The icy fringe of our planet is sprouting new growth. Fast warming in the Arctic - now running at roughly four times the global average - is reshaping tundra landscapes and affecting shrubs and meadows that have looked the same since the last ice age.



A vast forty‑year experiment, spread across more than 2,000 research plots, shows that almost every facet of Arctic plant life is in flux. Scientists say the changes are an early sign that the wider <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-fjords-show-signs-of-struggle-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a> system, from wildlife to water supplies, will also shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-summers-lengthen-arctic-shrubs-thrive">Summers lengthen, Arctic shrubs thrive</h2>



Researchers have spent decades tracking the low carpets of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-moss-helps-restore-land-damaged-by-oil-and-gas-exploration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosses</a>, grasses, and dwarf shrubs that dominate mountains and polar plains. They found that almost six in ten plots have already lost some long‑standing species or gained new arrivals.



No single winner or loser stands out everywhere. Local soil moisture, shelter from wind, and the number of frost‑free days all tip the balance in different directions. Yet the pattern is unmistakable: taller, woodier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrubs-play-a-dual-role-in-forest-recovery-following-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shrubs</a> thrive when summers lengthen, shading out species that hug the ground.



“Changes in vegetation are an early warning signal that the entire ecosystem will change, with consequential effects on wildlife, humanity, and Earth's natural ability to store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a>,” said co-author Anne Bjorkman, a researcher in plant ecology at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrubs-stretch-higher-meadows-shrink"><a></a>Shrubs stretch higher, meadows shrink</h2>



Investigators see the biggest gains among evergreen stragglers such as lingonberry and crowberry, along with fast‑growing willow bushes that keep their leaves only for the warm season. These plants once clung to the Arctic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-climate-turns-tundra-from-carbon-sink-to-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tundra</a> only where snow melted early.



Now they push onto windswept ridges because snow lies for fewer days each year. Where they thicken, their leaves intercept sunlight that formerly bounced off pale lichens or was absorbed by low moss mats. Tall stems also sling snow into drifts that insulate soils, letting roots stay active later in autumn.



“The change in what grows on a site is extensive, with new species appearing and/or existing species disappearing on almost 60% of the experimental plots. There are many factors that determine how plant life changes at a particular Arctic site, such as how wet the soil is, or how windy it is. This affects the microclimate that plants experience,” said Robert Bjork, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg.



“In general, we see that shrubs benefit from a longer growing season, they simply steal the sunlight from species with a low growth habit.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-arctic-shrubs">Impacts of Arctic shrubs </h2>



On open ridges where dwarf birch and willow take hold, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plant-diversity-can-help-combat-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant diversity</a> often drops. The low‑lying herbs and sedges that fuel summer pollinators can no longer compete.



South of the tree line, mountain birch saplings work upslope, nibbling away at alpine meadows soaked in brief bursts of meltwater. Once those meadows vanish, the displaced flora has no colder niche to retreat to.



“But where the shrubs take over, biodiversity will decrease, and then the question is where the outcompeted species will go. There are no colder regions than the Arctic, and some species may disappear completely from large areas,” Bjorkman said.



Shrub lines affect more than flowers. Dark leaves absorb solar energy, warming surface layers and melting permafrost ice that holds ancient carbon. 



When that carbon leaks as methane or carbon dioxide, regional warming accelerates. Taller plants also trap snow that would otherwise reflect sunlight and delay spring thaw, another feedback that adds heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripples-through-animals-people-and-water"><a></a>Ripples through animals, people, and water</h2>



“Changes in vegetation obviously also affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-biodiversity-benefits-from-large-herbivores-like-elephants-and-moose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herbivorous animals</a>. Reindeer husbandry cannot have the same grazing areas in the valleys as today, perhaps they can find new ones on the bare mountains,” Bjork explained.



“Then tourism will be affected when mountain birches and shrubs take over on the mountains and the alpine meadows with beautiful wildflowers disappear. And it will be difficult to get hold of drinkable water when the glaciers and the late snowfields melt away.”



Reindeer and caribou herds already follow thinner green waves in sprinting summers. The loss of valley forage may force animals higher, straining age‑old herding routes. 



Visitors who come for wide carpets of summer color may find thickets instead. Local communities could face water stress as shrinking glaciers feed fewer melt streams during late summer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radical-changes-ahead">Radical changes ahead</h2>



Scientists at the Latnjajaure field camp near Abisko, Sweden, witness these shifts in real time. Birches creep onto formerly barren slopes. 



Moss mats turn patchy under rising shrubs. Streams surge earlier in spring and dwindle sooner in August. Yet no one can plot the exact timetable for the next leap.



“We are in the midst of climate change and will reach certain thresholds where the flora will change radically, but we don't know when it will happen. Or how it will happen,”  Bjorkman warned.



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



More data will refine forecasts, but the direction is set. Open alpine meadows will contract as shrub lands will expand. Carbon and energy flows between ground and sky will alter, pushing feedback loops that amplify <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frequent-heatwaves-have-become-the-norm-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic heat</a>.



For conservationists, the lesson is urgent: protect refuges where cold‑loving plants might survive and plan for landscapes that will not stay as they were such as the Arctic. For everyone else, the message is simpler.



The quiet creep of shrubs in the far north is one more sign that climate change is coming. It is here, and it is rewriting the map from the top downward.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08946-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Arctic plant alert: Rising shrubs and vanishing meadows

The icy fringe of our planet is sprouting new growth....

Close-up,Of,A,Young,Woman,Blowing,Nose,With,Tissue,Paper

A new artificial intelligence (AI) system can now separately identify fir, spruce, and pine pollen in seconds. The achievement promises cleaner city design, sharper allergy alerts, and deeper insight into ecological change.



The project was led by experts at the <a href="https://www.uta.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Arlington</a>, the University of Nevada, and Virginia Tech. Working together, the scientists trained nine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-could-revolutionize-drug-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> models on microscope images held at the University of Nevada’s <a href="https://www.unr.edu/natural-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museum of Natural History</a>. 



The best algorithm outpaced human specialists in both speed and precision. It did so while still relying on expert‑prepared slides and careful ecological context.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-provides-sharp-data-on-pollen">AI provides sharp data on pollen</h2>



“With more detailed data on which tree species are most allergenic and when they release <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-alters-cloud-formation-and-changes-weather-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollen</a>, urban planners can make smarter decisions about what to plant and where,” said study co‑author Behnaz Balmaki, an assistant professor of research in biology at UTA.



Better planting choices can lower the pollen burden near schoolyards, hospital entrances, playgrounds, and high‑density housing. The same data can feed real‑time dashboards that warn residents ahead of high‑pollen days.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-offers-timely-pollen-health-alerts">AI offers timely pollen health alerts</h2>



“This is especially important in high‑traffic areas like schools, hospitals, parks and neighborhoods. Health services could also use this information to better time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-allergy-season-worse-and-longer-lasting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">allergy</a> alerts, public health messaging, and treatment recommendations during peak pollen seasons,” Balmaki said.



Many current forecasts lump all tree pollen together. The new model can flag which species spike on which day. That detail lets doctors adjust advice and lets patients fine‑tune medication schedules.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-windows-into-past-climates"><a></a>Windows into past climates</h2>



Pollen grains preserved in lake mud and peat bogs provide a time‑stamped record of earlier landscapes. By identifying each grain, researchers track how forests moved as rainfall and temperature shifted. Until now, the work was often slow and limited to broad plant families. AI can cut that bottleneck and it begins with pollen.



“Even with high‑resolution microscopes, the differences between pollens are very subtle,” Balmaki noted. That subtlety forced specialists to spend hours at the eyepiece. In large sediment cores, millions of grains wait for classification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-learning-speeds-the-count"><a></a>Deep learning speeds the count</h2>



“Our study shows deep‑learning tools can significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of pollen classification,” Balmaki said.



“That opens the door to large‑scale environmental monitoring and more detailed reconstructions of ecological change. It also holds promise for improving allergen tracking by identifying exactly which species are releasing pollen and when.”



Automated pipelines could soon scan thousands of slides and upload results to open databases. That will give climatologists a sharper map of past <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">droughts</a>, heat waves, and recovery phases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-for-farm-and-field"><a></a>Benefits for farm and field</h2>



“Pollen is a strong indicator of ecosystem health,” Balmaki said. Plants that drop less pollen than normal may signal water stress or soil decline. Farmers who watch those shifts gain an early warning about crop risk years before yields drop.



“Shifts in pollen composition can signal changes in vegetation, moisture levels, and even past fire activity. Farmers could use this information to track long‑term environmental trends that affect crop viability, soil conditions, or regional climate patterns.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-pollinators-with-technology">Protecting pollinators with technology </h2>



Healthy meadows rely on bees, butterflies, and other insects that depend on exact bloom times. As Balmaki put it, “many animals, including insects like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-do-not-learn-to-be-cooperative-it-is-in-their-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> and butterflies, rely on specific plants for food and habitat.” 



If certain pollen types disappear, conservation teams know which wildflower patches need rescue due to the latest AI technology.



“By identifying which plant species are present or declining in an area, we can better understand how these changes impact the entire food web and take steps to protect critical relationships between plants and pollinators.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-pollen-with-ai-models">Testing pollen with AI models</h2>



The researchers scanned vintage fir, spruce, and pine grains dating back decades. Each algorithm learned minute ridge patterns and pore counts that mark one conifer from another. The top model flagged correct IDs at rates that rival seasoned palynologists.



“This shows that deep learning can successfully support and even exceed traditional identification methods in both speed and accuracy,” Balmaki said.



Still, glass slides must be spotless, and labels must remain clear. The team stresses that people and machines work best together.



“But it also confirms how essential human expertise still is. You need well‑prepared samples and a strong understanding of ecological context. This isn’t just about machines - it’s a collaboration between technology and science,” he added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-resilient-cities-and-landscapes">More resilient cities and landscapes</h2>



The group will now feed images from oaks, maples, grasses, and weeds into the network. With AI, a national atlas of species‑specific pollen bursts could emerge within a few years. Scientists could chart vegetation shifts after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hurricanes-help-oceans-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricanes</a>, track drought damage, or study warming trends that push southern trees northward.



The fusion of AI and classical botany offers more than scientific speed. It equips city planners with plant lists that cut respiratory distress. It hands growers a living gauge of soil and climate change. It gives ecologists a microscope that never tires.



As pollen seasons lengthen in a warming world, such precision tools will matter. The research marks a step toward a future where every grain of pollen tells its story quickly and clearly, helping people breathe easier and guiding smarter stewardship of plants and the land.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/big-data/articles/10.3389/fdata.2025.1507036/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Big Data</a>.



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AI is transforming pollen science and health planning

A new artificial intelligence (AI) system can now separately identify...

Roses have long been treasured for their elegance and symbolic meaning. Rose petals, admired in gardens worldwide, have fascinated people with their striking formation patterns.



Recent findings suggest that geometric frustration in tissue growth and cell orientation contributes to the formation of sharp tips in rose petals.



According to new research led by Yafei Zhang from the University of Central Florida, the flower’s pointed edges arise through a mechanism different from commonly known <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015JMP....56h2202H/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gauss incompatibility</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pointed-petals-of-roses">The pointed petals of roses</h2>



Botanists have often assumed that most curling leaves and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-get-their-shape-and-scent-from-a-single-gene/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">petals</a> share the same principles of shape formation. Those principles involve internal growth stresses that produce wavelike edges in many plants.



Roses, however, do not follow that broad trend. They showcase crisp margins that hint at a different structural phenomenon.



Researchers discovered that these pointed rims result from Mainardi-Codazzi-Peterson (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002250962100226X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MCP</a>) incompatibility, which focuses stress into narrow zones. This focus leads to the petal’s signature pointed form without the soft ripples found in other blossoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-internal-stress-directs-growth">How internal stress directs growth</h2>



Stress in plant tissue often emerges when natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-the-gene-that-gives-a-flower-its-scent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expansion</a> meets physical limits. Instead of spreading the strain throughout the entire petal, roses concentrate it into small pockets along the rim.



That high-pressure concentration brings about clearly defined tips. Over time, this process creates a feedback loop in which the tissue continues to shape itself around those focused areas of stress.



Once those pointed regions appear, the petal’s growth follows a new path. This pattern sets roses apart from leaves or flowers that display wave-like edges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rose-petals-and-pressure-zones">Rose petals and pressure zones</h2>



In typical leaf development, Gauss incompatibility describes how mismatched growth rates cause edges to bend or ripple. Many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-tracks-changes-in-seasonal-flower-cycles-and-migration-patterns-from-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> rely on that effect, ending up with gentle curves that flutter in the breeze.



Roses tap into an alternative method for shaping themselves. Their petals emphasize localized pressure zones, almost like a carefully placed fold that defines the final outline.



Scientists have long used geometry to explain how thin sheets buckle and curl. Roses provide a vivid example of how nature experiments with more than one geometric strategy to achieve a unique aesthetic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-petals-that-are-sharply-sculpted">Petals that are sharply sculpted </h2>



Zhang’s group took a practical approach to confirm that MCP incompatibility drives rose petal formation. They created synthetic petals that mimicked rose tissue growth and tested how those models behaved.



By adjusting parameters in the laboratory, they witnessed the same kind of stress concentration that nature uses. When the tension peaked along certain zones, the synthetic petals sprouted the same crisp tips seen on real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-bees-choose-the-same-flowers-again-and-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roses</a>.



The team combined theoretical analyses, computer simulations, and hands-on fabrication. Each part of their work reinforced the idea that focusing stress can sculpt petals more sharply than traditional wavy patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rose-petal-mechanics-inspire-engineers">Rose petal mechanics inspire engineers</h2>



Insights from plant development often inspire new products. Engineers are intrigued by the way delicate biological structures can fold themselves into complex shapes without external force.



Rose petals might serve as a model for materials that need precise curves. By copying the stress-targeting method, researchers could craft surfaces that transform shape when stimulated.



“Identifying Mainardi-Codazzi-Peterson incompatibility as a shaping mechanism is not only an important milestone in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/morphogenesis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">morphogenesis</a> research but also an inspiration for new designs of shape-morphing materials and structures,” wrote Lishuai Jin from the <a href="https://www.cityu.edu.hk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">City University of Hong Kong</a>, who authored a related perspective.



Devices that curl or crease on demand could lead to innovations in soft robotics or smart textiles. Observing how roses manage tension might help inventors design structures that cleverly change their form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-broader-view-of-nature-s-tricks">A broader view of nature’s tricks</h2>



Gauss-based effects remain familiar territory for botanists studying rippled leaves or wavy petals. Those undulating edges show how differential growth alone can create attractive curvatures in plant organs.



Roses prove there is more than one path to sculpting a petal. Their localized tips reveal that living organisms have multiple strategies for shaping themselves over time.



Scientists suspect that other species might also depend on lesser-known mechanical processes for leaf or petal design. Exploring such adaptations could shed light on previously overlooked nuances in plant development.



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



Zhang and colleagues have opened fresh perspectives on how pointed petals form in nature. Their focus on stress localization offers a direct explanation for the neat edges that give roses their distinct charm.



Biologists now wonder if combining Gauss and MCP effects might generate exotic forms yet to be documented in plants or artificial models. This approach could allow horticulturists to encourage new petal varieties and shapes by tuning growth conditions.



Unraveling these geometric strategies not only expands our understanding of plant morphology but might also influence fields that rely on thin-sheet mechanics. From flexible electronics to architectural design, such phenomena hold potential for creative solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subtle-physics-of-rose-petals">Subtle physics of rose petals</h2>



Roses stand out in a garden for their elegant appearance and alluring fragrance. Yet behind that pleasant exterior lies a fine-tuned interplay of expansion and stress that channels shape in unusual ways.



Scientists see this as a reminder that nature’s aesthetics often result from subtle physics. Roses simply turn these principles into an iconic display admired around the world.



Petals shaped by MCP incompatibility demonstrate just how varied growth processes can be. They signal that nature, in its variety, sometimes uses a different blueprint to craft recognizable forms.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt0672" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Scientists finally understand why rose petals have pointed tips

Roses have long been treasured for their elegance and symbolic...

Plants perched high on mountain slopes often seem untouchable. Many people picture these hardy survivors persisting no matter what the world throws at them.



Jill Anderson from the University of Georgia (<a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UGA</a>) led a nine-year study that tracked more than 100,000 <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/flowering-plants/drummonds-rock-cress" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drummond’s rockcress</a> plants (also known as Boechera stricta), which are short-lived and grow in the mountains of North America. 



The <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr1010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> show that climate change is accelerating so quickly that natural processes struggle to keep up, putting even these widely distributed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-future-climate-conditions-will-transform-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> at risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-plants-face-unexpected-threats">Mountain plants face unexpected threats</h2>



Some assume that cool alpine air insulates species in higher elevations. Yet these peaks are not immune to changing weather patterns, which shift temperatures and snowpack conditions.



Scientists use the term <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">montane</a> to describe mountainous regions where cold temperatures shape <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> and animal communities. In these settings, species must cope with short growing seasons and sudden weather swings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-adaptation-under-threat">Local adaptation under threat</h2>



Many species across large geographic ranges show <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982222001105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local adaptation</a>, meaning each population is especially fit for its specific climate. A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-could-soon-talk-to-farmers-and-listen-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> growing at one elevation may thrive in cooler settings, while relatives at lower altitudes prefer warmer days.



When warming speeds up faster than these populations can adjust, their specialized genetic traits can become a burden. 



Scientists have <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31061126/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warned</a> that climate change may shrink viable habitats before plant populations can produce new traits or spread existing genes to more favorable locations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-flow-in-the-wrong-direction">Gene flow in the wrong direction </h2>



Natural <a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/natural-selection-genetic-drift-and-gene-flow-15186648/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene flow</a> is the mixing of genetic material between populations when seeds or pollen move across different areas. In mountain landscapes, genes often travel downslope, which can be a problem when populations uphill need genes adapted to warmer conditions.



Once temperatures ramp up, plants at higher elevations may lag behind in acquiring the beneficial traits found at lower sites. Many experts believe that if gene flow continues to flow in the wrong direction, certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> will lose out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-mountain-plants-are-not-safe">Local mountain plants are not safe</h2>



Many mountain plants live in narrow climate zones. Even small temperature changes can force them to move if suitable conditions shift uphill.



Furthermore, relocation can be slow. Limited seed dispersal and competition for newly available terrain make uphill migration a difficult gamble.



