Dragonflies outlasted the dinosaurs and even endured asteroid strikes. But now they face a survival threat unlike any before. Rising heat and wildfires are reshaping the very traits they depend on to attract mates.



A study from the <a href="https://www.ucdenver.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Denver</a> shows how this shift could push some species toward local extinction. Traits that once drew partners are now putting dragonflies at risk.



“Dragonflies have survived asteroids, but now climate change and wildfires are threatening them in ways evolution can’t keep up with,” said lead author Sarah Nalley, a PhD student in CU Denver’s Integrative Biology program. 



“Our findings suggest that adaptation alone may not be fast enough to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonfly-larvae-expose-climates-hidden-influence-on-biology/">species</a> in a rapidly changing climate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-ornaments-backfire">When ornaments backfire</h2>



Many dragonflies have dark spots on their wings. These patterns attract <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonflies-hunt-perfectly-even-in-extreme-temperatures/">mates</a>. They also absorb heat. In hotter regions and burned habitats, that heat builds too quickly. Males tire, rest, and lose chances to compete for females.



Thermal imaging confirmed the problem. Dark spots made wings hotter, faster. Unlike the peppered moth, where wing color affected survival through camouflage, dragonflies face a different pressure. Here, color weakens reproductive success. Survival is not enough if mating fails.



This twist highlights a blind spot in conservation. Scientists usually check if species survive hotter, drier habitats. But if mating collapses, the population vanishes regardless of survival, leaving ecosystems weaker and biodiversity loss far greater.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dragonfly-survival-amid-wildfires">Dragonfly survival amid wildfires</h2>



“This changes how we think about vulnerability,” said Professor Michael Moore. “It’s not just about whether animals can survive after wildfire - it’s about whether they can reproduce in those modified environments. That’s the key to long-term survival.”



If reproduction falters, decline accelerates. And dragonflies matter. They eat mosquitoes, keeping insect numbers in check. They also feed birds, fish, and amphibians. Lose them, and entire food webs shift, unraveling in unpredictable ways.



Dragonflies have always seemed resilient. But this study suggests they may not keep pace with today’s rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonflies-developed-dark-wing-spots-for-survival/">changes</a>, showing how climate and fire pressures can overwhelm even long-lasting species once thought secure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-data-reveal-worrying-trends">Wildfire data reveal worrying trends</h2>



The project began as a class assignment in Professor Moore’s course. Students worked with open datasets: wildfire maps from the U.S. Geological Survey, climate records, and citizen science observations spanning 40 years. No external funding backed the research.



Despite the simple beginnings, the analysis uncovered a serious trend. Dragonflies with ornamental wings are disappearing from fire-damaged and hotter regions. The data gave a broad view of how climate and wildfires interact with reproductive traits.



Nalley brought personal motivation. She lost her home in Superior, Colorado, during the 2021 Marshall Fire. That experience shaped her focus.



“I knew I wanted to study animals - and after the fire, I knew I wanted to study wildfires too,” said Nalley. “That experience pushed me to ask how animals are affected not just by surviving a fire, but by whether they can still reproduce and carry on the species afterward.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-conservation">Lessons for conservation</h2>



The findings stretch beyond dragonflies. If ancient predators that once ruled the skies falter, what about other species? The research shows conservationists must look past survival rates. Reproduction matters just as much.



“Working with Sarah pushed me to think about my own research in a new way,” said Moore. “She came in with great questions about wildfires and reproduction that made me reconsider how I approach these big ecological issues.”



The study’s message is clear: ecosystems don’t just need species to live, they need them to breed. Dragonflies warn us of what happens when natural signals of attraction turn into liabilities, threatening stability, biodiversity, and long-term ecological resilience everywhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dragonfly-decline-from-wildfires">Dragonfly decline from wildfires</h2>



Dragonflies have been here for hundreds of millions of years. Their decline would mark a profound loss. More than that, it would unsettle the balance of ecosystems that depend on them.



The CU Denver research shows how quickly environmental pressures reach into the smallest details of life - courtship displays, wing patterns, mating chances. Those details decide whether a species thrives or disappears, shaping both present ecosystems and future biodiversity.



Dragonflies are not just survivors from deep time. They are indicators of how even the most resilient animals can stumble in a warming, fire-prone world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02417-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Dragonflies lived with dinosaurs, now they face their toughest fight for survival

Dragonflies outlasted the dinosaurs and even endured asteroid strikes. But now they face a survival threat unlike any before. Rising heat and wildfires are reshaping the very traits they depend on to attract mates. A study from the University of Colorado Denver shows how this shift could push some species toward local extinction. Traits that once drew partners are now putting dragonflies at risk. “Dragonflies have survived asteroids, but now climate change and wildfires are threatening them in ways evolution can’t keep up with,” said lead author...

Wandering salamanders, also known as "skydiving salamanders," have fascinated scientists for years with their ability to jump and glide effortlessly through the towering canopies of coastal redwood forests. 



Despite their small size, these amphibians navigate high-altitude branches with precision, sticking their landings and taking off with ease. 



Until recently, the mechanics behind their remarkable acrobatic movement remained a mystery. Now, a new study reveals a surprising answer: blood-powered toes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salamanders-that-control-blood-flow">Salamanders that control blood flow</h2>



Researchers at Washington State University discovered that wandering salamanders (Aneides vagrans) can rapidly control the blood flow in their toe tips.



This ability allows them to grip, detach, and move through their arboreal environment with remarkable efficiency. 



The study not only sheds light on an unknown aspect of salamander physiology but also has potential implications for technological advances in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopus-suckers-the-future-of-underwater-adhesives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adhesives</a>, prosthetics, and robotic limbs.



The research team found that salamanders can fill, trap, and drain blood within their toe tips. 



This process helps them fine-tune their attachment and detachment from surfaces, providing the grip necessary for climbing and the release required for efficient movement.



The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the function of the visible red “lakes” of blood in their translucent toes. These structures were long thought to aid in oxygenation, but no scientific evidence supported that claim.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-the-control">Advantages of the control</h2>



The study suggests that controlling blood flow in the toes allows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-salamander-like-beast-gaiasia-jennyae-top-predator-before-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salamanders</a> to adjust pressure asymmetrically.



 This fine-tuned control helps them navigate the irregular surfaces of tree bark. Surprisingly, the blood influx before “toe-off” does not aid in attachment but rather helps the salamanders detach. 



By slightly inflating their toe tips, they reduce the surface area in contact with the bark, minimizing the energy required to let go. This efficiency is crucial when gliding between branches and ensuring safe landings.



“Gecko-inspired adhesives already allow surfaces to be reused without losing stickiness,” said Christian Brown, lead author of the study, and a postdoctoral researcher in integrative physiology and neuroscience at <a href="https://wsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a>.



“Understanding salamander toes could lead to similar breakthroughs in attachment technologies.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-documentary-shoot">A documentary shoot</h2>



The origins of this study trace back to an unexpected moment during the filming of the documentary The Americas, which will air on February 23, 2025 on NBC and Peacock.



Brown was assisting on set as a salamander expert when he noticed something unusual through the production team’s high-powered camera lenses.



Just before a wandering salamander took a step, blood appeared to rush into its toe tips. Brown and camera assistant William Goldenberg observed this phenomenon multiple times. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/salamandar-wandering_Aneides-vagrans_hindfoot_suction_blood-flow_credit-WSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/salamandar-wandering_Aneides-vagrans_hindfoot_suction_blood-flow_credit-WSU_1s.webp" alt="The hindfoot of a live wandering salamander (Aneides vagrans). In the background, blood can be seen filling a toe tip. Photo: William P. Goldenberg/WSU" class="wp-image-1958372"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The hindfoot of a live wandering salamander (Aneides vagrans). In the background, blood can be seen filling a toe tip. Photo: William P. Goldenberg/WSU</figcaption></figure>



The repeated occurrence caught their attention. “We looked at each other like, ‘Did you see that?’” Brown related.



Although the documentary team moved on to other subjects, Brown’s curiosity lingered. After filming wrapped, he reached out to Goldenberg and proposed an experiment. 



Using high-resolution film equipment, they would investigate whether salamanders consistently displayed this blood-powered toe mechanism under controlled conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salamanders-regulating-their-blood-flow">Salamanders regulating their blood flow </h2>



The research team conducted detailed video trials and microscopic analysis at Washington State University’s <a href="https://fmic.wsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Franceschi Microscopy &amp; Imaging Center</a>. 



Their findings confirmed that wandering salamanders regulate blood flow to each individual toe tip, which allows them to modify grip strength as needed.



This discovery provides insight into how salamanders navigate the complex terrain of the redwood canopy. The ability to release their grip efficiently is particularly significant. 



“If you’re climbing a redwood and have 18 toes gripping bark, being able to detach efficiently without damaging your toe tips makes a huge difference,” Brown said. 



