With spring approaching, many people are already considering which flowers to plant. Flowers do more than simply make gardens look nice. They are an important source of food for birds and insects, particularly wild bees.



In cities, the appropriate combination of flowers can be the difference between healthy bee populations and unhealthy ones.



A recent study has explored how the properties of flowers affect urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flower-strips-can-boost-wild-bee-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bee populations</a>. 



The researchers discovered that a diverse range of flower sizes and shapes is crucial for supporting wild bee populations. A more varied floral landscape promotes a richer and more abundant bee community.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-flower-shape-and-size-matter">Why flower shape and size matter</h2>



Study co-author Carly Ziter is an associate professor in the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Arts and Science at <a href="https://www.concordia.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Concordia University</a>.



"We know that flowers are an important source of nutrition for bees, but not all flowers are created equal," said Professor Ziter.



"Having a high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-secrets-of-flower-diversity-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity of flowers</a> is a key to supporting bee populations, but our research goes one step further to show a possible mechanism: that having a diversity of floral species is important because they have different shapes and sizes."



Flowers store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybees-carrying-nectar-avoid-overheating-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nectar</a> within their corolla - the tube-like structure formed by a ring of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-engineer-their-petals-to-be-visually-attractive-to-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">petals</a>. Different bee species have different tongue lengths, which means some bees can only access nectar from specific flower shapes.



"This follows the idea of size-matching, where corollas are the right size for a certain type of bee’s proboscis or tongue, allowing it to effectively connect to the flower’s nectar," noted Professor Ziter.



"So, whether a bee has a short or longer proboscis, they will be able to access the nutrition they need if there are multiple kinds of flower morphology nearby."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-bees-in-the-city">Tracking bees in the city</h2>



The team collected data in July 2020 from 16 sites across the Island of Montreal, including community gardens, nature parks, and cemeteries.



The researchers recorded nearly 2,000 bee samples and identified 150 different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-that-90-of-flowering-plant-species-rely-on-animal-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species of flowers</a> within small two-by-two-meter plots.



The density of flowers was measured, and the size of each corolla was documented using digital calipers.



A total of 94 different species of bees were observed during the study. While nectar samples were also collected, no firm connection was established between sugar content and bee diversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-and-the-food-web">Plant diversity and the food web</h2>



"We wanted to see if there was an optimal value for corolla traits," said Professor Ziter. "Was it better to have small corollas, medium ones, or a diversity of them? The results showed quite strongly that having a diversity of corolla sizes was important."



Thriving bee populations play a vital role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robotic-insects-may-be-the-future-of-farming-and-plant-pollination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollination</a>, supporting entire ecosystems and sustaining food supplies.



According to Professor Ziter, the study supports the belief that a diversity of flowers impacts the next trophic level, which contributes to an ecosystem’s food web in a way that goes far beyond bees. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-make-your-garden-bee-friendly">How to make your garden bee-friendly</h2>



City planners, gardeners, and anyone interested in promoting biodiversity can apply these findings in practical ways.



"If you are planting, try to think about what makes these species different. Are they different colors? Are they different sizes? Do they bloom at different times? The more you can think about these different axes of variety in your own garden, the more you are likely to be better off in terms of supporting biodiversity," said Professor Ziter.



By planting a diverse mix of flowers, urban residents can play a small but significant role in sustaining local bee populations and contributing to a healthier environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choosing-the-right-flowers-for-bees">Choosing the right flowers for bees</h2>



For a bee-friendly garden, native plants are often the best choice since they have co-evolved with local species and provide the most suitable nectar and pollen.



Flowers with open, accessible petals are ideal for short-tongued bees, while tubular flowers cater to species with longer proboscises.



Bloom timing is another crucial factor. By planting a variety of flowers that bloom at different times throughout the growing season, gardeners can ensure a steady food supply for bees from early spring to late fall. 



Perennial flowers such as coneflowers, milkweed, and goldenrod are excellent choices, as they return each year and require minimal maintenance.



Avoiding pesticide use and opting for organic gardening practices further enhances the bee-friendly environment. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eap.3067" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Applications</a>.



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Bee-friendly gardening: Why flower diversity is so important

With spring approaching, many people are already considering which flowers...

Grasslands, once vibrant ecosystems teeming with diverse plant and animal life, are vanishing at an alarming rate. Land-use changes, urban expansion, and agricultural development have led to their decline. Abandoned grasslands can be restored through proper management, but full recovery takes longer than expected.



A study from <a href="https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kobe University</a> reveals that even after 75 years of continuous management, restored grasslands do not match the biodiversity of ancient ones. The slow return of specialized pollinators plays a key role in this delay. 



These findings highlight the need to protect old <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restored-grasslands-bring-more-peace-to-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grasslands</a>, even when they serve modern purposes like ski slopes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-restored-grasslands-lag-behind">Why restored grasslands lag behind</h2>



Grasslands undergo massive ecological shifts when left unmanaged. Woody vegetation overtakes the landscape, reducing the diversity of native grassland species. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/controlled-fires-can-help-us-save-grasslands-from-disappearing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Restoration efforts</a> involve clearing invasive plants and reintroducing traditional management practices. 



While this process improves biodiversity, researchers have found that restored grasslands still struggle to match the richness of ancient ones.



“The reasons for this are not really clear and satisfying solutions have not been proposed,” noted Kobe University ecologist Ushimaru Atushi. 



Even when restored, grasslands seem unable to support the same variety of plant species as those that have been maintained for centuries. This realization led researchers to investigate the role of pollinators in the recovery process.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollinators-and-grassland-recovery">Pollinators and grassland recovery</h2>



Pollinators play an essential role in maintaining plant diversity. Without them, many plant species struggle to reproduce. Insect-pollinated plants, in particular, take longer to return after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-grassland-ecosystems-handle-climate-change-better-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grassland</a> abandonment. 



Ushimaru and doctoral student Hirayama Gaku set out to examine how pollinator communities differ between old and newly restored grasslands.



The team selected ski slopes in Nagano Prefecture for their research. These sites provided a unique opportunity to study grasslands of different ages within a relatively small area.



“There is no place better suited to survey restored grasslands with very different management durations within a relatively small area than ski slopes,” noted Hirayama.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-75-years-is-not-enough">Why 75 years is not enough</h2>



The research, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, confirms that even after 75 years, restored grasslands do not support the same pollinator diversity as ancient ones. While plant species may recover, pollinators remain less specialized and less efficient in transferring pollen.



Over time, the pollinator community gradually shifts, becoming more specialized. However, this process takes centuries rather than decades. “The finding shows that once valuable old grasslands are lost, their restoration cannot be achieved quickly," said Hirayama.



The problem isn’t the number of pollinators - it’s their diversity. Restored grasslands welcome flies and hoverflies, generalists that mix pollen between different plants.



In contrast, ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grasslands-crucial-role-global-agriculture-environment-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grasslands</a> support more bees and butterflies, which specialize in pollinating specific plants. This specialization ensures that pollen reaches the right flowers, increasing plant reproduction success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-for-restoring-grasslands">Strategies for restoring grasslands</h2>



Restoring grasslands isn’t just about plants; pollinators matter too. Ancient grasslands give specialized pollinators a place to thrive. Without them, rare plant species struggle. 



Protecting these old ecosystems keeps biodiversity alive and flourishing. Ushimaru suggests that natural restoration alone may not be enough.



“It may also indicate that grassland restoration should not just be left to nature, but could require active human involvement such as by sowing seeds or by planting seedlings of native bee- and butterfly-pollinated grassland plants,” said Ushimaru.



This approach could speed up the recovery process, helping pollinator communities establish themselves more quickly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-conservation-efforts">Long-term conservation efforts</h2>



Restoring grasslands requires patience, commitment, and proactive strategies. The findings from Kobe University demonstrate that even a lifetime of restoration is not enough to fully rebuild lost ecosystems. Old grasslands, shaped by centuries of ecological interactions, provide irreplaceable value to biodiversity.



​This research was supported by the <a href="https://www.nagaofoundation.or.jp/e/research/research.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Japan Science Society</a>, the Nagao Natural Environment Foundation, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and the <a href="https://www.erca.go.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency</a>.​



The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tsukuba</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.u-toyama.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toyama</a>. Their work reinforces the need for long-term conservation efforts, ensuring that grasslands remain a thriving part of our natural world.



The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1365-2664.70017" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>. 



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Restored grasslands could take centuries to fully recover

Grasslands, once vibrant ecosystems teeming with diverse plant and animal...

A recent investigation shows that large, unbroken forests support more biodiversity than fragmented landscapes. 



While ecologists have long known that habitat loss contributes to declines in biodiversity within forest remnants, a debate persisted about whether conserving several smaller plots or one larger tract is more beneficial. 



This study - published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08688-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> and directed by <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> (U-M) ecologist Thiago Gonçalves-Souza – takes a definitive stance, indicating that fragmentation undercuts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-biodiversity-benefits-from-large-herbivores-like-elephants-and-moose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> on multiple levels.



“Fragmentation is bad,” said study co-author Professor Nate Sanders. “This paper clearly shows that fragmentation has negative effects on biodiversity across scales. 



“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to conserve small fragments when we can with our limited conservation dollars, but we need to be wise about conservation decisions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-perspective-on-fragmentation">Global perspective on fragmentation</h2>



The experts examined 4,006 species of vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants gathered from 37 sites worldwide, thereby generating a global overview of biodiversity differences between continuous and fragmented forests. 



The findings suggest a significant drop in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-species-diversity-makes-forests-more-productive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species diversity</a> within fragmented zones, illustrating a 13.6% decline at smaller (patch) scales, and 12.1% at broader (landscape) scales.



Additionally, the researchers noticed that generalized species - those flexible enough to thrive in a wide range of settings - tend to dominate in fragments. In contrast, more specialized organisms flourish in intact forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alpha-beta-and-gamma-diversity">Alpha, beta, and gamma diversity</h2>



To illustrate the varied impacts of fragmentation, the team looked at alpha, beta, and gamma diversity. Alpha diversity refers to how many species occur in a single piece of forest, whereas beta diversity measures how different species compositions are from one patch to another. 



Gamma diversity represents total biodiversity across a larger region, whether that region is made of disjointed fragments or an uninterrupted forest expanse.



“The heart of the debate is that people who argue that fragmentation isn’t so bad say that because you have isolated habitats, you have different species composition, which means at a large scale, it’s good. If they are different, we can assume that the gamma diversity is going to be higher,” said Gonçalves-Souza.



“They say the opposite for large tracts of land: because this is a continuous and homogeneous patch, the species composition is too similar.”



Previously, much research only covered one aspect of diversity or compared a few continuous forests against numerous fragments, potentially skewing the findings. The new study tackled this imbalance with thorough analyses and corrected for variations in sampling.



“One reason that this has been such a long-standing and unresolved debate is that we simply have not had the appropriate data and statistical tools to systematically evaluate the question at both smaller and larger scales,” noted Jonathan Chase, a professor at the <a href="https://www.idiv.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fragmentation-s-clear-impact">Fragmentation’s clear impact</h2>



Gonçalves-Souza and colleagues found that fragmentation lowers species numbers across all groups, and that heightened beta diversity in smaller forest fragments does not compensate for the overall loss of species variety at the wider landscape scale.



“This paper resolves a half-century old debate about how to conserve biodiversity in natural areas, one started by scientific luminaries including E.O. Wilson and Jared Diamond,” said Nick Haddad, a researcher at <a href="https://msu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State University</a>.



Alongside reduced biodiversity, scientists argue that fragmentation can also threaten carbon sequestration in forests. 



“People are also comparing these two situations and finding that we are losing the ability for landscapes to store more carbon in fragmented landscapes,” Gonçalves-Souza said. “Fragmented landscapes are not only going to affect biodiversity by decreasing alpha and gamma diversity, but it also has implications for carbon stock as well.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-future-conservation-efforts">Rethinking future conservation efforts</h2>



Ultimately, Gonçalves-Souza hopes that the study’s results will move the conservation community beyond debates about whether multiple small fragments or a single extensive forest is preferable. Instead, the authors push for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-restoration-aids-humans-nature-climate-together/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest restoration</a> as a top priority.



“I don’t know if it’s useful to think about continuous vs. fragmented landscapes. We need to protect biodiversity and I think this debate is not helping to actually support conservation,” he said. 



“In many, many countries there aren’t many large, intact forests remaining. Therefore, our focus should be on planting new forests and restoring increasingly degraded habitats. Restoration is crucial for the future, more so than debating whether it’s better to have one large forest or many smaller fragments.”



With many forest ecosystems already facing pressures- from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainforests-replanted-seedlings-after-logging-do-not-recover-well/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">logging</a> and agriculture to climate change - restoration may be the pivotal step to ensure that habitats regain some of their lost ecological complexity. 



By renewing expanses of continuous forest wherever possible, conservationists can maximize carbon storage while also supporting the wide variety of species needed for healthy, enduring ecosystems.



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Large, undisturbed forests support greater biodiversity 

A recent investigation shows that large, unbroken forests support more...

Chocolate is a comfort food for many people and a symbol of happiness in countless cultures. For years, farmers and scientists have collaborated to refine this treasured <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-farming-could-save-the-future-of-chocolate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a>, but new evidence shows there is more to its story than meets the eye.



Experts have been analyzing genetic details that trace the cacao tree’s past to a surprising point in time. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniel-Tineo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daniel Tineo</a>, from the National University Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, led a study that used chloroplast genome data to examine when and how Theobroma cacao diversified.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chocolate-s-place-in-nature">Chocolate’s place in nature</h2>



Cacao belongs to the Malvaceae family, which also includes hibiscus and cotton. This group of plants has a history going back millions of years, and reflecting a long process of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chocolate-and-cocoa-prices-have-doubled-in-the-past-year-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation</a> and survival.



“It can be inferred that T. cacao diverged at approximately 7.55 Ma, and it is highly likely that T. cacao populations diversified during the Pliocene or Miocene,” explained Tineo. 



Two main factors appear to have played a role in shaping the trees we see today. First, their <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/chloroplast-genome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chloroplast genomes</a> carry signs of gradual change, which is common in species that extend across tropical regions. Second, environmental pressures likely promoted different genetic traits in various localities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-insights-to-save-chocolate">Genetic insights to save chocolate </h2>



The chloroplast genome, often called <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/chloroplast-dna" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cpDNA</a>, is inherited in a predictable way in most plants. This trait gives scientists a clear view of family relationships, even within the same species.



One gene, named <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep08348" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ycf1</a>, turned out to be important because it showed more differences among cacao plants than other commonly studied genetic regions. By examining these differences, researchers hope to spot unique traits that may improve the flavor, resilience, or productivity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cocoa-production-in-africa-is-under-extreme-climate-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cacao varieties</a>.



This approach might help breeders develop trees that survive better in changing climates. It may also allow them to detect disease-resistant lines, thus cutting down on the need for chemical treatments and on farm losses.



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



Farmers today face pests, diseases, and market uncertainty. Learning about cacao’s ancient lineage is not just for academic interest; it can also guide solutions that reduce farming risks.



The deeper a plant’s genetic roots, the more variation it hides in its DNA. This variation supplies fresh building blocks for traits like drought tolerance, flavor, and disease resistance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-benefits-for-farmers">Practical benefits for farmers</h2>



Thousands of smallholders grow cacao as a main or side income. When farmers tap into genetically diverse planting materials, their crops can adapt more effectively to different environments.



A broader gene pool also lowers the chance that a single disease outbreak will devastate cacao plants in an entire region. Strengthening genetic tools for farmers promotes stable harvests and consistently better beans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-breeding-methods">Modern breeding methods</h2>



Classic breeding methods rely on observing which trees yield the best crops. Now, molecular tools add a scientific boost by marking the genes that truly matter.



When breeders target specific genes - like ycf1 - they can make more precise matches between strong, disease-tolerant varieties and those with desired flavors. This level of detail speeds up the long process of developing improved trees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-tradition-with-discovery">Balancing tradition with discovery</h2>



Farmers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia have nurtured cacao for generations. Their local expertise is valuable when it comes to spotting subtle differences among trees.



Collaboration between traditional growers and research institutions bridges technology and cultural wisdom. This approach promotes new partnerships that benefit everyone, from growers to chocolate enthusiasts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-future-of-chocolate">Protecting the future of chocolate </h2>



Scientists still do not fully understand how <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05288-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuclear or mitochondrial data</a> compare with chloroplast results. More work is needed to fill the gaps left by incomplete samples from various parts of the tropics.



Some lines may carry rare genetic elements waiting to be explored. Locating these hidden genes could reveal new ways to manage diseases and keep farms flourishing.



Cacao stands at a crossroads of heritage, commerce, and science. Studies suggest that this plant’s DNA is more varied and ancient than was once believed, hinting that there may be more secrets in its cells.



Ongoing research may answer questions about how different cacao types emerged and how they can be preserved. The bigger picture promises a future where growers and chocolate lovers share the rewards of knowledge-driven innovation.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0316148" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



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Can chocolate survive? DNA research may help save cacao trees

Chocolate is a comfort food for many people and a...

Many of us enjoy a banana without a second thought, but new research suggests that rising global temperatures could make this simple pleasure harder to come by.



Researchers have determined that large parts of Latin America and the Caribbean could be unable to sustain banana <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agroforestry-could-transform-farming-in-the-midwest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">production</a> for export by 2080. The study was led by <a href="https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/22744-dan-bebber" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dan Bebber</a> from the University of Exeter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-supply-landscape">Shifting supply landscape</h2>



Bananas are a key export crop worth $11 billion. They power the economies of many nations that rely on steady harvests and predictable trade relationships.



These recent projections show that climate change threatens about 60% of current growing regions. Economic setbacks and job losses in these areas could follow if swift action is not taken.



Producers face multiple uncertainties, from rising temperatures to unpredictable rainfall. Some farmers are already noticing shifts in planting schedules and increased difficulties in keeping fields <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robotic-insects-may-be-the-future-of-farming-and-plant-pollination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productive</a>.



Experts warn that these changes could create a chain reaction for global markets. This scenario is particularly concerning for people who depend on bananas for both nutrition and income.



Scientists note that shifting temperatures could also allow pests to flourish. This change puts more pressure on growers who have to adapt to new threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-ripple-effects">Economic ripple effects</h2>



Banana exports are a major source of revenue in certain countries. Without them, families and entire communities would be forced to seek new ways to earn a living.



Traders and distributors also stand to lose if volumes drop or if producers relocate to different areas. Businesses that rely on a consistent supply risk losing profit margins.



Transportation networks near ports highlight how reliant this industry is on accessible shipping. Any disruption in that setup could prolong delivery times and raise costs.



Analysts highlight that this fruit’s supply chain has always balanced on slim margins. A sudden climate-related shortfall can send waves across multiple markets.



Money for new technology often goes to bigger operations first. Smaller farms lack the resources to handle sudden shifts in weather or market demands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-temperatures-hurt-bananas">Rising temperatures hurt bananas</h2>



Rising temperatures are a central factor behind banana production declines. Many varieties cannot thrive when daytime heat moves beyond their comfort zone.



Intense heat can reduce pollination and slow growth, forcing higher water usage and more stress on plants. Some farmers implement irrigation, but that introduces extra costs.



These difficulties have already prompted fears about productivity. Some areas might become completely unsuitable if average temperatures continue to climb.



Researchers have tied these temperature spikes to broader global warming <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a>. They say more extreme heat events may appear if <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a> remain high.



Some producers explore shade-grown systems to reduce scorching, but this method can limit large-scale operations due to space and management <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-cover-crops-may-be-the-future-of-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">requirements</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-socioeconomic-stumbling-blocks">Socioeconomic stumbling blocks</h2>



Adaptation is not simply a matter of finding new farmland. Many plantations are located in densely populated areas where labor is available.



Moving operations to less populated zones sounds logical, but shipping routes and basic infrastructure remain essential. Building new roads and port facilities is no small feat.



Limited finances often block these developments. Wealthier regions might upgrade quickly, while smaller producers struggle to keep up.



Efforts like training programs could help, but they require financial backing and stable governance. Local workers also need assurance of fair pay and good working conditions.



Community-based projects might ease tensions over land use. These initiatives can support shared resources, but they hinge on cooperative planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bananas-adapting-to-temperature-shifts">Bananas adapting to temperature shifts</h2>



One approach involves breeding heat-tolerant bananas. This strategy aims to keep yields stable even in warmer climates.



