Once upon a time, you went to a florist for a bouquet. Now you can grab one next to the spinach, at the pharmacy counter, even by the chips at a gas station. As fresh flowers have spilled out of specialty shops and into everyday retail, their place in our lives - and who’s buying them - has changed fast.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.caes.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences wanted to know what, exactly, is going on. 



They teamed up across horticulture and agricultural economics to look not just at what people buy, but why they buy it, how often, and what those habits reveal about the modern consumer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flowers-move-beyond-florists">Flowers move beyond florists</h2>



Drawing on a nationally representative survey of more than 8,500 people, the team found remarkable variety rather than a single archetype. Using marketing-style cluster analysis, they identified 13 distinct kinds of flower buyers.



Some are the classic date-night crowd: heavy on roses, big on Valentine’s Day. Others show up once a year for anniversaries and otherwise keep their wallets shut. 



A growing slice is buying flowers solely for themselves - home-use-only shoppers who treat stems like candles or throw pillows, a mood boost for the living room. 



And then there’s the “everything” group: people who purchase for all kinds of occasions and tend to spend the most overall.



Ask people what flowers mean and the responses span the spectrum. Word clouds from open-ended answers lit up with “beauty” and “smell,” but also “expensive” and “waste.”



Even so, buyers describe tangible upsides. Those who’d purchased flowers in the past year were more likely to report feeling better at home and at work - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-and-self-guided-nature-program-quickly-improves-mood-and-reduces-stress/">improved mood</a>, less stress, higher morale. The effect was strongest among recent purchasers.



As agricultural economist Ben Campbell put it, “there’s a perceived benefit of buying flowers - whether it’s real or not. People feel they’re getting something valuable from the experience.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-changed-how-we-buy-flowers">Covid changed how we buy flowers</h2>



Behind the scenes, the cut-flower supply chain is both global and intricate. Imports - especially roses from Colombia - still dominate U.S. shelves. But the domestic picture has shifted in surprising ways.



When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdowns-weakened-our-immune-systems/">COVID-19</a> hit, weddings and funerals vanished overnight. Growers plowed under fields. Florists closed their doors. 



And then, stuck at home, people started buying flowers anyway - to brighten kitchen tables and Zoom backgrounds, to mark time when weeks blurred together. Grocery stores and even convenience stores leaned into the demand.



“It became almost like therapy,” said Julie Campbell, the study’s lead author and a horticulture professor. “The habit stuck around.”



That collective turn inward sparked new growth outdoors. From 2017 to 2022, open-field flower acreage in the U.S. more than doubled. 



Much of that expansion came from small and mid-sized farms growing stems that don’t ship well - zinnias, dahlias, snapdragons - varieties that explode with color but wilt on long-haul flights.



Rather than compete with mass-produced roses from the Andes, these growers staked out a complementary niche: seasonal, local, and often more diverse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-farms-find-their-niche">Local farms find their niche</h2>



Today’s bouquets are often a collage of origins. One sleeve might hold Ecuadorian roses, California ranunculus, and Georgia-grown <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-wildflowers-may-be-harming-bees/">wildflowers</a>, all in the same mix.



Consumers seem comfortable with that blend, and many are learning to read seasonality the way they do with produce: peonies in late spring, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-family-tree-explains-evolution-of-flower-symmetry/">sunflowers</a> in midsummer, chrysanthemums in fall.



For domestic growers, that seasonality is an advantage. It allows them to sell what travels poorly and tell a fresher story - field to vase instead of farm to table. For retailers, it’s an opportunity to meet shoppers where they already are.



The UGA study suggests that people inclined to toss a bouquet in the cart also value other small home upgrades. In other words, flowers are converging with the broader “home as haven” mindset that accelerated during the pandemic and never really retreated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flowers-are-no-longer-just-gifts">Flowers are no longer just gifts</h2>



If there’s one throughline in the data, it’s diversity of intent. Flowers are still gifts, of course, but self-purchase is no longer niche. 



The “everything” buyers - those who grab stems for birthdays, apologies, Tuesdays, and everything in between - anchor the market, yet the once-a-year romantics and the treat-yourself crowd matter too.



That mix is why bouquets now show up in so many retail formats. A pharmacy endcap might catch the anniversary buyer; a grocery display might tempt the self-care shopper who wants tulips with their tomatoes.



It also helps explain the emotional payoffs respondents described. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flower-quality-is-a-critical-driver-of-bee-abundance/">Fresh flowers</a> are a fast, visible change in a room and an affordable luxury compared to furniture or renovations. 



That hit of beauty, scent, and novelty can feel outsize relative to the spend, which reinforces repeat purchases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-industry-goes-next"><a></a>Where the industry goes next</h2>



Policy and logistics will continue to shape the landscape - trade agreements, air freight costs, and climate impacts all ripple into what appears in the bucket by the checkout. But the UGA team’s work points to a few practical implications now.



Retailers can segment more intelligently, tailoring assortments and messaging to different buyer types rather than assuming a single use case. 



Growers can lean into their strengths - distinctive, local, and seasonal - without trying to displace imports that excel at year-round volume. 



And marketers can speak to well-being without overpromising: flowers won’t solve life’s problems, but they routinely make spaces feel better, and people notice.



Perhaps the biggest takeaway is the simplest: Americans are still buying flowers - and not just to hand to someone else.



Whether it’s a dozen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-delicate-roses-have-such-harsh-prickles/">roses</a> flown in from Colombia or a handful of dahlias clipped from a nearby farm, fresh stems have become an everyday indulgence. 



They sit by the sink, brighten a desk, bookend the produce aisle, and remind us, in small ways, why bringing a bit of the outside in still resonates.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/horttech/35/3/article-p286.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HortTechnology</a>.



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Why more people are buying flowers for everyday therapy

Once upon a time, you went to a florist for a bouquet. Now you can grab one next to the spinach, at the pharmacy counter, even by the chips at a gas station. As fresh flowers have spilled out of specialty shops and into everyday retail, their place in our lives - and who’s buying them - has changed fast. Researchers at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences wanted to know what, exactly, is going on. They teamed up across horticulture and agricultural...

An escalating trend of carbon-capture tree plantations has been primarily driven by the urgency of the climate crisis.&nbsp;



In an opinion piece published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2023.08.012">Trends in Ecology and Evolution</a>, experts warn that these initiatives might inadvertently endanger tropical biodiversity while offering minimal gains in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-influences-coastal-carbon-storage-capacity/">carbon</a> sequestration. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-net-zero-emissions">Net zero emissions</h2>



"The escalating threat of climate change has spurred global commitments to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of this century," wrote the researchers.