The research suggests that this mechanism plays a crucial role in the salamanders’ ability to thrive in the towering heights of their natural habitat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-beyond-one-species">Implications beyond one species</h2>



While this study focused on&nbsp;Aneides vagrans, the findings could have broader implications. Other salamander species, including aquatic ones, also have vascularized toe structures. 



These structures may serve different purposes depending on the environment, from regulating grip on wet surfaces to enhancing movement across diverse landscapes.



The discovery could also inspire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-pushing-the-u-s-toward-an-unpredictable-transformation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">innovations</a> beyond biology. Scientists studying bioinspired design are particularly interested in nature’s solutions to movement and adhesion problems.



By understanding how salamanders control their grip with blood-powered toe tips, researchers may be able to develop new adhesives and prosthetics that mimic this ability.



Brown and his colleagues plan to expand their research to investigate how similar mechanisms function in other salamander species. 



“This could redefine our understanding of how salamanders move across diverse habitats,” Brown said. The findings could help explain how different species adapt to their environments and refine our knowledge of biomechanics in amphibians.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-salamander-movement">New perspective on salamander movement</h2>



The discovery of blood-powered toes in wandering salamanders challenges previous assumptions about their movement and grip strength. 



As scientists continue to study these remarkable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-and-toads-face-new-risks-as-their-habitats-dry-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>, they may uncover even more secrets hidden within their physiology. 



For now, the ability of wandering salamanders to control their grip with precision remains an intriguing discovery in animal biomechanics.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmor.70026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Morphology</a>. 



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'Skydiving' salamanders can fully control blood flow in their toes

Wandering salamanders, also known as "skydiving salamanders," have fascinated scientists...

Hummingbird flower mites are tiny hitchhikers with an electrifying secret. These minuscule arachnids have developed a remarkable survival strategy.



A new study reveals that the mites use static electricity generated by their hummingbird chauffeurs to leap from one flower to another.



The remarkable relationship between the mites and hummingbirds has puzzled researchers for years. 



In particular, scientists have questioned what determines the moment that the mites choose to hop onto or off of a hummingbird. This is a crucial part of the mites' survival, as it enables them to transition from flower to flower for sustenance and reproduction.



After years of speculation and study, researchers may have finally found the answer.



It all started with Carlos Garcia-Robledo, an associate professor in the <a href="https://eeb.uconn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology</a>, who noted that the mites seemingly preferred the first flower that a hummingbird visited. This observation led him to question why the mites were not hopping onto second or third flowers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-static-electricity-helps-mites-jump">Static electricity helps mites jump</h2>



Initially, the scientific community speculated that some kind of smell signal influenced the mites. However, after conducting experiments, Garcia-Robledo felt there had to be another explanation.



“I knew that it was not maybe the smell that played a major role in this because if you bring the mites to a laboratory, they don’t care much about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flower-smells-like-dead-insects-to-attract-coffin-flies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smells of flowers</a> and so on. I knew it had to be something else,” he said.



The turning point came after Garcia-Robledo read a study about ticks and static electricity. An idea clicked. 



“Maybe something electrostatic was happening there. These mites are so tiny that they live at another level of perception, so of course, even little electric fields are important for them. This could help explain the mystery of how they can be fast enough to hitchhike on this family of birds,” he noted.



Armed with this new idea, Garcia-Robledo collaborated with Konstantine Manser, a Ph.D. student at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, and Diego Dierick, a scientist at the <a href="https://tropicalstudies.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Organization for Tropical Studies</a>. The team quickly constructed simple devices to test their theory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unveiling-the-mite-s-electric-path">Unveiling the mite's electric path</h2>



To their astonishment, the results were immediate and compelling. The researchers observed that the mites reacted to the static electricity.



“We turned on the device, and instantaneously, they started to respond. That’s how we figured out that they were using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-of-static-electricity-has-finally-been-solved/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">static electricity</a>,” explained Garcia-Robledo.



Further testing revealed that the mites were not just responding to static electricity but to a specific frequency of the electric field. 



“The mites respond to the bouncing of a signal that is associated with the size, geometry, and vibration of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbirds-have-an-amazing-sense-of-touch-for-precise-navigation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hummingbirds</a>, which reach frequencies between 20 and 160 Hz,” noted Garcia-Robledo.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-mites-sense-different-signals">Different mites sense different signals</h2>



These discoveries have opened a new chapter in our understanding of hummingbird flower mites.



Each of the 19 mite species at La Selva demonstrates a unique preference for specific flowers and has unique structures in their legs that potentially allow them to detect different electrical frequencies.



“We think that there may be some specificity in the electric signals or different charges for flowers,” noted Garcia-Robledo.



As we continue to unravel the mysteries of hummingbird flower mites, we are reminded of the complex and little-understood ways in which life adapts and thrives.



In these tiny hitchhikers, we find another reflection of the incredible diversity and adaptability of our natural world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-masters-of-electricity">Masters of electricity</h2>



The ability of hummingbird flower mites to detect and respond to static electricity is probably the result of millions of years of evolutionary fine-tuning.



These tiny arachnids don’t just react to any electric field; they are sensitive to specific frequencies generated by the movement and vibrations of hummingbirds. 



But how did this ability develop, and why is it so crucial to their survival?



Researchers suspect that mites with a heightened sensitivity to electrical fields had an evolutionary advantage. Being able to time their jumps with precision ensures that they reach the right <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-blooming-92-days-earlier-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowers</a>, and minimizes the risk of getting stranded in an unsuitable environment. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research">Broader implications of the research</h2>



Over generations, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifes-rules-natural-selection-change-significantly-often-daphnia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural selection</a> may have favored mites with specialized structures in their legs. As Garcia-Robledo's team observed, these structures seem to help the mites detect and interpret electric signals.



The discovery that mites use electric fields for travel raises broader ecological questions. Could other tiny organisms also exploit similar mechanisms? 



Insects, pollen, or even microbes might interact with electrostatic forces in ways we have yet to fully understand. 



This new perspective challenges researchers to rethink how small-scale biological systems interact with invisible physical forces, and opens the door to discoveries beyond mites and hummingbirds.



While the full extent of electrostatic sensing in nature remains a mystery, one thing is certain - these tiny mites are not just passive passengers. They are finely adapted travelers that use hidden forces to navigate their microscopic world with astonishing precision.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2419214122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Hummingbird flower mites use static electricity to travel

Hummingbird flower mites are tiny hitchhikers with an electrifying secret....

Spinosaurus,Attacks,Deinonychus,In,The,Jungle.,This,Is,A,3d

Imagine going out for a quiet stroll and unexpectedly uncovering the remnants of a prehistoric meal - one that dates back 66 million years - buried beneath layers of ancient rock.



This is exactly what happened to an amateur fossil enthusiast in Denmark who, with a keen eye and a bit of luck, stumbled upon a discovery that promises to shed new light on the diets of prehistoric creatures that once roamed the ancient seas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chance-discovery-on-the-cliffs">Chance discovery on the cliffs</h2>



The location called the Stevns Klint Coastal Cliffs, which is a <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNESCO-heritage</a> site south of Copenhagen, proved to be a treasure trove for this local resident.



His name is Peter Bennicke, and he was out on a casual walk when he happened upon some unusual fragments in a piece of chalk.



On closer inspection, these fragments turned out to be pieces of sea lily, which is actually a type of marine invertebrate.



Intrigued by his discovery, Bennicke decided to take these fragments to a museum for further examination. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossilized-vomit-composition">Fossilized vomit composition</h2>



The specialists at the <a href="https://www.oesm.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museum of East Zealand</a> conducted an examination of the fragments, which revealed that the pieces were not just ordinary sea lilies.



They were actually a part of fossilized vomit that had formed near the end of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extraordinary-dinosaur-fossils-discovered-from-the-end-of-cretaceous-era/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous period</a>, around 66 million years ago.



This vomit is thought to have come from a fish that dined on at least two different species of sea lily. However, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-show-distinct-personalities-when-foraging-for-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> could not digest these parts and subsequently regurgitated them.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dinosaur-vomit_66-million-years-old_credit-Sten-Lennart-Jakobsen_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dinosaur-vomit_66-million-years-old_credit-Sten-Lennart-Jakobsen_1s.webp" alt="Regurgitated sea lilies discovered by hiker. Credit: Sten Lennart Jakobsen" class="wp-image-1958343"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Regurgitated sea lilies discovered by hiker. Credit: Sten Lennart Jakobsen</figcaption></figure>



In a press release, the Museum emphasized the importance of such discoveries, stating that they play a key role in piecing together ancient food webs.



