Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy.



This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellowstone-aspens-and-elk">Yellowstone, aspens, and elk</h2>



In the 1920s, people <a href="https://www.yellowstone.org/wolf-project/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eliminated wolves in Yellowstone</a>. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right thing to do.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-wolves-to-dogs-did-domestication-begin-without-human-help/">Without wolves</a>, elk herds grew very large. Elk love to eat aspen shoots - the tender young growth is highly palatable to them.



For roughly 70 years, elk browsed aspen sprouts down to stub height, and the trees couldn't grow. 



If you had walked through Yellowstone in the 1980s, you would have seen many tiny aspen shoots covering the ground, but almost no young trees gaining height. 



The forest's regeneration was stalled. Old trees died, and no new ones replaced them.



In 1995 and 1996, park managers reintroduced wolves into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption-study-sparks-new-debate-on-where-and-when-it-will-erupt/">Yellowstone Park ecosystem</a>. Scientists hoped and wondered whether this would change anything for the trees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-aspen-matter-to-yellowstone">Why aspen matter to Yellowstone</h2>



Aspen groves provide habitat for many species. Birds nest in them. Beavers eat the bark and use the wood for dams. Butterflies and moths lay eggs on the leaves. 



Their canopy admits enough light for wildflowers and shrubs to grow beneath. When it rains, aspen groves hold water in the soil better than some other forest types.



In short, when aspen return, dozens of other species benefit. More trees support more insects, which in turn support more birds, enriching the ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-the-trees-three-decades-later">Checking the trees three decades later</h2>



<a href="https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/users/luke-painter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Painter</a>, an ecologist at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>, sought clear answers. His team returned to 87 aspen stands across Yellowstone that scientists had previously surveyed. 



They measured thousands of young trees, looked for bite marks, and counted how many stems were tall enough that elk could no longer reach the tips.



About a third of these stands now have many tall young aspens pushing toward the canopy. 



"About 26 of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all," Painter said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-wolves-matter-to-yellowstone-aspens">Why wolves matter to Yellowstone aspens</h2>



Breaking it all down, the conclusions of this study are pretty simple. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wolves-move-pups-across-mountains-to-adapt-to-climate-pressure/">Wolves hunt elk</a>. When wolves came back, two things happened. First, elk numbers declined from unusually high levels. Second, elk changed their behavior. They spent less time in the same areas feeding.



With fewer elk and shorter feeding bouts, more aspen shoots survived long enough to exceed the browsing zone - about six to seven feet high. 



Once a sapling reaches that height, elk cannot easily reach the growing tip. The tree continues to grow.



"The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades," Painter explained.



Scientists call this a <a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/trophic-cascades-across-diverse-plant-ecosystems-80060347/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trophic cascade</a> - when adding or removing one species causes changes that ripple through the whole system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-places-recover-others-don-t">Some places recover, others don't</h2>



Unfortunately, not every aspen stand has recovered yet. Some valleys still have many short, heavily browsed shoots, because it's not only elk eating them anymore. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstones-iconic-bison-have-merged-into-a-single-herd/">Bison herds have grown</a>, and bison browse on aspen as well. They are strong enough to break young trees. 



"Increasing numbers of bison may be emerging as a new constraint to aspen in some areas," Painter confirmed.



Additionally, winter snow depth varies; droughts stress trees; bears and mountain lions also hunt elk; and hunting outside the park influences elk distribution. 



All of these factors interact, which is why some sites show strong recovery, others show moderate recovery, and a few have changed very little.



The key pattern is that places with many tall saplings experience little browsing, and aspen groves that remain popular eating grounds today stay short. 



This fact is the strongest indication that tree recovery is linked directly to wolf presence, not solely to weather or soil conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proof-in-the-measurements">Proof in the measurements</h2>



Painter's team did not rely on casual observation. They used the same methods as earlier researchers, measuring the same plots. 



They counted recruitment - when young trees surpass browsing height and begin progressing toward maturity. This measure is crucial. Sprouts are insufficient if they never grow; without recruitment, the forest cannot replace itself.



The results are robust. After being stalled for most of a century, Yellowstone's aspens are increasing in height. In recovering stands today, you will see saplings - six, eight, or ten feet tall - that were not present in the 1990s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-yellowstone-s-aspens">The future of Yellowstone's aspens</h2>



"This is a remarkable case of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-viruses-found-in-yellowstones-hot-springs-may-be-near-the-root-of-all-life-on-earth/">ecological restoration</a>," Painter concluded. "Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity."



Trees grow slowly, so even with wolves restored, it will take decades for these young aspens to form a full-grown forest. 



Some areas might never fully recover if bison numbers continue to rise or if the climate becomes too hot and dry.



Thanks to the work of Painter and his team, scientists are now certain that restoring the Yellowstone predator has restarted aspen forest regeneration. Not everywhere and not perfectly, but enough to be measured, creating hope for the future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112725004499?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Ecology and Management</a>.



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Yellowstone's aspen trees are growing again thanks to the reintroduction of wolves

Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy. This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns. Yellowstone, aspens, and elk In the 1920s, people eliminated wolves in Yellowstone. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right...

Intact forests once absorbed 7.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ each year, about one-fifth of global emissions. Today, their reliability is fading. Climate change, deforestation, and land degradation now threaten this vast carbon sink.



A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (<a href="https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PIK</a>) raises alarms. The experts warn that relying on forests to deliver consistent carbon removal is no longer a safe bet.



Worse still, most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate strategies</a> still assume forests will expand and stay resilient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangerous-gamble-with-carbon-storage">Dangerous gamble with carbon storage</h2>



Michael G. Windisch, the lead author of the study, highlights the growing risk. 



“Our climate strategies bet on forests not only remaining intact, but even expanding,” he said. But with rising wildfires and Amazon deforestation, this is a fragile assumption.



Forests are vulnerable to pests, disease, drought, and other climate-driven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-undisturbed-forests-support-greater-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a>. If these threats intensify, forests may begin to release more carbon than they store. That would wipe out years of progress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-risks-of-depending-on-forests">The risks of depending on forests</h2>



The study outlines three key risks. First, we depend on existing forests to stay intact. Second, we rely on them to keep removing carbon each year. Furthermore, we plan to increase forest cover for future carbon removal. If any part fails, the whole plan collapses.



This is why the researchers stress caution. Immediate action is essential to prevent forest disturbances from derailing climate goals. Postponing action by just five years can double the mitigation cost and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effort</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-models-confirm-forest-risks">Climate models confirm forest risks </h2>



The researchers used REMIND-MAgPIE, a climate and land-use model, along with the LPJmL vegetation model. They introduced disturbance rates - events like pest outbreaks, fire, and wind damage - into their scenarios.



Their findings? Even low disturbance rates drastically affect outcomes. Myopic policy responses that delay action lead to steeper emission cuts and higher costs. 



The models show that a five-year delay doubles the pressure on all sectors, especially energy and land use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-costs-soar-as-forest-sinks-shrink">Climate costs soar as forest sinks shrink</h2>



Under immediate action, the carbon price by 2050 rises to $327 per tonne. But with delay, that shoots up to $483. GDP losses also increase from 2.4 to 2.7 percent.



The energy sector suffers more in myopic scenarios. Renewables must scale up much faster. Fossil fuel use must fall more steeply. The industry and transport sectors, especially, bear heavier burdens.



Negative emissions technologies like BECCS and DACCS become essential. But delayed action means building them faster and larger, increasing pressure on land and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">budgets</a>.



In delayed scenarios, land demand for mitigation jumps to 563 million hectares - larger than the European Union. That’s 149 million hectares more than if action were taken immediately.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-need-surveillance-not-assumptions">Forests need surveillance, not assumptions</h2>



Many global climate models ignore natural disturbances or assume forests react positively to rising CO₂. But evidence shows otherwise. Phosphorus limits and shifting ecosystems reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/older-forests-do-not-necessarily-store-more-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a>’ ability to absorb carbon.



Some models also underestimate human impact, assuming forest lands are quickly and efficiently reused. In reality, land speculation and mismanagement delay recovery.



“Forests are not an infinite resource,” Florian Humpenöder warns. He urges immediate monitoring and realistic projections. Only then can we act fast when carbon sinks weaken.



The study also shows that myopic responses to small disturbances demand more effort than immediate responses to double those disturbances. Every delay becomes costlier than we expect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-can-t-solve-the-climate-crisis">Forests can't solve the climate crisis </h2>



“We must act immediately to safeguard the carbon stored in forests,” said Windisch. Without foresight, future generations may inherit a climate plan full of gaps.