Irrigation systems play a key role in mitigating dryness. Some regions have turned to drip irrigation and water-saving technology, but these solutions often come with a hefty price tag.



Experts emphasize the importance of preventing disease outbreaks as well. Emerging pathogens can strike when crops are stressed by temperature swings or water scarcity.



“Our findings are a stark reminder that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a direct threat to global food security and livelihoods. Bananas are one of the world's most important fruits, not only for consumers but for millions of workers in producing countries,” said Bebber.



Combining traditional knowledge with modern science could offer practical responses that keep bananas viable in rising temperatures.



Local governments may encourage water management training. This approach helps people learn efficient techniques that preserve scarce resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-farming-and-funding">Sustainable farming and funding</h2>



Some research groups partner with communities to test pilot projects on sustainable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disease-resistant-banana-may-change-the-future-of-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farming</a>. The results often show that early planning can ward off major disruptions.



Industry groups are focusing on ways to preserve farmland while cutting emissions. Some growers explore renewable energy options to power equipment.



Alternative financing, such as <a href="https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/microloans" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microloans</a>, can help farmers upgrade equipment. This step ensures that no one is left behind.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-025-01130-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Food</a>.



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Rising temperatures threaten the future of banana farming

Many of us enjoy a banana without a second thought,...

Earth's climate is changing fast, and scientists are racing to understand how plants will respond. As temperatures rise and carbon dioxide levels increase, plants face new challenges and opportunities.



Some may grow larger, while others might struggle to maintain their natural processes. Understanding these shifts is essential for predicting future agricultural yields and ecosystem stability.



Researchers at the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory (<a href="https://prl.natsci.msu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PRL</a>) Sharkey lab are studying how plant metabolism reacts to high light and high CO2 (HLHC) conditions.



The findings reveal that plants photosynthesize more in these conditions, which can result in larger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-may-stop-absorbing-carbon-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> and higher crop yields. However, this process comes with a cost - plants also lose carbon, a key component for making food.



These results, published in Scientific Reports, highlight the complexity of plant responses to environmental changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-plant-metabolism">The future of plant metabolism </h2>



Scientists predict two major environmental shifts will affect plant metabolism. First, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels will continue rising. 



Second, global brightening will alter light conditions, as more solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface than in previous decades.



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-climate-solutions-mixed-forests-store-more-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shifts</a> will impact how plants grow and process carbon. Understanding these effects is crucial for future agricultural and ecological planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-photosynthesis-rates">Increasing photosynthesis rates</h2>



“Our work demonstrates that it’s very important to study photosynthesis and the carbon metabolism in plants,” said Yuan Xu, postdoctoral researcher in the <a href="https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/labs/sharkey-lab/sharkey-lab.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sharkey lab</a> and first author of the study. 



“Especially when we think about conditions for the future based on predictions. If you want to do bioengineering in the future, to make a plant that can better adapt to these future conditions, you need to focus on these areas.”



The experts found that in future conditions, photosynthesis rates increase, but light respiration rates remain unchanged. This means plants can produce more sucrose and starch, which are vital for their survival and growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-plants-store-carbon">How plants store carbon</h2>



“Most carbon fixed in photosynthesis becomes either starch [to use later] – like putting money in your bank account – or sucrose (table sugar) to use now – like buying an ice cream cone,” said Thomas D. Sharkey, University Distinguished Professor in the PRL. 



“The most surprising observation was that extra carbon at high light and high carbon dioxide went much more to starch (76% increase) rather than sucrose (41% increase). This may help plants become more resilient because they will have extra carbon for growth or defense.”



Larger plants and increased crop yields could result from this higher rate of photosynthesis. However, a challenge remains: plants also lose carbon during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-absorb-31-more-co2-than-previously-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">process</a>, reducing the total available food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resilience-of-future-plants">Resilience of future plants</h2>



During photosynthesis, plants release CO2 through a process called respiration in light (RL). 



The researchers found that RL remains constant under both current and future conditions. Despite increased photosynthesis, the rate at which plants release CO2 through RL does not change.



This suggests that while plants may grow larger, they still lose a steady amount of carbon. Understanding this balance is essential for improving plant resilience in changing environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-plant-carbon-loss">Measuring plant carbon loss</h2>



To analyze RL under HLHC conditions, researchers used a unique approach. Traditional methods like the Laisk or Kok techniques only work in low light <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-carbon-sinks-are-being-pushed-to-their-limits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>.



“That’s why this study is unique,” Xu explained. “We used a new approach to measure the RL in the high light condition that cannot be measured using the old method.”



Xu applied a technique known as isotopically nonstationary metabolic flux analysis (INST-MFA). This method, commonly used in bacteria and fungi studies, has rarely been applied to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-diverse-crops-traps-carbon-and-boosts-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant research</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



The Sharkey lab plans to continue exploring respiration in light using advanced research techniques. Their goal is to deepen the understanding of how plants take in and release carbon dioxide.



“We know from this study that many things are changed [under future conditions] including photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration in the light,” Xu said. “This gave a hint for future work.”



The research was funded by the Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences at the U.S. Department of Energy. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-88574-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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How future climate conditions will transform plant growth

Earth's climate is changing fast, and scientists are racing to...

The end-Permian mass extinction, 252 million years ago, was devastating to life on Earth. Massive volcanic eruptions unleashed 100,000 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, triggering a severe climate crisis.



This led to extreme global warming, deoxygenated oceans, and widespread extinction. However, many plants survived, leaving fossil records that help scientists understand a dramatic 10-degree rise in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-predict-how-and-when-humans-and-mammals-will-face-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global temperatures</a>.



“While fossilized spores and pollen of plants from the Early Triassic do not provide strong evidence for a sudden and catastrophic biodiversity loss, both marine and terrestrial animals experienced the most severe mass extinction in Earth’s history,” explained Dr. Maura Brunetti of the <a href="https://www.unige.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Geneva</a>. 



“Life on Earth had to adjust to repeated changes in climate and the carbon cycle for several million years after the Permian-Triassic Boundary.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reconstructing-the-ancient-climate">Reconstructing the ancient climate</h2>



The scientists studied five geological stages on either side of the Permian-Triassic Boundary. These included the Permian Wuchiapingian and Changhsingian, the early Triassic Induan and Olenekian, and the middle Triassic Anisian.



Using maps of Earth’s ancient geography and plant fossil data, the researchers identified six major biomes and estimated local climates based on fossil distributions.



The identified biomes ranged from tropical, humid regions to seasonal temperate and desert areas. 



Cold climates featured desert in the tropics and tundra at higher latitudes, while warm <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-concern-over-species-extinctions-fades-quickly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climates</a> had temperate vegetation near the poles and deserts near the equator. Increased carbon dioxide levels led to warmer and wetter conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-and-ecosystem-shifts-after-extinction">Climate and ecosystem shifts after extinction</h2>



Using statistical models, the scientists compared plant fossil records with simulated biomes under different climate conditions. Their findings revealed dramatic shifts in ecosystems at the Permian-Triassic Boundary.



Before the extinction, the Permian had a colder climate. The early Triassic Induan period showed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unstable conditions</a> that scientists could not clearly classify. 



This uncertainty may be due to sampling biases, poor fossil preservation, or short-term climate variations. More fossil data is needed for clarity.



Later Triassic periods saw significantly warmer conditions. The Olenekian and Anisian stabilized at temperatures 10 degrees higher than the Permian.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-hotter-future">A hotter future</h2>



“This transition from the colder climatic state to the hotter state is marked by an increase of approximately 10⁰C in the mean global surface air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-the-worlds-heliconia-species-are-at-risk-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a> and an intensification of the water cycle,” said Dr. Brunetti.



“Tropical everwet and summerwet biomes emerged in the tropics, replacing predominantly desertic landscapes. Meanwhile, the warm-cool temperate biome shifted towards polar regions, leading to the complete disappearance of tundra ecosystems.”



Dr. Brunetti noted that the shift in vegetation cover can be linked to tipping mechanisms between climatic steady states, providing a potential framework for understanding the transition between Permian and Triassic.



“This framework can be used to understand tipping behavior in the climate system in response to the present-day CO2 increase. If this increase continues at the same rate, we will reach the level of emissions that caused the Permian-Triassic mass extinction in around 2,700 years — a much faster timescale than the Permian-Triassic Boundary emissions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertainties-and-future-research">Uncertainties and future research</h2>



More data and refined models are necessary for clearer conclusions. “The comparison between simulated biomes and the dataset is influenced by uncertainties, arising from paleogeographic reconstructions and the classification of fossil assemblages into biomes,” said Dr. Brunetti.



“Furthermore, our climate modeling setup relies on offline coupling between models — the vegetation model uses the final outputs of the climatic model for biome reconstruction. This could be enhanced using a dynamic vegetation model.”



The Permian-Triassic extinction reshaped life on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-earths-most-endangered-plants-from-extinction-proving-difficult-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>. Studying its causes and consequences may provide valuable insights into the ongoing climate crisis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-lessons-from-past-extinctions">Climate lessons from past extinctions</h2>



The Permian-Triassic extinction reshaped the planet, erasing entire ecosystems and paving the way for new ones. 



By studying how life responded to these changes, scientists can better predict how today’s ecosystems will react to rising temperatures and shifting climate patterns.



Understanding the past is crucial for preparing for the future. If history is any indication, life on Earth will survive - but whether human civilization can adapt as effectively remains an open question.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/earth-science/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1520846/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Earth Science</a>.



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Climate chaos: The mass extinction that reshaped life on Earth

The end-Permian mass extinction, 252 million years ago, was devastating...

Protecting wildlife while managing forests has always been a challenge. In California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, forest managers face difficult decisions as they try to prevent destructive wildfires without harming the birds and other species that call these forests home.



Traditional monitoring methods require significant time and effort, making it hard to collect enough data to guide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a>.



Now, scientists have introduced a breakthrough solution. Using thousands of microphones and advanced machine learning, researchers have developed a way to track forest birds over vast landscapes.



This innovative approach offers an unprecedented level of detail, providing valuable insights that help balance conservation with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dead-wood-removal-can-save-forests-from-future-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest</a> management. 



A new study highlights how bioacoustic technology can revolutionize wildlife monitoring and support better decision-making for the future of these forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capturing-bird-sounds">Capturing bird sounds </h2>



Researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics led this study, which analyzed more than 700,000 hours of bird sounds. 



The team deployed microphones at 1,600 sites, covering around six million acres of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest</a>. The goal was to track ten important bird species, including owls and woodpeckers, which serve as indicators of forest health.



These species provide crucial information about changes in the environment. By listening to their calls across different locations, scientists can assess how forest conditions impact wildlife.



"The amount of coverage that gives us and the idea of what's happening with species at so many different locations allow for really powerful inference to be drawn from the network," said study lead author Kristin Brunk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-machine-learning-and-wildlife-monitoring">Machine learning and wildlife monitoring</h2>



To analyze the massive amount of recorded data, scientists turned to BirdNET, a machine-learning algorithm designed to identify bird calls automatically. This system allows researchers to recognize different species and understand how their presence relates to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-climate-solutions-mixed-forests-store-more-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental conditions</a>.



The study examined how factors such as tree density and canopy cover influence bird populations. These are the same variables that forest managers consider when making conservation decisions. The ability to connect bird activity with habitat conditions provides an essential tool for guiding land management strategies.



By mapping where different birds live, researchers can help forest managers make more informed choices. This is especially important as they work to reduce wildfire risks through controlled burns and forest thinning. Without careful planning, these activities could unintentionally disrupt bird populations.



"We're able to understand bird populations in the context of the forest conditions that are going to be actively manipulated by the management community to hopefully restore some resilience to this system," said Connor Wood, lead researcher at the <a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/ccb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cheaper-forest-bird-tracking">Cheaper forest bird tracking</h2>



Monitoring wildlife over such a large area would be nearly impossible using traditional methods. Conducting field surveys requires a significant investment of time and resources. In contrast, passive acoustic monitoring offers a more efficient and cost-effective solution.



"If you think about what the cost would have been to get that amount of information by having biologists collecting data across the landscape… the cost effectiveness can't really be matched," Brunk noted.



This system enables continuous, long-term monitoring without the need for large field teams. The data collected can also be used to track changes in bird populations over time, offering a deeper understanding of how forests evolve under different management strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-bird-monitoring">Forest bird monitoring </h2>



The success of this study goes beyond California’s Sierra Nevada. The researchers believe that bioacoustic monitoring can be applied to other regions facing similar conservation challenges. 



By adapting this technology, scientists and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest</a> managers worldwide can gain better insights into wildlife populations and habitat conditions.



"It's sort of a blueprint for how passive acoustic monitoring can inform management," said Brunk.



This approach is particularly valuable in areas where human access is difficult. Remote forests, protected reserves, and even urban green spaces could benefit from passive monitoring. 



The ability to gather large amounts of data with minimal human disturbance makes this a promising tool for conservation efforts around the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-forest-and-wildlife-protection">Future of forest and wildlife protection</h2>



The integration of cutting-edge technology with conservation practices represents a major step forward. Listening to the sounds of the forest can help scientists understand how bird populations respond to changes in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a>.



"By combining new technologies with practical management needs, we're creating tools that can help protect both forests and wildlife during a time of rapid environmental change," said Wood.



The research was conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Oregon State University, University of California-Merced, and Chemnitz University of Technology. This partnership highlights the increasing role of technology in conservation.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/fee.2843" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment</a>.



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Every bird song can help scientists make smarter forest decisions

Protecting wildlife while managing forests has always been a challenge....

Selection,Of,Animal,And,Plant,Protein,Sources,-,Fish,,Meat,

Nearly 90% of adults in the United States believe they must eat meat, dairy, or eggs to get enough protein. This finding comes from a poll of 2,203 people who were surveyed in January 2025, and it highlights the lingering confusion around animal protein and plant-based eating.



Women and Gen Z participants were most likely to push back against the idea that animal products are required for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hemp-seeds-could-be-a-game-changer-as-an-alternative-protein-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adequate nutrition</a>. 



<a href="https://www.pcrm.org/about-us/staff/roxanne-becker" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Roxanne Becker</a>, MBChB, DipIBLM, who is with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, <a href="https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/nearly-90-us-adults-believe-inaccurately-its-important-eat-animal-products-get" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">notes</a> that some consumers still struggle to see how plant foods can match traditional protein sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-plant-protein-replace-animal-protein">Can plant protein replace animal protein?</h2>



Consumers may worry about protein quality when moving away from animal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-more-plant-protein-lowers-the-risk-of-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foods</a>. One key concern is about whether plant proteins are too low in essential amino acids.



Plant-based proteins are often linked with health perks such as high fiber and reduced levels of unhealthy fats. 



They also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that animal products may lack, but the question about adequate essential amino acids remains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-protein-vs-animal-protein">Plant protein vs. animal protein</h2>



“Plant protein has been shown in randomized controlled trials to be as effective as animal protein for building muscle when the amounts of protein are equal. And it is full of nutrients and fiber, unlike animal-based protein sources,” clarified Dr. Becker.



There is strong support from <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10537483/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">controlled trials</a> for the benefits of plant-based eating.&nbsp;



In one <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33599941/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>, men who followed a plant-based dietary plan or an omnivorous plan experienced similar gains in muscle mass when the diet was paired with resistance training. 



Similar protein amounts produced comparable results, regardless of the protein source. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-protein-supports-better-aging">Plant protein supports better aging</h2>



Midlife nutrition habits can set the stage for quality of life decades later. An <a href="https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)66282-3/fulltext#tbl2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investigation</a> led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (<a href="https://hsph.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HSPH</a>) suggests that higher intake of plant protein in midlife may support healthy aging in women.



Participants in that study showed better physical and cognitive outcomes over the years when they relied on beans, nuts, and other plant-based staples. 



The findings indicate that animal protein may have a few benefits for mobility, but plant protein aligns with improved overall well-being.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-protein-needs">Practical protein needs</h2>



The minimum daily requirement for an adult is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram (0.01 ounces per pound) of body weight. 



That’s about 56 grams for a 70-kilogram (2 ounces for a 155-pound) man and 46 grams for a 58-kilogram (1.6 ounces for a 128-pound) woman.



Those who exercise heavily may need up to 2 grams per kilogram (0.07 ounces per pound), especially if they’re doing strength training. 



Keeping track of these figures can guide individuals toward balanced dietary choices that nourish muscle growth and support overall health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-muscle-with-age">Maintaining muscle with age</h2>



“As we age, it’s important to consume enough protein to maintain our muscle mass so we can avoid frailty. Plant protein sources, which contain no artery-clogging cholesterol and are low in saturated fat, should be the go-to,” said Dr. Becker. 



Older adults might lose muscle mass over time, so feeding the body with enough protein is wise.&nbsp;



Many plant-based options are naturally free of animal fats, which can help with <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.117.006659" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart health</a> in the long run. These foods are also linked to lower cholesterol levels.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ways-to-replace-animal-protein">Ways to replace animal protein</h2>



Busy schedules might make it tricky for some people to figure out a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/futuristic-food-supply-transforming-co2-into-protein/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-friendly</a> menu that supplies adequate protein. 



Tofu, beans, lentils, peas, nuts and tempeh are familiar to many who want to load up on muscle-building nutrients without relying on animal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-are-suffering-from-declining-plant-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">products</a>.



“Unlike animal-based protein, these foods contain zero cholesterol and tend to be low in saturated fat, making them a smart choice for long-term health. Getting enough protein is as easy as enjoying meals you already know and love,” said Xavier Toledo, a registered dietitian with the Physicians Committee.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wider-acceptance">Wider acceptance</h2>



The survey revealed that more than half of respondents felt it was possible to gain muscle on a plant-based eating plan. 



This marks a change from older attitudes that portrayed animal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-changes-in-diet-can-greatly-reduce-your-carbon-footprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protein</a> as the gold standard.



Despite strong acceptance among younger adults, the broader public still lags behind on the facts. That gap could close as research keeps highlighting the flexibility and benefits of plant-based <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-meat-less-protein-lacks-certain-nutrients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diets</a>.



The study is published in the <a href="https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)66282-3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Clinical Nutrition</a>.



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Do humans need to eat animal protein to build muscle? Science has the answer

Nearly 90% of adults in the United States believe they...

Autumn,Blooming,Purple,Chrysanthemum,Flowers,Covered,With,Snow.,Frozen,Flowers

The world is changing, and so is the climate. Sudden temperature drops, unexpected frosts, and shifting weather patterns challenge ecosystems in many ways. 



For plants, these changes are especially harsh. Unlike animals, they cannot migrate, seek shelter, or generate body heat in cold weather. Instead, they rely on internal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-warming-alters-plant-germination-and-disrupts-ecosystem-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptations to survive</a>.



Varvara Dikaya at <a href="https://www.umu.se/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Umeå University</a> explored this challenge in her doctoral research. She studied a protein which plays a key role in plant adaptation to low temperatures.



The findings reveal that this protein participates in multiple signaling pathways, enabling plants to survive harsh conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cold-response-strategies-of-plants">Cold response strategies of plants </h2>



Unlike animals, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shaded-plants-capture-light-beyond-the-visible-spectrum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> cannot seek warmth or migrate. Their survival depends on internal mechanisms that adjust to temperature shifts. 



Past research focused on molecules like amino acids and sugars, which help prevent freezing. Scientists also studied core temperature-response mechanisms, but many crucial components remained unknown.



Dikaya’s <a href="http://umu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1933796" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> uncovers a missing piece of this puzzle - RNA splicing. This process determines which proteins are produced in plant cells, directly impacting cold response strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-rna-splicing-the-basics">Understanding RNA splicing - the basics</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-cells-communicate-with-each-other-through-rna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RNA</a> splicing is like an editing process for your genes, making sure your cells get the right instructions to build proteins. 



When a gene gets copied into RNA, it includes extra sections called introns that don’t actually code for anything useful. 



Before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rna-world-unraveling-mysteries-life-origin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RNA can do its job</a>, the cell cuts out these introns and stitches together the remaining pieces, called exons. 



This process turns a raw RNA transcript into a polished, ready-to-go messenger RNA (mRNA) that cells can use to make proteins.



Sometimes, cells splice RNA in different ways, mixing and matching exons to produce multiple proteins from the same gene. 