"This type of find ... is considered very important when reconstructing past <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-past-warming-help-protect-future-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> because it provides important information about which animals were eaten by which," stated the Museum press release.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prehistoric-food-chain-insights">Prehistoric food chain insights</h2>



Discovering prehistoric fossilized vomit is indeed rare and offers new insights into the diet and behavior of prehistoric animals. In the world of paleontology, this is regarded as a precious find.



Jesper Milan, a noted paleontologist associated with the research, was very enthusiastic about the discovery. 



He hailed this discovery as "truly an unusual find," and elaborated on how it helps decipher the relationships in the prehistoric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-twilight-zone-stabilizes-the-marine-food-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food chain</a>.



"Sea lilies are not a particularly nutritious diet, as they consist mainly of calcareous plates held together by a few soft parts," explained Milan. 



"But here is an animal, probably some kind of fish that, 66 million years ago, ate sea lilies that lived at the bottom of the Cretaceous sea and regurgitated the skeletal parts."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-clues-in-fossilized-vomit">Unexpected clues in fossilized vomit</h2>



Fossilized remains like this rare regurgitation provide a unique snapshot of life in the prehistoric seas.



Unlike traditional body fossils, which reveal an animal’s physical structure, trace fossils such as vomit, feces, and bite marks offer direct evidence of ancient behaviors. 



These remnants, which are often overlooked, play a crucial role in understanding prehistoric ecosystems.



The Cliffs of Stevns, already famous for their rich fossil record from the end-Cretaceous period, continue to yield new surprises. 



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



This latest discovery highlights how the prehistoric marine world was more dynamic than previously thought. 



The presence of sea lilies in the fish’s diet suggests that some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-shoulders-evolved-from-the-jawbones-of-ancient-fish-called-placoderms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient fish</a> species were more opportunistic feeders than expected, consuming whatever was available in their environment. 



This challenges assumptions that sea lilies, primarily composed of calcium carbonate, were unappealing to most marine predators.



By analyzing the composition and arrangement of fossilized vomit like this, paleontologists can piece together ancient food webs with greater accuracy. 



It also raises intriguing questions. Was this fish struggling to find more nutritious prey? Had it evolved specialized features to help it digest this unappealing food? 



With each new find, researchers inch closer to understanding the daily lives of prehistoric creatures, and recreating a more vivid picture of the past.



The information for this article was published in a <a href="https://www.oesm.dk/usaedvanligt-fund-af-danekrae-paa-stevns-klint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a> by the Museum of East Zealand.



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66-million-year-old fossilized vomit gives clues to prehistoric diets

Imagine going out for a quiet stroll and unexpectedly uncovering...

The world’s changing climate isn’t only increasing temperatures - it’s triggering a profound reorganization of Earth’s species. The accelerating pace of these shifts poses serious threats to global wildlife.



New research reveals that rapid temperature fluctuations are actively altering which species can survive in specific regions at a rate faster than previously observed.



The study, led by researchers at UC Santa Cruz, highlights how rising and falling temperatures lead to rapid shifts in species composition. The researchers found that as temperature fluctuations accelerate, ecosystems struggle to maintain stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adaptation-alone-cannot-save-species">Adaptation alone cannot save species</h2>



The study challenges the assumption that species can easily adapt to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changing climate</a> through behavioral shifts or altered interactions with other organisms.



Instead, the research shows that such adaptations are insufficient to counteract the effects of increasingly unstable temperatures.



When climate changes too quickly, ecosystems undergo a reshuffling process that disrupts the balance of species within them.



Study lead author Malin Pinsky is an associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Cruz</a>.



"It's like shuffling a deck of cards, and temperature change now is shuffling that deck faster and faster," said Pinsky. "The worry is that eventually you start to lose some cards."



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



Unlike ocean species, which are often forced to move long distances due to warming waters, land animals can typically relocate to nearby areas that suit their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-fear-climate-change-will-end-the-world-during-their-lifetime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature needs</a>. However, the researchers found that even this ability does not prevent disruptions to terrestrial ecosystems.



The study was focused on species replacement, a process in which some species disappear while new ones take their place.



While this is a natural occurrence, the study shows that the speed of replacement is increasing due to rapid temperature changes. If this trend continues, species losses may outpace new arrivals, leading to ecosystem instability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-mitigate-the-crisis">How to mitigate the crisis</h2>



The study suggests that the best way to reduce these climate change risks is to prevent further global warming, preserve natural landscapes that support diverse species and temperature conditions, and limit human-driven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes to the environment</a>.



The benefits of these actions include increased biodiversity, cleaner air, and healthier ecosystems.



"Temperature affects everything from how fast the heart beats to how flexible and porous our cell membranes are; from how much food animals eat to how fast plants grow," noted Pinsky. "Temperature is in many ways the metronome for life."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-ecosystems-are-more-resilient">Some ecosystems are more resilient</h2>



One of the key findings of the study is that ecosystems with varied landscapes are better equipped to handle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-are-largely-unprepared-for-the-effects-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature shifts</a>. 



When an environment offers a range of temperature conditions, species can seek out cooler or warmer areas as needed. This natural variation acts as a buffer against extreme fluctuations.



For example, if a person standing in an open field starts to overheat, they have no immediate escape. However, if a forest is nearby, moving into the shade provides instant relief. 



Animals experience a similar dynamic. Those living in environments with diverse temperature zones can shift their location rather than face extinction or replacement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-species-struggle-with-climate-change">Some species struggle with climate change</h2>



Unfortunately, not all ecosystems have this level of variation. Some regions, whether due to natural conditions or human development, lack the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-the-world-is-on-track-for-a-catastrophic-level-of-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature diversity</a> needed to protect their inhabitants. 



Species in these regions are at the greatest risk of decline as climate change accelerates temperature shifts. Understanding which environments are most vulnerable can help guide conservation efforts.



Study senior author Shane Blowes is an expert at Germany's Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (<a href="https://www.idiv.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iDiv</a>) and <a href="https://www.uni-halle.de/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg</a>.



"Establishing this explicit link between rates of climate change and rates of species turnover allows us to better understand how changing temperatures can impact different ecosystems," said Blowes.



"Pinpointing factors that impact the rate of local species replacement can help prioritize conservation actions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-activity-increases-species-turnover">Human activity increases species turnover</h2>



The researchers also found that human activity is worsening the effects of climate change on species replacement. Factors such as land development, pollution, and the spread of invasive species put additional stress on already vulnerable ecosystems.



These pressures further accelerate species loss by reducing habitat diversity and making it harder for species to adjust to temperature changes.



Humans can help mitigate the negative effects of climate change on biodiversity by reducing habitat destruction, minimizing pollution, and controlling invasive species.



In marine environments, reducing fishing pressure and protecting underwater habitats can also support species stability.



As climate change continues to accelerate, understanding how ecosystems respond to temperature shifts will be critical for conservation efforts. The study’s findings highlight the urgency of addressing global warming and protecting diverse habitats to ensure the stability of ecosystems worldwide.



The research was funded by the National Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF</a>), iDiv, and the <a href="https://hifmb.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08456-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Climate change is constantly reshuffling Earth's species

The world’s changing climate isn’t only increasing temperatures - it’s...

In the frozen expanse of the Arctic, polar bears glide effortlessly across ice and plunge into sub-zero waters - yet their fur is remarkably free of frost. 



For years, scientists have wondered: How do these apex predators avoid turning into walking ice cubes? The answer, it turns out, is as simple as it is surprising: greasy hair.



Researchers analyzed hair samples from six wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-struggling-to-survive-longer-summers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar bears</a>. They discovered that the fur’s sebum, made of cholesterol, diacylglycerols, and fatty acids, plays a crucial role in preventing ice buildup. 



When the grease was removed, the fur lost its ice-resistant properties and behaved similarly to human hair, which allows ice to adhere easily.



The research offers new insights into how polar bears adapt to their harsh environment. It also opens up possibilities for developing new materials that resist ice accumulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polar-bears-greasy-fur">Polar bears' greasy fur</h2>



The study was led by Julian Carolan, a PhD candidate in the School of Chemistry at <a href="https://www.tcd.ie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trinity College Dublin</a> and the <a href="https://ambercentre.ie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMBER Research Ireland Centre</a>.



“We measured ice adhesion strength, which is a useful measure of how well ice sticks to fur; hydrophobicity, which dictates whether water can be shed before it freezes; and freezing delay time, which simply shows how long it takes for a drop of water to freeze at certain temperatures on a given surface,” explained Carolan.



“We then compared the performance of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bear-conservation-leaps-forward-with-new-tracking-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar bear</a> hair with that of human hair and two types of specialist human-made ‘ski skins.'"



The results confirmed that greasy, unwashed polar bear hair strongly resists ice. When washed, the fur lost its grease and performed similarly to human hair, to which ice sticks easily.



