Feeding a growing global population while preserving space for wildlife is one of agriculture’s toughest challenges. The debate has often been framed as a stark choice - either intensify farming to save land for nature or spread out production in more wildlife-friendly ways. 



But that either-or framing has oversimplified the problem and left policymakers with little clarity.



A new study takes a closer look at the evidence and asks a sharper question: which farming approach actually works best in practice to support biodiversity while keeping food production steady? The answer is far more complex than slogans suggest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-either-or-farming">Challenging either-or farming</h2>



Study lead author Eva Augustiny at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Switzerland (<a href="https://www.fibl.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FiBL</a>) and her team reviewed evidence from many landscapes and production systems.



The researchers assessed 57 studies and concluded that only 17 had the right ingredients to compare strategies head to head, yielding 27 apples-to-apples cases.



In those cases, 52 percent favored a mix of approaches, 41 percent favored land sparing, and seven percent favored land sharing, with the authors noting gaps in how biodiversity and yield were measured across the literature. That tally comes from the team’s peer-reviewed paper&nbsp;



"The empirical basis is thus sparse and does not support statements claiming that, in general, either land sharing or land sparing strategies are unequivocally better," said Augustiny.



Many studies focused on a narrow slice of life. Birds dominated the sample, often <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ozone-pollution-is-stunting-tropical-forest-growth/">tropical forest</a> birds, while soil organisms and microbes were barely covered. 



Agricultural performance focused on yield, while profitability, stability, and key services like pollination and pest control were rarely tracked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farms-use-land-differently">Farms use land differently</h2>



In this debate, land sharing means lower-intensity farming across wider areas with habitat elements built into fields and pastures. Farmers may keep hedgerows, ponds, tree belts, or flower strips and use more wildlife-friendly practices.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farming-for-wildlife-how-traditional-practices-can-protect-nature/">Land sparing</a> means concentrating production on smaller, higher yielding areas and setting aside larger, undisturbed spaces elsewhere for nature. The core idea is to meet food demand on less land and leave more intact habitat.



The modern framing grew from a 2005 theoretical model that linked species responses to farm yields and area needs. That model helped structure later field tests, but it simplified messy realities on the ground.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-complicates-the-picture">Biodiversity complicates the picture</h2>



Species differ. Forest-dependent birds often need large, continuous habitat and do poorly in patchy mosaics. 



A European population-level study found that simple sparing outperformed sharing for many species, while a three-compartment model that paired spared habitat with some low-yield farmland improved outcomes further.



Climate, farm size, and the mobility of organisms also tilt the balance. Mobile pollinators and predators can thrive in mixed farm landscapes, while less mobile amphibians, reptiles, or cavity-nesting mammals may require the security of protected areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economics-and-soil-matter">Economics and soil matter</h2>



Economics and policy strongly influence results. A cross-country analysis of yield gains and land use showed that intensifying production does not automatically free land for nature - especially where subsidies or market demand drive expansion.



Soil quality sets boundaries that short-term yield gains often obscure. A global review documented how erosion, compaction, and other forms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/land-degradation-severely-threatens-planetary-boundaries/">degradation</a> undermine productivity over time and raise the risk that new land will be cleared. 



As Rhys Green of the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> noted in 2005, increasing yield could reduce farmland needs, but demand growth and rebound effects can erase those gains. Even the theory behind sparing warned against oversimplification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farms-thrive-when-diversified">Farms thrive when diversified</h2>



Flower strips, hedgerows, and diversified rotations can lift biodiversity and stabilize services on farms. 



A large second-order meta-analysis showed that agricultural diversification supports <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robotic-insects-may-be-the-future-of-farming-and-plant-pollination/">pollination</a>, natural pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation without sacrificing overall yields.



Protected areas still matter. Some species simply cannot persist in farmland, no matter how friendly the practices, so set-asides remain a nonnegotiable part of the picture.



Connectivity helps both sides. Corridors and stepping stones reduce isolation of protected patches, while on farm habitat elements keep beneficial organisms moving through fields.



Local food system choices can relieve pressure too. Less waste and smarter use of crops for food rather than feed reduce the acreage needed to meet diets, which strengthens the case for keeping more land wild.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-policies-must-stay-local">Land policies must stay local</h2>



It's time to stop asking which side wins in general. The better question is which mix of spared land and shared land fits a specific place, given its species, soils, climate, and markets.



Measure more than yield. Track profitability, stability over years, and the biodiversity based services that keep farms productive in the long run. 



Tie intensification to real conservation. Sparing only works if the land that is supposedly saved is actually protected, restored, and connected.



Invest in data where it is thin. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gene-edited-wheat-turns-soil-microbes-into-fertilizer/">Soil microbes</a>, fungi, and belowground communities underpin fertility and resilience yet are missing from most studies.



Remember where this started. The early model framed a useful thought experiment, but today’s decisions need local evidence, clear goals, and policies that lock in the benefits.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/9/pgaf251/8245250?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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Farms can feed people and protect biodiversity at the same time

Feeding a growing global population while preserving space for wildlife is one of agriculture’s toughest challenges. The debate has often been framed as a stark choice - either intensify farming to save land for nature or spread out production in more wildlife-friendly ways. But that either-or framing has oversimplified the problem and left policymakers with little clarity. A new study takes a closer look at the evidence and asks a sharper question: which farming approach actually works best in practice to support biodiversity while keeping food production...

In the dense green heart of the Amazon, a silent conversation takes place between trees and sunlight. From space, this conversation appears as a faint glow, a shimmer given off by leaves. 



This glow, called solar-induced fluorescence (SIF), has helped scientists estimate how much photosynthesis is happening on Earth. The brighter the forest glows, the healthier it appears. But new research warns that this glow may not always tell the full truth.



As climate change makes dry seasons longer and harsher, researchers are looking closer at how the Amazon canopy responds. What they have found could change how we read satellite data and rethink what we know about forest health. 



A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-part-of-the-climate-solution-but-not-the-whole-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree</a> may shine brightly but still struggle to breathe, grow, and store carbon. The Amazon, often described as the lungs of the planet, may be gasping in ways we fail to see from above.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-trees-glow-and-handle-sunlight">How trees glow and handle sunlight</h2>



To understand how this vast forest manages sunlight, scientists at <a href="https://msu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State University</a> took their work into the forest. Led by doctoral candidate Leonardo Ziccardi, the team climbed trees nearly 60 meters tall in the central Amazon. 



Armed with a handheld device called the MultispeQ, the researchers measured how leaves absorb, use, and release sunlight.



“It’s been a long journey,” said Ziccardi. “Since 2019, we’ve run multiple field campaigns across seasons, climbing giant trees in the heart of the Amazon to understand how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-trees-decide-between-growing-and-breathing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> respond to environmental changes." 



"We’ve spent hundreds of hours up in the canopy doing measurements, some of the most intense and rewarding work I’ve ever done.”



Over 3,000 leaf measurements showed how leaves manage energy in changing light, height, and moisture conditions. The team explored three energy paths: photosynthesis (ΦPSII), heat dissipation (ΦNPQ), and steady-state fluorescence (ΦNO).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drought-unmasks-a-complex-dance">Drought unmasks a complex dance</h2>



In dry seasons, sunlight floods the upper canopy. But instead of boosting photosynthesis, this intense light overwhelms the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-have-unique-fungi-partnerships-that-help-them-survive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaves</a>. 



As a defense, the leaves channel more energy into heat (ΦNPQ) and emit more fluorescence (ΦNO). Meanwhile, actual photosynthesis (ΦPSII) drops.



The researchers found a striking pattern. In dry conditions, photosynthesis and fluorescence first track together, then split, and finally oppose each other. 



This "triphasic" behavior means fluorescence can increase even as photosynthesis crashes. The phenomenon creates a major red flag for interpreting satellite SIF readings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-glow-shifts-across-canopy-layers">Tree glow shifts across canopy layers</h2>



Each forest layer has its own light and stress profile. The lower canopy, shaded and cooler, showed higher ΦPSII and ΦNO but lower ΦNPQ. 