In the Colorado Rockies, researchers tested how these plants fare when the snowpack is manipulated to reflect varying future scenarios. Conditions mimicked both historical climates and predicted warmer settings.



Their data showed that populations already adapted to local sites were not safe just because they fell within the broader species range. As the weather changed, those local advantages vanished.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-gene-flow-alone-is-not-enough">Why gene flow alone is not enough</h2>



If some high-altitude plants cannot access the genetic diversity they need, their survival chances drop. Rising temperatures also move faster than seeds can scatter uphill.



It is possible that downhill gene exchange will leave upper populations stuck with less-suitable traits. Over time, that mismatch poses a real problem for any species in a fast-warming world.



Researchers suggest <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-research-shows-first-successful-demonstration-assisted-gene-flow-corals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">assisted gene flow</a>, which involves moving seeds or plants from warmer-adapted locations to cooler zones. The aim is to insert heat-tolerant genes into colder populations before it is too late.



Such action requires careful planning to avoid harming the resident community. It can help maintain enough genetic variation for future climate scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-plants-may-not-adapt-in-time">Mountain plants may not adapt in time</h2>



Sally Aitken, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>, elaborated on the research in a related perspective.



"The lessons from Anderson et al. are sobering with respect to the ability of natural populations to adapt to, and persist under, rapid global warming,” she wrote. 



This warning echoes broader concerns that standard models often miss how real populations respond. Simple range maps do not reveal the underlying genetic limits that influence whether plants can hang on.



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



Some protected areas might not serve as reliable safe havens if warming outpaces adaptation. That’s especially worrisome for species already confined to mountaintops, where there is nowhere higher to go.



Those who manage conservation efforts might include assisted gene flow when other approaches are too slow. But balancing interventions with natural processes is tricky business.



Plants form the backbone of many mountain ecosystems. If they fade away, pollinators and seed-eating animals lose vital resources.



Such ripple effects can spread downhill, affecting everyone relying on mountain watersheds for irrigation and drinking water. Decreased plant cover can alter soil stability, which influences runoff and erosion patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-species-will-need-a-helping-hand">Some species will need a helping hand</h2>



There is no universal fix. Solutions must address local challenges and take into account how quickly climates are shifting uphill.



Short-lived species can adapt quickly under the right conditions, but only if gene flow and the environment align. That makes thoughtful conservation choices even more urgent.



Some plants will persist if we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and give them time to adjust. Others may need a helping hand when relocation or genetic mixing becomes their best option.



Experts believe that mountain environments could lose more species if assistance does not arrive. Adaptive capacity has its limits when conditions change too fast.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr1010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Mountain plants are not safe from rapid climate change

Plants perched high on mountain slopes often seem untouchable. Many...

Urban green spaces do much more than beautify cities. They shape air quality, cool heat-trapped streets, absorb floodwaters, and provide comfort to stressed populations. 



Recent work by researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) demonstrates how diverse tree populations and green infrastructure directly affect urban resilience and human well-being.



Through the FutureBioCity and GrüneLunge (Green Lung) projects, KIT scientists show that cities need not only more green - but smarter, more diverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/city-trees-might-be-misleading-us-about-climate-change-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green</a>. The researchers focused on modeling green infrastructure in Karlsruhe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parks-with-many-tree-types">Parks with many tree types</h2>



The FutureBioCity project explored what makes public parks appealing. "We wanted to understand how people choose public parks, and what role the structure and composition of urban and peri-urban forests play in this choice,” said Dr. Somidh Saha, lead researcher at <a href="https://www.kit.edu/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KIT</a>.



His team blended ecological fieldwork with social surveys. Most people said they felt better in parks where they perceived a high diversity of tree species. 



“That shows that future parks should be designed to be as diverse and natural as possible so they appeal to people,” said Dr. Saha.



Although the data doesn't yet confirm whether diversity itself improves mental health, the strong preference for variety points to a clear design principle for future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-tree-layout-influences-human-health-and-mortality-rates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban planning</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-trees-reduce-heat-and-floods">Urban trees reduce heat and floods</h2>



Green spaces do more than lift moods - they help cities manage climate risks. Concrete-heavy districts trap heat and repel rainwater, creating urban heat islands and flash floods. 



KIT’s GrüneLunge project modeled how trees and bioswales (vegetated trenches that absorb water) could reduce these effects. The team ran five-year simulations in 27 districts of Karlsruhe using the i-Tree HydroPlus model. 



The results showed that increasing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/city-trees-absorb-much-more-carbon-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree</a> cover by 30% and routing runoff into bioswales led to dramatic improvements: a 64.5% drop in hours of extreme heat and a 58% reduction in water runoff. These effects were strongest in districts with the least existing green space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soil-moisture-changes-tree-performance">Soil moisture changes tree performance </h2>



Cooling and drainage benefits vary by soil condition. Dry soils help urban trees absorb more water, reducing flood risk. 



Wet soils, however, enhance cooling via evapotranspiration - especially during heatwaves. This reveals a trade-off in how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-in-the-wrong-place-can-make-cities-hotter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green</a> infrastructure should be deployed: soil moisture drives different outcomes.



Another important finding: trees offer major nighttime cooling benefits. Tree canopies reduced surface heat buildup during the day, cutting nighttime temperatures by up to 5.5 °C (9.9 °F) between midnight and dawn.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritizing-vulnerable-communities">Prioritizing vulnerable communities </h2>



Some districts in Karlsruhe, like Palmbach, saw big gains from greening due to low starting tree cover. Others, like Innenstadt, still benefited - especially when bioswales were added.



The experts also recommend prioritizing older populations and vulnerable communities in climate planning. Linking tree planting with demographic data helps make cities safer and fairer.



But there's a caveat: tree survival depends on water. During drought, urban trees can't cool the air if they don’t have enough moisture. This makes irrigation planning crucial for long-term success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-supports-healthy-aging">Nature supports healthy aging</h2>



While these urban studies focus on physical infrastructure, they tie into broader themes in aging science. A separate review on gut aging explains how weakened gut barriers and reduced microbial diversity drive systemic inflammation. This “inflammaging” leads to cognitive decline, frailty, and disease.



Green space access and microbiome health may connect in unexpected ways. Time in biodiverse environments may help expose people to microbes that regulate immune health. Moreover, interventions like fiber-rich diets, probiotics, and polyphenols can also support healthy gut aging.



The researchers suggest tailoring these approaches to age, sex, and gut type - just as tree-planting strategies should match local demographics and climate conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-areas-need-diverse-trees">Urban areas need diverse trees </h2>



Together, these findings point to a central idea: healthy cities and healthy bodies both need diversity, resilience, and thoughtful design. 



Diverse green infrastructure can lower flood risk, reduce heat, and lift spirits. Microbial diversity in the body can slow aging and protect against disease.



If cities want to survive rising temperatures and aging populations, they must treat trees and microbes as allies - not extras. The sooner cities act, the stronger they will stand.



The results are published in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-89842-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210670725001714?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustainable Cities and Society</a>.



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Diverse trees reduce heat and promote healthy aging in urban areas

Urban green spaces do much more than beautify cities. They...

As the newest Biomass satellite begins its journey in orbit following its launch on April 29, it brings fresh momentum to efforts aimed at understanding how forests shape our climate. 



A newly released dataset - built from nearly two decades of satellite data - offers the clearest, most detailed view to date of how much carbon is stored in the woody parts of trees across the planet, and how that’s changed over time.



Developed as part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Climate Change Initiative, the updated forest carbon maps mark a major step forward, with scientists from <a href="https://www.aber.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aberystwyth University</a> playing a key role in their scientific development and validation.



The long-term record, which will soon include data from the Biomass satellite itself, combines measurements from multiple missions such as Envisat, Copernicus Sentinel-1, Japan’s ALOS PALSAR, and NASA’s ICESat and GEDI lidar sensors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-carbon-ledger">A global carbon ledger</h2>



The new data focuses on the carbon-dense parts of trees - mainly trunks and branches - around the globe. It covers various years between 2007 and 2022 and offers resolutions from 100 meters to 50 kilometers.



The maps are designed to support climate modeling, help countries manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/boreal-and-temperate-forests-have-emerged-as-the-main-carbon-sinks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> more effectively, and guide greenhouse gas reporting under the Paris Agreement.



“The new release, version 6, is a pivotal moment for climate science as it provides an unprecedented level of consistency and timeliness in the provision of above-ground biomass estimates globally," said Frank Martin Seifert.



“This empowers researchers and policymakers alike to track carbon dynamics with the temporal precision necessary for meaningful climate action."



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



Forests are a key player in the global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-carbon-cycle-trends-of-the-past-50-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon cycle</a>. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as biomass in their trunks, branches, and leaves.



When forests are cleared or burned, that stored carbon gets released back into the atmosphere. Tracking the amount of biomass stored in forests helps scientists understand how much carbon is being absorbed - how stable that storage is - and how much might be released.



The revised dataset corrects long-standing underestimates in dense, carbon-rich areas, thanks in part to international collaboration with partners like the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. 



Updates to the algorithm used to retrieve biomass data have made the results more reliable, especially in capturing trends across the globe’s major forest regions.



“The new dataset provides a much more accurate representation of global forest biomass, particularly in regions where earlier versions underestimated high-density forests,” explained Richard Lucas, who leads ESA’s Biomass Project.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-still-remain">Challenges still remain</h2>



Despite the improvements, measuring extremely dense forests remains tricky. 



“Detecting biomass densities above 400 tonnes per hectare is considerably more difficult because the relatively short wavelengths of current radar sensors don’t fully penetrate or interact with the larger woody components of dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-losing-their-carbon-storage-capacity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tropical forests</a>,” Lucas added.



Maurizio Santoro, from Gamma Remote Sensing in Switzerland, emphasized that accuracy has improved with this version. “When assessed against independent reference data from all over the world, the new maps are of higher quality,” he said.



Still, Santoro acknowledged that there’s more work to be done. “Better characterization of the states and dynamics of carbon stored in vegetation is still necessary, which will be facilitated by ingesting additional satellite data from past missions, and from future satellites.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-biomass-satellite">Significance of the Biomass satellite </h2>



This is where the ESA’s new Biomass satellite steps in. It carries a P-band radar - the first of its kind in space - with a wavelength of about 70 centimeters. This allows it to penetrate dense tree canopies, especially in regions like the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia, where carbon estimates have traditionally been more uncertain.



Lucas expressed optimism about what lies ahead. “We hope and anticipate that data from the Biomass mission, once available, will be able to extend the record of biomass stored in the world’s forests, with this reducing uncertainties in the global carbon cycle and its contribution to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-mitigate-climate-change-with-deep-ocean-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>."



With each new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-space-age-satellites-can-track-canopies-and-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite</a> and dataset, scientists edge closer to understanding the true scale of the carbon stored in our forests - and what that means for our future.



Image Credit: ESA



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Satellite view of forest biomass reveals hidden carbon trends

As the newest Biomass satellite begins its journey in orbit...

As the global population grows, pressure on farm systems and biodiversity intensifies. How we grow food shapes the planet’s health. From wheat fields in the Midwest to rice paddies in Southeast Asia, farmland is expanding and changing rapidly. But at what cost?



For decades, environmentalists and policymakers have debated two main strategies to boost food production. One is expansion - clearing more land for farms. The other is intensification - increasing the yield on existing farmland through high-input practices like pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation.



The common belief is that intensification is less damaging to biodiversity. But a new study by researchers at University College London (<a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCL</a>) reveals that this assumption may not always hold.



The findings challenge long-held views and call for a more informed, flexible strategy in agricultural policy and conservation. The study invites us to question how food security and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental protection</a> can truly coexist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farm-expansion-and-intensification">Farm expansion and intensification </h2>



At first glance, farmland intensification seems ideal. It promises more food from the same land, sparing natural ecosystems from conversion. Yet the study led by Dr. Silvia Ceaușu at the UCL Center for Biodiversity &amp; Environment Research suggests a deeper problem.



“Feeding the global human population comes at an increasing cost for our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a>'s biodiversity. Our new research highlights that it's actually more complicated than that,” noted Dr. Ceaușu.



Using a large global dataset, the researchers analyzed biodiversity patterns around farms producing maize, wheat, rice, and soybean - crops that make up over half of the world’s calorie intake.



The experts focused on areas where some natural vegetation remained, excluding untouched wildlands. They then assessed biodiversity in terms of species richness, total abundance, and how widespread species were.



The results revealed that both expansion and intensification damage biodiversity, but the extent varies by region, crop type, and existing vegetation. In some areas, intensification harmed local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-biodiversity-scientists-discover-hidden-pattern-guiding-species-distributions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> more than converting new land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boosting-farm-yields-can-harm-biodiversity">Boosting farm yields can harm biodiversity</h2>



Much of modern agricultural planning encourages “closing yield gaps,” meaning increasing production in areas where crop yields lag behind their potential. The logic is to reduce the need for land expansion. But this new study shows that doing so may come with serious ecological consequences.



“We show that farmland expansion is indeed drastically changing local biodiversity. However, once agriculture is established, intensifying agricultural practices can further degrade local biodiversity, sometimes more so than by further removing natural vegetation from the area,” noted Dr. Silvia Ceaușu.



This challenges the narrative of intensification as a safe compromise. It also suggests that even well-meaning conservation policies might backfire if they overly favor intensification without context.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-pressure-is-changing-biodiversity-faster-than-we-realize/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">implications</a> stretch far. International trade agreements often restrict imports from newly converted farmland but welcome goods from intensified farms. That distinction might be too simplistic, especially when intensified farms are located in biodiversity hotspots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-over-simplicity-in-agricultural-policy">Complexity over simplicity in agricultural policy</h2>



One of the most striking conclusions of the study is that there is no universal rule. Every landscape is different. What works in temperate monocultures may fail in tropical mosaics. This variation makes broad policies difficult to apply effectively.



“Simple suggestions like favoring farmland intensification over expansion are not always effective - there’s no one-size-fits all solution for sustainable agriculture,” noted Professor Tim Newbold at UCL.



Instead of relying on single-solution strategies, policymakers must consider specific ecological, social, and agricultural data. This includes understanding which species are at risk, how ecosystems function locally, and what kind of vegetation remains around farms.



It’s not just about where and how we farm - but also about what lives nearby, and what might disappear as farming intensifies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farm-practices-reshape-biodiversity-over-time">Farm practices reshape biodiversity over time</h2>



Beyond ecological damage, the study touches on evolutionary consequences. As intensified agriculture becomes more common, it reshapes entire ecosystems. 



Only species that can adapt to altered environments survive. Over time, this selects for generalist traits - those that thrive in simplified, human-managed landscapes.



This process, described in the study as a shift in "evolutionary filters," could gradually lead to less diverse and more homogenized wildlife communities. 



Specialists, who depend on complex, intact ecosystems, are the first to vanish. This affects not only biodiversity statistics but also ecosystem function and resilience.



In intensified landscapes, nature becomes simpler. And while simple might seem efficient for farming, it rarely is for ecology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-farmland-use">Rethinking farmland use </h2>



While the researchers don’t endorse farmland expansion into untouched habitats, they do caution against assuming that intensification is always benign. In certain contexts, expansion into already degraded or marginal lands could do less harm than squeezing more output from heavily farmed areas



“There is likely a balance that can be struck between intensification and expansion… informed by local and crop-specific data,” noted co-author David Leclère of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (<a href="https://iiasa.ac.at" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IIASA</a>), Austria.



The goal isn’t to choose one path but to design farming systems that work for both people and the planet.



“We would not suggest expanding farmland into intact natural areas as it is vital for the planet that such unmodified landscapes are preserved,” said Dr. Newbold.



In other words, any new expansion must avoid primary forests, wetlands, and biodiversity-rich habitats. The challenge lies in identifying and managing lower-risk landscapes while avoiding additional intensification that might push ecosystems past recovery.



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



For consumers, the picture remains complex. It’s difficult to track how sustainable any specific food product is, especially when impacts vary so widely across regions and crops. However, individuals still hold some power.



The researchers recommend reducing food waste and cutting back on meat consumption. Both actions lower agricultural demand and reduce pressure on biodiversity. 



These changes, while small at the individual level, can aggregate into meaningful shifts when adopted widely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-farming-and-biodiversity">Balancing farming and biodiversity </h2>



As the climate crisis unfolds and food insecurity grows, the global community must confront difficult questions. How do we produce enough food without sacrificing biodiversity? Can we make space for nature and still nourish billions?



This new study makes one thing clear: the answers will not come from easy slogans or blanket policies. They will come from detailed data, local context, and a willingness to embrace complexity.



Feeding the world is not just a technical challenge - it is a deeply ecological one. And how we respond will determine the kind of world future generations inherit.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02691-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Feeding the world without harming nature: The complex balance of farming

As the global population grows, pressure on farm systems and...

Walk through a Mediterranean mountain meadow, and you're likely to spot a patch of Sideritis - a hardy, aromatic plant that has long been used for making Greek mountain tea. For centuries, this herb has been prized by locals for its healing properties; it is believed to soothe everything from colds to stomach issues.



But in recent decades, something has been shifting quietly in these high-altitude ecosystems. The grassy slopes where Sideritis once thrived are being taken over slowly by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrubs-play-a-dual-role-in-forest-recovery-following-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shrubs</a> and trees. This transformation is not just about aesthetics. It's a sign of how climate change and land use are altering the very makeup of mountain biodiversity.



Researchers from the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center, the National Observatory of Athens, and the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> have been studying the genetic consequences of these changes, with a focus on Sideritis. Their findings are unsettling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-are-losing-genetic-diversity">Plants are losing genetic diversity</h2>



Mountain regions are known for their rich biodiversity - they support countless unique and specialized species. However, over the past 50 years, many of these habitats have seen changes. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/single-degree-temperature-warming-boreal-forests-wreak-havoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warmer temperatures</a> and reduced grazing have triggered what's known as "mountain greening" - a steady spread of woody plants into areas that were formerly open grasslands.



Sideritis is among the species feeling the pressure. Once common across the Mediterranean's montane grasslands, it now faces a shrinking habitat. But it's not just the plant’s numbers that are declining. It’s losing genetic diversity as well, which may compromise its natural resilience to stress and change.



“We examined populations in 11 Greek mountain ranges and combined satellite data from several decades with genetic analyses of herbarium specimens from the 1970s and present-day plant samples,” explained study leader Spyros Theodoridis.