“Alongside protecting forests, it is essential to promote sustainable land use practices,” added study co-author Alexander Popp. This includes conserving biodiversity and avoiding reckless land expansion.



Forests are crucial - but they can’t solve the climate crisis alone. The study leaves no room for wishful thinking. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-play-an-overlooked-role-in-the-climate-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forests</a> will face more stress in the future. Assuming otherwise puts climate goals at risk.



Instead of hoping forests remain stable, policies must adjust. Immediate, coordinated action across all sectors can still deliver on the Paris targets - but the window is closing.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57607-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Forests can no longer carry the climate burden alone

Intact forests once absorbed 7.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ each...

Children are growing up surrounded by screens, apps, and constant notifications. Phones and social media shape their early lives. This widespread tech use has raised concerns among parents, teachers, and governments. In response, many have opted to ban phone use.



In recent years, countries like France, Turkey, and Sweden have pushed forward policies to restrict or eliminate smartphone use in schools. 



Australia went further by banning social media access for children under sixteen. Across the United States and Canada, similar efforts are gaining traction. Even the US Surgeon General proposed warning labels for social media platforms.



This surge in regulation stems from fears about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/taking-a-smartphone-break-can-improve-your-life-in-surprising-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>, declining academic performance, and digital addiction. But are bans truly helping children, or are we simply delaying the conversation that actually matters?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flawed-promise-of-phone-bans">Flawed promise of phone bans</h2>



The appeal of bans lies in their simplicity. Remove the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-screen-time-shapes-their-mental-health-as-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">device</a>, and the problems go away - or so the logic goes.



A UK-based evaluation of school smartphone policies reported no real improvement in mental health, academic success, physical activity, or classroom behavior. Students’ overall phone use and problematic social media habits remained unchanged.



Experts like Victoria Goodyear from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a> and colleagues challenge the idea that phones themselves are the problem.



Instead, they argue that restricting access does not teach children how to use technology in healthy, thoughtful ways. In fact, bans may only offer the illusion of control while ignoring the long-term needs of growing minds.



There’s a fundamental truth we cannot ignore - technology isn’t going anywhere. Teaching children to use it wisely is far more useful than simply removing it from their hands. Without support and guidance, children lose the chance to learn self-regulation and digital responsibility.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phone-bans-ignore-how-children-s-needs">Phone bans ignore how children’s needs</h2>



Children are not all the same. Where they live, how they grow up, and what access they have matters deeply. A blanket rule cannot work equally for every child. In some parts of the world, especially rural or conflict zones, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/screen-time-delays-language-development-in-toddlers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital access</a> is a lifeline. 



Girls in Afghanistan use social media to learn about their rights and safety. LGBTQ+ youth in China report improved mental wellbeing through online communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, social media connects families to healthcare and support.



Banning tech in these contexts would not protect children - it could isolate them. On the flip side, for children vulnerable to anxiety or self-esteem issues, the wrong kind of digital exposure can indeed cause harm.



The solution, however, cannot be one-size-fits-all. Children’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-screen-time-must-be-limited-to-protect-their-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a> with tech are shaped by culture, economics, identity, and safety.



Restrictions ignore this complexity. They reduce a nuanced challenge into a binary choice - access or no access. That approach leaves too many children unsupported.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-need-phone-safety-tools-not-bans">We need phone safety tools, not bans</h2>



Some have compared tech bans to public health measures like tobacco control. But this analogy falls apart quickly. Smoking causes direct, irreversible harm. 



Phones and social media, on the other hand, offer both benefits and risks. They can build confidence, open doors to learning, and provide much-needed social connection.



A better analogy might be driving. When car crashes became a concern, we didn’t ban cars. We built seat belts, set speed limits, installed traffic lights, and taught people how to drive. The same kind of infrastructure is needed for children navigating the digital world.



Designing safer digital experiences, creating supportive online communities, and teaching children how to use technology with intention - these are the traffic lights and seat belts of our era. They don’t ban the road. They help children travel it more safely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-better-children-s-rights">Need for better children’s rights</h2>



The authors call for a shift to a rights-based approach, shaped by the United Nations <a href="https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Convention on the Rights of the Child</a>. 



This global framework emphasizes inclusion, development, and protection. It does not aim to isolate children from digital spaces. Instead, it seeks to prepare them for responsible, informed participation.



At the heart of this idea lies four guiding principles: non-discrimination, acting in the child’s best interests, the right to development, and respect for children’s views. 



Rather than removing children from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/too-much-screen-time-is-making-teens-anxious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital environments</a>, this model advocates equipping them to navigate these spaces with confidence and care.



Design also plays a central role. Age-appropriate features can nudge children toward better habits. These could include default limits on notifications, learning-focused content, or shared features that involve families in positive interaction. 



But right now, most platforms are not built with children’s needs in mind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-law-in-a-child-s-world">Role of law in a child’s world</h2>



Despite growing global concern, no major legislation currently centers children’s rights in digital product design. Voluntary action from tech companies has fallen short. 



Many features are built to keep users scrolling, not learning. To fix this, experts propose clearer legal requirements for how platforms should serve young users.



The UK’s Child Rights by Design guidance offers one of the most detailed roadmaps. It encourages developers to consider privacy, mental health, creativity, learning, and play when building digital tools. 



Yet these ideas remain optional. Laws like the EU’s Digital Services Act have made progress but still miss key challenges like algorithmic targeting, which can push biased or harmful content.



Without firm rules, companies have little reason to shift their priorities. Children’s safety and growth must become more than an afterthought — they should be built into the foundation of digital spaces.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skills-for-a-lifelong-digital-journey">Skills for a lifelong digital journey</h2>



Education is the most powerful tool we have. Not just academic learning, but emotional and social growth. The authors stress that schools and families need to teach digital habits as life skills - comparable to nutrition, exercise, or sleep.



One promising model is called the agency-centered approach. It helps children feel in control of their tech use. Developed through research and classroom trials in the US, this method blends evidence-based mental health strategies with children’s own digital experiences.



For example, children can learn how to manage the anxiety that comes from being “left on read.” They can gain tools to question manipulative app designs or resist misinformation. Teaching happens on three levels: personal understanding, peer support, and adult partnership. 



Together, these approaches create a digital life that children own, not one they merely react to.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phone-bans-fail-without-support">Phone bans fail without support</h2>



While promising, these shifts won’t come easy. Many schools still prioritize test scores over emotional education. Teachers may lack training or time to co-design meaningful lessons with students. 



Parents often struggle to relate, drawing on their own memories rather than current realities. They may set rules based on fear, not on trust or learning.



That’s why professional support and accessible guidance are essential. Policymakers, educators, and families need reliable tools to build environments where children’s digital skills can thrive.



And yes, the tech industry must change. Profit can no longer come at the expense of childhood. Until laws reflect that priority, children will remain unprotected in a system not built for them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empowerment-over-elimination">Empowerment over elimination</h2>



“Ultimately, there is a need to shift debates, policies, and practices from a sole focus on restricting smartphone and social media access toward an emphasis on nurturing children’s skills for healthy technology use,” the authors conclude.



Bans might offer adults a sense of control, but they don’t prepare children for the realities of life. What truly helps is guidance, consistent education, and digital spaces built with care. Strong laws and thoughtful design play a vital role.



The goal is not to disconnect children from the digital world, but to help them grow within it - safely and confidently.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/388/bmj-2024-082569" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The BMJ</a>.



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Phone bans don't help children learn to navigate the digital world

Children are growing up surrounded by screens, apps, and constant...

Beneath the forest floor lies a hidden web that sustains life as we know it. These lifelines are not roots, nor are they animals or minerals. They are fungi - ancient organisms that form dense underground networks. Most people never see them, yet they are as essential as sunlight and rain for ecosystems.



Fungi connect trees in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underground-fungal-networks-are-natures-hyper-efficient-architects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">silent communication</a>. They help crops resist disease and survive drought. Without fungi, the soil weakens, the plants suffer, and biodiversity falters. 



Despite their importance, fungi are rarely featured in conservation headlines. They’ve been largely ignored in environmental efforts, until now.



This month, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) released a warning: fungi are under threat. And the threat is serious. Deforestation, farming expansion, and wildfires driven by climate change are pushing hundreds of fungi species toward extinction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unsung-heroes-of-life">Unsung heroes of life</h2>



The IUCN’s latest update of its Red List reveals a worrying trend. Out of 1,300 well-documented fungal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-can-think-and-make-smart-decisions-without-a-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>, 411 face extinction. 



