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...

Photovoltaics,And,Wind,Turbines,Generating,Electricity,In,Solar,Power,Station

A new comprehensive assessment led by <a href="https://www.portlandrealestate.com/">Portland Real Estate</a> has recently revealed how states fare on their green initiatives.&nbsp;



The analysis considered various components such as emission types and amounts, accessibility to nature for residents, air and water quality, use of green transportation options, fossil fuel production, and overall energy usage.&nbsp;



Based on these parameters, an environmental impact score was derived for each state. Here are the top 10 least <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-foods-are-healthy-and-environmentally-friendly/">environmentally friendly</a> states:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-mississippi-33-7-100-nbsp">1. Mississippi (33.7/100)&nbsp;</h2>



Mississippi struggles most with its green initiatives, securing the lowest spot. It faces serious challenges in transportation, evidenced by the lack of hybrid or electric vehicles.&nbsp;



Only 0.23 percent of its population uses public transport. Its water efficiency and sustainability score are dismal, at just 2/100, attributed to the high number of residents accessing contaminated water facilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-louisiana-34-6-100-nbsp">2. Louisiana (34.6/100)&nbsp;</h2>



Louisiana, though slightly ahead of Mississippi, has the nation’s poorest nature score at 20.7 out of 100. The state has a mere 50 square miles dedicated to parks and is significantly lacking in hiking trails.&nbsp;



Additionally, its substantial contribution of 183.3 million tons to national CO2 emissions cannot be overlooked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-new-mexico-35-2-100-nbsp">3. New Mexico (35.2/100)&nbsp;</h2>



New Mexico’s lower ranking arises from concerns related to water quality, with 1.1 million residents depending on unreliable water sources.&nbsp;



The state also has the 13th poorest air quality and is a significant producer of coal, with an annual production close to 9,265 thousand short tons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-alabama-35-8-100-nbsp">4. Alabama (35.8/100)&nbsp;</h2>



Alabama’s low score stems from transportation challenges, with just 1.53 percent of its vehicles being electric or hybrid.&nbsp;



The state’s score also lags due to a mere 75 square miles being covered by parks. Additionally, it ranks 13th in the country for CO2 emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-north-dakota-36-3-100-nbsp">5. North Dakota (36.3/100)&nbsp;</h2>



North Dakota’s environmental challenges are accentuated by its high emissions rate, rising to 3.32kg of black carbon per person annually.&nbsp;



Its transportation metrics are also concerning, with a mere 0.19 percent of vehicles being green. Furthermore, the state is a significant producer of fossil fuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-west-virginia-37-5-100-nbsp">6. West Virginia (37.5/100)&nbsp;</h2>



West Virginia faces significant water quality challenges, with 934,993 residents depending on compromised water facilities. Its CO2 emissions also stand out, rising up to 76.9 million tons annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-oklahoma-38-8-100-nbsp">7. Oklahoma (38.8/100)&nbsp;</h2>



Oklahoma’s low score is due to transportation and nature-related challenges. The state has a limited number of electric or hybrid vehicles and lacks expansive green spaces, with only 88 square miles dedicated to parks. Additionally, its annual CO2 emission stands at 63.1 million tons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-alaska-39-6-100-nbsp">8. Alaska (39.6/100)&nbsp;</h2>



Alaska, despite its vast natural landscapes, has the second-highest emissions score.&nbsp;



The state produces 36 million tons of CO2 yearly. Its fossil fuel production is also significant, and only a small percentage of its vehicles are green.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-texas-40-7-100-nbsp">9. Texas (40.7/100)&nbsp;</h2>



Texas, a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, produces a staggering 624 million tons annually. Its fossil fuel production is also substantial, and it ranks low in air quality metrics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-kentucky-41-6-100-nbsp">10. Kentucky (41.6/100)&nbsp;</h2>



Kentucky’s challenges revolve around water quality and transportation. It has a low percentage of green vehicles, and its annual CO2 emissions reach 101.9 million tons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highlight-oregon-51-6-100-nbsp">Highlight: Oregon (51.6/100)&nbsp;</h2>



Oregon ranks as the 20th greenest state. Its transportation score is commendable, with 8.42 percent of vehicles being hybrid or electric. However, it struggles with emissions, producing 9.25 tons of CO2 per person annually.



“It is interesting to see how each state has scored in the various factors that contribute to a less green environment. When deciding where to live or buy a home, a greener environment is a deciding factor for many,” a spokesperson from Portland Real Estate concluded.&nbsp;



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Going green: Which U.S. states are the least environmentally friendly?

A new comprehensive assessment led by Portland Real Estate has...

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a> is shedding light on a concerning issue that many may have overlooked. The researchers have determined that sewage pollution is more detrimental to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hypoxia-is-a-serious-problem-in-rivers-worldwide/">rivers</a> than agriculture.



The study was launched ahead of World Rivers Day, which is celebrated on September 24th.&nbsp;



The researchers found that even when sewage undergoes treatment, its discharge into rivers affects water quality far more than runoff from surrounding land use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The experts took into consideration three pollution sources: treated sewage discharge, agriculture, and urban run-off.&nbsp;



The team tested four rivers in England both up- and downstream of sewage discharge points across three different months.