This alternative splicing is why our relatively small number of genes can make such a huge range of proteins. When splicing goes wrong, though, it can lead to diseases like cancer and genetic disorders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-splicing">The role of splicing </h2>



"Splicing acts as a central hub controlling the information flow from DNA to RNA, defining which proteins are synthesized from a certain gene," explained Dikaya, who is a doctoral student in the Department of Plant Physiology at Umeå University and <a href="https://www.upsc.se" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Umeå Plant Science Center</a>.



Her research focused on PORCUPINE, a protein discovered when scientists observed that plants with a mutation in this gene became unusually cold-sensitive. The mutation's spiky shoot tips inspired the name.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-temperature-drops">Impact of temperature drops</h2>



"The PORCUPINE mutant appears normal under ambient temperature conditions but cannot develop properly in the case of even a mild temperature drop," the team noted.



"Already at 16 degrees, the mutant grows shorter roots with increased root hair density and much smaller rosettes than normal. This is very special,."



Dikaya’s work reveals that cold temperatures trigger an increase in PORCUPINE RNA in cells. This suggests that the plant produces more of this protein to cope with the stress. 



However, PORCUPINE is not just a passive responder. It actively participates in the spliceosome, a complex that processes RNA before it transforms into proteins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-player-in-rna-processing">Key player in RNA processing</h2>



PORCUPINE is not just a responder to cold; it is an active participant in RNA processing. 



This protein is part of the spliceosome, a complex molecular machine that modifies RNA before it is translated into proteins. Without proper RNA splicing, plants cannot produce the proteins they need to survive.



By studying PORCUPINE’s role in the spliceosome, Dikaya and her team discovered that it influences multiple genetic pathways. 



Some of these pathways control how plants sense and react to cold temperature shifts. Others regulate growth patterns that determine whether a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-how-climate-change-will-alter-plant-growth-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> can withstand stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-network-of-cold-responses">A network of cold responses</h2>



Dikaya and her colleagues identified several genes controlled by PORCUPINE, all of which influence how plants respond to temperature changes. Her research highlights how intricate these responses are, involving multiple overlapping pathways.



"Our findings show the complexity of the cold response in plants. It is important to understand all aspects and identify fundamental mechanisms that could be applied later on in a practical manner," Dikaya noted.



"Such knowledge will be essential to create more resilient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioelectric-future-harnessing-the-natural-energy-of-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> capable of withstanding environmental challenges in the future, even though it is still a long way to go."



Her work provides a deeper understanding of how plants adjust to fluctuating temperatures. This knowledge could pave the way for crops that can better withstand future climate uncertainties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-cold-resistant-plants">Future of cold-resistant plants</h2>



The challenges of climate change are not going away, and neither is the need for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/phantom-nutrient-the-secret-force-that-fuels-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilient crops</a>. 



If researchers can harness the knowledge gained from studies like Dikaya’s, they may be able to develop plant varieties that thrive despite temperature fluctuations.



Although there is still much to learn, this research brings us one step closer to understanding the intricate mechanisms that allow plants to survive. In the years ahead, discoveries like this could reshape agriculture and help ensure food security in a changing world.



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Plants have an amazing ability to 'rewire' themselves to survive winter

The world is changing, and so is the climate. Sudden...

With their beak-like flowers and vibrant colors, Heliconia plants are a striking presence in tropical landscapes. But beyond their visual appeal, these captivating plants serve a vital ecological role and are emblematic of the tropical biosphere.



Heliconia plants have now entered the danger zone, with new research indicating that nearly half of these species are on the brink of extinction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decades-of-fieldwork-data">Decades of fieldwork data </h2>



The research was focused on data from the world's herbaria - time capsules of botanical history.



"The data that is stored in the herbarium is a scientific treasure that makes a project like this feasible," explained Gary Krupnick, a botanist who heads the Plant Conservation Unit at the <a href="https://www.si.edu/museums/natural-history-museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History</a>. 



The researchers analyzed decades' worth of fieldwork data, preserved in the form of thousands of dried specimens and meticulous labels, to assess the conservation status of Heliconia <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-plants-on-earth-could-be-saved-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-role-of-heliconia-plants">Ecological role of Heliconia plants </h2>



Encompassing 187 species related to bananas, the majority of Heliconia plants are rainforest dwellers in tropical Central and South America. Their roles go way beyond their spectacular visual appeal.



They act as precious nectar stations for bats and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sipping-on-nectar-hummingbirds-consume-a-surprising-amount-of-alcohol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hummingbirds</a>, who in turn act as pollinators for many Heliconia species, playing a major part in the propagation of these plants. 



Yet, their very splendor has put them at risk of overexploitation and poaching. Habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change further compound the threats they face.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-heliconia-s-survival">Mapping Heliconia’s survival</h2>



Despite the adverse conditions that limited in-person access to the herbarium during the pandemic, the researchers made the most of the fully digitized Heliconia specimens available online.



This precious information, coupled with a tool called GeoCAT (Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool), allowed the research team to calculate crucial factors like the size of the Heliconia's range and the number of plants in various areas. 



The experts also explored how human activities have impacted forest cover in these areas, which Heliconia populations inhabit protected regions, and which species can potentially be reintroduced into the wild from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-earths-most-endangered-plants-from-extinction-proving-difficult-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">botanical gardens</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threatened-heliconia-species">Threatened Heliconia species </h2>



The findings were anything but encouraging. Of the 187 Heliconia species, 47 percent are threatened with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increasing-plant-extinction-threatens-the-future-of-medicine-and-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a>.



Most of these endangered species are found in few wild protected areas, and a relatively small number of these exist outside their native ranges. 



Furthermore, many of these species are adapted to fragile environments like high-altitude cloud forests, which are particularly susceptible to change.



The team identified 45 Heliconia species that are top priorities for additional protection.



“This study provides a blueprint for how to save this group of plants, starting with this list of priority species,” Krupnick said. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raising-public-awareness">Raising public awareness</h2>



The researchers are committed to raising public awareness about the challenges facing the Heliconia genus. Their goal is to encourage responsible tourism to help curb unsustainable demand for these plants.



Their efforts will not merely save these vivid symbols of the tropics, but will also spur the conservation of other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-diversity-is-declining-at-a-steady-rate-across-germany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endangered plant</a> species.



Despite the grim data, the researchers noted that there is a glimmer of hope. "Now that we know the conservation status of every one of the 187 species of Heliconia, we can construct a coherent plan of how to protect them,” said John Kress, an emeritus curator at the museum and one of the authors of the new study.



This study highlights the urgent need for enlightened conservation strategies to preserve our remarkable yet vulnerable biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-botanical-gardens-a-lifeline-for-heliconia">Botanical gardens: A lifeline for Heliconia</h2>



As wild Heliconia populations decline, botanical gardens are stepping in as vital sanctuaries. These living collections safeguard rare species, providing a backup for reintroduction efforts when conditions allow.



By cultivating Heliconia in controlled environments, scientists can develop sustainable propagation methods and help preserve the genetic diversity of the plants.



Beyond conservation, botanical gardens raise public awareness through education and partnerships with local organizations. 



However, not all Heliconia species thrive outside of their native habitats, which poses challenges for their long-term preservation. Advanced seed banking and propagation techniques must be explored to secure the future of these rainforest icons.



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Half of the world's Heliconia species are at risk of extinction

With their beak-like flowers and vibrant colors, Heliconia plants are...

Close-up,In,A,Frying,Pan,With,Olive,Oil,,Ghee,(clarified

Swapping butter for plant-based oils may be a simple way to support better long-term health. 



A new study suggests that people who consume more plant-based oils - such as soybean, canola, and olive oil - tend to live longer than those who regularly eat butter.



The research, which tracked dietary habits for over 30 years, found a lower risk of death from cancer and heart disease among those who opted for plant oils. 



Meanwhile, higher butter intake was linked to an increased risk of early death.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-diet-affects-longevity">How diet affects longevity</h2>



Scientists from <a href="https://hsph.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a>, Mass General Brigham, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard analyzed dietary data from more than 220,000 participants. 



These individuals were part of long-running studies that collected information on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-eating-habits-can-lead-to-lifelong-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eating habits</a> every four years. 



By reviewing this data, researchers could estimate butter and oil consumption over time.



Butter intake included all sources - spreads, cooking, baking, and margarine blends - while plant-based oil intake was calculated based on how often participants used oils in frying, sautéing, baking, and salad dressings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-butter-vs-plant-based-oils">Butter vs plant-based oils</h2>



The study's lead author, Yu Zhang, M.B.B.S., is a research assistant at the Channing Division of Network Medicine at <a href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brigham and Women's Hospital</a>.



"What's surprising is the magnitude of the association that we found - we saw a 17% lower risk of death when we modeled swapping butter with plant-based oils in daily diet. That is a pretty huge effect on health," Zhang explained.



The key difference comes down to fat composition. 



Butter is high in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-fat-diets-linked-to-unexpected-health-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">saturated fat</a>, while plant-based oils contain more unsaturated fats. Previous research has looked at dietary fats in general, but fewer studies have focused on their primary sources.



The findings suggest a clear contrast in health risks. Participants who ate the most butter had a 15% higher risk of death compared to those who ate the least. 



Meanwhile, those who consumed the most plant-based oils had a 16% lower risk of dying.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choosing-plant-based-oils-over-butter">Choosing plant-based oils over butter</h2>



"People might want to consider that a simple dietary swap - replacing butter with soybean oil or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/regular-olive-oil-consumption-can-literally-save-your-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">olive oil</a> - can lead to significant long-term health benefits," said corresponding author Daniel Wang, M.D., Sc.D., of the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.



"From a public health perspective, this is a substantial number of deaths from cancer or from other chronic diseases that could be prevented."



To further explore this link, the researchers ran a substitution analysis. Their model showed that replacing just 10 grams of butter per day - less than a tablespoon - with an equivalent amount of plant-based oil could reduce cancer deaths and overall mortality by 17%.



"Even cutting back butter a little and incorporating more plant-based oils into your daily diet can have meaningful long-term health benefits," Wang added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-and-economic-benefits">Environmental and economic benefits</h2>



Beyond personal health, switching from butter to plant-based oils has broader implications. 



Butter production requires more land, water, and energy compared to plant oil production. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-began-dairy-farming-much-earlier-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dairy farming</a>, which supports butter production, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. 



In contrast, plant oils have a lower environmental impact, making them a more sustainable choice.



Economically, plant-based oils are often more affordable and widely available than butter. 



With rising food prices, making the switch could be a cost-effective way for individuals and families to improve their diets without significantly increasing their grocery bills.



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



Although the study presents strong evidence, the investigators do recognize some limitations. 



A majority of participants were healthcare professionals, so the results may not be representative of the overall U.S. population.



Also, self-reported food intake information may have some error, although the long duration and large number of participants in the study reduce the concerns of the scientists in this regard.



Future studies will investigate the biological processes that mediate these health consequences.



For the moment, the message is straightforward: replacing butter with plant-based oils is a simple, practical move toward <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prescription-for-fruits-and-vegetables-linked-to-better-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improved health</a> in the long run.



Small, sustainable changes to eating habits can have long-term payoffs - not only for individuals but for public health and the planet too.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2831265" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Internal Medicine</a>.



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Health challenge: Cooking with butter vs. plant-based oils

Swapping butter for plant-based oils may be a simple way...

Cannabis has been studied for decades for its pain-relieving potential, but its psychoactive properties have limited its medical use.



Millions of individuals suffer from chronic pain, and for many years, the main treatment has been opioids.



Effective as they are, opioids come with serious risks - they are extremely addictive and can be deadly if abused. The demand for safer pain medication has never been more urgent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-inspired-breakthrough">Cannabis-inspired breakthrough </h2>



In the search for alternatives that can bring pain relief without the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-discovery-offers-hope-for-tackling-opioid-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addiction</a>, researchers have discovered a potential solution.



Experts at <a href="https://medicine.washu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis</a> and Stanford University have created a new compound that replicates a natural molecule that occurs in cannabis.



This achievement leverages the pain-relieving properties of cannabis without inducing mind-altering side effects. The compound has been tested in mice with some positive results.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safer-approach-to-pain-relief">Safer approach to pain relief</h2>



The study highlights the potential of this new compound as a non-addictive pain reliever.



Unlike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/opioid-related-deaths-are-on-the-rise-among-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">opioids</a>, which act on the brain’s reward system and lead to addiction, this compound was designed to target pain-reducing receptors in the body while preventing entry into the brain.



Dr. Susruta Majumdar is a professor of anesthesiology at WashU Medicine and the study's senior author. 



“There is an urgent need to develop non-addictive treatments for chronic pain, and that’s been a major focus of my lab for the past 15 years,” said Dr. Majumdar.



“The custom-designed compound we created attaches to pain-reducing receptors in the body but by design, it can’t reach the brain. This means the compound avoids psychoactive side effects such as mood changes and isn’t addictive because it doesn’t act on the brain’s reward center.”



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



Despite warnings about the dangers of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-may-protect-against-opioid-use-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">opioid use</a>, overdose deaths remain alarmingly high. In 2022 alone, opioids were linked to approximately 82,000 deaths in the United States. The crisis continues, pushing researchers to find safer alternatives.



Study co-author Dr. Robert W. Gereau is a professor of&nbsp;anesthesiology&nbsp;and director of the&nbsp;WashU Medicine Pain Center. He noted that people have turned to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-number-of-americans-are-high-on-marijuana-at-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marijuana</a> as a pain treatment for thousands of years. 



“Clinical trials also have evaluated whether cannabis provides long-term pain relief. But inevitably the psychoactive side effects of cannabis have been problematic, preventing cannabis from being considered as a viable treatment option for pain. However, we were able to overcome that issue," said Dr. Gereau.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pain-relief-without-side-effects">Pain relief without side effects</h2>



Cannabinoid molecules in cannabis interact with CB1 receptors on brain cells and pain-sensing nerve cells. These interactions contribute to marijuana’s pain-relieving effects but also cause mind-altering side effects.



Working with Stanford University researchers, the experts modified a cannabinoid molecule by adding a positive charge. This prevents the compound from crossing the blood-brain barrier while still allowing it to bind to CB1 receptors in the body.



By limiting its action to pain-sensing nerve cells outside the brain, they achieved pain relief without the unwanted side effects.



The researchers tested the compound in mouse models of nerve-injury pain and migraine headaches. They measured touch sensitivity as an indicator of pain and found that the modified compound eliminated hypersensitivity in the mice.



The results suggest that the compound could be a powerful pain reliever without the risks associated with opioids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tolerance-and-long-term-effectiveness">Tolerance and long-term effectiveness</h2>



One major issue with opioid treatments is that patients develop tolerance over time, requiring higher doses for the same effect. This new compound, however, provided prolonged pain relief without signs of tolerance, even with twice-daily treatments over nine days.



The researchers discovered why tolerance was avoided. By using advanced computational modeling, they identified a previously hidden pocket on the CB1 receptor.



This pocket, confirmed through structural models, allows the compound to bind in a way that reduces cellular activity linked to tolerance. 



Unlike conventional cannabinoid binding sites, which become less effective over time, the hidden pocket opens briefly, allowing the compound to work without losing its effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-pain-relief">The future of pain relief</h2>



Designing molecules that relieve pain without unwanted side effects is a complex challenge. Researchers now aim to develop this compound into an oral medication for further testing and, eventually, clinical trials.



If successful, this could mark a significant shift in how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/patients-with-chronic-pain-are-turning-to-cannabis-for-relief/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic pain</a> is treated - offering a safer, non-addictive alternative to opioids.



Millions of people struggle with chronic pain daily. With ongoing research, a new solution could be on the horizon - one that provides relief without the devastating consequences of addiction.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08618-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Tapping into the pain relief potential of cannabis without the high

Cannabis has been studied for decades for its pain-relieving potential,...

Pollination happens everywhere, but most people don’t notice it. Small creatures like bees, butterflies, birds, and bats carry pollen between plants, helping them grow. Without pollinators, flowers wouldn’t turn into fruit, and seeds wouldn’t spread. They do more than help plants reproduce - they keep nature healthy, support animals, and help produce food.



But here’s the problem - many of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-pollinators-boost-the-nutritional-value-of-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a> are vanishing. Climate change, habitat destruction, and industrial farming are wiping out species at an alarming rate.



Their disappearance isn’t just an issue for farmers. It affects forests, grasslands, and even city parks, where pollinators keep plant life going. When they decline, entire ecosystems suffer, and the food supply becomes more fragile.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollinator-s-role-in-plant-reproduction">Pollinator's role in plant reproduction</h2>



Plants depend on pollination to grow and multiply. Around 85% of wild plant species and more than 70% of cultivated crops rely on pollinators for reproduction. Without pollinators, many plants would fail to produce fruits or seeds.



“In most of the studies conducted on this issue across the world, plants were found not to bear fruit if no pollinator was present,“ noted Maddi Artamendi, a researcher at the University of the Basque Country (<a href="https://www.ehu.eus/en/en-home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UPV/EHU</a>).



“Studies of this type have been mostly conducted on crop species, but that does not give a true picture, since the diversity of pollinators is going to decrease, is already decreasing, but is not going to disappear completely."



“What is more, wild plants were also taken into consideration as well as crop plants. We wanted to approach the subject from a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robotic-insects-may-be-the-future-of-farming-and-plant-pollination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">realistic perspective</a>.”



Her research challenges the idea that only crops suffer from pollinator loss. Wild plants are equally affected, and their decline could disrupt entire ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-pollinator-decline">Impact of pollinator decline</h2>



A study by Artamendi and Ainhoa Magrach, an Ikerbasque Research Professor at Butler County Community College (<a href="https://www.bc3.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BC3</a>) highlights the need to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-pollinators-wild-bees-boosts-food-supply-income/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinator diversity</a>. 



The researchers stress the urgency of addressing factors that reduce pollinator numbers. The study found that a decrease in pollinators negatively affects plant reproduction, reducing fruit quantity, seed numbers, and fruit weight. Wild plants suffer more from pollinator loss than cultivated plants.



Self-pollinating plants also benefit from diverse pollinators. “Showing that it is very beneficial for these plants to exchange pollen,” explained Artamendi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wild-pollinators-and-plant-reproduction">Wild pollinators and plant reproduction</h2>



The study reveals that wild pollinators contribute more to plant reproduction than domestic pollinators, such as honey bees. A decline in wild pollinators significantly harms plant reproductive success.



The loss of invertebrate pollinators is more severe than that of vertebrates. Nocturnal pollinators are disappearing faster than diurnal pollinators. The decline of wild pollinators is greater than that of domestic pollinators. 



These findings highlight the urgent need to protect a wide range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-wars-plants-compete-for-space-on-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinator species</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decline-of-pollinators">Decline of pollinators </h2>



To understand pollinator decline, Artamendi and Magrach conducted a meta-analysis of 207 studies from 46 countries. This type of analysis combines data from multiple studies, allowing researchers to find broad patterns.



“We analyzed research done across the world. We had to bear in mind that there are different varieties of plants depending on the climate, that the influence on one plant or another may have been different, and how large the sample was, etc.,“ explained Artamendi.



“We took into account many variables so that all the pieces of research could be compared, and that is how we achieved a real, quantifiable result.” 



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



The researchers concluded that all pollinators, both wild and domestic, play a vital role in plant reproduction.



“We cannot focus on domestic pollinators alone. There are more pollinators, and we saw that they are all of great importance in the reproductive success of plants and in maintaining plant diversity," the team noted.



"We should not focus just on crop plants and domestic pollinators, the view has to be opened out.”



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



The decline of pollinators is not just an environmental issue - it’s a crisis that could reshape entire ecosystems. This study reinforces the importance of protecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a> to keep nature thriving and ensure stable food production.



By taking action now - whether through conservation efforts, policy changes, or individual choices like planting pollinator-friendly gardens - humanity can help slow this decline. Protecting pollinators means protecting life itself.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02595-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Pollinators are disappearing, and it’s bad news for plants

Pollination happens everywhere, but most people don’t notice it. Small...

Tropical rainforests help the planet breathe. They store carbon, control temperatures, and shelter wildlife. These tropical forests have survived climate changes for millions of years, but now they face an unprecedented challenge.