This number represents only a fraction of the fungal kingdom. Scientists have recorded around 150,000 fungal species so far, but estimates suggest the true count may exceed 2.5 million.



Each of these organisms plays a part in maintaining balance in ecosystems. Many fungi form symbiotic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-fungi-diversity-can-be-pulled-out-of-thin-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relationships</a> with plants, providing them with nutrients in exchange for sugars. 



These relationships are ancient, stretching back over 400 million years. Their loss would unravel natural systems that evolved over millennia.



"Fungi are the unsung heroes of life on Earth, forming the very foundation of healthy ecosystems - yet they have long been overlooked," said IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-are-unseen-but-essential">Fungi are unseen but essential </h2>



Fungi form their own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-eating-fungus-beauveria-bassiana-causes-the-immune-system-to-attack-neurons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological kingdom</a>. They are distinct from plants and animals. Their structures, growth patterns, and reproduction methods differ entirely. Yet, their presence supports both flora and fauna.



"While fungi mainly live hidden underground and inside wood, their loss impacts the life above ground that depends on them," explained Professor Anders Dahlberg, a Swedish mycologist who led the IUCN’s fungal assessment.



Dahlberg compares their role to the microbiome in human guts. Unseen but essential, fungi allow ecosystems to digest, grow, and respond to change. When fungi vanish, ecosystems lose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-and-fungi-communicate-using-a-silent-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a>. 



Crops become more vulnerable, trees become less stable, and soils lose their ability to store carbon.



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



Nearly 300 fungal species are now threatened due to expanding agricultural lands and growing cities. As human settlements rise and farmlands sprawl, fungi lose habitat. 



Urban development compresses the earth, alters drainage, and cuts through the underground threads fungi rely on.



Nitrogen-rich fertilizers and vehicle emissions also impact fungi. The IUCN notes that 91 species are directly threatened by nitrogen and ammonia pollution. 



One example is the fibrous waxcap (Hygrocybe intermedia), an uncommon yellow-orange mushroom found across European meadows. Once spread from Scandinavia to southern Italy, it now faces serious pressure.



Deforestation creates even more severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-fungi-can-be-trained-to-degrade-plastic-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consequences</a>. The cutting of ancient forests removes the only environment many fungi can survive in. Unlike fast-growing plants, many fungi cannot adapt or migrate quickly.



"Clear-cutting of old-growth forests is especially damaging, destroying fungi that do not have time to re-establish with rotation forestry," the IUCN noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iconic-fungi-species-are-disappearing">Iconic fungi species are disappearing</h2>



Some threatened fungi were once widespread, although none of the popular edible varieties face immediate danger. Dahlberg noted that the most vulnerable types are often very specific, occupying narrow ecological roles in local fungal communities.



One such species is the giant knight (Tricholoma colossus), which has suffered greatly due to the disappearance of old-growth pine forests in Finland, Sweden, and Russia. These forests have declined by 30 percent since the 1970s, shrinking the giant knight’s habitat along with them.



The public rarely hears of such species, yet their loss weakens ecosystems. Each vanished fungus takes with it a piece of the forest’s memory, function, and future stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-shifts-the-forest-s-rhythm">Climate change shifts the forest’s rhythm</h2>



Global warming adds another layer of threat. In the United States, shifting fire patterns have altered forest dynamics. 



Fires now burn hotter, more often, or in unexpected regions. Over 50 fungal species have been affected, with some pushed to the edge of extinction.



One notable case involves the endangered Gastroboletus citrinobrunneus. This rare fungus depends on specific conditions found in California’s Sierra Nevada. Due to warming, fir trees have overtaken the high-elevation woods, reducing the mushroom’s already limited habitat.



Fungi cannot run. They cannot grow elsewhere at will. When the forest changes, they either adapt slowly or die quickly. Climate pressure forces rapid shifts that fungal systems were never designed to handle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-kingdom-that-holds-it-all-together">The kingdom that holds it all together</h2>



The IUCN’s Red List now includes nearly 170,000 species, of which over 47,000 face extinction. Fungi, long excluded from mainstream conservation, are now being recognized for their irreplaceable roles.



"Now it's time to turn this knowledge into action and safeguard the extraordinary fungal kingdom, whose vast underground networks sustain nature and life as we know it," said Aguilar.



Preserving fungi means protecting forests, clean soil, healthy crops, and biodiversity. These silent organisms are nature’s caretakers. The time has come to listen to their silence - and act before it becomes permanent.



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Hundreds of fungi species are threatened with extinction

Beneath the forest floor lies a hidden web that sustains...

As you walk through a busy airport, crosswalk, or train station, take a look at the crowd around you. Are people moving smoothly in organized lanes, or chaotically zigzagging through one another?&nbsp;



A new study from the <a href="https://web.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) has revealed a mathematical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-tipping-points-report-shows-humanity-on-a-disastrous-trajectory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tipping point</a> that explains when crowds transition from orderly flow to disorganized congestion -&nbsp; a discovery that could help design safer and more efficient public spaces.



MIT applied mathematics instructor Karol Bacik and an international team of researchers have pinpointed a precise factor that determines crowd behavior. The key lies in something called “angular spread” - a measure of how varied people’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-quick-daily-walk-reduces-the-risk-of-early-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a> directions are.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-organization-to-chaos">From organization to chaos</h2>



The analysis shows that when pedestrians cross paths from roughly opposite directions - like in a typical crosswalk - they tend to self-organize into lanes, flowing like vehicles in traffic. 



But when the range of directions people walk in expands beyond an average angle of 13 degrees from a straight path, that orderly structure collapses into a disordered, inefficient tangle.



“This all is very commonsense,” Bacik said. “The question is whether we can tackle it precisely and mathematically, and where the transition is. Now we have a way to quantify when to expect lanes - this spontaneous, organized, safe flow - versus disordered, less efficient, potentially more dangerous flow.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-social-distancing-to-crowd-dynamics">From social distancing to crowd dynamics</h2>



Bacik, originally trained in fluid dynamics and granular flow, first became interested in human crowd behavior during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdowns-weakened-our-immune-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19</a> pandemic, when he and collaborators began studying how people move while maintaining social distance. That research eventually evolved into a broader investigation of how people navigate crowds.



In 2023, Bacik and his colleagues explored “lane formation,” a phenomenon where pedestrians moving in opposite directions naturally form structured lanes. This happens, the team discovered, when small imbalances in how people choose to pass others - left versus right - cause paths to align and solidify. 



Those early findings raised a new question: how much variation in walking direction can that organized system tolerate before it breaks down?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-t-reating-a-crowd-like-a-fluid">Treating a crowd like a fluid</h2>



To answer that, the researchers used mathematical equations typically used to describe the average behavior of fluid particles. By treating a crowd like a fluid, they could model global patterns without tracking each individual. 



The team focused on a scenario common in urban life: people walking from one side of a space to the other, trying to avoid bumping into others headed in various directions. They adjusted parameters like the width of the space, the angle at which people walked, and how often individuals dodged one another. 



The calculations showed that when people walk nearly straight across - within 13 degrees of a head-on path - lanes naturally form. But when the average path deviates beyond that, disorder takes over. The more chaotic the angles, the more inefficient the overall flow becomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-math-in-the-real-world">Testing math in the real world</h2>



To see whether these predictions held up outside the equations, the team set up an experiment in a gymnasium. Volunteers wore paper hats marked with unique barcodes, which allowed an overhead camera to track their movements in detail. 



Participants were instructed to walk from assigned starting points to specific destinations on the other side of the space, avoiding collisions.



The experiment was repeated many times, each time changing the configuration of start and end points to simulate different crowd flows. The results were clear: as the angular spread increased, the natural lanes broke down. Just like in the simulations, the tipping point was around 13 degrees.



The more disorganized the flow, the more time and effort it took for people to reach their destinations - suggesting real-world implications for managing foot traffic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-smarter-spaces">Designing smarter spaces</h2>



“We would like to analyze footage and compare that with our theory,” Bacik said. “And we can imagine that, for anyone designing a public space, if they want to have a safe and efficient pedestrian flow, our work could provide a simpler guideline, or some rules of thumb.”



These findings could help architects, urban planners, and event organizers design more navigable environments. 



By keeping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/distracted-walking-texting-puts-pedestrians-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pedestrian</a> angles within that 13-degree threshold - whether through signage, visual cues, or the layout of paths and barriers - spaces could be optimized to encourage natural, organized lanes of traffic.



What began as an effort to understand socially distanced movement has evolved into a deeper understanding of how people unconsciously self-organize - and when that organization fails. 