Upper layers, exposed to harsh light, had the opposite pattern. They showed lower photosynthesis and more heat loss.



Interestingly, the strongest SIF signals came from these shaded, lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-may-overestimate-how-much-carbon-trees-release/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaves</a>. That means satellites may often be “listening” to the quieter, protected parts of the forest rather than the sun-drenched treetops.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-matter-more-than-expected">Species matter more than expected</h2>



Different tree species do not respond to environmental stress in the same way. The study revealed that the fluorescence signal known as ΦNO varied strongly between species, particularly in the sun-exposed upper canopy during the dry season. 



This means that some trees, under intense light and water stress, increased their fluorescence output more than others, depending on how they manage excess energy. 



The species-level differences suggest that even if two forest regions appear to glow equally bright from a satellite’s perspective, their actual rates of photosynthesis and their ability to take in carbon could be very different.



In other words, the same level of fluorescence does not guarantee equal productivity. The forest’s composition, the types of trees present and how they deal with light, plays a crucial role in shaping what those glow signals really mean. 



Remote sensing tools must account for these biological differences to avoid drawing misleading conclusions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-glow-can-confuse-satellite-readings">Tree glow can confuse satellite readings</h2>



SIF still offers a powerful tool, but it must be used carefully. The researchers recommend accounting for leaf age, species, and height. 



Models that ignore these factors risk overestimating how much carbon forests absorb, especially during drought.



The study highlights how the Amazon's structure, with its dense lower canopy and diverse species, complicates the reading of satellite data. Signals from above might miss crucial internal forest dynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-research-goes-from-here">Where research goes from here</h2>



This work lays the foundation for smarter GPP models (gross primary productivity). By capturing the vertical, seasonal, and species-specific nuances of energy flow, it helps scientists avoid mistaking plant glow for plant growth.



Ziccardi’s team shows that to understand forest photosynthesis, we must look beyond surface signals. Forests whisper complex stories in light, and it’s time we listen closely.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.70183" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Amazon trees glow more under stress but photosynthesize less

In the dense green heart of the Amazon, a silent...

Biodiversity is declining across Japan’s countryside, even as villages empty and young people move to the cities. Many would expect birds, insects, and native plants to return when humans leave. A new study shows that’s not happening.



The research team examined land-use change, temperature records, and nearly two decades of citizen-science observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-population-loss-doesn-t-equal-biodiversity-gain">Population loss doesn’t equal biodiversity gain</h2>



The researchers mapped population change across rural Japan and overlaid 1.5 million sightings of 464 animal species and 2,922 plant species collected between 2004 and 2021. 



Shrinking towns did not rebound ecologically. Instead, abandoned rice fields turned into either housing estates or weed-choked lots. Both outcomes hurt wildlife.



Study co-author Dr Peter Matanle is a senior lecturer in Japanese Ssudies at the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a>.



“Japan is one of many countries whose demographic trends point to long-term population loss. We call it a 'Depopulation Vanguard Country' because it presages losses in similar neighboring countries such as South Korea and China," said Dr. Matanle.



“We find that expected biodiversity gains from fewer people may not be occurring, and that losses are continuing. This indicates possible similar effects in other world regions such as Southern Europe, with Italy as its DVC, and Eastern Europe, with Bulgaria and Latvia as its DVCs. 



Dr. Matanle noted that his team would like to study other regions in the future such as Europe and Latin America to find out if similar effects are being felt there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citizen-scientists-fill-the-data-gap">Citizen scientists fill the data gap</h2>



Volunteers across Japan recorded birds, butterflies, fireflies, frog spawn, and local flora. Their notebooks and apps supplied one of the richest ecological datasets on Earth. 



The study shows how community monitoring can spot silent declines that official surveys might miss.



The study suggests that modest, steady farming often supports more life than sudden abandonment. When fields are left untended, invasive weeds can outcompete native plants. Without people to manage canals and paddies, wetlands dry out and the species they harbor disappear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traditional-practices-support-biodiversity">Traditional practices support biodiversity </h2>



“Japan’s biodiversity has long been sustained by traditional rural livelihood practices such as wet rice agriculture, forest and soil management, and the maintenance of rural landscapes. These human activities have shaped and supported ecological richness for centuries," said Kei Uchida, an associate professor at Tokyo City University.



“Even as populations decline, human interventions continue in some areas, while others are left to ecological succession. This uneven pattern of change produces a mosaic landscape which is accelerating the degradation of rural environments and undermining the biodiversity they support."



According to Professor Uchida, the research has implications for maintaining biodiversity in other depopulating countries in East Asia, and contributes to knowledge about the outcomes of human depopulation worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-population-loss-is-a-global-issue">Population loss is a global issue</h2>



The United Nations expects 85 countries to decline in population by 2050, including much of Eastern and Southern Europe. The researchers urge governments to blend rewilding with rural job programs so that landscapes do not slide into neglect.



Shorter workweeks for farmers, subsidies for low-impact cultivation, and support for local wildlife groups are among the proposed ideas.



The lesson is clear: people leaving an area can harm nature as easily as they can help it. Careful planning is needed to tip the balance toward recovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-population-and-biodiversity-loss">Population and biodiversity loss</h2>



Biodiversity loss is not just a local issue - it’s a global concern that affects ecosystems, economies, and everyday life. The decline of species, whether plants, insects, or animals, disrupts food chains, weakens soil health, and reduces the resilience of natural systems. 



When biodiversity shrinks, the services ecosystems provide - like pollination, water purification, and climate regulation - begin to break down.



In Japan, the study highlights how biodiversity continues to decline even as people leave rural areas. But similar trends are being seen worldwide, in both developed and developing regions. 



Land-use change, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, and climate change all contribute to the problem. Even regions experiencing depopulation are not immune - sometimes, they’re more vulnerable if the land is mismanaged or neglected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-strategies-to-protect-wildlife">New strategies to protect wildlife</h2>



This research adds to the growing body of evidence that simply removing human pressure isn’t always enough. 



Without intentional support, many landscapes fail to recover. Rewilding, conservation, and traditional ecological practices all have a role to play in reversing the loss. 



As countries face changing demographics and population loss, preserving biodiversity will require new strategies that account for both ecological and social realities.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01578-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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Population loss in Japan's countryside linked to declining biodiversity

Biodiversity is declining across Japan’s countryside, even as villages empty...

Eating more fruit, vegetables, and other complex carbohydrates during the day appears to deliver measurable improvements in sleep that very same night. 



A new study tracking healthy adults shows that a produce-rich menu reduces the overnight tossing and turning that fragments restful sleep.



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago Medicine</a> and <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> designed the experiment to move beyond earlier surveys and link specific daytime meals to the quality of that evening’s rest.



“Dietary modifications could be a new, natural, and cost-effective approach to achieve better sleep,” said co-senior author Dr. Esra Tasali, director of the UChicago Sleep Center.



“The temporal associations and objectively measured outcomes in this study represent crucial steps toward filling a gap in important public health knowledge.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-what-you-eat">Tracking what you eat</h2>



Most previous work looked at how poor sleep drives people toward sugary, high-fat foods. The new project flipped the question: could consciously better eating shape sleep for the better?



Volunteers logged everything they consumed on a smartphone app and wore wrist monitors that recorded every micro-awakening, using a measure called “sleep fragmentation” to gauge quality.



Those fragmentation readings, calculated in minute-by-minute detail, allowed the team to compare how each individual slept after a produce-rich versus a produce-poor day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fruit-bowls-pay-off-for-sleep">Fruit bowls pay off for sleep</h2>



The analysis revealed a clear pattern. When participants approached or met the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> guideline of five cups of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruits-and-plants-are-powerful-allies-for-disease-prevention/">fruits</a> and vegetables, they spent more time in uninterrupted, restorative phases of sleep.