The team’s approach was unusual: they paired old herbarium specimens with modern genetic testing and decades of satellite imagery. This allowed them to see how Sideritis populations had changed genetically over time and how those changes tracked with the increase in denser vegetation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-toll-of-inbreeding-and-isolation">The toll of inbreeding and isolation</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"></blockquote>



“The results show that in eight of the 11 mountain regions we studied, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-trees-protect-their-genetic-diversity-for-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic diversity</a> declined significantly during this period. In particularly affected regions, up to 20 percent of the genome of individual plants is now subject to inbreeding – an indication of declining population sizes,” explained Theodoridis.



The numbers point to a worrying trend. As woody plants crowd out the open spaces, Sideritis populations become smaller and more isolated. This leads to inbreeding, which weakens the species’ ability to handle diseases, droughts, and other stresses.



“The speed at which shrubs and trees are spreading in previously open grasslands can be directly linked to the decline in genetic diversity in Sideritis populations,” noted study co-author David Nogués-Bravo. 



“The genetic diversity of a species is crucial for its ability to adapt to environmental changes. If this diversity dwindles, resistance to disease, drought, or other stress factors decreases, which can lead to extinction in the long term.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-plant-changes-from-space">Watching plant changes from space</h2>



One of the most impressive parts of the study is how it links satellite technology with genetics. For years, scientists believed it was impossible to track genetic diversity using remote sensing. This study proves otherwise.



“This combination opens up new possibilities for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-monitoring-method-may-help-prevent-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity monitoring</a>,” emphasized Theodoridis. “It allows us to use satellite images to identify indications of genetic changes in mountain ecosystems without having to genetically examine each individual population on site.”



This method could make it easier to monitor hard-to-reach mountain regions or areas where on-the-ground data is limited.



“However, our results show that the extent of genetic erosion can be predicted with surprisingly high accuracy, based solely on the increase in vegetation density,” said study co-author Thomas Hickler.



“This renders our method particularly attractive for use in mountainous regions that are difficult to access or in areas where genetic monitoring has hardly been possible to date.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-specimens-hold-the-genetic-key">Historical specimens hold the genetic key</h2>



This research was made possible, in part, by historical plant specimens that have been stored in herbaria - archives of pressed and preserved plants.



“Without the historical plant specimens in herbaria, the direct comparison over a period of 50 years would not have been possible,” explained co-author Marco Thines. “These archives of nature are invaluable for biodiversity research.”



These old samples provided a genetic snapshot of the past, which was essential for comparing with modern populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-the-genetic-diversity-of-plants">Threats to the genetic diversity of plants </h2>



This isn’t just a local problem. Mountain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2020-was-earths-greenest-year-in-two-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greening</a> is happening all over the world, as climate warms and traditional land-use practices decline. 



You can see the shift clearly in satellite images - meadows turn darker as shrubs and trees move in. That’s why the researchers believe that now is the time to act.



“There is an urgent need for comparable studies with other species and in other regions,” concluded Theodoridis. “This will allow us to gain a comprehensive picture of how environmental changes are affecting the genetic basis of biodiversity - and how we can effectively counter this development.”



Protecting plants like Sideritis means protecting more than just a tea ingredient. It means defending the integrity and resilience of entire ecosystems - before they vanish under a wave of greenery.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="http://ell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00436-1?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982225004361%3Fshowall%3Dtrue">Current Biology</a>.



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Mountain greening threatens genetic diversity of iconic plants

Walk through a Mediterranean mountain meadow, and you're likely to...

In western Canada’s wetlands, a quiet revolution is taking shape. Scientists are bringing mossy peatlands and damaged well pads back to life after decades of oil and gas activity left them altered.



A research team from the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Waterloo</a>, supported by several Canadian institutions, has tested a new restoration method to revive peatland vegetation on oil well pads.



These pads, once used for drilling, have disrupted the delicate water <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-microbes-in-amazon-peatlands-help-balance-the-global-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">systems</a> and plant life of boreal fens. Now, the team’s breakthrough shows that true mosses - the core builders of peatlands - can grow again, even on degraded, mineral-rich soils.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-pads-disrupted-peatland-ecosystems">How pads disrupted peatland ecosystems</h2>



Canada’s boreal peatlands are not just rich in moss - they store massive amounts of carbon and regulate freshwater systems across the country. 



However, many of these ecosystems have been disrupted by the construction of over 36,000 hectares of well pads and 100,000 km of access roads.



These pads bury native vegetation under layers of clay and sand, severing their connection to natural hydrology and altering nearby <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peatland-canals-are-hidden-hotspots-for-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>. 



Traditional restoration techniques often focused on replanting trees or grasses to convert damaged land into forest or grassland.



But such solutions overlook the unique role of peatlands in storing carbon and supporting biodiversity. The new method shifts the focus: it seeks to restore the land to its original, moss-dominated state.



“These results are the first to suggest that the re-establishment of peatland vegetation on full-scale lowered well pads is possible,” said Murdoch McKinnon, PhD candidate in the Faculty of Environment. 



“Well pads bury all of the native peatland vegetation under clay or sand, negatively impacting the ability of the peatland to sequester carbon and also reducing the availability of habitat for wildlife.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moss-based-method-on-well-pads">Moss-based method on well pads</h2>



In 2020, researchers implemented this large-scale trial on a decommissioned well pad near Slave Lake, Alberta. The strategy involved partially removing the upper layers of the pad and transplanting native mosses collected from a nearby donor site. 



The moss <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/immune-power-of-mosses-can-be-transferred-to-other-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> included true mosses like Aulacomnium palustre, Tomentypnum nitens, and Helodium blandowii - all typical of rich fens. The surface of the pad was reshaped to include low and high microtopographies. 



This mimics natural peatland surfaces and helps retain water in dips, which is essential for moss survival. A straw mulch layer was applied to half the plots to slow evaporation and protect the mosses from drying winds.



The approach draws inspiration from a natural process called paludification, where peatlands expand over mineral soils due to consistent water saturation. 



By partially removing the well pad <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oil-profits-could-save-the-planet-if-governments-tax-them-now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface</a>, the method aimed to replicate conditions that allow early successional peatland vegetation to thrive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moss-needs-steady-water-to-survive">Moss needs steady water to survive</h2>



Peatland mosses, unlike vascular plants, lack roots and internal water transport systems. Their health depends entirely on the moisture around them. 



In this study, researchers found that mosses thrived when the water table stayed within six centimeters of the surface. These optimal conditions were found mostly along the pad’s edges, which were still hydrologically connected to the surrounding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peatland-canals-are-hidden-hotspots-for-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural peatland</a>.



In contrast, interior zones of the pad experienced rapid drying during the late season. This dryness occurred because those sections lacked direct groundwater input and had poor water retention due to the coarse sandy substrate. 



Mosses in these interior zones faced significant risks of desiccation, particularly during the second study year, which was drier than normal. 



The team concluded that the restoration method works best when a steady flow of water can reach the transplanted mosses. Otherwise, even with added mulch, the mosses struggled to maintain the hydration needed for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sounding-the-alarm-microplastics-are-disrupting-photosynthesis-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> and growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dry-years-limit-moss-growth">Dry years limit moss growth</h2>



The study ran over two growing seasons. The first season had near-average rainfall, while the second was drier, reflecting potential future climate scenarios. 



In the wet year, seven plots on the pad maintained near-surface water tables and showed high potential for moss establishment. In the drier year, only one plot - located at the hydrologically favorable northeast corner - retained adequate moisture.



Drying trends in interior plots suggested that the partial removal technique alone may not suffice under climate stress. Mosses planted in these areas often encountered moisture conditions below their survival threshold. 



This highlights the need to improve subsurface hydrological connectivity across the pad, perhaps by altering slope design or installing water flow conduits.



“Preserving peatlands is critical because of the role they play storing and supplying water in the landscape,” said Dr. Richard Petrone, a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at Waterloo. 



“They are also our best choice for nature-based climate change <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/abandoned-oil-wells-could-revolutionize-energy-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solutions</a> because of the vast amounts of carbon that they store.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-when-moss-dries-out">What happens when moss dries out</h2>



The risk of moss desiccation became particularly clear in the pad’s interior zones. Researchers measured soil moisture and water potential across different microtopographic levels. 



They found that when the water table dropped below 54 cm, mosses - especially those on high ground - entered the desiccation danger zone. Mulching helped slightly in low areas but had limited effect overall. 



The straw was often blown off high points by wind, reducing its ability to shield mosses from evaporation. These findings suggest that water table depth has a stronger impact than surface treatments in controlling moss health.



Some moss species can tolerate drying, but growth slows or halts altogether. Rewetting takes time, and extended dry periods can stunt long-term recovery. This makes mosses in interior pad zones especially vulnerable during drought years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-mosses-thrive-on-well-pads">Some mosses thrive on well pads</h2>



Not all mosses need the same conditions. Species like Tomentypnum nitens and Aulacomnium palustre can survive across a wide range of moisture levels. 



These species may establish even in dry interior areas. However, the long-term success of a diverse peatland community depends on retaining wet microsites and providing favorable conditions across the landscape.



Interestingly, plots near the pad edges also saw some short-term saturation. This may allow submergence-tolerant mosses to dominate. 



Researchers noted that while prolonged flooding can reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/details-photosynthesis-water-viewed-atomic-level-cryo-microscope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>, it is less damaging than complete desiccation.



These microtopographic differences might ultimately support greater moss diversity by allowing multiple species to thrive in different niches. But the initial phase is critical. Without stable moisture early on, even hardy mosses can fail to establish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-moss-other-restoration-pathways">Beyond moss: Other restoration pathways</h2>



In some parts of the pad, especially where water tables dropped sharply, true mosses may not be the best candidates. 



These zones could instead support sedges like Carex and Scirpus species, which tolerate fluctuating moisture better. Introducing these plants might kickstart <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-carbon-buried-deep-beneath-the-forest-is-disrupted-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic matter</a> buildup and improve soil water retention over time.



The idea is not to force every plot to become a moss-dominated peatland. Instead, researchers are exploring mixed strategies tailored to local conditions. 



Over decades, sedges could help transform dry mineral soils into suitable environments for future moss colonization.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peatland-restoration-requires-better-tools">Peatland restoration requires better tools</h2>



The study marks a turning point in how scientists approach restoration on former drilling sites. While the partial removal method shows promise, it works best when combined with other interventions. 



Adding organic matter, adjusting terrain slopes, or installing water flow conduits may improve moss survival rates in drier regions. Long-term monitoring remains essential. 



The researchers will continue studying how moss communities develop over time and whether introduced species can become self-sustaining. There’s also a need to refine water availability thresholds for different moss types to better guide future efforts.



This work reflects a growing understanding that restoration is not just about replanting vegetation. It’s about re-establishing the physical and hydrological foundations that ecosystems need to thrive.



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The full findings of this study are detailed in Hydrologic assessment of mineral substrate suitability for true moss initiation in a boreal peatland undergoing restoration, published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092585742500103X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Engineering</a>.



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Planting moss helps restore land damaged by oil and gas exploration

In western Canada’s wetlands, a quiet revolution is taking shape....

When naturalists tally the frogs in a farm pond or the orchids in a mountain meadow they always encounter the same rule of thumb: when you survey a larger range, the more species you find. The relationship seems simple, yet ecologists have puzzled over an odd signature hidden in species distribution data for nearly a century.



As one zooms out from local plots to regional landscapes. the tally of new species first soars. Then, it plateaus, taking off again at continental and global scales. That curious “S-shaped” curve is technically, the three-phase species–area relationship. 



It has appeared in everything from beetles to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-wings-have-a-surprising-effect-on-island-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> and from coral reefs to desert shrubs. Until now, no single mathematical framework explained why the curve changes its slope where it does.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-species-distributions">Predicting species distributions </h2>



A collaboration of researchers spanning Portugal, Germany, the United States and South Africa has now filled that theoretical gap. 



The experts combined basic geometry with giant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> datasets to show that the three phases arise inevitably from the way individual species spread their geographic ranges across Earth’s surface.



The team's model not only reproduces the classic patterns, it also generates equations that predict how many species should occur at the precise break points between phases - a feat with direct relevance for conservation planners who must estimate extinctions as habitats are lost.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-range-size-affects-species-distributions">Range size affects species distributions</h2>



Ecologists formalized the species-area relationship (SAR) in the early twentieth century, discovering that a log-log plot of cumulative species versus area usually forms a straight line. Yet when studies started to cover larger domains, investigators found the line was actually composed of three segments.



In the first segment, from local quadrants to perhaps a few hundred square kilometers, adding more land brings a flood of new species because each little patch contains slightly different microhabitats. In the middle segment, spanning thousands of square kilometers, the pace slackens; the same bird species, for instance, occupy most forests inside a biogeographic region. 



Beyond that, when continents are added, evolutionary history enters the picture and the slope shoots up again as entirely different faunas come into view. Empirically describing those bends was straightforward; explaining them from first principles proved harder. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individual-ranges-of-species">Individual ranges of species</h2>



“We demonstrated that the individual geographical ranges of all species within the studied areas shape the typical species distribution patterns we observe across the globe,” said lead author Luís Borda-de-Água of <a href="https://www.cibio.up.pt/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIBIO</a> in Portugal.



By mathematically stacking these ranges like overlapping tiles on a floor plan, the team showed that the SAR’s inflection points fall where the average range size of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-temperature-extremes-change-the-distribution-of-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resident species</a> equals the sampling area. At small scales most ranges eclipse the plot, so each extra hectare introduces new species.



At intermediate scales the plot begins to rival range size, so fewer novelties appear. At the largest scales even the widest-ranging species occupy only one continent, restoring the steep climb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-patterns-and-crunching-records">Testing patterns and crunching records</h2>



To test the idea the researchers turned to the <a href="https://www.gbif.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Biodiversity Information Facility</a>, a compendium of citizen-science sightings and museum records. They extracted roughly 700 million geo-referenced observations spanning birds, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-40-of-amphibians-face-extinction-due-to-escalating-climate-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>, mammals and vascular plants.



For each taxonomic group they generated empirical SARs and compared them with the theoretical predictions. The correspondence was striking: predicted transition points - where the slope of the SAR changes - matched the observed curves within confidence bounds for all groups.



Borda-de-Água noted that this is a major step forward in ecology because it links a macroecological pattern to a simple, measurable property - range size - without invoking mysterious external factors. 



Senior author Henrique Pereira is a research professor at the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research <a href="https://www.idiv.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(iDiv</a>) and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. 



Pereira emphasized the significance of the research. “Discovering fundamental principles in ecology is just as thrilling as breakthroughs in physics.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-stakes-for-a-shrinking-planet"><a></a>Practical stakes for a shrinking planet</h2>



Beyond intellectual satisfaction the model carries weighty consequences for biodiversity assessments. International panels such as IPBES rely on SARs to translate lost habitat into predicted extinctions. 



If analysts know where a landscape sits on the three-phase curve they can apply the correct slope and avoid over- or under-estimating risk. The new equations provide exactly that guidance. 



Suppose a logged forest fragment still covers more area than the average range of its endemic beetles; species losses may be modest. But once destruction pushes the fragment below the first transition threshold, disappearing hectares cause a much steeper decline in species count.



Because the theory is scale-free it can also help conservationists decide whether sampling has been adequate. If observed species richness does not yet reach the slowdown phase, additional survey work is warranted before managers proclaim an inventory complete.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-species-distributions">Shifting species distributions </h2>



The authors acknowledge that species’ ranges are not static. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate change</a>, invasive species, and land-use shifts continually redraw distribution maps. 



Incorporating dynamic range models into the three-phase framework will be a priority, as will extending tests to marine organisms and microbes, whose ranges are harder to delineate.



Still, the study offers a rare optimism amid grim extinction headlines. By revealing the geometry behind one of ecology’s most robust laws, scientists gain a clearer lens through which to view and perhaps mitigate humanity’s impact on life’s diversity.



As Pereira puts it, advances like these “unveil hidden patterns that have been shaping life on Earth for millions of years,” providing the knowledge base needed to steer those patterns, responsibly, into the future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59239-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Saving biodiversity: Scientists discover hidden pattern guiding species distributions

When naturalists tally the frogs in a farm pond or...

Agricultural chemicals sprayed over vast plant fields rarely stay where growers intend. Researchers estimate that as much as half of each application drifts into soil, water, or the atmosphere - raising costs for farmers while burdening ecosystems.



A collaboration between <a href="https://web.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a> and the <a href="https://smart.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology</a> offers a radically different approach: hollow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/inspired-by-sea-slugs-microneedles-could-transform-health-monitoring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microneedles</a> spun from natural silk protein that inject fertilizers, nutrients, or sensing probes directly into plant tissues. 



This technique pairs surgical precision with a fabrication process so simple it can be done outside a clean room, yet robust enough for large-scale production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-silk-needles-for-smarter-farming">Silk needles for smarter farming</h2>



“Agrochemicals are important for supporting our food system, but they’re also expensive and bring environmental side effects, so there’s a big need to deliver them precisely,” explained Benedetto Marelli, the study’s senior author and an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at MIT.



Traditional foliar spraying addresses entire canopies even when only specific plants - or particular tissues - need treatment.



The new silk microneedles bypass that waste, ferrying liquids directly into a plant’s vascular network, where they can be distributed internally with minimal losses to the surrounding environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-way-to-feed-plants">A new way to feed plants</h2>



The research builds on medical microneedle technology originally devised for painless human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-vaccine-misconceptions-are-spreading-rapidly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vaccinations</a>. Earlier work from Marelli’s group proved that solid silk needles could pierce plant epidermis, but those prototypes carried only minuscule doses. 



To deliver commercially relevant volumes, Yunteng Cao and Doyoon Kim created a hollow version without the clean-room lithography medical devices usually require. They mixed purified silk fibroin with a saline solution and cast the blend into tiny conical molds.



As the water evaporated, salt crystallized inside the cones. Washing away the salt left behind either a central lumen or microscopic pores, depending on salt concentration. Despite their lightweight structure, the needles still had enough strength to penetrate stems.



“It’s a pretty simple fabrication process. It can be done outside of a clean room - you could do it in your kitchen if you wanted,” Kim said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-silk-needles-to-heal-crops">Using silk needles to heal crops</h2>



Iron deficiency, or chlorosis, stunts growth in many crops and can significantly reduce tomato yields. Sprays often fail because iron oxidizes before it enters the roots or leaves.



The team demonstrated that their hollow needles could infuse iron chelate directly into chlorotic tomato stems, reversing yellowing while using far less material than conventional soil or foliar supplements. 