Further chemical analysis revealed a surprising detail - polar bear sebum does not contain squalene. This fatty compound is common in human hair and in aquatic mammals like sea otters. Its absence in polar bears suggests a key evolutionary adaptation that helps them resist ice accumulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-inspired-innovation">Nature-inspired innovation</h2>



Dr. Richard Hobbs highlighted the broader impact of this discovery. "Animals living in polar habitats have emerged as a source of inspiration for the development of new anti-icing materials,” he said.



“For example, Anne Kietzig’s group at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill&nbsp;University</a>&nbsp;recently found that the hierarchical structure of Gentoo penguin feathers afforded them anti-icing properties that relied on the feather structure rather than the preen oil coating." 



"Our work shows that polar bear fur provides an alternative strategy to produce an anti-icing surface based on the characteristic blend of lipids present in their fur sebum or hair grease.”



This study not only clarifies why polar bears avoid ice buildup but also suggests new ways to create sustainable, ice-resistant coatings. Researchers hope to replace environmentally harmful chemicals like PFAS, commonly used in current anti-icing coatings, with alternatives inspired by nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-properties-of-polar-bear-fur">Unique properties of polar bear fur</h2>



Beyond its scientific applications, this discovery provides valuable insights into polar bear hunting techniques and Inuit traditions.



Professor Bodil Holst from the <a href="https://www.uib.no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of&nbsp;Bergen</a>&nbsp;explained how this adaptation benefits polar bears in the wild.



“One of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-suffering-from-painful-ice-balls-stuck-on-their-feet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar bears</a>’ main hunting strategies is ‘still hunting,’ where they lay motionless beside a breathing hole on sea ice waiting for seals to surface. Still hunting frequently develops into an ‘aquatic stalk’ with the polar bear using its hind paws to slide into the water to pursue its prey, and the lower the ice adhesion, the less noise generated and the faster and quieter the slide.”



Inuit hunters have long understood this advantage. They sometimes cover their hunting stools with polar bear fur to reduce noise while moving on ice. Additionally,&nbsp;polar bear trousers (made using the same principle) allow hunters to move quietly without alerting prey.



Importantly, traditional Inuit preparation methods preserve the natural grease in the fur. Unlike fox fur, which is often cleaned with soapstone or dry clay, polar bear fur is kept unwashed to maintain its unique properties.



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



This research not only deepens our understanding of Arctic survival but also has practical implications for future technology.



By studying how nature prevents ice buildup, scientists aim to create more sustainable solutions for industries that require ice-resistant materials.



Polar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/keeping-the-peace-how-drones-can-help-humans-and-bears-coexist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bear</a> fur, with its naturally occurring grease, may inspire the next generation of eco-friendly coatings that could be used in transportation, winter sports, and industrial applications.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads7321" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Ice doesn't stick to polar bear fur - but why?

In the frozen expanse of the Arctic, polar bears glide...

Giant clams, some of the largest mollusks on Earth, have captivated marine biologists for decades. These marine giants can reach lengths of up to 4.5 feet and weigh over 700 pounds, making them key figures in tropical coral reef ecosystems. 



Beyond the sheer size of giant clams, their biology holds secrets that researchers are still uncovering. A new study led by CU Boulder provides insight into how giant clams <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-clams-have-vanished-from-places-where-they-used-to-thrive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolved</a> to coexist with algae inside their bodies.



The team sequenced the genome of Tridacna maxima, the most widespread species of giant clam. 



The researchers discovered genetic adaptations that enable these creatures to sustain themselves through symbiosis rather than by consuming large amounts of food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-giant-clams-grow">How giant clams grow</h2>



Unlike many large marine animals, giant clams do not rely on a high-protein diet to sustain their impressive size. Instead, they derive most of their energy from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-algae-soak-up-loads-of-carbon-to-help-save-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> living inside their tissues. These algae harness sunlight through photosynthesis, producing nutrients that the clams absorb.



The recent genomic study highlights how&nbsp;T. maxima&nbsp;has evolved genetic mechanisms that allow it to accommodate these symbiotic algae. By examining the genetic code of&nbsp;T. maxima, researchers found clues about how this partnership contributed to the giant clam’s remarkable size.



Study senior author Jingchun Li is a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CU Boulder</a>.



“Giant clams are keystone species in many marine habitats,” said Li. “Understanding their genetics and ecology helps us better understand the coral reef ecosystem.”



By comparing the genome of&nbsp;T. maxima&nbsp;with those of non-symbiotic mollusks, scientists identified key differences that enable the clam to support algae within its body while maintaining its own health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-symbiotic-relationship">Unique symbiotic relationship</h2>



Popular myths often depict giant clams as dangerous creatures capable of swallowing unsuspecting divers. In reality, these mollusks are entirely non-predatory and depend entirely on their relationship with algae for survival.



When young giant clams drift through the ocean as larvae, they have the opportunity to ingest algae. If they take in the right species, they begin to develop a specialized internal system of tube-like structures where the algae settle and multiply. 



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-algae-play-an-unexpected-role-in-cooling-the-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> convert sunlight into sugars through photosynthesis, supplying essential nutrients to their host. “It’s like the algae are seeds, and a tree grows out of the clam’s stomach,” Li said.



This relationship benefits both organisms. While the algae provide food, the giant clams offer their symbiotic partners a safe environment within their tissues. 



The clams regulate light exposure by expanding and retracting their mantles, ensuring that the algae receive sufficient sunlight without experiencing damage from excessive radiation. The clams also provide essential nutrients that sustain their tiny partners.



This process, known as photosymbiosis, is found in only a handful of marine species, such as corals. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-with-algae">Living with algae</h2>



Many other mollusks, even those closely related to giant clams, do not form these symbiotic relationships. Scientists wanted to understand what made giant clams unique in this regard.



To explore this question, the research team collaborated with experts from the <a href="https://www.uog.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Guam</a> and the <a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western Australian Museum</a>. They analyzed the genetic makeup of T. maxima and compared it with species such as common cockles that lack symbiotic partnerships.



The findings revealed that T. maxima possesses a greater number of genes designed to detect and distinguish beneficial algae from harmful bacteria or viruses.



Additionally, the researchers found that the giant clam has evolved a way to suppress parts of its immune system, allowing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-emerged-zygnema-star-algae-conquer-earths-landmass/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> to reside safely within its body for extended periods.



“As a result of the clam’s weakened immune system, its genome contains a large number of transposable elements, which are bits of genetic material left behind by ancient viruses,” said Ruiqi Li, the study’s first author and a postdoctoral researcher at the CU <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/resources/museum-natural-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museum of Natural History</a>.



“These aspects highlight the tradeoffs of symbiosis. The host has to accommodate a suppressed immune system and potentially more viral genome invasions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-giant-clam-s-massive-size">The giant clam’s massive size</h2>



Another major finding of the study concerned the genes responsible for regulating body size. 



Compared to other mollusks, giant clams have fewer CTRP genes, which control body weight and growth. Scientists believe that this genetic difference may explain how giant clams are able to reach such enormous sizes.



By reducing the genetic restrictions on body growth, these mollusks may have evolved to expand far beyond the size of their closest relatives. Their symbiotic relationship with algae provides the necessary energy to support this growth, compensating for their lack of a high-protein diet.



Understanding these genetic mechanisms not only helps scientists grasp how giant clams evolved but also offers insights into broader ecological patterns. The study demonstrates how organisms can evolve specialized relationships with other species to maximize their survival in challenging environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-concerns-for-giant-clams">Conservation concerns for giant clams</h2>



Last year, a giant clam population assessment led by Ruiqi Li influenced the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) to revise the conservation status of several giant clam species.



Tridacna gigas, the largest and most iconic species, is now classified as “critically endangered,” meaning it is at extreme risk of extinction in the wild. Conservationists have long warned about the threats facing this species, from overharvesting to habitat destruction.



While&nbsp;T. maxima&nbsp;remains categorized as “least concern” due to its wide distribution, scientists caution that classification may not tell the full story. Ruiqi Li pointed out that different species are sometimes grouped together simply because they look similar, which could lead to an underestimation of conservation risks.



“If you think these giant clams are all the same species, you might underestimate the threat they face,” noted Ruiqi Li. “Genetic studies like this can help us distinguish between species and assess their true conservation needs.”



The research team aims to sequence the genomes of all 12 known giant clam species. By identifying subtle genetic differences, they hope to improve conservation strategies tailored to each species’ needs.



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



Beyond direct human threats, giant clams face increasing dangers from climate change. Similar to corals, these mollusks rely on their symbiotic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-algae-instead-of-meat-products-to-save-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> for survival. 



When ocean temperatures rise beyond a certain threshold, the clams expel their algae, leading to a condition similar to coral bleaching. Without algae, the clams lose their primary energy source and may not survive.



“The giant clams are very important for the stability of the marine ecosystem and support biodiversity,” said Jingchun Li.