With a blend of mathematics, experiments, and real-world insights, Bacik and his colleagues are helping to decode the flow of human motion, one crowd at a time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2420697122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>,



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Simple math explains how big crowds keep moving

As you walk through a busy airport, crosswalk, or train...

When reading words on a page or recognizing a familiar face in a crowd, your brain activates highly specialized regions for processing text or facial features. Strikingly, these visual processing areas are located in nearly identical positions in the brains of different individuals.&nbsp;



For years, neuroscientists have debated whether these specialized regions emerge entirely through experience or if they are innately structured from birth.



A recent study from <a href="https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute</a> challenges this long-standing dichotomy, revealing that while some aspects of brain organization are present from birth, experience plays a crucial role in refining these neural networks.&nbsp;



The research, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02116-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Human Behavior</a>, was led by graduate student Emily Kubota and professor Kalanit Grill-Spector, along with an international team of collaborators.&nbsp;



The findings suggest that the human brain is neither completely pre-wired nor a blank slate, but rather a dynamic system with both built-in architecture and adaptability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-the-visual-recognition-hub">Investigating the visual recognition hub</h2>



The study focused on the ventral temporal cortex (VTC), a region responsible for processing visual categories such as objects, faces, words, and places.&nbsp;



Previous research has shown that in adults, these specialized areas appear in consistent locations across different individuals. However, it has remained unclear whether this organization is innate or shaped entirely by visual experience.



To answer this question, the researchers needed to examine infant brains - an endeavor made challenging by the limitations of traditional MRI techniques. 



Grill-Spector’s lab has been pioneering new imaging technologies through the <a href="https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/research/funded-research/neurodevelopment-accelerator" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wu Tsai NeuroDevelopment Initiative</a>, which enabled the researchers to develop baby-specific MRI coils.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-imaging-infant-brains">Imaging infant brains</h2>



Grill-Spector credits the collaboration with Boris Keil, an expert in MRI coil design at the <a href="https://www.thm.de/site/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen</a>, for making it possible to image the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wearable-imaging-device-reveals-infant-brain-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brains of infants</a> from birth to two years old.&nbsp;



“Baby brains actually grow a lot in the first year, so having different-sized coils lets us study how their neural networks change over time,” she said.



Using these custom coils and advanced diffusion MRI (dMRI) techniques, the researchers mapped neural connections in the brains of sleeping infants, ranging from newborns to six months old. 



For comparison, they also scanned adult brains to observe how these connections evolved over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-level-of-early-brain-organization">Surprising level of early brain organization</h2>



One of the study’s most striking findings was that distinct neural connectivity patterns exist from birth. Even in newborns, the white matter pathways - the brain’s network of nerve fiber connections - were already organized in a way that foreshadowed the development of specialized visual processing regions.



The researchers discovered that different regions within the VTC exhibited unique cellular architectures and connectivity patterns. Notably, these pathways were arranged according to visual eccentricity, a principle that determines whether an area processes central or peripheral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-human-brain-processes-visual-information/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visual information</a>.



Regions that would later specialize in face and word recognition were already more connected to central visual processing pathways, while areas destined to process places were more linked to peripheral visual pathways.&nbsp;



This organization persisted into adulthood, suggesting that the brain is structured from birth in a way that guides - but does not fully dictate - its future functional development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flexibility-in-brain-development">Flexibility in brain development</h2>



Despite the presence of innate neural architecture, the researchers also found evidence of developmental plasticity - the ability of the brain to adapt based on experience.&nbsp;



Over time, the strength of connections to different regions changed, suggesting that white matter pathways remain malleable as infants interact with their environment.



Kubota sees this as an encouraging finding. “It’s an optimistic story because it suggests that you have this underlying neural architecture from birth that can be used to build the ability to recognize different categories, but it's not so tied to the category itself,” she said. “It means there can be some kind of flexibility as these representations emerge.”



Interestingly, the researchers also observed that functional regions within the VTC that shared similar cellular architecture developed in parallel, indicating that these areas follow a shared developmental trajectory rather than emerging independently.



“This insight is only possible because we’ve been able to measure the white matter of specific functional regions at birth for the first time,” said Grill-Spector. 



“I’d like to think our research can shift the discussion away from the dichotomous ‘Is this innate or not innate’ kind of conversation to a more nuanced understanding of what is present at birth and what is malleable with visual experience to produce our adult brains and behavior.”



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



The findings have profound implications beyond understanding normal brain development.&nbsp;



By pinpointing which aspects of brain organization are present at birth and which are shaped by experience, this research could lead to earlier diagnoses and interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders such as dyslexia, developmental face blindness (prosopagnosia), and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-with-autism-benefit-from-learning-multiple-languages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autism</a>.



“It tells us about the limits of the flexibility of our visual system and also has health implications about how to diagnose developmental delays or deficiencies,” Grill-Spector said. “Maybe it can even help us determine what would be the critical time periods to intervene.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-infant-brain-research">The future of infant brain research</h2>



Building on these findings, the team plans to expand their research by incorporating functional brain activity measurements and quantitative MRI to develop a more comprehensive picture of early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poverty-impacts-brain-development-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain development</a>.



This study represents a major breakthrough in neuroscience, demonstrating that while certain organizational features of the brain are present from birth, experience still plays a crucial role in shaping how visual recognition abilities develop.&nbsp;



By moving beyond the rigid nature versus nurture debate, the research provides a nuanced understanding of how the brain integrates innate structure and experience-driven plasticity to form the complex visual processing system we rely on every day.



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Infant brains are more organized and adaptable than we thought 

When reading words on a page or recognizing a familiar...

Animals love to show off with color, especially when it comes to mating. Birds, in particular, often use bright feathers to catch the eye of a potential mate. But lately, scientists have noticed something even cooler - some birds glow using biofluorescence.



This incredible transformation happens when their feathers absorb UV light and shine it back as visible color - usually green or yellowish.



In a recent study, researchers took a close look at all 45 species of birds-of-paradise, those famously flashy birds known for their over-the-top feathers and wild dance moves. 



Turns out, almost all of them glow in some way - 37 species to be exact. Only a few closely related ones didn’t.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biofluorescence-and-birds-of-paradise">Biofluorescence and birds-of-paradise</h2>



Male birds-of-paradise show off their glow in all the right places: their beaks, the insides of their mouths, and feathers on their heads, necks, bellies, and those fancy plumes. 



Female birds glow too, but mainly on the chest and belly.



Most of the glowing colors fall into that green to yellow-green range, shining brightest around 520–560 nanometers on the light spectrum. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bird-of-paradise_plummage_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bird-of-paradise_plummage_1s.webp" alt="Some Birds-of-paradise, like this one, use biofluorescence and glow in wavelengths that humans can't see." class="wp-image-1963524"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some Birds-of-paradise, like this one, use biofluorescence and glow in wavelengths that humans can't see. Click to enlarge.</figcaption></figure>



All signs point to one thing: male birds-of-paradise probably use this glowing trick to turn up the wow factor during mating displays and social interactions.



The research was conducted by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History (<a href="https://www.amnh.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMNH</a>) and the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nebraska-Lincoln</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adding-a-glow-to-mating-rituals">Adding a glow to mating rituals</h2>



Birds-of-paradise inhabit regions in eastern Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. For generations, they have intrigued scientists with elaborate feather displays and acrobatic dances that males use to court females.&nbsp;



Bioluminescence is a phenomenon in which an organism absorbs light at one wavelength, then emits it at another



The new evidence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-glow-in-the-dark-fluorescence-found-to-be-very-common-in-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biofluorescence</a> suggests that these dazzling birds might have yet another visual trick: a layer of fluorescent signals invisible to humans without specialized instruments.



Rene Martin is the study’s lead author and an assistant professor at the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nebraska-Lincoln</a>.&nbsp;



“The unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-shark-mating-behaviors-observed-for-the-first-time-in-the-wild/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mating rituals</a> and displays of birds-of-paradise have fascinated scientists and spurred a myriad of studies focused on trait evolution and sexual selection,” said Martin. 



“It seems fitting that these flashy birds are likely signaling to each other in additional, flashy ways.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-fluorescence-in-birds-of-paradise">Detecting fluorescence in birds-of-paradise </h2>



The research draws on specimens collected since the 1800s, held in the <a href="https://www.amnh.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Museum of Natural History</a>’s extensive ornithology collection.&nbsp;



A decade ago, Museum Curator John Sparks - an ichthyologist by training - noticed that certain bird species, including some birds-of-paradise, glowed green-yellow when exposed to specific wavelengths of light. This led him and colleagues to begin a deeper exploration of avian biofluorescence.