While water companies in the UK have the green light to release treated wastewater into rivers, untreated wastewater can also be released during heavy rainfalls, a phenomenon termed as storm overflow.&nbsp;



This not only leads to significant ecological ramifications but can also jeopardize human health if that water is utilized for drinking, recreational, or agricultural activities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-from-the-study">Key findings from the study</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sewage-is-a-primary-pollutant">Sewage is a primary pollutant</h3>



Sewage, whether treated or untreated, is responsible for the spike in nutrients, algae, and sewage fungus in rivers.&nbsp;



Moreover, it severely alters the ecosystem by changing the composition of plant, animal, and microbial communities in the water.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-river-communities">Shift in river communities</h3>



Downstream of sewage input, rivers exhibited a noticeable shift in macroinvertebrate and algae communities.&nbsp;



The surge in resilient groups like cyanobacteria and worms is especially alarming. Cyanobacteria are infamous for releasing toxic chemicals that can be lethal to many aquatic species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-s-role">Agriculture's role</h3>



Though sewage discharge is a dominant threat, agricultural run-off also contributes to the degradation of water quality, especially harming specific sensitive insect groups such as mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-issue">Addressing the issue</h2>



“Our study highlights the disproportionate impact that sewage discharge has on river quality, presenting an urgent need for a comprehensive action plan targeting the sewage discharge problem," said study lead author Dr. Dania Albini.



"Improvements to waste water plants should be implemented along with more regulations. These efforts are crucial in safeguarding the integrity and safety of our rivers - fundamental elements of both ecosystems and human wellbeing.”



Ecological state of UK waterways



The revelations from the study are timely, especially considering the deteriorating state of the UK's waterways.&nbsp;



With over 90% of freshwater habitats in England's vital rivers being affected by various pollutants, a holistic strategy addressing pollution is imperative for the well-being of both the environment and its inhabitants.



“There is ongoing debate about the cause of the poor ecological state of many rivers in the UK because it is difficult to disentangle different pollution sources," said study senior author Dr. Michelle Jackson.



"Here, we show that even treated sewage appears to have a stronger influence on river communities than pollution from the surrounding land. This important information should be used to prioritize the management and conservation of our rivers moving forward.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



James Wallace, CEO of the UK-based charity River Action, said the research demonstrates yet again the damage from unregulated water companies and agriculture.&nbsp;



"In addition to the catastrophic impact on wildlife from nutrient pollution, the public should be aware that sewage systems do not remove dangerous bacteria such as E.coli and intestinal enterococci from treated sewage," said Wallace.



"For instance, recent citizen science on the River Thames found that Thames Water’s outflows often have four to five times the safe levels of bacteria, that has likely caused serious illness in swimmers and rowers."&nbsp;



"When will the government make water companies and farms clean up their act, especially in places where human lives and sensitive protected habitats are threatened?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-detection-system">Early detection system</h2>



The researchers have also developed a new method to detect potentially dangerous "sewage fungus" outbreaks.



This mix of fungus, algae, and bacteria causes unpleasant smells and severely reduces oxygen levels, which can cause mass fish mortality.



"Rapid identification of sewage fungus pollution events will allow early intervention which would help prevent any potential negative consequences for local wildlife," said Dr. Jackson.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16934">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Sewage pollution is a greater threat to rivers than agriculture

A new study led by the University of Oxford is...

In a revolutionary discovery that further intensifies the debate surrounding extraterrestrial life, astronomers utilizing NASA’s <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> have detected the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Europa_carbon-discovery-image_JWST_1big.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. 



This vital find opens the gateway to a plethora of speculations and possibilities regarding the existence of conditions conducive to life, considering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stealth-ocean-discovered-on-one-of-saturns-moons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa</a> is one of the few worlds in our solar system believed to potentially harbor life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beneath-the-icy-crust-a-saltwater-ocean">Beneath the icy crust: A saltwater ocean</h2>



Previous studies highlighted the existence of a salty ocean beneath <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Europa_closeup_NASA_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa’s water-ice crust</a>, concealing a rocky seafloor. However, what eluded scientists was the confirmation of whether this ocean housed life-essential chemicals, specifically carbon. 



The breakthrough findings from the Webb have now identified <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Europa_carbon-discovery-image_JWST_2big.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> in a region known as Tara Regio on Europa's icy surface, an area also known for its “chaos terrain” due to the disrupted surface ice and indications of material exchange between the ocean and the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-source-of-carbon-an-internal-gift">Source of carbon: An internal gift</h2>



Analysis reveals this identified carbon likely originates from the subsurface ocean and is not a product of external entities like meteorites, dismissing prior uncertainties regarding its origin. Its presence in a geologically young area suggests its deposition on a relatively recent timescale, adding a crucial layer to our understanding of Europa’s potential habitability.



“Understanding the chemistry of Europa’s ocean will help us determine whether it’s hostile to life as we know it, or if it might be a good place for life,” stated Geronimo Villanueva of NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>, the lead author of one of the illuminating papers describing the findings.



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



These revelations bear immense significance as they not only strengthen the claims of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-confirms-an-ocean-on-europa-may-be-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa’s ocean</a> potentially being a refuge for life but also help to decipher the intricate chemical composition of the ocean. 



Carbon, being the backbone of life as we comprehend it, its presence and origin in Europa provide pivotal insights into the conditions and possibilities of life on this distant moon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-ocean-surface-connection">Insights into ocean-surface connection</h2>



There has been extensive debate among scientists about the extent of connectivity between Europa’s ocean and its surface. 



“This suggests that we may be able to learn some basic things about the ocean’s composition even before we drill through the ice to get the full picture,” Villanueva added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-s-near-infrared-spectrograph">Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph</h2>



The utilization of the integral field unit of Webb’s <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/observatory/instruments/nirspec.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Near-Infrared Spectrograph</a> (NIRSpec) enabled astronomers to pinpoint the location of specific chemicals, giving an unprecedented glimpse into the chemical localization on Europa’s surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-for-future-missions">Significance for future missions</h2>



The discoveries not only shape the direction of future research endeavors but also form the basis for upcoming missions, notably NASA’s <a href="https://europa.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa Clipper</a> spacecraft, set to launch in October 2024. It is designed to perform numerous close flybys of Europa to delve deeper into its potential to support life. 