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



In addition to their role as primary producers, giant clams provide shelter for numerous marine species. Their large shells create microhabitats that protect small fish and invertebrates from predators. 



Many marine creatures also depend on giant clams as a food source, further highlighting their importance in coral reef ecosystems.



“Protecting them is essential for the health of coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them,” Li added.



As climate change and habitat destruction continue to threaten marine biodiversity, studies like this offer crucial insights into how species adapt to their environments. 



By understanding the genetic basis of symbiosis in giant clams, scientists can contribute to conservation efforts that preserve these remarkable mollusks for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-07423-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a>.



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Giant clams grow huge without eating much protein

Giant clams, some of the largest mollusks on Earth, have...

Glaciers worldwide are shrinking due to rising temperatures, reshaping landscapes and posing serious challenges for the organisms that inhabit them. Yet in the lofty reaches of the Andes Mountains, a wild relative of the llama is helping new life take root in areas newly exposed by ice retreat.&nbsp;



By depositing substantial piles of dung, vicuñas are speeding up plant colonization on freshly deglaciated terrain, a process that would otherwise take more than a century.



This fascinating discovery, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83457-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Scientific Reports</a>, underscores an unexpected strategy through which species are adjusting to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>.&nbsp;



While this unique animal behavior offers hope for reviving scarred alpine landscapes, the study’s authors caution that the overall pace of climate change outstrips many species’ ability to find suitable new habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-ecological-role-of-vicunas-nbsp">Crucial ecological role of vicuñas&nbsp;</h2>



Vicuñas are one of two wild South American camelids, with llamas and alpacas as their domesticated counterparts. 



These hardy animals live at high altitudes in the Andes and have a notable habit: much like how people consistently use designated bathrooms, vicuñas gather in communal latrines.



Cliff Bueno de Mesquita is the study’s co-first author and a research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>.&nbsp;



“It’s interesting to see how a social behavior of these animals can transfer nutrients to a new ecosystem that is very nutrient poor,” said Bueno de Mesquita.&nbsp;



However, the current rate of climate change still outpaces the ability of many species to find new habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-growth-in-vicunas-latrines">Plant growth in vicuñas’ latrines</h2>



The key finding is that vicuñas’ <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elephant-dung-feeds-over-2-million-beetles-daily/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dung</a> accelerates plant establishment on deglaciated ground by more than a hundred years. 



Glacial melt in high-altitude areas typically reveals a desolate landscape of rock and gravel, lacking essential nutrients for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-how-climate-change-will-alter-plant-growth-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant growth</a>. 



Over the last ten years, Steven Schmidt, the paper’s senior author and a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and his team noticed small patches of vegetation emerging wherever vicuña dung piles accumulated.



The researchers ventured to sites in the Peruvian Andes, nearly 18,000 feet above sea level, that had previously been covered by glaciers. They analyzed the composition of soil in and around these communal dung piles and discovered notable differences.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhanced-soil-quality">Enhanced soil quality</h3>



Vicuña latrine soils contained considerably higher levels of organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus than adjacent barren soils - enough to promote rapid plant germination.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-water-retention">Better water retention</h3>



Despite the arid conditions at high altitudes, the latrine soils held more moisture, further supporting plant life in an otherwise harsh environment.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-diversity">Microbial diversity</h3>



Soil samples from latrines revealed a wide variety of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-life-soil-planet-warming-global-carbon-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microorganisms</a>, suggesting the latrines serve as fertile ground for microbes and, consequently, plants.



This rich blend of nutrients, water, and microbes helps seeds from lower elevations - carried to high altitudes via vicuñas’ dung - take root more easily in newly revealed terrain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacial-retreat-and-barren-landscapes">Glacial retreat and barren landscapes </h2>



Normally, the newly exposed soil left by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-glacier-retreat-in-the-arctic-signals-climate-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retreating glaciers</a> can remain plant-free for a century or more due to nutrient deficits and low moisture levels. 



Through their dung piles, vicuñas deposit an essential mix of nutrients, seeds, and microorganisms that jumpstart the formation of a new ecosystem. 



Over time, this vegetation encourages other animals, including herbivores and predators like pumas, to move in.



Camera footage confirms that the presence of nascent vegetation has drawn a surprising variety of wildlife, including species rarely seen at such extreme altitudes. 



In turn, vicuñas themselves also graze on the plants that spring up around their latrines, creating a cyclical benefit.



According to Kelsey Rider, an animal ecologist at <a href="https://www.jmu.edu/index.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Madison University</a>, it could take centuries for the deglaciated area to transform into grassland.



This might help mitigate the negative impacts that many animal species preferring colder climates face as their habitats shrink. The process, while beneficial, lags behind the rapid pace of glacial melting worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anthropogenic-climate-change-nbsp">Anthropogenic climate change&nbsp;</h2>



Scientists note that vicuñas, despite effectively fertilizing and rejuvenating new habitats, cannot fully counteract the accelerating glacier loss.&nbsp;



Over the past two decades, global glacier melt has surged, with non-polar glaciers losing around 267 billion tons of ice each year between 2000 and 2019. 



If warming trends persist, up to 68% of Earth’s glaciers could disappear, imperiling water supplies for almost a quarter of the world’s population.



“The vicuñas are probably helping some alpine organisms, but we can’t assume they’ll all be okay, because in Earth’s history, we’ve never seen climate change happen at this speed,”



Bueno de Mesquita said. “Current anthropogenic climate change is probably the most severe crisis our planet and all living things have faced in the past 65 million years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-in-a-drastically-changing-climate-nbsp">Wildlife in a drastically changing climate&nbsp;</h2>



The role of vicuñas in the Andes serves as a compelling illustration of how species can adapt to a changing planet. 



By pooling nutrients in communal dung piles, these animals foster micro-environments that favor plant life, effectively creating oases in barren landscapes.



Although this adaptation stands as a beacon of resilience, the overarching message remains stark: climate change is unfolding too quickly for many species to keep pace.&nbsp;



Without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and robust conservation efforts, ecosystems around the globe - including the high Andes - risk suffering irreversible damage.



Ultimately, the study emphasizes that while behaviors like the vicuñas’ communal latrines can offer localized reprieves from the stresses of global warming, far more comprehensive measures are needed to ensure that both wildlife and human communities can endure in a drastically shifting environment.



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Animal poop can literally transform barren landscapes into lush ecosystems

Glaciers worldwide are shrinking due to rising temperatures, reshaping landscapes...

As landscapes shift around the world, changes in wildlife habitats often bring animals into closer contact with human populations. Such is the case in the American West, where certain populations of grizzly bears (also known as brown bears) are moving onto the prairie following successful conservation initiatives.&nbsp;



While the recovery of these formidable carnivores has been hailed as a significant victory, it has also triggered new challenges, as people grow wary of sharing the land with such large and powerful predators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-return-of-grizzlies-to-the-great-plains">Return of grizzlies to the Great Plains</h2>



In the contiguous United States, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grizzly-bear-conservation-must-focus-on-habitat-quality-and-mortality-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grizzly bears</a> have been classified as a protected species since the 1970s. Over several decades, conservation efforts and legal safeguards have allowed them to expand and reclaim parts of their historical range.&nbsp;



In areas like the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and Glacier National Park, populations have rebounded so effectively that grizzlies have migrated out from the mountains and onto the flat, open prairie.



Such reoccupation of ancient habitats can create conflicts where human settlement and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-and-agriculture-are-locked-in-a-destructive-feedback-loop/">agriculture</a> now dominate. 



These bears, weighing up to 751 kilograms (1,656 pounds) and possessing claws 15 centimeters (6 inches) long, can indeed pose risks - though their diet is often omnivorous and plant-based, they remain powerful predators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-public-concerns-and-fears">Addressing public concerns and fears</h2>



As grizzlies re-enter the plains, many local residents find themselves living alongside an animal that can kill livestock, cause property damage, and - though rarely - pose a threat to people.&nbsp;



Recognizing these community concerns, <a href="https://fwp.mt.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks</a> and the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</a> responded by assigning a specialized bear manager, Wesley Sarmento from the <a href="https://www.umt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Montana</a>, to handle issues of human-bear conflict.



Sarmento held a series of public meetings to gather input. Residents voiced their main request: keep grizzlies out of towns, away from homes, and prevent them from preying on livestock.&nbsp;



Sarmento committed to addressing these requests by hazing bears - using methods intended to chase and deter bears from undesirable behaviors without harming them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hazing-in-wildlife-management-nbsp">Hazing in wildlife management&nbsp;</h2>



Although hazing is commonly mentioned in wildlife management, few studies have formally tested its efficacy.&nbsp;



Seeking to fill that gap, Sarmento decided to record data on how well hazing succeeded in moving bears from problem areas and whether it instilled a lasting aversion in the animals, a concept known as “aversive conditioning.”