Whole-grain intake had a similar, albeit smaller, association. For someone eating no produce, making the leap to five cups predicted a 16 percent reduction in sleep fragmentation.



“Sixteen percent is a highly significant difference,” said Dr. Tasali. “It’s remarkable that such a meaningful change could be observed within less than 24 hours.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-fruits-and-veggies-help-sleep">Why fruits and veggies help sleep</h2>



Scientists are still untangling the biology behind these rapid gains. Fiber-rich foods slow digestion and stabilize blood sugar, which can limit the nocturnal spikes that jolt the brain into lighter sleep.



Produce also delivers micronutrients that feed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-microbes-affect-how-we-handle-everyday-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut bacteria</a>; those microbes generate neurotransmitters tied to the body’s circadian timing system.



Anti-inflammatory compounds may calm the cardiovascular system, nudging heart rate and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleeping-less-than-seven-hours-high-blood-pressure-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood pressure</a> toward a sleep-friendly set point. 



Future trials will probe hormones, microbiome shifts, and brain-wave patterns to pin down the dominant pathway.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-picture-sleep-lessons">Bigger picture sleep lessons</h2>



Compared with drug therapies, dietary tweaks carry almost no risk and cost little - a critical advantage at a time when chronic sleep loss undermines health, productivity, and mood for millions.



Participants in the experiment were young adults, but the design can be extended to older populations or people with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-extracts-may-help-treat-metabolic-syndrome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolic disease</a> to see whether benefits scale or shrink.



Because the monitoring was continuous, the authors could see changes night after night, opening the door to clinical trials in which the focus is on specific individuals who test how specific foods influence their own sleep.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-as-a-first-line-sleep-aid"><a></a>Food as a first-line sleep aid</h2>



Study co-senior author Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge is the director of the Center of Excellence for Sleep &amp; Circadian Research at Columbia University.



“People are always asking me if there are things they can eat that will help them sleep better,” said Dr. St-Onge. "Small changes can impact sleep. That is empowering - better rest is within your control.”



Public health agencies already push Americans toward produce for heart and metabolic health. The new findings give those guidelines a night-time payoff as well.



A 16 percent improvement translates to fewer awakenings, more consolidated deep stages, and a smoother transition into morning alertness - effects as large as some prescription sleep aids but without their side effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tips-for-better-sleep">Tips for better sleep</h2>



The scientists plan randomized, controlled feeding studies in which subjects eat standardized meals under lab supervision, allowing causal conclusions. They also hope to enlist diverse age groups and cultural diets to confirm that the produce-sleep link holds across cuisines.



In the meantime, the message is straightforward: pack the day’s menu with colorful plants and unrefined grains.



If you normally skip <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-fruits-and-vegetables-improve-heart-health/">vegetables</a> at lunch, add a salad. Replace an evening snack of chips with berries. Substituting even one refined-carb serving with fruit nudged sleep metrics in the right direction during the trial.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simple-habit-immediate-gains"><a></a>A simple habit, immediate gains</h2>



Modern life often pits sleep against work, screens, and stress - factors that feel out of personal control. Food choices, however, remain largely in our hands.



By aligning dinner plates with daytime energy needs and nighttime recovery, people can harness a basic element of lifestyle to reinforce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-color-of-light-impacts-our-internal-clocks-and-circadian-rhythms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circadian rhythms</a>.



The experts emphasize that produce will not cure severe insomnia on its own, but it offers an accessible lever that begins to move the needle within a single sunrise-to-sunset cycle.



For anyone struggling to stay asleep, the produce aisle may be as valuable as the pharmacy shelf. A serving of spinach at lunch or a banana before bed could help stitch the night together, turning fragmented dozing into a more continuous, restorative sleep - one colorful cup at a time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sleephealthjournal.org/article/S2352-7218(25)00089-0/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sleep Health</a>.



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Eating more fruits and vegetables will help you get better sleep

Eating more fruit, vegetables, and other complex carbohydrates during the...

That sea of manicured green grass stretching across parks, backyards, golf courses, and cemeteries may be doing more than just pleasing the eye.



A new study led by scientists at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennsylvania State University</a> shows that turfgrass - typically overlooked in urban greenhouse gas models - plays a small but crucial role in shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-carbon-dioxide-travels-in-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> levels. And in winter, when most vegetation is thought to go dormant, these lawns are still quietly at work.



The findings stem from research conducted as part of the <a href="https://sites.psu.edu/influx/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indianapolis Flux Experiment</a> (INFLUX). By adding turfgrass-specific data to carbon models, the team has improved how scientists account for the biological activity of vegetation, leading to more accurate estimates of human-caused emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lawns-role-in-carbon-emissions">Lawns' role in carbon emissions</h2>



The study could help reduce uncertainty in estimating human-caused emissions and guide more effective greenhouse gas policies.



Jason Horne is the lead author and a doctoral candidate in meteorology and atmospheric science at Penn State. “There has been a push to better understand the processes that are going on in these areas, because it’s really complex,” he said.



Urban greenhouse gas emissions mainly come from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-warnings-fossil-fuels-are-causing-climate-health-and-biodiversity-crises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuel</a> combustion - cars, heating systems, industrial activity - but vegetation complicates the picture. 



Plants absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and release it through respiration and decay. 



Accurately separating these processes is essential when trying to isolate the human fingerprint on emissions. "And for that, we need to have a good idea of what the biology is doing,” Horne added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grass-is-active-in-winter">Grass is active in winter</h2>



To get that biological snapshot, the team placed eddy covariance flux towers - sensors that track gas exchanges between the land and air - above two distinct turfgrass sites in Indianapolis: a golf course and a cemetery.



These measurements ran for a full year before and after grass was added to the simulation models.



The difference was clear. Existing vegetation types in the models couldn’t match the real seasonal behavior observed at these sites. One key moment stood out: winter.



“Our models were not able to capture the carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-foundation-of-life-is-at-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> in the middle of winter,” Horne said. “The model showed vegetation was a net source of carbon dioxide during the middle of the day.”



But field data showed that even during freezing temperatures, turfgrass was still performing photosynthesis, albeit at lower levels. That quiet activity matters more than it seems, especially in cities where lawn coverage is extensive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grass-improves-city-models">Grass improves city models</h2>



Armed with these observations, the researchers created a new turfgrass vegetation type within their simulation. This tweak allowed the model to better reflect actual winter photosynthesis rates and adjust for the role lawns in removing carbon dioxide from the air.



“Turfgrass photosynthesis is not highly active during the winter, but it’s active enough to make a difference in the models - and that could make a difference in how we understand every emission source,” Horne said.



Misrepresenting vegetation as emitting carbon can lead to inaccurate estimates of total human-caused emissions. For cities like Indianapolis, where 20% to 30% of the land area is covered in turfgrass, even subtle changes add up.



“Even if we see a small drawdown of carbon dioxide in the middle of winter, it’s not insignificant,” Horne emphasized. “If you are not considering that, you may be underestimating anthropogenic emissions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lawn-care-affects-emissions">Lawn care affects emissions</h2>



The two study sites revealed additional insights. The golf course’s grass was irrigated, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fertilized-soil-pollution-california/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fertilized</a>, and mowed regularly, while the cemetery’s lawn was less intensely managed.



This difference likely affects both carbon uptake and release. It highlights the need for future research on maintenance practices and environmental factors.



“But it’s clear from our work that turfgrass lawns are worthy of dedicated study,” Horne said. “This could help reduce the amount of uncertainty when we're trying to estimate anthropogenic emissions to guide policy decisions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-urban-green-spaces"><a></a>Rethinking urban green spaces</h2>



The work highlights the subtle but real influence of managed lawn grass on carbon dynamics. It also strengthens the case for refining urban emission models to include a broader, more accurate picture of vegetation activity.



By incorporating turfgrass into simulations, scientists are improving their grasp on how cities breathe - and how human behavior, through lawn care and landscaping, may shape that process.



As urban areas expand and climate policy sharpens, even the quietest blades of grass could help write the next chapter of emissions accounting.



