a future of thriving coastal economies or dwindling opportunities for fishermen and seafood lovers alike.



The research was conducted in close collaboration with fisheries scientists at the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA), the <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Conservancy</a>, and the <a href="https://opc.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Ocean Protection Council</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0000574" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Climate</a>.



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Economically important marine species face high climate risks

Dungeness crab, Pacific herring, and red abalone are among the...

Caribou conservation&nbsp;has always been a challenge, along with protecting other endangered species. Conservationists typically focus on genetic diversity and habitat protection, but a new study suggests a more detailed approach. 



Researchers at the University of Calgary have proposed a new way to identify at-risk wildlife populations.



Their method focuses on individual movement patterns rather than broad <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population trends</a>. Caribou, a species facing serious environmental threats, is the focus of this study.



A recent paper in Biological Conservation presents findings from long-term GPS tracking of caribou across Western Canada. The study identifies six behavioral groups, each requiring unique conservation efforts.



“We took the approach of using behavior to try to see if there are differences between individuals and groups that can be clustered into similarities,” said lead author Margaret Hughes, a PhD candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences.



By analyzing movement, the researchers inferred why caribou travel to certain locations. They examined migration patterns, habitat size, and elevation changes to determine behavioral differences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caribou-conservation-beyond-genetics">Caribou conservation beyond genetics</h2>



Conservation efforts often rely on genetic data to define at-risk caribou populations. However, Hughes argues for a broader approach that incorporates behavioral insights.



“It allows conservation managers to recognize ecologically meaningful variation within species, helping to maintain biodiversity and improve management strategies,” noted Hughes.



This method challenges traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-era-in-wildlife-conservation-how-ai-will-help-protect-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife management</a>. It provides a more detailed understanding of how caribou interact with their environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-human-activity">Impact of human activity</h2>



Caribou, known as reindeer in Europe, belong to the deer family. Their survival is threatened by habitat destruction from industries like oil, gas, and forestry. Climate change adds further pressure.



“The species is iconic,” said Dr. Marco Musiani, a professor at the <a href="https://www.unibo.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bologna</a> and an adjunct professor at <a href="https://www.ucalgary.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCalgary</a>. “It is the most famous species affected by oil and gas and forestry in Canada and also climate change, and one of the most sensitive worldwide.”



Musiani supervised Hughes’ research and believes this science could have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-leaks-conservation-efforts-may-shift-harm-elsewhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wide-reaching effects</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-strategies-for-caribou-conservation">New strategies for caribou conservation</h2>



The study suggests that this approach could guide conservation beyond caribou.



“Our findings provide a framework that can be applied beyond caribou to other species at risk, helping to guide habitat protection, restoration, and even translocation strategies - areas that are currently the focus of significant investments,” explained Hughes.



She noted that the tracking data could be used to design protected ecological corridors and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> areas. This could help safeguard wildlife movement across landscapes.



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



Technological advancements have made it easier to study wildlife behavior in real-time. 



The GPS collars used in this research provided highly detailed movement data over several years. These tools allow scientists to track animals across large regions, revealing patterns that were previously difficult to detect.



Drones, satellite imaging, and remote sensing can complement GPS tracking. By combining these technologies, researchers can assess changes in habitat conditions, monitor threats, and refine conservation efforts. This approach moves beyond traditional field studies, offering more precise and actionable data.



Understanding movement patterns with this level of accuracy can help conservationists predict how wildlife will respond to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bonobo-day-a-celebration-of-love-peace-and-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental changes</a>. 



This knowledge is crucial in developing&nbsp;caribou conservation&nbsp;strategies that can withstand future threats, including climate shifts and human expansion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-protecting-ecosystems">Importance of protecting ecosystems</h2>



Caribou do not exist in isolation. Their survival depends on the health of entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-conservation-day-2024-saving-species-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>. Boreal forests and alpine environments provide the food and shelter they need, but these habitats are increasingly at risk. 



Deforestation, resource extraction, and infrastructure development continue to fragment caribou ranges, making it harder for them to migrate and find suitable conditions.



Protecting ecosystems benefits not just caribou but also other species that share the same habitats. Wolves, bears, and smaller mammals rely on similar landscapes. By safeguarding large areas of intact wilderness, conservationists can preserve biodiversity on a much larger scale.



This research shows that conservation should protect both animals and their habitats. A broad approach helps future generations enjoy nature’s beauty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-collaborative-effort">A collaborative effort</h2>



The research involved multiple institutions, including the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Science. 



Researchers from the University of Bologna, the British Columbia <a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/water-land-and-resource-stewardship" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship</a>, and the Canadian Wildlife Service also contributed.



The study covered vast regions of the Rocky Mountains and the boreal forests of Western Canada.



Hughes emphasized the role of First Nations communities in making this research possible.



“We acknowledge that this work took place throughout British Columbia, on the traditional territories of the First Nations where caribou currently exist,” said Hughes.



This collaborative approach highlights the importance of integrating science with Indigenous knowledge to support&nbsp;caribou conservation&nbsp;and protect at-risk species.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320724004956?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biological Conservation</a>.



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Tracking caribou movement patterns can transform conservation

Caribou conservation&nbsp;has always been a challenge, along with protecting other...

When sea otters returned to islands along Southern California and British Columbia, researchers saw kelp forests revive. These forests had been wiped out by unchecked sea urchin populations. However, the speed of recovery varied by location, leaving scientists searching for answers.



A new study from <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CU Boulder</a> sheds light on this puzzle. It confirms that sea otters, a keystone species, help kelp forests grow back, but their impact depends on interactions with other marine species. The researchers analyzed decades of data to map changes in ecosystems over time.



“We always thought keystone species control their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a> the same way, regardless of where they are or what else is in the ecosystem,” said Ryan Langendorf, lead author of the paper. 



“A more modern view is that they are still very important, but they can have different effects in different places.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-sea-otters-in-forest-health">Role of sea otters in forest health</h2>



Scientists have been studying keystone species - animals that have a big impact on their environment - for a long time. One of these scientists, Jim Estes, spent his career researching sea otters. He discovered that sea otters play a key role in keeping kelp forests healthy.



Otters eat sea urchins, which are animals that feed on kelp. When there aren’t enough otters, sea urchins multiply and eat too much kelp. This destroys kelp <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-more-resilient-to-change-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a>, turning them into empty underwater areas with little life. 



But when otters are present, they keep the urchin population under control, allowing kelp forests to grow and support many marine species.



To understand this better, Estes and scientist Jane Watson studied what happened when sea otters were brought back to areas where they had disappeared. 



They focused on two locations: Nicolas Island in California and Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Over 30 years, they collected detailed data to see how sea otters influenced their surroundings. 