Initially, he used standard tools: a truck and a shotgun loaded with non-lethal ammunition, such as cracker shells and rubber rounds, designed to discourage bears without causing permanent injury.&nbsp;



In one instance, encountering a large, agitated male grizzly in a soggy field, Sarmento found it impossible to drive close. Approaching on foot, the bear charged - but a timely cracker shell deterred it. This dramatic experience led to interest in a new tool: “bear dogs.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-and-drones-tools-for-hazing-bears">Dogs and drones: Tools for hazing bears</h2>



Sarmento acquired two adult Airedale Terriers, known locally as a favored breed, hoping they would help locate and chase off grizzlies. Some residents supported the idea, while others doubted the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-suffer-from-the-january-blues-just-like-humans/">dogs</a>’ effectiveness. 



In practice, the dogs were inconsistent at detecting bears, often chasing other animals, such as feral cats or porcupines instead. Repeated training efforts yielded limited results.



Given the dogs’ shortcomings, the manager then turned to technology: a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drones-reveal-hidden-biodiversity-in-rainforest-canopies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drone</a>. Equipped with a thermal camera, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) could be flown over fences, canals, and uneven terrain.&nbsp;



Operators could remain safely in a vehicle while piloting the drone to harass and direct grizzlies away from sensitive areas like homes, towns, and livestock pastures - day or night.



This method proved highly effective. Bears could be steered exactly where Sarmento wanted, and the drone’s distinctive buzzing sound was enough to startle them into moving away quickly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drones-teach-bears-to-avoid-humans">Drones teach bears to avoid humans</h2>



Over time, data showed that older bears needed fewer drone interventions, suggesting they learned to avoid humans and their properties after repeated negative encounters. 



Additionally, the annual number of hazing events declined, an indicator of successful aversive conditioning.&nbsp;



This outcome benefitted both communities and wildlife: fewer conflicts meant fewer reasons for authorities to consider lethal or other severe control measures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-risks-for-bears-and-people">Reducing risks for bears and people</h2>



While success with drones and non-lethal deterrence methods is promising, the rate at which grizzlies are returning to the plains continues to raise concerns. Bears can remain at least partially drawn to the same foods and resources humans also value, increasing the likelihood of conflict.&nbsp;



Moreover, with climate change and other ecological pressures, maintaining safe coexistence between humans and grizzlies will require ongoing innovation and engagement with local communities.



Ultimately, the experiences in Montana demonstrate that even formidable predators like the grizzly bear can be deterred and taught to steer clear of human properties.&nbsp;



By combining aversive conditioning with new technologies, wildlife managers can reduce risks to both bears and people, preserving a conservation success story while addressing the inevitable challenges of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-wildlife-overlap-is-rapidly-rising-across-the-globe/">human-wildlife</a> coexistence.



More details can be found in Sarmento’s article, published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/conservation-science/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1478450/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Conservation Sciences</a>.



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Keeping the peace: How drones can help humans and bears coexist

As landscapes shift around the world, changes in wildlife habitats...

If we could turn back time to between 45,000 and 29,000 years ago, we would find that the planet was a vastly different place from how it is currently. Early humans were just beginning to establish their presence beyond the African continent, and they may unwittingly have caused a seismic shift in the local ecology.



But how did their arrival impact the delicate balance of the animal kingdom? A recent study offers fresh insights into this ancient relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-scavenger-human-relationship">The scavenger-human relationship</h2>



"Early humans, more than 30,000 years ago, did not live in isolation from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wealth-inequality-exists-in-the-animal-kingdom-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal world</a>; they were integrated into a network of relationships with scavengers," explained Dr. Chris Baumann, one of the key scientists behind the research.



This complex web of interactions, where humans and scavenger animals influenced each other, is often challenging to understand from our modern perspective.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-data-unearthing-the-past">The power of data: Unearthing the past</h2>



Uncovering insights from the depths of history is no simple task. However, researchers from the <a href="https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tübingen</a> and the University of Cologne achieved this by leveraging the extensive ROAD database from the ROCEEH research center. 



This database encompasses information from 2,400 prehistoric sites across Europe, Africa, and Asia.



By focusing on zooarchaeological data from European sites once inhabited by humans, the team unearthed intriguing patterns of behavior that had long disappeared into the past.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-effect-on-scavengers">The human effect on scavengers</h2>



Dr. Baumann and his colleagues hypothesize that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ancient-humans-hunted-elephants-with-stone-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient humans</a> may have hunted and killed more animals than they could consume, thereby increasing the availability of carrion.



At first, this may have been a boon for sizable scavenger animals. "Initially, this benefited large scavengers," noted Baumann.



However, humans soon began to manage their surroundings more carefully, ensuring that large predators were kept at a distance from their settlements.



On the other hand, unthreatening small scavengers like foxes, ravens, or crows were likely tolerated - much like we tolerate urban foxes and raccoons today.



Baumann believes this dynamic resulted in a significant shift in the relationship between humans and scavengers between 45,000 and 29,000 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-carnivores-were-displaced">Large carnivores were displaced </h2>



"During this period, the late Pleistocene, the large scavengers began to be displaced in favor of smaller species, some of which even benefited from living with humans," noted Dr. Shumon T. Hussain. 



This shift was likely driven, in part, by the arrival of modern humans (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthals-homo-sapiens-living-spaces-organized-similarly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Homo sapiens</a>) in Europe and the displacement of the region's last Neanderthals.



"Humans further developed their skills and hunted so many animals that significantly more energy became available in the food web," noted Baumann.



This influx of energy resulted in behavioral adaptations and evolutionary changes in scavenging animals, while humans developed new ways of colonizing the landscape. 



In effect, humans played a significant role in shaping ecosystems - which may have also influenced human evolution itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-ecological-impact">Long-term ecological impact</h2>



The changes induced by early humans didn’t just alter the dynamics between scavengers and their environment in the short term. These changes triggered a cascade of ecological consequences that echoed through generations.



As large scavengers were gradually pushed away and smaller ones thrived in human-dominated spaces, the ecosystem itself adapted in response. 



This shift likely influenced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/danger-zones-climate-change-is-altering-predator-prey-dynamics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator-prey</a> relationships, competition for resources, and even the genetic evolution of scavenger species over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-domestication-of-animals">Domestication of animals</h2>



Researchers believe that this transition may have contributed to the domestication process, with some animals gradually adapting to human presence and food sources. 



The tolerance for smaller scavengers like foxes and birds may have been an early stepping stone to the complex relationships humans share with domesticated animals today.



Furthermore, this adaptation highlights how human activity can leave an enduring mark on biodiversity - whether intentional or not.



Understanding these ancient ecological shifts provides valuable lessons for modern conservation efforts. 



The study highlights the importance of considering how human interventions, both past and present, can disrupt or reshape natural ecosystems. The research offers insights into how we might promote more sustainable coexistence with wildlife in the future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379124006504?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quaternary Science Reviews</a>.



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How early humans and small scavengers benefited each other

If we could turn back time to between 45,000 and...

Golden,Trevally,Swim,With,A,Whale,Shark,In,Cenderawasih,Bay,

Massive whale sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean, are engaging in unexpected behavior. According to a new study, whale sharks use oil platforms as migratory stopover sites during their expansive journeys across the globe.



These spotted behemoths don't just randomly cruise the seas - they follow a network of natural and human-made structures that dot their underwater highways.



These observations come from a long-term tracking study conducted by Ben D'Antonio and his colleagues at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (<a href="https://www.aims.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AIMS</a>) and The University of Western Australia (<a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UWA</a>).



The findings paint a fascinating picture of how these enormous fish navigate the vast expanses of our oceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-whale-sharks-across-the-ocean">Tracking whale sharks across the ocean</h2>



The study involved analyzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-shark-mating-behaviors-observed-for-the-first-time-in-the-wild/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite tracking</a> data from 78 whale sharks over a span of 14 years. The researchers focused on whale sharks that had been tagged at Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay - two critical habitats along the Western Australian coast.



According to lead author Ben D’Antonio, a Ph.D. candidate from the AIMS@UWA program, the study provides crucial insights into how these massive creatures navigate the ocean.



"We mapped their movements across the eastern Indian Ocean and the North West Shelf. The latter area in particular features a number of oil and gas platforms and associated infrastructure," D’Antonio said.



The researchers found that whale sharks use natural underwater formations, such as seamounts, pinnacles, and canyons as navigational aids.



These structures, shaped by ocean currents, act as hotspots for plankton and other small organisms, which provide a reliable food source for the filter-feeding giants.



"Whale sharks travel huge distances across the oceans, and our study illustrates that they tend to use undersea pinnacles and seamounts as stepping stones on these journeys because the currents that flow around these features help to enhance food availability like plankton," said D'Antonio.