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JG008477">Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences</a>.



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Your lawn plays a key role in absorbing urban carbon emissions

That sea of manicured green grass stretching across parks, backyards,...

Each year, the summer solstice marks the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. For most people, it brings warmth, festivals, and late sunsets. But for plants, it may mean something far more important. 



New research led by scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) suggests that this annual milestone could be a vital signal for growth and reproduction.



Yet, as the planet warms, this natural cue may be losing its reliability. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explores how plants use the solstice as a possible trigger. 



However, with rising temperatures and increasing climate unpredictability, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-finally-learn-what-makes-plants-roots-grow-faster-and-stronger-autophagy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> may now need to look elsewhere for guidance.



“Plants are known to use temperature to time things like leaf growth and flowering,” said Dr. Victor Van der Meersch, postdoctoral researcher at <a href="https://www.ubc.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UBC</a>’s faculty of forestry. “This study shows that the solstice is an optimal growth period and could also be an important trigger for reproduction.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solstice-helps-plants-time-their-growth">Solstice helps plants time their growth</h2>



Historically, researchers believed daylength in general helped plants schedule <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-future-climate-conditions-will-transform-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">growth</a>. This study goes further. It suggests the summer solstice - around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere - marks a key thermal optimum. 



Across both Europe and North America, it offers a balance of accumulated warmth and enough time left in the season to finish development.



According to the authors, this timing represents a trade-off. Plants need to accumulate enough warmth to anticipate future climate conditions, but they also need time to grow organs, set flowers, and prepare for reproduction. The solstice may offer the best bet to strike that balance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solstice-aligns-with-optimal-plant-growth">Solstice aligns with optimal plant growth </h2>



Using historical and projected climate data, the researchers studied temperature patterns over many years. They measured this through “growing degree days” (GDD) - a way to track heat accumulation important for plant metabolism. 



The goal was to find the day when plants could most confidently predict how warm the rest of the season would be and still have time to grow. 



This trade-off, visible in the models and graphs of the paper, shows the solstice often sits near the point of best combined predictability and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-how-climate-change-will-alter-plant-growth-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">growth</a> potential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-climates-tell-a-different-story">Local climates tell a different story</h2>



Despite this average, local conditions tell a more complex story. In warmer parts of southern Europe, plants peak earlier. In cooler northern regions, the best time for growth arrives well after the solstice. 



The paper’s map on page 2 highlights this clearly. Sites in red, purple, and green mark where optimal growth timing occurs before, near, or after the solstice.



That means the solstice is not a reliable cue everywhere. “Daylength doesn’t change from year to year. But with temperatures fluctuating more, plants may be having trouble adjusting to both signals,” said Dr. Elizabeth Wolkovich, co-author and plant ecologist at UBC.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fixed-signals-limit-how-plants-respond">Fixed signals limit how plants respond</h2>



The study notes that relying on a fixed signal like the solstice could limit how plants adapt to changing environments. Instead, the authors argue that temperature - because it reflects real-time conditions - may now be more useful than photoperiod cues.



Given the variation across climates, it may be better for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-skies-alter-plant-growth-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> to track temperature directly. “That’s because it’s directly tied to the actual climate conditions plants are experiencing,” said Van der Meersch.



Tracking solstice involves not just sensing light but calculating how fast the light is changing - a process that may be more complex and costly for plants than sensing heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mistiming-growth-harms-plants">Mistiming growth harms plants</h2>



Mistimed growth carries big risks. Crops might flower too early, risking frost. Pollinators may miss blooms. Forests may grow less, weakening carbon capture. 



"These timing problems can affect food security and biodiversity,” said Dr. Wolkovich. “We need to understand the signals plants use for key events like flowering and fruit ripening.”



The authors acknowledge another possibility: maybe the solstice isn’t a true biological signal for plant growth. It may just coincide with a thermal peak due to climate patterns. 



To answer this, future research must test whether plants actively respond to solstice or if the alignment is a coincidence. The experts suggest decoupling temperature and light in experiments to test how plants really make decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-matters-for-the-future">Why this matters for the future</h2>



As drought and warming reshape global climates, understanding when and how plants grow becomes critical. This affects everything from crop planning to forest management. 



Models that ignore the complexity of climate cues could lead to poor predictions and missed interventions.



The study, published in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2506796122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, argues that the solstice may no longer serve as the dependable signal it once was. 



The work opens a new window into how plants might adapt - or fail to - in a world where stability is fading.



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Summer solstice guides plant growth - but climate change is interfering

Each year, the summer solstice marks the longest day in...

Tucked into the humid wetlands of the American Southeast, the bald cypress rises with quiet determination. These towering trees, known for their knobby knees and flared bases, don’t just dominate the swamps - they define them. 



Many bald cypress trees have been standing for thousands of years, enduring floods, poor soil, and relentless humidity. But their survival story is not without challenges, as bald cypress trees are now facing a barrage of threats. 



While animals age and die, trees tend to live until their environment wears them down. The story of the bald cypress is one of endurance - but also one of vulnerability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buried-cypress-trees-tell-an-old-story">Buried cypress trees tell an old story</h2>



Scientists from <a href="https://www.fau.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Atlantic University</a>, in collaboration with Lynn University, the University of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Georgia Museum of Natural History, recently uncovered an ancient timeline buried at the mouth of Georgia’s Altamaha River. 



There, the team found subfossil bald cypress trees - remnants of a once-thriving forest that time had preserved in mud and sediment.



To understand how these trees responded to past climate changes, researchers used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radiocarbon-could-be-key-in-predicting-earths-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radiocarbon dating</a> and analyzed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-rings-reveal-the-carbon-storage-capacity-of-a-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree rings</a> - measuring their size and number. 



Each ring captured a snapshot of that tree’s life in a given year, offering a long, unbroken record of environmental conditions. What the trees revealed was startling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sudden-shift-around-500-a-d">Sudden shift around 500 A.D.</h2>



Before 500 A.D., bald cypress trees at this site routinely lived over 470 years. But after that time, their lifespans fell dramatically - to just 186 years on average. 



At the same time, the trees started growing faster. That may sound like a good thing, but quick growth often means less structural strength and increased stress.



This timing aligns with a dramatic climate event known as the Vandal Minimum - a global cooling period caused by volcanic eruptions and possibly a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-comet-impact-triggered-the-invention-of-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comet impact</a>. 



These upheavals altered the atmosphere and, in turn, the ecosystems below. As the planet cooled, the once-resilient bald cypress began living shorter, more fragile lives.



“The last of the long-lived trees found in the deposit died during another major climatic event, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-cooling-event-caused-extinction-of-first-early-humans-in-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Ice Age</a>,” said Katharine G. Napora, Ph.D., the study’s senior author. 



“Our findings underscore how long-lasting the localized effects of major climate shifts can be, especially for coastal forests that are already vulnerable to wind damage, saltwater intrusion and rising seas.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-impacts-on-cypress-trees">Climate impacts on cypress trees</h2>



Despite the abrupt change in tree lifespans, researchers found no signs of fire, human activity, or logging at the site. There’s no clear smoking gun - no single event or threat that explains the decline. 



What’s clear, however, is that the cypress trees never bounced back. Even centuries later, they failed to reach their former lifespans.



“This shift wasn’t a brief disruption. Even centuries later, the trees never regained their former longevity. In fact, their lifespans continued to decline over time,” Napora explained.



Scientists believe several factors could be responsible. Coastal conditions may have become more unstable - with more frequent storms, salinity spikes, and inconsistent flooding patterns. 



During dry periods, pests like mites likely thrived and added more stress. Together, these shifts may have created an environment where longevity was no longer possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cypress-trees-as-climate-timekeepers">Cypress trees as climate timekeepers</h2>



The researchers studied 95 subfossil bald cypress trees from the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area. These trees had been buried for centuries and were unearthed during regular land maintenance work. 



The well-preserved condition of the trees gave scientists an ideal record for examining past growth without interference from modern preservation differences.