“Despite there being over 10,000 described avian species, with numerous studies that have documented their bright plumage, elaborate mating displays, and excellent vision, surprisingly very few have investigated the presence of biofluorescence,” Sparks said.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bird-of-paradise_Paradisaea-guilielmi_Biofluorescence_credit-Rene-Martin_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bird-of-paradise_Paradisaea-guilielmi_Biofluorescence_credit-Rene-Martin_1s.webp" alt="Biofluorescence is seen on an emperor bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea guilielmi) in the American Museum of Natural History's collection. Credit: Rene Martin" class="wp-image-1963519"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Biofluorescence is seen on an emperor bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea guilielmi) in the American Museum of Natural History's collection. Click to enlarge. Credit: Rene Martin</figcaption></figure>



Martin, who conducted this work while a postdoctoral researcher at the Museum, and Emily Carr, a PhD candidate in the Museum’s <a href="https://www.amnh.org/research/richard-gilder-graduate-school" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Richard Gilder Graduate School</a>, took Sparks’ initial findings and broadened the analysis. 



Using ultraviolet (UV) light, the team discovered that the birds not only glow under blue wavelengths but also fluoresce strongly under UV exposure. 



This effect was mainly observed on male plumage patches crucial to courtship, such as the head, belly, and neck, as well as mouth and bill linings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biofluorescence-is-most-pronounced-in-males">Biofluorescence is most pronounced in males</h2>



The researchers found that this fluorescence is especially vibrant in males, often concentrated in areas highlighted during mating rituals.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, females also exhibit it, though to a lesser degree - primarily on their chests and bellies. The study suggests that the equatorial environments in which these birds live offer abundant and varied light conditions, possibly enhancing the visibility and function of biofluorescence.



“These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-extinctions-shatter-the-harmonious-balance-of-nature/">birds</a> live near the equator, where there is an abundance of bright solar light year-round, and they live in forests where the complexity of light is significantly affected by differences in the canopy and where biofluorescent signals may be enhanced,” Carr said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-bird-fluorescence-matters">Why bird fluorescence matters</h2>



Recent studies in closely related species indicate that birds-of-paradise have eye pigments aligned with the fluorescence peaks measured in this study - meaning they can likely perceive these glowing patches.&nbsp;



In a species group already known for visually striking performances, these fluorescent signals may offer an even finer scale of detail for courtship and territorial displays.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bird-of-paradise_Paradisaea-guilielmi_Biofluorescence_plummage_credit-Rene-Martin_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bird-of-paradise_Paradisaea-guilielmi_Biofluorescence_plummage_credit-Rene-Martin_1s.webp" alt="Biofluorescence is seen on the plumage of an emperor bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea guilielmi) in the American Museum of Natural History's collection. Credit: Rene Martin" class="wp-image-1963522"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Biofluorescence is seen on the plumage of an emperor bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea guilielmi) in the American Museum of Natural History's collection. Click to enlarge. Credit: Rene Martin</figcaption></figure>



When a male bird-of-paradise performs an intricate dance, the green-yellow glow from certain feathers might act like a hidden spotlight, contrasting sharply against the bird’s darker plumage. This could help catch a female’s attention or signal social status among competitors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



Although birds-of-paradise are among the best-studied avian groups for behavior and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-tropical-birds-are-so-strikingly-colorful-and-iridescent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coloration</a>, the discovery of broad-scale fluorescence suggests that birds may have more complex signaling systems than previously realized.&nbsp;



The presence of fluorescent patches in so many species raises the possibility that other bird lineages, especially those with striking plumage or elaborate displays, could also exhibit biofluorescence.



Moving forward, the researchers plan to investigate how environmental factors - like canopy cover, seasonal light availability, and even habitat degradation - might affect these glowing displays.&nbsp;



Understanding how birds-of-paradise perceive biofluorescence could also inform broader questions about the evolution of sexual selection and signaling in avian species.



Ultimately, this study reshapes scientists’ understanding of the “secret language of light” that these flamboyant birds use to communicate.&nbsp;



With improved imaging technologies and heightened awareness of avian fluorescence, researchers may soon discover that a hidden glow permeates many corners of the bird world, especially in those known for their spectacular visual allure.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241905" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Some birds use biofluorescence to attract mates, glowing in colors that humans can't see

Animals love to show off with color, especially when it...

Marine ecosystems in the deep ocean show little sign of recovery even decades after experimental mining, according to new research that raises major concerns about the long-term impact of future seabed mining operations.



Published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08921-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>, the study examined a deep-sea mining test site in the North Pacific that was first disturbed in 1979. Forty-four years later, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> in that area remains lower than in nearby untouched regions.&nbsp;



The research team, which returned to the site in 2023 and 2024, worked in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a vast abyssal plain about halfway between Hawaii and Mexico.&nbsp;



Situated 5,000 meters below the ocean surface, this deep seabed region holds rich reserves of polymetallic nodules - potato-sized mineral lumps containing metals like cobalt, nickel, and manganese, all crucial for clean energy technologies.



The study was led by scientists at the <a href="https://noc.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanography Center</a> in Southampton and involved a consortium of British institutions, including the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum</a>, the <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Geological Survey</a>, <a href="https://www.hw.ac.uk/">Heriot-Watt University</a>, and several universities.&nbsp;



Together, the experts form <a href="https://smartexccz.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SMARTEX</a> (Seabed Mining and Resilience to Experimental Impact), a project funded by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-recovery-from-deep-sea-mining-nbsp">Long recovery from deep-sea mining&nbsp;</h2>



The original mining test involved a mechanical seabed rake that stripped nodules from a 14-meter-wide path. Despite the small scale and brief duration of the experiment, the site still bears visible scars.&nbsp;



Areas stripped of nodules and track marks from the mining machine are clearly evident. The surrounding biological communities have yet to fully rebound.



“To tackle the crucial question of recovery from deep-sea mining, we need first to look to the past and use old mining tests to help understand long-term impacts,” said Professor Daniel Jones, the study’s lead author. 



“Forty four years later, the mining tracks themselves look very similar to when they were first made, with an 8-meter-wide strip of seabed cleared of nodules and two large furrows in the seafloor where the machine passed.”&nbsp;



“The numbers of many animals were reduced within the tracks but we did see some of the first signs of biological recovery.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-that-clings-to-nodules">Life that clings to nodules</h2>



The Clarion–Clipperton Zone covers over six million square kilometres - 25 times the size of the UK - and holds an estimated 21 billion tons of nodules. These nodules are essential to the deep-sea ecosystem, offering a rare hard surface for life to cling to in an otherwise sediment-heavy environment.&nbsp;



“These nodules are potato-sized mineral deposits that have built up in layers over thousands of years. Mining companies want to mine these for critical metals like cobalt and nickel,” said Mark Hartl, a marine ecotoxicologist from Heriot-Watt University and co-author of the study.



“But there are so many unanswered questions. For example, we know the nodules produce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-known-galaxy-contains-surprising-oxygen-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxygen</a>. If they’re removed, will that reduce the amount of oxygen in the deep sea and affect the organisms that live there?”



“What is the effect of animal exposure to metal-containing sediment plumes churned up during the mining process? These are some of the questions we’re trying to answer.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-impacts-of-deep-sea-mining-nbsp">Biological impacts of deep-sea mining&nbsp;</h2>



Hartl’s work focused on the biological effects of sediment exposure. He developed new methods to evaluate whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-forms-dust-clouds-that-devastate-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mining</a> damages DNA in deep-sea fish. 



“This has never been done before,” said Hartl. “So we had no baseline data to compare any effects of mining against. We are currently optimising tests for other signs of stress applicable to the deep sea.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovery-may-be-measured-in-centuries">Recovery may be measured in centuries</h2>



The deep sea’s slow pace of life is one reason recovery is so limited. Many organisms grow slowly, reproduce infrequently, or are adapted to highly specific habitats.&nbsp;



“General ecological theory will predict that following disturbance, any ecosystem will go through a series of successional stages of recolonization and growth," said Adrian Glover of the Natural History Museum.



"However, until this study, we had no idea of the timescales of this critical process in the deep-sea mining regions, or how different parts of the community respond in different ways.” 



“Our results don’t provide an answer to whether deep-sea mining is societally acceptable, but they do provide the data needed to make better informed policy decisions such as the creation and refinement of protected regions and how we would monitor future impacts,” Glover added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-question-of-future-trade-offs">A question of future trade-offs</h2>



The <a href="https://www.isa.org.jm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Seabed Authority</a> (ISA), the organization responsible for managing mineral-related activity in international waters, currently maintains a moratorium on commercial deep-sea mining. It is still developing a legal and environmental framework to guide future exploitation, and the SMARTEX research may influence how those guidelines take shape.