Climate change is reshaping ecosystems at an unprecedented pace. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events are placing immense stress on forests across the Americas. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-forests-in-a-shifting-climate">Tropical forests in a shifting climate </h2>



A new study reveals that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-lived-in-rainforests-80000-years-earlier-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> are not adapting quickly enough to keep up with environmental changes. This slow response raises concerns about their long-term survival and the cascading effects their decline could have on the global climate system.



Dr. Jesús Aguirre-Gutiérrez from the University of Oxford’s <a href="https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Change Institute</a> led the research with over 100 scientists and local collaborators. 



The team analyzed data from 415 permanent forest plots, covering regions from Mexico to southern Brazil. 



By studying the characteristics of more than 250,000 trees, they examined how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-rainforest-may-be-much-more-stable-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different species</a> are responding to shifting temperatures and rainfall patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-are-adapting-too-slowly">Trees are adapting too slowly</h2>



The experts found that while climate change alters temperature and rainfall, tree communities are not keeping up with the pace.



This slow response threatens the balance of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-thirds-of-temperate-rainforests-could-be-lost-this-century/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>. Some species thrive, while others struggle. Traits like wood density, leaf thickness, and drought resistance play a crucial role in determining which trees survive.



“Tropical forests are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, yet their ability to adapt to climate change is limited. Understanding which traits help trees survive can guide conservation efforts and policy decisions,“ said Dr. Aguirre-Gutiérrez.



“Given the changes in climate we have observed over the last 40 to 50 years, you might think there have also been lots of changes in the tree communities in tropical rainforests. But some of these changes are too small and too slow to actually adapt to the observed changes in climate."



By looking at individual trees from different communities, the team found that some have suffered due to climate shifts, while others have thrived, noted Dr. Aguirre-Gutiérrez.



"We can study the characteristics, also known as ‘tree traits,’ of those that have survived, as well as new individuals joining the communities and those that have died, to understand what makes them react differently to a changing climate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risky-future-for-rainforests">Risky future for rainforests</h2>



Mountainous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> appear to adapt faster than lowland forests. This difference likely results from the greater climate variability at higher altitudes. 



Meanwhile, younger trees exhibit noticeable shifts in traits, yet overall forest composition remains largely unchanged.



By 2100, the region’s temperatures could rise by up to 4°C, with rainfall decreasing by as much as 20%. These changes may push tropical forests further out of balance, making them more vulnerable to extreme climate events. Without intervention, the risk of ecosystem collapse increases.



“If we know what species of trees are doing better or worse, and what set of traits they have, then we know what they can withstand. It will help inform what conservation actions should be encouraged and where funding should be allocated,” said Dr. Aguirre-Gutiérrez.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extensive-collection-of-field-data">Extensive collection of field data</h2>



Professor José Javier Corral Rivas from the Juarez University of the State of Durango (<a href="https://www.ujed.mx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UJED</a>) highlighted the significance of long-term field studies. 



“It is thanks to the extensive collection of field data over the past decades, largely supported by Latin American institutions and international collaborations, that we are able to make discoveries like this one, particularly in highly biodiverse regions such as the tropical forests of the Americas.”



Professor Oliver Phillips from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a> emphasized the importance of human effort in this research. 



“What is remarkable is that we discovered this not with satellites or artificial intelligence, but by the efforts of botanists, foresters and hundreds of other skilled partners,” noted Professor Phillips. "These undervalued colleagues provide a great service to the world.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-response-of-tropical-forests">Climate response of tropical forests </h2>



The researchers found that functional traits among trees are shifting but at a pace far too slow to match climate change. Deciduous species are becoming more common in some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainforest-emissions-shape-the-climate-and-cloud-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a>, and leaf thickness is decreasing.



However, the rate of change is only a fraction of what is needed for trees to maintain equilibrium with the changing environment.



Lowland forests, which are experiencing higher temperature increases and greater drought stress, are showing stronger changes than montane forests. While some species are adapting, others are dying at increasing rates. 



The experts found that tree recruitment, where young trees replace older ones, is the most responsive to climate shifts. However, these recruits still track climate change at only about 22% of the expected rate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-rainforests-for-future-generations">Protecting rainforests for future generations</h2>



“Measuring forests carefully tree-by-tree, species-by-species and year-after-year, teaches us about the health of trees and the risks they face,“ noted Professor Beatriz Marimon from the <a href="https://unemat.br" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">State University of Mato Grosso</a>, Brazil.



“In some of our Amazon plots the forest is facing a deadly combination of fire, heat and drought. Understanding which tree species can survive these threats is critical to creating a liveable future for all of us.”



This study highlights the urgent need for research and conservation efforts to help tropical forests withstand climate challenges. Without immediate action, these ecosystems may struggle to survive the coming decades.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.1126/science.adl5414" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Tropical forests are struggling to keep pace with climate change

Tropical rainforests help the planet breathe. They store carbon, control...

The Arctic is changing fast. Ancient ice is melting, glaciers are shrinking, and seasons are shifting. Below the surface, vast kelp forests sway along rocky coasts, hidden from sight.



These marine giants are more than plants. They are the architects of entire ecosystems, offering shelter, food, and stability to countless <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-otters-help-kelp-forests-recover-but-theres-more-to-the-story/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a>. But as the Arctic transforms, so its kelp forests change too.



A recent study shows that melting glaciers and permafrost are changing kelp ecosystems by increasing freshwater run-off. The research was conducted by scientists from EU projects FACE-IT, ECOTIP, and SEA-Quester.



What the experts found is both startling and deeply revealing: shifts in water chemistry, microbial communities in flux, and an unexpected entanglement with heavy metals.



The story of Arctic kelp is not just an ecological tale - it is an economic and social one, reaching far beyond the cold northern seas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-warming-arctic-a-changing-coastline">A warming Arctic, a changing coastline</h2>



The Arctic is heating up - faster than anywhere else on the planet. This isn’t a slow, creeping shift; it’s a rapid and relentless <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-kelp-forests-existed-32-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transformation</a>.



With glaciers melting and permafrost thawing, vast amounts of freshwater are flooding into coastal seas. It’s a deluge that doesn’t just mix and disappear. The chemistry of the water shifts, salinity drops and light struggles to penetrate as suspended sediments cloud the once-clear depths.



For kelp, these changes aren’t trivial. They depend on stable conditions that include sunlight, salt, and predictable nutrient flows.



But with sediments thickening the water, photosynthesis becomes a challenge. Light barely reaches their fronds, stalling their growth. And the run-off doesn’t just bring fresh water; it carries something far more sinister - metals, both essential and toxic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heavy-metals-in-the-water">Heavy metals in the water</h2>



What happens when <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/kelp-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kelp</a> absorbs the very waters that nourish them? The answer lies in their elemental makeup. 



The research team studied kelps from various locations - some in areas with heavy runoff and others in clearer waters. Their findings were striking. Kelps from high-run-off areas contained significantly elevated levels of metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury.



Mercury in these kelps was 72% higher than in cleaner areas. That’s a serious warning. Kelp supports Arctic marine life, but when it absorbs metals, the pollution spreads through the ecosystem.



Small marine creatures graze on kelp, larger predators consume them, and over time, toxic elements creep their way up the food chain. Eventually, they land on the plates of Arctic communities that rely on seafood. 



What begins in a hidden kelp forest could have consequences that reach dinner tables far from the icy shores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-world-living-on-kelp">Microbial world living on kelp</h2>



A blade of kelp is covered in bacteria, fungi, and other life forms. These microbes play many important roles. They shape kelp health, aid in nutrient cycling, and offer a first line of defense against pathogens. But just like the kelp itself, they are sensitive to change.



The researchers found that run-off is rewriting the microbial landscape. The balance of bacteria living on kelp is shifting, and with it, the very functions that keep these marine plants thriving.



Some microbes that help break down organic matter are disappearing, while metal-tolerant ones are growing. This shift could disrupt kelp, the animals that rely on it, and the entire marine ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-of-arctic-kelp-cultivation">Potential of Arctic kelp cultivation</h2>



But there’s another side to this story. While heavy metal accumulation spells trouble for marine life, it also points to an unexpected opportunity. Kelp is a natural sponge, pulling metals from the water with remarkable efficiency. Could this ability be harnessed?



Scientists are looking into something called phytomining - using plants and algae to pull valuable metals from the environment. Arctic waters hold rare earth metals, crucial for tech like wind turbines. Could kelp be the answer? Maybe.



If managed correctly, kelp cultivation could offer a sustainable way to harvest these elements, reducing reliance on traditional mining, which scars landscapes and pollutes ecosystems.



At the same time, kelp could serve as a living sensor, a way to track pollution levels in Arctic waters. By monitoring changes in its elemental composition, researchers might be able to map contamination hotspots and predict where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental threats</a> are most severe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-arctic-kelp">The future of Arctic kelp</h2>



The future of Arctic kelp remains uncertain. With the Arctic warming, run-off levels will only increase. 



The delicate balance that has sustained these underwater forests for millennia is shifting in ways scientists are only beginning to grasp.



Will kelp adapt, or will these forests shrink, taking with them the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-otters-have-protected-california-kelp-forests-for-a-century/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> they support?



One thing is clear: kelp is at a crossroads. It is both a victim and a potential solution - threatened by climate change yet offering a key to understanding and mitigating its impacts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-82287-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Arctic kelp is absorbing toxic metals from melting glaciers

The Arctic is changing fast. Ancient ice is melting, glaciers...

Earth has faced many climate challenges, but none compare to the catastrophe that unfolded 250 million years ago. The End-Permian Event (EPE) stands as the most severe extinction in history, wiping out more than 80% of marine species and devastating life on land. 



Scientists have extensively studied its effects on ocean ecosystems, but the impact of mass extinction on forests remains less clear.



A team of researchers from University College Cork (<a href="https://www.ucc.ie/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCC</a>), the <a href="https://uconn.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Connecticut</a>, and the <a href="https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum</a> of Vienna has uncovered how plants responded to this crisis. 



Their findings reveal that ecosystem recovery was slow, complex, and shaped by extreme climate swings. 



By studying fossilized plants and rocks from the Sydney Basin in Australia, the team reconstructed a multi-million-year journey of forest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-climate-solutions-mixed-forests-store-more-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a>, extinction, and eventual regrowth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worst-mass-extinction-in-history">Worst mass extinction in history</h2>



The End-Permian Event, which occurred around 252.3 to 251.9 million years ago, caused the collapse of gymnosperm-supported ecosystems. 



Over 80% of ocean species vanished, making it the most severe mass extinction ever recorded. While its effects on marine life are well documented, its impact on land <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-play-an-overlooked-role-in-the-climate-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> has remained unclear.



Researchers examined fossilized plants and rocks from eastern Australia’s Sydney Basin, a region that was once located near the South Pole (∼70°S). 



Using sedimentology, biostratigraphy, and stable carbon isotope analysis, they traced the timing and sequence of gymnosperm reestablishment across different latitudes. 



The results of the analysis highlight the staggered nature of recovery, rather than a smooth, uninterrupted process.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooler-temperatures-helped-forests-recover">Cooler temperatures helped forests recover</h2>



After the End-Permian Event, the first plants to return were peltasperm seed ferns. They managed to build stable ecosystems, holding on for about 200,000 years. 



But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature</a> didn’t stand still. Over time, voltzialean conifers took over, spreading across the land and thriving for an impressive 1.5 million years.



Then, disaster struck again. Around 250.3 to 249.6 million years ago, global temperatures soared during the "Late Smithian Thermal Maximum."



The heat was too much for the conifer forests, and they collapsed. Their disappearance left space for a new kind of survivor - pleuromeian lycophytes. These plants were tough. They didn’t need much to grow, making them perfect for harsh conditions.



For 800,000 years, these small, shrubby plants dominated the land. But nothing lasts forever. 



As temperatures finally began to drop during the "Smithian-Spathian Event" around 249.6 to 249.2 million years ago, the environment shifted once again, opening the door for a new wave of plant life to reshape the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-recover-but-extinction-is-forever">Forests recover, but extinction is forever</h2>



The SSE brought much-needed relief to struggling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-rich-tree-diversity-adapt-better-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>. 



As the climate cooled, a new kind of plant took over - umkomasialean seed ferns. These plants thrived and spread across the high-latitude forests of Gondwana, shaping the landscapes of the Middle and Late Triassic. They helped stabilize ecosystems that had been in chaos for millions of years.



But recovery didn’t happen the same way everywhere. In many parts of the world, pleuromeian lycophytes - a type of tough, shrubby plant - quickly spread after the End-Permian Event. However, in the polar south, this process was much slower.



It took around 1.7 million years for these plants to finally establish themselves. This delay reveals that recovery from mass extinction wasn’t simple or predictable. Some places rebounded faster than others, while some struggled for much longer.



Even though forests eventually grew dense again, they were not the same. The plants that filled these new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-relocating-in-a-race-against-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> were completely different from those that had dominated before the extinction. Nature rebuilt itself, but in a way no one could have expected.



“The term ‘recovery’ can be misleading. Forests recover eventually, but extinction is forever," said Dr. Chris Mays, leader of the Mass Extinction Group at University College Cork.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-ancient-forest-extinction">Lessons from ancient forest extinction</h2>



Studying how ancient ecosystems recovered from extreme climate shifts gives us clues about what might happen to plants today. The way they adapted back then can help scientists predict how modern plant life will respond to environmental changes.



Plants do much more than just grow. They form the foundation of nature’s balance, providing food for animals and humans alike. 



They also help regulate the Earth's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. When plants thrive, ecosystems stay stable. When they struggle, the entire planet feels the impact.



“This research highlights how crucial plants are, not just as the base of land food chains, but also as natural carbon sinks that stabilize Earth’s climate,” explained UCC researcher Marcos Amores, the study’s lead author.



“The disruption of these systems can have impacts lasting hundreds of thousands of years, so protecting today’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-face-rising-damage-risks-as-their-diversity-dwindles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> is more important than ever.”



Earth’s past reveals a clear lesson: nature can recover, but it takes time. The resilience of plant life has shaped the world we know today, making conservation efforts essential for the future of our ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-abstract/doi/10.1130/B38017.1/652555/Age-controlled-south-polar-floral-trends-show-a?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geological Society of America Bulletin</a>.



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How forests rose again after the planet’s most extreme extinction

Earth has faced many climate challenges, but none compare to...

Imagine biting into a juicier, tastier tomato or cooking with an eggplant that’s not just flavorful but also larger. Scientists have made a discovery that could bring this to reality by identifying genes that control fruit size.



Researchers at Johns Hopkins University (<a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JHU</a>) and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (<a href="https://www.cshl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSHL</a>) have mapped genetic sequences in tomatoes and eggplants, paving the way for the development of new, improved varieties.



Their findings, published in Nature, could transform agriculture, particularly in regions where local varieties are too small to support commercial production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-gene-modification-the-basics">Understanding gene modification - the basics</h2>



Gene modification for plants is basically science giving nature a little upgrade. Scientists tweak plant DNA to make crops stronger, more nutritious, or resistant to pests and harsh weather. 



Instead of waiting generations for traditional breeding to get the perfect traits, genetic engineering speeds up the process. 



For example, some modified crops can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-populations-dramatically-declining-around-the-world-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fight off insects</a> without needing pesticides, while others grow in salty soil or survive droughts. 



In this instance, modifying the genes of tomato plants will provide bigger and better tomatoes.



This tech has already changed farming, making it more efficient and reducing the need for chemical sprays that can harm the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-agriculture-with-one-seed">Changing agriculture with one seed</h2>



“Once you’ve done the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/boosting-crop-colors-with-gene-editing-can-improve-weed-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene editing</a>, all it takes is one seed to start a revolution,” said Michael Schatz, a geneticist at Johns Hopkins University and co-lead author of the study. 



“With the right approvals, we could mail an engineered seed to Africa or anywhere it’s needed and open up entirely new agricultural markets. There’s huge potential to translate these advances into real-world impact.”



The study is part of a larger initiative to map the full genomes of 22 crop plants within the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crops-of-the-future-potatoes-that-thrive-in-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potatoes</a>, and eggplants.



The researchers used computational analysis to compare genetic maps and track how genes evolved. They discovered that, over time, more than half of these genes had been duplicated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-genetic-changes-over-time">Tracing genetic changes over time</h2>



“Over tens of millions of years, there’s this constant churn of DNA sequences being added and lost,” Schatz explained. 



“The same process can occur for gene sequences, where entire genes duplicate or disappear. When we started looking, we noticed these changes were very widespread, but we didn’t yet know what those changes meant for the plants.”



To answer that question, researchers at the Boyce Thomson Institute used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit these genes. Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor then grew the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-gmo-plants-make-baby-formula-healthy-as-breast-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">engineered plants</a> to observe the results.



The duplicated genes, known as paralogs, turned out to be essential for traits like fruit size, shape, and flowering time. 



One experiment involved turning off both copies of a gene called CLV3 in the forest nightshade, a plant native to Australia. 



The result was that misshapen, “weird, bubbly, disorganized” fruits were formed. These wouldn’t be viable for grocery stores. However, tweaking just one copy of the gene led to plants with larger fruits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-treasure-map-for-tomatoes">Genetic treasure map for tomatoes</h2>



“Having full genome sequences for these species is like having a new treasure map,” said Katharine Jenike, who helped assemble the genome sequences as a Ph.D. student in Schatz’s lab.



“We can see where and when one genetic path diverges from another and then explore that place in the genetic information where we wouldn’t have thought to look. This allowed us to find the size-genes in a really unexpected place.”



One of the most exciting discoveries came from the African eggplant, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crop</a> grown across Africa and Brazil. Scientists identified a gene, SaetSCPL25-like, which controls the number of seed cavities, or locules, inside the fruit. 



When they edited this gene in tomatoes, they found that increasing the number of locules resulted in larger tomatoes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tomatoes-eggplants-and-genes">Tomatoes, eggplants, and genes</h2>



These findings suggest that careful gene editing could lead to larger, more commercially viable tomatoes and eggplants.



“This work shows the importance of studying many species together. We leveraged decades of work in tomato genetics to rapidly advance African eggplants, and along the way we found entirely new genes in African eggplants that reciprocally advance tomatoes," Schatz explained.



"We call this ‘pan-genetics,’ and it opens endless opportunities to bring many new fruits, foods, and flavors to dinner plates around the world.”



With continued research and the right regulatory steps, these discoveries could change how we grow and consume some of our favorite fruits and vegetables in the years ahead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-tomato-plants-and-gene-editing">Future of tomato plants and gene editing</h2>



Beyond simply increasing fruit size, this research has broader implications for global agriculture. 



In many parts of the world, farmers struggle with low-yield crops that are not suitable for large-scale farming. 



With gene editing, scientists could tailor plants to specific environments, making them more resistant to climate change, pests, and diseases.



By using advanced genetic tools, researchers hope to create crops that not only grow larger but also require fewer resources, such water and fertilizers.



This could make <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-cover-crops-may-be-the-future-of-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farming more sustainable</a> and reduce environmental impacts.



Future studies may focus on improving taste, nutritional value, and shelf life, which would ensure that these new varieties don’t just benefit farmers but also provide better food options for consumers.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08619-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Gene modification can create bigger, better tomatoes, but should we do it?

Imagine biting into a juicier, tastier tomato or cooking with...

In the vast, arid landscapes where water is scarce, only the toughest plants survive. Among them, the agave plant stands out - not only for its role in tequila production but also for its remarkable ability to store and retain water.



Scientists have long studied how desert plants adapt to extreme conditions. Now, a study using advanced imaging techniques has uncovered deeper insights into the agave’s survival mechanisms.



The researchers used special imaging technology to see how agave plants store and use water. They found that these plants keep moisture at both the leaf and tiny molecular levels. This discovery could help create <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-earths-most-endangered-plants-from-extinction-proving-difficult-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crops</a> that need less water and improve how processed foods stay fresh.



The results not only highlight the resilience of agave plants but also point to potential solutions for global food security in the face of climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-agave-hydration-levels">Analyzing agave hydration levels</h2>



The scientists used terahertz spectroscopy, a non-invasive technique that falls between microwave and mid-infrared technologies, to analyze the hydration levels of agave <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-may-stop-absorbing-carbon-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>.



This method allows researchers to map water distribution within plant tissues and observe how fructans, a type of sugar, help retain moisture at the molecular level.