Before otters were reintroduced, both locations had too many sea urchins, and the kelp forests had almost disappeared. Their research provided strong evidence that sea otters are crucial for maintaining a balanced ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-rates-of-recovery">Different rates of recovery</h2>



The data showed that while kelp forests recovered in both locations, British Columbia saw much faster regrowth. 



In this region, the return of sea otters triggered a clear chain reaction: otters ate sea urchins, allowing kelp forests to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-play-an-overlooked-role-in-the-climate-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flourish</a>. However, in California, recovery was slower, revealing gaps in understanding.



To explore these differences, Langendorf developed a new model that visualized species interactions over time. This model functioned like a movie, capturing how different species influenced one another across decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-web-of-interactions">Complex web of interactions</h2>



The model provided a clearer picture of what slowed kelp recovery in Southern California. In this region, species interactions were more complex. 



Unlike in British Columbia, where otters had a strong effect on urchins, California’s ecosystem had additional competition among different species. This weakened the direct influence of sea otters on the system, slowing the pace of recovery.



“Almost all studies of ecological communities assume that these interaction strengths are static – that ‘the rules of the game’ don’t change even as the abundances of species do,” said Dan Doak, a professor of environmental studies at CU Boulder. 



“By developing a way to estimate these changing rules, Ryan has added to our appreciation of this particular system, as well as pioneering a more powerful way to understand other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-rich-tree-diversity-adapt-better-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological systems</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-otters-and-forests">Lessons from otters and forests</h2>



This study introduces a method that can help researchers understand how ecosystems change when species are reintroduced. By analyzing long-term data, scientists can predict how different species interact in shifting environments.



“The dynamic nature of ecosystems has long kept ecologists from understanding what species need and how best to manage them,” Langendorf said. 



“Being able to turn common survey data into a movie of species reacting to changes in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a> and each other feels like renewed hope for a field that more than ever needs to offer useful advice about how to help the many complex living systems we live with and cherish.”



This approach could provide insights into conservation efforts worldwide, helping scientists protect and restore fragile ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2413360122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Sea otters help kelp forests recover, but there's more to the story

When sea otters returned to islands along Southern California and...

Ancient fish once roamed the waters with features that preceded human elbows and knees. Scientists have revealed that our flexible joints can be traced to the earliest jawed fish, bridging the distant past with our daily movements.



Research on ancient fossils has shown that skeleton flexibility is not a modern trait. Jawless species do not appear to share this structural hallmark, signaling a major shift in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coelacanth-ngamugawi-wirngarri-new-species-living-fossil-fish-survived-over-400-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vertebrate history</a>.



Neelima Sharma of <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Chicago</a> is part of the team that investigated fossil evidence and living examples to see where these joints first emerged.



Sharma's <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002990" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> reveals that these articulated connections, once believed unique to bony species on land, appeared in ancient aquatic creatures long before limbs evolved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-flexible-connections">Exploring flexible connections</h2>



Synovial joints are typically found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-art-discovery-reveals-15800-year-old-fishing-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> that require movement with reduced friction. They appear as spaces, or cavities, between bones or cartilage, lubricated by a thin fluid.



This arrangement provides a blend of strength and range. It is more complex than joints that simply fuse or cartilaginous links that have limited motion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-sets-synovial-joints-apart">What sets synovial joints apart</h2>



Bone surfaces involved in this flexible setup often show specialized cells and proteins. These features help maintain smooth motion and prevent harmful rubbing.



Scientists once thought that this design was mostly found in land vertebrates. That assumption is now questioned by new analyses on certain fish skeletons.



<a href="https://www.glfc.org/sea-lamprey.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sea lampreys</a>, which belong to a lineage without jaws, do not display synovial cavities. Their skeletal elements meet in ways that lack the lubricated space.



Bamboo sharks and little skates, both cartilaginous fish, present a different picture. Joints in these species have the layered tissues and proteins that connect to the type of architecture previously linked to synovial structures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-scans-reveal-ancient-fish-joints">Fossil scans reveal ancient fish joints</h2>



The team used advanced imaging techniques to study a fossil fish known as Bothriolepis. This specimen exhibited a cavity between skeletal components - a trait places it among the oldest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mayan-civilization-may-have-been-shaped-by-ingenious-fisheries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> with a documented synovial joint.



Cartilaginous fish from modern times share some of these patterns with the fossil. Researchers see this as a sign that their common ancestor had joints that could bend with less wear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flexible-joints-helped-fish-move-better">Flexible joints helped fish move better</h2>



Changing from rigid junctions to more mobile connections offered new avenues in feeding and locomotion. Evolving jaws was one major step, but flexible joints around those jaws opened even more possibilities.



Joint evolution also affected survival. Fish that could maneuver more freely had advantages in escaping predators or capturing prey.



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



“The origin of mobile joints in our fish ancestors enabled them to move about and feed in new ways. This study shows that the developmental processes that are responsible for these joints arose deep within the fish evolutionary tree,” said Sharma.



There is ongoing interest in how other fossil groups fit into the timeline. Scientists aim to look at additional specimens, hoping to see exactly when these structural traits appeared in different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiktaalik-fossil-discovery-sheds-light-on-how-fish-walked-onto-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish branches</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-from-embryonic-development">Clues from embryonic development</h2>



Developing embryos often hold secrets about evolutionary history. The researchers found that the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05868-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">little skate embryo</a> forms joints in a way similar to tetrapods. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC21740/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Specific proteins</a> appear during development, signaling joint formation in ways that match land vertebrates.



Muscle activity also plays a crucial role. When scientists temporarily paralyzed developing little skates, their joints failed to form properly. This suggests that movement itself is key in shaping these structures, much like in zebrafish and tetrapods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-human-joints">What this means for human joints</h2>



Understanding where our synovial joints originated could help scientists explore joint disorders. Conditions like <a href="https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">osteoarthritis</a> involve the breakdown of joint cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness. 



Studying how these joints evolved may offer insights into preventing or treating such diseases.



The research also has implications for regenerative medicine. If scientists understand how these joints first formed, they may uncover ways to encourage cartilage repair.



Future studies could look at whether some of the ancient joint-forming proteins could be used in therapies for joint damage.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002990" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Biology</a>.



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Ancient fish had flexible joints like humans

Ancient fish once roamed the waters with features that preceded...

Eilat is the southernmost city of Israel, located on the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea. It is known for its warm climate, coral reefs, and vibrant tourism industry.



Each year in March and April, visitors to Eilat can witness a stunning spectacle. The shores turn pink due to millions of tiny crustaceans with large eyes. These organisms, identified as amphipods, belong to the order Amphipoda.