In their paper, the scientists note that mining operations are expected to cause “immediate impacts” to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seafloor-relic-uncovers-earths-ancient-mysteries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafloor</a> habitats. Collector vehicles will remove nodules, compact sediments, and stir up sediment plumes that may travel beyond mining sites. These plumes, they argue, could have “significant impacts on ecosystems” well outside the directly affected zones.



While proponents of deep-sea mining argue that it could provide critical materials for a net-zero future, the study underscores that such gains may come at a long-term ecological cost. The scars of the past, still visible and measurable after 44 years, may well be a preview of the risks ahead.



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Deep-sea mining impacts marine life for decades

Marine ecosystems in the deep ocean show little sign of...

Humans are pushing many of North America’s pollinators dangerously close to extinction, according to a newly released study.&nbsp;



Led by NatureServe, the study examined nearly 1,600 species - bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, flower flies, bats, and hummingbirds - and concluded that over 22% of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a> are at high risk of disappearing.&nbsp;



Since we rely on them for everything from fruit orchards to backyard gardens, the findings raise urgent alarms about the future of our food systems, ecosystems, and well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dire-assessment-of-pollinator-decline">Dire assessment of pollinator decline </h2>



This large-scale analysis, one of the first to combine so many types of pollinators, revealed that some groups are in more trouble than others. Native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-spring-flowers-can-save-bees-and-boost-pollination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> emerged as a major concern, with 34.7% at risk - leafcutter and digger bees were singled out as especially imperiled.&nbsp;



Bats fared no better; all three pollinating bat species in the study also face troubling declines, while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbirds-have-an-incredible-strategy-to-survive-food-shortages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hummingbirds</a> escaped with an overall lower threat level.&nbsp;



According to the authors, the American Southwest is a “hotspot” of risk: it boasts a high diversity of pollinators but also suffers significant climate-related and human-driven stressors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-security-is-at-stake">Food security is at stake</h2>



Pollinators are not just pretty insects or interesting mammals. They are the linchpins in a massive network of life, responsible for fertilizing crops and wild plants alike.&nbsp;



Pollinator species contribute over $15 billion a year to the agricultural economy of North America. Their disappearance would undermine the reproduction of key plants, disrupt wildlife <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-awakening-arctic-food-webs-are-transforming-from-green-to-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food webs</a>, and cut into human livelihoods, from small-scale farms to major commercial operations.&nbsp;



The authors hope this work draws attention to a bigger picture: losing pollinators doesn’t just mean fewer bees in a meadow. It means fewer seeds, fruits, and flowers - a ripple effect for everything that depends on those resources.



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



The findings place most of the blame on agriculture, habitat loss, urban expansion, and climate change, though the specific mix of threats varies.&nbsp;



For example, the southwestern United States sees both intense urbanization and searing heat, while many farmland-heavy regions must contend with heavy pesticide use. 



In Florida, for instance, the rapid development of pine rockland habitats has raised concerns that certain butterflies - with limited historical ranges - could vanish.&nbsp;



The same goes for southwestern desert ecosystems where specialized pollinators are increasingly squeezed between farmland and sprawl.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-are-struggling-to-hold-on">Species are struggling to hold on</h2>



Dr. Jaret Daniels, a co-author of the study and curator of Lepidoptera at the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Museum of Natural History</a>, has witnessed some of these pressures firsthand. 



He noted that Florida harbors remarkable butterfly diversity, yet the state’s intense population growth and land conversion are leaving specialized species with fewer places to go. 



According to Daniels, we’re seeing species that already occupied tiny pockets of habitat now struggling to hold on because of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urbanization-is-a-threat-to-78-of-the-worlds-bird-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urbanization</a> - just one among the many threats identified by the study



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reversing-pollinator-decline-nbsp">Reversing pollinator decline&nbsp;</h2>



While the data paint a grim picture, the study also highlights actions people can take. Policymakers could integrate at-risk pollinators into wildlife action plans, unlocking more funds and legal safeguards.&nbsp;



Land managers might set aside or restore key habitats like grasslands and shrublands, which support many fragile pollinator communities.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, homeowners can adopt pollinator-friendly landscaping, from replacing turf with native plants to reducing pesticide use. Little steps, such as planting a few pots of native flowers, truly make a difference, noted Daniels.&nbsp;



Working farmland, too, can make space for pollinators. Daniels describes how Florida’s Department of Transportation plants milkweed along roadsides: pollinators that feed there can then travel to nearby farms, helping pollinate crops like blueberries and squash.&nbsp;



Over time, well-managed roadsides and farm edges become vital corridors for creatures that can roam far beyond a single flower bed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-broader-perspective">A broader perspective</h2>



One might ask, why not rely solely on the western honey bee? Daniels warns that placing all our bets on just one species poses risks, especially with pests, diseases, and climate extremes on the rise.&nbsp;



He compares it to a retirement plan: if you invest in only one stock, trouble with that stock could be disastrous. A diverse set of pollinators spreads out the risk and ensures pollination services remain stable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-swift-action-is-needed">Swift action is needed</h2>



While these newly identified threats are serious, Daniels remains cautiously optimistic, noting that pollinators are resilient if given the right support. The study’s authors likewise call for swift action, pointing to targeted, everyday solutions that individuals, farmers, and governments can pursue.&nbsp;



By fostering habitat patches, easing up on pesticides, and recognizing the value of each native pollinator’s unique role, it may be possible to stem the tide of species declines before it is too late.



Above all, the message is clear: pollinators are in trouble, but there are proven measures we can take to help slow their decline.&nbsp;



With nearly one in five pollinators imperiled, the time for more decisive conservation steps has arrived. After all, the fate of many of our favorite foods and the health of countless ecosystems depend on safeguarding these busy creatures.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2418742122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Pollinator decline is a direct threat to food security 

Humans are pushing many of North America’s pollinators dangerously close...

Scientists and marine experts across the globe are on alert after discovering an invasive pufferfish in the northern Adriatic.



A recreational angler recently caught a male <a href="https://www.fishbase.se/summary/4761" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">silver-cheeked toadfish</a> (Lagocephalus sceleratus) measuring 20.6 inches and weighing 2.9 pounds. The fish was captured on May 13, 2024 at a depth of about 64.6 feet.



This unexpected catch marks the fourth confirmed record of this invasive fish in the Adriatic, sparking discussions about its impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-places-are-prime-targets-for-invasive-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, coastal tourism, and public safety.



The discovery is detailed in a report by researchers from the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries and <a href="https://www.unipu.hr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Juraj Dobrila University of Pula</a>, including lead author Dr. Neven Iveša.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-pufferfish-reaches-the-adriatic">Invasive pufferfish reaches the Adriatic</h2>



The silver-cheeked toadfish fish is native to the Indo-Pacific and is known to be highly adaptable. Experts have identified it as a <a href="http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/lessep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lessepsian migrant</a>, which means it traveled into the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.



The strong bite of this invasive pufferfish can crack open hard-shelled prey, and in some cases, it has caused partial amputations of fingers. The fish’s flesh and organs carry <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750019.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tetrodotoxin</a>, a substance that can be lethal when consumed.



Some Mediterranean communities have seen this species making up a growing portion of small-scale <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-lionfish-global-domination-mediterranean-sea-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing</a> hauls. Its muscular jaws can damage nets and lines, creating headaches for fishers who rely on consistent catches.



The researchers suggest controlling it through targeted removal and updated fishing practices. They noted that gear modifications might help reduce harm to native wildlife and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-pufferfish-disrupts-local-species">Invasive pufferfish disrupts local species</h2>



The silver-cheeked toadfish has a reputation for munching on a wide range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/growing-threat-of-invasive-species-requires-immediate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organisms</a>. Its diet can include bivalves, gastropods, and sea urchins.



The worry is that these feeding habits might change local food webs and interrupt natural balances. Warmer waters and certain <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278434314001034" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">currents in the Adriatic</a> also appear to be improving the odds for these newcomers, raising concerns that they could spread even further.



“The presence of Lagocephalus sceleratus in the northern Adriatic is a clear warning sign of the species’ expanding range and potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-invasive-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-mediterranean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological</a> and economic consequences," said Dr. Iveša.



"Proactive monitoring and management strategies are important to mitigating its impact on local marine biodiversity, fisheries, and public safety."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regulations-and-recommendations">Regulations and recommendations</h2>



Because tourism thrives on pristine coastal attractions, communities worry that sightings or injuries related to this fish might tarnish local beach culture. Even a handful of unfortunate encounters could leave a bad impression on visitors.