Additionally, these findings will significantly inform ESA’s forthcoming <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Juice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer</a> (JUICE) mission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plume-activity-a-continuous-enigma">Plume activity: A continuous enigma</h2>



While the new data does not reveal any evidence of plume activity, it does establish a stringent upper limit on the rate of material potentially being ejected. However, the non-detection of plumes doesn’t conclusively rule out their existence. 



“All we can say with 100% confidence is that we did not detect a plume at Europa when we made these observations with Webb,” stated Heidi Hammel from the <a href="https://www.aura-astronomy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy</a>.



In summary, the revelation of carbon dioxide on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-moons-are-warming-each-other-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa’s surface</a> is a monumental stride in our pursuit of extraterrestrial life, enriching our understanding of this distant moon and its ocean’s chemistry. As researchers continue to unravel Europa’s mysteries, the knowledge acquired will be pivotal for forthcoming missions and explorations, potentially rewriting our understanding of life in the universe. 



The publication of these findings in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg4270" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two separate</a> studies in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg4155" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a> stands as a testament to the unrelenting human endeavor to reach beyond the known and explore the unseen realms of our universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-europa">More about Europa</h2>



Jupiter's moon, Europa, draws attention as one of the most intriguing celestial bodies in our solar system due to its potential to harbor life. With its icy façade and underlying mysteries, Europa kindles curiosity and exploratory fervor among scientists and space enthusiasts.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concealed-oceanic-wonder">Concealed oceanic wonder</h3>



Beneath its icy shell, Europa conceals a vast ocean of salty liquid water. Scientists believe that this ocean harbors twice the amount of water found on Earth, making it a prime location in the search for extraterrestrial life. The icy crust encapsulating this ocean possibly ranges from 10 to 30 kilometers in thickness, acting as a shield against Jupiter's harsh radiation belts.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tantalizing-geology">Tantalizing geology</h3>



Europa presents a dynamic and complex geological surface. It possesses a predominantly water-ice surface, intertwined with a myriad of fractures and ridges. Some areas, known as "chaos terrains," exhibit disrupted and restructured ice, indicative of potential exchanges between the subsurface ocean and the surface, a phenomenon that further fuels scientific inquiries into Europa's internal activities.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-field-mysteries">Magnetic field mysteries</h3>



The magnetic field measurements taken by the Galileo spacecraft hint at the existence of a subsurface conductive layer, speculated to be Europa's salty ocean. This presumed ocean could be a host to hydrothermal vents on the seafloor, which, on Earth, support diverse and robust ecosystems, fostering hopes for the presence of life in Europa's dark, submerged world.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radiation-scarred-surface">Radiation-scarred surface</h3>



Europa endures a relentless bombardment of intense radiation from Jupiter’s magnetic field, which scars its surface and creates a hostile environment. However, this radiation also interacts with the icy surface to produce oxidants, compounds that could potentially fuel life in the subsurface ocean.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-astrobiology">Potential for astrobiology</h3>



The presence of essential elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and now, as recent discoveries suggest, carbon dioxide, elevate Europa's status as a prime candidate in the search for life beyond Earth. Scientists postulate that the interplay between the irradiated surface and the concealed ocean could generate the chemical energy necessary for life to thrive.



Europa, with its concealed ocean and compelling geological features, stands as a beacon in our pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. The prospect of life in its hidden, watery realms propels scientific investigations and explorations, seeking to expand our knowledge of our solar system and life's existence within it. As advancements in technology pave the way for more in-depth explorations, Europa continues to tantalize our imaginations and beckon us closer to uncovering its secrets.



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Alien life on Jupiter's moon Europa just became a very likely scenario

In a revolutionary discovery that further intensifies the debate surrounding...

Photo,Of,A,Red-crowned,Amazon,amazona,Viridigenalis

The endangered red-crowned parrot species is flourishing in the urban expanses of South Texas. This surprising discovery lies contrary to the usual detrimental impact of urban development on most animal species.



These vibrant birds have remarkably adapted to urban life despite widespread deforestation, pollution, and the illicit pet trade relocating them from their native habitats. The study was helmed by a <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M</a>-led research team, co-authored by Dr. Donald J. Brightsmith and graduate student Simon Kiacz.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-urban-dwellers">Unexpected urban dwellers</h2>



Red-crowned parrots are characterized by their predominantly green plumage and distinctive cluster of red feathers on their heads. They originally inhabited a compact region in Northeastern Mexico. Due to rampant habitat destruction and illicit poaching, their existence is under severe threat in their native lands. 



This fact makes their proliferation in urban Texas all the more extraordinary. The unauthorized trade often involves poaching of eggs or fledglings, later sold at exorbitant prices.



Simon Kiacz noted, "Parrots are popular pets in places like South Texas and Latin America.” The lack of awareness regarding their protected status, even among law enforcement, is alarming. It’s crucial to note that the animal trade has significantly contributed to the red-crowned parrots’ presence in Texas, with many being brought over legally in the 1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-texas-embraces-red-crowned-parrots">Texas embraces red-crowned parrots</h2>



Texas has embraced these fascinating birds, awarding them native species status which is pivotal for their protection. Dr. Brightsmith highlighted the importance of this status, stating, “Without native species status, it would be much more difficult to provide protection for the species.” 



This acknowledgment spurred interest from <a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas Parks &amp; Wildlife</a>, paving the way for extensive research on the adaptation and well-being of these parrots in South Texas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-path-to-conservation">Mapping the path to conservation</h2>



The research team meticulously counted and mapped the parrots, concentrating especially on the Rio Grande Valley. Remarkably, places like Brownsville have adopted the red-crowned parrot as their official mascot. 



With around 900 parrots residing in South Texas, Kiacz and his team closely monitored their breeding activity. These observations have provided a comprehensive insight into their thriving population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symbiotic-urban-adaptation">Symbiotic urban adaptation</h2>



The adaptation and thriving of red-crowned parrots in urban environments are unusual. The species, deemed as “synanthropes,” coexists harmoniously with human-made environments. Kiacz explains, “Humans have basically created the perfect environment for these parrots.” 