"To reach a balance between reducing emission sources and enhancing greenhouse gas sinks, land-based carbon sequestration is viewed as an important strategy to offset emissions, most prominently via nature-based solutions."



"This, together with the commodification of carbon and the substantial growth of the voluntary carbon market, has resulted in a boom in the number of commercial tree plantation projects across tropical ecosystems with significant financial flows from private and public sectors towards carbon offsetting projects."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystem-degradation-nbsp">Ecosystem degradation&nbsp;</h2>



The experts argue that carbon-offset plantations might come with hidden costs. Instead, they say, we should prioritize conserving and restoring intact ecosystems.



“Despite the broad range of ecosystem functions and services provided by tropical ecosystems, society has reduced value of these ecosystems to just one metric - carbon,” wrote the authors, led by Jesús Aguirre-Gutiérrez of the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford.&nbsp;



“Current and new policy should not promote ecosystem degradation via tree plantations with a narrow view on carbon capture.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-ecosystems-nbsp">Tropical ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



Tropical ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and savannas, are favored for tree plantation because they promote rapid tree growth.&nbsp;



Yet, contrary to popular belief, tree plantations designed for carbon capture seldom contribute to biodiversity or social-economic welfare, noted the researchers.&nbsp;



Tropical ecosystems are renowned biodiversity hotspots that provide invaluable ecosystem services, including water quality maintenance, soil health preservation, and pollination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-capture-plantations-nbsp">Carbon-capture plantations&nbsp;</h2>



Unfortunately, many carbon-capture plantations, typically monocultures, predominantly cultivate five tree species: teak, mahogany, cedar, silk oak, and black wattle. Although economically viable, these plantations tend to support lower biodiversity levels.&nbsp;



For instance, the Brazilian Cerrado savannah experienced approximately 30% reduction in plant and ant diversity following a 40% increase in woody cover.&nbsp;



Such plantations also inadvertently inflict ecological harm, including stream flow reduction, groundwater depletion, and soil acidification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-little-gain-in-carbon-sequestration-nbsp">Little gain in carbon sequestration&nbsp;</h2>



The experts noted the limited effectiveness of even the most aggressive carbon-capture plantation endeavors in sequestering carbon.&nbsp;



“The current trend of carbon-focused tree planting is taking us along the path of large-scale biotic and functional homogenization for little carbon gain,” wrote the researchers. “An area equivalent to the total summed area of USA, UK, China, and Russia would have to be forested to sequester one year of emissions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subterranean-carbon-storage-nbsp">Subterranean carbon storage&nbsp;</h2>



The paper also highlights that intact tropical grasslands and savannas already function as significant carbon sinks, predominantly storing carbon underground.&nbsp;



This subterranean storage, at risk of being lost if these areas are afforested, proves more resilient to environmental disruptions like droughts and fires compared to above-ground carbon stores in tree plantations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-incentives-nbsp">Financial incentives&nbsp;</h2>



Driven by substantial financial incentives, private firms are investing heavily in carbon-capture initiatives, a trend the authors believe is propelled more by economic considerations than ecological concerns.&nbsp;



While carbon metrics are straightforward to quantify and monetize, an excessive focus on tree-planting for carbon capture could potentially undermine efforts to protect intact ecosystems, leading to unfavorable compromises between carbon, biodiversity, and ecosystem functionality.



The experts say we should prioritize conserving intact ecosystems instead of focusing on commercial tree planting.



“An overarching view on maintaining original ecosystem functioning and maximizing as many ecosystem services as possible should be prioritized above the ongoing economic focus on carbon capture projects."



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Tree plantations have hidden impacts on tropical biodiversity

An escalating trend of carbon-capture tree plantations has been primarily...

Watermeal, Earth's tiniest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-true-survivors-flowering-plants-lived-through-the-dinosaur-extinction/">flowering plant</a>, may become an essential astronaut food source and an efficient oxygen generator for space missions, according to a recent report from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Hypergravity_odyssey_of_Earth_s_tiniest_plant">European Space Agency</a> (ESA).



Mahidol University researchers in Thailand have tested watermeal’s space potential by subjecting the minuscule plant to 20 times Earth's normal gravity on the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hypergravity">Hypergravity</h2>



The LDC, located at ESA’s ESTEC technical center in the Netherlands, is a four-arm centrifuge which allows researchers to expose materials to hypergravity for extended periods.&nbsp;



The project, facilitated through HyperGES, is a collaboration under the <a href="https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/access2space4all/index.html">Access to Space for All</a> initiative, backed by both the ESA and the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).



The centrifuge, capable of reaching up to 67 revolutions per minute, houses six gondolas along its arms, which are each able to hold 80 kilograms.&nbsp;



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



The Mahidol University team, led by Tatpong Tulyananda, placed samples of watermeal in boxes equipped with LED lights simulating natural sunlight, within these gondolas.&nbsp;



Watermeal, a tiny plant floating on Thai and Asian water bodies, does not possess roots, stems, or leaves, and has been under study using clinostats to observe its reaction to microgravity.



“We became interested in watermeal because we wanted to model how plants respond to changing gravity levels. Because watermeal doesn’t have any roots, stems or leaves, it is basically just a sphere floating on a body of water. That means we can focus directly on the effects that gravity shifts will have on its growth and development," said Tulyananda.



“In addition, it produces a lot of oxygen through photosynthesis. And watermeal is also a good protein source, which has been consumed in our country for a long time – used with fried egg to soup, or eaten as part of a salad. You consume 100% of the plant when you eat it, so it holds promise in terms of space-based agriculture.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-insights-nbsp">Valuable insights&nbsp;</h2>



The research team observed minimal differences in the plant’s growth between 1g and simulated microgravity. The short-lived nature of watermeal, with a life cycle ranging between five to ten days, allows for the examination of its entire life cycle in a short span.&nbsp;



The experiment yielded two generations of watermeal, the analysis of which Tulyananda believes will provide valuable insights into the plant’s hypergravity response.



“So far, we have seen little to no difference between plant growth at 1g and simulated microgravity, but we want to extend our observations to get an idea of how the plants react and adapt across the whole range of gravity environments," explained Tulyananda.



"Another advantage of watermeal is that it is quite a short-lived plant, so we can study its entire life cycle within five to 10 days."