A recent study provides new insight into this unusual phenomenon. The research was led by Professor Tamar Guy-Haim from Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (<a href="https://www.ocean.org.il/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IOLR</a>), in collaboration with Dr. Bracha Farstey from the <a href="https://iui-eilat.ac.il" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences</a> in Eilat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pink-shores-on-the-red-sea">Pink shores on the Red Sea</h2>



The pink color of amphipods comes from carotenoid pigments that they obtain through their diet.



The researchers used an integrative taxonomy approach, combining genetic analysis with morphological identification, to classify these creatures. 



The team also examined environmental factors contributing to their mass mortality, which happens yearly during the same months.



"Like in a detective mystery, we tested several hypotheses," explained Professor Guy-Haim. "Many amphipods exhibit a unique reproductive strategy known as semelparity, where reproduction occurs only once in their lifetime, after which the females die, often simultaneously."



"However, our analyses showed an almost equal ratio of males to females, along with individuals of different sizes, allowing us to rule out semelparity as the root cause."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-stressors-and-amphipod-mortality">Environmental stressors and amphipod mortality</h2>



Climate change and marine heat waves have caused mass die-offs in the past. In the summer of 2017, sea temperatures in Eilat rose by over 4°C in just two and a half days, leading to mass coral reef fish deaths. 



However, the researchers found no unusual temperature spikes during the amphipod mortality events.



"Sometimes, environmental stressors increase susceptibility to parasites and pathogens," noted Professor Guy-Haim. "This has been observed in reef fish and the long-spined sea urchin in Eilat. However, we found no supporting evidence for this hypothesis either."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-possible-natural-cycle">A possible natural cycle</h2>



To dig deeper, the researchers reviewed scientific literature and discovered a similar event from March 1977. Back then, amphipods covered the shores of Aqaba in large numbers, suggesting this phenomenon might be part of a natural cycle.



Previous studies in the Gulf of Aqaba have documented ocean currents known as eddies. These circular currents can either bring deep, nutrient-rich waters to the surface (upwelling) or push surface water downward (downwelling).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amphipods-in-strong-ocean-currents">Amphipods in strong ocean currents</h2>



In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclonic eddies rotate counterclockwise, pulling deep waters to the surface. In the northern Gulf of Aqaba, these currents strengthen between November and April, becoming up to ten times faster than normal surface currents.



"We hypothesize that the amphipods were trapped in a cyclonic eddy in the northern Gulf and transported by the currents toward the shore," explained Professor Guy-Haim.



"In Hawaii, a mass mortality event of the same amphipod species was documented following the formation of a cyclonic eddy." 



"This is currently our leading hypothesis, but further research is needed to better understand the relationship between current dynamics and such phenomena in the Gulf of Aqaba and other marine systems worldwide."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amphipods-role-in-marine-ecosystems">Amphipods' role in marine ecosystems</h2>



Amphipods hold an essential place in marine food webs. They serve as a food source for fish, seabirds, and even whales. Understanding their life cycle and movement patterns helps researchers study larger ecological processes in marine environments.



This ongoing research could reveal more about the natural forces shaping marine life. Future studies may offer deeper insight into how ocean currents influence marine species worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impacts-on-marine-biodiversity">Potential impacts on marine biodiversity</h2>



When large numbers of amphipods die, it can affect the ocean ecosystem in different ways.



If too many amphipods disappear, animals that eat them - like fish and seabirds - might struggle to find enough food. This could change how these animals feed and survive.



Scientists are studying whether these deaths harm local marine life or if animals have adapted to this cycle over time. If this happens regularly, some species might rely on these seasonal die-offs as a food source.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-on-amphipods">Further research on amphipods</h2>



Understanding amphipod population dynamics in the Red Sea can help scientists monitor broader ecological trends. 



Researchers plan to continue tracking amphipod movements and mortality patterns in the Gulf of Aqaba. They aim to determine whether these events are purely natural or if human activities and climate shifts play a role.



Future studies could focus on how amphipods respond to environmental stress and whether their deaths influence marine food webs. With better data, scientists can predict changes in marine ecosystems and protect species affected by shifting ocean conditions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.70949" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology and Evolution</a>.



Image Credit: Omri Amosi, Israel Nature and Parks Authority



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Why the shores of the Red Sea turn pink every year

Eilat is the southernmost city of Israel, located on the...

A cutting-edge artificial intelligence system promises to help protect elephants in Malaysia from illegal hunting. 



By blending predictive analytics with insights into elephant behavior, the technology aims to shield these animals from escalating threats that have long jeopardized their survival.



Developed through a collaborative effort at <a href="https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cardiff University</a>, PoachNet combines <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-learning-can-help-track-changes-in-forest-cover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep learning</a>, GPS-based data, and ecological insights to gauge and mitigate poaching hazards.&nbsp;



The tool has been designed specifically to forecast where elephants are most likely to be found and then assess each location’s risk level, offering a proactive approach that goes beyond routine surveillance.



Scientists from the School of Computer Science and Informatics and the School of Biosciences worked together to construct a platform capable of learning from historical elephant movement patterns and detecting threats in near-real time.&nbsp;



By applying advanced machine-learning techniques, the research team can predict where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/african-elephants-have-drastically-declined-in-the-last-50-years/">elephants</a> are headed, identify hazardous zones, and assist on-the-ground teams in allocating resources effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-better-way-to-protect-elephants-nbsp">A better way to protect elephants&nbsp;</h2>



Central to PoachNet’s operation is a knowledge graph that compiles diverse information about elephant movements and known risk factors. This structured repository is linked to a specialized machine-learning model that interprets data from elephant GPS trackers.&nbsp;



“Elephant GPS data is analyzed with a special type of AI - a sequential neural network - to predict their movements," explained study lead author Naeima Hamed, a PhD student at Cardiff.



"These predictions are added to the knowledge graph in a meaningful way - then PoachNet uses a rule-based system to apply poaching rules and detect hidden patterns in the data." 



The platform’s predictive ability sets it apart from more conventional methods of wildlife protection.&nbsp;



“We found that, when tested, PoachNet was more accurate than other leading methods, consistently performing better. By handling the complexity of time and space data and turning predictions into practical rules, PoachNet offers a big improvement in tracking and protecting elephants,” said Hamed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-poaching-before-it-happens">Predicting poaching before it happens</h2>



Before PoachNet, strategies to curb poaching often relied on single approaches - such as analyzing ranger patrol logs or examining evidence captured by camera traps.&nbsp;



However, these methods do not always account for the dynamic ways elephants move or the full spectrum of human impacts on their habitats. 



PoachNet integrates broader knowledge of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-lockdowns-had-unexpected-impacts-on-wildlife-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife behavior</a>, enabling the system to recognize emergent patterns that may indicate an imminent poaching threat.