“Understanding how plants adapt to dry conditions could lead to better farming practices and be used to develop crops that require less water,” said Monica Ortiz-Martinez from the Centro de Investigaciones en Optica (<a href="https://www.cio.mx/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIO</a>) in Mexico.



“This could lead to higher crop yields with lower water consumption, benefiting farmers, food production and global food security.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-plant-hydration-levels">Measuring plant hydration levels</h2>



Terahertz waves, which exist between microwaves and the mid-infrared spectrum, have unique interactions with water. 



Since water strongly absorbs terahertz radiation, the researchers used this property to measure hydration levels within agave tissues. The technique allowed them to visualize water distribution and examine how fructans function at the molecular level.



The study, published in Applied Optics, demonstrates that terahertz spectroscopy is a non-invasive tool for plant analysis. 



The researchers found that agave plants survive harsh conditions by storing water in specialized leaf structures. Additionally, fructans act as molecular sponges, ensuring that moisture remains available even in extreme drought.



“In the food industry, our findings on agave fructans and their exceptional water-binding properties could be used to develop new food ingredients that improve moisture retention, texture and shelf life, especially in dried or processed foods,” said Enrique Castro-Camus from CIO. 



“This could lead to healthier, longer-lasting food products with fewer artificial preservatives.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intersection-of-biology-and-food-science">Intersection of biology and food science</h2>



The study began as a collaboration between CIO’s Applied Terahertz Science group and June Simpson at Centro de Investigaciones Avanzadas (<a href="https://www.cinvestav.mx/irapuato/investigacion/directorio-de-investigacion/June-Kilpatrick-Simpson-Williamson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CINVESTAV</a>). Their focus was on water distribution in agave leaves and the role of fructans in hydration. 



Around the same time, CIO researchers partnered with Socorro Villanueva from Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco (<a href="https://ciatej.mx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIATEJ</a>) to explore how fructans protect frozen foods from damage. These projects merged to provide a comprehensive understanding of agave’s survival mechanisms.



For their analysis, the researchers used a time-domain terahertz spectrometer with a femtosecond fiber laser and sub-millimeter pixel resolution.



Thin leaf slices were placed between a terahertz emitter and detector, enabling hydration mapping through water absorption measurements. The spectrometer was later reconfigured to analyze fructan solutions in greater detail.



“Our research introduces several key innovations in the study of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-how-climate-change-will-alter-plant-growth-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> hydration using terahertz technology,” said Ortiz-Martinez.



“One of the most significant advancements is non-invasive water detection - unlike traditional methods that require cutting, drying and weighing plant samples, terahertz imaging enables real-time hydration analysis without damaging the plant.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-agave-plants-retain-water">How agave plants retain water</h2>



The study revealed that agave leaves have a unique water storage system. Their inner core remains hydrated, while the outer layer acts as a barrier to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-understanding-of-light-detection-in-plants-may-revolutionize-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minimize water loss</a>. 



Fructans play a critical role in this process by forming porous structures that trap and retain water molecules. This water retention capability is stronger than that of other sugars, making fructans vital for agave survival.



By combining tissue-level storage with molecular water retention, agaves have evolved into one of the most drought-resistant plants. These findings could have significant implications for crop cultivation in water-scarce regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-non-invasive-plant-monitoring">Expanding non-invasive plant monitoring</h2>



Researchers now aim to expand terahertz spectroscopy applications to study drought-resistant mechanisms in agave and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-bacteria-help-plants-stay-calm-and-keep-growing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a>. The goal is to understand how different crops manage hydration, particularly those essential for food security.



Future developments may lead to a portable terahertz system for use in fields and greenhouses. Machine learning algorithms could further enhance this technology by analyzing terahertz images in real-time, enabling the detection of drought stress before visible signs appear.



The study highlights the importance of collaboration among experts in optics, plant physiology and food science. Researchers believe that integrating these disciplines will lead to practical applications for agriculture and food production.



“By advancing non-invasive plant monitoring methods, our research lays the foundation for smarter, more sustainable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-climates-force-plants-to-compete-with-each-other/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agricultural practices</a>, ultimately benefiting both farmers and consumers while helping to conserve natural resources for future generations,” said Castro-Camus.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://opg.optica.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-64-8-2057" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applied Optics</a>.



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Agave plants: Nature’s answer to water conservation

In the vast, arid landscapes where water is scarce, only...

Conventional wisdom has long held that iron oxides merely trap phosphorus in the environment. Yet new research has uncovered a more dynamic role for these minerals in driving the conversion of organic phosphorus into the inorganic form that plants require for growth. 



A new study led by <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a> reveals that this activity can occur at rates on par with biological enzymes, overturning assumptions about how phosphorus becomes available in soils and sediments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fate-of-phosphorus">The fate of phosphorus </h2>



Study senior author Ludmilla Aristilde is an associate professor of environmental engineering at Northwestern.&nbsp;



“Phosphorus is essential to all forms of life. The backbone of DNA contains phosphate. So, all life on Earth, including humans, depends on phosphorus to thrive,” said Aristilde.



“That’s why we need <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-produce-their-own-nitrogen-fertilizer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fertilizers</a> to increase phosphorus in soils. Otherwise, the crops we need to feed our planet will not grow. There is a profound interest in understanding the fate of phosphorus in the environment.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-availability-of-inorganic-phosphorus">Availability of inorganic phosphorus</h2>



Most soil phosphorus exists in organic form, bound to carbon atoms in plant, animal, or microbial remains. Plants, however, need inorganic phosphorus - the sort found in common fertilizers - for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-grow-more-branches-and-become-bushy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">growth</a> and survival. 



Traditional thinking held that microbial and plant enzymes alone could break down organic phosphorus, releasing the inorganic portion.



Prior work by Aristilde’s group demonstrated that iron oxides, which are abundant in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-soil-day-2024-protecting-our-planets-lifeline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soils</a> and sediments, can likewise facilitate this transformation. 



In the new study, lead author and PhD student Jade Basinski, along with other members of Aristilde’s lab, sought to determine just how much phosphorus these minerals could release and how efficiently they function in various scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-iron-oxides">The role of iron oxides</h2>



To investigate, the researchers examined three frequently occurring iron oxides: goethite, hematite, and ferrihydrite. They exposed these minerals to different ribonucleotides, the building blocks of RNA, which contain phosphorus in organic bonds.&nbsp;



By measuring the appearance of inorganic phosphorus both in the surrounding solution and on the mineral surfaces, the team assessed the extent of the reaction and how quickly it proceeded. 



The researchers also varied reaction times and the concentration of ribonucleotides to observe how these conditions influenced the process.



The findings showed that iron oxides are capable of driving the conversion of organic phosphorus to inorganic phosphorus at rates comparable to enzymes.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iron-oxides-as-catalytic-traps">Iron oxides as ‘catalytic traps’</h2>



Moreover, the researchers uncovered a particular twist: some minerals can hold on to the newly released inorganic phosphorus, effectively sequestering it on their surfaces.&nbsp;



“We concluded that iron oxides are ‘catalytic traps’ because they catalyze the reaction to remove phosphate from organic compounds but trap the phosphate product on the mineral surface,” Aristilde said.&nbsp;



“Enzymes don’t trap the product; they make everything available. We found goethite was the only mineral that didn’t trap all the phosphorus after the reaction.”



While ferrihydrite and hematite tended to keep the cleaved phosphorus locked in place, goethite proved more inclined to release it back into the surrounding medium.&nbsp;



Hematite was notably effective at processing ribonucleotides containing one phosphorus, whereas goethite showed heightened performance with those containing three. 



These differences may reflect each mineral’s specific surface chemistry or structural characteristics, though the precise reasons remain unknown.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-crops-and-plant-growth">Implications for crops and plant growth</h2>



This discovery has far-reaching implications for agricultural practices. Farmers worldwide have long relied on adding phosphorus to fields to promote plant growth, yet phosphorus is a finite resource sourced primarily from phosphate rock in places such as the United States, Morocco, and China. 



As supply concerns grow, identifying alternative means to free up naturally occurring organic phosphorus could help maintain affordable food production.



Aristilde’s group believes that a deeper understanding of why goethite more readily releases inorganic phosphorus might guide the design of synthetic catalysts or soil amendments.&nbsp;



“Our work is providing a steppingstone for designing and engineering a synthetic catalyst as a way to recycle phosphorus,” Aristilde said.&nbsp;



“We uncovered a reaction that’s happening naturally. The dream will be to leverage our findings as a way to make catalysts to contribute to the production of fertilizers for our food security.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



The next step will be to discover precisely how different mineral compositions drive these catalytic reactions. 



Researchers initially hypothesized that the shape or structure of the phosphorus compounds themselves might determine the release rates, but the data did not support that idea. 



Now, attention is turning to the internal chemistry of each mineral, with the hope that clarifying these fine-scale details may point to new pathways for managing soil phosphorus.



In revealing that iron oxides can act as powerful catalysts for phosphorus release, the Northwestern study challenges the notion of these minerals as inert storage sites. Instead, they emerge as dynamic participants in a process vital to crop growth and, ultimately, the global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/futuristic-food-supply-transforming-co2-into-protein/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food supply</a>. 



Understanding this process better could help scientists and farmers find sustainable solutions for using phosphorus more wisely, ensuring this critical nutrient remains within reach for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c12049" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.&nbsp;



Image Credit: Ludmilla Aristilde/Northwestern University



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Phantom nutrient: The secret force that fuels plant growth

Conventional wisdom has long held that iron oxides merely trap...

World Frog Day is more than just a date on the calendar - it’s a global wake-up call. For 265 million years, frogs have hopped through Earth’s ever-changing landscapes. 



They outlived dinosaurs, weathered ice ages, and adapted to shifting climates. Yet today, despite their incredible resilience, frogs stand on the brink of disaster.



These small, unassuming creatures do far more than fill the air with their evening croaks. They control insect populations, provide food for countless predators, and serve as nature’s bioindicators because they are sensitive to environmental changes long before these become crises. 



When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/missing-frog-species-alsodes-vittatus-resurfaces-after-130-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a> start disappearing from an ecosystem, it’s a sign that something is deeply wrong.



Pollution, deforestation, climate change, and the deadly chytrid fungus are driving entire species to extinction at an alarming rate. 



If frog populations continue to decline, the consequences will be catastrophic. Ecosystems will become unbalanced, food chains may collapse, and Earth will lose one of its most ancient inhabitants.



That’s why&nbsp;World Frog Day, observed every&nbsp;March 20&nbsp;since&nbsp;2014, is important. It shines a spotlight on these amphibians, raises awareness about their plight and urges action before time runs out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-frogs-matter">Why frogs matter</h2>



Frogs are key players in natural ecosystems. As predators, they feast on mosquitoes, flies, and agricultural pests, helping control populations that could otherwise spiral out of balance.



Without them, farmers would struggle with increased infestations, and diseases spread by insects could become even harder to manage.



On the flip side, frogs themselves are prey for countless creatures; birds, fish, reptiles, and even some mammals rely on them as a food source. If frogs disappear, so do many of the animals that depend on them, which would trigger a domino effect throughout the ecosystem.



Then there’s their role as bioindicators. Healthy frog populations signal healthy environments. But declining frog populations indicate bigger issues - polluted waters, rising temperatures, or habitat destruction, for example. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frogs-are-facing-many-threats">Frogs are facing many threats </h2>



Despite their adaptability, frogs face an uphill battle for survival, with habitat destruction being the primary threat.



Wetlands are commonly drained for urban expansion and forests are cut down to make way for agriculture. Rivers and lakes are polluted with industrial waste and pesticides. Every time humans encroach on these habitats, frog populations shrink a little more.



Pollution is another major issue. Since <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-on-water-cricket-frogs-redefine-aquatic-locomotion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a> absorb water directly through their porous skin, they have no defense against toxins in their environment. Pesticides used in farming leach into nearby ponds and streams, poisoning frogs from the outside in.



Then there’s the chytrid fungus, a disease that has devastated amphibian populations worldwide. It attacks their skin, and prevents them from absorbing water and essential nutrients. Entire species have been wiped out in mere decades by this devastating fungus. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-is-making-things-worse">Climate change is making things worse</h2>



As if habitat loss and pollution weren’t enough, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frog-saunas-hot-solution-to-fighting-global-amphibian-extinction-apocalypse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a> are also battling the effects of climate change. 



Rising temperatures have thrown off their breeding cycles, causing unpredictable shifts in their life stages. Some species, accustomed to stable seasonal patterns, now struggle to find mates or lay eggs at the right time.



Extreme weather events have also taken a toll. In some areas, prolonged droughts have dried up breeding ponds before tadpoles have had a chance to develop. In others, flooding has swept away entire populations. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fight-to-save-the-frogs">The fight to save the frogs</h2>



Despite the grim outlook, conservationists aren’t giving up. Around the world, dedicated researchers and volunteers are working to preserve frog habitats, restore wetlands, and develop captive breeding programs for endangered species. 



In some cases, frogs have been reintroduced into the wild after their populations were nearly wiped out - a small but hopeful sign that efforts can make a difference.



One of the most effective strategies has been the creation of protected areas where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-exposed-to-radiation-show-no-signs-of-accelerated-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a> can thrive without human interference. These conservation zones shield frogs from pollution, deforestation, and urban expansion, giving them a fighting chance at survival. 



Scientists are also working to combat the chytrid fungus, testing anti-fungal treatments that could slow or stop the spread of infection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-action-on-world-frog-day">Take action on World Frog Day</h2>



World Frog Day 2025 presents us with a chance to take action. Across the globe, events will highlight the importance of frog conservation, from educational programs at zoos, to hands-on habitat restoration projects.



The Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas, for example, is set to host special exhibits and talks about amphibian protection. Schools and nature organizations will also join in, organizing workshops and field trips to explore local frog populations.



But you don’t need to attend an event to make a difference. Learning about the different species of frogs in your region is a good start. Avoiding pesticides and herbicides in your garden helps protect their habitats. Creating a frog-friendly space with native plants, small ponds, or log shelters can provide much-needed refuge.



If you want to do more, consider supporting conservation organizations. Donations help fund research, breeding programs, and habitat restoration efforts. Volunteering for local environmental groups can also put you on the frontlines of conservation work.



You can even virtually adopt a tree frog through the <a href="https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/species-adoptions/red-eyed-tree-frog?srsltid=AfmBOorRwjDH5ydXRC_2hQV_O2f5MO1PjHWAutpoeSOhQp7kn7mTcs6P" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Wildlife Fund</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-world-without-frogs">A world without frogs?</h2>



The loss of frogs isn’t just an ecological disaster - it’s a warning. Their decline signals deeper problems in our environment, problems that will eventually affect humans too. 



If frogs disappear, it means our water is more polluted, our ecosystems are out of balance, and the natural world is in crisis.



World Frog Day reminds us that their survival is tied to our own. By protecting them, we protect ourselves and the planet we share. Whether it’s through education, activism, or simple everyday choices, everyone can contribute to this effort. 



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World Frog Day 2025: Protecting nature’s tiny guardians

World Frog Day is more than just a date on...

A recent study has discovered a surprising behavior in lemon leafcutter ants (Atta sexdens). These ants not only exhibit social immunity - the ability to detect and remove pathogens to protect their colony - but also appear to remember past infections and respond more aggressively to familiar threats.



The research, led by <a href="https://www.international.unesp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">São Paulo State University</a> (UNESP), reveals that leafcutter ants can recognize a pathogenic fungus they have previously encountered, even 30 days after the initial exposure. 



When re-exposed, they intensify their cleaning behaviors and recruit more workers, a phenomenon researchers suggest could be considered a form of “social immune memory.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-superorganism-s-defense-mechanism">A superorganism’s defense mechanism</h2>



“If we think of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/larger-ant-colonies-drove-the-evolution-of-worker-castes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colony</a> as a superorganism, these behaviors would be like the immune system,” said first author Aryel Goes, a former bioscience student at UNESP. “In the same way that our defense cells attack invaders, such as viruses and bacteria, the workers fight infections that could harm the colony.”



The study shows that, unlike individual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdowns-weakened-our-immune-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune systems</a> in animals, ants respond to infections collectively.&nbsp;



“What we’re showing is that the social immune system of ants can store information about previous infections with the same pathogen, a phenomenon seen in our immune cells, but which occurs at a behavioral level in ant colonies,” Goes said.



To test this idea, the researchers conducted several experiments to observe how ants responded to repeated exposures to the same pathogen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-stronger-response-to-familiar-threats">A stronger response to familiar threats</h2>



In one experiment, the team exposed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-extinction-led-to-the-emergence-of-ant-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ant colonies</a> to a pathogen, then reintroduced it after seven days and again after a month. The ants' response became significantly stronger over time, with the most intense reaction occurring at the 30-day mark. 



More ants participated in cleaning activities, both grooming themselves and removing the harmful fungus from the fungi they cultivate for food.



Lemon leafcutters belong to a group of ants that maintain a mutualistic relationship with fungi, cultivating them inside their colonies as a food source. In return, the fungi provide essential nutrients for the ants.



As part of the study, researchers tested four different pathogens - two harmful to the ants themselves and two that targeted their cultivated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungus-farming-ants-work-hard-to-maintain-healthy-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a>.&nbsp;



In another experiment, the scientists exposed separate colonies to a pathogen, then reintroduced it after seven days and again after 60 days. This time, the ants' responses were noticeably weaker compared to those that encountered the pathogen after 30 days.



“Unlike our immune system, which in some cases responds expressively to a specific pathogen even many years after initial exposure, ants’ social immune memory has a shorter time frame, so they need to be constantly exposed to the pathogen for the information to persist,” explained Goes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-ants-recognize-specific-pathogens">Do ants recognize specific pathogens?</h2>



The researchers also tested whether the ants' memory-like response was pathogen-specific. In a third experiment, they exposed the ants to one pathogen, then introduced a different pathogen after seven days. The ants' response to the second pathogen was much weaker than their reaction to the original one.



The following week, the researchers reintroduced the first pathogen. While the ants reacted, their response was only moderate - similar to their first encounter with the pathogen, but far less intense than when the pathogen had been reintroduced after 30 days.



Rodrigues suggested that this behavior could be a strategy to prevent accidentally spreading a new pathogen within the colony. “One hypothesis is that the lemon leafcutter reduced its hygienic response to avoid spreading the new pathogen to the rest of the colony.&nbsp;



This is because cleaning altruism, in which ants lick each other to get rid of pathogens, can also spread new contaminants. That’s why they would have been more careful with a second infection that was completely new to the colony,” he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-ants-respond-to-unknown-substance">Do ants respond to unknown substance?</h2>



To ensure that the ants’ response was indeed triggered by pathogens and not simply by exposure to an unfamiliar substance, the researchers applied a harmless solution to five colonies as a control.&nbsp;



The ants in this group showed the weakest response of all the experiments, suggesting that the ants can distinguish between different substances and respond more aggressively to harmful pathogens.



The study raises the possibility that social immunity in leafcutter ants could increase the efficiency of pathogen removal, improving the colony’s overall survival. However, more research is needed to determine whether this actually qualifies as a form of immune memory.



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



Leafcutter ants, including Atta sexdens, thrive in open environments and have adapted well to agricultural landscapes, making them a common <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urgent-need-to-protect-earths-forests-from-non-native-pests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pest</a> in monoculture farming.&nbsp;



Their strong cleaning behaviors pose a challenge to biological control methods that rely on natural pathogens rather than chemical pesticides.



“Lemon leafcutters are adapted to open areas, so they benefit from monocultures and are a pest. Their cleaning behavior is one of the obstacles to effective biological control without the use of chemical insecticides. Understanding the social immunity of leafcutters can help to develop more effective and ecologically correct controls,” Rodrigues concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.1097" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B</a>.



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Leafcutter ants remember past infections, strengthening colony defenses

A recent study has discovered a surprising behavior in lemon...

For more than 20 years, scientists have puzzled over an unusual trait in thorny skates in the North Atlantic. 



In some parts of their range, these fish appear in two distinctly different sizes, regardless of their sex. Researchers were unable to determine the cause of this phenomenon - until now.



A new study led by Jeff Kneebone and a team from the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Museum of Natural History</a> has finally solved the mystery, thanks in part to unexpected disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-longstanding-conservation-puzzle">A longstanding conservation puzzle</h2>



The size discrepancy among thorny skates has been noted for nearly a century, but the issue became especially significant in the 1970s when their populations began to plummet. Suspecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-has-caused-a-50-decline-in-sharks-and-rays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a> as the main culprit, authorities implemented a strict fishing ban on thorny skates and barndoor skates in 2003.