“Our two weeks of experimentation give us access to two generations of watermeal overall. What we do next is examine the plants directly, then render extracts into a solid pellet form that we will take home to study. Then we can put these samples through detailed chemical analysis to gain insights into the broad spectrum of watermeal’s hypergravity response.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-watermeal-nbsp">More about watermeal&nbsp;</h2>



Watermeal, scientifically known as Wolffia, is recognized as the smallest flowering plant on Earth. Belonging to the duckweed family (Lemnaceae), this tiny plant is aquatic, predominantly floating on the surface of water bodies.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size-and-appearance-nbsp">Size and appearance&nbsp;</h3>



Each individual watermeal plant is extremely small, roughly the size of a pinhead. It has a simple, globular, and rootless structure, often appearing like minute green grains on the water. Unlike typical plants, watermeal lacks stems, leaves, and roots.



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



Watermeal thrives in quiet, nutrient-rich freshwater environments like ponds, lakes, and marshes.



The plant is found globally, with a significant presence in Asia and Thailand.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutritional-value">Nutritional value</h3>



Watermeal is known to be a rich source of protein, making it a nutritious foodstuff. It has been a part of the diet in some countries, consumed in various forms like in soups, salads, or with fried eggs.



Because you consume 100% of the plant when you eat it, it offers maximum nutritional benefits per serving.



Image Credit: ESA



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Watermeal may become an essential food for astronauts

Watermeal, Earth's tiniest flowering plant, may become an essential astronaut...

Forests, with their incredible capacity to absorb and store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/canadian-fires-have-released-a-billion-tons-of-carbon-dioxide/">carbon dioxide</a>, have always been important in the battle against climate change.&nbsp;



However, a recent study based on data from ESA's SMOS satellite mission has thrown a fascinating twist into this narrative. Young trees, contrary to prior beliefs, are truly the champions of carbon capture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-balance-nbsp">Carbon balance&nbsp;</h2>



A critical aspect of understanding our complex climate system is knowing how much carbon is stored in different parts of the planet, particularly in land-based vegetation.&nbsp;



Historically, this has posed a challenge to scientists, leading to uncertainties in estimating the global carbon balance.



The new study, which is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01274-4#citeas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geosciences</a>, has provided much-needed clarity. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellite-imagery">Satellite imagery</h2>



Scientists, funded by ESA, utilized observations from the SMOS satellite to directly observe terrestrial carbon stock changes on both regional and global scales.



The implications of these findings are significant. They offer a more accurate gauge to monitor the progress towards the net-zero goals by 2050, which is an essential part of the Paris Agreement.



The team, led by researchers from the French Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE), discovered that from 2010 to 2019, land-based carbon stocks saw an increase of approximately 510 million tons per year.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-contributors-nbsp">Major contributors&nbsp;</h2>



Boreal and temperate forests were the major contributors, while tropical forests, affected by deforestation and agricultural interference, showed only minor carbon gains.



An unexpected outcome from the study, conducted under ESA's Climate Change Initiative RECCAP-2 project, revealed that forests between 50 to 140 years of age were the heavy lifters in carbon absorption.&nbsp;



By contrast, forests over 140 years old were nearly carbon neutral, a finding that counters traditional vegetation model predictions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-friendly-forest-management-nbsp">Climate-friendly forest management&nbsp;</h2>



"Vegetation models that predict terrestrial carbon stores do not represent forest demographics and tend to overestimate the carbon sequestration capacity of old-growth forests and underestimate of carbon absorbed by boreal and temperate forests," explained Hui Yang, from LSCE.



“Using space-based observations we can track and better understand long-term variations in terrestrial living-biomass. Our study highlights the importance of forest age in predicting carbon dynamics in a changing climate."



“Delaying and decreasing the harvesting of timber from young forests could be a way forward for climate-friendly forest management.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smos-satellite-nbsp">SMOS satellite&nbsp;</h2>



ESA’s SMOS satellite, orbiting since 2009, uses its interferometric radiometer to capture "brightness temperature" images. These images are instrumental in deriving global maps depicting soil moisture and ocean surface salinity levels.&nbsp;



Thanks to recent advancements, the satellite can now produce robust measurements of L-band microwave vegetation optical depth (L-VOD) which, in turn, aids in the diagnosis of global changes in terrestrial carbon stocks.



Philippe Ciais, also from LSCE, elaborated on the immense value of L-VOD data: “Using L-VOD data from SMOS has provided valuable insights into global terrestrial carbon storage."



“The study's findings have important implications for climate change mitigation efforts, as they contribute to a more accurate estimation of the global carbon balance which is needed to inform and track progress towards achieving the Paris Agreement goals.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upcoming-missions">Upcoming missions</h2>



ESA's upcoming Earth Explorer mission named Biomass, launching next year, is poised to provide more comprehensive insights into forest carbon.&nbsp;



Equipped with an innovative P-band synthetic aperture radar, it will enhance our understanding of forests' role in the carbon cycle.



“The use of SMOS to understand more about carbon capture by forests is another example of one of our Earth Explorer research missions surpassing expectations," said Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s director of Earth Observation Programmes.



“With the carbon cycle so fundamental to our climate system and to the health of our planet, we are busy preparing the Biomass Earth Explorer mission, which is dedicated to measuring forest height and biomass."&nbsp;



"Information from this upcoming mission will not only shed new light on the carbon cycle, but also contribute to international efforts to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and land degradation.”



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Young forests are unexpected heroes of carbon capture

Forests, with their incredible capacity to absorb and store carbon...

Honeybees are more discerning in their nutritional choices than previously believed, according to a new study led by the University of Helsinki. This revelation could have profound implications for both bee health and human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agriculture-could-play-a-key-role-in-limiting-global-warming/">agriculture</a>.



"Honeybees are the most widespread managed pollinators of our food crops, and a crucial part of their well-being is a suitable diet," wrote the study authors.&nbsp; "Yet, we do not know how they choose flowers to collect nectar or pollen from."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprisingly-selective">Surprisingly selective</h2>



Historically, honeybees were regarded as generalists when it came to selecting flowering plants, implying they could adapt to a variety of plant species.&nbsp;



However, the current study has challenged this assumption, indicating that these insects display a high degree of selectivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honeybees-use-a-fraction-of-available-plants-nbsp">Honeybees use a fraction of available plants&nbsp;</h2>



"Honeybees choose certain plants as their food resources, and these choices differ among time points and, within a time point, even among bee colonies within the same apiary," explained study co-author Helena Wirta.



"As an example, at a time point, a colony would collect nectar and pollen mainly from different plants."



"Based on our results, honeybees are more selective than assumed, using only a fraction of available plants. Thus, to fulfil its nutritional needs, it is likely to need a wide selection of plants from which to select suitable ones."



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



For the study, honey and pollen samples were collected from beehives. DNA was then extracted from the samples to investigate the nutritional contents of the plants that the bees had visited. 



"Here we studied forty-three honeybee colonies in six apiaries over a summer, identifying the floral origins of honey and hive-stored pollen samples by DNA-metabarcoding," explained the study authors.



