<p>Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. </p>



<p>But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks.</p>



<p>In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">wildfires</a>, adding to the already mounting risks across the West.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-is-fueling-more-wildfires">Lightning is fueling more wildfires</h2>



<p>Wildfires need a few things to get going: dry fuel, hot temperatures, low humidity, and a spark. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-is-changing-the-atmosphere-in-surprising-ways/">Lightning</a> is one of the most powerful natural igniters.</p>



<p>In the western U.S., lightning already causes more than two-thirds of the area burned by wildfires. And now, new research shows that number is going to rise sharply due to climate change. </p>



<p>Warmer air holds more moisture, which means more unstable weather patterns. Those patterns, in turn, set the stage for more lightning.</p>



<p>A recent study has revealed that virtually all of the western U.S. - 98 percent of the region - will have more days with a greater likelihood of lightning-ignited wildfires starting as early as the 2030s. </p>



<p>For regions already accustomed to such fires, such as Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, the risk is even greater. As early as 2060, those states may have as many as 12 additional lightning-filled days per summer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-to-forecast-lightning">A model to forecast lightning</h2>



<p>Traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/">climate models</a> don’t really track lightning. That’s why a team of researchers led by Dmitri Kalashnikov built their own system to fill in the gaps.</p>



<p>“The first step was to project lightning,” said Kalashnikov, a research scientist at the <a href="https://www.ucmerced.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California Merced</a>. “The typical climate models don’t directly simulate lightning. It’s too small a process.”</p>



<p>The researchers applied machine learning to forecast where lightning would hit based on variables that we can quantify - such as temperature, humidity, and the level of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moisture-in-the-atmosphere-causes-extreme-weather-to-last-longer/">moisture in the air</a>. </p>



<p>The team merged those results with the Fire Weather Index (FWI), a mechanism that was developed back in 1968 to monitor how probable wildfire initiation and spread is from local weather.</p>



<p>The result is a forecast model tailored to the western U.S., designed to project conditions from 2030 to 2060 - decades earlier than most studies, which typically look only to the end of the century.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-lightning-in-the-northwest">More lightning in the Northwest</h2>



<p>The northwestern states of Idaho, Oregon, and Montana are projected to experience the greatest growth in lightning days. But strangely, they may not experience the most rapid expansion in wildfires. </p>



<p>Although lightning will grow, the conditions favoring fires (such as extreme heat or dryness) are not expected to worsen as quickly in the Northwest compared to other regions.</p>



<p>That doesn’t mean northwestern states are off the hook. Cloud-to-ground lightning, the kind that hits trees or grass directly, is still expected to rise significantly in those areas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-lightning-greater-wildfire-risk">Less lightning, greater wildfire risk</h2>



<p>In contrast, the Southwest - including Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico - won’t see as much of a jump in lightning strikes. But the fire risk will still climb. </p>



<p>This is because even a small spark becomes a big threat when the land is extra dry, the heat is intense, and there’s little rain to cool things off.</p>



<p>The researchers found that these southern states are likely to experience the biggest increases in wildfires caused by lightning, despite the smaller bump in lightning activity. That’s because climate change is pushing up the number of fire-prone days overall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dry-and-wet-lightning">Dry and wet lightning</h2>



<p>Kalashnikov said the next steps could involve separating the kinds of lightning events. “You can’t help but wonder what the future will look like, especially if you dig in and you realize that there’s actually a lot that we don’t understand,” he said.</p>



<p>One key factor will be figuring out how to distinguish between "dry lightning" and "wet lightning." Dry lightning happens without much rain, making it a fire hazard. </p>



<p>Wet lightning brings <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-rainfall-poses-extreme-risks-in-the-western-us/">heavy rain</a>, which can reduce fire risk but increase flood danger. Understanding that difference could help emergency services respond more precisely to fire threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-risks-are-rising-fast">Wildfire risks are rising fast</h2>



<p>As climate patterns shift, the West isn’t just getting warmer and drier - it’s getting stormier in a dangerous way. Lightning is expected to spark more fires, and fires are expected to find more dry fuel waiting. It’s a feedback loop that could reshape fire seasons in the U.S.</p>



<p>This isn’t about something that might happen a hundred years from now. The changes are coming within the next few decades - some may already be happening. </p>



<p>And for the people living in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/double-hazard-wildfire-zones-identified-in-the-american-west/">high-risk areas</a>, that means more heat, more smoke, and a greater need for preparation.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025EF006108" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a></em>.</p>



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Lightning will ignite even more wildfires as the climate heats up

Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks. In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for wildfires, adding to the already mounting risks across the West. Lightning is fueling more wildfires Wildfires need a few things to get...

<p>As the western North American forests, particularly those adapted to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/repeated-fires-reduce-the-ability-of-forests-to-store-carbon/">fires</a>, experience a drastic shift in their fire regimes, the effects on the various species that call these forests home are starting to emerge. This shift, characterized by a deviation from historic norms, has seen an increase in large, high-severity fires.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The impacts of wildfire on some species have been devastating, while the responses of others remain largely unknown, particularly over longer time scales. The mountain quail, a widely distributed species in California's Sierra Nevada, is one such creature whose response to wildfires has been ambiguous, until now.</p>



<p>The mountain quail is not just a unique presence in the Sierra Nevada, but also a recreationally-valued management indicator species. These birds have an elusive nature, largely attributed to their preference for dense habitats, high elevations and steep slopes, which makes them notoriously difficult to study.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A recent study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s42408-023-00180-9"><em>Fire Ecology</em></a>, has investigated the relationship between mountain quail habitats and fire ecology. The research was a collective effort of scientists from the <a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/">Cornell Lab of Ornithology</a>, the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Montana.</p>



<p>In an effort to map the distribution and habitat preferences of the mountain quail, the experts deployed 1,636 autonomous recording units across approximately 22,000 square kilometers of the Sierra Nevada.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The analysis revealed that mountain quail are more common than previously assumed, with their mean occupancy hovering around 50 percent across the study sites. The researchers were surprised to find positive associations between areas that had been subjected to high-severity fires and mountain quail occupancy.</p>



<p>Interestingly, mountain quail seemed most positively associated with areas that had experienced high-severity fire in the last six to ten years. However, positive associations were also found in areas with high-severity fires that had occurred anywhere between one and 35 years prior.</p>



<p>These results come at a time when future fire regimes in the Sierra Nevada are expected to see more frequent and larger high-severity fires. While this has been projected to adversely affect many iconic Sierra Nevada species, it appears the mountain quail may prove to be an exception.</p>



<p>"Our work demonstrates that high-severity fire is strongly and positively related to mountain quail occupancy, which is a markedly different response than previously studied species that are also of management concern in the Sierra Nevada. Taken together, our results suggest that mountain quail may actually be 'winners' in the face of altered fire regimes in the Sierra Nevada," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"Given the forecasted intensification of large, severe wildfires in many fire-adapted forests, understanding the ecology and nuanced fire responses of species beyond those that have been historically considered is an important and time-sensitive effort. The relationship between mountain quail and high-severity fire is a reminder that there will be both winners and losers as the dynamics of wildfire change in the era of climate change."</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-fires-in-the-western-united-states">More about fires in the Western United States</h2>



<p>The Western United States has a long-standing relationship with wildfires, largely due to its climate and vegetation types. Over the last few decades, however, the severity and frequency of these fires have been on the rise, largely attributed to climate change and human activities.</p>



<p>The region's Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, provides the perfect conditions for fires to ignite and spread. This is especially true in areas dominated by fire-prone vegetation such as chaparral and conifer forests.</p>