<a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32014R1143" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Union policies</a> address invasive species but tend to focus on freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Croatia lacks specific marine rules that target wild species like the silver-cheeked toadfish.



The researchers highlight the need for stricter enforcement of sales bans to keep this toxic fish from entering food markets.



They also advocate for training medical personnel, fishers, and tourism operators so they can handle any interactions or injuries efficiently.



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



Locals in Croatian coastal towns have been asked to inform authorities if they catch or spot any silver-cheeked toadfish. The collaboration helps with early detection and better management of invasive species.



Fishing communities, diving schools, and coastal hotels play a role in gathering sightings. Citizen contributions have proven vital in tracking new arrivals and keeping tabs on any incidents.



Prompt action can head off more trouble. Strategies like reporting catches, improving public awareness, and enlisting citizen science groups all help slow the spread of this unwelcome visitor.



Authorities also recommend adjusting fishing seasons to match the invasive pufferfish’s breeding period. This step may minimize its spread and ensure the safety of recreational boaters and swimmers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-fish-threatens-ecosystem-balance">Invasive fish threatens ecosystem balance</h2>



Research teams are currently exploring the fish’s feeding habits and movements in newly invaded waters. Their ongoing work may lead to tools that help communities stay several steps ahead of shifting populations.



Croatia’s coastline faces unique pressures, yet it also holds a strong sense of community engagement. By blending local knowledge with scientific expertise, there is hope that this invasive pufferfish’s spread can be limited.



Stakeholders suggest that simple measures, like wearing sturdy gloves to remove a line-hooked puffer, can prevent injuries. They also advise posting warning signs at busy marinas if more fish appear.



The northern Adriatic’s encounter with the silver-cheeked toadfish signals a broader challenge shared by many Mediterranean regions. 



This fish’s arrival highlights the importance of cooperation among researchers, local authorities, and the public to keep beaches safe and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-deep-sea-fish-survive-the-crushing-depths-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> healthy.



The study is published in <a href="https://aiep.pensoft.net/article/146945/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria</a>.



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Invasive pufferfish caught in the Adriatic raises safety concerns

Scientists and marine experts across the globe are on alert...

Great white sharks are top predators in ocean ecosystems and are known for their raw power and hunting prowess. They often launch themselves out of the water in pursuit of prey.



But in South Africa’s False Bay, these apex predators have all but vanished - and scientists are sounding the alarm about what that means for the rest of the ecosystem.



A new study from the <a href="https://www.earth.miami.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Miami Rosenstiel School</a> of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science reveals what happens when a top predator is suddenly removed from the food chain. 



After more than two decades of research in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_Bay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">False Bay</a>, the team found significant shifts in the marine food web that are consistent with long-held ecological theories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-great-white-sharks-the-basics">Understanding great white sharks - the basics</h2>



To state the obvious, great white sharks are the rock stars of the ocean - massive, powerful, and a little bit mysterious. They can grow over 20 feet long and weigh a couple tons, cruising through the water like it’s nothing. 



These sharks hang out in coastal waters all over the world, but they especially love cooler regions like the coasts of California, South Africa, and Australia. 



With those rows of razor-sharp teeth and an uncanny ability to sense the tiniest movements, they’re built to hunt. 



Seals, sea lions, and fish are usually on the menu, and when they strike, it’s fast and fierce - like a torpedo with teeth.



Despite their scary rep, great whites aren’t the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-shark-species-face-extinction-despite-fishing-bans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindless man-eaters</a> movies make them out to be. They’re actually pretty curious creatures. 



Sometimes, they’ll take a “test bite” out of something unfamiliar just to figure out what it is - which, unfortunately, can include surfboards. 



In order to save them from the brink of extinction, scientists have been tagging and tracking them to learn more about their behavior, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-may-benefit-from-rising-temperatures-but-not-from-rising-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migration patterns</a>, and even social lives. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disappearance-of-great-white-sharks">Disappearance of great white sharks</h2>



False Bay was once home to large numbers of great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), but sightings have plummeted in recent years, indicating that the population may have crashed.



The study points to two major reasons for this decline: the long-term impact of capture in protective nets near swimming areas, and more recent predation by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sign-of-the-times-solitary-orcas-are-hunting-great-whites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orcas</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-in-the-food-web">Ripple effects in the food web</h2>



The absence of white sharks is reshaping the ecosystem. Without these predators, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cape-fur-seals-are-particularly-vulnerable-to-entanglement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cape fur seal</a> (Arctocephalus pusillus) populations have increased. 



So have the numbers of sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus), which are now more dominant in the area.



These changes, however, have consequences. The seals are depleting the local fish populations they feed on. Meanwhile, the sevengill sharks are preying on smaller shark species, and reducing their numbers.



These shifts demonstrate how the removal of a single species at the top of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-food-chains-threatened-by-ocean-acidification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food chain</a> can have wide-reaching effects across multiple levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-documenting-the-ecosystem-changes">Documenting the ecosystem changes</h2>



The researchers used a combination of methods to document these changes. They conducted long-term boat-based surveys, gathered citizen science reports of Cape fur seals, and analyzed data from Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25248" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BRUVS</a>).



“The loss of this iconic apex predator has led to an increase in sightings of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-happens-to-antarctic-seals-when-sea-ice-vanishes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cape fur seals</a> and sevengill sharks, which in turn has coincided with a decline in the species that they rely on for food,” said Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, the study’s lead author.



“These changes align with long established ecological theories that predict the removal of a top predator leads to cascading effects on the marine food web."



Video footage was a key source of information. It helped researchers see not just which species were present, but how they behaved.



“The use of underwater video surveys conducted more than a decade apart provided us with a snapshot of the food web both before and after the disappearance of white sharks from False Bay,” said Yakira Herskowitz, a co-author of the study. 



“The number of individuals of a given species recorded on the videos not only informs us about their numerical abundance, but also their behavior, as species under increased predation risk often become more elusive and are thus less likely to be detected on our cameras.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-matter-more-than-you-think">Sharks matter more than you think</h2>



These findings offer clear evidence that losing a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-white-sharks-separated-into-three-distinct-groups-that-dont-intermingle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top predator</a> affects far more than just one species. It sends a shockwave through the entire ecosystem.



“Without these apex predators to regulate populations, we are seeing measurable changes that could have long-term effects on ocean health,” said Hammerschlag.



As ocean systems continue to face threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing, the study makes one thing clear: protecting sharks isn’t just about saving one species - it’s about preserving balance in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a>.



With so much of the world relying on healthy oceans for food, recreation, and natural services, the role of large sharks is too important to ignore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-warning-for-other-ecosystems">A warning for other ecosystems</h2>



False Bay may be the focus of this study, but it's far from the only place where shark populations are under pressure. 



Similar patterns of disruption could be unfolding in other coastal ecosystems around the world where large predators are disappearing.



This study serves as a warning: the health of marine environments depends on keeping their food webs intact. 



Efforts to protect sharks - through conservation policies, public awareness, and improved fishing practices - are vital not just for the species themselves, but for the oceans they help keep in balance.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1530362/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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What happens when great white sharks disappear? Hint - it's not good

Great white sharks are top predators in ocean ecosystems and...

Lightning is both terrifying and fascinating. It splits trees, ignites wildfires, and streaks across the sky in brilliant flashes. Most of us see it as a force of destruction - random, violent, and final.



But in the depths of Panama’s tropical forests, trees of the species Dipteryx oleifera challenges that idea. For these trees, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-sparks-the-discovery-of-a-new-electromagnetic-wave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lightning</a> isn't deadly - it might actually help them survive.



This surprising twist comes from a study published in New Phytologist. 



Led by forest ecologist Evan Gora from the <a href="https://www.caryinstitute.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies</a>, the research shows that these trees not only survive lightning strikes - they grow stronger because of them. With their tall crowns and wide branches, Dipteryx trees seem built to welcome the storm.



The finding reshapes how we understand forest ecology. Instead of being random, lightning may play a targeted role in helping certain trees dominate, survive, and thrive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-that-survive-lightning-strikes">Trees that survive lightning strikes</h2>



Back in 2015, Gora was deep in Panama’s forests when something unusual caught his eye. 



A Dipteryx oleifera had been struck by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-on-earth-can-influence-the-weather-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lightning</a>, yet stood tall and mostly unharmed. The strike had been powerful enough to destroy a parasitic vine clinging to its crown and kill more than a dozen trees nearby.



“Seeing that there are trees that get struck by lightning and they’re fine was just mind-blowing,” said Gora.