“The barndoor skate rebounded to the point where they’re now allowed to be harvested again, but for whatever reason, the thorny skate has remained low, despite 20 years of protection,” said Kneebone, a senior scientist at the <a href="https://www.neaq.org/conservation-and-research/anderson-cabot-center-for-ocean-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life</a> at the New England Aquarium.



Data from the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> indicates that thorny skate populations have declined by 80% to 95% in some regions, particularly in the Gulf of Maine and Canadian waters off the Scotian Shelf.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mystery-of-thorny-skates">The mystery of thorny skates </h2>



Thorny skates have an extensive distribution, ranging from South Carolina to the Arctic Circle and across to Europe and Russia. However, the size variation appears to be unique to North American waters; in the Arctic and Europe, thorny skates only appear in one size.



“No one could understand what the deal was with these skates,” said study co-author Gavin Naylor, director of the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Program for Shark Research</a> at the Florida Museum of Natural History. 



Researchers had previously analyzed thorny skate DNA, searching for genetic differences between the two size variants, but found nothing.&nbsp;



“The big forms are twice the size, and it takes them 11 years to reach adulthood. The small forms are mature by the time they’re six years old. There’s got to be genetic differences.”



Naylor believed a more detailed genetic analysis could uncover the answer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-samples-from-hundreds-of-thorny-skates">Samples from hundreds of thorny skates </h2>



Previous attempts to solve the mystery involved sequencing short DNA fragments from a small number of individuals.&nbsp;



While a reasonable approach, Naylor suspected it had failed because not enough of the genome had been examined. Instead, he proposed a gene capture method, an intensive approach that collects DNA sequences from thousands of genes across an organism’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-genome-size-impact-evolutionary-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a>.&nbsp;



This would require analyzing samples from hundreds of thorny skates to gather a comprehensive dataset.



Researchers from around the world responded to Naylor’s request for samples, providing more than 600 tissue specimens spanning much of the Northern Hemisphere and helping him prepare for an extensive lab analysis.



Then, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-death-toll-of-covid-19-pandemic-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 pandemic</a> shut down lab operations, halting their work indefinitely.



At that point, postdoctoral researcher Shannon Corrigan devised an alternative plan. Instead of conducting a labor-intensive gene capture study on hundreds of skates, they would sequence the full genome of just a handful - four or five individuals. While less comprehensive, it would still allow them to search for significant genetic differences.



It was a gamble. If the genome sequencing approach failed, the team would have used up their funding with no results.



“It was a Hail Mary,” Naylor said. But it paid off. In fact, had they stuck with the original plan, “we would have missed it entirely.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-key-genetic-difference">A key genetic difference</h2>



The breakthrough came when lead author Pierre Lesturgie analyzed the genome - comprising 2.5 billion base pairs. As he sifted through the data, he noticed something unusual.



“There was a large region on chromosome two that we thought was weird. Since it was behaving in a way we didn’t understand, we considered removing it from the analysis,” Lesturgie said.



Initially, he suspected the anomaly was a sequencing error and worried it might skew their results. But before discarding it, Naylor recognized a pattern - it resembled a gene inversion, where a segment of DNA is flipped in the opposite direction.



Gene inversions are common across many species, including humans, but they rarely result in such dramatic physical differences. Still, the team decided to check if this inverted DNA sequence was present in both small and large thorny skates.



It wasn’t. Only the larger skates had the inversion. They had finally uncovered the genetic basis for the size difference.



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



Now that scientists understand why thorny skates appear in two distinct sizes, Kneebone believes they can develop more effective conservation strategies.&nbsp;



The next step is to study the skates' life histories more closely - something that has been challenging due to the difficulty of distinguishing between the two types.



“We could identify the large males and females because they’re bigger than anything else,” Naylor said. Both large and small males develop distinctive long claspers on either side of their tails when they reach maturity.&nbsp;



“So when you’ve got a small male with large claspers, we know it’s an adult. But we can’t do anything with the small females because we don’t know whether they’re just babies on their way to getting big.”



This has complicated research on the species. “The big question has always been, what do the life histories of the two morphs look like? Currently, they’re not discriminated in the stock assessment, so a thorny skate is a thorny skate is a thorny skate,” Kneebone said.



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



Even with this discovery, thorny skates are still struggling in parts of their range, particularly in the Gulf of Maine. One potential factor is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>.



Current evidence suggests that the two size variants may have difficulty interbreeding in areas where populations are declining. Warming ocean temperatures could be exacerbating this natural reproductive barrier.



The Gulf of Maine has experienced some of the fastest ocean warming on the planet, with sea surface temperatures rising at a rate faster than 99% of the world's oceans. This has already led to significant ecological changes, such as the collapse of cod fisheries.



Scientists are now investigating whether climate change is disproportionately affecting thorny skates compared to other skate species in the region.



“We’re trying to use the best available science to make decisions about how to best manage and sustain populations,” Kneebone concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56126-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



Image Credit: Illustration by Jorge Machuski



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DNA twist reveals why some thorny skates grow twice as large

For more than 20 years, scientists have puzzled over an...

Stress can be exhausting, making even simple tasks feel like a chore. College life piles on exams and assignments, leaving many people feeling overwhelmed. A new study shows that playing with a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rewards-of-dog-ownership-outweigh-the-challenges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">friendly dog</a> for just 15 minutes can lighten that emotional load.



The research was led by senior investigator Dr. Jaruwan Khonmee from <a href="https://www.cmu.ac.th/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chiang Mai University</a> in Thailand and included 122 students.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-help-lower-stress">Dogs help lower stress</h2>



<a href="https://archive.org/details/psychologicalstr0000laza" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress</a> is a feeling of mental tension triggered by tough situations, and it can drain your energy before you realize it. Over time, stress can harm your mood, focus, and physical health in multiple ways.



College students often juggle challenging courses, part-time work, and new social circles. When responsibilities pile up, anxiety can creep in and catch people off guard.



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2485862/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cortisol</a> is a hormone that climbs when you’re tense and goes down when you’re relaxed. Lowering it can support better heart function and clearer thinking under pressure.



That’s where a quick session of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-breed-does-not-define-performance-and-ability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine interaction</a> steps in to break the cycle. A wagging tail or a nudge from a friendly snout can act like a natural mood lifter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-dogs-helped-students">How dogs helped students</h2>



In this project, students had their heart rates, saliva samples, and stress surveys measured before and after interacting with dogs. The researchers observed significant drops in both physical and emotional stress markers once the session ended.



Compared to just moments earlier, students’ self-reported <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-suffer-from-the-january-blues-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress levels</a> decreased by 33.5% after hanging out with the pup. This quick drop demonstrates how a little interaction can go a long way.



Some participants chose to cuddle or chat with the dog, while others offered treats or toys. Even short bursts of play were enough to see a noticeable shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-reduce-stress-levels">Dogs reduce stress levels</h2>



“Even brief interactions with dogs can significantly reduce stress levels among university undergraduate students,” concluded the researchers. They noted that stress hormones in the dogs themselves appeared to drop over time, suggesting shared benefits.



Fecal tests indicated that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-dogs-share-genes-linked-to-obesity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pups</a> had lower cortisol a week after these sessions. This finding points to the possibility that dogs might also feel relaxed when spending time with attentive humans.



Crucially, none of the six dogs used were certified therapy animals. Their friendly nature alone seemed enough to help students.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-relief-through-genuine-connection">Stress relief through genuine connection </h2>



Researchers have spent years examining the human-animal bond. One <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/089279314X14072268687808" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">project</a> found that petting a calm dog cannot only slow heart rate but also quiet the mind.



A good-natured pup provides social interaction without the same judgment people fear in formal therapy settings. Students can feel understood without having to explain every feeling or worry.



These canine sessions may work in part because they tap into <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/co-regulation-helping-children-and-teens-navigate-big-emotions-202404033030" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional co-regulation</a>, where two living beings calm each other. It’s less about a clinical approach and more about genuine connection.



That sense of warmth can reassure students who hesitate to seek human counseling. A dog’s presence often feels comforting, making it easier to let go of anxious thoughts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-outcomes-for-students">Encouraging outcomes for students</h2>



Not every campus has the resources to bring in certified therapy animals. This study shows that friendly, well-behaved pets might offer help even if they lack formal training.



Some universities have started hosting dog visits during final exams to give frazzled students a break. In many cases, just a few minutes can revive a tired mind.



Researchers stress the importance of ensuring dogs enjoy the interaction. Signs of anxiety or discomfort in pets could prevent the positive effects.



Preparing a calm environment, offering treats, and supervising the sessions can keep everyone happy. It’s a balancing act that respects both human and canine comfort.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-stress-with-dog-visits">Managing stress with dog visits</h2>



Experts want to know if repeated dog sessions can bring lasting improvements. Longer studies might track stress relief over entire semesters to see if the benefits accumulate.



Some researchers wonder if these visits spark additional gains, like boosted motivation or a steadier mindset. Others are curious whether multiple short sessions are better than one extended visit. 



Further studies are needed to determine the ideal balance for ongoing stress management.



College life is not about to slow down, but dog visits seem promising for easing at least some of the mental load. Quick, simple sessions can offer a breather when books and deadlines pile high.



These findings encourage schools and organizations to consider how a wagging tail might bring calm to busy people. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0318777" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



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Petting a dog might be the easiest way to reduce stress

Stress can be exhausting, making even simple tasks feel like...

Extreme heat is taking a toll on livestock agriculture. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines how heat stress affects U.S. dairy farms. 



The researchers found that high temperatures and humidity lead to a 1% annual decline in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-americans-dont-know-the-dangers-of-raw-milk-and-bird-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">milk yield</a>. Smaller farms suffer more than large ones, which can adopt management strategies to reduce the effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-heat-on-dairy-cows">Impact of heat on dairy cows</h2>



Study co-author Marin Skidmore is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the <a href="https://illinois.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois</a>.



“Cows are mammals like us, and they experience heat stress just like we do. When cows are exposed to extreme heat, it can have a range of negative physical effects,” explained Professor Skidmore.



"There is an increased risk of infection, restlessness, and decreased appetite, which leads to a decline in milk yield. For dairy producers, the heat impact is a direct hit on their revenue.”



The team studied <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-types-of-plant-based-milk-are-linked-to-mental-disorders-like-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">milk production</a> data from nine Midwest states. They analyzed over 56 million cow-level records from 18,000 dairy farms between 2012 and 2016. The researchers adjusted milk data for protein and fat content to better assess milk quality, which determines its market value.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-stress-and-dairy-quality">Heat stress and dairy quality</h2>



“Previous studies have focused on fluid milk yield. But in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-raw-milk-health-hazard-pasteurization-important/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dairy</a> marketing system, milk is sold on components. When you calculate revenue, it’s not just about how many gallons of milk, but whether it’s high-quality milk with high protein and fat content,” Skidmore said.



The researchers linked milk production records with daily temperature and humidity data. They used temperature-humidity index measurements to gauge how much heat stress cows experience. High heat and humidity make it harder for cows to cool down, leading to reduced milk production.



On average, 1% of annual milk yield is lost to heat stress. That translates to about 1.4 billion pounds of milk over five years for the farms in the study. Based on average milk prices, these losses amount to roughly $245 million in revenue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smaller-farms-suffer-more">Smaller farms suffer more</h2>



Most of the losses occur on low- and moderate-stress days, which happen more often. 



However, extreme heat days have a much greater impact, causing more than twice the dairy milk loss per cow compared to moderate-stress days.



Smaller farms experience the greatest financial burden. The researchers found that herds with fewer than 100 cows lost an average of 1.6% of their annual milk yield. Though these farms contributed less than 20% of the total output in the study, they accounted for 27% of total damages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-combat-heat-stress">Strategies to combat heat stress</h2>



Producers can take steps to reduce heat stress. Open barn sides, fans, and sprinklers can help cool cows. 



“There are a number of different adaptive methods, but there is no silver bullet. You can install more sprinklers and sophisticated ventilation systems. You could change the timing of calving to avoid these warmer periods, but that incurs other risks, and it is a complex issue,” noted Professor Skidmore.



Lower levels of heat stress can be managed with current techniques. Large farms experience minimal losses at those levels. However, when temperatures and humidity rise beyond a certain point, no mitigation strategy is fully effective.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-projections-and-policy-needs">Future projections and policy needs</h2>



The researchers projected milk yield losses through 2050 using predictions from 22 climate models. The findings suggest extreme heat days will become more common, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/raw-milk-may-transmit-bird-flu-virus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">milk</a> yield losses could increase by 30%.



If dairy production remains a priority, small farms will need additional support. Professor Skidmore emphasized the importance of financial incentives to help farmers adopt heat mitigation strategies. Further research will also be necessary to manage extreme heat stress.



“If there's interest in continuing to have a healthy and robust small dairy production presence in the U.S., that probably will require financial incentives to help farmers implement mitigation strategies, as well as investments in further research on how to manage the highest levels of heat stress,” she concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919225000259?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Policy</a>. The research was funded by a Center for the Economics of Sustainability Seed Grant.



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Extreme heat makes dairy cows produce less milk

Extreme heat is taking a toll on livestock agriculture. A...

The spotted lanternfly has become a growing concern across the United States. Since its first detection in 2014, this invasive pest has spread across at least 18 states, wreaking havoc on vineyards, orchards, and nursery industries. 



The damage caused by lanternflies threatens agricultural businesses and the environment, pushing scientists to find effective management strategies.



Traditionally, chemical insecticides have been the primary tool for controlling these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flies-like-to-play-and-have-fun-like-other-animals-according-to-a-fascinating-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a>. However, reliance on chemical solutions comes with risks, including pesticide resistance and unintended harm to beneficial species. 



Researchers at <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a> have been exploring alternative solutions, looking toward nature’s own pest controllers for answers. 



Their study highlights the role of native insect predators in reducing spotted lanternfly populations. The findings suggest that these natural enemies could provide a sustainable and long-term approach to managing the infestation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-predators-of-spotted-lanternflies">Natural predators of spotted lanternflies</h2>



Scientists at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences conducted extensive research to determine which natural predators could help control spotted lanternflies. 



They focused on insects already present in the United States, hoping to identify species that could effectively hunt and reduce lanternfly numbers without the need for chemical intervention.



The team examined the feeding behavior of various predators, including spined soldier bugs, Carolina mantises, and Chinese mantises.



These insects, already known for preying on agricultural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-birds-lose-the-ability-to-fly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a>, showed promise in targeting spotted lanternflies. The research suggests that conserving these beneficial predators could serve as a natural and environmentally friendly method for reducing lanternfly populations.



“Our study shows that several native and naturalized predators can consume spotted lanternflies effectively,” said lead researcher and doctoral candidate Anne Johnson, who conducted the study with Kelli Hoover, professor of entomology. 



“By leveraging natural enemies already in the environment, we hope to develop a sustainable, low-impact approach to managing this invasive species that will complement other control methods.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-with-chemical-control-methods">Challenges with chemical control methods</h2>



Current efforts to control spotted lanternflies primarily rely on insecticides. While effective in the short term, these chemicals pose significant risks. 



Over time, pests can develop resistance, making chemical treatments less effective. Additionally, insecticides can harm non-target species, including beneficial insects essential for maintaining ecological balance.



Johnson emphasized that biological control, which utilizes natural predators to regulate pest populations, offers a more sustainable alternative. 



By promoting predator populations, researchers hope to reduce dependence on chemical interventions and create a longer-lasting solution to the lanternfly problem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-defenses-of-the-spotted-lanternfly">Natural defenses of the spotted lanternfly</h2>



In its native habitat in southeastern Asia, the spotted lanternfly has natural predators, including parasitic wasps that help regulate its numbers. 



However, introducing foreign species into a new environment requires extensive environmental impact studies and regulatory approvals, which can take years to complete. The <a href="https://www.usda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a> and university researchers are currently conducting these studies to assess potential risks and benefits.



One of the challenges researchers faced was understanding whether U.S. predators could effectively hunt lanternflies. Some invasive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonflies-develop-waxy-coating-to-withstand-warmer-climates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> develop natural defenses that make them unappealing or even toxic to potential predators.



“The spotted lanternfly’s ability to sequester toxins from its preferred host, the tree of heaven, raises concerns about its vulnerability to predators,” Johnson said. 



“We hypothesized that the spotted lanternfly might harness the tree’s bitter-tasting chemical compounds as a defense mechanism that could protect them against predation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predator-efficiency-in-controlled-settings">Predator efficiency in controlled settings</h2>



To evaluate the effectiveness of different predators, Johnson and Hoover tested ten generalist species, including spined soldier bugs, praying mantises, wheel bugs, lady beetles, and lacewings. Each predator was placed in an enclosure with either 25 spotted lanternfly nymphs or 10 adults for a week.



The results showed that spined soldier bugs and two praying mantis species were the most successful at reducing lanternfly populations. Regardless of the lanternflies’ life stage, these predators actively hunted and consumed them.



Eight-spined soldier bugs proved particularly efficient. They hunt in groups, allowing them to attack and consume prey more effectively. In controlled experiments, these bugs eliminated all lanternflies in their enclosures within three to four days. 



Additionally, researchers found that the predators consumed spotted lanternflies regardless of whether they had fed on tree of heaven or alternative host plants.



“These findings are fascinating because they suggest that natural predators could be incorporated into integrated pest management strategies,” Johnson said. “By conserving and encouraging populations of these beneficial insects, we may be able to reduce the use of chemical controls.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observations-of-lanternfly-predators">Observations of lanternfly predators </h2>



Before conducting their controlled experiments, researchers gathered data from community science efforts. 



From 2020 to 2022, Johnson invited the public to report sightings of birds and insects preying on spotted lanternflies. Through social media platforms like Facebook, nearly 2,000 reports were collected. These observations provided scientists with valuable clues about which predators to study in greater detail.



This collaboration between researchers and the public helped confirm that native insects could be effective in spotted lanternfly control. While anecdotal reports do not replace laboratory testing, they offer useful insights that can guide future research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-a-standalone-solution">Not a standalone solution</h2>



While the study’s findings are promising, Johnson and Hoover stress that predator-based control methods should not be seen as a standalone solution. 



The next phase of research will involve field experiments to assess how well these predators perform in natural environments where variables such as weather, prey availability, and habitat conditions play a role.



“While these insects could help keep spotted lanternfly populations in check someday, we recognize that their impact may be limited by consistent presence of sufficient prey and the use of insecticides that can also kill these generalist predators,” Hoover said. 



“Therefore, they should be considered part of a broader integrated pest management strategy rather than a standalone solution.”



Johnson recommends that those interested in additional management techniques consult Penn State Extension’s Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide, which provides practical solutions for controlling the pest. The guide is available for download from the extension website.



The research was a collaborative effort, bringing together experts in entomology and ecology. The study was co-authored by Sara Hermann, a professor of arthropod ecology at Penn State.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11829-025-10138-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arthropod-Plant Interactions</a>.



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Native insects can lead the battle against the spotted lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly has become a growing concern across the...

The natural world faces a biodiversity crisis, but conservation efforts have shown promising results. A major review of over 67,000 animal species highlights both the successes and the urgent need for action. 



The study, based on data from the IUCN Red List, emphasizes that targeted measures can bring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/changes-in-earths-biodiversity-can-be-tracked-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> back from the brink of extinction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-needs-urgent-conservation-efforts">Biodiversity needs urgent conservation efforts</h2>



The world is losing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-must-reconnect-with-nature-now-to-save-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> at an alarming rate. About 28% of over 160,000 assessed species are threatened with extinction.



Human activities have put nearly one million species at risk. However, conservation efforts can succeed when backed by evidence-based strategies.



A team led by the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with IUCN, BirdLife International, and other institutions, examined whether conservation measures improved species' survival.



They found that efforts such as habitat protection, breeding programs, and legal protections have helped many species recover.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-boosts-biodiversity-recovery">Conservation boosts biodiversity recovery</h2>



“We found that almost all the species that have moved from a more threatened category to a less threatened category have benefitted from some sort of conservation measures. It’s a strong signal that conservation works," said lead author Ashley Simkins, a PhD candidate at Cambridge’s <a href="https://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Zoology</a>.