The relationship stems from their mutual liking for well-watered, ornamental plants producing fruit and seeds year-round. Even the propensity to plant non-native palm trees has inadvertently provided perfect nesting cavities for these parrots, further solidifying their urban adaptation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coexisting-with-red-crowned-parrots">Coexisting with red-crowned parrots</h2>



Despite their flourishing existence and negligible competition with local species for food, the parrots’ noise levels have been the sole inconvenience to the locals. The researchers hope that their findings will usher in heightened awareness and improved conservation efforts. They stress the importance of understanding and accepting these birds as part of the urban environment.



Kiacz emphasized the need for communal harmony stating, “the best help we can give these parrots is to teach people how to live with parrots as neighbors.” For instance, maintaining a dead, yet safe tree can provide nesting spaces for these parrots, fostering a symbiotic coexistence.



Brightsmith and Kiacz are currently delving deeper. They are studying the intricate relationships between red-crowned parrots and their sister species, exploring potential natural hybridization and its conservation implications.



In summary, the thriving existence of red-crowned parrots amidst urban sprawl is a testament to nature's resilience and adaptability. It opens up a plethora of opportunities for research and provides a unique perspective on urban conservation strategies, emphasizing the balance between urban expansion and biodiversity. 



The exploration of harmonious coexistence and continued conservation efforts are essential steps towards protecting these vibrant beings, allowing them to continue being our colorful neighbors in the urban jungle.



This study was <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/7/878" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently published</a> in the scientific journal Diversity.



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Endangered red-crowned parrots are thriving in urban Texas areas

The endangered red-crowned parrot species is flourishing in the urban...

Traces of ancient proteins found in fossilized dinosaur feathers may shed new light on the evolution of feathers, according to a study from <a href="https://www.ucc.ie/">University College Cork</a>.



The research was led by Dr. Tiffany Slater and Professor Maria McNamara of UCC’s School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Science. The experts collaborated with scientists based at Linyi University and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource.&nbsp;



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



"Fossil proteins are valuable tools in evolutionary biology. Recent technological advances and better integration of experimental methods have confirmed the feasibility of biomolecular preservation in deep time, yielding new insights into the timing of key evolutionary transitions," wrote the researchers.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The team analyzed 125-million-year-old feathers from the dinosaur Sinornithosaurus and the early bird Confuciusornis from China, in addition to a 50-million-year-old feather from the United States.



While previous research indicated that modern feathers have a different composition than ancient feathers, the new study reveals that they share the same protein composition.&nbsp;



According to the experts, this confirms that the chemistry of feathers originated much earlier than previously thought.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beta-proteins-nbsp">Beta-proteins&nbsp;</h2>



“It’s really exciting to discover new similarities between dinosaurs and birds,” said Dr. Slater.&nbsp;



“To do this, we developed a new method to detect traces of ancient feather proteins. Using X-rays and infrared light we found that feathers from the dinosaur Sinornithosaurus contained lots of beta-proteins, just like feathers of birds today.”&nbsp;



The team ran experiments to investigate how feather proteins break down during the fossilization process. This helped the experts interpret the chemical signals preserved in the fossil feathers.



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



“Modern bird feathers are rich in beta-proteins that help strengthen feathers for flight,” said Dr. Slater.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Previous tests on dinosaur feathers, though, found mostly alpha-proteins. Our experiments can now explain this weird chemistry as the result of protein degradation during the fossilization process."&nbsp;



"So although some fossil feathers do preserve traces of the original beta-proteins, other fossil feathers are damaged and tell us a false narrative about feather evolution.”&nbsp;



The researchers noted that experiments show that feather beta-proteins can survive moderate thermal maturation. "As predicted by our experiments, analyses of Mesozoic feathers confirm that evidence of feather CBPs can persist through deep time," they wrote.



“Traces of ancient biomolecules can clearly survive for millions of years, but you can’t read the fossil record literally because even seemingly well-preserved fossil tissues have been cooked and squashed during fossilization," said study senior author Professor Maria McNamara.



"We’re developing new tools to understand what happens during fossilization and unlock the chemical secrets of fossils. This will give us exciting new insights into the evolution of important tissues and their biomolecules. “



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02177-8">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Modern bird feathers contain traces of dinosaur feathers

Traces of ancient proteins found in fossilized dinosaur feathers may...

Recent research suggests that prehistoric societies might have modified human bones for ritualistic uses. 



This discovery was made during an international study led by Zita Laffranchi and Marco Milella from the University of Bern, in collaboration with Rafael Martínez Sánchez of the <a href="https://www.uco.es/internacional/extranjeros/en/about-uco">University of Cordoba</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



Historically, cuts and marks found on ancient bone remains often led the scientific community to attribute their use to human consumption.&nbsp;



However, the research's analysis of over 400 remains, both adults and adolescents, from the Cueva de los Mármoles in Priego de Córdoba has presented a different narrative. These remains are housed in the local Archaeological Museum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bones-used-as-tools">Bones used as tools</h2>



The team used high-resolution molds and electron microscopes to study the bones. Their observations indicate that many marks on these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-pterosaur-bones-found-in-australia-date-back-107-million-years/">bones</a> are consistent with a cleaning process, suggesting the bones were likely used as tools rather than for consumption.



Martínez Sánchez highlights the challenge of distinguishing the purpose behind the bone marks, especially since these bones were found on the cave's surface and could have undergone various taphonomic changes, such as animal activity or trampling.&nbsp;



However, the study leans away from the hypothesis of consumption. Instead, it finds evidence for a meticulous cleaning process suitable for tool use, such as a fibula with a pointed end, a modified tibia, and a skull.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-burial-practices-nbsp">Burial practices&nbsp;</h2>



Carbon-14 dating unveiled three distinct funerary periods within the cave, with the earliest dating back to 3800 BC during the Neolithic. This period saw a surge in the use of dolmens, or stone tombs, for collective burials. Such burial practices signify a society deeply connected with its ancestors.