Intrigued, Gora and his team started paying closer attention to lightning-hit Dipteryx trees. They kept finding the same pattern. The trees lived and thrived. It wasn’t a fluke. Nature had something more deliberate in store.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-lightning-hits-these-trees-win">When lightning hits, these trees win</h2>



By 2022, the team had already shown that trees vary in their ability to survive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-may-have-delivered-the-building-blocks-of-life-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lightning</a>. The new research takes this idea even further. 



Using advanced lightning detection tools, the scientists tracked the fate of 93 trees that had endured strikes in Panama’s Barro Colorado Nature Monument.



Among those were nine Dipteryx oleifera, which had all survived. The damage was minimal - some singed bark, a few lost leaves.



In stark contrast, other species hit by lightning lost 5.7 times more foliage and suffered high mortality rates. Within two years, 64% of them had died.



The Dipteryx trees, meanwhile, gained space and freedom. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-red-sprite-lightning-strikes-seen-above-the-himalayas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lightning</a> killed surrounding trees, often as electricity traveled through vines, branches, or short air gaps. On average, each strike wiped out 9.2 nearby trees. That’s not just survival - that’s a strategic clearing of rivals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-removes-parasitic-vines">Lightning removes parasitic vines </h2>



Parasitic vines, or lianas, are a constant threat in tropical forests. They drain trees of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microlightning-from-water-droplets-may-have-sparked-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light</a> and nutrients, making growth a struggle. But for Dipteryx, lightning works like a scythe. After a strike, liana infestations dropped by 78%, freeing the trees from their tangled burdens.



This effect wasn’t limited to a few cases. Across the forest, Dipteryx trees consistently hosted fewer lianas than other species. Even trees that hadn’t been struck appeared to benefit from the trend. Lightning, in this case, didn’t just act on individuals - it shaped the structure of the entire forest around them.



Over time, the survivors grew taller. Drone-based 3D canopy models showed that Dipteryx trees stood about four meters above their closest neighbors. That height advantage isn’t coincidence. It likely comes from losing nearby competition, letting them reach higher into the sunlit canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-trees-get-hit-more-often">Some trees get hit more often</h2>



The researchers noted that their data provide the first evidence that some trees benefit from being struck by lightning. “It's better off for a Dipteryx oleifera tree to be struck than not," said Gora.



Why would lightning keep targeting the same kind of tree? The answer might lie in their shape. 



Dipteryx trees often grow taller and spread wider than those around them. According to the study’s calculations, this makes them up to 68% more likely to get hit. Their crowns act like natural lightning rods.



And that’s not a problem. It’s part of their edge. In fact, it may be a key to their success in these chaotic, dense ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-strikes-and-stronger-trees">Lightning strikes and stronger trees</h2>



Lightning may seem rare, but for Dipteryx oleifera, it’s a regular part of life. Each tree is struck once every 56 years on average.



And they don’t just endure - they adapt. These trees live for centuries, possibly more than a thousand years. That means a single tree might be struck more than ten times over its lifetime.



One tree in the study was hit twice in five years. It didn’t weaken. And with each strike, it gained more room, more light, and more strength. The lightning wasn’t ending its life. It was clearing the way for it to flourish.



Even reproduction gets a boost. Gora’s team found that lightning tolerance increased the tree’s ability to produce offspring by 14 times compared to trees that lacked that resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-role-for-lightning-in-ecology">A new role for lightning in ecology</h2>



This research opens up a new way of seeing forest ecosystems. Lightning isn’t just a threat - it’s a selective force. 



Gora’s team now plans to examine how Dipteryx trees survive these extreme strikes. Are certain internal structures, chemicals, or traits at play? And more importantly, do other species show similar strengths?



Understanding this could be vital. With climate change driving up the frequency of lightning in many tropical areas, trees like Dipteryx oleifera may gain an even bigger edge. That could shift the balance of forest biodiversity and influence carbon storage patterns for decades to come.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/nph.70062" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Some trees actually benefit from getting struck by lightning

Lightning is both terrifying and fascinating. It splits trees, ignites...

About 252 million years ago, Earth witnessed the worst biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-chaos-the-mass-extinction-that-reshaped-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disaster</a> ever recorded. Known as the end-Permian mass extinction, it erased over 80% of marine life. 



Scientists refer to it as the “Great Dying.” Yet what came next has its own strange legacy - a time when marine life everywhere looked the same.



This era, called the “Great Dulling,” spanned millions of years. From the tropics to polar regions, ocean life became oddly uniform. 



Species that once stayed in tight local zones suddenly appeared everywhere. Scientists have puzzled over this mystery for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-life-changed-after-mass-extinction">Marine life changed after mass extinction</h2>



Stanford researchers now offer a compelling explanation. The team used fossil records and environmental data to track how marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/at-least-two-of-earths-mass-extinctions-caused-by-massive-supernova-explosions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> reacted after the Great Dying. 



The research was focused on groups like clams, oysters, and snails - organisms that not only survived but spread globally.



Published in the journal Science Advances, the study introduces a climate model that tracks oxygen and temperature changes. It helps explain why some creatures expanded rapidly while others died out. 



The findings suggest that global environmental shifts shaped who survived - and where they lived.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-mass-extinctions-in-a-new-way">Studying mass extinctions in a new way</h2>



Study senior study author Jonathan Payne is the Dorrell William Kirby Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the <a href="https://sustainability.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability</a>.



“For us in the paleobiology field, this model is the equivalent to climate scientists getting computerized climate models to make quantitative predictions of how the world should change based on some simple mathematical representations,” said Professor Payne.



“We are now able to study big biogeographic changes of mass extinctions in a new way and get a better sense of why some animal groups made it through while others perished.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shockingly-uniform-marine-communities">Shockingly uniform marine communities </h2>



To reconstruct ancient oceans, scientists use fossils and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical traces</a>. 



These markers reveal environmental shifts like temperature, acidity, and oxygen levels. Around the end of the Permian period, massive volcanic activity in modern Siberia set off global warming and ocean acidification.



These changes alone can’t explain why surviving species suddenly spread across every ocean. That mystery belongs to the Triassic period, when marine life grew boringly similar everywhere.



“If someone asked you today where you’d find kangaroos, you’d say Australia,” said Jood Al Aswad, the study’s lead author and a PhD candidate. 



“But now imagine some major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-concern-over-species-extinctions-fades-quickly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disaster</a> happened, like a giant volcano erupted, and afterward you’re finding kangaroos in great numbers all over the globe – they’re all the way out in Antarctica, they’re hopping by the pyramids in Egypt, and they’re even in Stanford, California.”



Before the extinction, marine communities were highly diverse. Afterward, they became shockingly uniform. The team found that species variety across different parts of the world dropped by over half.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-homogenization-on-a-global-scale">Homogenization on a global scale</h2>



For nearly 200 years, scientists have debated what caused this sudden sameness. 



One idea is "ecological release" - when surviving species thrive because predators and competitors vanish. Another idea suggests that climate change made Earth more habitable to certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-oasis-provided-refuge-for-plants-during-earths-worst-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organisms</a> everywhere. The Stanford team tested both ideas. 



The researchers used geochemical data to model ancient ocean temperatures and oxygen levels. Then, they added physiological data from living marine animals - relatives of those ancient survivors - to simulate how creatures might have spread after the mass extinction.



The model showed that environmental conditions alone - higher temperatures and lower oxygen - were enough to predict where species could live. There was no need to consider missing predators or rivals.



“Our study has provided a simple environmental explanation, rather than an ecological one, for why certain survivors of the end-Permian extinction prospered and why homogenization happened on a global scale,” said Professor Payne.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-today-s-crisis-echoes-past-mass-extinction">Today’s crisis echoes past mass extinction</h2>



The model doesn’t just shed light on ancient history. It also helps scientists understand modern threats. Human activity is now causing another mass extinction. The model could offer insights into what life on Earth might look like in the future.



“The current biodiversity crisis is anticipated to herald changes in ecosystem composition that surpass even those seen in the earliest Triassic, which has been the greatest homogenization event to date,” the study authors wrote.



The research team now plans to apply this model to other mass extinction events, including the one that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs.



“Our model offers a great way of studying how animals respond to extreme changes in the environment,” said Al Aswad.



“With anthropogenically spurred climate change, there has been some warning that if we continue, then in the future we’re going to see taxonomic homogenization of organisms in modern oceans as well.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr4199" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Marine life became strangely uniform after Earth’s worst mass extinction

About 252 million years ago, Earth witnessed the worst biological...

<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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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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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;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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