“These ancient giants not only inspire awe but also serve as natural archives, helping scientists understand how trees have weathered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-needed-millions-of-years-to-recover-from-past-climate-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">past climate events</a> - and how they might fare in the face of modern climate change,” Napora said.



And these are not the only cypress trees with climate stories to tell. In parts of the Southeast, living bald cypress trees between 800 and 2,600 years old still stand today. They’ve survived massive environmental shifts and now live as rare survivors in old-growth swamp forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-story-of-the-earth-written-in-wood">The story of the Earth, written in wood</h2>



While the Vandal Minimum was not a global freeze in the way we often imagine, it was felt in many corners of the world. The bald cypress offers a unique look into how such broad changes ripple through ecosystems - and linger for centuries.



“The rings of the bald cypress are like nature’s journal entries, written year by year and season by season, showing how even slow changes can shape the course of life," said Napora.



"In their quiet persistence, these trees offer both a warning and a lesson: that the world is more interconnected than we often realize, and that the story of the Earth isn’t only told through written history - it’s etched into wood, embedded in landscapes and carried forward by living organisms."



"The past lives on in the trunks of these ancient trees, reminding us that environmental shifts - whether natural or human-caused - reverberate through time in ways we are only beginning to understand.”



In a time of rising uncertainty, these trees are more than survivors. They are storytellers, and we’re just learning how to listen.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421181122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Bald cypress trees reveal long-term impact of climate change

Tucked into the humid wetlands of the American Southeast, the...

Beneath the forest floor lies a vast and vital network of life - underground fungi that help regulate Earth’s climate and sustain ecosystems by transporting nutrients to plants and locking carbon deep in the soil.



Among these are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-distribute-enormous-amounts-of-co2-to-mycorrhizal-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mycorrhizal fungi</a>, especially ectomycorrhizal species, which form intricate symbiotic relationships with trees and plants. But as scientists try to understand and protect these essential organisms, they’re running into a surprising obstacle: the majority of these fungi remain unknown.



A new study reveals that up to 83% of ectomycorrhizal fungi belong to “dark taxa” - species that have never been formally named or described. Scientists only know these organisms through fragments of their DNA, and their anonymity poses a significant challenge for conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-fungal-diversity">Invisible fungal diversity</h2>



Only about 155,000 fungal species have been officially documented, while scientists estimate that between two and three million exist. In recent years, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/airborne-dna-can-track-wildlife-diseases-and-even-drugs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental DNA</a> (eDNA) sampling - extracting genetic material directly from soil and roots - has helped researchers detect many more species. 



However, for most of these mysterious fungi, there’s no existing match in the scientific record.



Laura van Galen is lead author of the study and a microbial ecologist working with the <a href="https://www.spun.earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society for the Protection of Underground Networks</a> (SPUN) and <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a>.



“We are a long way out from getting all fungal DNA sequences linked to named species,” she said. "Environmental DNA has enormous potential as a research tool to detect fungal species, but we can’t include unnamed species in conservation initiatives. How can you protect something that hasn’t yet been named?”



Traditionally, scientists assign described species Latin binomials - names that help them track and study these organisms. Without these identifiers, dark taxa remain excluded from conservation frameworks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-drive-forest-health">Fungi drive forest health</h2>



Ectomycorrhizal fungi are more than obscure soil residents - they’re powerhouses of planetary health. 



These fungi partner with roughly a quarter of all plant life and play an outsized role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-plankton-play-a-big-role-in-the-global-carbon-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s carbon cycle</a>, drawing down over nine billion tons of carbon dioxide each year.



That’s more than 25% of the CO2 released annually by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-warnings-fossil-fuels-are-causing-climate-health-and-biodiversity-crises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuels</a>. They also help regulate nutrient flows in forests, support plant resilience, and even break down pollutants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropics-hold-untapped-fungi">Tropics hold untapped fungi</h2>



Despite their importance, most ectomycorrhizal research focuses on the Global North, leaving tropical fungal communities overlooked.



According to the study, hotspots for dark taxa are especially concentrated in tropical forests and shrublands in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and parts of Africa. They also occur in montane forests above Mongolia.



“Mid-latitude and southern-hemisphere regions show signs of being home to many unknown species," said van Galen. 



“This means there is a mismatch in resources and funding. We need to facilitate more tropical researchers and those from southern-hemisphere regions to focus on identifying these super-important fungi.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-naming-the-nameless"><a></a>Naming the nameless</h2>



To bring these fungi into the scientific spotlight, the researchers suggest two main strategies: fieldwork and museum science. Collecting and sequencing new fungal samples is vital, but revisiting existing collections is equally important.



 Camille Truong is co-author of the study and a mycorrhizal ecologist at SPUN and the <a href="https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in Australia</a>.



“One way to reduce the dark taxa problem is to collect, study and sequence mushrooms and other fungi,” said Truong. 



“Conversely, there are mushrooms that have been sitting for decades in collections of botanical gardens. These should be urgently sequenced so that we can, hopefully, start matching them up with some of these dark taxa.”



The stakes are high. Many of these unknown fungi are linked to plant species that are themselves endangered. If those <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-and-fungi-communicate-using-a-silent-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> disappear, their fungal partners - possibly with vital ecological functions - could vanish without ever being documented.



“We're at risk here,” van Galen warned. “If we lose these host plants, we might also be losing really important fungal communities that we don’t know anything about yet.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritizing-underground-fungal-species">Prioritizing underground fungal species</h2>



The tools to explore fungal diversity already exist. What’s missing is widespread recognition of the fungi’s role in climate and biodiversity, and a coordinated push to study and protect them.



“We really need to pay so much more attention to fungi in the soil so that we can understand the species and protect them and conserve them before we lose them,” van Galen said.



The authors hope their research will help steer conservation organizations toward prioritizing regions rich in underground fungal diversity - even if the species found there are still nameless.



After all, in the quiet depths of the soil, scientists may discover the foundations of forests, climate stability, and even our future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00426-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



Image Credit: Adriana Corrales/SPUN



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Why millions of fungal species still remain unknown

Beneath the forest floor lies a vast and vital network...

When people think of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, farming likely isn’t the first image that comes to mind. Known for its cold winters, brief growing seasons, and thick forests, the region seems too harsh for traditional agriculture. 



But a newly published study tells a very different story - one that stretches back over a thousand years and challenges what we thought we knew about the history of Indigenous farming in the northern U.S.



Scientists at <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmouth College</a> have confirmed that a site along the Menominee River, known as Sixty Islands, was once home to intensive agriculture practiced by the ancestors of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.



The research sheds light on a large and remarkably preserved raised-field system that dates back to between the 10th century and 1600, making it one of the most complete ancient agricultural sites east of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/the-mississippi-river-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mississippi River</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sophisticated-farming-history">Sophisticated farming history</h2>



At the heart of the discovery are the ridge fields - clusters of garden beds raised between 4 and 12 inches (10 and 30 centimeters) high. These were used to cultivate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-sweet-corn-at-high-densities-improves-yield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corn</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beans-a-simple-food-with-serious-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beans</a>, squash, and other crops. 



The ridge fields still stretch across the land in visible patterns, many of them intact despite centuries of weather and change.



"The scale of this agricultural system by ancestral Menominee communities is 10 times larger than what was previously estimated," said lead author Madeleine McLeester, an assistant professor of anthropology. 



"That forces us to reconsider a number of preconceived ideas we have about agriculture, not only in the region, but globally."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-farming-society">Complex farming society</h2>



The research team surveyed around 330 acres of the site, although they believe that represents only 40% of the total area. The findings hint at a much larger and more complex farming society than previously recognized.



"When you look at the scale of farming, this would require the kind of labor organization that is typically associated with a much larger, state-level hierarchical society," noted McLeester.