This research aligns with the Megalithic era, a time when the marks on the bones, believed to be inconsistent with consumption, support the theory that human remains were repurposed as instruments. Martínez Sánchez proposes that these remains might have been used in rituals inside the cave.



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



The team's findings challenge pre-existing beliefs, suggesting that human remains, from the late Neolithic to the Bronze Age, were used for cultural and ritualistic practices long after their deposition.&nbsp;



"It seems that there was the idea of grouping the dead in the same place, cleaning the remains, and using the bones as instruments, perhaps related to some type of ritual performed inside the cavity," said Martínez Sánchez.



These rituals apparently spanned a great period of time, from the end of the Neolithic to the Bronze Age - a time "in which we did not expect to find that bodies were still deposited in this cavity," said Martínez Sánchez.



The study not only uncovers the practices of ancient societies but also emphasizes the complexities and intricacies of our ancestors' relationship with the deceased.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/">PLoS One</a>.



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New study sheds light on Neolithic rituals involving human bones

Recent research suggests that prehistoric societies might have modified human...

The outlook for the endangered purple cauliflower soft coral, Dendronephthya australis, endemic to southeastern Australia, has been bleak. Over the past three years, there has been a concerning loss of coral aggregations in the Port Stephens estuary, historically its largest habitat.&nbsp;



This species is not only vital in its own right, as one of the Federal Government's 100 priority species on the Threatened Species Strategy, but also serves as an essential habitat for other species, most notably the Endangered White’s seahorse and baby snapper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-hope-for-the-corals">New hope for the corals</h2>



A study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04298-x">Marine Biology</a> offers a glimmer of hope for the endangered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/corals-have-a-vegetarian-side-that-keeps-them-alive-in-nutrient-poor-areas/">corals</a>. The research reveals new insights into the reproductive life of this coral species, offering hope for its future survival.



The lead researcher, <a href="https://www.scu.edu.au/">Southern Cross University</a> PhD candidate Meryl Larkin, said the paper was a welcome turnaround from her earlier work, which showed how badly the species had been decimated by shifts in sediment and La Niña flood events.&nbsp;



“Our discoveries open new doors for conservation strategies, including potential restoration efforts,” she said. “It has given us real hope we can keep this coral off the extinction list.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-reproduction-of-corals-nbsp">Understanding the reproduction of corals&nbsp;</h2>



Corals can reproduce both sexually and asexually, with some being hermaphroditic or distinctly male and female. Before this study, the reproductive dynamics of Dendronephthya australis remained a mystery.



Larkin utilized diverse methods, from histological analyses of fresh specimens to lab-based studies. She was conducting lab work at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute when she observed, for the first time, eggs and sperm within coral fragments from different colonies, indicating the existence of separate male and female colonies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-in-the-lab">Breakthrough in the lab</h2>



Larkin then achieved a pioneering feat - successfully developing IVF methods for the coral, achieving larval settlement in a lab, and reintroducing coral babies back into the wild where they continue to thrive.



“This was a major step forward in the prospect of recovery by the species because, from just a few remaining colonies, we were able to produce hundreds of new individual corals,” said Larkin.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



She noted that the findings could be used to support the growth of wild populations and create new coral colonies to repopulate areas of habitat where they previously flourished.&nbsp;



Larkin’s research, sponsored by Southern Cross University and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, highlights the vital importance of understanding reproductive processes and early life stages to grasp the dynamics of a species.



“Reproduction and early life stages are fundamental for understanding the dynamics of any species, particularly marine invertebrates,” said Larkin. “These stages are essential for population establishment and growth, and understanding them helps us identify threats and extinction risks.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-purple-cauliflower-soft-coral">More about the purple cauliflower soft coral</h2>



The purple cauliflower soft coral is aptly named for its distinctive appearance, resembling the branching, clustered look of cauliflower, tinged with a purple hue.&nbsp;



Unlike hard corals that build reefs with their calcium carbonate skeletons, soft corals possess a more flexible structure, which often gives them a more fluid, tree-like appearance underwater.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat">Habitat</h3>



Endemic to south-eastern Australia, the largest populations of the purple cauliflower soft coral have been historically found in the Port Stephens estuary in New South Wales. Here, they thrive in estuarine environments, preferring areas with strong tidal flows that bring in ample nutrients.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-importance">Ecological Importance</h3>



The soft coral plays a pivotal role in its ecosystem. Not only does it contribute to the biodiversity of its marine habitat, but it also offers shelter and a breeding ground for various marine species. In such roles, it supports the larger marine food web and helps maintain ecological balance.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-status">Conservation status</h3>



Dendronephthya australis is one of the 100 priority species listed on the Federal Government’s Threatened Species Strategy. Over recent years, the coral has experienced a significant decline, especially in the Port Stephens estuary where there has been a complete loss of aggregations (clusters of colonies).&nbsp;



Factors contributing to its decline include shifts in sediment, La Niña flood events, and potentially other human-induced stressors like pollution and habitat destruction.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproductive-strategies">Reproductive strategies</h3>



Coral reproduction is a fascinating and complex subject. The recent groundbreaking research led by Meryl Larkin has unveiled some mysteries of the Dendronephthya australis's reproductive life.&nbsp;



The study revealed that these corals have distinct male and female colonies - a fact unknown before this research. Understanding the reproductive strategies of such corals is crucial for their conservation, as it opens doors to potential restoration efforts.



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Understanding the sex lives of endangered soft corals could save them

The outlook for the endangered purple cauliflower soft coral, Dendronephthya...