"We recorded the available flowering plants and analyzed the specialized metabolites in honey."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The results revealed that plant species vary in the protein content, amino and fatty acid composition of pollen, and the quantity and composition of sugars in the nectar.&nbsp;



In line with these variations, bees would, for instance, favor raspberries particularly in mid- and late summer for nectar. During early summer, they would opt for nectar and pollen from blueberry and cow parsley.



"Overall, we find that honeybees use mostly the same plants for both nectar and pollen, yet per colony less than half of the plant genera are used for both nectar and pollen at a time," wrote the researchers.



"Across samples, on average fewer plant genera were used for pollen, but the composition was more variable among samples, suggesting higher selectivity for pollen sources. Of the available flowering plants, honeybees used only a fraction for either nectar or pollen foraging."



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



These revelations hold significance, especially in light of the declining pollinator numbers reported in recent years.&nbsp;



Honeybees play a pivotal role as pollinators for not just crop plants but also for wild flora. It is important to know which plants meet honeybee nutritional requirements.



"We studied managed honeybees, so our results apply especially to crop species pollination, which impacts both the quality and quantity of yields," said Wirta.



"To ensure food security, including a variety of plants with high nutritional value, we should take these new findings into consideration."



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-42102-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>. 



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Honeybees are very selective about their nutritional choices

Honeybees are more discerning in their nutritional choices than previously...

While several studies have highlighted the ramifications of livestock farming for human consumption, a new study brings attention to a less-discussed realm. What are the environmental implications of meat-based foods that we feed our beloved pets, and how would the Earth benefit if our dogs and cats switched to vegan diets?



As the urgency for sustainability grows, consumers are becoming more conscious of their dietary choices and the environmental footprints they leave behind. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cowspiracy-film-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">livestock industry</a>, notoriously linked with large-scale land usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and overconsumption of freshwater, has long been scrutinized for its adverse environmental impact. New research brings attention to this issue, but from a slightly different perspective.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eye-opening-findings">Eye-opening findings</h2>



The study, led by Andrew Knight from <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Griffith University</a>, Australia, breaks new ground in the sustainability discourse. Knight’s analysis suggests that converting all cats and dogs, either in the US or globally, to a vegan diet – one without meat, dairy, or eggs – could have profound positive environmental outcomes.



The immediate question that arises is whether vegan diets are safe for pets. Recent research affirms that nutritionally sound vegan diets for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-on-vegan-diets-are-equally-healthy-as-those-that-eat-meat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cats</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-with-vegan-diets-may-have-better-health-outcomes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> not only are safe, but may also be healthier when compared to conventional meat-based diets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-positive-impact-by-the-numbers">Potential positive impact: By the numbers</h2>



Using pet population data from 2020 (for the US) and 2018 (for global estimates), along with insights from a myriad of prior studies and governmental databases, Knight painted a hypothetical yet illuminating picture:



<ol type="1" start="1">
<li>The livestock consumed by US dogs and cats stands at about one fifth of the consumption by humans. Globally, this figure drops to one tenth. </li>



<li>The hypothetical adoption of vegan diets by all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vegan-diet-for-dogs-given-the-thumbs-up-by-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US dogs</a> and cats could prevent the slaughter of close to 2 billion land-based livestock animals every year. On a global scale, this number could shoot up to almost 7 billion. Furthermore, billions of aquatic animals could also be spared. </li>



<li>Significant conservation of resources could be achieved. For example, the global shift of all dogs to vegan diets might free up land equivalent to the size of Saudi Arabia. Cats, if they were to follow suit, could save a land area as vast as Germany. For context, if humanity at large adopted veganism, land larger than Russia and India combined could potentially be conserved. </li>



<li>The shift could also yield drastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-are-proven-better-for-human-and-environmental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reductions in greenhouse gas</a> emissions. To draw a parallel, a global shift in dog diets could reduce emissions equivalent to the total emissions of the UK. For cats, the equivalent is that of Israel.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assumptions-and-caveats">Assumptions and caveats</h2>



As promising as these numbers seem, Knight brings a balanced perspective by pointing out potential underestimations and assumptions. The pet population and energy requirements used in the study may actually be conservative. This implies that the real-world environmental benefits could be even more substantial.



However, the study does ride on certain assumptions. For one, the global calculations were predominantly based on US dietary ingredient data, neglecting potential variations in ingredients between nations. 



Moreover, the environmental impact data hails from between 2009 to 2011. More recent data might paint a different (possibly more accurate) picture. Knight also highlighted the need for future research to focus on the specific energy density of various animal-sourced ingredients. He used the broad averages in this study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-switching-your-dogs-and-cats-to-vegan-diets">Switching your dogs and cats to vegan diets</h2>



While Knight's research unequivocally underlines the environmental merits of vegan diets, he cautions pet owners about the health implications. For those considering this route, he stresses the importance of choosing vegan pet food that is labeled as nutritionally complete. It should also be sourced from trustworthy companies with high standards.



In an era where sustainability is not just a buzzword but a dire necessity, such studies carve pathways for more conscious living. The ripple effect of our dietary choices, whether for us or our pets, is vast. Knight’s analysis offers food for thought in our collective journey towards a greener planet.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0291791" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



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Switching dogs and cats to vegan diets would help the Earth tremendously

While several studies have highlighted the ramifications of livestock farming...

Smoked,Soy,Cheese,Tofu,Diced,On,A,Cutting,Board,,Soy

As concerns regarding the planet's resources and climate change continue to mount, so does the pressure on the food industry to devise <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-are-proven-better-for-human-and-environmental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable solutions</a>. The most recent innovation in this arena? Using fermentation to develop plant-based cheeses that might just rival their dairy counterparts.



This shift towards a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-meat-diets-have-four-times-the-environmental-impacts-of-vegan-diets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eco-friendly</a> approach has led scientists to experiment with plant-based alternatives, mirroring the familiar tastes and textures we’ve relished for millennia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-of-plant-based-cheese">Challenges of plant-based cheese</h2>



For the average Dane, a whopping thirty kilos of cheese is consumed annually. This statistic underscores the deep-rooted love for dairy, and the challenge of making plant-based cheese that's equally delightful. While the market has witnessed a surge in plant-based cheese alternatives, replicating the authentic taste and texture of dairy-based cheese remains elusive.



Plant proteins, like those from peas and beans, have a different molecular structure compared to milk proteins. This difference makes it challenging to recreate the signature cheese texture. 