Interestingly, the researchers also found that artificial structures, such as offshore oil and gas platforms, may play a similar role in facilitating whale <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-sharks-move-into-dangerous-territory-as-the-climate-warms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark migration</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whale-sharks-like-oil-and-gas-platforms">Whale sharks like oil and gas platforms</h2>



While seamounts and pinnacles can span tens of kilometers, oil and gas platforms are relatively small. Yet, they seem to offer a comparable level of food availability. 



Researchers believe this may be due to the way industrial infrastructure affects surrounding marine ecosystems.



"The same is true for the industrial infrastructure found off the north-west coast of Australia," D’Antonio explained.



There is evidence, for example, that plankton are attracted by the artificial lights on these platforms. This discovery suggests that oil and gas platforms may unintentionally benefit marine life by attracting prey species.



However, the role of oil and gas platforms as migratory stepping stones also raises new questions about how their eventual removal could affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-sharks-face-deadly-threats-in-shipping-lanes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale shark</a> movement patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-oil-platform-removal">Impact of oil platform removal </h2>



As oil and gas platforms reach the end of their operational lives, many are scheduled for decommissioning. 



The study’s findings suggest that removing these structures could disrupt whale shark migration.



"The removal of platforms at the end of their productive life may change seascape connectivity by removing migratory stepping stones that link important habitats for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-has-caused-a-50-decline-in-sharks-and-rays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale sharks</a>," D’Antonio said.



Understanding the extent to which whale sharks depend on these artificial structures is now a priority.



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



Researchers need to determine how frequently the sharks visit platforms and whether they rely on them for sustenance or merely use them as occasional stopovers.



"There is still a need to understand the detail in the relationships between whale sharks and individual oil and gas platforms, like how often and for how long they visit," noted D’Antonio.



These insights are crucial for conservation and management strategies, particularly when planning marine protected areas (MPAs) and making decisions about decommissioning offshore infrastructures.



Policymakers must carefully weigh the ecological consequences before dismantling platforms that may serve an unexpected but important role in whale shark migration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-conservation-and-risks">Balancing conservation and risks</h2>



While the presence of oil and gas platforms may provide benefits for whale sharks, they also introduce significant risks. Ship strikes from service vessels are a major concern, particularly in areas with heavy industrial activity.



<a href="https://www.aims.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AIMS</a> scientist and co-author Dr. Luciana Ferreira pointed out the dangers posed by vessel interactions.



"There are records of fatal interactions between whale sharks and vessels, and a considerable portion of the whale shark population at Ningaloo Reef have scars attributed to vessel strikes," she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whale-sharks-offshore-oil-and-pollution">Whale sharks, offshore oil, and pollution</h2>



Pollution is another pressing issue. Discharges, spills, and other contaminants associated with industrial operations can pose serious threats to marine life. 



Even subtle environmental changes caused by industrial infrastructure may have unintended consequences for whale shark behavior.



"The presence of the platforms may also have indirect implications by altering migration patterns and disrupting the movements of whale sharks between natural features," explained Dr. Ferreira.



Despite these concerns, whale sharks face threats across their entire distribution. Fishing bycatch, entanglement, and ship strikes are all significant dangers that affect populations globally.



To protect whale sharks effectively, conservationists must take a holistic approach that accounts for both natural and artificial influences on their movements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-further-research">Need for further research</h2>



This study highlights the complexity of whale shark conservation. While natural features remain the primary drivers of migration, artificial structures appear to play a growing role in shaping their movement patterns. 



Experts must now investigate whether these structures act as temporary refuges, long-term feeding grounds, or accidental hazards.



More broadly, the study highlights the importance of integrating industrial considerations into marine conservation planning. With careful management, it may be possible to mitigate risks while preserving the unexpected benefits that artificial structures provide.



As decisions about decommissioning offshore platforms loom, scientists and policymakers must work together to ensure that conservation efforts align with the realities of an ever-changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-sharks-move-into-dangerous-territory-as-the-climate-warms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine environment</a>. 



The future of whale sharks depends on understanding how both natural and human-made factors, such as oil and gas platforms, shape their world - and ensuring that their migratory pathways remain intact for generations to come.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddi.13950" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diversity and Distributions</a>.



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Whale sharks use offshore oil rigs as food stops during migration, harming conservation efforts

Massive whale sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean, are...

Around 45 million years ago, during the Eocene Epoch, the Geiseltal region of present-day Germany was a vast, humid swamp that teemed with life. Ancient horses, early tapirs, giant tortoises, large land crocodiles, and countless birds flourished in this tropical paradise. Among these creatures roamed Diatryma, a massive, flightless bird that stood 4.6 feet (1.40 meters) tall.



With its robust frame and enormous beak, this prehistoric giant was once thought to be a fearsome predator. However, modern research has revealed a different story - Diatryma was likely a gentle herbivore.



This bird's legacy remained shrouded in mystery for decades, but a recent discovery by an international team of researchers has brought it back into the spotlight. 



Led by scientists from the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the Senckenberg Research Institute, the research team has analyzed a fully preserved Diatryma skull, making it only the second such specimen known in the world.



The findings, published in the journal&nbsp;Palaeontologia Electronica, highlight how museum collections continue to yield remarkable scientific revelations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fossil-lost-in-time">A fossil lost in time</h2>



The newly examined Diatryma skull was not freshly excavated. Instead, it had been sitting unnoticed in the extensive Geiseltal Collection at <a href="https://www.uni-halle.de/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLU</a> for decades. It was originally unearthed in the 1950s in a lignite mining area in Geiseltal, a site known for its rich <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil deposits</a>.



However, due to a misclassification, the fossil led a shadowy existence for years. It was mistakenly identified as a crocodile skull, a forgivable mix-up given the variety of prehistoric reptilian remains found in the region.



For years, the skull sat in storage, unrecognized for what it truly was. It wasn’t until Michael Stache, a geological preparator at MLU's Central Repository of Natural Science Collections, rediscovered the fossil that its true significance came to light. 



"The find was initially misidentified as a crocodile skull," remarked Stache. Upon closer examination, he realized the error and undertook the painstaking process of restoring and analyzing the specimen.



As Stache worked on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-fossil-fills-crucial-gap-in-pterosaur-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a>, he noticed that another fragment in the collection seemed to belong to the same skull. By combining the two pieces, he successfully reconstructed what is now recognized as an almost entire preserved Diatryma skull.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-rare-and-remarkable-find">A rare and remarkable find</h2>



The rediscovery of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grand-canyon-fossils-reveal-secrets-of-the-cambrian-explosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> attracted the attention of Dr. Gerald Mayr, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.senckenberg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senckenberg Research Institute</a>. He examined the specimen closely and confirmed what few paleontologists ever expected to find - a nearly complete Diatryma skull.



Until this discovery, only one other fully preserved skull of this species was known to exist; it is housed at the <a href="https://www.amnh.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Museum of Natural History</a> in the United States.



"This shows, once again, that many of the most interesting discoveries in paleontology occur in museum collections. Just a few years ago, nobody would have thought that the Geiseltal Collection would contain such surprises," commented Mayr.



The skull’s excellent state of preservation offers scientists a rare opportunity to study the anatomy of this ancient bird in greater detail than ever before.



The fossil is now part of the Geiseltal Collection, which consists of approximately 50,000 specimens. These fossils, considered a national heritage asset, provide an invaluable window into the ancient ecosystems of the Eocene. 



Even though the mining operations in Geiseltal ceased in 1993 and fossil excavations ended long ago, new discoveries continue to emerge from the collection, reshaping our understanding of prehistoric life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-gentle-giant-not-a-predator">A gentle giant, not a predator</h2>



For decades, scientists debated Diatryma’s place in the prehistoric food chain.



Early theories suggested that this towering bird was a predator that hunted small horses and other mammals in the swamps of Geiseltal. Its size and formidable beak led researchers to compare it to later, more aggressive species of giant flightless birds.



However, recent studies, including those based on the newly examined skull, have painted a very different picture. Diatryma was most likely a herbivore that used its massive beak to process tough plant material rather than to tear flesh.



Its anatomy suggests it was built for foraging rather than hunting, much like modern, large, plant-eating birds such as ostriches and emus.



"This research expands our understanding of the Eocene Epoch in the Geiseltal even though the excavations were completed long ago," says Stache. Scientists now believe that Diatryma lived alongside early mammals that fed on vegetation rather than preying on animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-geiseltal-collection">Significance of the Geiseltal collection</h2>



The Geiseltal region has long been a treasure trove for paleontologists. Once a mining area rich in lignite deposits, it also preserved an astonishing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-capture-a-turning-point-in-the-evolution-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity of prehistoric life</a>. 



Fossils from this region include everything from tiny insects to massive reptiles, providing an unparalleled glimpse into an ecosystem that thrived 45 million years ago.