The project’s designers hope that by identifying where elephants are most at risk, authorities in Sabah can mobilize anti-poaching patrols and camera traps in the most vulnerable areas.&nbsp;



This targeted response could lead to more efficient use of conservation resources, focusing on regions where illegal activity is statistically more likely to occur.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-for-conservation">Broader implications for conservation</h2>



Study co-author Omer Rana from Cardiff’s School of Computer Science and Informatics highlighted the system’s potential to extend beyond elephant conservation in Malaysia.&nbsp;



“PoachNet is a unique software tool that integrates semantically modeled regional data sources with emerging machine learning algorithms and semantic reasoning. PoachNet addresses a challenge that continues to affect communities supporting endangered species,” said Rana.



“Both climate change and economics are leading to significant impact across this interface between human activity and natural habitats. The data-driven approach adopted in PoachNet can also be generalized to support other similar localities and national parks - enabling more efficient use of law enforcement and government resources.”



While PoachNet is currently attuned to Bornean elephants, the underlying architecture could be adapted to protect various endangered species worldwide, as each instance might require only modest adjustments in the knowledge graph and relevant predictive models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-need-to-protect-elephants">Urgent need to protect elephants</h2>



Efforts to shield Bornean elephants from poaching have never been more critical. As habitat areas shrink and the illegal ivory trade persists, these animals face a grim reality.&nbsp;



According to co-author Benoit Goossens, a scientist at Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences and director of the <a href="https://www.danaugirang.com.my/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Danau Girang Field Center</a>, “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/koalas-face-critical-threats-from-disease-and-habitat-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat loss</a>, human-elephant conflict, and poaching threaten Bornean elephants.&nbsp;



“Despite global anti-poaching efforts, the illegal ivory trade continues to drive poaching, reducing the population to fewer than 1500. We hope that PoachNet can assist in poaching prevention methods, therefore helping to ensure the safety of the elephant population in Sabah for the future.”



Given that traditional mechanisms to combat poaching must constantly evolve, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions like PoachNet that incorporate modern technologies and up-to-date ecological knowledge.&nbsp;



By matching predictive models with ground-level patrolling and international regulatory measures, the system could help reverse some of the most destructive trends endangering these elephants.



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



In the long term, the research team plans to enhance PoachNet by introducing additional data sources. 



This could involve tapping into acoustic sensors that detect gunshots or vehicle noises, as well as using satellite imagery to keep track of land-use changes and growing human activities. 



Such expansions would feed the system with even more contextual information, improving its predictive power and enabling faster, more decisive responses.



The ultimate objective is to give conservation authorities an advanced tool capable of anticipating illegal activities, thereby reducing the risk to Bornean elephants and potentially other species in peril.&nbsp;



By blending scientific rigor, state-of-the-art AI, and on-the-ground intelligence, PoachNet represents a considerable step forward in wildlife protection strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-"></h2>



As poaching incidents continue to imperil elephant populations, the hope is that this novel system will allow for data-driven vigilance, pinpointing threats before they escalate into irreversible harm.&nbsp;



With more accurate forecasts and the flexibility to adapt to new conditions, PoachNet may well serve as a blueprint for conservation efforts aimed at preserving some of Earth’s most iconic and vulnerable animals.



Details of this system appear in the research paper, “PoachNet: Predicting Poaching Using an Ontology-Based Knowledge Graph,” published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/24/8142" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sensors</a>.&nbsp;



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New era in wildlife conservation: How AI will help protect elephants

A cutting-edge artificial intelligence system promises to help protect elephants...

Plastic pollution has long been a concern in oceans, rivers, and soil, but a new study reveals its presence in an unexpected place - the lungs of birds.



Tiny plastic particles drifting through the air are making their way into the respiratory systems of birds, raising concerns about how deeply plastic contamination has infiltrated ecosystems.



The study, conducted by researchers at the <a href="https://www.uta.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas</a> at Arlington, highlights how widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-plastics-linked-to-disability-risks-for-coastal-residents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a> have become in the environment. 



Scientists have been increasingly worried about the impact of these pollutants, not just on wildlife but also on human health.



The air people breathe and the food they consume may contain more plastic than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-as-living-environmental-sensors">Birds as living environmental sensors</h2>



Shane DuBay, an assistant professor of biology at UTA and co-author of the study, explained why birds were chosen for the research. 



"Birds serve as important indicators of environmental conditions," said Professor DuBay. "They help us understand the state of the environment and make informed decisions about conservation and pollution control."



Birds live everywhere, from busy cities to quiet forests, so they are useful for studying pollution. Since they travel long distances, scientists can see how pollution spreads across different areas.



Birds share many spaces with humans, which means that their exposure to airborne <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-treaty-is-a-historic-opportunity-to-stop-a-human-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a> may indicate similar risks for people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-contamination-in-bird-lungs">Plastic contamination in bird lungs</h2>



To understand the extent of plastic contamination in bird lungs, the researchers examined 56 wild birds from 51 different species.



All specimens came from the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in western China. The location provided a controlled setting where birds from various backgrounds interacted with human-made environments.



Scientists extracted lung samples and performed chemical tests to detect microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics. One method, laser direct infrared technology, helped count microplastic particles lodged in the lung tissue. 



Another method, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, identified nanoplastics that could enter the bloodstream through inhalation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shocking-levels-of-plastic-detected">Shocking levels of plastic detected</h2>



The results of the study were alarming. Scientists found large amounts of tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-changing-the-entire-earth-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic particles</a>, known as microplastics, inside the lungs of birds.



On average, each bird species had about 221 plastic particles in their lungs. When measured by weight, the researchers found 416 plastic particles per gram of lung tissue. The most common types of plastic were chlorinated polyethylene, used for coating wires and pipes, and butadiene rubber, which is found in car tires.



This means plastic is not just polluting water and soil - it is also floating in the air. If birds are breathing in these tiny plastic pieces, it raises concerns about what might be happening to humans.



People live in the same environments as birds, especially in cities. If birds are inhaling plastic, humans likely are too - without even knowing it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-of-airborne-plastic-in-birds">Risks of airborne plastic in birds</h2>



There is no set rule for how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-interlinked-crisis-of-plastic-pollution-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic</a> in the lungs is considered safe. However, past research has shown that breathing in tiny plastic particles may cause serious health problems.



Scientists think inhaling plastic could lead to lung diseases, heart problems, and even cancer. Persistent exposure to plastic might also affect fertility and weaken the immune system.



Once plastic gets inside the body, it can build up in tissues, possibly causing long-term damage or inflammation. Some plastics also contain harmful chemicals that could interfere with how the body works.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-plastic-crisis">Growing plastic crisis</h2>



Professor DuBay emphasized the urgent need to combat plastic pollution before it causes irreversible damage.