Because the silk matrix biodegrades over several days, the needles acted like slow-release capsules, sustaining iron delivery as the plant recovered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enriching-crops-with-vitamins">Enriching crops with vitamins</h2>



Biofortification - boosting the nutritional content of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creating-resilient-crops-to-cope-with-the-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crops</a> - typically involves genetic engineering or post-harvest additives. 



The researchers tested whether the silk microneedles could embed vitamin B12, a nutrient scarce in plant foods, into developing tomatoes. Injections into green stems resulted in ripe fruit containing measurable B12, hinting at a field-based route for nutrient enrichment.



Co-author Daisuke Urano noted that detailed assessments showed “minimal adverse effects from microneedle injections in plants, with no observed short- or long-term negative impacts,” suggesting the method could scale without compromising crop health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crop-diagnostics-and-silk-needles">Crop diagnostics and silk needles </h2>



The team also used the needles as diagnostic probes. Hydroponic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomatoes-have-a-molecular-trick-to-survive-in-extreme-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tomatoes</a> growing in cadmium-tainted nutrient solution can absorb the toxic metal long before visual symptoms appear.



By inserting microneedles and later analyzing the absorbed sap, the researchers detected cadmium within fifteen minutes and monitored its rise over eighteen hours. 



Current imaging methods only reveal stress after growth falters, and pulling sap manually is laborious. A microneedle array could act as an “IV line,” continually sampling fluid for on-farm analytics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robotic-treatment-for-plants">Robotic treatment for plants</h2>



At present, technicians place the needles by hand, but Marelli envisions mounting them on robotic arms or autonomous drones that already patrol high-tech farms. Such systems could target individual plants flagged by imaging or soil sensors, applying nutrients or pesticides only where needed.



“We want to maximize the growth of plants without negatively affecting the health of the farm or the biodiversity of surrounding ecosystems,” Marelli said. “There shouldn’t be a trade-off between the agriculture industry and the environment. They should work together.”



While agriculture is the immediate focus, the underlying manufacturing technique could benefit human medicine. 



Hollow polymeric microneedles loaded with drugs or vaccines can offer painless, self-administrable alternatives to hypodermic needles. Cao noted salt-templating can customize pore size and shape for controlled release in both skin and plant stems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-precise-crop-injections-with-silk-needles">Precise crop injections with silk needles </h2>



Global demand for food is climbing even as arable land and freshwater resources strain under climate change and pollution. Precision tools that conserve inputs while protecting surrounding ecosystems are crucial, and silk microneedles offer a versatile platform.



The technology cuts waste and boosts crop care by infusing treatments, enriching nutrients, and enabling fast, in-plant diagnostics. 



If automated at scale, farmers could soon replace broad sprays with pinpoint injections, feeding a growing world more responsibly and efficiently.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-025-01923-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Nanotechnology</a>.



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Smarter farming: Silk needles heal crops with precision

Agricultural chemicals sprayed over vast plant fields rarely stay where...

High in the Dolomites of northern Italy, a quiet forest of spruce trees witnessed a cosmic event. As the moon began its slow passage across the face of the sun, these trees did something extraordinary. They didn’t just react to the solar eclipse - they prepared for it. 



Hours before the eclipse unfolded, the inner signals of the trees began to shift in synchrony, echoing across the forest like an invisible wave.



What if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-losing-the-battle-against-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> could think? What if they didn’t just survive but sensed, remembered, and collectively adapted? These questions are no longer the domain of poetic speculation. A new international study has brought scientific weight to these ideas, revealing a forest’s capacity for anticipation and communication.



Led by Professor Alessandro Chiolerio of the Italian Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.iit.it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IIT</a>) and the University of the West of England (<a href="https://www.uwe.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UWE</a>), and Professor Monica Gagliano of <a href="https://www.scu.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Cross University</a>, the research shows how spruce trees behave not just as individuals but as members of a responsive, interconnected ecosystem.



The trees began altering their bioelectrical rhythms well before the eclipse. This wasn’t passive reaction - it was a coordinated prelude.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-trees-sense-eclipse-first">Older trees sense eclipse first</h2>



The researchers placed specialized sensors on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-new-trees-brings-hope-for-healthier-babies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> ranging from decades-old elders to young saplings. The trees’ bioelectrical signals - minute voltage changes across their tissues - began shifting as early as 14 hours before the solar eclipse occurred.



Remarkably, older trees were the first to display these changes. They exhibited increased entropy and bioelectrical complexity long before the event, suggesting deep memory rooted in past experiences. 



These ancient trees acted as environmental archives, holding clues from previous eclipses and perhaps other rare events that have repeated over their long lives.



“The fact that older trees respond first - potentially guiding the collective response of the forest - speaks volumes about their role as memory banks of past environmental events,” said Professor Gagliano.



This age-based hierarchy of response shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-trees-are-reaching-new-heights-in-the-mountains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> are not just passive organisms. Instead, they may actively use memory to shape real-time responses to future events. The old trees don’t simply endure - they teach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-signals-sync-before-an-eclipse">Tree signals sync before an eclipse</h2>



Custom-built CyberTree sensors recorded data from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slow-and-steady-tree-growth-wins-the-race-for-carbon-capture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> at four distinct forest sites. Trees of different ages and light exposure were included. Some trees were healthy and tall, others young and shaded, and several were even stumps from felled trees.



In one 20-year-old tree, researchers noticed sharp, square-wave-like bioelectrical spikes hours before the eclipse. These signals vanished immediately after the event, creating a clear boundary in the data. 



Older trees showed broader but more persistent fluctuations. During the eclipse itself, bioelectrical activity became less chaotic and more ordered.



“This study illustrates the anticipatory and synchronized responses we observed are key to understanding how forests communicate and adapt, revealing a new layer of complexity in plant behavior,” explained Professor Gagliano.



This coordination wasn’t superficial. It ran deep through the trees’ vascular systems - through xylem and phloem - recorded using electrodes both within trunks and around their circumference. The result was a living, electrical map of the forest’s inner state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whole-forest-acts-as-one-system">Whole forest acts as one system</h2>



The synchrony wasn’t limited to isolated trees. Researchers applied cross-correlation analysis to examine relationships among signals from different trees. What they found was striking. As the eclipse approached, trees didn’t just change individually. They aligned with each other.



Compared to normal days, during the eclipse the trees exhibited larger deviations in signal symmetry. This meant the forest wasn’t operating randomly. Each tree’s electrical behavior influenced - and was influenced by - others. These shifts showed signs of communication and responsiveness beyond traditional ecological models.



“We now see the forest not as a mere collection of individuals, but as an orchestra of phase correlated plants,” said Professor Chiolerio.



Especially strong synchrony occurred between the oldest trees, suggesting that longevity also brings a central role in networked behaviors. Their signals moved together like synchronized swimmers, responding as one to the cosmic shift overhead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-trees-align-their-behavior">How trees align their behavior</h2>



To make sense of this synchrony, the team turned to an unlikely ally - quantum field theory (QFT). Trees, they argued, are open, dissipative systems. They constantly exchange energy with their environment, and classical physics falls short in describing their complex coordination.



By using thermal QFT models, the researchers could describe the trees' behavior at both molecular and systemic levels. They showed how microscopic structures like ion channels and water molecules aligned their activity, giving rise to coherent macroscopic behavior.



In this framework, the forest’s response becomes a form of spontaneous symmetry breaking. That is, a small environmental trigger - in this case, the eclipse - produces a large-scale shift in system organization.



During the eclipse, the system’s entropy dropped, coherence increased, and the forest appeared to enter a new state - like an orchestra locking into tempo after tuning their instruments. The forest was not only alive. It was aware.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravity-may-cue-the-response">Gravity may cue the response</h2>



A mystery remained: how could trees begin responding before the eclipse even started? The usual suspects - light, temperature, and humidity - couldn’t explain it. Trees began shifting their signals when it was still daylight and warm, and the Moon was far from their sky.



The authors propose another trigger: gravimetric tides. These are subtle shifts in Earth’s gravitational field caused by the alignment of the Moon and Sun. During a solar eclipse, especially one aligned with a Saros cycle, these tides peak.



Such gravimetric cues are hard for humans to detect, but not for trees. Their deep-rooted structure and fluid dynamics make them excellent sensors. Older trees, which have lived through several Saros cycles, may recognize this pattern and respond early.



“This discovery underscores the critical importance of protecting older forests, which serve as pillars of ecosystem resilience by preserving and transmitting invaluable ecological knowledge,” said Professor Gagliano.



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



This research expands our understanding of what a forest is. No longer can we see it as a collection of competing individuals. The trees synchronize their internal processes, align responses to stimuli, and likely share information across time and space.



This makes old-growth forests irreplaceable. Logging them erases not just biomass, but knowledge - decades or centuries of stored information that newer trees have not yet acquired.



From the lens of ecological stability, these forests act like community elders. They modulate, anticipate, and respond, ensuring the forest survives sudden changes. Protecting them becomes not only an act of conservation, but an act of safeguarding planetary memory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hidden-intelligence-of-forests">The hidden intelligence of forests</h2>



To share this finding with a wider audience, the research team collaborated on a documentary. Il Codice del Bosco (The Forest Code) is scheduled for release in Italy in May 2025. It brings the forest’s hidden world to life, showing trees as responsive and intelligent beings.



“Basically, we are watching the famous ‘wood wide web’ in action!” said Professor Gagliano.



The documentary will visualize the forest’s electrical signals, offering viewers a glimpse into a world usually invisible. It represents a step toward redefining how we relate to nature - not as masters, but as fellow participants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-remember-eclipses-and-adapt">Trees remember eclipses and adapt</h2>



The study of spruce trees during a solar eclipse has revealed something profound. Trees do not simply endure. They anticipate, adapt, and align with each other through non-verbal, bioelectrical communication. They exhibit behaviors long thought reserved for animals - coordination, memory, and possibly a form of decision-making.



As we understand this hidden intelligence, our approach to ecology must evolve. Forests are not just lungs of the planet. They are its silent minds - thinking slowly, speaking in signals, and remembering events we cannot see.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241786" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Trees sync up their communication signals before a solar eclipse

High in the Dolomites of northern Italy, a quiet forest...

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality across the globe and Nigeria is no exception: Breast, cervical, prostate, and liver malignancies are climbing steadily despite wider access to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted drugs. 



For many patients, however, modern treatment is difficult to afford. This has sparked renewed interest in a largely untapped yet promising resource: Nigeria’s indigenous food plants.



These plants - including their leaves, seeds, tubers, and fruits - are loaded with bioactive compounds. Laboratory studies show that many of these natural substances have the potential to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-plant-species-show-great-promise-in-fight-against-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slow or even halt</a> tumor growth. 



A growing body of evidence suggests that these plants, long consumed as part of the traditional diet, could be developed as low-cost, complementary tools in the nation’s fight against cancer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-that-prevent-or-halt-cancer">Plants that prevent or halt cancer</h2>



Researchers have catalogued dozens of edible Nigerian species with measurable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anti-cancer activity</a>, but nine stand out for the breadth of experimental data already available.



Spondias mombin (hog plum) contains the flavonoid quercetin along with carotenoids that trigger apoptosis - the “self-destruct” program in malignant cells - while simultaneously tamping down inflammation.



Xanthosoma sagittifolium, a cocoyam cultivated widely in the humid south, produces tannins and other phenolics that cause leukemia cells to stall in the cell-cycle, blocking proliferation and reducing the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need in order to expand.



Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is often maligned for ecological reasons, yet its vitamin-E–rich tocotrienols are potent antioxidants; in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diet-improves-health-in-women-with-breast-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breast cancer</a> models they lower cell viability and force cells into arrest, nudging them toward death.



Irvingia gabonensis, the African bush mango, supplies gallotannins that regulate metabolic pathways linked to tumorigenesis and stimulate immune surveillance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-cancer-fighting-plant-compounds">Powerful cancer-fighting plant compounds </h2>



Allium cepa, the humble onion, is packed with organosulphur compounds as well as flavonoids that up-regulate detoxification enzymes, mop up DNA-damaging free radicals and may even help reverse multidrug resistance.



Blighia sapida (ackee) fruit, famous for its culinary role in Caribbean cuisine, also grows in Nigeria; laboratory work shows its flavonoids can hamper the ERK5 pathway, a key driver of aggressive breast cancer.



Dioscorea dumetorum, a wild yam, synthesizes diosgenin - long prized in the pharmaceutical industry as a raw material for steroid hormones - which shuts off the pro-survival NF-κB and MAPK cascades in cancer cells.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/plants_anti-cancer-properties_nigeria_credit-google-photos_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/plants_anti-cancer-properties_nigeria_credit-google-photos_1s.webp" alt="Selected edible Nigerian plants with anti-cancer properties. (a) Spondias mombin; (b) Xanthosoma sagittifolium; (c) Elaeis guineensis; (d) Irvingia gabonensis; (e) Blighia sapida; (f) Launaea taraxacifolia; (g) Tetracarpidium conophorum; (h) Chrysophyllum albidum; (i) Solanum macrocarpon; (j) Dioscorea dumetorum; (k) Talinum triangulare; (l) Psidium guajava; (m) Allium cepa L. Photo credit: google photo." class="wp-image-1967580"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Selected edible Nigerian plants with anti-cancer properties. (a) Spondias mombin; (b) Xanthosoma sagittifolium; (c) Elaeis guineensis; (d) Irvingia gabonensis; (e) Blighia sapida; (f) Launaea taraxacifolia; (g) Tetracarpidium conophorum; (h) Chrysophyllum albidum; (i) Solanum macrocarpon; (j) Dioscorea dumetorum; (k) Talinum triangulare; (l) Psidium guajava; (m) Allium cepa L. Click image to enlarge. Photo credit: FIM/Google photo.</figcaption></figure>



Psidium guajava (guava) leaves have been used for generations to treat diarrhea; now their tannins and phenolic acids are recognized for inducing apoptosis and shielding DNA from oxidative injury.



Finally, Talinum triangulare, the protein-rich “waterleaf,” contains quercetin and other antioxidants that bolster immune responses and hinder tumor growth in vitro.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-plants-with-similar-strategies">Diverse plants with similar strategies </h2>



Despite their botanical diversity, these species rely on a handful of overlapping biochemical strategies. 



First and foremost is apoptosis induction: they activate pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax while down-regulating anti-apoptotic factors like Bcl-2, tipping the balance toward cell death.



Many extracts also impose cell-cycle arrest at the G1/S or G2/M checkpoints by interfering with cyclin-dependent kinases; deprived of the green light to divide, cancer cells accumulate DNA damage and succumb. Angiogenesis - the sprouting of new blood vessels that feed a tumor - is another frequent target. 



Compounds from cocoyam, yam and hog plum have been shown to lower levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and related signals, choking off the nutrient supply to nascent tumors. 



Inflammatory enzymes (COX-2, iNOS) and reactive oxygen species are suppressed as well, reducing the chronic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inflammation</a> and oxidative stress that often initiate or accelerate malignancy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-tradition-and-modern-oncology"><a></a>Bridging tradition and modern oncology</h2>



While pre-clinical data are encouraging, several hurdles must be cleared before Nigerian food plants can take their place beside paclitaxel or cisplatin. 



Bioactive composition varies by soil type, rainfall pattern and harvest time; rigorous agronomic studies are needed to standardize cultivation and extraction.



Dosage, toxicity and potential interactions with conventional drugs remain largely untested in humans. Well-designed clinical trials - randomized, placebo-controlled and sufficiently powered - are essential if these botanicals are to earn a formal role in oncology clinics. 



Another challenge is the disconnect between traditional knowledge holders and laboratory scientists.



Ethnobotanical surveys can help bridge that gap, ensuring that leads chosen for development reflect community practices and dietary realities. 



Public-health campaigns, meanwhile, could educate physicians, pharmacists, and patients about the evidence base for plant-derived adjuncts, avoiding unsubstantiated claims while highlighting genuine benefits such as reduced side-effects or improved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-aging-physical-activity-has-a-direct-impact-on-life-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality of life</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-effective-renewable-treatments">Cost-effective, renewable treatments</h2>



If these hurdles are overcome, the payoff could be substantial. Many of the plants grow wild or are already farmed for food, implying a local, renewable supply chain. 



Extracts could be formulated as teas, capsules or functional foods, lowering barriers to access in rural areas where oncology centers are scarce.



Combining plant-based agents with lower doses of chemotherapy or radiation might retain efficacy while mitigating nausea, hair loss, and myelosuppression - side-effects that often deter patients from completing treatment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-cancer-with-plants-future-research">Fighting cancer with plants: Future research</h2>



Future research should prioritize mapping the full chemoprofile of each candidate plant. This should also include identifying synergistic combinations and unravelling pharmacokinetics in vivo. 



Genomic and metabolomic tools can accelerate the discovery of lead molecules, while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-nanotechnology-is-fighting-microplastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanotechnology</a> may enhance their bioavailability. Collaboration between Nigerian universities, pharmaceutical firms, and international cancer institutes will be vital to secure funding and regulatory approval.



Ultimately, Nigeria’s indigenous food plants harbor a rich arsenal of anticancer phytochemicals that attack tumours through multiple, complementary pathways. 



Integrated with evidence-based medicine, these botanicals could broaden the therapeutic arsenal, reduce treatment costs and bring culturally familiar options to patients. Harnessing the plants may demand careful science, but the potential rewards will justify the effort.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2024-00042" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future Integrative Medicine</a>.



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These food plants demonstrated natural anti-cancer properties in a recent study

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality across the globe...

Thornless, disease-resistant, and tastier blackberries may soon become reality. New genetic research from the University of Florida suggests major advances are coming. Farmers looking to recover from citrus declines might soon have new opportunities through blackberry production.



Blackberries have soared in popularity over the past two decades. In the United States alone, farmers now produce 37 million pounds of processed blackberries and nearly 3 million pounds of fresh berries annually.



"Overall, this study not only advances our understanding of blackberry genetics, but it sets the stage for significant improvements in blackberry breeding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-future-climate-conditions-will-transform-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">techniques</a>," noted Zhanao Deng, a researcher at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (<a href="https://ifas.ufl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UF/IFAS</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-breakthrough-for-blackberries">Genetic breakthrough for blackberries </h2>



In Florida, blackberries were produced across 702 acres on 277 farms according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture. The release of improved blackberry varieties could boost these numbers significantly.



Blackberries appeal to both health-conscious consumers and growers looking for a high-value crop. With demand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expanding</a>, the timing of genetic breakthroughs could not be better for U.S. agriculture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-first-chromosome-scale-genome">Building first chromosome-scale genome</h2>



Deng and his team at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center created the first chromosome-scale, haplotype-resolved genome for a tetraploid blackberry selection known as BL1​.