<p>In recent years, the region has been grappling with prolonged periods of drought, which have been exacerbated by rising global temperatures. These harsh conditions cause vegetation to dry out, making it easier for fires to ignite and spread rapidly.</p>



<p>Human activities have also played a role in the escalating wildfire crisis. Urban expansion into wildland areas, known as the wildland-urban interface, has increased the risk of fire ignitions. Simultaneously, decades of fire suppression policies have resulted in an accumulation of vegetation in many forests, effectively providing more fuel for fires when they do occur.</p>



<p>The impact of these wildfires can be devastating, leading to loss of life, property, and extensive damage to ecosystems. They also contribute to air pollution, which can have far-reaching effects on human health.</p>



<p>However, it's important to note that fire, in its natural state, plays a crucial role in many western ecosystems. It helps recycle nutrients, encourages the growth of certain plant species, and can help control pests and diseases. Some species, such as the lodgepole pine, even require fire for their seeds to germinate.</p>



<p>Going forward, experts suggest that managing this escalating wildfire crisis will require a combination of strategies. These could include forest management practices that reduce the accumulation of vegetation, designing and planning communities to be more fire-resistant, and adapting firefighting strategies to deal with the realities of a changing climate.</p>



<p>The situation underscores the delicate balance that exists between human activities, natural ecosystems, and the changing climate. As we continue to see the effects of climate change, understanding and managing wildfires in the Western United States will remain a significant challenge.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-future-of-wildfires">The future of wildfires</h2>



<p>The future of wildfires, particularly in the context of the Western United States, is a topic that's increasingly gaining attention from scientists, policymakers, and communities alike. As climate change continues to intensify, it's likely that the patterns of wildfire we're seeing today will change, potentially becoming more frequent and severe.</p>



<p>One of the most significant factors influencing the future of wildfires is climate change. Rising global temperatures have already been linked to more prolonged periods of drought and higher rates of evaporation, causing vegetation to dry out and become more susceptible to burning. This trend is expected to continue, making fire seasons longer and potentially more destructive.</p>



<p>Additionally, climate change is influencing weather patterns, leading to more extreme weather events, including high winds and lightning storms, which can quickly ignite and spread wildfires. It's predicted that such weather events will become more frequent and intense in the future, further escalating the risk of wildfires.</p>



<p>Human activities will also continue to shape the future of wildfires. Urban development is encroaching further into wildland areas, creating what's known as the wildland-urban interface, where the risk of wildfires is significantly higher. This interface is expected to expand as population growth and housing demand continue, resulting in more human-started fires.</p>



<p>However, the future of wildfires is not entirely bleak. There's growing recognition of the need to adapt our practices and policies to the new wildfire reality. For instance, forest management practices are evolving to incorporate controlled or "prescribed" burns that reduce the buildup of vegetation and mitigate the risk of larger, uncontrolled fires. These practices are inspired by Indigenous land management techniques that have been used for thousands of years.</p>



<p>Fire-resistant construction and landscaping are also becoming more prevalent, particularly in high-risk areas. Community planning and development regulations are starting to reflect the need to live more safely with fire.</p>



<p>Finally, advancements in technology are providing us with better tools for predicting, detecting, and responding to wildfires. For example, improved climate modeling can help anticipate future fire seasons, satellite technology can quickly detect new fires, and machine learning algorithms can help predict a fire's path.</p>



<p>While the future of wildfires is a significant concern, it's a challenge that we're not facing blindly. By combining our growing understanding of fire behavior, climate change, and forest ecology with advancements in technology and evolving policy, we can hope to mitigate the worst effects of future wildfires.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Severe wildfires could prove beneficial for mountain quail

As the western North American forests, particularly those adapted to...

<p>Over the past few decades, a large number of Germany’s animal populations in agricultural landscapes have experienced sharp declines, both in the number of individuals and species. According to a recent study published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14400"><em>Journal of Applied Ecology</em></a>, fallow land – arable land left without sowing for one or more vegetative cycles – appears to be an effective method for slowing this decline and promoting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-diversity-suffers-in-urban-environments/">bird diversity</a>.</p>



<p>The experts investigated the correlation between the proportion of fallow land and the number and abundance of farmland birds during a period of nine years. They discovered that areas of fallow land have contributed to a significant increase in these birds’ populations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Nevertheless, the benefits of fallow land were found to depend on the complexity of the surrounding landscape, measured by the density of boundary lines between fields, as well as between fields and adjacent woody structures such as hedges or forest edges.</p>



<p>The analysis revealed that establishing areas of fallow land is most effective in agricultural landscapes with a medium level of structural complexity, with an average density of around 65 meters per hectare of agricultural land.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our research enabled us to identify regions where fallow land should preferably be established in order to have the greatest effect,” said study co-author Sebastian Klimek, an expert in the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes at the <a href="https://www.thuenen.de/en/">Thünen Institute of Biodiversity</a>.</p>



<p>“In order to stop declining populations of farmland birds nationwide, it is necessary to maintain a minimum proportion of fallow land in the agricultural landscape,” added senior author Johannes Kamp, a landscape ecologist and conservation scientist at the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html">University of Göttingen</a>.</p>



<p>The total area of fallow land in Germany is largely determined by EU’s <a href="https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/cap-overview/cap-glance_en">Common Agricultural Policy</a> (CAP). Due to changes in this policy, the amount of fallow land in Germany has decreased substantially since the early 2000s, leading to a lack of suitable breeding sites and food for a variety of bird species. </p>



<p>Although the “greening” of the last CAP funding period has slightly increased the area of fallow land from 2015, the current amount of such land remains far below the levels observed before 2007.</p>



<p>Fortunately, in the new CAP support period starting this year, farms will be obliged to set aside four percent of their arable land, which could contribute to increases in farmland bird populations. However, in order to restore their pre-2007 levels and thus enhance biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, a further increase would be required.</p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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

Fallow land can help save farmland birds

Over the past few decades, a large number of Germany’s...

<p>As global temperatures continue to rise, urban areas are facing increased levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/at-what-point-does-heat-stress-become-dangerous/">heat stress</a>. While cities are generally warmer and drier than rural areas, in the Global South, humidity represents another complicating factor. By using observational data and an urban climate model calculation, a team of scientists led by <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale University</a> has recently investigated the combined impact of temperature and humidity on urban heat stress.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The analysis revealed that heat stress is highly dependent on local climate, and humidity can erase the cooling effect that would come from trees and other vegetation.</p>



<p>“A widely held view is that urban residents suffer more heat burden than the general population owing to the urban heat island phenomenon. This view is incomplete because it omits another ubiquitous urban microclimate phenomenon called the urban dry island - that urban land tends to be less humid than the surrounding rural land,” said study senior author Xuhui Lee, a professor of Meteorology at Yale.</p>



<p>“In dry, temperate, and boreal climates, urban residents are actually less heat-stressed than rural residents. But in the humid Global South, the urban heat island is dominant over the urban dry island, resulting in two to six extra dangerous heat stress days per summer.”</p>



<p>Since a large percentage of the population currently lives in urban settings (about 55 percent of the world’s population), and many people do not have access to air conditioning while temperatures continue to rise, clarifying which factors affect urban climates is necessary.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to the experts, urban land modifies both air temperature and air humidity, which have equal weight in heat stress as measured by the so-called “wet-bulb temperature index,” which does not weigh temperature more heavily than humidity as other heat indexes.</p>



<p>These findings raise a series of important questions. “Green vegetation can lower air temperature via water evaporation, but it can also increase heat burden because of air humidity. The question then is to what extent this humidifying effect erases the cooling benefit arising from temperature reduction. We hope to answer this question in a follow-up study, where we are comparing observations of the wet-bulb temperature in urban greenspaces (with dense tree cover) and those in built-up neighborhoods,” said Lee.</p>



<p>Further research is needed to find efficient ways of mitigating heat stress in urban settings. “Our diagnostic analysis on the urban wet-bulb island found that enhancing urban convection efficiency (the efficiency in dissipating heat and water) and reducing heat storage at night can reduce daytime and nighttime urban humid heat, respectively. We hope that our work will promote more research on optimizing urban shapes and materials for better thermal comforts,” concluded lead author Keer Zhang, a PhD student in Environmental Sciences at Yale.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05911-1"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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

Humidity increases urban heat stress

As global temperatures continue to rise, urban areas are facing...