"Yet, everything we know about this area suggests smaller, egalitarian societies lived in this region but, in fact, this may have been a rather large settlement."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-history-of-a-sacred-landscape">Farming history of a sacred landscape</h2>



The Sixty Islands site is part of Anaem Omot, meaning “Dog’s Belly” in the Menominee language. It’s not just farmland - it’s a sacred and historical landscape.



The area includes burial mounds, dance rings, and village remnants. Some of these were originally excavated between the 1950s and 1970s. A corn cupule found and dated during those early digs helped confirm the agricultural roots of the site.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/agriculture_native-american-farm_Sixty-Islands_map_credit-Carolin-Ferwerda_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/agriculture_native-american-farm_Sixty-Islands_map_credit-Carolin-Ferwerda_1s.webp" alt="Map shows Sixty Islands and other archaeological sites along the Menominee River, and the lidar survey area. Credit: Carolin Ferwerda" class="wp-image-1973247"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Map shows Sixty Islands and other archaeological sites along the Menominee River, and the lidar survey area. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Carolin Ferwerda</figcaption></figure>



Recognizing the deep cultural value of Anaem Omot, it is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. 



At the request of Menominee tribal authorities, the Dartmouth archaeologists returned to the site equipped with modern technology to study and document it further. 



They worked closely with tribal preservation officer David Grignon and the late David Overstreet, a consulting archaeologist for the College of the Menominee Nation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drones-uncovered-ancient-patterns">Drones uncovered ancient patterns</h2>



In May 2023, the team launched a drone-based lidar survey of the area. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/5000-year-old-fort-hidden-in-the-jungle-confirms-ancient-society-sophistication-lidar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lidar</a>, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, uses laser pulses to scan and map surfaces - even beneath forest canopies. It revealed a network of parallel ridges forming quilt-like patterns across the landscape.



"Lidar is a really powerful tool in any kind of forested or heavily vegetated region where the archaeology is hidden below trees - where no kind of optical imagery can see what's underneath the tree canopy," explained senior author Jesse Casana, a professor of anthropology.



"Forests are really confounding to archaeology in a lot of ways, so a lot of archaeologists rely on publicly available lidar that has often been obtained from a plane that flies really high," said Casana. 



"But the resolution of the data is usually too low to see many archaeological features. Drone lidar enables us to collect the same kind of data but at a much higher resolution," added Casana.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-digging-deeper-into-farming-history">Digging deeper into farming history</h2>



In August 2023, the team excavated three of the agricultural ridges to learn more about their age and construction. 



Charcoal samples from the dig were radiocarbon dated, showing that the ridges were actively rebuilt and maintained over a span of 600 years, starting around the year 1000.



"All three ridges showed a similar picture in terms of their construction, history and reconstruction," said Casana. "Most field systems have been either lost or destroyed due to intensive land use across most of North America, through farming, including pastures, and the cutting down of trees for urban development."



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/agriculture_native-american-farm_Sixty-Islands_credit-Madeleine-McLeester_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/agriculture_native-american-farm_Sixty-Islands_credit-Madeleine-McLeester_1s.webp" alt="Raised agricultural beds cover an estimated 70% of the lidar survey area at Sixty Islands archaeological site along the Menominee River. Credit: Madeleine McLeester" class="wp-image-1973245"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Raised agricultural beds cover an estimated 70% of the lidar survey area at Sixty Islands archaeological site along the Menominee River. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Madeleine McLeester</figcaption></figure>



"Through this research, we get this little window of preservation into pre-Colonial farming in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan," Casana added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maximizing-agricultural-productivity">Maximizing agricultural productivity </h2>



The excavations turned up more than just soil. Charcoal, ceramic sherds, and other small artifacts were found, suggesting that household waste and ashes may have been used to fertilize the fields. The team also found signs that wetland soils were added to improve growing conditions.



"Our work shows that the ancestral Menominee communities were modifying the soil to completely rework the topography in order to plant and harvest corn at the near northern extent of where this crop can grow," said McLeester. 



"This farming system was a massive undertaking requiring a lot of organization, labor, and know-how to maximize agricultural productivity."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-geography-of-early-farming">The geography of early farming</h2>



The scope of what was found may only scratch the surface of early farming history. "We're seeing this kind of landscape alteration in a place where we wouldn't expect it," said McLeester.



"This may be just a little remnant of what must have been a much larger system," added Casana.



The research raises the possibility that many more raised-field systems once existed across the eastern U.S., and that forested regions like the Upper Peninsula might have been significantly more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-recovery-is-lacking-in-the-most-deforested-areas-of-the-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforested</a> in the past due to agricultural activity.



The work continues. Dartmouth archaeologists are partnering with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin on further surveys at the Sixty Islands site. 



The goal is to locate ancestral villages and map more of the historic agricultural landscape - giving us a clearer picture of how Indigenous farmers shaped the land long before European settlers arrived.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads1643" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



Image credit: Madeleine McLeester



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1,000-year-old Native American farm discovery upends what scientists previously believed was possible

When people think of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, farming likely isn’t...

Scientists at McMaster University have unlocked new possibilities in sustainable material design using fungi. Specifically, the common split gill mushroom (Schizophyllum commune) shows immense potential. It contains over 23,000 mating types, making it a genetic goldmine for innovation.



These mushrooms form mycelium, a dense network of fibers. This structure, once processed, can become biodegradable replacements for plastics, leather, and foams. But even when grown identically, the resulting materials vary. Strength, flexibility, and water resistance often differ.



To address this, researchers studied 16 strains - four monokaryons and 12 of their dikaryotic offspring. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-of-glowing-mushrooms-discovered-mycena-crocata/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strains</a> were carefully bred and tested for material yield and quality. They revealed that both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA influence the traits of resulting films.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mushrooms-biodegradable-leather-and-plastic-nbsp">Mushrooms, biodegradable leather, and plastic&nbsp;</h2>



The team used a liquid fermentation method to grow mats of mycelium over 12 days. They applied two chemical crosslinkers: polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glycerol. These helped turn the fluffy mats into solid films.



“It's possible to use natural genetic variation that already exists in nature and to make combinations that will potentially fit into all kinds of materials, not just one,” said Jianping Xu, a professor of biology at <a href="https://www.mcmaster.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McMaster University</a>.



Each film showed distinct features. Glycerol made soft, pliable sheets. PEG made films that were stiffer and stronger, but also more brittle. For instance, the αδ strain treated with PEG had a ductility over 41%, while others broke quickly.



Statistical analysis revealed something key: mitochondrial and nuclear genotypes interact with crosslinkers in complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-compound-linked-to-better-health-and-longer-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ways</a>. Some combinations absorbed water better, others yielded higher strength or elasticity. No single strain or treatment outperformed all others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-mushroom-films-were-stronger">Some mushroom films were stronger</h2>



The researchers used electron microscopes to study the films’ fiber structure. PEG-treated films preserved more aerial hyphae and had rougher surfaces. 



Glycerol-treated films were smooth and gelatinous. This roughness may influence where and how the film breaks.



When they tested tensile strength, PEG films often reached higher stresses but lacked flexibility. Glycerol films stretched more before breaking. Some films from the γ family had excellent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nuclear-fusion-milestone-brings-clean-energy-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy</a> absorption, especially βγ and βδ combinations.



Water behavior differed between treatments. PEG films became highly absorbent, rapidly soaking up water through superwicking properties. 



Glycerol films showed consistent water attraction with 77-degree contact angles, making them ideal for packaging applications and wearable material uses due to their predictable moisture interaction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eco-friendly-mushroom-materials">Eco-friendly mushroom materials</h2>



This study is not just a lab exercise. It presents a real strategy for producing environmentally friendly materials using biology. Rather than engineer every trait from scratch, scientists can mix and match natural genetics.



The work also emphasizes scalability. Liquid-state surface fermentation is easier to replicate and scale than older methods. The researchers propose using protoplast fusion or selective mating to further expand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-total-synthesis-of-mushroom-compound-could-transform-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">material options</a>.



Crosslinker selection adds another layer. PEG boosts stiffness but at the cost of flexibility. Glycerol preserves stretchiness but lowers strength. 