By using Oxford Nanopore sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding, they assembled a highly complete 919 megabase genome across 27 pseudochromosomes. This assembly covers more than 92% of the estimated genome length.



BL1’s genome includes 87,968 protein-coding genes. Over 82% of these have functional annotations, offering rich <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-could-soon-talk-to-farmers-and-listen-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resources</a> for breeding future cultivars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thornless-blackberries-have-special-genetics">Thornless blackberries have special genetics</h2>



Blackberries are not simple plants. Many cultivated varieties, including BL1, are tetraploid, meaning they carry four sets of chromosomes.



This genetic complexity made previous genome projects difficult. The BL1 genome, by preserving all four haplotypes, provides an unprecedented level of detail for blackberry <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>.



"The release of this tetraploid blackberry genome can contribute to more efficient and targeted breeding, ultimately leading to the development of new cultivars with enhanced fruit quality, and resistance to important diseases," Deng emphasized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thornless-blackberries-could-boost-farming">Thornless blackberries could boost farming</h2>



Thornlessness has been a key goal for breeders. Thorns complicate harvest, damage berries, and pose risks for workers. The team identified genetic regions responsible for thornlessness and studied related transcription factors​.



In addition, their research uncovered key genes regulating anthocyanin production. Anthocyanins are responsible for blackberries’ rich color and antioxidant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-earths-most-endangered-plants-from-extinction-proving-difficult-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">properties</a>.



"This finding can help us understand why blackberries develop their characteristic deep purple/black color over time and how to potentially enhance this process for more nutritious berries," Deng said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-disease-with-genetics">Fighting disease with genetics</h2>



The team also identified hundreds of disease resistance genes, particularly NLR and MLO gene families. These discoveries could help breeders develop cultivars less dependent on chemical pesticides​.



Florida growers, who often face disease challenges like orange cane blotch and leaf spot, could benefit greatly. Varieties with natural resistance would reduce production costs and lessen environmental impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thornless-blackberries-could-fruit-earlier">Thornless blackberries could fruit earlier</h2>



Another focus was on primocane fruiting, a trait allowing blackberries to fruit on first-year canes. Normally, blackberries fruit only on second-year canes.



Primocane-fruiting varieties could offer multiple harvests per year and thrive in regions with shorter growing seasons. Genes involved in this trait were mapped and analyzed, promising new possibilities for blackberry cultivation​.



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



The reference genome created by Deng’s team unlocks huge potential for improving blackberries. Through better understanding of thornlessness, disease resistance, and anthocyanin production, researchers can breed blackberries suited for diverse climates and markets.



For Florida and the southeastern United States, these advances are especially important. Local farmers could grow blackberries that are easier to manage, more resistant to disease, and highly marketable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-blackberry-genomic-research">Impact of blackberry genomic research</h2>



Blackberries are a $519 million fresh import industry for the United States alone. Globally, over 900,000 metric tons of blackberries are produced annually​.



This research not only benefits Florida but could reshape blackberry production worldwide. Better berries mean better profits for growers and healthier options for consumers.



With genomics leading the way, a thornless, disease-resistant, and tastier blackberry future looks closer than ever.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/hr/article/12/6/uhaf052/8020809" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horticulture Research</a>.



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Blackberries may soon be thornless, thanks to genetic breakthroughs

Thornless, disease-resistant, and tastier blackberries may soon become reality. New...

For the first time, scientists have shown that global warming has overtaken every other human-caused pressure on wildlife protected by the Endangered Species Act. 



Drawing on a new analysis of 2,766 at-risk plants and animals across the United States and its territories, researchers report that 91 percent of federally listed species are now harmed by symptoms of climate change including rising temperatures, shifting rainfall, and other climate-linked disruptions.



“With the addition of comprehensive climate sensitivity data, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> is just as prevalent a stressor to ESA-listed species as land and sea use change; this trend likely applies more broadly as well,” the authors wrote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-threats-to-endangered-species">Climate threats to endangered species</h2>



The study, led by <a href="https://defenders.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Defenders of Wildlife</a> scientist Talia E. Niederman, set out to determine how the five dominant drivers of biodiversity loss - climate change, land and sea use change, pollution, invasive species and overexploitation - interact across taxonomic groups.



Previous national syntheses relied heavily on the threats listed in original ESA documents or in the global <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN Red List</a>, both of which can lag behind current knowledge. To correct that shortfall, the team merged those data with a suite of recent climate-sensitivity assessments that evaluate species’ exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to warming.



Incorporating this third layer revealed thousands of cases in which climate stress had gone unreported, vaulting global warming to the top of the threat ledger. 



The researchers caution that historical listing decisions and many IUCN accounts vastly underrepresent the number of species affected by climate change and urge agencies to explicitly include climate sensitivity in ESA listing decisions and management plans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cascading-risks-for-endangered-species">Cascading risks for endangered species</h2>



Although climate change now dominates, it is rarely acting alone. Over 86 percent of the species in the data set face two or more of the five drivers at once, creating dangerous feedbacks that can accelerate decline.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/without-tackling-climate-change-coral-restoration-efforts-are-insufficient/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corals</a> and other cnidarians are hit by an average of almost five threats each, while bivalves and amphibians typically contend with more than three. Habitat conversion remains the number-one menace to freshwater organisms, whereas marine species suffer most from overexploitation.



Overall, land and sea use change still endangers 82 percent of U.S. imperiled species, and invasive species trouble more than half. Pollution and direct exploitation each jeopardize roughly a third, but their true influence may be larger because both pressures are chronically under-documented.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-numbers-stack-up"><a></a>How the numbers stack up</h2>



Among terrestrial vertebrates, 75 percent of birds, 92 percent of mammals and 83 percent of reptiles are already affected by a warmer, less predictable climate. Freshwater groups are equally vulnerable: 88 percent of assessed fish and 75 percent of amphibians show high sensitivity to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-will-cut-world-gdp-by-a-staggering-40-percent-if-nothing-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a> or hydrological shifts.



Even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-how-climate-change-will-alter-plant-growth-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> taxa, sometimes assumed to be more buffered, reveal striking exposure, with nearly 78 percent of flowering plants and over 90 percent of conifers triggered under at least one climate-sensitivity metric.



By contrast, initial ESA listings cited climate threats for fewer than half of these groups, and the IUCN captured only about a quarter, largely because many U.S. species have never been reassessed under the Red List’s newer climate criteria.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-need-for-updated-assessments"><a></a>Urgent need for updated assessments</h2>



The authors highlight glaring information gaps: echinoderms, corals, and mollusks suffer from outdated or missing IUCN evaluations, while federal five-year reviews - required under the ESA - often arrive late or omit emerging climate data.



Without current assessments, managers can underestimate extinction risk and fail to deploy adaptive conservation tools such as assisted migration, habitat corridors or proactive fire management. 



Expanding rapid, standardized climate-vulnerability screenings, they argue, would give agencies a clearer map of where limited resources can do the most good.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-policy-pathways-to-prevention"><a></a>Policy pathways to prevention</h2>



Even under today’s daunting statistics, the team stresses that decisive action can still prevent losses. They recommend targeting the full suite of human pressures at once - curbing greenhouse-gas emissions while also restoring degraded habitats, controlling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/growing-threat-of-invasive-species-requires-immediate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a>, reducing pollution and enforcing sustainable harvests.



Doing so, they contend, will yield co-benefits for people, from safeguarding fisheries and water supplies to buffering communities from extreme weather. 



"We need no further research to know that biodiversity is facing multiple persistent threats. Addressing the five drivers of biodiversity loss promptly across all affected taxa will be critical to preventing further extinction," the researchers concluded. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-climate-affects-endangered-species">How climate affects endangered species</h2>



The findings arrive as the United States prepares its first National Nature Assessment, a report intended to guide conservation investment through the mid-century. 



By demonstrating that climate change has already become the most pervasive danger for endangered species, the new study provides a sobering benchmark - and a potent call to integrate climate adaptation into every level of species recovery planning. 



Whether policymakers heed that call may determine how many of today’s imperiled species can still be saved for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biaf019/8115311?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth System Dynamics</a>.



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Climate change is the largest threat to U.S. endangered species

For the first time, scientists have shown that global warming...

Imagine walking through a field where plants could tell farmers when they’re thirsty. Imagine farmers signaling back, warning their crops about an incoming dry spell so they could start conserving water. This idea, once confined to science fiction, is now a growing reality.



Researchers at the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> have taken a huge step toward making plant communication a two-way street. 



The team's latest study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, unlocks a century-old mystery about how plants internally signal stress.



This breakthrough offers new possibilities for developing plants that not only "talk" to people but also respond to specific environmental cues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-talk-through-signals">Plants talk through signals</h2>



Inside every plant, negative pressure holds <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/its-the-timing-of-water-that-matters-to-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> within its stems, roots, and leaves. This balance keeps them healthy, especially during dry conditions. 



When stressors disturb this pressure, it sets off a movement in the plant's internal fluids. These motions then carry mechanical and chemical signals throughout the plant to help restore balance.



"We are trying to build a foundational knowledge of understanding how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-complex-biochemical-communication-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication in plants</a> happens," said Vesna Bacheva, a postdoctoral associate at CROPPS and a Schmidt Science Fellow. 



"Our framework provides a mechanistic understanding of what drives signals from one place to another and explains how mechanical and chemical signals could propagate."



Bacheva works alongside Abe Stroock, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, and Margaret Frank, associate professor of plant biology.



"It's a very important step forward in an area that is surprisingly nascent in terms of true mechanistic understanding," noted Stroock.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solving-a-mystery-from-over-100-years-ago">Solving a mystery from over 100 years ago</h2>



Scientists have long debated how plants send <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sensors-monitor-the-health-of-plants-by-interpreting-distress-signals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distress signals</a>. Some believed they used hormones or chemicals, while others thought mechanical forces were at play. Until now, a clear answer remained elusive.



The Cornell team developed a predictive model that explains how pressure changes within a plant can transmit both mechanical and chemical signals. Their work shows that the plant's vascular system - a series of pressurized tubes - plays a key role.



When a plant is wounded, such as when a caterpillar chews on a leaf, the pressure changes. This shift can cause a mass flow of water that carries stress chemicals to distant parts of the plant. These chemicals might, for example, prompt the plant to produce a toxic acid that fends off insects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressure-calcium-and-defense-responses">Pressure, calcium, and defense responses</h2>



Beyond carrying chemicals, pressure changes might also open mechanosensitive channels near the plant’s vasculature.



 When these channels open, they release ions like calcium. A surge of calcium, known as a calcium flux, could trigger defensive genes to activate.



The team’s findings suggest a coordinated system in which mechanical forces and chemical signals work hand in hand. This discovery gives scientists new tools to think about how to enhance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-sophisticated-defense-system-when-pathogens-attack/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants' natural defenses</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-that-talk-and-listen">Plants that talk and listen</h2>



"We are trying to develop reporter plants that will tell us what they're experiencing at the moment," Bacheva said. These experimental organisms might change color when they are thirsty. Others might glow under special lights when they experience stress.



The vision doesn’t stop there. Future systems could allow farmers to send signals to their crops. For example, a farmer could alert plants about upcoming dry conditions, prompting them to ration their water.



"We're at a point at CROPPS where we are simultaneously investigating the molecular biology, biophysics, engineering design and integration toward agronomic reality with brand-new concepts and technologies," Stroock said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-step-toward-smarter-healthier-farms">A step toward smarter, healthier farms</h2>



The ability for plants to send and receive signals opens up exciting possibilities for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birth-of-farming-driven-by-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farming</a>. If they can tell farmers exactly when they need help, it could lead to healthier crops and less wasted resources. 



Farmers might be able to act faster, water more efficiently, and protect them before problems get worse.



The researchers hope this new understanding will inspire even more ways to connect with plants in the future. As the science moves forward, the dream of truly smart, responsive farms - where plants and people work together - feels closer than ever.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2422692122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Plants could soon 'talk' to farmers - and listen too

Imagine walking through a field where plants could tell farmers...

Humans have depended on baker’s yeast for thousands of years. They used it to produce bread, wine, and other fermented goods as early as 7000 BCE.&nbsp; Recent work at the <a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> uncovers how this tiny organism might hold a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-bakers-yeast-have-similar-dna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">record</a> of past human movement.



The study was led by Douda Bensasson, an associate professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Plant Biology at the University of Georgia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-found-in-kitchens-and-forests">Yeast found in kitchens and forests</h2>



Scientists have found yeast living both in food production settings and in wild habitats. The researchers discovered that wild types from certain forests show <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0030-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic differences</a> from those usually associated with baking or winemaking.



“We are seeing distinct subpopulations within continents,” said Jacqueline J. Peña, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Plant Biology.



She explained that evidence points to some wild yeast types mingling with those associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-discovery-anadoluvius-turkae-suggests-humans-originated-in-europe-not-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humans</a>, even though they still maintain separate traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-migration-mirrors-human-farming">Yeast migration mirrors human farming</h2>



Migration patterns often bring to mind ancient journeys of large mammals. Yeast appears to have followed a similar <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16103919/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">timeline</a>, but on an invisible scale.



“But to our surprise, we found that it roughly coincided with the last ice age, which is around the time that humans were starting to grow their own food and spreading farming around the world,” said Bensasson. 



She noted that this timeline could suggest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prediction-how-and-when-humans-and-mammals-will-face-next-mass-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people</a> helped scatter microscopic travelers without knowing it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humans-unknowingly-carried-yeast">Humans unknowingly carried yeast</h2>



The scientists traced certain genetic markers in yeast to see if strains in America might have come from other regions.



The results showed that some forest populations in North America share a close link to those in Asia, while others in Europe also appear to have origins outside local woodlands.



This picture hints that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-chapter-in-human-evolution-revealed-through-genetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people</a> have carted microbes along with food and supplies for centuries. It also reveals how a single-celled organism can adapt to bark and soil while staying genetically distinct from domestic varieties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-vineyard-rescue">Historic vineyard rescue</h2>



A major clue about how humans moved yeast lies in 19th-century Europe. Vineyards suffered from Phylloxera, an insect accidentally introduced from North America that devastated grapes in places like France.



Workers <a href="https://archive.org/details/botanistvintnerh0000camp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">saved</a> the wine industry by bringing hardy rootstock from the southern United States. This decision likely introduced American yeast into European soils, where it now coexists with local strains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-of-yeast-in-the-forest">Secrets of yeast in the forest</h2>



This study pushes back against the tidy line we often draw between wild and domestic life. 



Humans show that microbes like yeast don’t stay neatly categorized - they move, mix, and adapt in ways that blur the boundaries we expect.



When North American yeast appeared in European forests, it didn’t just mean new DNA in new places. It revealed that even wild spaces aren't untouched. What looks natural might carry a quiet legacy of global trade, human survival strategies, and forgotten agricultural fixes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worries-about-modern-shifts">Worries about modern shifts</h2>



The researchers fear that current global trade, travel, and agricultural methods might speed up yeast relocation. They suspect unintentional transport could alter local ecosystems in ways we still do not fully grasp.



“If humans, without intending to, were moving microbes around thousands of years ago, just think about all the stuff that we are doing now. We may be changing all kinds of things without knowing it. And I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but it’s a little worrying that we have no idea what we’re doing,” said Bensasson.&nbsp;



Scholars want to keep mapping these microscopic footprints. They believe it might uncover more interactions between human habits and the natural world.



Future studies could focus on other corners of the globe where microbes remain understudied. Research on overlooked strains may reveal even more about how such organisms follow humanity’s path across different landscapes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-reveals-human-nature-connection">Yeast reveals human-nature connection</h2>



Although tree-borne yeast strains often stay isolated, these lineages can occasionally merge with domestic cousins. Some leaps across oceans happened without notice, spreading yeast populations that now stick to bark or hide in grapevines.



Tracking them sheds light on the entwined story of people and the species we carry. Each forest sampling reveals new details about an ongoing shuffle between wild and cultivated environments.



Yeast research brings a fresh perspective to ancient migrations and modern agricultural practices. The way yeast shows up in unexpected places illustrates how small life forms can roam far when humans are on the move.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.17669" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Ecology</a>.



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Yeast in forests reveals a story of ancient human migration

Humans have depended on baker’s yeast for thousands of years....

Mother,And,Her,Daughter,Planting,Tree,Together,In,Garden

We already know that living near trees, parks, and green spaces is good for pregnant mothers and babies - and now, new trees might matter just as much. Recent research adds another layer to our understanding about the health benefits of nearby greenery. 



Scientists have found that even newly planted trees - not just mature ones - may improve birth outcomes. The study was led by researchers at <a href="https://drexel.edu/academics/grad-professional-programs/pubhealth?q&amp;sortBy=relevance&amp;page=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-and-birth-outcomes">Trees and birth outcomes</h2>



The researchers used a special dataset from Portland, Oregon. Between 1990 and 2020, the nonprofit group "Friends of Trees" planted more than 36,000 trees across the city. The team linked this information with birth data from the Oregon Health Authority, covering births from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020.



They recorded the number of new trees that had been planted within 100 meters (330 feet) of a mother's home during the last 10 years. They also looked at existing tree cover and road density in those areas.



By controlling for other important factors like a mother's race, body mass index (BMI), education level, and whether it was her first pregnancy, the researchers were able to focus on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-planting-campaigns-fall-short-of-successful-reforestation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact</a> of tree planting itself. Their findings showed a strong connection between increased number of trees and healthier babies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-trees-help-babies-grow-stronger">New trees help babies grow stronger</h2>



Each tree planted within 100 meters of a mother's home within the last 10 years was associated with a 2.3-gram (0.08-ounce) increase in birthweight. While this might sound small, the researchers stress that the impact adds up.



“Although there is benefit from well-established trees, we’re finding that newly planted trees are also associated with healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fathers-have-a-surprising-influence-on-their-babys-birth-weight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birth weight</a>,” said senior author Yvonne Michael, a professor and interim chair in the Dornsife School of Public Health. 



“This is another data point showing that planting trees is a relatively easy and low-cost way to improve public health from the earliest stages of a life.”



Living near at least 10 trees was tied to about a 50-gram (1.8-ounce) increase in birthweight. However, the researchers noted that the benefit seemed to level off after reaching 10 nearby trees.