<p>The global decline of insect populations has become increasingly evident in recent years, with not just a decrease in individual insect numbers but also a collapse in insect diversity. A special issue of the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2023.0007"><em>Biology Letters</em></a> has been published to provide a comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of this alarming trend.</p>



<p>The special issue was edited by Dr. Florian Menzel from the Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), Professor Martin Gossner of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), and Dr. Nadja Simons of TU Darmstadt.</p>



<p>The experts concluded that the primary drivers of the worldwide insect decline are land-use intensification, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-affects-ground-squirrels-in-unexpected-ways/">climate change</a>, and the spread of invasive animal species due to human trade.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Our aim was not to document insect population declines but to better understand their causes and consequences," said Dr. Menzel. The researchers also aimed to prompt new studies on the subject by collaborating with international researchers to gather information on insect declines.</p>



<p>The results suggest that not only do land-use intensification, global warming, and the dispersal of invasive species contribute individually to the disappearance of insects, but they also interact with one another.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Ecosystems deteriorated by humans are more susceptible to climate change and so are their insect communities," explained Dr. Menzel.</p>



<p>Additionally, invasive species can more easily establish themselves in habitats damaged by human activity, displacing native species. As a result, while many insect species decline or become extinct, a few others, including invasive species, thrive and increase. This decreases diversity among insect communities across habitats.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Specialized insect species suffer the most from these changes, while more generalized species tend to survive. "This is why we are now finding more insects capable of living nearly anywhere while those species that need specific habitats are on the wane," said Dr. Menzel.</p>



<p>The consequences of this development are far-reaching and generally detrimental for ecosystems. A decline in insect diversity threatens the stability of ecosystems, as fewer species are available to pollinate plants and control pests. This, in turn, means there is less food available for insect-eating birds and other animals, placing their continued existence at risk due to the decline in insect numbers.</p>



<p>To address this issue, Menzel, Gossner, and Simons propose standardized techniques to monitor insect diversity across multiple habitats and countries, particularly in regions where little is known about insect populations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts also advocate for the creation of a network of interconnected nature reserves to allow species to move from one habitat to another. This would enable less heat-tolerant insects to migrate from areas affected by global warming to higher elevations or cooler regions in the north.</p>



<p>Moreover, the researchers emphasize the importance of implementing measures to reduce the dispersal of invasive animal and plant species through globalized trade and tourism.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This is another problem that has become extremely serious in the last decades," concluded Dr. Menzel. The special issue highlights the invasion of non-native insectivorous fishes in Brazil as an example, which has led to a significant decline in freshwater insects.</p>



<h2 id="h-which-insects-are-disappearing">Which insects are disappearing?</h2>



<p>As of September 2021, the most rapidly declining insects include bees, butterflies, and moths, largely due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change.</p>



<h3 id="h-bees">Bees</h3>



<p>Bees, particularly honeybees and bumblebees, are facing significant declines across the globe. These pollinators are essential for many ecosystems and for agricultural production. Reasons for their decline include loss of flower-rich habitats, exposure to harmful pesticides (neonicotinoids, in particular), diseases, parasites, and climate change.</p>



<h3 id="h-butterflies-and-moths">Butterflies and Moths</h3>



<p>These are also experiencing rapid declines, with many species becoming increasingly rare. Habitat loss, intensive agriculture, pesticides, light pollution, and climate change all contribute to their dwindling numbers.</p>



<h3 id="h-beetles">Beetles</h3>



<p>Some species of beetles, such as certain types of dung beetles, are also facing significant declines. These insects play a crucial role in decomposition and nutrient recycling, and their loss can have profound effects on ecosystem functioning.</p>



<h3 id="h-aquatic-insects">Aquatic insects</h3>



<p>Freshwater ecosystems are under great pressure from pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change. This has led to declines in many species of aquatic insects, such as dragonflies and mayflies.</p>



<h3 id="h-insectivorous-insects">Insectivorous insects</h3>



<p>Certain species that rely on other insects for food, like certain types of ants and ladybugs, are also seeing their numbers decline as their food sources become less abundant.</p>



<p>It's important to note that while some insect species are declining, others may be increasing, potentially leading to a shift in community composition and ecosystem function. Also, data on insect declines is much stronger for some regions (like Europe and North America) compared to others, so global patterns may vary.</p>



<h2 id="h-climate-change-and-global-insect-decline">Climate change and global insect decline </h2>



<p>Climate change affects insects in several ways, primarily through alterations in temperature, precipitation patterns, and the timing of seasonal events. Here are some key impacts:</p>



<h3 id="h-temperature-changes">Temperature Changes</h3>



<p>Many insects are ectotherms, meaning their body temperature and metabolic rates are directly influenced by the environment. Warmer temperatures can accelerate their life cycles, but extreme heat can also be lethal. Conversely, some insects may expand their range into previously cooler regions as those areas warm up.</p>



<h3 id="h-altered-seasonal-timing">Altered Seasonal Timing</h3>



<p>Many insects synchronize their life cycles with specific seasonal events, like the blooming of certain plants or the availability of prey. Changes in the timing of these events due to climate change, a phenomenon known as phenological mismatch, can have detrimental effects. For example, if insects hatch after their primary food sources are available, it can lead to high mortality rates.</p>



<h3 id="h-habitat-loss">Habitat Loss</h3>



<p>Climate change can lead to habitat loss for certain insects. For example, insects adapted to cold mountain environments may "run out of mountain" as their habitable zones shift upward with warming temperatures. Similarly, insects living in coastal areas may lose habitat due to sea-level rise.</p>



<h3 id="h-drought-and-precipitation-changes">Drought and Precipitation Changes</h3>



<p>Changes in rainfall patterns can affect insect populations. Drought can reduce food availability and breeding sites, while increased rainfall can drown insects or lead to disease outbreaks.</p>



<h3 id="h-changes-in-plant-communities">Changes in Plant Communities</h3>



<p>Climate change can lead to shifts in plant communities, which can affect plant-dependent insects. For example, changes in plant nutritional quality due to elevated CO2 levels can impact herbivorous insects.</p>



<h3 id="h-increased-extreme-events">Increased Extreme Events</h3>



<p>More frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as storms, floods, and heatwaves, can directly kill insects or destroy their habitats.</p>



<h3 id="h-interactions-with-other-stressors">Interactions with Other Stressors</h3>



<p>Climate change can exacerbate the impacts of other stressors like habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species, leading to additive or multiplicative effects on insect populations.</p>



<p>The specific impacts of climate change on insects can vary widely depending on the species and its particular ecology, life history, and geographical location.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Global insect decline: What are the causes and consequences?

The global decline of insect populations has become increasingly evident...