"Our research highlights an urgent need to address plastic pollution in our environments, as these contaminants can have far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health, as well as human health," he said.



The study makes one thing clear - plastic waste isn’t just piling up in landfills or floating in the ocean. It’s in the air, drifting unseen, finding its way into the lungs of both birds and humans. Cutting back on plastic pollution is no longer just an environmental goal - it’s an urgent necessity.



Scientists need more research, more funding, more answers. How much plastic is truly in the air? What long-term damage does it cause? Until these questions are answered, the best step forward is simple: stop the spread before it gets worse.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389425001864?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Hazardous Materials</a>.



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Birds are breathing in plastic - what does that mean for us?

Plastic pollution has long been a concern in oceans, rivers,...

Coral reefs - vivid, bustling cities beneath the sea - are in trouble. Warming oceans, pollution, and human interference have put them on the brink. But a quieter, less obvious threat is making things worse. The loss of sharks, the ocean’s apex predators, may be triggering outbreaks of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish.



These outbreaks, in turn, accelerate the destruction of already struggling reef systems.



Scientists from The University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (<a href="https://www.aims.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AIMS</a>) took a deep dive into this mystery. They found a surprising link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-may-benefit-from-rising-temperatures-but-not-from-rising-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark</a> fishing, shifting fish behavior, and surging starfish populations. 



The study sheds new light on the fragile balance of reef ecosystems - and the consequences of disrupting it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rise-of-a-coral-killer">Rise of a coral killer</h2>



Crown-of-thorns starfish aren’t new to coral reefs. In small numbers, they help maintain balance, preventing a single coral species from taking over. 



But when their numbers explode, these starfish become a menace, devouring coral at an alarming rate and leaving behind skeletal, lifeless reefs.



"Coral reefs around the world are in crisis and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish are seen as one of the key contributors," Dr. Meekan said. "Recurrent outbreaks are adding to the decline of live coral cover across the Indo-Pacific."



For decades, researchers have searched for reasons behind these population booms. Climate change, nutrient pollution, and natural cycles were suspected culprits. Now, there's another piece to the puzzle - one that begins with sharks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-keep-the-food-chain-in-check">Sharks keep the food chain in check</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-shark-mating-behaviors-observed-for-the-first-time-in-the-wild/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sharks</a> rule the reef, keeping everything beneath them in line. Their presence forces smaller predatory fish like snappers and emperors to stick close to the seabed, where they hunt crabs, worms, and, crucially, young crown-of-thorns starfish. 



When sharks disappear, those smaller fish move up into the open water, chasing different prey.



"Through recent DNA studies, we knew lots of smaller predatory fish sometimes consumed crown-of-thorns starfish, but we didn't know how frequently this happened and if it could control outbreaks," Dr. Meekan said. 



"Our insights show the presence of sharks might determine when this control occurs."



Take sharks out of the equation, and the entire system shifts. The once-grounded hunters now roam freely, snatching squid and smaller fish instead. The invertebrates they used to eat are left unchecked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet-shifts-lead-to-starfish-explosions">Diet shifts lead to starfish explosions</h2>



The change happens quickly. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-sharks-use-offshore-oil-rigs-as-food-stops-during-migration-harming-conservation-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sharks</a> vanish, and smaller predators find themselves free to venture beyond the reef floor. 



Their diet changes and they grow faster. Meanwhile, crown-of-thorns starfish, no longer a staple in their meals, thrive. More larvae survive. More starfish mature. Soon, they blanket the reef, stripping it of coral.



"When sharks are present, smaller species are forced to feed close to the safety of coral on the seabed and, as a result, their diet is focused on things like crabs, worms and starfish," said Dr. Lester.



"But when sharks are removed by fishing, they are able to safely venture up into the water column and mostly feed on pelagic prey, like small fish and squid. Fish that change their diet in this way grow faster - but the invertebrates they used to feed on have a chance to multiply rapidly."



It's a chain reaction - one change leads to another. A shift in diet creates a gap in predation, and before long, an outbreak emerges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-shark-fishing-weaker-reef-ecosystems">More shark fishing, weaker reef ecosystems</h2>



Dr. Diego Barneche from AIMS pointed out a telling pattern: areas where fishing pressure is low, like marine reserves, tend to have fewer outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish. 



Where fishing is rampant, starfish numbers surge. The connection is clear - overfishing, particularly of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reef-sharks-are-abandoning-their-homes-due-to-ocean-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a>, makes reefs more vulnerable.



This isn’t just about one species of starfish. The removal of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprovoked-shark-attacks-dropped-to-record-low-in-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> disrupts the entire ecosystem, leading to cascading effects that are difficult to reverse. Coral reefs, already fighting climate change and pollution, now have to battle an overpopulation of coral predators as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-sharks-to-save-reefs">Protecting sharks to save reefs</h2>



"We need to rapidly improve the resilience of coral reefs at a time when long-term threats, such as climate change and nutrient inflows from catchments, are causing damage that may become irreversible," said Dr. Meekan.



One practical step? Reduce shark fishing. By keeping their populations stable, reefs may have a better chance of regulating starfish numbers naturally.



"Reducing fishing so there are fewer starfish outbreaks may be a relatively cost-effective way to do this," noted Dr. Meekan.



Coral reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Climate change may be the biggest villain in their story, but human-driven disruptions - like the removal of sharks - are making things worse. The ocean works in delicate, intricate ways.



When one piece is removed, the effects ripple outward. In this case, fewer sharks mean more starfish. More starfish mean fewer corals. And fewer corals mean the loss of entire marine communities.



The solution might be as simple as letting sharks do their job.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-07716-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a>.&nbsp;



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Shark fishing is making coral reefs collapse in an unexpected way

Coral reefs - vivid, bustling cities beneath the sea -...

Nature has always been a source of life, inspiration, and wonder. From the towering elephants of Africa to the tiniest insects in the rainforests, wildlife plays a vital role in maintaining the planet's balance. Yet, human activities have pushed many species toward extinction. 



World Wildlife Day, celebrated annually on March 3, serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibility to protect nature.



This global event not only highlights the beauty of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-change-their-daily-schedules-when-tourists-are-watching/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> but also raises awareness about the threats it faces. More importantly, it calls for urgent action to save endangered species and preserve ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-world-wildlife-day">Origins of World Wildlife Day</h2>



Established by the United Nations in 2013, World Wildlife Day commemorates the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (<a href="https://cites.org/eng" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CITES</a>) in 1973. 



CITES is a global agreement that regulates the trade of wild animals and plants to ensure their survival.