While no single solution fits all cases, some patterns emerge in successful conservation stories. Many recovering species live in isolated areas, such as islands, where conservation efforts can be fully implemented. 



These strategies include habitat restoration, breeding programs, and reintroductions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-success-stories-in-wildlife-recovery">Success stories in wildlife recovery</h2>



Despite the biodiversity crisis, several species have made remarkable recoveries through conservation efforts. The Iberian lynx, once the world’s most endangered cat, has grown from a few hundred individuals to a few thousand. 



The kākāpō, a flightless parrot from New Zealand, has benefitted from dedicated recovery programs. The European bison, which was hunted to extinction in the wild in the early 20th century, now roams parts of Eastern Europe due to sustained <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-have-shaped-plant-biodiversity-for-thousands-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a>.



Marine species have also seen dramatic recoveries. Humpback and blue whales, once on the brink of extinction due to commercial whaling, have made a comeback following international bans on whaling. 



Challenges remain, however, considering that six times more species are currently declining than improving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventative-conservation-measures">Preventative conservation measures</h2>



Conservation researchers stress the importance of proactive measures over emergency interventions. 



“Humans have gotten pretty good at what could be considered ‘A&amp;E’ conservation – focusing on species at very high risk of extinction,” said Simkins. 



“What we’re less good at is preventing species from becoming threatened in the first place. We need to move beyond treating the symptoms of biodiversity loss and start addressing the root causes.”



Preventative conservation is often more cost-effective and successful in the long term. Protecting habitats, controlling invasive species, and regulating human activities can help species before they reach critical endangerment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-led-conservation-efforts">Community-led conservation efforts</h2>



Researchers emphasize the importance of collaborative conservation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/landscapes-with-a-mix-of-habitats-are-biodiversity-hotspots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">efforts</a>.



In Papua New Guinea, conservationists worked with local communities to replace tree kangaroo hunting with sustainable farming and fishing. This approach benefited both people and wildlife.



“It’s vital that we as conservationists are working with stakeholders, rather than dictating to them, whether that’s an Indigenous community in Papua New Guinea or a farmer in Somerset,” said Simkins. 



“Conservation doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game – there are compromises that can benefit both the natural world and human society.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-to-save-biodiversity">Conservation to save biodiversity </h2>



Despite constant reports of wildlife decline, conservation efforts continue to make a real impact. 



“In this climate of constant stories about wildlife declines and insufficient political action to protect nature, it’s important to realise that there are also many success stories and that conservation efforts are making a real, demonstrable impact in the world,” said co-senior author Dr. Silviu Petrovan. "Conservation works if given the chance.”



Study co-author Dr. Stuart Butchart, Chief Scientist at <a href="https://www.birdlife.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BirdLife International</a>, noted that this research sheds light on which actions to save species have been effective, and what interventions are needed.



“Governments need to turn their words into actions and rapidly scale up efforts to save species from extinction and help populations to recover. Safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations depends upon this," said Dr. Butchart.



“Almost everyone will have their own favourite example of a conservation success story, whether it’s the bald eagle in North America or the red kite in the UK,” said Simkins. 



“We need joint action to ensure these positive stories aren’t the exception – they’re the norm.”



The research received support from the Natural Environment Research Council (<a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/nerc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NERC</a>), part of UK Research and Innovation (<a href="https://www.ukri.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UKRI</a>).



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003051" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Biology</a>.



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Conservation success stories offer hope for biodiversity

The natural world faces a biodiversity crisis, but conservation efforts...

While dogs may be man's best friend, poultry is often his favorite meal. From backyard coops to commercial farms, poultry farming has shaped human civilization and food culture. National Poultry Day, celebrated every year on March 19, is a tribute to the industry, the farmers, and, of course, the birds themselves. 



Whether you enjoy a hearty chicken dinner or prefer eggs at breakfast, this day highlights the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-flu-outbreak-has-killed-20-million-chickens-in-the-u-s/">role of poultry</a> in daily life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-and-importance-of-poultry">Origins and importance of poultry</h2>



Poultry farming has deep historical roots, dating back thousands of years. Chickens are believed to have originated from wild jungle fowl in Southeast Asia and were domesticated over 8,000 years ago. 



Early civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, recognized the value of these birds for their meat and eggs. As trade routes expanded, poultry spread across the globe, becoming a crucial food source in many cultures.



In the United States, poultry farming began with European settlers in the 16th century. Chickens, turkeys, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-americans-dont-know-the-dangers-of-raw-milk-and-bird-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> were raised in small flocks to provide eggs and meat for families. 



During World War II, poultry became even more significant as beef and pork were rationed, leading to an increase in chicken consumption. 



Over time, poultry farming evolved from small backyard operations to a massive industry that feeds millions of people worldwide. Today, poultry remains a primary source of affordable, high-protein food, with the U.S. producing nearly nine billion chickens annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-day-to-celebrate-poultry-in-every-form">A day to celebrate poultry in every form</h2>



National Poultry Day is the perfect occasion to enjoy a variety of poultry dishes. Breakfast can start with eggs, omelets, or turkey bacon. Lunchtime offers opportunities to indulge in chicken sandwiches, grilled turkey, or duck salads. 



By dinnertime, options expand to roast chicken, fried chicken, or even a flavorful pheasant stew. Poultry is one of the most versatile meats, prepared in countless ways, including grilling, roasting, frying, sautéing, steaming, and baking.



Beyond its culinary appeal, poultry is also a healthier alternative to red meat. Chicken and turkey, in particular, are lower in fat and cholesterol, making them excellent choices for those looking to maintain a balanced diet. 



The high protein content supports muscle growth, while essential nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and zinc contribute to overall health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fun-facts-about-poultry">Fun facts about poultry </h2>



Poultry is more than just food - it’s a world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-preservation-method-slows-down-bacterial-growth-in-meat-products/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fascinating creatures</a> with unique traits. Chickens may not be known for their flying abilities, but they can take short, low flights to escape predators. 



Ducks, on the other hand, are built for water, with waterproof feathers coated in a special waxy oil. This natural adaptation allows them to stay dry even while floating for hours.



Male and female poultry also have distinct names. A male duck is called a drake, while a female is a hen. Similarly, a male chicken is a rooster, and a female is a hen. 



Groups of birds have unique collective names as well. A group of chickens is known as a brood or peep, while a group of ducks in the water is called a paddling.



If ducks take flight, they form a flock, and once they land on the ground, they may be referred to as a brace or badling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-celebrate-national-poultry-day">How to celebrate National Poultry Day</h2>



People celebrate National Poultry Day in various ways, depending on their love for these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chick-emotions-shed-new-light-on-animal-welfare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>. Some take the opportunity to cook their favorite poultry dishes, while others use the day to try new recipes. 



Traditional meals like herb-roasted turkey, chicken enchiladas, and turkey pot pie gain popularity as people experiment with flavors. Those interested in sustainable living might consider visiting a local poultry farm to see firsthand how these birds are raised.



Restaurants and food establishments also join the celebrations, offering special poultry-themed menus. Some communities organize events where people can learn about poultry farming, nutrition, and even backyard chicken keeping. 



On social media, food lovers share their best poultry meals with the hashtag #NationalPoultryDay, showcasing creative ways to prepare chicken, duck, and turkey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-legendary-poultry-festival">A legendary poultry festival</h2>



One of the biggest National Poultry Day celebrations happens in Versailles, Ohio. 



This small town has hosted a Poultry Festival since 1951, transforming what began as a local event into a nationally recognized celebration. Originally a one-day gathering, the festival expanded into a weekend-long event by 1962.



Each year, thousands of visitors flock to Versailles to indulge in delicious poultry dishes, enjoy live music, and participate in fun activities. 



One of the festival’s highlights is the world's largest omelet cook-off, where chefs prepare an enormous omelet using hundreds of eggs. The event also features barbecue pits, beer tents, and poultry-themed contests.



Beyond the festivities, the <a href="https://www.versaillespoultrydays.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Versailles Poultry</a> Festival plays an important role in the local community. The event generates funds for maintaining Heritage Park, a 40-acre space with sports fields, ponds, and shelter houses. 



Over the past decade, the festival has donated more than $700,000 to various charities, making it a celebration that gives back.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-national-poultry-day-matters">Why National Poultry Day matters</h2>



National Poultry Day is more than just an excuse to enjoy a good meal. It is a day to recognize the farmers who dedicate their lives to raising poultry, ensuring a steady supply of eggs and meat for people around the world. 



It also highlights the importance of sustainable farming practices, humane animal care, and the nutritional benefits of poultry consumption.



As the global population continues to grow, poultry farming will remain a crucial part of food security. The efficiency of poultry production compared to other livestock makes it a vital source of protein for millions of people. 



So, on March 19, take a moment to savor your favorite poultry dish, share your love for chicken, turkey, or duck, and celebrate the birds that have been feeding humanity for centuries.



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National Poultry Day 2025: Honoring the birds that feed the world

While dogs may be man's best friend, poultry is often...

Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that are found in diverse environments all over the world. They have long been considered to show fixed behavioral patterns, for example feeding on a diet of bacteria and other microbes.



However, new research has revealed that they switch to predatory behavior if suitable prey (such as other nematode worms) are available in the environment. This indicates that their behavior is far more adaptable than previously thought.



Over multiple generations, these tiny organisms demonstrated a striking ability to shift entirely to a predatory lifestyle, based on environmental exposure to suitable prey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nematodes-develop-predatory-instincts">Nematodes develop predatory instincts</h2>



Scientists at the <a href="https://www.bio.mpg.de/2923/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen</a> conducted an experiment spanning 101 generations of nematode worm lineages in which the worms were exposed to alternative food sources.



The dietary shift led to a complete transformation in their behavior, with all test lines adopting 100% predatory tendencies, and demonstrating an unprecedented level of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quick-species-adaptability-shapes-long-term-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptability</a>. Interestingly, the change in diet was also accompanied by a change in the form of the mouth, with a wider mouth being associated with a predatory diet.



The rapid and consistent response contradicts the idea that predatory traits are fixed and highlights the profound role of environmental influence in shaping behavior and evolutionary pathways over extended periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nematodes-pass-down-predatory-traits">Nematodes pass down predatory traits</h2>



The study also explored how nematodes retain behavioral changes across generations. Researchers found that at least five generations of exposure were required to establish lasting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-early-animal-evolution-start-with-predatory-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predatory behavior</a>. 



This suggests that organisms can inherit environmental responses, which could have implications in other species beyond nematodes. It potentially reshapes perspectives on adaptation and the plasticity of behavioral traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-micrornas-and-adaptation">MicroRNAs and adaptation</h2>



A deeper look into the genetic mechanisms behind this shift revealed the involvement of microRNAs. The miR-35 family, in particular, played a key role in passing down behavioral traits by interacting with the EBAX-1 gene. 



This discovery links genetic regulation to behavioral shifts, and offers a new perspective on how species adapt and evolve over time.



“This research opens new avenues in the understanding of behavioural plasticity,” said Shiela Quiobe, doctoral researcher and first author of the study.



“This discovery was completely unexpected, and now it’s exciting as we’re just scratching the surface in understanding the microRNAs' mechanisms.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-beyond-the-individual">Evolution beyond the individual</h2>



The implications of these findings extend beyond nematodes. Dr. Ralf Sommer, Director of the Department of Integrative Evolutionary Biology and lead author of the study, highlights the study's significance.



“The long-term environmental induction experiment is a novel approach in the context of phenotypic plasticity to show that environmental responses can be important for longer evolutionary periods.” 



“The fact that we see a phenomenon where you really need multi-generational exposure to induce such memory indicates that there might be more crosstalk between ecology and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/missing-law-of-nature-explains-the-evolution-of-everything-that-exists-in-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a>,” he added.



These results challenge traditional views on evolution and predatory strategies, emphasizing the importance of ecological factors in shaping genetic adaptations. 



They suggest that environmental pressures play a more active role in guiding evolution than previously recognized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lasting-impact-of-environmental-changes">Lasting impact of environmental changes</h2>



The study raises intriguing questions about the mechanisms behind this inherited predatory behavior. 



Scientists plan to conduct follow-up research to investigate the molecular targets of microRNAs and identify the bacterial agents responsible for triggering this adaptation. 



Understanding these processes could provide new insights into the long-term impact of environmental changes on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nematodes-use-chemistry-to-survive-and-communicate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species survival</a>.



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



The findings from this study challenge long-held assumptions about evolution, particularly the balance between genetic determinism and environmental influence. 



Traditionally, evolutionary changes have been viewed as slow, being driven by random mutations and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifes-rules-natural-selection-change-significantly-often-daphnia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural selection</a> over thousands or millions of years. However, this research suggests that behavioral shifts can emerge much more rapidly when organisms experience sustained environmental pressure.



The discovery that nematodes require multiple generations of exposure before fully adopting a predatory lifestyle highlights the role of epigenetics in shaping evolutionary paths. 



It also raises the question of how other species might exhibit similar inherited behavioral adaptations in response to environmental changes. Could this mechanism explain shifts in feeding behaviors, migration patterns, or survival strategies in larger organisms?



Understanding how microRNAs contribute to behavioral plasticity could also have applications in biotechnology and medicine.



 If similar regulatory pathways exist in other species, scientists may be able to manipulate gene expression to influence adaptive traits, potentially aiding in conservation efforts or even addressing neurodevelopmental disorders linked to gene regulation.



This study paves the way for future research into the interplay between environment, genetics, and behavior, and offers new perspectives on how organisms evolve in response to their surroundings.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu0875">Science Advances</a>.



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Nematodes can rapidly shift to predatory behavior for survival

Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that are found in diverse environments...

At first glance, the Cuban blue-headed quail dove appears ordinary. It has brown feathers, a slender beak, and a characteristic strut like other doves. 



Compared to Cuba’s colorful parrots, it might seem unremarkable. However, this bird has long puzzled biologists. Scientists have struggled to determine its origins, how it arrived on the island, or what <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-americas-birds-scientists-declare-a-full-on-emergency-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> it is related to.



For the first time, researchers have sequenced the bird’s DNA to uncover its history. Instead of clear answers, they found more confusion.



“This species has been an ornithological enigma for a very long time,” said Jessica Oswald, a Florida Museum of Natural History consultant staff affiliate and lead author of the study. 



“We focused on this dove species because we were anticipating an odd result that may help us understand the complex biogeography of the Caribbean. We did not anticipate it being so unique from an evolutionary perspective relative to anything else.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-unique-evolutionary-lineage">A unique evolutionary lineage</h2>



Scientists once believed the blue-headed quail dove was related to doves and pigeons from Central and South America. Some features, however, seemed more similar to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-undisturbed-forests-support-greater-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> from Australasia. Recent genetic analysis has disproved both theories.



The study shows that this dove is not closely related to species in Australia or the Americas. Instead, it stands apart from all known doves and pigeons.



“This species is even more evolutionarily distinct than the dodo was,” Oswald said. The dodo, also a type of dove, had at least one close relative, the Rodrigues solitaire, before both went extinct.



DNA evidence, along with fossil analysis, suggests that the blue-headed quail dove’s lineage may be as old as 50 million years. In comparison, humans and chimpanzees diverged just 5 to 6 million years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-history-of-caribbean-extinctions">The history of Caribbean extinctions</h2>



Oswald conducted this research as part of a broader <a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a> initiative to understand bird extinctions in the Caribbean.



About 12% of all Caribbean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-the-worlds-heliconia-species-are-at-risk-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird species</a> have disappeared since humans arrived. These include a nearly four-foot-tall giant owl, over a dozen parrot species, a raptor larger than a bald eagle, a flightless ibis that fought with its wings, and a condor with a powerful bite.



Scientists have struggled to determine how these extinct birds relate to modern species. Oswald developed new methods to extract and sequence DNA from fossils, helping connect extinct and living birds.



Early tests on a Caribbean cave rail fossil revealed a previously unknown evolutionary link to birds in Africa, New Guinea, and New Zealand. A later study showed that a parrot, now restricted to Hispaniola, once lived across the Caribbean before human activity reduced its range.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuban-dove-is-nearing-extinction">Cuban dove is nearing extinction</h2>



Though not extinct, the blue-headed quail dove faces serious threats.



“There are 1,000 mature individuals of this species left in Cuba. It is threatened by overhunting by people, habitat loss and invasive species like cats. It’s very much on the brink,” Oswald said.



Due to its rarity, no one had sequenced its DNA before. Most specimens in North American museums were collected decades ago, making DNA extraction difficult. 



Oswald used a technique she developed for fossils, applying it to a toe pad from a specimen collected in 1958, and anxiously awaited the DNA results.



“She called me up and said, ‘Are you sitting down?’ I thought she was going to tell me they didn’t get any good sequencing and had no data, but it was just the opposite,” said study co-author David Steadman, former curator of ornithology at the Florida Museum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-value-of-museum-specimens">Value of museum specimens</h2>



Steadman spent decades witnessing advancements in DNA technology. He sees this study as proof that museum collections remain vital for modern research.



“It’s another instance of the importance of museums and the long-term maintenance of specimens. As ancient DNA techniques have improved, we find that fossils, historical and modern specimens are even more useful than before.”



Oswald and Steadman were surprised by the results. Other Caribbean doves have known origins, with ancestors from North, Central, or South America. The blue-headed quail dove, however, remains a mystery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuban-dove-may-be-the-last-of-its-kind">Cuban dove may be the last of its kind</h2>



“It’s a relictual species and has probably been in the Caribbean for a long time. Cuba is an old island,” Steadman said.



The dove's origins remain uncertain. It may be the last survivor of an ancient lineage, as genetic evidence suggests, or an isolated offshoot of another dove species stranded in Cuba long ago.



Despite its preference for ground living, its ancestors likely had the strong flight ability that allows doves and pigeons to spread across vast distances.



“There are some groups of birds that are spectacular dispersers, one being pigeons and doves. They just get up and go,” Oswald said. “Many are particularly good dispersers because they eat a lot of fruit and sometimes have to move large distances to look for fruiting trees.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-the-cuban-dove">The future of the Cuban dove</h2>



The blue-headed quail dove remains an evolutionary puzzle. While its origins are uncertain, its future is even more precarious. 



With its population dwindling, conservation efforts may be the only way to prevent it from following the dodo into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eel-trade-is-pushing-another-species-to-the-brink/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a>.



Researchers from multiple institutions contributed to this study, including Bret Boyd from&nbsp;<a href="https://lifesciences.vcu.edu/directory/boyd.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Commonwealth University</a>, Avery Szewczak and Julie Allen from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biol.vt.edu/People/Faculty.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a>, Michelle LeFebvre and Rob Guralnick from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Museum of Natural History</a>, and Brian Stucky from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a>.​



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0464" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology Letters</a>.



Image Credit: Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace.



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Rare dove is not related to any other birds we know today

At first glance, the Cuban blue-headed quail dove appears ordinary....

Increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are raising concerns about extreme weather and rising temperatures. They are also prompting scientists to examine how crops are responding to these changes, particularly in terms of yield and nutritional quality.



Global research on <a href="https://ripe.illinois.edu/blog/difference-between-c3-and-c4-plants" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C3 plants</a>, which include wheat, rice, and many vegetables, suggests that extra carbon dioxide can raise <a href="https://www.saps.org.uk/teaching-resources/resources/157/measuring-the-rate-of-photosynthesis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis rates</a> in certain species. 



That might sound like good news, but the same studies flag worrisome drops in proteins, vitamins, and minerals - sparking concerns about <a href="https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/protein-calorie-malnutrition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protein-calorie malnutrition</a> and <a href="https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/protein-calorie-malnutrition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">micronutrient deficiency</a> in regions that already struggle with poor soil.



Felix D. Dakora from <a href="https://www.tut.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tshwane University of Technology</a> and fellow researchers have studied these trends to find ways to guard future harvests against the pitfalls of high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide exposure</a>.



The team examined both the reasons behind these nutrient drops and what can be done to lessen the damage. The study also highlights the ripple effects that might harm food security for billions of people across the planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dual-impact-of-co2">The dual impact of CO2</h2>



Elevated carbon dioxide often <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102209-144647" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boosts</a> plant growth in C3 plants by improving water-use efficiency through lower stomatal conductance and <a href="https://cid-inc.com/blog/transpiration-in-plants-its-importance-and-applications/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transpiration</a>.