<p>A recent study led by <a href="https://www.vt.edu/">Virginia Tech</a> has found that sections of the Chesapeake Bay are sinking at a rate of nearly seven millimeters per year. Unfortunately, up-to-date knowledge of where the ground is sinking and by how much is currently not included in the official planning maps which authorities use to assess the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-flood-risks-plague-the-us-housing-market/">flooding risk</a> from rising sea levels.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This phenomenon poses a significant challenge to present and future management efforts, which are likely to either underestimate or overestimate flooding risk to coastal communities from the Virginia shoreline.</p>



<p>The scientists used interferometric imaging with synthetic aperture radar from the Earth’s orbit to measure how much the land along the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/ice-in-the-chesapeake-bay/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chesapeake Bay’s shoreline</a> had sunk between 2007 and 2020. By using this data, they estimated potential flooding through the 21<sup>st</sup> century caused by land elevation changes, sea level rise, and storm surges.</p>



<p>“Although we found that most of the bay is sinking by less than 2 millimeters a year, in several areas we discovered subsidence rates of 4 to 5 millimeters per year and more,” said study lead author Sonam Futi Sherpa, a doctoral student in Geosciences at Virginia Tech.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some hotspots of land subsidence occurring at a relatively higher rate and further exacerbating the effects of sea level rise and storm surges include Norfolk, Newport News, and Virginia Beach (parts of Chesapeake Bay's Hampton Roads). While many of these hotspots are sites of intense anthropogenic activity, such as groundwater pumping causing the compaction of aquifer systems, some of them are areas where land is lost due to erosion.</p>



<p>When examining various sea-level rise scenarios compounded with the effects of land subsidence, the scientists found that, by the end of the century, between 454 and 600 square kilometers will face a significant risk of flooding. In addition, massive storm surges such as 2003’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/hurricane-isabel-north-atlantic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hurricane Isabel</a> could increase the flooded area from 849 to 1,117 square kilometers under a very high greenhouse emissions scenario.</p>



<p>“There are many estimates and models for sea-level rise, but they all fall short because they don’t take into account land elevation changes,” said co-author Manoochcher Shirzaei, an associate professor of Radar Remote Sensing Engineering and Environmental Security at Virginia Tech.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When formerly dry land becomes flooded, it causes saltwater contamination of surface and underground water, and it accelerates coastal erosion and wetland losses. The flooding hazards maps of the Chesapeake Bay area need to be updated with the measurements of land elevation changes and updated projections of sea level rise.”</p>



<p>According to the researchers, sinking ground along the shoreline significantly magnifies the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cause-widespread-impacts-sooner-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a>: as the ground goes down and the sea level comes up, flood waters will go much further inland. However, since various locations face different rates of land subsidence, long-term solutions to mitigate emergent problems should be tailored to each individual situation.</p>



<p>“Adaptation to relative sea level rises comprises three main categories of defense: protection, accommodation, and retreat. And coastal communities can choose and pick from a long list of options, such as upgrading protection facilities (e.g. dams), raising lands, maintaining and restoring wetlands protection, controlling subsidence, improving flood resiliency, selective relocation of important infrastructure, and installing flood warning systems,” Shirzaei concluded.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-sea-level-rise">More about sea level rise</h2>



<p>Sea level rise refers to the increase in the average global sea level, primarily driven by the melting of ice sheets and glaciers, as well as the expansion of seawater due to rising temperatures. This phenomenon is a significant consequence of climate change and poses substantial challenges to both human societies and the environment.</p>



<h3>Impacts on humanity</h3>



<h4>Coastal flooding</h4>



<p>As sea levels rise, the frequency and intensity of coastal flooding events increase, threatening the lives and properties of millions of people living in low-lying coastal areas.</p>



<h4>Erosion and loss of land</h4>



<p>Shorelines recede due to increased erosion, leading to the loss of valuable land, including agricultural fields, residential areas, and infrastructure.</p>



<h4>Displacement of populations</h4>



<p>Rising sea levels can lead to the permanent inundation of coastal areas, forcing millions of people to relocate. Climate refugees may face social, economic, and political challenges as they seek new homes.</p>



<h4>Damage to infrastructure</h4>



<p>Critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and power plants, can be damaged or destroyed by rising sea levels and the resulting increased flooding.</p>



<h4>Economic impact</h4>



<p>The loss of land, displacement of populations, and damage to infrastructure can significantly impact regional and global economies, disrupting trade, tourism, and other economic activities.</p>



<h3>Impacts on the environment</h3>



<h4>Loss of coastal ecosystems</h4>



<p>Rising sea levels can lead to the loss of critical coastal habitats such as wetlands, mangroves, and salt marshes. These ecosystems serve important ecological functions, including providing habitat for numerous species, filtering pollutants, and acting as natural buffers against storms and flooding.</p>



<h4>Saltwater intrusion</h4>



<p>As sea levels rise, saltwater can infiltrate freshwater aquifers and estuaries, affecting the quality and availability of drinking water and harming freshwater ecosystems.</p>



<h4>Changes in ocean chemistry</h4>



<p>Rising sea levels can lead to changes in the distribution and concentration of nutrients and pollutants in the ocean, which can impact marine life and ecosystems.</p>



<h4>Altered species distribution</h4>



<p>Sea level rise can affect the distribution of marine species by altering their habitats, potentially leading to shifts in the composition and structure of ecosystems.</p>



<h4>Impacts on coral reefs</h4>



<p>Coral reefs, which are essential for the survival of many marine species, can be negatively affected by sea level rise, as increased water depth can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the reefs, hindering the growth of the coral-building algae.</p>



<p>Mitigation and adaptation strategies are essential to minimize the impacts of sea level rise on humanity and the environment. These can include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, improving coastal infrastructure, implementing managed retreat strategies, and restoring and preserving critical coastal ecosystems.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB025993"><em>Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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

Sinking ground amplifies flood risk from sea level rise

A recent study led by Virginia Tech has found that...

Arbor Day: A celebration of trees and their unrivaled importance to the Earth

Hey there, tree-huggers and nature lovers! Today we're going to...

<p>In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca/">University of Waterloo</a> have introduced a novel mining technique that employs microbes to extract metals and store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-forests-are-losing-their-capacity-to-trap-carbon/">carbon</a> in the waste generated by mining activities. This innovative method of reusing mining waste, known as tailings, has the potential to revolutionize the mining industry by paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.</p>



<p>Tailings are a by-product of the mining process, consisting of fine-grained waste materials left after extracting the target ore mineral. These residual materials are then accumulated and stored using a technique called dry-stack tailing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As mining practices have evolved over time, they have become more efficient; however, the escalating climate crisis and the growing demand for critical minerals necessitate the development of new ore extraction and processing technologies.</p>



<p>Old tailings tend to contain higher amounts of critical minerals that can be extracted with the assistance of microbes through a process known as bioleaching. In this eco-friendly process, microbes break down the ore, releasing valuable metals that were not fully recovered, at a rate that is significantly faster than natural biogeochemical weathering processes.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



<p>Dr. Jenine McCutcheon, an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, explained: “We can take tailings that were produced in the past and recover more resources from those waste materials and, in doing so, also reduce the risk of residual metals entering into local waterways or groundwater.”</p>



<p>Beyond enhancing resource recovery, the microbes also capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it within the mine tailings as new minerals. This process aids in counterbalancing some of the emissions released during the mine's active period and assists in stabilizing the tailings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If applied to an entire mine, microbial mineral carbonation could offset over 30% of a mine site's annual greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, this microbial-driven technique adds value to historical mine tailings that are otherwise classified as industrial waste.</p>