The day serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent threats facing wildlife. Poaching, deforestation, and pollution have already led to the extinction of many species. 



Some, like the dodo bird and the Tasmanian tiger, are lost forever. Others, such as rhinos and sea turtles, remain critically endangered.



By dedicating a day to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-conservation-day-2024-saving-species-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife conservation</a>, the world acknowledges that nature's survival is directly linked to human well-being. Healthy ecosystems provide food, medicine, clean water, and air. 



Protecting wildlife is not just about saving animals - it is about preserving life itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theme-for-world-wildlife-day-2025">Theme for World Wildlife Day 2025</h2>



Each year, World Wildlife Day adopts a specific theme to address pressing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-wildlife-threats-can-be-identified-using-ai-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation challeng</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-wildlife-threats-can-be-identified-using-ai-technology/">es</a>. In 2025, the theme is "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet." 



This theme emphasizes the critical need for innovative financial solutions to protect our planet's biodiversity.



Financing wildlife conservation has become increasingly important as traditional funding sources prove insufficient. Innovative approaches, such as payments for ecosystem services and wildlife credits, generate revenue for landowners and communities managing wildlife resources. 



These financial mechanisms not only support conservation efforts but also promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities.



By focusing on conservation finance, the 2025 theme highlights the importance of investing in both people and the planet. It calls for stronger partnerships between governments, businesses, organizations, and local communities to create sustainable funding models for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-can-prevent-future-pandemics-by-protecting-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> protection. 



​World Wildlife Day emphasizes that conservation efforts should be effective and equitable, benefiting both nature and humanity.&nbsp;​



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-and-ecological-balance">Wildlife and ecological balance</h2>



Wildlife is essential to the survival of the planet. Each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-disturbing-details-about-the-state-of-earths-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> contributes to a delicate balance that keeps ecosystems healthy. Predators control prey populations, ensuring that no single species dominates. 



Herbivores help shape landscapes by consuming plants and dispersing seeds. Pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, ensure that crops and flowers reproduce.



The loss of even a single species can have disastrous consequences. For instance, when wolves were removed from Yellowstone National Park, deer populations exploded, leading to overgrazing and habitat destruction. 



Similarly, the decline of sea otters due to hunting resulted in an increase in sea urchin numbers, damaging kelp forests. These examples illustrate the interconnectedness of all life.



Wildlife also benefits human societies in ways many people may not realize. Numerous plants and animals provide ingredients for medicines. 



Scientists have studied frogs to develop painkillers, sharks to improve human immune systems, and plants to treat cancer. Without biodiversity, medical discoveries would be limited.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-success-stories">Conservation success stories</h2>



World Wildlife Day highlights that, despite challenges, dedicated conservation programs have enabled species like the California condor and Louisiana black bear to rebound from the brink of extinction.



The giant panda, once considered endangered, has rebounded due to habitat restoration in China. Conservationists have worked tirelessly to protect bamboo forests and establish breeding programs. Today, panda populations are growing, proving that conservation efforts can work.



Similarly, India's Project Tiger has helped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indias-wild-tigers-are-thriving-with-smart-conservation-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increase tiger populations</a> after decades of decline. Strict anti-poaching laws and the creation of protected reserves have provided these big cats with a safe habitat. The country's tiger population has nearly doubled in recent years, a significant victory for wildlife conservation.



Marine conservation has also made progress. Humpback whales, once heavily hunted, have increased in numbers due to international bans on whaling. Similarly, sea turtle nesting sites have been protected, allowing their populations to stabilize.



These stories demonstrate that with commitment, funding, and global cooperation, species can be saved. They offer a glimmer of hope for other endangered animals still fighting for survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impact-on-wildlife">Human impact on wildlife</h2>



Human activities remain the most significant threat to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-tracking-is-crucial-for-preserving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>. Forests are cleared for agriculture, destroying habitats and displacing animals. Plastic waste in oceans kills marine life. Poaching continues to threaten species like rhinos, elephants, and pangolins.



Climate change adds another layer of danger. Rising temperatures disrupt migration patterns and alter ecosystems. Coral reefs, home to 25% of marine species, are dying due to ocean warming. Arctic ice is melting, making it harder for polar bears to find food.



​If these threats are not addressed, the world could lose thousands of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-wildlife-overlap-is-rapidly-rising-across-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> in the coming decades. World Wildlife Day emphasizes that extinction is not just a loss of animals - it signifies a profound disruption of natural balance. ​



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-individuals-can-help-protect-wildlife">How individuals can help protect wildlife</h2>



Everyone can play a role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-is-helping-save-wild-animals-like-caracals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protecting wildlife</a>. Supporting conservation organizations through donations or volunteer work helps fund crucial projects. Many groups work on the front lines, rescuing animals, restoring habitats, and educating communities.



Simple lifestyle changes also make a difference. Reducing plastic use prevents waste from harming marine life. Avoiding products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil, helps protect forests. Choosing sustainably sourced seafood supports ocean health.



​Education is another powerful tool.&nbsp;World Wildlife Day initiatives, such as school programs and community events, play a crucial role in raising awareness about endangered species and their importance, encouraging people to take action.&nbsp;​



Sharing knowledge through social media, attending wildlife events, or participating in conservation projects helps spread the message.



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World Wildlife Day 2025: A global call to protect nature

Nature has always been a source of life, inspiration, and...

Some animals are known to cooperate with others of their own kind in a form of helping behavior. But every now and then, individuals from totally different species also form partnerships in order to improve their chances of survival.



This unexpected behavior requires that individuals understand the purpose of working together, and can see the advantages, despite having no means to communicate across the interspecies barrier. 



Researchers have documented many examples of cooperation between species, including <a href="https://planetforward.org/story/cleaner-wrasses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cleaner wrasse</a> that remove parasites from bigger fish, and ants that protect aphids in exchange for honeydew. 



Experts have also observed <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3119009/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drongo</a> birds warning groups of <a href="https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/meerkat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meerkats</a> when danger approaches, and honeyguide birds in Africa that direct honey badgers to bee hives where food can be found.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-animals-form-partnerships">Why animals form partnerships</h2>



In a recent study, researchers set out to investigate how these alliances might expand our idea of <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00012-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982225000120%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognition</a>.&nbsp;They also wanted to identify the mental skills that help animals communicate across species lines.



The study was led by biologist Eduardo Sampaio from the <a href="https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/collective-behaviour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cluster of Excellence, Collective Behaviour</a> at the University of Konstanz in Germany.



Unexpected partnerships often hinge on each participant’s specific advantage. One partner might detect predators faster, while the other can defend against attackers.