Children's success at primary school can be greatly influenced by their fathers, according to a new study by the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>.&nbsp;



The research shows that a child's academic performance is enhanced when their fathers engage in activities such as reading, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/playing-action-video-games-can-improve-reading-skills/">playing</a>, storytelling, drawing, and singing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The researchers analyzed test scores of five and seven-year-olds using data from the Millenium Cohort Study, which tracked children born between 2000-02 as they grew up.&nbsp;



The data was gathered from almost 5,000 households in England with both parents present. The analysis showed that three-year-olds performed better academically by the age of five when they had fathers who regularly played with them



The father's involvement at the child's age of five further enhanced the child's Key Stage Assessment scores at the age of seven.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharing-childcare-responsibilities-nbsp">Sharing childcare responsibilities&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Helen Norman, the lead researcher from Leeds University Business School, emphasized the importance of fathers sharing childcare responsibilities with mothers.&nbsp;



“Mothers still tend to assume the primary carer role and therefore tend to do the most childcare, but if fathers actively engage in childcare too, it significantly increases the likelihood of children getting better grades in primary school. This is why encouraging and supporting fathers to share childcare with the mother, from an early stage in the child’s life, is critical," said Dr. Norman.&nbsp;



In contrast, when mothers engaged in the same activities with their children, they influenced their emotional and social behaviors more than their educational achievements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-father-engagement-nbsp">Father engagement&nbsp;</h2>



The research team encourages fathers to dedicate as much time as possible for interactive activities with their children. For fathers with demanding jobs, sparing even just ten minutes a day can make a significant difference in their children's educational progress.



Furthermore, the study also suggests that schools and early education providers should consistently collect contact details for both parents, and develop strategies to engage fathers specifically.&nbsp;



“Our analysis has shown that fathers have an important, direct impact on their children’s learning. We should be recognizing this and actively finding ways to support dads to play their part, rather than engaging only with mothers, or taking a gender-neutral approach," said study co-author Dr Jeremy Davies, Head of Impact and Communications at the Fatherhood Institute.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



"This study shows that even small changes in what fathers do, and in how schools and early years settings engage with parents, can have a lasting impact on children's learning. It's absolutely crucial that fathers aren't treated as an afterthought," said Andrew Gwynne MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood.



The findings are consistent with a 2022 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9790630/">report</a> led by Gillian M. Waters of the University of Bradford, which noted that the children of parents who treat play as valuable are more likely to have higher cognitive abilities, better social skills, and show greater independence. The current study emphasizes the potential for fathers, in particular, to give their children an educational advantage.



The research, which was funded by the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/esrc/">Economic and Social Research Council</a> (ESRC), was presented in an online webinar on September 20, 2023. Dr. Norman and Dr. Davies, along with a panel of parental engagement experts and fathers, provided insights and discussed the significant findings.



The <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/download/314/piece-report">study</a> is published on the Leeds University Business School website.



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Fathers give children an educational advantage by simply playing with them

Children's success at primary school can be greatly influenced by...

The worldwide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-rhino-day-celebrating-and-protecting-the-magnificent-rhinoceros/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rhino</a> population is displaying a remarkable resurgence, with the latest data revealing an increase to approximately 27,000 individuals despite the persistent threats of poaching and habitat degradation. This rebound marks the first comeback for some species in over a decade.



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



At the pinnacle of the 20th century, around 500,000 rhinos roamed across the landscapes of Africa and Asia. Sadly, their numbers have seen drastic reductions since then, primarily due to human activities. 



A glimmer of hope emerged last year when populations in certain regions started showing signs of recovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-rhino-population-trend">Positive rhino population trend</h2>



Statistics released by the <a href="https://rhinos.org/our-work/research-and-publications/afrsg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group</a> reported a global rhinoceros population of around 27,000 at the conclusion of 2022, indicating a hopeful trend. Specifically, the southern white rhinos experienced growth for the first time since 2012, rising from 15,942 at the end of 2021 to 16,803. 



Additionally, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-majestic-and-endangered-black-rhinoceros-past-present-and-unknown-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black rhinos</a>, native to east and southern Africa, where poaching for their horns severely decreased their numbers, also improved by approximately 5%, going from 6,195 to 6,487 over the past year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-pay-off">Conservation efforts pay off</h2>



Efforts by conservationists to establish new populations significantly contributed to this population surge. 



Dr Michael Knight, the chair of the IUCN rhino group, emphasized the importance of building on these positive developments and remaining vigilant, stating, “With this good news, we can take a sigh of relief for the first time in a decade."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-situation-for-javan-and-sumatran-rhinos">Critical situation for Javan and Sumatran rhinos</h2>



However, not all species are faring well. The Javan and Sumatran rhinos remain critically endangered and in grave risk of extinction, with their numbers continuing to decline steadily. 



Some estimates suggest as few as 34 Sumatran rhinos remain, often located in isolated forest patches, hampering their ability to mate and reproduce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-international-response-and-challenges">International response and challenges</h2>



The international community continues to rally around conservation efforts, with Dr Jo Shaw, the CEO of Save the Rhino International, reaffirming a commitment to the future of all five rhino species. However, challenges persist, particularly in Africa, where rhino deaths increased in 2022. 



There is also concern over the stable but threatened population of greater one-horned rhinos in India and Nepal, where habitat loss and poaching continue to be substantial issues. Illicit activities have also been reported in the <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/608/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ujung Kulon National Park</a> in Indonesia, home to all 76 of the existing Javan rhinos.



In summary, the rising numbers of several rhino species are a testament to the relentless efforts of conservationists and international cooperation. However, this progress is fragile and underscores the imperative to intensify conservation efforts, particularly for the critically endangered Javan and Sumatran rhinos. 