<p>“This technique makes better use of current and past mine sites. Rethinking how future mine sites are designed in order to integrate this process could result in mines that are carbon neutral from the get-go rather than thinking about carbon storage as an add-on at the end," said McCutcheon.</p>



<p>“This technology is a potential game-changer in the fight against climate change, and the mining industry has a unique opportunity to play a significant role in the future of green energy.”</p>



<p>McCutcheon explained that the microbial-driven processes could propel the industry towards carbon-neutral or carbon-negative mining. However, to transition this technology towards large-scale deployment, active engagement from the industry is crucial.</p>



<p>Dr. McCutcheon published this research alongside co-author and associate Professor Ian Power of Trent University in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/"><em>PLOS Biology</em></a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-environmental-impact-of-mining">More about the environmental impact of mining</h2>



<p>Mine tailings are the waste materials generated during the extraction and processing of valuable minerals from ores. They typically consist of finely ground rock particles, water, and various chemicals used in the mineral separation process.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These waste materials are stored in tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or tailings dams, which can occupy vast tracts of land and pose significant environmental risks.</p>



<h3 id="h-the-environmental-impact-of-mining-and-mine-tailings-can-be-considerable-and-includes-the-following">The environmental impact of mining and mine tailings can be considerable and includes the following:</h3>



<h4 id="h-water-pollution">Water pollution</h4>



<p>The chemicals and heavy metals in tailings can leach into groundwater and surface water, contaminating water sources and causing harm to aquatic ecosystems. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a common problem, which occurs when sulfide minerals in the tailings react with air and water, forming sulfuric acid that dissolves heavy metals. This can lead to waterways becoming highly acidic and toxic to aquatic life.</p>



<h4 id="h-soil-contamination">Soil contamination</h4>



<p>Tailings can also contaminate soil with heavy metals and chemicals, which can adversely affect plant growth and the health of soil-dwelling organisms. This may result in the degradation of local ecosystems and reduced agricultural productivity.</p>



<h4 id="h-air-pollution">Air pollution</h4>



<p>Dust from tailings storage facilities can become airborne, contributing to air pollution and posing health risks to nearby communities. Moreover, the extraction and processing of minerals often involve the release of greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.</p>



<h4 id="h-habitat-destruction">Habitat destruction</h4>



<p>Mining operations often require the clearing of large areas of land, leading to the destruction of habitats and the displacement or loss of plant and animal species. This can also result in the fragmentation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.</p>



<h4 id="h-tailings-dam-failures">Tailings dam failures</h4>



<p>The structural failure of tailings dams can lead to catastrophic environmental disasters, as large volumes of toxic waste are released into the environment. This can cause widespread devastation to ecosystems, farmland, and nearby communities.</p>



<h4 id="h-long-term-environmental-risks">Long-term environmental risks:</h4>



<p>Mine tailings can pose long-term environmental risks due to their potential to leach contaminants and generate AMD even after mining operations have ceased. This necessitates ongoing monitoring and remediation efforts to prevent environmental damage.</p>



<p>Given these environmental impacts, there is a growing need for more sustainable and responsible mining practices. Techniques such as bioleaching, as mentioned in the previous answer, can help minimize the environmental footprint of mining activities by extracting valuable metals from tailings in an eco-friendly manner, reducing the need for new mines, and mitigating the risk of pollution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, the use of microbes to capture carbon dioxide and store it as minerals within the tailings can help offset some of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with mining.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Microbes can be used to store carbon and reuse mining waste

In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the University of Waterloo...

<p>Using hydrophones to “eavesdrop” on a reef off the coast of Goa, India, a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.nio.org/"><em>National Institute of Oceanography</em></a> (NIO) in Goa has recently recorded the duration and timing of mating and feeding sounds produced by 21 marine species. The recordings revealed that, while some species were early risers, making sounds from 3am onwards, others were more active later in the day, starting to create a ruckus from around 2pm.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Better understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-warming-is-transforming-the-underwater-soundscape/">underwater soundscapes</a> could shed new light on the behaviors of a variety of marine creatures, as well as on the impact human activities have on ocean life, including the effects of anthropogenic climate change on aquatic ecosystems.</p>



<p>“Acoustic monitoring of underwater environments will enable us to know more about the climate and its related long-term changes in the physical and biological condition of the underwater environment,” said co-author Bishwajit Chakraborty, a former chief scientist at NIO. “For example, as coral reefs are the hub of underwater biodiversity, conducting acoustic studies here is extremely essential to know the state and health of the reef and its inhabitants.”</p>



<p>This study – published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0017248"><em>Journal of the Acoustical Society of America</em></a> - will contribute to a larger project aiming to create a <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.810156/full">Global Library of Underwater Biological Sounds</a> (GLUBS). This project represents a major legacy of the decade-long <a href="https://www.iqoe.org/">International Quiet Ocean Experiment</a> (IQOE), a scientific program running until 2025 and promoting research, observations, and modelling to improve our understanding of ocean soundscapes and the effects of sound on marine species.</p>



<p>GLUBS will be designed as an open-access online platform aiming to collect global information about underwater soundscapes in order to broaden and standardize scientific and community knowledge of these phenomena. Among its many applications, this platform will help improve scientists’ ability to detect in hard-to-access underwater environment how the distribution and behavior of marine life responds to various pressures, such as climate change, fishing, resource development, plastic pollution, or anthropogenic noise.</p>



<p>“Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is an effective technique for sampling aquatic systems that is particularly useful in deep, dark, turbid, and rapidly changing or remote locations,” explained GLUBS leader Miles Parsons.</p>



<p>According to Parsons and his colleagues, GLUBS will not only create and maintain a database of all aquatic species confirmed or anticipated to produce sounds, but also help reveal currently unknown species and contribute to their eventual identification and classification.</p>



<p>“Unidentified sounds can provide valuable information on the richness of the soundscape, the acoustic communities that contribute to it, and behavioral interactions among acoustic groups. However, unknown, cryptic, and rare sounds are rarely target signals for research and monitoring projects and are, therefore, largely unreported,” Parsons said.</p>



<p>In addition, GLUBS will also help delineate essential fish habitats, estimate the biomass of spawning aggregations of commercially or recreationally important soniferous species, help evaluate the degradation and recovery of coral reefs, and identify the possible impact of oil and gas, wind power, and other offshore industries on marine ecosystems.</p>



<p>“We need to listen more in the blue symphony halls.&nbsp;Animal sounds are behavior, and we need to record and understand the sounds, if we want to know the status of ocean life,”&nbsp;concluded Jesse Ausubel, an environmental scientist at the Rockefeller University and one of IQOE’s originators.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Monitoring ocean life through underwater soundscapes

Using hydrophones to “eavesdrop” on a reef off the coast...