“Fifty grams may not seem like a lot, but if every baby in our sample gained 50 grams at birth, that means 642 fewer babies considered small for gestational age, and at higher risk for worse development later in life,” said Professor Michael. She explained that 2,879 babies in the study were diagnosed as small for gestational age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hidden-power-of-older-trees">The hidden power of older trees</h2>



While newly planted trees showed benefits, older trees might offer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/old-growth-trees-more-tolerant-to-drought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">even more</a>. The researchers suggest that mature trees may provide psychological comfort that newly planted ones cannot yet match.



Stress is a well-known risk factor for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-increased-premature-birth-risk-by-60/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">premature birth</a> and other poor health outcomes. Older trees can create an environment of “soft fascination,” a calming effect described in previous studies. This kind of natural calm can counter the mentally draining features of urban buildings and infrastructure.



“It’s rare to have detailed information on large-scale tree plantings for research,” said Professor Michael. “Existing tree cover is often closely tied to factors like income, education, and race, making it difficult to fully account for other possible explanations when studying birth outcomes."



"By focusing on newly planted trees, we were able to reduce the bias - essentially treating it as a natural experiment. Plus, we observed the improvements in birth outcomes after trees were planted, establishing temporal order.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-and-traffic-pollution">Trees and traffic pollution </h2>



The study also found that existing trees - but not new ones - helped reduce some of the negative effects of living near dense road networks. Older trees with developed canopies may do a better job blocking road noise and filtering out <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/specific-air-pollutants-linked-to-asthma-attacks-in-urban-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollutants</a>, both of which can harm newborn health.



Interestingly, the researchers noticed that birthweights in the area generally decreased over the study period. However, they believe this decline was likely tied to external factors like rising temperatures and wildfire smoke, not to a lack of trees.



Their data also showed that race, education level, and the existing tree canopy were not linked to the locations where new trees were planted. This helps strengthen the study’s findings by ruling out some potential biases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-trees-healthier-babies">More trees, healthier babies?</h2>



While the study presents strong evidence linking tree planting to better birth outcomes, it is not absolute proof. The researchers point out that a randomized controlled trial would be needed to confirm cause and effect.



Still, the results offer some of the best real-world data we have so far. The new findings build on earlier studies by the same researchers, including a 2013 study that found the loss of millions of trees to an invasive pest was tied to more deaths from heart disease and respiratory illness.



This growing body of evidence suggests that planting trees isn’t just good for the environment - it could be one of the simplest ways to boost public health, starting before a baby is even born.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969725008642?via%3Dihub">Science of the Total Environment</a>.



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Planting new trees brings hope for healthier babies

We already know that living near trees, parks, and green...

Rising temperatures may influence a hidden battle happening in the muddy soils of wetlands. This quiet struggle pits microbes that produce methane against those that consume it. 



With climate change intensifying, the natural balance that keeps methane levels in check could start to unravel. In a recent study, researchers at the <a href="https://g.co/kgs/AvuZsZx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Environmental Research Center</a> have explored this phenomenon.



While wetlands are known for removing carbon dioxide (CO₂), they’re also the world’s largest natural source of methane - a gas that packs far more heat-trapping power. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-beneath-the-wetlands">Conflict beneath the wetlands</h2>



The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that 19% of global warming can be attributed to methane. This highlights the significance of understanding how wetlands behave under a changing climate.



“If there is a large amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-10-global-methane-emissions-hotspots-spotted-by-satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane emissions</a> from wetlands, and if we don’t know anything about that, then our carbon reduction target for mitigating climate change is going to be off track in the future,” said study lead author Jaehyun Lee.



Wetland soils host two kinds of microbes. One group produces <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-methane-emissions-threaten-earths-habitability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane</a>, a greenhouse gas up to 45 times more potent than carbon dioxide. 



The other group consumes it, converting methane into CO₂ using oxygen. This process is one of nature’s most important ways of slowing climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-in-flooded-wetlands">Microbes in flooded wetlands</h2>



The study focused on a special kind of microbe that lives in oxygen-free, or anaerobic, environments. These microbes are common in flooded wetlands. 



For a long time, scientists believed they couldn’t remove methane because of the lack of oxygen. Even after discovering that anaerobic microbes could use sulfate molecules to consume methane, their role was considered minor.



“They thought that the anaerobic methane [consumption] process is going to be too slow to remove a significant amount of methane,” Lee said.



But that assumption didn’t hold up. Most methane is produced in low-oxygen zones - exactly where these anaerobic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-have-emerged-as-major-source-of-methane-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a> live.



In the studied wetland, these microbes removed about 12% of the methane. In saltier environments, with more sulfate, that number jumped to 70 percent. Then the team turned up the heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-carbon-dioxide-and-temperatures">Rising carbon dioxide and temperatures </h2>



The researchers ran an experiment at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland called SMARTX - Salt Marsh Accretion Response to Temperature eXperiment.



Using infrared lamps and underground cables, they warmed certain parts of the wetland by 5.1°C. In some plots, they also increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-carbon-dioxide-travels-in-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> to mimic a more realistic future.



“You’re never going to get a warmer world without also having higher CO₂ in the atmosphere. What SMARTX is doing is trying to mimic that warmer world, with the aboveground and belowground heating,” said Genevieve Noyce, senior scientist at SERC. 



“But because that’s not going to happen independent of CO₂, we also cross it with CO₂, so we have a real future that has both.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane-production-in-warmer-wetlands">Methane production in warmer wetlands </h2>



As temperatures rose, methane emissions spiked. But not because the methane-consuming microbes weakened. In fact, they worked harder and removed more methane. 



The problem? The methane producers became even more active. The methane consumers simply couldn’t keep up.



The kind of plant growing in the soil made a big difference. In plots dominated by thick sedges, methane emissions rose nearly fourfold. In areas with smaller grasses, the increase was only about 1.5 times.



Higher carbon dioxide levels eased the increase, but didn’t erase it. In sedge-heavy plots, emissions doubled instead of quadrupling when both CO₂ and heat were added. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-with-bigger-roots">Plants with bigger roots</h2>



The researchers think this happens because CO₂ helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autophagy-what-makes-plant-roots-grow-faster-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants grow bigger roots</a>. More roots lead to more oxygen entering the soil, which supports the methane-consuming microbes.



“Warming is going to have a really big effect on increasing methane emissions,” Noyce said. “But when you add elevated CO₂, it kind of brings it back down a little bit.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane-production-across-wetlands">Methane production across wetlands</h2>



This isn't just a one-time event. In 2021, the same team found a similar pattern in oxygen-rich soils. Warmer conditions made methane-producing microbes outpace those that remove it. It’s a trend that could affect wetlands all over the world.



Still, the researchers emphasized that wetlands are worth protecting. They provide vital <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-wetlands-are-a-powerful-weapon-against-flooding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defense against storms and flooding</a>. They also lock away carbon in soil and plants. One acre of coastal wetland can store more carbon than an acre of tropical rainforest.



“There is great value in protecting and restoring coastal wetlands to benefit climate, especially when we consider the many ecosystem services they provide to people,” said Pat Megonigal, senior author and associate director of research at SERC.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-the-future">Preparing for the future</h2>



Looking ahead, policymakers need better data to prepare for the future. Knowing how much methane wetlands will emit in coming decades is key to hitting climate targets. 



The scientists stress that climate change isn’t just about warmer air - it’s also about tiny microbial processes that could quietly shift the balance of greenhouse gases.



“We also have to consider, how is climate change going to affect these delicate microbial processes, such as methane oxidation and methane production?” Lee said.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads6093" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Wetlands are a hidden source of rising methane emissions

Rising temperatures may influence a hidden battle happening in the...

Forests are one of Earth’s greatest natural defenses against climate change. They absorb carbon dioxide, regulate rainfall, and shelter a huge portion of the planet’s biodiversity. 



Yet for all their importance, large parts of the world’s forests remain poorly understood and hard to monitor - even with the help of space technology - and they remain vulnerable to both natural and human-driven change.



Until recently, forest monitoring relied heavily on ground teams manually measuring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a>, mapping biodiversity, and estimating carbon stored in different ecosystems. These efforts, though essential, are slow, labor-intensive, and often constrained by difficult terrain or limited funding.



Now, a breakthrough is underway. The tools of modern space science are being directed toward Earth’s forests like never before. This marks the beginning of what scientists call the "forest space age" - a bold, global effort to transform our understanding of forests from above.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-forest-carbon-from-space">Tracking forest carbon from space</h2>



On April 29, the European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>) will launch the Biomass mission. It will carry the first P-band radar into space, capable of seeing through dense forest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canopies</a>. This satellite is expected to revolutionize how we estimate forest structure and carbon storage.



P-band radar technology stands out because it can detect elements of forests that other sensors miss. It reaches past the leafy treetops and captures detailed information about trunks, stems, and branches — the key areas where trees hold carbon.



Biomass won’t be alone for long. Soon, the US–India <a href="https://nisar.jpl.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NISAR mission</a> will join it. This satellite carries an L-band synthetic aperture radar that complements Biomass’s P-band data. 



Together, these missions will offer a multi-layered picture of forests. Add to that NASA’s GEDI lidar aboard the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Space Station</a>, the Copernicus Sentinel-1’s C-band radar, and more missions in the pipeline, and the result is a powerful suite of tools monitoring forests from orbit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-forests-with-satellites">Monitoring forests with satellites </h2>



Never before have so many instruments been trained on Earth’s forests at once. These satellites are not just capturing snapshots. They provide consistent, global-scale monitoring over time, allowing scientists to detect patterns and trends in forest health, loss, and growth.



ESA’s Climate Change Initiative’s Biomass Project is already using this wealth of data to analyze long-term forest changes. 



By integrating historical and current satellite data, the project delivers a clear view of how biomass has changed year after year. This time-series approach reveals shifts in forest dynamics and provides essential input for climate models.



When satellite data is used together with global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-undisturbed-forests-support-greater-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> projections, it enables better predictions of how forests will react to temperature shifts, droughts, or human pressures. The scale and depth of data now available were once unthinkable. Yet space technology alone cannot give us the full picture.



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



Despite their reach and resolution, satellites can’t do everything. They can't directly measure biomass or recognize plant species from above. Tropical forests, for instance, are home to staggering biodiversity. This complexity makes it hard for remote sensors to categorize forest types or species without help.



“Even the most advanced satellite can’t tell a mahogany from a Brazil nut tree without help from the ground, and there are more than ten thousand tree species in the Amazon alone,” said Professor Oliver Phillips from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a>.



Ground-based science is still vital. Forest ecologists and botanists work in jungles, swamps, and mountain forests to collect the details satellites miss. They measure tree height, diameter, species type, and carbon density, all while navigating unpredictable and sometimes dangerous conditions. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-rely-on-space-technology">Forests rely on space technology</h2>



To make sure that space-based data reflects reality, scientists compare it with direct measurements from the ground. This process, called ground validation, is particularly important in tropical forests where tree diversity is high and canopy structure varies widely.



For this reason, long-term on-the-ground studies continue to play a critical role. They ensure accuracy, identify regional patterns, and help calibrate satellite instruments. Forests change slowly and subtly over time. 



Only with repeat measurements at tree level can we detect those shifts and check if the satellite data aligns with what is actually happening on the ground.



Ground validation is not just a technical necessity. It is also a scientific collaboration that stretches across borders and disciplines, bringing together ecologists, geographers, botanists, and remote sensing experts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-introducing-geo-trees">Introducing GEO-TREES</h2>



To improve this collaboration and support local expertise, scientists launched a global project called <a href="https://geo-trees.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GEO-TREES</a>. It is an initiative designed to connect remote sensing specialists with field researchers and promote balanced partnerships around the world.



“The aim of GEO-TREES is to establish a sustainable funding mechanism to support ecologists and experts working in the forest to take the tree-by-tree measurements that are needed to validate satellite data products," noted ESA’s <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Biomass" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biomass</a> Mission manager, Klaus Scipal.



“GEO-TREES will implement rigorous ground-validation protocols and push for major investments in the people behind the data – particularly in the Global South, where much of the world’s biodiversity resides.”



Through GEO-TREES, there is now an effort to formalize funding pathways for fieldwork. This helps ensure that forest scientists on the front lines have the resources, training, and recognition they need to carry out accurate and consistent data collection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-missions-and-ground-observations">Space missions and ground observations </h2>



Measuring trees, hiking through flooded forests, climbing into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canopies</a> - this is not easy work. Yet without these efforts, satellite missions would lack reliable reference points. The success of Earth observation depends on the dedication of those who live and work close to the forests.



“Satellites, such as our Biomass, offer a wealth of information to understand our changing world, but we must not forget those working tirelessly on the ground taking in situ measurements, often in difficult conditions, who allow us to have confidence in the data returned from space,” said Scipal.



That trust between space-based observation and field data is what gives global forest monitoring its strength. Both are needed, and both are now being more closely linked than ever before.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-phase-of-planetary-care">A new phase of planetary care</h2>



“The dedicated teams working in the field to collect vital ground-truth data are important to the success of our missions," added ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli.



“Their contributions help ensure that our Earth Explorer missions deliver outstanding science - science that lies at the core of our <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FutureEO programme</a>.”



As Earth faces increasing environmental pressures, forests will continue to play a critical role in regulating our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> and sustaining life. By combining the power of satellite technology with the knowledge and hard work of people on the ground, we are entering a new phase of planetary care.



The "forest space age" is more than a technological achievement. It is a worldwide collaboration between the skies and the soil, with the goal of understanding and protecting the forests we all depend on.



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Forest space age: Satellites can track canopies and carbon storage

Forests are one of Earth’s greatest natural defenses against climate...

Marine life, including algae, can present a kaleidoscope of color, sometimes produced by microstructures rather than pigments. This unique method, known as structural color, is a topic scientists have explored in creatures from fish to seaweeds.



Recent findings show that certain red <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-algae-in-lake-erie-may-be-hiding-toxic-deadly-compounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> use structural color in ways that go beyond simple aesthetics. One researcher who has observed this phenomenon for years is Hiroshi Kawai, an expert in marine biodiversity and ecology at <a href="https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kobe University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-algae-s-unexpected-color-shift">Algae’s unexpected color shift </h2>



“Being a diver, I have long been aware that some red <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-that-thrives-on-ice-plays-an-unexpected-role-in-glacier-melting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> have a much whiter appearance than their usual red when observed in water,” said Kawai. While exploring coastal waters, experts came across young shoots with a blueish tint near their tips.&nbsp;



Further sampling required specialized gear due to the algae’s fragile nature and deep location. Still, enough specimens were gathered for close inspection with advanced imaging methods.



Researchers classify Asparagopsis taxiformis in the <a href="https://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&amp;id=146314" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bonnemaisoniales</a> order, placing it among seaweeds that show diverse structures. Its delicate branches can break under minor stress, prompting careful handling techniques.



A qualified phycologist, someone who studies <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-revived-after-7000-years-beneath-the-baltic-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a>, can notice subtle traits that casual observers miss. Long hours underwater revealed more than just color variations, including the potential for chemical defenses within the tissues.



Field research in deeper zones sometimes requires special permits for scuba operations and environmental guidelines. Strict adherence to these rules ensured minimal disturbance to local ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-algae-reflect-light">How algae reflect light</h2>



Scientists observed that certain <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2006.00226.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gland cells</a> in the algae contain tightly packed spheres of reflective materials, each measuring about the same size. Uniform spheres reflect light of a single color, which explains why the tips appear blue.



As the algae mature, the sphere sizes vary and scatter multiple wavelengths of color. That color shift results in a whitish tint that can mask the original red tone.



<a href="https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/protista/rhodophyta.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rhodophyta</a>, the broader group of red algae, includes species that rely on pigments like phycoerythrin. Structural color adds another layer of visual effects beyond the red shades typically seen.



Different wavelengths bounce off micro-scale structures, producing colors without relying on traditional pigments. This phenomenon has also been recorded in certain land plants and insects.



Some marine biologists stress that structural color is often more stable than pigment-based hues. Changes in water clarity or sunlight intensity can still influence how it appears to observers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colors-protect-algae-from-predators">Colors protect algae from predators</h2>



At the site of these color shifts, researchers found <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22404468/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anti-herbivory chemicals</a> that may deter hungry fish. Some experts propose that the bright hue signals a warning, making the algae less appetizing to potential grazers.



Where the algae’s fruiting structures develop, the lighter tones may help it blend in. This trick could be beneficial in waters where vision-based predators roam.



The presence of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969721038444" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bromides</a> in certain algae species has been documented as a possible deterrent. Some analyses suggest these substances can interfere with fish digestion, encouraging them to seek meals elsewhere.



A shift in shading at different growth stages points to complex interactions between the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-algae-play-an-unexpected-role-in-cooling-the-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> and its environment. Defensive strategies might change as the algae transitions from young shoots to fruiting bodies.



Anti-herbivory strategies in algae can vary, with some relying on tough external layers instead of chemicals. The dual approach of color and substances is less common, drawing renewed interest in laboratory studies.



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



“As warm-water fish migrate further north, they might pose a significant threat to the algae there that are not protected by such coloration,” explained Kawai. 



Global warming can shift tropical fish populations into cooler regions, increasing grazing pressure on algae not prepared for such threats. 



Such color shifts could lead to reduced numbers of red algae without these visual defenses. This raises concerns about ecosystem changes in regions previously free from tropical fish.



Rising temperatures can alter marine habitats faster than some organisms can adapt. Species with built-in protective traits might outcompete those lacking similar adaptations.



Marine ecologists suggest ongoing surveys to track how expanded grazing ranges affect underwater forests of algae. In some spots, these forests also serve as shelters for small <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-emerged-zygnema-star-algae-conquer-earths-landmass/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> animals, amplifying the impact of fish movement.



Warmer conditions also affect the reproductive cycles of many algae species. Faster or altered reproductive phases can intersect with shifting fish populations, compounding the stress on these underwater communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structural-color-of-algae">Structural color of algae</h2>



Researchers from <a href="https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hokkaido University</a> contributed to the effort, hinting that structural color might be more prevalent in marine plants. Some brown algae were also found to display similar optical features in earlier work.



Such color patterns may serve multiple roles, from camouflage to signaling. Future studies may uncover additional strategies across other algae groups.



Chemical compounds linked to defense could attract interest from various industries. Discoveries about unusual pigments or reflective properties sometimes pave the way for new materials or pharmaceuticals.



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



Stronger global collaboration may spur further research on deep-water algae and their hidden qualities. Closer ties between institutions also help support the extensive fieldwork required to observe these species in their natural habitats.