In a bid to overcome this hurdle, manufacturers have resorted to adding ingredients like starch or coconut oil. While these solutions do impart a certain hardness to the plant-based cheese, they also necessitate a cocktail of flavorings to mimic the authentic cheese taste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fermentation-old-tech-to-the-rescue">Fermentation - old tech to the rescue</h2>



Enter fermentation, nature’s own alchemical process, which has been used for thousands of years to transform milk into cheese. A study from the University of Copenhagen’s <a href="https://food.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Food Science</a>, led by researcher Carmen Masiá, illuminates the vast potential of this ancient method. 



Masiá has managed to develop plant-based cheese, harnessing the power of yellow pea protein and employing natural fermentation with bacteria. The result? A plant-based cheese boasting an improved aroma profile and a desirable firm texture.



Fermentation stands out as a formidable technique in the domain of plant-based cheese production. Masiá's experiments unveil its ability to swiftly lend firmness to the non-dairy cheese while successfully diminishing the overpowering bean-like aroma inherent to yellow pea protein. As she notes, "Bacteria can serve to develop firmness in non-dairy cheese in a very short period of time."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-based-cheese-in-just-8-hours">Plant-based cheese in just 8 hours</h2>



This venture into fermented plant-based cheese isn't Masiá's maiden voyage. Her previous research affirmed the suitability of yellow pea protein as a solid foundation for crafting such cheeses. This time, Masiá furthered her exploration by examining twenty-four bacterial combinations sourced from biotech firm Chr. Hansen.



Her objective? "To combine the commercially-available bacterial cultures that are suitable for the fermentation of a plant-based raw material, and test them in a pea protein matrix to develop both taste and texture that would be suitable for a cheese-like product." 



After inoculating these bacterial combinations in a protein base of yellow pea protein and letting it incubate for merely eight hours, the outcome was akin to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cheese_plant-based_Credit-Department-of-Food-Science_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fresh soft white cheese</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taste-and-texture-is-everything">Taste and texture is everything</h2>



Masiá emphasizes that the journey to perfecting this plant-based cheese still has hurdles to overcome. The creation process will require a meticulous crafting of bacterial compositions and cultures to mirror the quintessential cheese-like traits. Additionally, much like traditional cheese, the plant-based version might also benefit from a maturation period, allowing it to acquire depth in its flavor profile.



"The most challenging thing for now is that, while there are a lot of people who would like to eat plant-based cheese, they aren’t satisfied with how it tastes and feels in the mouth. In the end, this means that no matter how sustainable, nutritious, etc. a food product is, people aren't interested in buying it if it doesn't provide a good experience when consumed," says Masiá.



She adds, "One needs to remember that dairy cheese production has been studied over many years, so it's not something that we can just mimic overnight with totally different raw materials. Nevertheless, there are many scientists and companies out there doing great progress in the field; I hope that we will get closer to making non-dairy cheeses that taste good over the next few years. We are getting there."



But the ultimate litmus test will, of course, be the consumer. The newly minted cheese variants will have to tantalize their taste buds, compelling them to not just accept but actively seek out and buy these sustainable options. Given the progress already made, it's a future that seems not only plausible but also deliciously promising.



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



Fermentation, at its core, harnesses the power of microorganisms to transform food and drinks. This age-old process, employed by various cultures around the globe, taps into bacteria, yeast, and fungi to convert carbohydrates like sugars into alcohol and acids.



Why do we ferment? Besides to make plant-based cheese taste better, there are many reasons.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preservation">Preservation</h3>



Firstly, fermentation extends the shelf life of many perishables. When you ferment cabbage, for example, you get sauerkraut, which lasts longer and offers a distinct tangy flavor. Similarly, fermenting milk results in yogurt, a creamy delight cherished worldwide.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrition">Nutrition</h3>



But it's not just about preservation. Fermentation elevates the nutritional value of foods. The process breaks down certain compounds, making nutrients more accessible for absorption. For instance, the fermentation of soybeans to produce tempeh enhances the bioavailability of its protein content.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-probiotics">Probiotics</h3>



Furthermore, fermentation introduces probiotics – beneficial bacteria that support gut health. Consuming fermented foods like kimchi or kefir regularly can positively influence our digestive system and overall well-being.



Taste is another reason fermentation has captured our culinary hearts. The process imparts rich, layered flavors to foods and drinks. Wine, beer, and cheese – all products of fermentation – stand testament to this flavor revolution.



In summary, fermentation not only conserves our food but also enriches its nutritional profile, taste, and digestibility. Through this remarkable natural process, we enjoy a symphony of flavors and health benefits, making fermentation truly a cornerstone of global culinary arts.



This full study has been published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666833523000369?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientific journal&nbsp;Future Foods</a>.



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Old trick turns plant-based cheese into something that actually tastes good

As concerns regarding the planet's resources and climate change continue...

A study from the University of Southern Denmark is shedding new light on the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, the active compound found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-can-treat-depression-by-restructuring-the-brain/">psychedelic mushrooms</a>. The researchers have found that "microdosing" psilocybin may have a beneficial effect on mental disorders.



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



The study explored the effects of psilocybin microdosing on rats, offering promising insights into its possible advantages for human mental health.&nbsp;



Led by Professor Mikael Palner and PhD student Kat Kiilerich, the research focused on administering repeated low doses of psilocybin to rats, significantly lower than the amounts commonly used in therapeutic contexts.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-medication-technique-nbsp">Self-medication technique&nbsp;</h2>



Microdosing has recently gained traction as a popular self-medication technique.&nbsp;



"Microdosing is a phenomenon popularized within performance culture, notably in areas like Silicon Valley, California, and has subsequently spread through stories and anecdotes on the internet as a form of self-medication for various challenges," explained Professor Palner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psilocybin-microdosing">Psilocybin microdosing </h2>



The results of the study suggest that rats can tolerate repeated psilocybin microdosing without signs of anxiety, reduced pleasure (anhedonia), or altered locomotor activity.&nbsp;



The low doses of psilocybin also increased the rats' resilience to stress, reduced their compulsive behaviors, and notably enhanced connectivity to their brain's thalamus region. This part of the brain plays a crucial role in decision-making and managing concerns.



"The change in connectivity to the thalamus may contribute to our enhanced resilience to stress factors and could explain why so many people report positive effects on their well-being from small doses of psychedelic mushrooms," explained the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-treatment-approaches-nbsp">Innovative treatment approaches&nbsp;</h2>



The findings offer a scientific foundation for the potential benefits of psilocybin microdosing as a therapeutic intervention. This opens avenues for further research and the development of innovative treatment approaches for various mental disorders.



"The increased anxiety and stress in society currently have placed a strong focus on microdosing, leading to a surge in the trade of mushrooms. Countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, the USA, and Canada have either legalized or are in the process of legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic treatment" said Professor Palner.