Even though large-scale excavations in the area ended decades ago, the work of researchers at MLU and other institutions continues to uncover new findings. The rediscovery of the Diatryma skull proves that museum collections hold many secrets that are waiting to be revealed by keen-eyed scientists.



The Geiseltal Collection remains a hub of international research. Scientists from around the world visit MLU regularly to study its fossils, eager to expand the knowledge of life in the Eocene. 



Each fossil offers a new puzzle piece in the story of evolution, shedding light on how prehistoric species adapted and thrived in their environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-the-diatryma-fossil">Insights from the Diatryma fossil</h2>



With only about 40 known Diatryma fossils in the Geiseltal Collection, researchers believe the bird was a relatively rare sight in the region.



"Diatryma was probably a rare guest in the Geiseltal. Otherwise, there would probably be more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-reveals-how-plants-use-winged-seeds-to-expand-their-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a>," concluded Stache.



The rediscovery of its skull is not just a victory for paleontology but also a proof of the enduring value of museum collections. 



While excavation sites may eventually close, the knowledge they yield continues to evolve, driven by curiosity and scientific advances.



Diatryma, once lost in the depths of a misidentified fossil collection, now stands as a symbol of how history can be rewritten with patience, research, and a touch of serendipity.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2024/5393-review-of-gastornithiformes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palaeontologia Electronica</a>.



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Rediscovered 45-million-year-old skull turns out to be a large, extinct bird species

Around 45 million years ago, during the Eocene Epoch, the...

When it comes to self-awareness in the animal kingdom, not all primates pass the test. A recent study conducted in the harsh wilderness of Namibia reveals that wild baboons, despite their remarkable intelligence, don't recognize themselves in mirrors.



Conducted in Namibia’s Tsaobis Nature Park, this research is the first controlled laser mark test in a wild setting, offering fresh insights into how non-hominid primates perceive themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-recognition-in-animals">Self-recognition in animals</h2>



For over 50 years, scientists have been attempting to measure self-awareness in animals. One of the most widely used methods is the mirror self-recognition test, which involves marking an animal with a visible spot and observing whether it recognizes the mark as being on its own body. 



Animals that show clear signs of self-awareness will investigate the mark on their own body, demonstrating an understanding that the reflection in the mirror is not another animal but themselves.



“We define self-awareness as ‘the capacity to become the object of your own attention’ and we test this capacity by assessing an individual's ability to identify an image of themselves,” noted study author Dr. Alecia Carter from <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/anthropology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCL Anthropology</a>.



While some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-animal-will-replace-humans-as-earths-dominant-species-this-scientist-has-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>, such as great apes and dolphins, have passed the mirror test, researchers have long questioned whether monkeys share the same ability. The results from this new study suggest that they do not.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baboons-and-their-fascination-with-mirrors">Baboons and their fascination with mirrors</h2>



The researchers observed 120 wild Chacma baboons in Tsaobis Nature Park over a six-month period between May and October 2021. 



Before testing for self-recognition, the baboons were given time to interact with mirrors. This step was essential because reflective surfaces are uncommon in their natural habitat, unlike in captivity, where primates may have more exposure to their own reflection.



During this exposure period, the baboons displayed curiosity and engaged with the mirrors as if they were a novel object. 



Some played with their reflections, while others attempted to look behind the mirror or interact with the “other” baboon they believed was present. However, despite this engagement, they did not show any signs of recognizing the reflection as their own image.



“The Chacma baboons we observed in Tsaobis Nature Park certainly enjoyed using the mirrors as a new toy. But throughout our study, they didn’t quite understand that the mirror’s reflection represented their own bodies and that the laser mark in the mirror image was, indeed, on themselves,” Dr. Carter explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-baboons-with-lasers-and-mirrors">Testing baboons with lasers and mirrors</h2>



To assess whether the baboons could recognize themselves in the mirror, researchers used a controlled laser mark test. 



A red or green laser was first shone on a visible part of their body, such as their hand or foot. The baboons consistently noticed the mark, reacting by touching or scratching the area, which indicated that they found the mark visually compelling and were aware of its presence on their body.



However, when the laser was shone on a part of their body they could not see directly, such as their ear or cheek, their reaction was entirely different. 



When positioned in front of a mirror, the baboons did not attempt to touch or investigate the mark they could only see in their reflection. This suggests that they did not recognize the reflection as themselves and instead perceived it as another animal or an unrelated visual stimulus.



“As the baboons didn’t touch the marks when viewed indirectly, this research confirms that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-monitoring-will-help-protect-endangered-spider-monkeys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monkeys</a> don’t spontaneously recognize themselves in a mirror. But, given the monkeys quickly familiarized themselves with their mirror image, it also suggests that they don’t consider their reflection to be a stranger,” noted corresponding author Esa A. Ahmad.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-gender-and-color-preferences">Age, gender, and color preferences</h2>



The study also revealed interesting patterns in how the baboons interacted with the laser marks.



Younger baboons were more curious and engaged with the marks more frequently than older individuals. Males showed a greater interest in the marks compared to females, suggesting potential behavioral or social differences in how they perceive and react to visual stimuli.



Another surprising finding was the baboons’ preference for the color green over red. They were significantly more responsive to the green laser marks, a pattern that could be influenced by how their vision processes different wavelengths of light. 



By analyzing 361 laser experiments across 120 baboons, the researchers were able to establish a strong dataset supporting these observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-that-have-passed-the-mirror-test">Animals that have passed the mirror test</h2>



While the Chacma baboons in this study did not show signs of self-recognition, several other animals have demonstrated the ability to recognize themselves in a mirror. 



The mirror test, originally developed by psychologist Gordon Gallup in the 1970s, remains one of the key measures of self-awareness in animals.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-apes-will-suffer-through-frequent-and-extreme-climate-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great apes</a>, including chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and some gorillas, have repeatedly passed the mirror test. They are known to investigate marks on their own bodies when looking in a mirror, demonstrating an understanding that the reflection represents themselves.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whale-travels-farther-than-any-mammal-ever-recorded/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cetaceans</a>, such as bottlenose dolphins and orcas, have also displayed self-recognition. Studies have shown that dolphins use mirrors to inspect themselves, and they often engage in self-directed behaviors, such as sticking out their tongues or blowing bubbles, to observe their reflections.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asian-elephants-perform-a-special-burial-ritual-for-their-calves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asian elephants</a> are another species that has passed the test. They have been observed touching marks on their own faces after seeing them in a mirror, suggesting they recognize the image as their own.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rebellious-birds-use-anti-bird-spikes-to-build-their-nests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eurasian magpies</a> were the first non-mammalian species to pass the mirror test. These intelligent birds have been shown to use mirrors to inspect their bodies, a behavior that was previously thought to be unique to mammals.



Cleaner wrasse, a type of fish, have also demonstrated behaviors that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-sizes-itself-up-in-a-mirror-before-going-into-combat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suggest self-recognition</a>, though there is ongoing debate about whether their reactions truly indicate self-awareness or are simply a response to perceived social cues.



These findings suggest that self-awareness may not be exclusive to primates and could be more widespread in the animal kingdom than previously believed.



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



This study provides a new framework for measuring self-awareness in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-animal-rights-day-2024-honoring-animals-with-justice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>. Unlike previous research, which often relied on captive individuals, this experiment took place in the baboons' natural habitat, allowing for more ecologically relevant findings.



“Anthropologists have been trying to measure self-awareness in animals for 50 years, but studies have lacked control conditions and focused on small numbers of animals raised in captivity. Our study is the first controlled laser mark test to be conducted in a wild setting, and we hope it will act as a framework for future visual self-recognition studies,” noted Dr. Carter. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-mirror-test-in-baboons">Beyond the mirror test in baboons</h2>



This study reinforces the idea that self-recognition is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/penguins-may-have-a-degree-of-self-awareness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex trait</a> that varies across species. 



While some animals appear to have a higher degree of self-awareness, others - like monkeys - may not perceive themselves in the same way.



With ethical approval from the Namibian National Commission on Research Science and Technology and the Zoological Society of London Ethics Committee, this research paves the way for more studies into how wild animals perceive themselves and their surroundings. 



Future research may explore whether different testing methods or prolonged exposure to mirrors could alter how non-hominid primates interact with their reflections.



By continuing to investigate self-awareness in a variety of species, scientists can deepen our understanding of animal cognition, the evolution of consciousness, and the boundaries of self-perception in the natural world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1933" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.



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Baboons fail to recognize themselves in mirrors, unlike some animals

When it comes to self-awareness in the animal kingdom, not...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



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



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



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



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

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Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

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A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

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



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.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" 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> 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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" 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.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



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.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" 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.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?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" 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> 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

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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;



---



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"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

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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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" 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> 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

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" 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> 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



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 rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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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



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 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



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.

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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