<p>In a fascinating new discovery, a team of scientists from the <a href="https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/">San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance</a> and the University of California, Santa Cruz has found that animals' genomic information can help predict which mammal species are more likely to face extinction.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers found that species with smaller historical populations tend to carry higher burdens of damaging mutations and have elevated extinction risk. This indicates that long-term demographic statistics play a crucial role in understanding a species' current conservation status and resiliency.</p>



<p>As our planet experiences rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/">biodiversity</a> loss, tens of thousands of species are at risk of dying out. Identifying the species in most urgent need of conservation is a challenging and expensive process, especially given the limited information available for many of them. This makes it difficult to allocate scarce conservation resources to target the species closest to the brink of extinction.</p>



<p>To address these limitations, the scientists examined the genomes of 240 mammal species, ranging from tiny tree shrews to towering giraffes, killer whales, and even humans.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered</h2>



<p>The experts discovered that the DNA encoded within a single genome – reflecting a species' history over millions of years – can provide a rapid, cost-effective conservation risk assessment. This information is useful even when we know little about the animals' physiological, behavioral, and life history characteristics, or how many individuals remain in the population.</p>



<p>"These results show that genetic information, even if only from a single individual for a given species, offers immediate, actionable guidance for scientists designing conservation strategies as well as those with boots in the field," said co-lead author Dr. Aryn P. Wilder, a conservation scientist at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.</p>



<p>"The limited resources available for the conservation of wildlife species require triage. Our genomic assessment provides a relatively inexpensive method to rapidly identify species at risk of becoming endangered in the future, even when little else is known about that species. This genomic triage enables managers to target limited resources toward species most in need," explained Megan Supple, a research scientist with the UCSC Paleogenomics Lab.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-done">How the study was done</h2>



<p>The researchers used the genomic information to train models that quickly distinguish between threatened and non-threatened species, based on demography, diversity, and mutations that impact fitness.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This will help assess extinction risk and identify which of the thousands of threatened species stand to benefit the most from conservation support. As the number of sequenced genomes grows and the models continue to improve, this approach will become increasingly valuable.</p>



<p>To demonstrate the potential of this genomic risk assessment, the scientists applied their models to three "data-deficient" species: the Upper Galilee Mountains blind mole rat, the lesser chevrotain, and the orca.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These are just a few examples of the thousands of species lacking information on whether they're threatened or not.</p>



<h2 id="h-why-this-study-is-groundbreaking">Why this study is groundbreaking</h2>



<p>The researchers examined the genomes of 240 species, revealing the potential for genomic information to play a vital role in conservation efforts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By analyzing such a vast number of species, scientists were able to estimate the genomic characteristics that best predict extinction risk and build genomic risk assessment models that can be used when other information is lacking.</p>



<p>The authors of the paper are advocating for the inclusion of genomic information in conservation status assessments of species. This would bridge the gap between geneticists and conservation managers, providing a framework for deploying money and resources to species at the highest risk.</p>



<p>“Many potentially endangered species are classified as ‘data deficient,’ meaning that we simply have too little information to determine whether immediate conservation action is required," said Dr. Beth Shapiro. "Our results show that a genome from a single individual can be sufficient to identify the most threatened of these ‘data deficient’ species, enabling us to focus our limited resources where they can be most impactful.”</p>



<p>Study co-senior author Dr. Oliver Ryder emphasized the importance of genomics in conservation efforts: “Our rapidly changing world threatens animal and plant species worldwide – but the use of genomics in conservation is a massive, underappreciated opportunity to protect them."</p>



<p>“We are in an unprecedented era of discovery – a whole new way of seeing the world. We’ve long thought this potential existed, but it’s profound to see it crystallize into a catalyst that will help conservationists make crucial decisions that may save the world as we know it," said Dr. Ryder.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-study">More about the study</h2>



<p>The study is part of the work of the Zoonomia Consortium, the largest comparative mammalian genomics resource in the world, involving more than 150 people worldwide.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A series of papers recently published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/"><em>Science</em></a> also demonstrate how comparative genomics can shed light on how certain species achieve extraordinary feats and help scientists better understand the functional parts of our genome and how they might influence health and disease.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, the researchers identified part of the genetic basis for rare mammal traits, such as the ability to sniff faint scents from miles away.</p>



<p>Many of the genetic samples for the DNA analyses were provided by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's "Frozen Zoo," the largest repository of genetic material of its kind. The Frozen Zoo, or Wildlife Biodiversity Bank, contains viable cell cultures and reproductive material from approximately 10,000 animals representing over 1,100 species and subspecies.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-species-extinction">More about species extinction</h2>



<p>Many scientists believe that we are currently in the midst of a mass extinction event, often referred to as the Sixth Mass Extinction or the Holocene Extinction. This ongoing extinction event is primarily driven by human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species.</p>



<h3 id="h-in-earth-s-history-there-have-been-five-major-mass-extinction-events">In Earth's history, there have been five major mass extinction events:</h3>



<h4 id="h-ordovician-silurian-extinction-about-443-million-years-ago">Ordovician-Silurian Extinction (about 443 million years ago)</h4>



<p>This event resulted in the loss of around 85% of marine species, likely due to glaciation and subsequent changes in sea levels and ocean chemistry.</p>



<h4 id="h-late-devonian-extinction-about-359-million-years-ago">Late Devonian Extinction (about 359 million years ago)</h4>



<p>This extinction event eliminated about 75% of all species, primarily affecting marine life. Possible causes include global cooling, changes in ocean chemistry, and asteroid impacts.</p>



<h4 id="h-permian-triassic-extinction-about-252-million-years-ago">Permian-Triassic Extinction (about 252 million years ago)</h4>



<p>Also known as the "Great Dying," this was the most severe extinction event in Earth's history, resulting in the loss of approximately 90-96% of all species. The cause of this event is still debated, but likely factors include volcanic activity, climate change, and ocean anoxia (a lack of oxygen).</p>



<h4 id="h-triassic-jurassic-extinction-about-201-million-years-ago">Triassic-Jurassic Extinction (about 201 million years ago)</h4>



<p>This event led to the extinction of around 75-80% of all species, including many marine and land-dwelling reptiles. The exact cause is uncertain, but it may have been related to volcanic activity or asteroid impacts.</p>



<h4 id="h-cretaceous-paleogene-extinction-about-66-million-years-ago">Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction (about 66 million years ago)</h4>



<p>This well-known extinction event resulted in the loss of approximately 75 percent of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs. The primary cause is believed to be an asteroid impact, although volcanic activity might have also played a role.</p>



<p>The current mass extinction event, if it continues at its current rate, could have devastating consequences for biodiversity on Earth, ultimately affecting human societies that depend on healthy ecosystems for survival.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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DNA analysis can predict which animals are at risk of extinction

In a fascinating new discovery, a team of scientists from...

<p>While ecological memory stored in a landscape can usually help ecosystems recover from disturbances such as fires or disease outbreaks, when climate change significantly alters these disturbance patterns – as it happens today - such coping strategies may fail. For instance, ecological memories stored in the warming Arctic may soon be overwritten by new ones, with unforeseen consequences for this region’s capacity to adapt to rapid climate change.</p>



<p>To investigate these issues in interior Alaska during a potentially transformative period for the Arctic’s boreal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-shifting-the-earths-coldest-forest-northward/">forests</a>, a team of over 40 scientists led by the <a href="https://nau.edu/">Northern Arizona University</a> (NAU) has recently been awarded a $9.6 million grant from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This six-year-long project will be part of the <a href="https://lternet.edu/site/bonanza-creek-lter/">Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program</a>, an initiative aiming to improve our understanding of the long-term consequences of changing climate and disturbance regimes in the Alaskan boreal forest.</p>



<p>“We’ve seen how dramatic changes to fire and permafrost in the boreal forest caused by climate warming have already disrupted the way these ecosystems have stabilized themselves for millennia,” said principal investigator Michelle Mack, a professor of Biology at NAU. “Over the next six years, we are going to observe how those legacies and disruptions are shaping the forest’s future and the future for communities who depend on the boreal forest.”</p>



<p>To better understand how human activity has shaped the history of these forests, the scientists will collaborate with Alaska Native tribes to develop research questions that are relevant to their communities and take into account the Natives’ role today in managing Alaskan ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Building upon decades of data collected through the Bonanza Creek LTER program, the experts will focus on a network of sites across interior Alaska, investigating topics such as how fires affect successional trajectories, how soil microbes are responding to climate warming, how permafrost thaw is changing the hydrological patterns of the region, and how the aspen leaf miner insect and plant pathogens such as the aspen running canker may determine the ability of aspen to thrive and reproduce.</p>



<p>An example of a previous discovery of the Bonanza Creek team that could be used as a starting point in this new project is that increasingly frequent and severe wildfires in Alaska’s boreal forests have caused faster-growing deciduous trees like paper birch and trembling aspen to colonize areas where slower-growing but more flammable black spruce once dominated. Over the next six years, the researchers plan to monitor a wider variety of forest plots that have burned at different times to clarify how these forests are currently re-growing and changing and what roles fires play in these processes.</p>



<p>“Our work at Bonanza Creek LTER has shown us how uncertain the future of the Arctic boreal forest is. The next stage is for this really talented team to map out what kinds of futures are possible, probable, and how humans will play a role in shaping them,” Mack concluded.</p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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

How does climate change alter Alaska’s boreal forest?