The future lies in customizing the process for different industrial needs - fabrics, construction, or biodegradable wraps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-materials-from-mushrooms">Sustainable materials from mushrooms</h2>



The study does have limitations. The untreated control films disintegrated, making them impossible to test. Also, the team couldn’t explore every genetic combination possible, which opens the door for more research. 



Standardizing how strains are selected and linking genetic traits to material qualities still pose major hurdles. But despite these gaps, the work lays a strong foundation for future advances.



It proves that material properties can be shaped not only through processing or chemical treatments, but also by selecting specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-magic-new-species-discovered-in-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mushroom</a> genes. 



This approach could shift how we think about designing sustainable materials. Instead of forcing nature to adapt to our needs, we can now search within nature’s own library of genetic variation.



The split gill mushroom, with its wide diversity, gives scientists a rich resource to explore. The message is simple: nature already provides the recipes. 



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2369969825000374?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts</a>.



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How mushrooms could replace materials like plastic and leather

Scientists at McMaster University have unlocked new possibilities in sustainable...

The world of psychedelic science just gained a surprising new chapter, thanks to morning glory seeds and a student at West Virginia University (WVU). 



While much of modern pharmaceutical research depends on billion dollar labs and global corporations, sometimes the most powerful discoveries grow quietly in a greenhouse. 



Hidden in the seed coat of a common plant, an elusive fungus has finally been found. It may lead to better treatments for depression, PTSD, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-psychedelic-dose-may-improve-brain-flexibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addiction</a>, and more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-morning-glory-seed-coats">Inside morning glory seed coats</h2>



Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology major from Delaware, Ohio, had no idea she was on the brink of a major scientific moment. 



As a Goldwater Scholar and lab researcher at <a href="https://www.wvu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WVU</a>’s Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hazel was investigating how morning glory plants manage the movement of ergot alkaloids. These are natural compounds with known effects on both plants and people.



In collaboration with Professor Daniel Panaccione, she explored whether these alkaloids, long known to provide protective effects to plants, might be linked to fungal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelics-sexuality-and-self-discovery-what-a-new-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity</a>. 



The team had collected many morning glory specimens in their lab, each holding potential secrets. Then, during one routine observation, Hazel noticed something small but strange.



"We had a ton of plants lying around and they had these tiny little seed coats," she said. "We noticed a little bit of fuzz in the seed coat. That was our fungus."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-confirms-new-fungus-species">DNA confirms new fungus species</h2>



To determine exactly what they were looking at, the researchers extracted DNA from the seed coat and sent it out for genome sequencing. This process would determine the fungus’s genetic fingerprint and confirm whether it had ever been cataloged before. 



When the results came back, it was clear. They had discovered a new species. Hazel named it Periglandula clandestina. The name reflects the fungus’s stealthy nature. It had hidden in plain sight for decades. 



The DNA sequence has now been officially stored in a gene bank, permanently linking her name to this scientific achievement. "Sequencing a genome is a significant thing," Panaccione said. "It's amazing for a student." 



But the importance of the discovery did not stop at its novelty. This tiny fungus was not just rare. It filled in a crucial piece of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magic-mushrooms-are-the-most-popular-psychedelic-drug/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychedelic</a> puzzle that had lingered for nearly a hundred years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-morning-glory-fungus-and-lsd-effects">Morning glory fungus and LSD effects</h2>



In the late 1930s, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann created LSD by modifying ergot alkaloids. He also noticed that morning glories seemed to contain similar psychedelic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-ibogaine-can-now-be-produced-without-rare-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compounds</a>. 



Hofmann theorized that a fungus living inside the plants could be responsible. However, scientists for decades could not find this mysterious organism.



"Morning glories contain high concentrations of similar lysergic acid derivatives that give them their psychedelic activities," Panaccione explained. 



"This inspired Hofmann and others to investigate morning glories for the presence of a hidden fungus related to the ergot fungus that might be the source of these chemicals. They found very similar chemicals, but they could never find the fungus itself."



Hazel and Panaccione’s work finally closed this chapter. Their findings, published in the journal Mycologia, confirm what Hofmann had only suspected. The fungal symbiont inside morning glories is not only real but also active in producing these mind-altering alkaloids.



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



Ergot alkaloids have a complicated history. Produced only by fungi, they naturally occur in grains like rye and plants like morning glory. While some forms are dangerous and toxic to humans and livestock, others have long been used in medicine. 



Doctors have used them to manage migraines, stop uterine bleeding, and even treat Parkinson’s disease. However, these treatments come with risks. Side effects can be severe. 



With the discovery of Periglandula clandestina, researchers now have a new fungal model that produces ergot alkaloids efficiently and in high amounts. This could offer a new path to refining these compounds for medical use, with better control and fewer unwanted effects.



"Many things are toxic. But if you administer them in the right dosage or modify them, they can be useful pharmaceuticals. By studying them, we may be able to figure out ways to bypass the side effects. These are big issues for medicine and agriculture," noted Panaccione.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-naming-the-morning-glory-fungus">Naming the morning glory fungus</h2>



The choice of name, Periglandula clandestina, was no accident. For decades, scientists looked for this very fungus. Its absence puzzled many. Its ability to hide, even while producing clearly detectable chemicals, added to the mystery.



"I think that's the perfect name," Panaccione said. "And I love that we did this project together. Corinne has a ton of talent. It's about students recognizing the opportunities, seizing them and having the skill and the brain power to bring this work to fruition."



For Hazel, this was not just a technical project or a lucky break. It became a moment that validated years of training, careful observation, and persistence. Her work gives other students a model to follow. Paying attention can lead to scientific impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-the-fungus">What’s next for the fungus</h2>



Hazel has not stopped with the discovery. She is now studying how best to grow the fungus in the lab. This is not easy. Periglandula clandestina grows slowly and under specific conditions. 



If she succeeds, it could allow scientists to produce ergot alkaloids in more controlled settings, advancing pharmaceutical research.



Hazel also plans to examine other morning glory species. It is possible that many more fungi, still unknown, may be working quietly inside these plants. They could be producing powerful compounds and waiting to be found.



"I'm lucky to have stumbled into this opportunity," she said. "People have been looking for this fungus for years, and one day, I look in the right place, and there it is. I'm very proud of the work that I've done at WVU."



Hazel’s discovery reminds us that scientific revolutions can begin in the most overlooked places. In this case, the revolution started with a bit of fuzz in a seed coat and the curiosity of one determined student.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00275514.2025.2483634" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mycologia</a>.



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Fungus that lives in 'morning glory' flower seeds produces psychedelic effects similar to LSD

The world of psychedelic science just gained a surprising new...

Plants suffer greatly during summer droughts, which can lead to billions of dollars in lost crops, and a higher demand for irrigation. This can cause a decline in productivity, resulting in food shortages and rising prices. It’s a familiar story - but one that might soon change.



Researchers from <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>, the University of Colorado, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have shown conclusively that plants can help themselves recover from severe drought, without outside intervention. 



This process, called “refilling,” has been debated by plant scientists for years. But the new research demonstrates that it can happen naturally in plants.



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



When plants dry out, they suffer damage deep inside. Their water transport system, known as the xylem, becomes blocked by gas bubbles. These bubbles, called embolisms, prevent water from flowing. 



In many plants, recovery is difficult of even impossible once <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-trees-decide-between-growing-and-breathing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">embolisms</a> have formed. Scientists have long debated whether plants can clear these blockages on their own. Some experiments suggested they could, but the methods used raised doubts.



Traditional studies often involved cutting plants and forcing water back into the tissues under unnatural pressures. Critics pointed out that this could create “artifacts” - results that didn’t reflect what happens in nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-plant-recovery-in-real-time">Observing plant recovery in real-time </h2>



To settle the debate, the CSU, CU, and USDA team took a different approach. They used a micro-CT scanner, an advanced type of X-ray machine, to watch the plants without harming them. This machine allowed the researchers to observe internal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sensors-that-detect-plant-stress-could-revolutionize-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant processes</a> as they unfolded in real time.