Sustained vigilance, combined with innovative conservation strategies and robust international support, will be paramount in ensuring the long-term survival and flourishing of these majestic creatures.



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Global rhino population numbers slowly rebound

The worldwide rhino population is displaying a remarkable resurgence, with...

A recent study has revealed that socially vulnerable groups in the West, particularly in Oregon and Washington, face a heightened exposure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-amount-of-co2-released-by-wildfires-in-2021/">wildfires</a>. As wildfire risks amplify, these findings spotlight a critical intersection of environmental and societal challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-social-vulnerability">Understanding social vulnerability</h2>



Social vulnerability refers to specific traits of individuals or communities, including age, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, that increase their likelihood of harm from potential hazards.&nbsp;



Over the decade from 2011 to 2021, there was a significant rise in the exposure of socially vulnerable individuals to wildfires in Oregon, Washington, and California. The exposure of such groups increased threefold compared to the previous decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inequitable-effects-nbsp">Inequitable effects&nbsp;</h2>



Study co-author Erica Fleishman is a professor in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> and also directs the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute



“There has been general knowledge that the number of destructive wildfires and total impacted population are increasing and that hazards have inequitable effects on people,” said Professor Fleishman.&nbsp;



“This research is helping us understand how much more risk people are facing, where and why. The risks are clearly higher for the people who are going to have more difficulty recovering.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The study was led by doctoral student Arash Modaresi Rad from Boise State University and his mentor, Mojtaba Sadegh, an associate professor of Civil Engineering.&nbsp;



The researchers examined satellite imagery, U.S. Census data, and population maps to grasp the links between wildfire exposure and social vulnerability from 2000 through 2021.



During this time span, roughly 500,000 individuals in Oregon, Washington, and California were directly affected by wildfires. A significant majority of these affected individuals resided in California.



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



The researchers used data from the Social Vulnerability Index from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This index gauges a community's readiness and ability to address and recover from hazards, using parameters like socioeconomic status, minority status, housing, and transportation.&nbsp;



The analysis showed that while fire risks surged for everyone, socially vulnerable groups faced a disproportionate escalation in risk.



The variations in vulnerability among the three states are pronounced. For instance, in California, a mere 8% of those affected by wildfires were from high vulnerability groups, translating to almost 37,000 individuals.&nbsp;



In contrast, Oregon and Washington saw exposure rates of 45% and 44% respectively for their socially vulnerable populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-vs-rural-exposure">Urban vs. rural exposure</h2>



One intriguing revelation from the study was the difference in wildfire exposure based on urban and rural settings. California's majority of exposed individuals lived in cities, while those in Oregon and Washington predominantly resided in rural areas.



“These data show that there is no single strategy for wildfire preparation and response,” Fleishman said. “Instead, they indicate responses might be honed to reflect the needs of individual communities with different risk factors.”



In some areas, that may mean paying particular attention to residents who are older or mobility limited, and in other areas, it might mean adapting materials to ensure they can reach non-English speaking communities, said the researchers.



“The underlying factors, such as business decisions, that exacerbate climate change and increase wildfire risk also decrease the resilience of at-risk communities,” Sadegh said. “A more just and equitable economy can mitigate the compounded effects of physical and social vulnerabilities.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh4615">Science Advances</a>.



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Wildfires amplify risks for socially vulnerable populations in Western states

A recent study has revealed that socially vulnerable groups in...

Two recent studies led by <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a> has found that, although human-made ponds both sequester and release greenhouse gases, when added up, they may unfortunately be net emitters.&nbsp;



These studies aim to elucidate the consequential impacts of both anthropogenic and natural ponds on the global greenhouse gas budget – a field still shrouded in uncertainty.



“Global climate models and predictions rely on accurate accounting of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage,” said Meredith Holgerson, an assistant professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell and the senior author of both studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research-nbsp">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



Prior estimates by Holgerson and her team suggest that ponds, categorized as bodies of water five hectares (12 acres) or smaller – with an estimated total of one billion such ponds globally – could be responsible for approximately five percent of global methane emissions.&nbsp;



However, the real figure might range from half to double of this estimate, highlighting the necessity for accurate measurements across diverse water bodies.



The first paper, “<a href="https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lol2.10351">High Rates of Carbon Burial Linked to Autochthonous Production in Artificial Ponds</a>,” published on August 18 in the journal Limnology and Oceanography Letters, examined the amount of carbon sequestered in 22 of the Cornell Experimental Ponds. Established in 1964, these 50 identical ponds offer meticulously controlled environments and a wealth of data from preceding research, enabling scientists to assess the impact of management activities on carbon storage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-sinking-rates">Carbon sinking rates</h2>



Through a comprehensive examination of past management practices and in-depth measurements of sediment cores and thickness, the researchers determined the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-sinks-are-a-powerful-weapon-against-climate-change/">carbon sinking</a> rates in these ponds. The findings revealed that these rates were comparable to those of wetlands and mangroves and surpassed those of lakes.



The experts also discovered the influential role of aquatic flora, fish, and certain nutrient ratios on carbon sinking rates. Proper nutrient balance enhances plant growth, leading to increased carbon deposition at the pond’s bottom after plant decay.



Despite the paucity of data on organic carbon sequestration in natural ponds, the extrapolation of their findings allowed the researchers to gauge the total carbon sinking rate in both natural and artificial ponds globally.&nbsp;



The investigation revealed that these ponds might account for 65 percent to 87 percent of the total carbon sequestered by all lakes, underscoring a global underestimation of carbon sequestration in ponds and lakes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenhouse-gas-emissions-nbsp">Greenhouse gas emissions&nbsp;</h2>



The second study, “<a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023GL104235">High Intra-Seasonal Variability in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Temperate Constructed Ponds</a>,” published on September 19 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, delved into the seasonal variance in greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly carbon dioxide and methane, from four Cornell Experimental Ponds.