"It is, therefore, crucial that we understand the effects and side effects of these substances, which are already widely used by people around the world."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-and-performance-enhancement">Mental health and performance enhancement</h2>



Inspired by the surge in self-improvement practices in Silicon Valley, Professor Palner has dedicated years to researching the beneficial impacts of microdosing psychedelics on mental health and performance enhancement.



"Some books were published that popularized the concept of using small doses of psychedelics to address both mental issues and enhance performance. This motivated me to launch the project I've been devoted to for the past six years," said Professor Palner.



"Now, we can determine the appropriate dosage in rats, enabling us to investigate the effects of microdosing, which could significantly advance our understanding of the brain and mental challenges. This benefits both the field of science and society at large."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02280-z">Nature - Molecular Psychiatry</a>.



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Psilocybin microdosing may improve mental health by boosting stress resilience

A study from the University of Southern Denmark is shedding...

Emerging diseases are a significant threat to the global tree population. Diseases have become major contributors to tree mortality in both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/northern-forests-are-being-transformed-by-global-warming/">forests</a> and urban landscapes worldwide, as highlighted in a new study by Dr. Andrew Gougherty, a research landscape ecologist at the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA Forest Service</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-new-hosts">Finding new hosts</h2>



Emerging infectious diseases are not only continually being introduced but are also incessantly seeking new hosts, thereby posing a risk to an increasing number of tree species.



The danger of emerging diseases is underscored by their ability to cause unprecedented levels of mortality when they encounter novel hosts, as noted in the research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-mortality-from-tree-diseases">Rising mortality from tree diseases</h2>



These diseases may wreak havoc in their native ranges, leading to previously unseen mortality rates among <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/a-beginners-guide-to-tree-identification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree</a> populations. While not all emerging diseases ultimately prove fatal to their hosts, many exert profound impacts that can significantly damage host populations.



Illustrating the gravity of the situation, the study cites historical examples of disease-driven tree population declines. Notably, the 20th century witnessed the devastating impact of chestnut blight. This infamous disease virtually eradicated the chestnut from its overstory position within its native Appalachian Mountains range.&nbsp;



The affliction of sudden oak death in California, ash dieback in Europe, and butternut canker in the eastern United States are other notable examples. Each of these diseases harbors the potential to wipe out host tree populations and induce irrevocable changes in their respective ecosystems.



“The continued emergence and accumulation of new diseases increases the likelihood of a particularly detrimental one emerging, and harming host tree populations,” said Dr. Gougherty.



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



The research was focused on identifying regions experiencing rapid accumulations of tree diseases and pinpointing the tree species most adversely affected by these emerging threats.



Dr. Gougherty analyzed over 900 new disease reports involving 284 tree species across 88 countries. “The ‘big data’ approach used in this study helps to characterize the growing threat posed by emergent infectious diseases and how this threat is unequally distributed regionally and by host species."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-rates-of-emerging-diseases-nbsp">Alarming rates of emerging diseases&nbsp;</h2>



Significantly, Dr. Gougherty's findings reveal an alarming acceleration in the number of emerging diseases over the past two decades.&nbsp;



This surge highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research and effective management strategies to safeguard tree populations from the burgeoning threat posed by infectious diseases.&nbsp;



“The accumulation is apparent both where tree species are native and where they are not native, and the number of new disease emergences globally were found to double every ~11 years,” said Dr. Gougherty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-affected-species">Most affected species</h2>



The study revealed that pines have accumulated the most new diseases, followed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oak-trees-use-carbohydrate-reserves-to-survive-insect-invasions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oaks</a> and eucalypts. 



"Of the tree genera assessed, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-gives-pine-trees-fresh-scent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pinus</a> had by far the most new diseases reported over the last several decades, likely reflecting both its large native range in the Northern Hemisphere and its wide use in forestry globally," explained Dr. Gougherty.



Overall, the greatest total accumulation of new diseases was found in Europe, followed by North America and Asia. The study also revealed that most hosts tend to accumulate more diseases in their native ranges than their non-native ranges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-these-tree-diseases">Implications of these tree diseases</h2>



“Unfortunately, there is little evidence of saturation in emergent tree disease accumulation. Global trends show little sign of slowing, suggesting the impact of newly emerged diseases is likely to continue to compound and threaten <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-networks-that-help-trees-communicate-determine-the-nature-of-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree</a> populations globally and into the future,” said Dr.  Gougherty. 



“Climate change is likely also playing a role, both by creating more favorable conditions for pathogens and by stressing host plants.”



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



As global temperatures rise and ecosystems undergo dramatic shifts, our trees face an increasing array of threats. As discussed above, emerging tree diseases are becoming a major concern for ecologists, foresters, and conservationists alike. While we have historically battled tree ailments, the recent upsurge in unfamiliar pathogens poses unique challenges.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ash-dieback-hymenoscyphus-fraxineus">Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus)</h3>



Originating from Asia, Ash Dieback first emerged in Europe in the 1990s and has since spread rapidly. It's a fungal disease affecting ash trees, leading to leaf loss, crown dieback, and often the death of the tree. Afflicted trees display distinct dark lesions on their stems and branches. This disease poses a significant threat, especially to European ash populations.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sudden-oak-death-phytophthora-ramorum">Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum)</h3>



First detected in the 1990s in California, Sudden Oak Death affects various species, especially oak trees. It causes dark spots on leaves, cankers on the tree's bark, and in severe cases, tree death. Beyond oaks, the pathogen can affect other plants, acting as a reservoir for the disease and complicating containment efforts.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-bay-ambrosia-beetle-and-laurel-wilt">Red Bay Ambrosia Beetle and Laurel Wilt</h3>



The Red Bay Ambrosia Beetle, native to Southeast Asia, carries the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, responsible for Laurel Wilt. Identified in the U.S. in 2002, this disease primarily impacts the Lauraceae family, which includes the avocado tree. The fungus blocks water transport in the tree, leading to wilting and death.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emerald-ash-borer-agrilus-planipennis">Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)</h3>



While not a disease in the traditional sense, this invasive beetle from East Asia is worth mentioning due to its destructive nature. Since its discovery in North America in 2002, it has decimated millions of ash trees by boring under the bark and feeding on the tree's inner bark, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-responding-to-the-challenge">Responding to the challenge</h3>



Reacting to these emerging diseases requires a multi-pronged approach. It's imperative to:



Raise Awareness: The public, especially those living near forests or with trees on their property, need to be aware of the symptoms and report suspicious tree health.



Fund Research: Developing resistant tree varieties and effective treatments necessitates robust research efforts.