What they found was striking. Within 24 hours of watering, a type of wild grass that had become dehydrated showed a complete reversal of embolism. Its water transport system - initially almost entirely blocked - returned to full function.



“This is the first convincing evidence of the reversal, or refilling, of embolism in a vascular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-plant-species-remain-unphotographed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a>, with the plant regaining full functional recovery afterward,” said Sean Gleason, a researcher with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and a CSU affiliate.



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



The implications are significant. If scientists can understand the genetic mechanisms behind refilling, they might be able to breed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-cover-crops-may-be-the-future-of-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crops</a> that can survive droughts more effectively.



The team has already started looking for other plants with this trait. The hope is to identify the genetic triggers that make refilling possible. Once found, these traits could be introduced into agricultural crops.



"If a plant can recover from drought quickly by refilling, then you might be able to recoup some losses during a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exquisite-mechanism-will-help-plants-survive-drought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> year,” said Troy Ocheltree, a CSU associate professor in the Warner College of Natural Resources. 



“If plants can refill, this may allow flexibility in the amount and timing of irrigation, although additional work is required to identify how refilling would impact crop water use.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-resilient-plant-hiding-in-plain-sight">A resilient plant hiding in plain sight</h2>



The plant that proved the theory wasn’t found in a lush field or a greenhouse. It was discovered growing in a parking lot, thriving in the cracks of hot, dry asphalt.



The research team, including lead author Jared Stewart and graduate students Brendan Allen and Stephanie Polutchko, picked this grass because of its resilience. 



After a prolonged drought, the grass appeared dead and had up to 88% of its xylem blocked. But once watered, its vascular system bounced back overnight.



So far, this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-grass-could-protect-crops-against-deadly-pathogens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wild grass</a> is the only species known to refill naturally. However, the researchers believe others might exist.



“We don't know how common this is,” Ocheltree said. “But the fact that we found a plant in the parking lot that refills makes me think there's probably others out there that also refill. It shifts our mindset.”



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



A key part of the study’s success was access to a micro-CT scanner from CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. 



This specialized machine, which is typically used for small animals, emits lower radiation levels than standard CT scanners. It allowed the researchers to scan the plants repeatedly without causing harm.



Support from the lab’s staff was essential. Professor Nicole Ehrhart, director of CSU’s Center for Healthy Aging, and lab technician Laura Chubb played critical roles. Chubb initially scanned the plants and later trained Gleason to operate the machine.



“The resilience of this humble grass - reviving its vascular system overnight - was both surprising and deeply compelling,” Ehrhart said.



“Collaborations like this remind us how powerful it can be when tools developed for biomedical research are applied in new ways to answer fundamental questions about life. We were thrilled to contribute to such impactful science.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breeding-plants-to-resist-drought">Breeding plants to resist drought</h2>



The discovery opens the door to exciting possibilities. With further research, scientists might find more species capable of refilling. 



Experts can work toward breeding these drought-resistant traits into crops - a step that could improve food security and help farmers adapt to a changing climate.



For now, a scrappy little grass from a parking lot is showing the world that recovery from drought isn’t just possible - it’s real.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2420618122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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How a humble plant may help us save crops from drought

Plants suffer greatly during summer droughts, which can lead to...

The Bronze Age is no longer a mystery box of pottery and tools. Thanks to detailed isotope and botanical analysis, we now see how deeply life changed around 1500 BCE in Central Europe. At the heart of this story is the Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom cemetery in Eastern Hungary.



The research, led by Tamás Hajdu and Claudio Cavazzuti, uncovered how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bronze-age-technology-is-a-modern-solution-for-clean-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people</a> moved, ate, and related to each other during a time of major cultural shift.



This change was not gradual. It was fast, sweeping, and surprisingly well-documented. Over 130 isotope samples and dental microremains from Tiszafüred tell us how this community responded to larger forces that were shaping Bronze Age Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-people-stopped-migrating-and-stayed-local">People stopped migrating and stayed local</h2>



Strontium isotope analysis shows a sharp drop in long-distance movement during the Late Bronze Age. Most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bronze-age-teeth-discovery-highlight-the-evolution-of-the-human-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people</a> buried at Tiszafüred were local. About 75% came from within 20 kilometers. Just one person in the entire sample clearly came from far away.



Migration didn't stop, but it changed. Middle Bronze Age newcomers often arrived from nearby highlands like the Upper Tisza basin. Later migrants came from farther west, such as Transdanubia or the Southern Carpathians. These areas were linked to the growing influence of the Tumulus culture.



"Mobility is more intense among adult males," the researchers noted, but the gap narrows in the Late Bronze Age. Female exogamy - marrying outside one's community - was rare and likely local.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-became-simpler-and-evenly-shared">Food became simpler and evenly shared</h2>



Nitrogen and carbon isotope values show a major dietary shift. In the Middle Bronze Age, people ate a wider range of foods. Diets varied by social class, especially for protein. Males had more access to meat.



In contrast, Late Bronze Age diets became less diverse and more equal. The reduction in nitrogen variability suggests fewer inequalities in protein access. This matched the social restructuring seen in settlement <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-nebra-sky-disc-reveals-crafting-secrets-of-the-bronze-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a>. 



Tell-settlements were abandoned. Communities became less hierarchical and more dispersed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-millet-farming-reshaped-bronze-age-diet">Millet farming reshaped Bronze Age diet</h2>



Carbon isotope data and dental calculus analysis both confirm it: broomcorn millet changed everything. Introduced around 1540–1480 BCE, this high-yield, fast-growing cereal became a key part of the diet.



Microscopic remains from dental plaque confirmed millet traces in 6 out of 11 Late Bronze Age individuals. By contrast, just 2 out of 14 Middle Bronze Age people had eaten millet. 



Millet consumption wasn't just a trend. It represented a shift in how people fed themselves and their communities.



“The strong investment in broomcorn millet as key-cereal is considered one of the earliest phases in Europe,” noted the researchers. This shift likely helped communities support population growth during unstable times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-millet-replaced-barley-in-bronze-age">Millet replaced barley in Bronze Age</h2>



Macro-archaeobotany confirmed these findings. Among 22 soil samples, wheat appeared in 60%, barley in less than 10%, and broomcorn millet was absent from Middle Bronze Age layers.



By the Late Bronze Age, millet showed up regularly in dental calculus. Millet's short growing season and high energy content made it ideal for mobile or resource-stressed communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-inequality-more-uniformity">Less inequality, more uniformity</h2>



Social structure mirrored diet. The Middle Bronze Age featured elite males with high meat access and fortified tell-settlements. After 1500 BCE, these settlements disappeared. 



Community life shifted to scattered villages. Burial customs became less ornate, and hierarchies dissolved.



“The abandonment of the fortified MBA tell settlement is followed by a new phase with less structured centers, less stable social hierarchies and the reduced inequalities that we could clearly observe, at least at the level of food consumption,” the researchers wrote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-just-herders-after-all">Not just herders after all</h2>



These results directly challenge long-held <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/5000-year-old-fort-hidden-in-the-jungle-confirms-ancient-society-sophistication-lidar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beliefs</a>. The Tumulus culture has often been called a herding society. But this study shows less meat and more millet. 



People ate local cereals, not just livestock. Protein intake fell even as communities adopted new crops and settlement styles.



"The old topos of the ‘pastoralist Tumulus Grave Culture’… is contradicted," the researchers concluded in their paper. The people of Tiszafüred lived complex lives that blended old ways and new demands.



This study of a Bronze Age site is one of the most detailed of its kind. It reveals the deep ties between food, identity, and community. 



Through teeth and soil, we see how people responded to change - not with chaos, but adaptation. And in doing so, they rewrote the human story in the Carpathian Basin.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-01113-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Millet farming marked a turning point in life during the Bronze Age

The Bronze Age is no longer a mystery box of...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
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On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

<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/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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