“Global estimates of greenhouse gas budgets from ponds are highly uncertain, in part due to lack of temporal measurements,” said study lead author Nicholas Ray, a postdoctoral fellow in Holgerson’s lab.&nbsp;



The researchers found that methane, a gas 25 times more impactful on global warming than carbon dioxide, constituted the majority of the annual emissions, with significant seasonal fluctuations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-monitoring-is-needed">Regular monitoring is needed</h2>



The research outlined how ponds assimilate carbon dioxide during the plant growth season in early summer and release it later, with methane emissions being consistent but varying greatly on a week-to-week basis, indicating the necessity of regular monitoring.



Moreover, the study highlighted the correlation between water stratification, methane production, and increased emissions, emphasizing the significance of frequent sampling in mitigating methane levels.&nbsp;



The microbial production of methane on pond beds was found to be contingent on low-oxygen conditions, which is disrupted when water is mixed by winds or sudden cooling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane-mitigation-strategies-nbsp">Methane mitigation strategies&nbsp;</h2>



Both studies reveal that, due to the substantial methane emissions, ponds are net contributors to greenhouse gases, overshadowing the carbon sequestered in the sediments.&nbsp;



However, the studies also highlight the potential for transitioning ponds from net emitters to net absorbers of greenhouse gases through the application of methane mitigation strategies, such as the use of bubblers or underwater circulators.



“If we could reduce that methane number, we could potentially flip these ponds from being net emitters to net sinks, but we have to get a handle on that methane,” Holgerson concluded.



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Ponds release more greenhouse gases than they store

Two recent studies led by Cornell University has found that,...

Portrait,Of,Woman,With,Dog

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-dogs-have-exceptional-learning-capacities/">Dogs</a> may be baffled by our slang and colloquial expressions, but their capacity to grasp human feelings and even parts of our language is remarkable.&nbsp;



Those who love dogs realize that these furry companions offer more than just playing fetch and pleading for snacks. They have evolved into compassionate confidants and crucial contributors to the emotional health of their owners.



Recently, the language tutoring company <a href="https://preply.com/">Preply</a> conducted a survey involving more than 1,000 dog owners in America to delve deeper into the interaction between humans and dogs, unveiling the complexities of their communication skills and ways of connecting with humans.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-insights-from-the-survey-nbsp">Key insights from the survey&nbsp;</h2>



<ol>
<li>The typical American dog comprehends 18 words used by humans.</li>



<li>For one in three owners, dogs are more emotionally attuned to them than their partners.</li>



<li>77 percent of those surveyed feel their dogs truly listen to them.</li>



<li>Beyond basic commands, the word “love” tops the list of human words understood by dogs.</li>



<li>Around one-third of owners note their dogs’ excitement during FaceTime calls.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-recognizing-human-language-nbsp">Dogs recognizing human language&nbsp;</h2>



The survey revealed that the average dog in America understands 18 words, a vocabulary extending beyond the usual commands. Interestingly, “love” and “happy” are among the recognized words, indicating dogs’ awareness of affectionate and positive terms.&nbsp;



These findings add another layer to our comprehension of dogs’ cognitive abilities, suggesting that a profound emotional connection exists between dogs and humans.&nbsp;



A substantial 66 percent of those surveyed perceive their dogs more as humans than pets, showcasing the familial status of dogs in households.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-top-ten-words">Top ten words</h2>



Here are the top 10 words that the dogs recognize (excluding widely used commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “outside” etc.):



<ol>
<li>Love</li>



<li>Car</li>



<li>Cookie</li>



<li>Bye-bye</li>



<li>Baby</li>



<li>Grandma</li>



<li>Home&nbsp;</li>



<li>Ice cream</li>



<li>TV</li>



<li>Happy</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication-beyond-words-nbsp">Communication beyond words&nbsp;</h2>



The essence of communication is deeply rooted in the desire for connection, which is evident in the interactions between dogs and their owners.&nbsp;



The survey demonstrates that communication transcends words, fostering a deep emotional understanding, acknowledged by both dog owners and language enthusiasts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeling-understood-by-canine-companions-nbsp">Feeling understood by canine companions&nbsp;</h2>



The study reveals that dogs serve as empathetic listeners, with nearly half of the owners conversing with their dogs multiple times daily.&nbsp;



The frequency of these dialogues varies across genders and generations, but the outcome remains consistent – 77 percent of owners feel emotionally heard by their dogs. This indicates that dogs offer not just companionship but genuine emotional support.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unparalleled-emotional-understanding">Unparalleled emotional understanding</h2>



The emotional rapport between dogs and humans is clearly unique, with dogs often providing more comfort than human partners.&nbsp;



A notable proportion of both male and female dog owners feel more understood by their dogs than their partners, emphasizing the extraordinary empathetic nature of our four-legged friends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shared-interests-and-technological-interaction">Shared interests and technological interaction</h2>



The survey also suggests that dogs are attuned to their owners’ interests and technological habits.&nbsp;



A considerable number of dogs exhibit excitement during video calls and react positively to social media sounds, showcasing their connection to our emotional states and experiences, even in the digital realm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-active-participants-in-communication-nbsp">Active participants in communication&nbsp;</h2>



Thus, the relationship between humans and dogs is significantly influenced by both spoken and emotional language.&nbsp;



Despite their inability to articulate human words or understand our colloquialisms, dogs respond to our emotions and expressions, proving they are active participants in communication rather than just passive recipients of our words.&nbsp;



These findings shed new light on how communication extends beyond spoken language, and could be applied in better understanding how humans learn new languages and devising novel approaches to teach linguistic skills.



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American dogs know 18 words, and "love" is at the top of the list

Dogs may be baffled by our slang and colloquial expressions,...

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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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https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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