Scientists have noticed that such teamwork can evolve when both sides see a payoff that outweighs any potential costs. It is not mere convenience; it can mean the difference between going hungry or finding plenty to eat.



Large predators sometimes ignore smaller animals they would normally chase away, if those smaller creatures bring a clear benefit. This delicate truce can break if one side starts taking advantage of the other too often, showing that trust must be maintained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-octopuses-cooperate-with-reef-fish">Octopuses cooperate with reef fish</h2>



In a paper published in the journal Current Biology, Sampaio and his colleagues described how octopuses cooperate with reef fish in order to hunt. Each species uses distinct signals, but they appear to understand these cues well enough to coordinate an attack and share the rewards.



“Partnerships like these challenge traditional views of intelligence and cooperation in the animal kingdom,” said Sampaio. His observations suggest that these animals grasp the benefits of working in sync, even though they usually operate alone.



Octopuses are typically solo hunters, but when a fish locates and points out hidden prey, the octopus helps flush it out. Any fish that tries to steal more than its fair share risks being swatted away.



Such behavior indicates that coordination between different species may rival the complexity of interactions seen among members of the same group. Researchers are eager to see what this reveals about flexibility in learning and decision-making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooperation-in-the-animal-kingdom">Cooperation in the animal kingdom </h2>



For octopuses to cooperate with different species, they must learn to interpret signals that do not match their usual social cues. This might stretch their problem-solving abilities, and push them to develop sharper instincts for sharing information.



“From an evolutionary perspective, social complexity, problem solving and communication do not only arise within one's own group, but can also be shaped by the need to collaborate across species boundaries,” explained Sampaio. 



This implies that alliances can occur between individuals from species that have very different brains and lifestyles. By investigating such alliances, scientists gain understanding about how animals adapt their behavior to succeed together, despite the apparent communication barriers.



The findings may change how experts define cooperation in the animal kingdom. Rather than ascribing social complexity to flocks or packs, it may be present whenever individuals from a species treat outsiders as potential allies.



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



The quest to learn more about cross-species teamwork is just beginning. Future studies may focus on whether these interactions develop slowly, through repeated encounters, or whether they depend on innate predispositions to cooperate.



Research teams are also looking at <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.00884-24" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interspecies synergy</a> to inspire innovations in robotics and artificial intelligence. By examining how animals navigate tricky partnerships, engineers might design machines that coordinate smoothly even if they do not share the same construction.



Practical applications could pop up in fields like environmental conservation, where understanding these relationships might help preserve critical habitats. Conservationists may tailor strategies around natural alliances to keep ecosystems balanced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-partnerships-and-survival">Animal partnerships and survival</h2>



Scientists believe these surprising connections reveal the adaptability of complex nervous systems under challenging conditions. The discovery about octopuses broadens our awareness of how animals cooperate.



<a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/mutualism-examples-of-species-that-work-together.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cross-species partnerships</a> add another layer to our appreciation of how animals survive, evolve, and thrive. They remind us that cooperation can stretch far beyond familiar boundaries whenever mutual gains are on the table.



Plenty of questions remain about how animals initially learn to work together in unpredictable settings. Ongoing research will shine more light on how living creatures solve problems, share resources, and strike deals for mutual benefit.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00012-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982225000120%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Unlikely allies: Octopuses cooperate with fish to catch prey

Some animals are known to cooperate with others of their...

Several weathered cliffs in central Utah have revealed something astonishing. Recent work on Cretaceous sedimentary layers hints at a surprisingly large set of dinosaur eggs belonging to predators and plant-eaters alike.



One cache in particular stands out for including fragments from three feathered, bird-like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a>; two herbivorous types; and a crocodile-like creature that has never been seen outside of Europe.



Dr. Ryan T. Tucker from the <a href="https://www.ufs.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Free State</a> in South Africa helped analyze these fragile fossils to understand which dinosaurs laid them and how they fit into the bigger story.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-dinosaur-eggs-found-in-utah">Diverse dinosaur eggs found in Utah</h2>



The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/nature/cedarmtn.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cedar Mountain Formation</a> has been a focus of field expeditions for decades. Paleontologists have long suspected that its Cenomanian deposits held key information about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collagen-discovered-in-70-million-year-old-dinosaur-fossil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur</a> life during a time of environmental transition.



This new <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0314689" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">find</a> sheds light on six separate types of eggshell, scientifically known as <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0171919" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ootaxa</a>. Each ootaxon has a distinct microstructure, which helps confirm that multiple species laid eggs in the same broad region.



Three sets belonged to oviraptorosaur dinosaurs. Their skeletons often exhibit feathers and beaks that differ sharply from other predatory reptiles.



Another two eggshell types came from ornithopod dinosaurs with beak-like mouths for grazing. No one expected to find so many varieties in one sedimentary window.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-croc-like-presence">Rare croc-like presence</h2>



The sixth type of eggshell belongs to <a href="https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=451525&amp;is_real_user=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mycomorphoolithus kohringi</a>. Until now, evidence of this crocodile-like species had only been found in Europe.



The creature has a structure that matches what paleontologists call <a href="https://a-z-animals.com/animals/crocodylomorph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crocodylomorph</a> traits, bridging an important gap in how we see ancient reptiles roaming ancient waterways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eggs-that-reshape-dinosaur-history">Eggs that reshape dinosaur history</h2>



Paleontologists consider the Cedar Mountain Formation vital because it captures a shift from older dinosaur faunas to younger Cretaceous populations. This stage set the scene for many later groups that rose to prominence.



Compared to skeletons, eggs are often overlooked, yet they can reveal important details about nesting, breeding patterns, and species <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/north-americas-oldest-dinosaur-is-completely-rewriting-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a>.



Each shell fragment reflects a reproductive event that once played out on floodplains and near water sources. Scientists gain glimpses into dinosaur family life when they discover these clusters in the same layers.



The unexpected variety of shells in one place helps refine how we envision prehistoric neighborhoods. It moves beyond a single, monolithic group of dinosaurs and offers a more vivid snapshot of the region's diversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coexistence-of-multiple-dinosaur-species">Coexistence of multiple dinosaur species </h2>



The discovery of multiple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-discovered-in-australia-rewrite-dinosaur-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur species</a> nesting in the same area raises questions about how they coexisted. Did these different species interact, or were they simply using the same environment at different times? 



<a href="https://tmdinosaurcenter.org/what-is-a-paleontologist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paleontologists</a> suspect that some dinosaurs may have shared nesting grounds seasonally, while others might have avoided competition by laying eggs in slightly different conditions.



The presence of both predators and plant-eaters in close proximity also suggests a rich ecosystem with enough resources to support a variety of creatures. 