Strengthen Border Checks: Many tree diseases spread through global trade. Enhanced inspection of imported plants can mitigate the introduction of new pathogens.



Encourage Responsible Gardening: Gardeners can play a significant role by not moving plants from affected areas and by adopting disease-resistant tree varieties.



In summary, our global forests are under siege from a host of emerging diseases. Combating this growing threat will require concerted efforts from scientists, policymakers, and the public. The health of our trees is not just an ecological concern, but it also has profound implications for our economy, culture, and well-being.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.87.103525" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NeoBiota</a>.



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Emerging diseases threaten trees globally, and the trend is escalating

Emerging diseases are a significant threat to the global tree...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/woody-vines-amplify-the-effects-of-lightning-in-tropical-forests/">Tropical forests</a> are no longer the world's major global carbon sinks, as previously believed. Instead, boreal and temperate forests have taken up this role, according to an international research team coordinated by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and INRAE.&nbsp;



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



Using a novel analysis technique for satellite images, the researchers meticulously mapped yearly fluctuations in global forest biomass over a span of a decade, from 2010 to 2019.&nbsp;



The results showed that tropical forests, although expansive and ancient, are now almost carbon-neutral due to the degradation brought about by deforestation, fires, and droughts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biomass-and-carbon-sequestration">Biomass and carbon sequestration</h2>



A surge in plant biomass signifies a boost in carbon sequestration, a key process in counteracting the climate crisis.&nbsp;



The balance of this biomass carbon hinges on a delicate equilibrium between gains from plant growth and forest expansion and losses stemming from deforestation, natural disturbances, and other factors.&nbsp;



Keeping track of these stocks is crucial for deciphering and forecasting climate change impacts, as well as assessing human-induced ecosystem modifications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellite-imaging">Satellite imaging</h2>



The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite, leveraging the L-band vegetation optical depth (L-VOD) techniques, was instrumental in estimating the above-ground carbon stocks at a global scale.&nbsp;



However, challenges like radio interference from human activities and L-VOD's sensitivity to vegetative water content posed hindrances. The team's solution was an innovative double filter to offset these effects.



By employing this novel method and analyzing above-ground biomass data, the researchers were able to determine the overall biomass. 



They meticulously calculated the spatial and temporal distribution of total biomass carbon from 2010 to 2019, creating detailed maps that charted the annual changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-stock-insights">Carbon stock insights</h2>



The study revealed that terrestrial biomass carbon stocks experienced a surge of roughly 500 million tons of carbon annually from 2010 to 2019. 



Surprisingly, it was the boreal and temperate forests that emerged as the prime contributors to this carbon sink, overshadowing tropical forests which have transformed into minor carbon sources due to deforestation and recurrent droughts.&nbsp;



Old-growth tropical forests, where trees often surpass 140 years in age, are barely breaking even in terms of carbon. In contrast, the younger and middle-aged trees of the temperate and boreal forests, aged between less than 50 to 140 years, are proving to be the carbon champions.



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



This revelation challenges the established prediction models that painted old-growth forests as significant carbon sinks, neglecting the nuances of forest demography and the debilitating effects of deforestation on tropical forests.



The study emphasizes the importance of considering forest degradation and age dynamics in predicting future carbon sinks.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01274-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Boreal and temperate forests have emerged as the main carbon sinks 

Tropical forests are no longer the world's major global carbon...

A new study led by the University of South Carolina (USC) has found that distinct variations in the attributes of wildflowers, depending on their respective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-are-not-just-attracted-to-plants-by-scent-but-also-by-humidity/">pollinators</a>, are driven by a small number of key genetic differences.



Wildflowers exhibit unique sets of characteristics - termed “pollination syndromes” - that have evolved to cater to specific animal pollinators, such as insects or birds.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-penstemons">Penstemons</h2>



While most species within the Penstemon genus present wide, blue flowers, serving as landing spots for bees, evolution has led some species to develop narrow, red, tubular flowers, catering to hummingbird pollination.



The North American wildflower genus&nbsp;Penstemon&nbsp;displays remarkable floral syndrome convergence, with at least 20 separate lineages that have evolved from ancestral bee pollination syndrome (wide blue-purple flowers that present a landing platform for bees and small amounts of nectar) to hummingbird pollination syndrome (bright red narrowly tubular flowers offering copious nectar).&nbsp;



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



Related taxa that differ in floral syndrome offer an attractive opportunity to examine the genomic basis of complex trait divergence,” the authors explained.



The objective of this research was to explore how these distinctive pollination syndromes are preserved genetically.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The team sequenced the DNA of 229 plants from three related species of the Penstemon genus: P. neomexicanus and P. virgatus, which are bee-pollinated, and P. barbatus, adapted to hummingbird pollination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



Despite the stark differences in floral attributes, the experts found a relatively small number of genetic differences between P. barbatus and its bee-pollinated relatives.&nbsp;



Moreover, plants from the same geographical vicinity exhibited greater genetic similarity compared to those from varied locations, regardless of the species. These findings suggest that a genetic blending occurs between wildflowers adapted to both bee and hummingbird pollination.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varied-pollinators-nbsp">Varied pollinators&nbsp;</h2>



However, the researchers identified 21 sites that showcased consistent differences among species with varied pollinators. These sites are dispersed throughout the genome, suggesting an increased likelihood of the disruption of complementary floral traits by recombination, resulting in hybrids with diminished success.&nbsp;



Interestingly, three of these identified genetic variances were located proximal to genomic regions that determine flower color, width, and nectar volume - traits distinctive to different pollination syndromes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-flower-traits">&nbsp;Flower traits</h2>



The study provides evidence of occasional hybridization between neighboring bee- and hummingbird-pollinated Penstemon species, alongside an intense selection pressure to retain flower traits adapted to each type of pollinator.



“Although bee- vs. hummingbird-pollinated species are easily distinguished in the field, based on unmistakable differences in flowers and the overall stature of the plant, a surprisingly small number of genetic regions distinguish these different species at the genetic level,” concluded Carolyn Wessinger, an assistant professor of Evolution and Plant Biology at USC.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002294" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS Biology</a>.



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Just a few genetic differences tailor flowers to specific pollinators

A new study led by the University of South Carolina...

Climate change is a pressing global concern that is pushing various plant and animal species towards the brink of extinction. A new study from <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/">UCLA</a> is focused on the survival of redwoods and oaks that thrive on California’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activity-impacts-97-percent-of-the-worlds-coastline/">coastline</a> and coastal mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-climate-crisis-nbsp">The climate crisis&nbsp;</h2>



California's iconic redwoods and oaks face increasing challenges due to alterations in temperatures and rainfall patterns that are associated with human-caused climate change. Many of these species are currently teetering on the edge of their endurance limits.