While ecological memory stored in a landscape can usually help...

<p>As the Arctic continues to warm and lose its sea ice, the increase in trans-Arctic shipping has significantly reduced travel time and costs for international trade.&nbsp;Yet, a new study reveals that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-arctic-ocean-was-filled-with-freshwater-at-least-twice-in-history/">Arctic Ocean</a> is becoming foggier as a result of disappearing ice, leading to reduced visibility and costly delays for ships that must slow down to avoid hitting dangerous sea ice.</p>



<p>The study, published in the AGU journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102395"><em>Geophysical Research Letters</em></a>, examined the impact of climate change on fog conditions along Arctic shipping routes and how these conditions might change throughout the 21st century.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers used data on Arctic fog collected between 1979 and 2018, along with climate projections from the Fifth Phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. By analyzing this information, the researchers were able to model alternate routes that could minimize foggy days during transit.</p>



<p>For decades, Arctic sea ice has been shrinking, opening up shipping channels in the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route. This has allowed even non-icebreaker vessels to bypass the time-consuming Panama and Suez Canals farther south.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, as ice recedes, cold air is exposed to more warm water, causing warm vapor to condense into fog in these newly opened passages. Hidden chunks of ice already present significant risks to vessels navigating through foggy, low-visibility routes.</p>



<p>"The future of shipping in the Arctic is unclear, but fog could pose a significant challenge," said Xianyao Chen, a physical oceanographer at the <a href="http://eweb.ouc.edu.cn/">Ocean University of China</a>. "When designing shipping routes across the Arctic, we need to consider the impact of fog."</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



<p>The study's findings indicate that ships crossing the Northwest Passage are more likely to encounter fog than those in the Northern Sea Route. Fog in the Northwest Passage, which avoids the Panama Canal, is more frequent and persistent, potentially increasing sailing time by up to three days.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In comparison, the sailing time for the less-foggy Northern Sea Route, which avoids the Suez Canal, is projected to be no more than one day longer. The researchers suggest that both proposed passages would encounter less fog if the routes were shifted farther away from the sea ice edge.</p>



<p>Fog is already impacting the time saved by taking shorter Arctic routes, as shipping speeds on foggy days are slower than on clear days, according to Chen's findings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If the Arctic continues to become foggier, shipping could slow even further unless routes are adjusted. With daily operating costs for large container ships typically ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, a multi-day delay due to fog could quickly increase the costs of a trans-Arctic crossing.</p>



<p>"Avoiding ice is critical," said Scott Stephenson, a physical scientist at the RAND Corporation who was not affiliated with the study. "This study did a good job at identifying the risks of fog - an important environmental constraint in the Arctic, and one that has largely been ignored."&nbsp;</p>



<p>As the Arctic continues to warm and sea ice disappears, understanding and addressing the challenges posed by fog will become increasingly vital for the future of shipping in the region.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-arctic-sea-ice-reduction">More about Arctic sea ice reduction</h2>



<p>The loss of Arctic sea ice has significant implications for both the environment and human populations. As the Earth's climate continues to warm, the Arctic region has been experiencing a more rapid rate of warming, leading to a decline in the extent and thickness of sea ice. This phenomenon, known as Arctic amplification, is causing profound changes to the region's ecosystems, global weather patterns, and human activities.</p>



<h3 id="h-environmental-impacts">Environmental impacts:</h3>



<h4 id="h-albedo-effect">Albedo effect</h4>



<p>Sea ice has a high albedo, meaning it reflects a large portion of incoming sunlight back into space, helping to regulate the Earth's temperature. As sea ice disappears, the darker ocean surface absorbs more solar radiation, further accelerating the warming process.</p>



<h4 id="h-ecosystems">Ecosystems</h4>



<p>The decline of sea ice disrupts the Arctic's delicate ecosystems. Sea ice provides a habitat for various species, such as polar bears, walruses, and seals. As ice diminishes, these animals struggle to find suitable hunting grounds and resting places, putting their survival at risk. Additionally, the loss of sea ice affects the base of the marine food chain, impacting the availability of food for fish and other marine organisms.</p>



<h4 id="h-methane-release">Methane release</h4>



<p>The Arctic region contains vast stores of methane in the form of frozen hydrates on the seabed and within the permafrost. As the region warms and sea ice melts, these methane deposits can become destabilized, releasing potent greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and further exacerbating climate change.</p>



<h4 id="h-ocean-circulation">Ocean circulation</h4>



<p>Melting sea ice contributes to the freshening of the Arctic Ocean's surface waters, which can disrupt the global ocean circulation system. This alteration could lead to significant changes in global weather patterns and climate.</p>



<h3 id="h-human-impacts">Human impacts:</h3>



<h4 id="h-coastal-communities">Coastal communities</h4>



<p>The loss of Arctic sea ice contributes to rising sea levels, putting low-lying coastal communities around the world at risk of flooding and erosion. Indigenous communities in the Arctic also face challenges to their traditional ways of life, as the changing environment impacts their hunting, fishing, and travel practices.</p>



<h4 id="h-shipping-routes">Shipping routes</h4>



<p>The decline in sea ice has opened up new shipping routes in the Arctic, such as the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route. While these routes can potentially reduce travel time and costs for international trade, they also present challenges in the form of increased fog, as mentioned in the previous article, and navigational hazards from hidden ice.</p>



<h4 id="h-geopolitical-tensions">Geopolitical tensions</h4>



<p>The opening of new shipping lanes, as well as the potential for resource extraction in the Arctic, has led to geopolitical tensions among countries with interests in the region. Nations are vying for influence and control over these newly accessible areas, which could contribute to international conflicts.</p>



<h4 id="h-resource-extraction">Resource extraction</h4>



<p>The melting of sea ice has made the Arctic's vast reserves of oil, natural gas, and minerals more accessible. While this presents economic opportunities, it also raises concerns about the environmental impacts of increased resource extraction in the region.</p>



<p>The loss of Arctic sea ice has far-reaching consequences for both the environment and humanity. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, understanding and addressing the complex interplay between Arctic sea ice loss and its cascading effects is critical for the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Arctic Ocean is getting foggy as ice disappears

As the Arctic continues to warm and lose its sea...