Collaboration between universities offers a broader perspective on how widespread algae color phenomena may be. Sharing data across continents can reveal patterns that single-site studies might overlook.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09670262.2025.2483980" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Journal of Phycology</a>.



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Red algae use color tricks to warn fish they taste bad

Marine life, including algae, can present a kaleidoscope of color,...

Why do cats often outlast dogs? The answer may lie deep within their genes. Scientists from the University of Bath explored evolutionary patterns in mammals, uncovering how brain size and immune system complexity might hold the key to extended lifespans.



Unlike earlier studies that focused on single genes, this research highlights broader genomic changes that shape <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/124-year-old-crocodile-challenges-everything-we-know-about-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longevity</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-brains-immune-genes-and-lifespan">Bigger brains, immune genes and lifespan</h2>



The researchers examined the maximum lifespan potential (MLSP) of 46 mammal species.



They focused on the longest recorded life span in each species, eliminating factors like predation, food scarcity, and environmental stress. This approach offered a clearer view of genetic influences on longevity.



The team found that mammals with larger brains and longer lifespans carried more immune-related genes. Dolphins, with their complex cognitive abilities, can live up to 39 years. Whales, boasting even larger brains, can reach a remarkable 100 years. 



Meanwhile, mice, with much smaller brains, rarely live beyond two years. This pattern reinforces the link between cognitive complexity, immune resilience, and extended life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-genes-expand-to-boost-lifespan">Immune genes expand to boost lifespan</h2>



The researchers identified gene family size expansion as a significant predictor of MLSP in mammals.



They analyzed 4,136 gene families and discovered 236 that showed positive correlations with longevity. Most of these expanding gene families contained immune system genes, highlighting the immune system’s central role in regulating lifespan.



Body mass did not significantly impact gene family expansion. Instead, relative brain size emerged as the primary factor. 



The findings suggest that cognitive development and immune resilience may share an evolutionary path, linking brain complexity with immune function in the quest for longer life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-small-brained-animals-live-longer">Some small-brained animals live longer</h2>



Not all species followed the big brain-long life pattern. Mole rats, despite their small brains, can live up to 20 years. Bats, known for their small brain size, also exhibit extended lifespans. Researchers found that both species carried an unusually high number of immune-related genes.



This discovery raises intriguing questions: Can immune complexity offset cognitive limitations in extending lifespan? 



The data indicate that while a large brain often correlates with longevity, a sophisticated immune system might offer a different route to a longer life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-system-the-guardian-of-longevity">Immune system: The guardian of longevity</h2>



The study reveals the immune system’s crucial role in promoting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-humans-get-big-brains-fossil-teeth-reveal-new-clues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longevity</a>. By removing aging cells, managing infections, and preventing tumor growth, immune-related genes act as protectors against aging’s damaging effects.



“It’s been known for a while that relative brain size is correlated to longevity – the two characteristics have a shared evolutionary path, and having a larger brain potentially offers behavioural advantages,” noted Dr. Benjamin Padilla-Morales from the <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk/research-centres/milner-centre-for-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milner Centre for Evolution</a>.



”However, our study also highlights the surprising role of the immune system not just in fighting disease, but in supporting longer life across mammalian evolution.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-splicing-enhances-lifespan-potential">Gene splicing enhances lifespan potential</h2>



MLSP-associated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genes</a> in humans exhibited higher gene expression and increased alternative splicing. This mechanism allows a single gene to produce multiple proteins, effectively expanding its functional repertoire.



Why does this matter? In the context of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-old-are-you-really-new-tool-measures-aging-from-the-inside-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>, alternative splicing may offer an adaptive advantage. It enables cells to respond more effectively to stress, repair damage, and maintain tissue integrity. 



The findings suggest that evolutionary pressure not only favors more immune-related genes but also promotes genes capable of producing diverse proteins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lifespan-advantage-for-some-animals">A lifespan advantage for some animals</h2>



While immune genes dominated the findings, brain size remained a critical factor in determining lifespan. 



Researchers noted that species with larger brains showed both higher gene expression and more extensive gene family expansions. This pattern suggests that cognitive development and longevity share a genetic foundation.



Dolphins, for example, exhibit both advanced cognitive abilities and long lifespans, living up to 39 years. Elephants, with their complex social structures and memory capabilities, can live even longer. These examples illustrate a broader evolutionary trend: cognitive complexity and life extension often go hand-in-hand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-repair-key-longevity-mechanism">DNA repair: Key longevity mechanism</h2>



While immune genes captured the spotlight, researchers also identified significant links between MLSP and DNA repair genes. Species with extended lifespans, such as whales and elephants, exhibited notable expansions in gene families related to DNA repair.



The researchers also found that DNA repair genes exhibited higher levels of alternative splicing. 



This dual mechanism - gene family expansion and transcript diversification - may provide a multi-layered defense against cellular damage, preserving tissue function over longer lifespans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-resistance-the-next-frontier">Cancer resistance: The next frontier</h2>



The research team plans to investigate cancer-related genes further. They aim to uncover how specific genes contribute to both longevity and cancer resistance. 



By analyzing long-lived species like whales and bats, researchers hope to pinpoint genetic targets that might help mitigate cancer risk in humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-immune-genes-and-longevity">Evolution, immune genes, and longevity</h2>



The study reveals a complex evolutionary narrative. Longevity in mammals appears to hinge not only on brain size but also on immune system complexity. 



Gene family expansions, especially in immune-related genes, suggest that natural selection may have prioritized immune resilience as a critical component of extended lifespan.



The researchers propose that further exploration of cancer-related genes and DNA repair pathways may offer deeper insights into how some species achieve exceptional longevity. 



The implications extend beyond the animal kingdom, opening potential avenues for aging research in humans.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-98786-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Why do cats outlive dogs? Clues found in their genes

Why do cats often outlast dogs? The answer may lie...

It has long been accepted that dinosaurs had dwindled in numbers before the asteroid hit. Many people believed they were already on their way out, based on the fact that fewer fossils turned up from that period.



<a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/earth-sciences/people/research-staff/dr-chris-dean" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christopher Dean</a> from University College London, along with an international research team, now challenges that storyline. 



Their new study indicates that dinosaurs were not fading away prior to the asteroid’s impact, and that a biased fossil record skewed the data we’ve relied on for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revisiting-old-assumptions">Revisiting old assumptions</h2>



Previous ideas about declining dinosaur populations came from simple fossil counts. Researchers saw fewer remains toward the last part of the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/timeline/early-cretaceous/gallery.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous</a> and interpreted that as the dinosaurs’ slow fade. That conclusion stuck around for decades.



Yet these authors suggest that many fossils went undiscovered because rock layers in certain regions are difficult to access or simply not preserved. 



They point out that the world was changing in big ways, with mountain formations and receding inland seas reshaping the land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-occupancy-modeling-approach">Occupancy modeling approach</h2>



This work centers on <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780124071971/occupancy-estimation-and-modeling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">occupancy modeling</a>, an ecological method that helps scientists estimate the presence of species, even when evidence is incomplete. 



The researchers took thousands of fossil records covering hadrosaurs, ceratopsians, ankylosaurids, and tyrannosaurids. They then calculated how likely it was to find traces of these animals across North America.



The results were surprising. Instead of confirming a genuine decline in dinosaur variety, the team found that the apparent reduction lined up with spots where fossils had a slim chance of surviving or being unearthed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-numbers-looked-off">Why the numbers looked off</h2>



The study singled out geological factors as the real culprits behind the missing dinosaur evidence. Changes in land elevation and the retreat of a shallow sea reduced places where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jaw-fossil-reveals-fruit-eating-mammal-from-the-dinosaur-age/">dinosaur</a> bones could be buried and preserved. 



Much of that land is now covered by vegetation, buildings, or other features that hide potential fossil sites.



The researchers learned that certain dinosaur groups seemed to be more easily detected than others. Some, like the duck-billed hadrosaurs, might show up better in formations we’ve explored. 



Others, like the armored ankylosaurids, often turned up less, possibly because their favored habitats didn’t fossilize so well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-extinction">Rethinking extinction</h2>



This fresh perspective also implies that dinosaurs were not globally struggling before the asteroid impact. They appear to have maintained strong populations up until a <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.208.4448.1095" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">catastrophic event</a> ended everything at once. 



If the asteroid had missed Earth, it’s possible that these creatures might have continued to do just fine for a much longer stretch of time.



By focusing on areas where remains had little chance to form fossils, the investigators highlight how easily scientists can be misled by blank spots in the data. 



The old narrative of dinosaurs in gradual decline could be more a reflection of Earth’s changing terrain than of genuine biological trends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-outlook-on-extinction-risk">An outlook on extinction risk</h2>



These findings show that surviving or vanishing isn’t always tied to a group’s natural trajectory. Sometimes it’s a wild card event, like an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-that-once-threatened-earth-may-target-the-moon/">asteroid collision</a>, that seals a species’ fate. The difference between lasting millions more years and disappearing overnight might boil down to pure luck.



This insight resonates with discussions around present-day biodiversity. Many modern species could be widespread and healthy, yet vulnerable to sudden environmental disasters. Fossil records teach us that success can flip to extinction if a global-scale shock arrives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-past-and-present">Bridging past and present</h2>



Scientists are now more cautious when interpreting gaps in ancient records. The notion of consistent and smooth data through time is flawed. 



Much like detectives, paleontologists have to piece together scattered clues, aware that some bits are missing or distorted.



Occupancy modeling and related methods give researchers a sharper toolset. They can spot hidden patterns that once escaped notice, reshaping our view of iconic events such as the dinosaur die-off.



It appears that dinosaurs were thriving until the sky quite literally fell on them. The mismatch between earlier fossil counts and the true state of dino populations may indicate a biased rock record. 



By accounting for that bias, the team provides a picture of a world that was still teeming with dinosaur life right up to the final curtain.



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



This study opens the door for broader use of occupancy modeling in paleontology. By estimating how likely it is to detect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-animals-become-fossils-while-others-just-disappear/">fossils</a> under different conditions, scientists can now better separate real biological changes from sampling artifacts. 



That help will help sharpen the accuracy of diversity estimates across different regions and time periods.



Going forward, this approach could reshape how researchers investigate other extinction events or global biodiversity shifts. 



If similar sampling biases exist elsewhere in the fossil record, entire chapters of Earth’s history might need to be rewritten through this updated lens.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00310-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982225003100%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Study claims that dinosaurs thrived until the asteroid hit, debunking decades of accepted beliefs

It has long been accepted that dinosaurs had dwindled in...

For decades, farming has chipped away at insect biodiversity, often in ways less obvious than bulldozing forests. Frequent mowing, pesticide use, and habitat loss converge to create a hostile landscape for countless insect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pests-are-moving-to-cooler-regions-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>.



Now, a research team from the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (<a href="https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JMU</a>) has thrown new light on just how severe the damage really is.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insect-decline-in-farmlands">Insect decline in farmlands</h2>



In Bavaria, a team led by Professor Jörg Müller wanted to look past assumptions. From forests to farmland, the researchers studied 400 insect families. But they didn’t just count what they saw.



They used DNA metabarcoding - a technique that scans genetic material from environmental samples. Combined with precise statistical tools, this allowed the team to detect not only the insects themselves but also the hidden patterns in their decline.



The results, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, revealed a stark contrast between agricultural and near-natural habitats. What they found changes the story on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-still-disappearing-and-there-are-hundreds-of-reasons-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect</a> loss - and sharpens its urgency.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-and-insect-diversity">Farming and insect diversity</h2>



The researchers used Malaise traps to catch insects from a range of environments. Farmland samples, surprisingly, gave the clearest data. 



These landscapes, open and simplified, make it easier to catch and identify insect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/very-little-is-known-about-99-of-all-insects-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>. Yet even with this advantage, the results were grim.



After adjusting for how completely each sample captured the existing diversity, the researchers recorded a 44 percent decline in total insect species diversity on farmland. 



This isn’t a seasonal dip. It’s a structural collapse, cutting across species lines. Farmland has become less of a home for insects and more of a barrier to their survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unseen-collapse-in-insects">Unseen collapse in insects</h2>



Counting species wasn’t enough. The team introduced a new method to standardize how completely each habitat’s insect community had been sampled. That meant creating fair comparisons across very different environments.



They filtered out sequencing errors, focused on real trends in species presence, and sharpened the lens on insect biodiversity. 



The method accounted for both how many different kinds of insects were present (taxonomic diversity) and how distantly related those insects were from one another (phylogenetic diversity).



What they saw was not just fewer insects - but fewer kinds of insect lineages, going back through evolutionary time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-erases-insect-history">Farming erases insect history</h2>



When insects disappear, ecosystems don’t just lose pollinators or prey. They lose deep genetic history. The JMU team found nearly a 30% reduction in evolutionary diversity in farmland <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-populations-dramatically-declining-around-the-world-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a>.



This means entire branches of the insect family tree are vanishing - lineages shaped over millions of years, wiped away in a few decades. Such a loss affects ecosystem resilience, narrowing the genetic pool that might once have buffered against future environmental shifts.



"This study underscores the urgent need for biodiversity-sensitive land use. A continued decline in insect diversity could have far-reaching consequences for the health and stability of ecosystems," stated Dr. Mareike Kortmann, the study’s lead author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-crisis-in-agriculture">Biodiversity crisis in agriculture</h2>



Forests and semi-natural habitats still support varied insect life. They offer shade, cover, and food webs rich with interactions. Agricultural lands, in contrast, have become biodiversity hotspots in reverse. Instead of buzzing life, they teem with absence.



Dominant insect species - those you’d expect to be hardy survivors - are dropping fastest in taxonomic diversity. 



Meanwhile, rare species face a deeper erasure. Their entire evolutionary lineages are disappearing. Farmland is not just hostile to insects. It’s selectively erasing their past, present, and future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-action-needed-for-insects">Action needed for insects</h2>



This study introduced a powerful new toolkit for understanding insect decline and extinction. By combining genetic analysis, statistical rigor, and evolutionary context, researchers can now draw a clearer map of biodiversity loss and fragmentation.



But the view it reveals is bleak. Knowing more means little if it doesn’t drive action. The researchers call for focused conservation efforts - especially in farmlands where both common and rare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-of-farming-insect-waste-reshapes-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> edge closer to disappearance.



They have made the warning unmistakable. The question now: will we change course before the silence spreads?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.2927" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Modern farming is causing many insect species to collapse

For decades, farming has chipped away at insect biodiversity, often...

Hummingbirds normally patrol the scarlet blooms of the western United States, sipping nectar and carrying pollen from one monkeyflower to the next.



Yet along the outer edges of that crimson range botanists once noticed something odd: scattered stands of Mimulus cardinalis and Mimulus verbenaceus (two monkeyflower species) had traded their fiery petals for butter-yellow ones.



Earlier fieldwork hinted that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-show-surprising-adept-teamwork-skills/">bumblebees</a>, not hummingbirds, seemed drawn to these rare morphs, but decades ago researchers lacked the genomic and biochemical tools to learn why.



A team led by Kelsey Byers at the <a href="https://www.jic.ac.uk/">John Innes Center</a> has now reopened the case. In a recent study, the group combined controlled pollinator trials, floral chemistry, and comparative genetics. 



The findings reveal how color, scent, and shape interact when a plant begins shifting from one pollination strategy to another. Researchers documented an adaptive walk - evolution’s slow path from ancestral traits to new ecological niches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-prefer-a-yellow-color">Bees prefer a yellow color</h2>



Inside climate-regulated glasshouses, the researchers offered captive bumblebees paired arrays of yellow and red flowers from both species.



The insects showed a clear preference, visiting yellow twice as often as red. 



Chemical analysis then uncovered a clue: the yellow morphs emitted higher volumes of volatile compounds, a likely adaptation because bees, unlike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbirds-have-an-incredible-strategy-to-survive-food-shortages/">hummingbirds</a>, rely heavily on scent when foraging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-struggle-despite-color">Bees struggle despite color</h2>



Color and fragrance alone do not guarantee reproductive success. High-speed video revealed that bees wrestled awkwardly with the tubular corollas, structures sculpted through millennia of hummingbird visitation.



Many bees tore the delicate petals while probing for nectar and often failed to brush against the floral reproductive organs, a prerequisite for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/">pollen</a> transfer. As a result, the bees’ frequent visits did not translate into efficient pollination.



The researchers interpret this mismatch as evidence that the yellow monkeyflowers represent an early stage in the switch from bird to bee service: color mutation and heightened scent have arisen first, but corolla architecture has yet to catch up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-genes-same-traits">Different genes, same traits</h2>



A long-standing question was whether the yellow trait in the two Mimulus species emerged through the same molecular pathway. The team’s genomic scans show the answer is partly yes and partly no.



Both species boosted yellow and orange carotenoid pigments by changes to the same suite of genes, a textbook example of convergent evolution. Yet other alterations - loss of red anthocyanin pigments and shifts in scent chemistry - arose through different genetic tweaks in each lineage.



“Even though these species are closely related, they have followed different paths to the same endpoint for many of their traits,” Byers said.



“We have identified ways that flowers can change and affect pollinator visitation, as well as some genetic pathways that can underlie these changes and how they have evolved in different but closely related species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-timeline-for-trait-evolution">A timeline for trait evolution</h2>



Because floral color strongly influences pollinator choice, mutations in pigment genes may surface first during a pollinator shift. Secondary adjustments, such as boosted scent emission or re-shaped petals, could then fine-tune the interaction.



The Mimulus data support that sequence. Large-effect color mutations preceded subtler changes in odor bouquet, while corolla morphology still lags behind, leaving the bee–flower fit imperfect. 



The researchers argue that this hierarchy of changes - big steps followed by smaller refinements - may be typical whenever plants embark on new mutualisms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bee-friendly-color-affects-farming">Bee-friendly color affects farming</h2>



Pollinator partnerships underpin terrestrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/">biodiversity</a> and sustain many food crops. By dissecting how wild species recalibrate those relationships, scientists gain conceptual tools for conservation and agriculture.



“By understanding how traits evolve in the wild, we understand biodiversity better, and by understanding how these traits can be affected by plant genetics, we have the foundation of the ability to engineer traits to impact pollinator preference and thus crop yield,” Byers said.



Tuning color and scent may let breeders align crops with local pollinators, improving output without extra chemicals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-on-the-research-agenda">Next on the research agenda</h2>



The team plans gene-editing and transgenic experiments to verify the precise functions of the carotenoid biosynthesis genes that acted convergently and the anthocyanin regulators that diverged.