Identifying suitable new habitats will soon become a matter of life or death for some California native species, noted study senior author Professor Lawren Sack. But if those trees could talk, where would they say they wanted to live?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-the-language-of-plants">Decoding the language of plants</h2>



Professor Sack and his team of UCLA biologists sought answers within the plants themselves.&nbsp;



Their research unraveled a "language" embedded in the leaves and woody stems of plants, indicating their optimal habitats.&nbsp;



This discovery holds promise for conservationists to better locate new regions for plant relocation and provide more effective protection for their existing habitats.



Traditionally, determining the best environment for plants was primarily based on their current habitats. This approach often falls short, especially in places like California where agriculture, industrialization, and urbanization have reshaped the natural habitats.&nbsp;



In addition, climate change further complicates the relocation of these species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-scientific-model">New scientific model</h2>



The study, which is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14422">Functional Ecology</a>, used a statistical model to estimate the preferred climatic conditions for various plant species.&nbsp;



This estimation is derived from several plant parameters, such as height, leaf composition, wilting point, and wood density.



The model does not just reveal what conditions the plant can tolerate, but pinpoints the climate it prefers. This can provide vital information about how well-matched a plant is with its native environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-a-plant-prefers-to-live">Where a plant prefers to live</h2>



“Plant species can directly reveal to us their climate preference and their vulnerability to potential climate change in the ‘language’ of their leaves and wood,” said Professor Sack.



“Now that we know this, if you give us a leaf and a piece of wood, we can give a good scientific prediction of where the plant prefers to live."



“We are tuning in to what the plants are telling us about their preferences, in the language of their tissues and physiology, aiming to help them survive escalating climate challenges.”



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



Professor Sack collaborated with UCLA postdoctoral scholar Camila Medeiros and an international team of researchers.&nbsp;



The team analyzed 10 distinct leaf and wood traits from more than 100 species in a range of environments mostly within the University of California Natural Reserve System.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variety-of-ecosystems-nbsp">Variety of ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



The variety of ecosystems that were analyzed included desert, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, montane wet forest, mixed riparian woodland and mixed conifer broadleaf forest. These types of ecosystems cover about 70% of California’s land area.



“The correspondence of leaf and wood traits with species’ climates is striking,” said Medeiros.&nbsp;



For example, species native to warmer, drier climates tend to be shorter in stature, with thicker and denser leaves and lower wilting points - traits that enable them to continue photosynthesis when water is scarce and to grow faster when water is more readily available.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-physiology-and-climate-nbsp">Plant physiology and climate&nbsp;</h2>



“The reflection of species’ preferred climate in their wood and leaves evidently arose from millennia of evolution that matched plant physiology to climate across California,” said Medeiros.&nbsp;



“We also found that many plants in the ecosystems we sampled were occupying locations that differed in climate from what we estimated to be their optimal niche."&nbsp;



"As climate change ensues, we think this will tend to aggravate the sensitivity of many species, including common trees like the California buckeye and shrubs like the purple sage and California lilacs.”



The study is the first of its kind to determine whether plants’ functional traits can be used to accurately predict their climate preferences.



“Some previous studies analyzed individual approaches one by one, but our study was new in simultaneously applying all of them, and this gave us unprecedented predictive power,” said Medeiros.



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Plants have a way of telling us what climate they can survive in

Climate change is a pressing global concern that is pushing...

A team of marine biologists led by the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en">University of Gothenburg</a> and the <a href="https://www.kth.se/en">KTH Royal Institute of Technology</a> has recently predicted that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-for-ocean-acidification-a-silent-killer-of-climate-change/">ocean acidification</a> will nearly triple by the end of this century.&nbsp;



This significant environmental shift could affect vital marine life such as fleshy seaweeds, which play a crucial role in promoting biodiversity across over a third of the world’s coastlines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fate-of-seaweeds">Fate of seaweeds</h2>



The experts investigated the potential fate of seaweeds in oceans that are undergoing rapid acidification. They exposed a common fleshy seaweed species to the acidification levels anticipated by 2100.&nbsp;



The analyses revealed that this increased acidification altered the seaweed’s chemical balance, weakened its structure and tissues, and decreased its likelihood of survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-changes">Unprecedented changes</h2>



“Climate change is resulting in unprecedented changes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through the emission of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide,” the authors wrote. “Almost a third of that CO2 is taken up by the ocean, which has profound effects on seaweeds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-ocean-acidification">Future ocean acidification</h2>



To simulate the conditions of future ocean acidification, the researchers cultivated Fucus vesiculosus, a common brown fleshy algae, in water enriched with dissolved CO2 for a span of 90 days.&nbsp;



The concentration of carbon dioxide was adjusted to mirror the levels of acidification projected for the year 2100, which is almost threefold the current levels of acidification in the oceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structural-changes-nbsp">Structural changes&nbsp;</h2>



Throughout the experiment, both the visible growth and microscopic structural changes of the seaweed were closely observed.&nbsp;



The researchers measured how well the seaweed performed photosynthesis, analyzed its chemical composition, evaluated its thallus strength, and monitored its response to mechanical stress by mimicking waves to assess its vulnerability to damage or detachment in the ocean (a metric called “drag”).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mixed-results">Mixed results</h2>



Comparison of these findings with data from F. vesiculosus grown in non-acidified water led to mixed results.&nbsp;



The seaweed cultivated in acidified water surprisingly demonstrated greater growth, more efficient photosynthesis, and no significant rise in drag.&nbsp;



However, such seaweed had reduced thallus strength, less compact tissues, a more porous overall structure, and diminished levels of calcium and magnesium - essential elements contributing to the strength and flexibility of a plant’s structure.&nbsp;



As a result, seaweeds in acidified water seemed to be more susceptible to breakage and had a higher mortality rate.



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



“Negative effects of ocean acidification on the tissue structure and breaking strength of seaweeds like F. vesiculosus could have drastic effects on coastal ecosystems,” the scientists explained.



“Such changes could lead to an overall decrease in seaweed coverage, with corresponding negative effects on organisms that depend on these habitats for food and shelter.”



Further studies are needed to explore whether the repercussions of ocean acidification are consistent across all fleshy seaweed species.&nbsp;



“If this proves to be a general mechanism affecting fleshy seaweeds, the expectation is that ocean acidification will have critical structuring effects on rocky-shore ecosystems given how widely distributed and fundamental brown seaweeds are across one-third of the coastlines of the world,” the authors concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.056">Current Biology</a>.



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Ocean acidification endangers ecologically important seaweed

A team of marine biologists led by the University of...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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