<p>Ants, often considered a nuisance in our gardens, may be significantly more important for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-biodiversity-affect-species-interactions/">biodiversity</a> than previously thought, according to a recent study conducted by Rikke Reisner Hansen and colleagues from the Department of Ecoscience at <a href="https://international.au.dk/">Aarhus University</a>. The researchers studied ant mounds on Danish heathlands to understand their impact on other insects and plants.</p>



<p>"The ants drag dead animals back to the ant mound, and this adds carbon and other important nutrients to the surrounding soil," explained Hansen. "The ant mound moreover warms up the surrounding ground, and in springtime, adders, lizards and beetles like to rest near ant mounds for warmth. The heat and the nutrients create unique conditions that allow certain plant species that don’t otherwise thrive on heathland to thrive on the ant mound."</p>



<p>To investigate the role of ant mounds in heathland wildlife, Hansen went to the heath and looked for two types of ant mounds: those belonging to the narrow-headed ant and those belonging to the yellow meadow ant. She dug deep holes next to the ant mounds, enabling her to study how the mounds affected the soil, roots, and wildlife both above and below the mound. She also measured the temperature on top of the ant mound and examined the soil around and underneath it to determine the soil nutrients.</p>



<p>Hansen found that the top part of the ant mound acts like a "miniature Costa del Sol for insects and reptiles. The animals exploit the excess heat from the ants for warmth in early spring and on chilly mornings." She added that plants growing on an ant mound would blossom or come into leaf faster than the same species growing in the surrounding heathland soil. This is a significant advantage for insects that feed on pollen and nectar, as the ant mounds introduce an extra flowering season.</p>



<p>The Alcon blue butterfly, which lives only on heathland where ants are present, has developed a method to trick ants into believing its caterpillar is the ant queen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The Alcon blue lays its eggs on the rare marsh gentian plant," said Hansen. "The caterpillar feeds on marsh gentian seeds during the first three stages of its life. When it has grown big enough, it falls to the ground and begins to emit a smell and a sound identical to those of a queen ant larva." Worker ants then drag the caterpillar into the nest, sometimes neglecting their own offspring, which can lead to the colony's demise.</p>



<p>Denmark is home to 12 species of gossamer-winged butterflies, with 11 of these species thriving best in places where ants also live. A handful of these species depend on ants to complete their life cycle. Protecting ant mounds can thus be a crucial step in mitigating the biodiversity crisis.</p>



<p>The world, including Denmark, is experiencing a biodiversity crisis, with the loss of species accelerating as important habitats are destroyed through deforestation, heathland cultivation, and bog drainage. In Denmark alone, 1,844 species of animals, plants, and fungi are under threat of extinction. The Alcon blue butterfly, for example, has lost more than 15 percent of its habitat in Denmark within the past 40 years.</p>



<p>Hansen suggests that the way we manage our heathlands could be contributing to this decline. "We tend to manage our heathlands as a homogenous landscape. We often apply the same management method throughout a heathland to preserve it as an open landscape. For example, we allow too many animals to graze the land. Or we use large machines to cut the vegetation. Unfortunately, this destroys the ant mounds."</p>



<p>"To ensure many different plants and animals on the heath, we need to rewild the landscape, or at least return it to the way it was before machinery took over from traditional management systems,”</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-biodiversity-crisis">More about the biodiversity crisis</h2>



<p>The biodiversity crisis, often referred to as the sixth mass extinction, represents a rapid loss of biodiversity on Earth. Biodiversity, which is the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, is crucial for the stability of ecosystems and the services they provide, including food production, clean water, and carbon sequestration.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, species are disappearing at an alarming rate, much higher than the natural background rate of extinction. It's estimated that dozens of species are going extinct every day. This loss of biodiversity is largely driven by human activities.</p>



<p>Key factors contributing to the biodiversity crisis include:</p>



<h3 id="h-habitat-loss-and-degradation">Habitat Loss and Degradation</h3>



<p>Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and industrial agriculture lead to destruction of natural habitats, which is the primary cause of the current biodiversity crisis. When habitats are destroyed, the species that live there are often pushed to extinction.</p>



<h3 id="h-climate-change">Climate Change</h3>



<p>Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, as well as increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, can disrupt ecosystems and make it difficult for many species to survive.</p>



<h3 id="h-overexploitation">Overexploitation</h3>



<p>This refers to the unsustainable use of species for resources, such as overfishing or hunting a species to the point where its survival is threatened.</p>



<h3 id="h-pollution">Pollution</h3>



<p>Various forms of pollution, including air, water, and soil pollution, can have devastating effects on biodiversity. For example, pesticides can harm non-target species, and plastic waste can injure or kill marine animals.</p>



<h3 id="h-invasive-species">Invasive Species</h3>



<p>These are non-native species that are introduced to new environments, often by human activities, where they outcompete native species for resources and can cause them to go extinct.</p>



<p>The biodiversity crisis is not just an environmental issue but also a developmental, economic, security, social and moral issue as well. The loss of biodiversity threatens our food supplies, opportunities for recreation and tourism, and sources of wood, medicines and energy. It also interferes with essential ecological functions.</p>



<p>Addressing the biodiversity crisis requires global cooperation. This includes measures to protect and restore habitats, combat climate change, transition to sustainable agricultural practices, and regulate hunting and fishing. Additionally, it involves concerted efforts in scientific research, education, and policy-making to create sustainable solutions for biodiversity conservation.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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

Ant mounds play a critical role in sustaining biodiversity

Ants, often considered a nuisance in our gardens, may be...

<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=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air"><strong>Invisible threat in urban air</strong></h2>



<p>City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge"><strong>Disturbing connections emerge</strong></h2>



<p>Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters"><strong>Timing matters</strong></h2>



<p>The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns"><strong>Genetic vulnerability patterns</strong></h2>



<p>Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-implications"><strong>Public health implications</strong></h2>



<p>These findings, published in <em><a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a></em>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.</p>



<p>As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.</p>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



<p>Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.</p>



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



<p>Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.</p>



<p>Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-combination-of-climate-factors">The combination of climate factors</h2>



<p>The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.</p>



<p>Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



<p>Published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a></em>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.</p>



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<p>—–</p>

What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

<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=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



<p>Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



<p>The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.</p>



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



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.</p>



<p>The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



<p>This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.</p>



<p>The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.</p>



<p>The full study was recently published in <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a></em>.</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<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=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



<p>Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



<p>A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.</p>



<p>Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.</p>



<p>Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents".  In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively.   MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.</p>



<p>MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization.  The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



<p>Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.</p>



<p>Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



<p>The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



<p>Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.</p>



<p>This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



<p>The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.</p>



<p>PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



<p>AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.</p>



<p>In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



<p>The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.</p>



<p>As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.</p>



<p>The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.</p>



<p>For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.</p>



<p>The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.</p>



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</p>



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<p>MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a></p>



<p>Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a></p>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<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=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



<p>The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-microbial-partnerships">The science behind microbial partnerships</h2>



<p>Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.</p>



<p>The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.</p>



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



<p>The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



<p>While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



<p>As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<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>



<p>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?</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>Sources:</strong> <em>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.</em></p>



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



<p><strong>1. Is acid rain completely gone?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>2. How long did solving take?</strong> 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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>5. Could acid rain return?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"?</strong> 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></p>



<p>-----</p>



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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...

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

<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://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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<p>-----</p>

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

<p>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. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"]</div>



<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.</p>



<p>“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. </p>



<p>The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.</p>



<p>“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”</p>



<p>The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"]</div>



<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. </p>



<p>"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."</p>



<p>"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.</p>



<p>"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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



<p>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."</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.</p>



<p>"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.</p>



<p>Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.</p>



<p>From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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<p>Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



<p><em>Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.</p>



<p>Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.</p>



<p>In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.</p>



<p>Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. </p>



<p>According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.</p>



<p>"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.</p>



<p>"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."</p>



<p>Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.</p>



<p>The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.</p>



<p>"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.</p>



<p>"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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