That can be a plus in regions where drought looms. Yet at the same time, certain crops end up with reduced nitrogen content, which dents the protein makeup. The research team reported a 7.4% decrease in wheat grain protein under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-co2-emissions-rise-as-nations-tackle-fossil-fuel-dependence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high carbon dioxide</a>.



Lower protein weakens the nutritional value of these grains. It may also bring about a rise in starchy components, which could lead to higher rates of diabetes in areas that already rely on carbohydrate-heavy diets. 



Some experts believe the shift in amino acids, vitamins, and mineral levels might be an even bigger worry down the road.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-dioxide-lowers-crop-nutrition">Carbon dioxide lowers crop nutrition </h2>



<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature13179" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientists</a> find that soil minerals, like zinc and iron, drop in grains raised in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-co2-emissions-rise-as-nations-tackle-fossil-fuel-dependence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon-dioxide-rich fields</a>. 



In maize, certain studies show lower levels of iron and copper that can hinder basic human dietary needs. This is particularly alarming in places where these nutrients are already scarce.



Experts note that reduced <a href="https://www.who.int/tools/elena/bbc/biofortification" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biofortification</a> traits in many crop varieties contribute to the problem. Slowed mineral uptake and altered enzyme activities also play a part. Under high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-carbon-dioxide-travels-in-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> conditions, some plants downregulate processes that normally absorb and distribute minerals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-for-a-healthier-harvest">Strategies for a healthier harvest</h2>



Researchers recommend selecting crop genotypes that hold onto vital elements even when gas levels climb. Some varieties appear to lose fewer nutrients, and programs aimed at improving mineral uptake could protect farmers from yield losses. 



Shifting to more legume-based meals is another option. Beans and peas rely on <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/nitrogen-fixation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">N2 fixation</a>, which generally holds better under high carbon dioxide compared to mineral nitrogen sources in fertilizers.



Tree planting can lock extra <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-has-regulated-earths-climate-for-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> into forests and farmland. Trees enhance soil structure and create a friendlier habitat for microbes involved in natural fertilization.



Some efforts, including large-scale planting of N2-fixing shrubs, may cut back on fertilizer use and slow the buildup of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-carbon-dioxide-travels-in-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gases</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crops-that-can-withstand-carbon-dioxide">Crops that can withstand carbon dioxide </h2>



Scientists are turning to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9570104/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence</a> (AI) and high-tech breeding to pinpoint genetic traits that help crops cope with carbon dioxide surges. 



Tools that assess growth, water usage, and nutrient density help experts spot patterns hidden to the naked eye. By mixing big data with genomics, plant breeders can zero in on seeds that are more resilient, saving both time and resources.



AI also allows researchers to simulate future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-has-regulated-earths-climate-for-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a> more accurately. This leads to better predictions for how certain crop lines will adapt. 



Optimizing for stronger nutrient uptake may keep harvests robust and nutritious, ensuring fewer communities suffer malnutrition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-crops-reduce-the-impacts">Diverse crops reduce the impacts</h2>



Planting diverse species that can thrive under changing conditions helps build a buffer for unpredictable swings in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-emissions-reduction-20-percent-possible-only-2-percent-economic-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a>. 



Combining species with strong <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-carbon-sequestration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon uptake</a> could also reduce the negative side effects of high carbon dioxide. Drawing on local biodiversity and building varied cropping systems often stabilizes production and dietary quality.



Communities near desert regions, where farmland is fragile, might see benefits from more shrubs and trees suited to local conditions. These species could capture extra carbon while strengthening the soil for staple crops. 



Experts say small-scale experiments are already successful in certain parts of Africa, building new paths toward long-term food security.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-tomorrow-s-food-supply">Protecting tomorrow’s food supply</h2>



Many scientists emphasize the need to explore how carbon dioxide interacts with other factors like temperature and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-declared-ocean-pollutant-international-court-ruling/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather events</a>. 



Finding ways to keep proteins, amino acids, and essential minerals from eroding will be key to meeting global nutrition standards.



Switching to diets richer in legumes and vegetables may trim <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20406-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a> from livestock. This can also bring more variety to local plates, adding proteins and minerals that cereals under carbon stress might lack.



Meanwhile, regional approaches to reforestation and soil restoration can draw down some portion of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-emissions-reduction-20-percent-possible-only-2-percent-economic-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric carbon</a>.



Policy shifts will matter, too. If governments support research into better seed varieties and push for climate-smart irrigation methods, farmers will be more prepared. Collaboration between scientists, local communities, and industry groups could speed up large-scale solutions.



People who depend on common grains may have the most to lose from inaction. By staying alert to nutrient drops now, it may be possible to avoid bigger crises later. 



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095809924007355" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Engineering</a>.



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Rising carbon dioxide makes crops grow bigger but less nutritious

Increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are raising concerns about...

Pot-stewed duck neck is a popular snack that often runs into trouble with rapid spoilage. It has plenty of moisture and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-protein-that-reverses-cellular-aging/">protein</a>, which can turn it into a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria in record time.



<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wei-Liu-41" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Wei Liu</a> from Nanchang University, China, led a research project showing how a new approach can protect this snack. The team focused on capturing the benefits of <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">essential oils</a> to keep meat products fresh for longer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-pot-stewed-duck-neck">Understanding pot-stewed duck neck</h2>



Pot-stewed duck neck, or PSDN, is loved across Asia for its rich flavor. Many people enjoy it as a casual treat at family gatherings or during work breaks.



Since it contains a high water content and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmed-salmon-diet-would-be-beneficial-for-humans/">vital nutrients</a>, it becomes an easy target for microbial growth. Synthetic preservatives can limit bacterial and fungal activity, but they raise consumer concerns about added chemicals in everyday meals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-essential-oils">Why essential oils?</h2>



Scientists studied <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-coffee-is-missing-these-five-brain-boosting-spices/">cinnamon</a> and zanthoxylum extracts for their ability to fight off unwelcome microbes. Essential oils extracted from these plants are known to keep certain harmful bacteria at bay.



Cinnamon, in particular, contains aromatic compounds that can hinder bacterial development. Zanthoxylum is also valued in cooking for its ability to enhance taste.



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



In this study, the researchers solidified these fragile oils within a structure made from <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996923013194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">porous starch</a>. This structure was then reinforced by a dual-layer of chitosan and sodium alginate, and sealed with calcium to lock the oils in place.



The result was a solid preservative with a slow release of active elements, which cut down on harsh odors. This method gives the snack’s surface a reliable way to absorb the antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits of the oils over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-helps-pot-stewed-duck-neck">How it helps pot-stewed duck neck</h2>



Tests revealed that the product maintained its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-cheese-now-comes-in-more-colors-than-just-blue/">flavor and color</a> for at least twice as long as usual when the essential oil preservative was used. Researchers noted that shelf life was extended to about 3 days at 77 °F (25 °C) and around 11 days at 39.2 °F (4 °C), which is a big improvement for a ready-to-eat food.



Lower levels of chemical byproducts linked to rancidity were also documented in the food. This shift in freshness can bring peace of mind to both snack lovers and shop owners, cutting down on waste while giving folks more time to enjoy their purchase.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoiding-chemical-pitfalls">Avoiding chemical pitfalls</h2>



Consumers read ingredient labels more carefully now than ever before. Many shy away from <a href="https://academicreads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/A-Realistic-View-of-Essential-Oils-as-Antibacterial-Agents-for-Ready-to-Eat-Fruits-and-Vegetables.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synthetic preservatives</a>, worried about possible long-term health issues.



Plant-derived substances answer that concern by offering a more natural route. This alternative underscores the appeal of essential oils in prolonging freshness in meats and other staples.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-application">Practical application</h2>



The concept behind the solid preservative can be applied to multiple meat snacks. Busy households could store these items for longer without fear of mold or rancid tastes.



Food businesses might use this method to meet consumer demand for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-say-this-is-the-best-fruit-to-eat-for-a-healthier-liver/">healthier</a> options. It can also reduce the number of products returned due to spoilage, which boosts efficiency.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-food-industry">Impact on food industry</h2>



Meat processors already struggle with strict quality and safety demands. An idea like this can be adapted for broader use, possibly covering everything from sausages to deli slices.



Handling time and transport conditions often weaken <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diet-quality-briefly-improved-during-the-pandemic/">food quality</a>. Slowing bacterial growth and oxidation rates can help producers keep up with stricter standards and maintain consistent supply.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-taste-and-preservation">Balancing taste and preservation</h2>



Strong-smelling oils might overwhelm sensitive palates. This technology addresses that concern by gradually releasing the oils, and limiting sharp odors.



The slower release rate keeps the snack’s core flavor front and center. That matters to anyone who craves a well-seasoned duck neck without a lingering herbal punch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



The method seems promising for more than just pot-stewed duck neck. Encapsulation and controlled release could also work well for other perishable items like marinated poultry or chilled seafood.



Scientists plan to keep examining different combinations of natural agents in search of palatable and efficient solutions. Matching the right structure and oils might open doors to even safer, tastier snacks.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713525000830">Food Control</a>.



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Natural preservation method slows down bacterial growth in meat products

Pot-stewed duck neck is a popular snack that often runs...

A region in China’s Turpan-Hami Basin served as a refugium - or “life oasis”- for terrestrial plants during the end-Permian mass extinction. This event is widely recognized as the most severe biological crisis since the Cambrian period.&nbsp;



The discovery of this life-saving refuge, which is detailed in a recent study,&nbsp;challenges the longstanding belief that land-based ecosystems experienced catastrophic losses on par with marine environments at that time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-of-a-life-oasis-on-land">Evidence of a “life oasis” on land</h2>



The research team was led by Professor Liu Feng from the <a href="http://english.nigpas.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology</a> (NIGPAS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.



According to Professor Feng, the Turpan-Hami Basin offered a protective area where terrestrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-use-underground-networks-to-eavesdrop-on-their-neighbors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> communities remained largely intact.&nbsp;



Rather than succumbing to widespread die-off, these plant populations continued evolving, ultimately facilitating a more rapid ecological recovery. Thus, these pockets of resilience played a crucial role in the rebound of life on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reevaluating-the-end-permian-crisis">Reevaluating the end-Permian crisis</h2>



Occurring roughly 252 million years ago, the end-Permian mass extinction decimated over 80% of marine species. However, its impact on terrestrial life has been less certain.&nbsp;



One common explanation is that catastrophic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-cooling-not-warming-caused-a-major-mass-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic eruptions</a> in Siberia caused extreme conditions, including wildfires and toxic gases.&nbsp;



Researchers previously based this theory on the progressive loss of the Gigantopteris flora in South China and the Glossopteris flora across Gondwanaland around the same time as the extinction.



Opposing views argue that the lethal effects were not universal, but limited by latitude and atmospheric circulation. Some fossil evidence suggests certain Mesozoic plant species actually predating the extinction, pointing to gradual transitions rather than abrupt collapse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examining-ancient-pollen-and-spores-nbsp">Examining ancient pollen and spores&nbsp;</h2>



Central to the study’s discoveries is the South Taodonggou section in Xinjiang Province. 



The researchers examined ancient pollen and spores and using precise radiometric dating based on a Bayesian age model developed by Professor Yang Wan of the <a href="https://www.mst.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Missouri University of Science and Technology</a>.



The team detected an unbroken record of riparian fern fields and coniferous forests spanning from 160,000 years before the extinction started to 160,000 years after it ended.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/life-oasis_end-Permian_illustration_credit-Yang-Dinghua_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/life-oasis_end-Permian_illustration_credit-Yang-Dinghua_1s.webp" alt="Artistic reconstruction of the terrestrial ecological landscape after the end Permian mass extinction based on fossil palynomorphs, plants, and tetrapods recovered, as well as sedimentological data from the South Taodonggou Section. Credit: Yang Dinghua" class="wp-image-1962551"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Artistic reconstruction of the terrestrial ecological landscape after the end Permian mass extinction based on fossil palynomorphs, plants, and tetrapods recovered, as well as sedimentological data from the South Taodonggou Section. Credit: Yang Dinghua</figcaption></figure>



“The presence of intact tree trunks and fern stems further confirms that these microfossils represent local vegetation, not transported remnants,” said Wan Mingli, a scientist at NIGPAS.



The evidence implies that certain plants vanished locally, but the overall loss of spore and pollen species in the South Taodonggou section could have been about 21% - much lower than the known marine extinction level at the time.&nbsp;



Many seemingly extinct species reappeared in Early Triassic layers elsewhere, indicating they may have migrated rather than disappeared altogether.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-recovery-and-ecological-diversity">Rapid recovery and ecological diversity</h2>



A stable vegetation foundation apparently sped up ecological resurgence in this “life oasis.”&nbsp;



Fossil data shows that just 75,000 years after the extinction ended, the region already supported a range of terrestrial vertebrates, such as the herbivorous Lystrosaurus and carnivorous chroniosuchians.&nbsp;



This contradicts earlier assumptions that ecosystems took over a million years to recover following the end-Permian extinction. In this area, it happened more than ten times faster.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/life-oasis_end-Permian_palynomorphs_illustration_credit-Yang-Dinghua_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/life-oasis_end-Permian_palynomorphs_illustration_credit-Yang-Dinghua_1s.webp" alt="Artistic reconstruction of the terrestrial ecological landscape after the end Permian mass extinction based on fossil palynomorphs, plants, and tetrapods recovered, as well as sedimentological data from the South Taodonggou Section. Credit: Yang Dinghua" class="wp-image-1962553"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Artistic reconstruction of the terrestrial ecological landscape after the end Permian mass extinction based on fossil palynomorphs, plants, and tetrapods recovered, as well as sedimentological data from the South Taodonggou Section. Credit: Yang Dinghua</figcaption></figure>



The researchers attribute such resilience to the region’s semi-humid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-chaos-the-mass-extinction-that-reshaped-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> and steady rainfall, evaluated through paleosol analysis. 



The Turpan-Hami Basin consistently received around 1,000 millimeters of precipitation annually, providing lush vegetation and an environment beneficial to migrating wildlife.



Despite its apparent proximity to volcanic activity believed to have spurred the extinction, the basin functioned as a safe haven for terrestrial life, illustrating how even seemingly threatened areas can preserve crucial biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-pockets-of-resilience">Surprising pockets of resilience</h2>



“This suggests that local climate and geographic factors can create surprising pockets of resilience, offering hope for conservation efforts in the face of global environmental change,” Feng said.&nbsp;



The existence of such a shelter for plants during the crisis calls into question the scope and uniformity of land-based mass extinctions. In some locales, climates and landscapes worked in concert to protect certain species from the worst consequences.



As modern science grapples with the possibility of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinction-crisis-entire-branches-of-earths-tree-of-life-are-vanishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sixth mass extinction</a> - potentially driven by human impacts - these findings underscore the importance of discovering and safeguarding present-day refugia.&nbsp;



By identifying environments where life can endure, even amid large-scale devastation, conservationists might replicate and preserve these safe harbors for future generations.



The study was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ads5614" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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'Life oasis' provided refuge for plants during Earth's worst extinction event

A region in China’s Turpan-Hami Basin served as a refugium...

Tiny microplastic fragments, often smaller than a grain of rice, are turning up in surprising places. From city streets to remote oceans, they persist in the air, water, and soil. 



Scientists have learned that these particles can also invade the human body, showing up in organs that keep us alive. 



For years, researchers have warned us about the possible dangers microplastics pose to animals, our food sources, and human health. Now a fresh study suggests even plants are feeling the pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-photosynthesis-and-microplastics">Plants, photosynthesis, and microplastics</h2>



This new research from <a href="https://www.5gyres.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 Gyres Institute</a> offers new clues about how these plastic particles affect photosynthesis. 



The team gathered over 3,200 records from across the globe, focusing on how tiny bits of microplastics alter photosynthesis by changing the way <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/details-photosynthesis-water-viewed-atomic-level-cryo-microscope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants use sunlight</a> to produce energy. 



Their analysis spans common food crops and aquatic species, highlighting concerns about weakened growth. 



For communities that rely on healthy harvests and marine resources, these findings add a fresh dimension to the worldwide plastic conversation.



“It’s really scary,” says Marcus Eriksen, a marine scientist at the 5 Gyres Institute, a nonprofit plastic pollution research organization, who was not involved in the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-microplastics-spread-far-and-wide">How microplastics spread far and wide</h2>



Most microplastics come from everyday sources. Plastic bottles, packaging, and synthetic clothing shed fibers that break into smaller pieces. Rain and wind carry these particles into rivers, and eventually they end up in oceans. 



In agricultural fields, plastic mulch or irrigation systems contribute fragments that seep into the soil. Over time, these bits degrade further, leading to a steady accumulation in places we least expect. 



This constant spread worries experts because smaller sizes mean they can slip into living organisms more easily.



Researchers have found these particles in fish, shellfish, and even table salt. In recent years, labs have also identified plastic remnants in bottled water and tap supplies. 



While ongoing investigations continue to measure how widespread they are, one thing is clear: once plastic breaks down, it does not disappear. That lingering presence has potential consequences for all life on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-impede-photosynthesis">Microplastics impede photosynthesis</h2>



In this new analysis, researchers show that microplastics reduce photosynthesis by 7 to 12% across different plant species. 



A computer model backs this up, indicating that plastic particles can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-photosynthesis-could-transform-power-generation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lower chlorophyll</a> levels by 11 to 13%. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gardening-hack-called-green-gold-chlorophyll-works-like-magic-for-houseplants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chlorophyll</a> is the green pigment that helps plants capture sunlight for food production, so any dip in its presence can affect overall growth.



Every year, this pollution could cause a loss of 109 to 361 million metric tons of crops and 1 to 24 million metric tons of seafood, according to the study. 



Because of microplastic buildup, global harvests may drop by 4 to 13% yearly, and food from the ocean could decline by up to 7%. 



Even minor disruptions to plant growth may have ripple effects on human nutrition and economies that rely on farming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-for-the-food-supply">Challenges for the food supply</h2>



Beyond plants, these particles also affect marine life, which many communities rely on for protein. Scientists report that if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-is-everywhere-even-in-newborns-and-getting-worse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastic pollution</a> continues unchecked, seafood yields could suffer even further. 



They are associated with an increase in people’s risk of heart attack and stroke, and they have been found to hamper growth and reproduction in multiple species. 



Worries about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-are-in-a-race-against-time-to-save-our-food-supply-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food safety and supply</a> also arise when these pollutants accumulate in organisms that people eat.



Researchers suggest that a modest 13% reduction in these particles could prevent the loss of up to 47 million metric tons of crops and 3 million metric<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-particles-found-in-99-of-tested-seafood-samples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> tons of seafood</a> each year, translating to a 30% cut in overall harm. 



This projection highlights the importance of tightening plastic regulations and improving waste management to protect food resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Reduced photosynthesis does not only <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-awakening-arctic-food-webs-are-transforming-from-green-to-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disrupt food webs</a>. When plants capture less carbon dioxide, there is less natural removal of this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. 



In many climate strategies, forests and marine algae are expected to absorb significant amounts of carbon in the coming decades. If plastic particles undermine that process, climate models may need to be revised.



Most projections assume stable plant performance over time. Any drop in growth or carbon uptake could make <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-the-world-is-on-track-for-a-catastrophic-level-of-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a> harder to control. 



With ecosystems already under stress, additional strain from microscopic plastic fragments raises concerns about future carbon storage in forests, grasslands, and kelp beds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sounding-the-alarm">Sounding the alarm</h2>



The study’s authors emphasize the need for international efforts to address plastic waste, pointing out that large pieces eventually degrade into smaller and more invasive forms.



A global treaty on plastic issues has been in discussion since 2017, yet recent negotiations concluded without a formal agreement.



Marine biologist Richard Thompson, who specializes in microplastic pollution at the <a href="https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Plymouth</a> in England and was not involved in the study, notes that delaying action only increases the risks.



“If we don’t take action now,” he adds, “within the next 70 to 100 years, we’ll see much wide-scale ecological harm.”



Researchers say that lowering even a small amount of microplastic pollution could help protect crops, preserve marine life, and support our climate goals.



Taking action now can guard our health and ensure a healthier environment for generations to come, which doesn’t seem like too much to ask of humanity.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2423957122">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Sounding the alarm: Microplastics are disrupting  photosynthesis around the world

Tiny microplastic fragments, often smaller than a grain of rice,...

species in Barbeyaceae

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