Fossilized plant remains, soil analysis, and nearby skeletal finds could help researchers understand what this environment looked like 94 million years ago and how different species adapted to it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-eggs-reveal-about-dinosaur-evolution">What eggs reveal about dinosaur evolution</h2>



Eggshells provide more than just evidence of ancient reproduction. Their microscopic structure holds clues about nesting strategies, eggshell thickness, and even incubation methods. 



Some species laid rigid, thick-shelled eggs, while others had thinner, more fragile eggs that required specific environmental conditions to survive.



Studying eggshells over time also helps scientists trace evolutionary changes. The oviraptorosaur eggs in this discovery add to the growing evidence that some dinosaurs were developing traits similar to modern birds. 



These findings connect distant relatives in the dinosaur family tree and show how behaviors like <a href="https://thomas-hopp.com/pdf/Hopp04-DinoBrooding.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brooding</a> and nest-building may have developed long before birds took flight.



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



With so many distinct eggshells uncovered, teams may now search for specific nest sites that confirm hatching behaviors. Such places might even reveal whether certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-predatory-dinosaur-species-identified-in-lost-photos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a> guarded eggs or left them to the sun-warmed environment.



Findings like these draw new attention to Utah’s rock formations, encouraging ongoing excavation and analysis. More fragments or entire eggs could reveal hidden details of dinosaur biology.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0314689" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



Image Credit: Lindsay Zanno, CC-BY 4.0



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Dinosaur eggs found in Utah belong to multiple species

Several weathered cliffs in central Utah have revealed something astonishing....

The narwhal (Monodon monoceros), a whale native to the Arctic, is famous for its long, spiral tusk. This tusk, actually an extended tooth, can grow up to 10 feet and is most common in males. Throughout history, it has inspired legends of unicorns and fascinated scientists. 



Researchers believe the tusk plays a role in mate selection, but its full purpose remains uncertain. The elusive nature of narwhals makes studying their tusk behavior challenging, as few have witnessed their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saber-toothed-predators-evolved-the-perfect-fangs-for-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activities in the wild</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-narwhals-use-their-tusks">How narwhals use their tusks</h2>



Until recently, much about narwhal behavior remained a mystery. Their social interactions, reproductive habits, and adaptability to environmental changes were largely unknown. 



However, a recent study by <a href="https://www.fau.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Atlantic University</a>’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans has provided new insights. The research was conducted in collaboration with Inuit communities in Nunavut.



Using drones, the team captured 17 distinct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-discovery-large-sharks-are-hunting-each-other/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behaviors</a>, revealing how narwhals interact with their environment.



For the first time, scientists observed narwhals using their tusks to influence the behavior of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). 



The footage showed narwhals delivering precise strikes with their tusks, stunning and possibly killing fish. These findings offer a rare glimpse into their foraging strategies and interactions with prey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playful-and-social-narwhals">Playful and social narwhals</h2>



The study also documented evidence of play among narwhals. Researchers observed what appeared to be exploratory-object play, suggesting these whales engage in activities beyond survival needs.



Some behaviors indicated social learning, where narwhals may teach or influence one another. Individual personality differences among narwhals also became apparent, further demonstrating their complexity.



The study also captured the first recorded interactions between narwhals, fish, and birds. In one case, glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) attempted to steal food from narwhals, showcasing a rare instance of kleptoparasitism.



These interactions reveal the intricate relationships between species in the Arctic ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closer-look-at-narwhal-tusking">Closer look at narwhal tusking</h2>



Study senior author Dr. Greg O’Corry-Crowe is a research professor at FAU Harbor Branch and a National Geographic Explorer.



"Narwhals are known for their ‘tusking’ behavior, where two or more of them simultaneously raise their tusks almost vertically out of the water, crossing them in what may be a ritualistic behavior to assess a potential opponent’s qualities or to display those qualities to potential mates,” said Dr. O'Corry-Crowe.



“But now we know that narwhal tusks have other uses, some quite unexpected, including foraging, exploration and play.”



The study revealed that narwhals exhibit remarkable dexterity with their tusks. They can track moving prey with precision, adjusting their strikes to manipulate the fish. 



The tip of the tusk appeared particularly effective in stimulating responses from fish, allowing narwhals to interact directly with their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cooperative-hunting-does-not-require-complex-thinking-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prey</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-narwhal-behavior">Climate change and narwhal behavior</h2>



“I have been studying narwhal for over a decade and have always marveled at their tusks,” said study co-author Dr. Cortney Watt, a research scientist at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.



“To observe them using their tusks for foraging and play is remarkable. This unique study where we set up a remote field camp and spent time filming narwhal with drones is yielding many interesting insights and is providing a bird’s eye view of their behavior that we have never seen before.”



These discoveries highlight how climate change may influence narwhal behavior. As Arctic conditions shift, new interspecies encounters may become more common, forcing animals to adapt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-learning-and-adaptation">Social learning and adaptation</h2>



“Our observations provide clear evidence of narwhals chasing fish and using their tusks to interact directly with the fish and to influence the fish’s behavior,” said Dr. O’Corry-Crowe.



“Some of the interactions we saw appeared competitive in nature with one whale blocking or trying to block another whale’s access to the same target fish, while others may have been more subtle, possibly communicative and even affiliative. None appeared overtly aggressive.”



Narwhals appear to learn from one another, suggesting that social behaviors could accelerate adaptation to environmental changes. This adaptability will be crucial as Arctic ice patterns shift and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunting-coyotes-actually-boosts-their-numbers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prey availability</a> fluctuates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-non-invasive-research">Importance of non-invasive research</h2>



“To understand how narwhals are being affected by and adapting to the changing Arctic, field studies using innovative, non-invasive tools like drones are essential to observe them in their natural environment without disturbing them,” said Dr. O’Corry-Crowe.



“Drones provide a unique, real-time view of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-hunting-fishing-connect-humans-with-nature-or-reinforce-superiority-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a>, helping scientists gather crucial data on how narwhals are responding to shifts in ice patterns, prey availability and other environmental changes. Such studies are key to understanding the impact of global warming on these elusive animals.”



This research was supported by <a href="https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index-eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fisheries and Oceans Canada</a>, FAU Harbor Branch, the National Geographic Society, the World Wildlife Fund Canada, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, and Natural Resources Canada’s Polar Continental Shelf Program.



The findings offer a new perspective on narwhals, showcasing their intelligence, adaptability, and intricate tusk-related social structures. As climate change reshapes the Arctic, ongoing research will be vital in understanding and protecting these remarkable whales.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1518605/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



Image Credit: O'Corry-Crowe, FAU/Watt, DFO



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Narwhals use their tusks in completely unexpected ways

The narwhal (Monodon monoceros), a whale native to the Arctic,...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

How does salt makes things taste better?

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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