They are also surveying another yellow population of Mimulus cardinalis to see whether it repeated the same genetic tricks or invented new ones. Such comparative work will refine our picture of how predictable - or idiosyncratic - evolutionary innovation can be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-floral-traits-still-changing">Floral traits still changing</h2>



For now the yellow monkeyflowers stand as living waypoints on an evolutionary journey not yet complete. Bumblebees like their color and perfume, but the floral entrance still suits a hovering hummingbird more than a burrowing bee.



With time and mutations, petal tubes may evolve to guide bees directly to stamens and stigmas. Should that happen, future botanists might find a fully bee-adapted Mimulus lineage where once only hummingbirds ruled - and they will have these early studies to trace how the transformation began.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57639-3">Nature Communications</a>.



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These wildflowers changed color to attract bees

Hummingbirds normally patrol the scarlet blooms of the western United...

Snow leopards roam the vast, rugged terrains of northern India, concealed by their elusive nature. A team of researchers set out to track the snow leopard population in this region across a sprawling 59,000 km² landscape.



The comprehensive study was led by Pankaj Raina, from the <a href="https://leh.nic.in/department/wildlife-department/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Wildlife Protection</a> in Ladakh. Identifying the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopards-tracing-the-evolution-of-an-apex-predator/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">secretive cats</a> demanded meticulous research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-elusive-snow-leopards">Tracking elusive snow leopards</h2>



The researchers looked for footprints, feces, and scratch marks to spot snow leopards. They also watched for brown bears and lynx and counted wild herbivores and livestock too.



Next, 956 camera traps were deployed over 8,500 km² (3,282 square miles), strategically positioned to maximize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopards-the-carnivores-that-eat-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leopard</a> sightings.



Artificial intelligence analyzed the captured images, identifying individual snow leopards by the unique pattern of spots on their foreheads - a method aptly termed “fingerprinting.”



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



In Ladakh, researchers estimated 477 snow leopards, representing 68% of India’s total <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopard-day-2024-honoring-the-elusive-mountain-ghost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population</a>. Density varied, with 1 to 3 individuals per 100 km² (39 to 116 square miles). 



Hemis National Park stood out, showcasing the highest density of snow leopards globally. Surprisingly, 61% of Ladakh’s snow leopards coexisted with human communities. 



Grasslands rich in resources, areas with moderate climates, and complex terrains harbored higher leopard populations. Abundant prey with minimal human interference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-counting-snow-leopards">Counting snow leopards </h2>



Capturing these elusive creatures on camera required inventive strategies. "To photograph snow leopards' foreheads, we had to make them pose in front of our cameras," said Raina.



"This was done by spraying a small amount of perfume just below the cameras that were deployed near their favored scent marking rocks on the high ridge tops. The curious leopards lower their heads to smell the novel smell and we have our prized photos!"



The challenge didn’t end with taking photos. Identifying individuals was another story. The team used a specialized pattern recognition program.



"Fingerprinting snow leopards: A special pattern recognition software that fits a three dimensional model on the snow leopards forehead image extracts the spot patterns and stores them in a database for comparing it with other snow leopard photographs, and comes up with close matches," said the researchers.



"This reduced our work many fold and improved the accuracy of correct individual identification that is crucial for population estimation using statistical models."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaps-in-snow-leopard-research">Gaps in snow leopard research </h2>



Beyond the clever use of cameras, the study’s methodology addressed existing gaps in snow leopard research. Researchers implemented a double-sampling approach, covering areas with varying densities to form a comprehensive population estimate.



Over 26,130 images of 126 unique leopards were captured. These images became part of India’s first national photo library of snow leopards - a digital archive aimed at monitoring population changes, tracking poaching incidents, and understanding snow leopard movements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-reverence-and-ecological-realities">Cultural reverence and ecological realities</h2>



Ladakh’s snow leopard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopards-tracing-the-evolution-of-an-apex-predator/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population</a> thrives not only due to rugged landscapes but also due to the cultural reverence locals hold for wildlife.



"The deep-rooted reverence for wildlife among Ladakh’s communities, combined with the economic benefits from snow leopard tourism and conflict management strategies, helps sustain some of the world’s highest snow leopard densities - a model that could be adapted and upscaled across the species' range," noted the study authors. 



While Hemis National Park reported the highest densities, multi-use areas also emerged as critical habitats. These regions, characterized by higher prey density and less human disturbance, supported substantial snow leopard populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-challenges-and-adaptive-strategies">Future challenges and adaptive strategies</h2>



Despite the success, emerging threats loom. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-pose-great-threat-to-biodiversity-in-mountain-ranges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Habitat loss</a> due to infrastructure projects. Climate change altering prey distribution. Poaching, still a pressing concern.



Researchers advocate for scalable monitoring techniques that can be applied globally. In Ladakh, integrating local knowledge with advanced technology could serve as a blueprint for snow leopard conservation worldwide.



Ladakh’s snow leopard conservation framework weaves together traditional practices and modern science. 



As human-wildlife interactions increase, balancing conservation with community needs becomes more urgent. In Ladakh, this delicate equilibrium holds the key to sustaining one of the world’s largest snow leopard populations.



Adapting this model to other regions could redefine global snow leopard conservation.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0322136" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



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Ghost cats: Scientists used a clever trick to count snow leopards

Snow leopards roam the vast, rugged terrains of northern India,...

Imagine a world where animals, like humans, form friendships that endure for years. A world where alliances are forged not through blood ties but through acts of mutual aid. 



This world exists all across Earth, but especially with a bird species called African starlings. They engage in reciprocal "helping" behavior, a concept once thought exclusive to humans.



A new study led by Alexis Earl, a former PhD student at <a href="https://www.columbia.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> in Professor Dustin Rubenstein’s lab, has cracked open the complex social world of these birds. The findings challenge long-held assumptions that kinship alone drives cooperative behavior.



Instead, the study reveals that starlings form lasting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sparrows-have-fewer-friends-as-they-age-just-like-most-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">friendships</a>, built on the expectation that help given today will be returned tomorrow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-african-starlings-more-than-family-groups">African starlings: More than family groups</h2>



African starling societies are anything but simple. These aren’t just tight-knit family groups. They’re intricate networks of related and unrelated individuals, living together, helping each other, and occasionally switching roles. 



“Starling societies are not just simple families,” Rubenstein said. “They’re much more complex, containing a mixture of related and unrelated individuals that live together, much in the way that humans do.”



The research team observed these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-birds-are-at-great-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> over 20 years at the Mpala Research Centre in Kenya. During 40 breeding seasons, they documented thousands of interactions among hundreds of birds. By collecting genetic data, they could trace familial ties and map out the social networks within each group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-help-non-relatives">Birds help non-relatives</h2>



The data revealed a striking pattern. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-extinctions-shatter-the-harmonious-balance-of-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birds</a> weren’t just helping relatives, they were helping non-relatives too.



And not just once - over and over again. These birds were forming relationships based on reciprocity, where the expectation wasn’t immediate repayment but long-term support.



Rubenstein emphasized the significance of these findings. “Many of these birds are essentially forming friendships over time,” he said. 



But why help a non-relative when a relative is nearby? For the starlings, the answer appears to lie in building a network of allies, a safety net that extends beyond family bonds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-reversals-and-unexpected-alliances">Role reversals and unexpected alliances</h2>



Starlings don’t stick to one role. They don’t remain helpers or breeders for life. Instead, they switch roles throughout their lifetimes, a phenomenon rarely seen in cooperative breeders. 



The researchers found that individuals frequently moved between helper and breeder roles, sometimes even after raising their own offspring.



This role-switching opened the door for reciprocal helping. A bird that helped another during one breeding season might later become a breeder and receive help from that same individual. 



The study tracked 528 helper-breeder pairs, and in 142 pairs, the same two birds swapped roles and helped each other over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-friendships-form-through-reciprocal-helping">Bird friendships form through reciprocal helping</h2>



Kin selection is a well-established concept in evolutionary biology. Helping family members ensures the survival of shared genes. But the researchers observed a different kind of bond in starlings - one based on reciprocity, not kinship.



Resident males typically helped relatives. Immigrant males, however, helped both kin and non-kin. In fact, the researchers found that the helping rate for reciprocating pairs was 242 percent higher than for non-reciprocating pairs. 



Clearly, these birds were forming alliances that went beyond genetic ties.



But kinship wasn’t entirely irrelevant. Resident females rarely became breeders, so they had fewer opportunities for reciprocal helping. Immigrant females, on the other hand, often moved between helper and breeder roles, forming bonds with specific non-relatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-long-term-data">Power of long-term data</h2>



The depth of this study lies in its duration. Twenty years of observations, over 12,000 recorded helping interactions and more than 500 individual birds. 



This long-term dataset allowed the researchers to detect subtle patterns that would have been invisible in a shorter study.



Rubenstein believes these findings have broader implications. “I think this kind of reciprocal helping behavior is likely going on in a lot of animal societies, and people just haven’t studied them long enough to be able to detect it,” he said.



Without such extensive data, the role of reciprocal helping might have remained hidden beneath the more obvious kin-based helping patterns. The study underscores the importance of sustained observation in uncovering the intricacies of animal behavior.



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



Why would a bird help a non-relative, even when a relative is nearby? The answer may lie in the unpredictability of life in the African savannah. Food scarcity. Predator threats. Uncertain breeding success.



In such an environment, forming bonds with non-relatives could serve as a form of insurance. Birds that help today may receive help tomorrow when conditions worsen. It’s a strategy that maximizes survival, not just for the individual but for the entire group.



The researchers observed that these reciprocal bonds sometimes lasted for years. And in some cases, they were even stronger than bonds formed through kinship. 



By maintaining these alliances, birds could increase their chances of receiving support during critical breeding periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reciprocal-helping-in-other-birds">Reciprocal helping in other birds</h2>



This phenomenon isn’t limited to African starlings. Other bird species, such as green woodhoopoes and white-fronted bee-eaters, also exhibit reciprocal helping. However, the evidence of such behavior in non-relatives is rare.



The researchers argue that reciprocal helping may be more common than previously thought. The problem is that detecting it requires long-term observation - years, even decades. And that kind of data is difficult to obtain.



In the case of African starlings, the data revealed that reciprocal helping relationships sometimes persisted for multiple breeding seasons. Birds that helped each other one year often maintained that relationship, swapping roles and continuing to support one another over time.



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



What drives birds to choose specific partners for reciprocal helping? How do they recognize reliable allies? Are there cues - vocal signals, visual displays, prior interactions - that indicate trustworthiness?



The study raises more questions than it answers. The researchers plan to expand their observations to other species within the same environment. By doing so, they hope to determine whether reciprocal helping is a widespread strategy among cooperative breeders or a unique trait of African starlings.



Additionally, they aim to explore the impact of environmental factors on reciprocal helping. Does food scarcity strengthen these bonds? Do predator threats prompt birds to seek new allies?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-animal-cooperation">Redefining animal cooperation</h2>



The findings of this study challenge the conventional view that cooperative behavior in animals is driven solely by kin selection. While helping relatives remains a vital strategy, reciprocal helping may play an equally significant role in stabilizing social groups.



For the African starlings, reciprocal helping is a way to build alliances, secure support, and hedge against future uncertainties. It’s a strategy that mirrors human friendships - complex, enduring, and sometimes unpredictable.



“I think this kind of reciprocal helping behavior is likely going on in a lot of animal societies, and people just haven’t studied them long enough to be able to detect it,” Rubenstein said.



The study, published in Nature, provides a rare glimpse into the hidden world of animal friendships. It shows that even in the harsh and unpredictable environment of the African savannah, social bonds can form, endure, and evolve. 



And in the end, the birds that help today may just be the ones receiving help tomorrow.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08958-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Birds observed exhibiting many behaviors that resemble human friendships

Imagine a world where animals, like humans, form friendships that...

Owls are famous for their ability to hear exactly where their prey is hiding, even in complete darkness. But a surprising new study shows that owls aren’t the only raptors with this impressive skill. Harriers, a type of hawk found around the world, also have specialized hearing abilities that help them locate prey by sound.



An international team led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ulethbridge.ca/">University of Lethbridge</a> in Canada and <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/">Flinders University</a> in Australia has uncovered unexpected owl-like traits in the ears and brains of several harrier species. 



The findings reveal that harriers have independently evolved several adaptations that allow them to hunt more effectively by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-mammals-recognize-the-sound-of-killer-whales-on-the-hunt/">sound</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunting-prey-by-sound-and-sight">Hunting prey by sound and sight</h2>



“Until recently, it was assumed that all their hearing adaptations were unique to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/photographer-captures-a-rare-snowy-owl-orange-color-genetic-mutation/">owls</a>. However, our study shows that harriers have independently evolved several key adaptations for finding prey by sound,” said Sara Citron, a PhD student at the University of Lethbridge, who led the study.



Scientists have long praised owls for their fine-tuned hearing, which allows them to zero in on small prey like mice in total darkness.



Harriers, on the other hand, primarily hunted by sight - much like most hawks were believed to do. But the new research reveals that harriers are much more attuned to sound than previously believed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ha-wks-with-exceptional-hearing">Hawks with exceptional hearing</h2>



The research team focused on harriers because of their distinctive hunting style. Andrew Iwaniuk, senior author of the study, is an associate professor at Canada’s Center for Behavioral Neuroscience. 



“Hawks tend to hunt primarily by sight. But unlike other hawks, harriers fly low over tall grass with their beak pointed to the ground,” said Iwaniuk. “During this so-called ‘quartering flight,’ they are not only looking for prey, they are also listening for it.”



“The Australian Spotted Harrier is a great example. When you look at this species’ face, you can see a distinctive disc-shaped face, which may improve their prey localization just like owls,” added co-author Aubrey Keirnan, a PhD student at Flinders University.



Older behavioral studies had already shown that harriers can locate sounds with surprising accuracy, much like owls. But the anatomical reasons behind this ability had remained a mystery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brains-tuned-for-prey">Brains tuned for prey</h2>



To investigate further, the researchers examined skulls and brains of harriers. They compared them to other hawks, using specimens from wildlife rehabilitators and museums in Canada and Australia. Researchers also looked at close relatives, such as the wedge-tailed eagle.



They found harriers, like owls, have large ear openings and two brain areas vital for pinpointing sound location.



“These auditory nuclei are found in the brainstem and compare the time at which sounds arrive at the left or right ear,” said co-author Vera Weisbecker, an associate professor at Flinders University. 



“If a sound arrives at both ears at the same time, then the sound is coming from directly in front of an animal. If there is a delay, this indicates that the prey is more to the left or right.”



The hawks have enhanced hearing thanks to expanded brain regions, giving them an edge in detecting hidden prey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-separate-species-same-solution">Separate species, same solution</h2>



“Harriers have therefore evolved an auditory system similar to owls, enabling them to target sounds as accurately as owls in a remarkable example of convergent evolution of both brain and behavior in animals separated by over 60 million years,” Citron said.



However, the researchers are careful to note that these hawks are not quite on par with owls when it comes to hearing.



“There are several other features that help owls with their keen hearing which we did not find in harriers,” Citron explained.



“For example, some owl species have asymmetric ears that allow them to locate sound with greater acuity, and these owls also have several other enlarged brain regions that were not enlarged in harriers.”



This explains why owls can hunt in complete darkness, while harriers remain daytime hunters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-strategies-for-harriers">Conservation strategies for harriers</h2>



The researchers believe their findings could help guide future studies on bird anatomy and behavior, especially when it comes to conservation.



“Anatomical studies like ours are a window into how a bird perceives the world around it, which can be extremely useful for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-are-declining-fastest-where-they-were-once-common/">bird</a> conservation,” Iwaniuk said.



“For example, harriers’ reliance on sound for prey location means that they are likely more sensitive to traffic and industrial noise. This could be contributing to the large decreases in Northern Harrier populations we have seen in Canada.”



By better understanding how these birds detect prey, scientists can learn more about the challenges they face in modern environments. This knowledge could help design conservation strategies that account for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noise-pollution-is-increasingly-disrupting-whale-migration/">noise pollution</a> and other threats that interfere with their finely tuned senses.



The study adds to a growing body of research showing how diverse species can evolve similar traits when facing similar challenges - highlighting nature’s remarkable ability to find common solutions across vast evolutionary distances.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joa.14264">Journal of Anatomy</a>.



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Some hawks evolved super hearing abilities to locate prey

Owls are famous for their ability to hear exactly where...

A new study led by UCL researchers has traced the roots of Tyrannosaurus rex back to Asia. Before ruling North America as a colossal predator, T. rex likely crossed a land bridge from Asia more than 70 million years ago, according to the team.



Published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the study not only examines T. rex’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-change-their-minds-about-tyrannosaurus-rex-dinosaur-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migration</a> but also explores the evolutionary rise of megaraptors, suggesting that climate played a significant role in their development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooler-earth-bigger-dinosaurs">Cooler Earth, bigger dinosaurs</h2>



Global temperatures peaked around 92 million years ago, but a cooling trend soon followed. This climatic shift coincided with the rapid growth in size of tyrannosaurids and megaraptors. 



Despite the cooling climate, Morrison’s team found no direct link between temperature and body mass. Instead, they suggest that climatic shifts may have indirectly fueled gigantism by altering predator-prey <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-rex-was-about-70-percent-bigger-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamics</a>.



“Our modelling suggests the ‘grandparents’ of T. rex likely came to North America from Asia, crossing the Bering Strait between what is now Siberia and Alaska,” said lead author Cassius Morrison, a PhD student in Earth Sciences at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCL</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-t-rex-came-from-asia">T. rex came from Asia</h2>



The debate surrounding T. rex’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-ground-dwellers-survived-the-asteroid-impact-that-killed-the-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">origins</a> is as fierce as the predator itself. Some researchers argue that T. rex originated in Asia, while others claim North America as its birthplace.



Morrison’s findings suggest that T. rex’s direct ancestor likely migrated from Asia to North America, aligning with earlier studies linking T. rex to Asian cousins like Tarbosaurus.



But despite the wealth of T. rex fossils in North America, Morrison speculates that the direct ancestor’s fossils remain undiscovered in Asia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-mexico-fossil-in-doubt">New Mexico fossil in doubt</h2>



Last year, a study proposed that Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis from New Mexico predated T. rex by three to five million years. Morrison’s team disputes this, arguing that the fossil’s dating is unreliable.



Their biogeographical model instead positions T. rex as a North American genus, evolving in Laramidia, a western region that once stretched from Alaska to Mexico.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-megaraptors-mysterious-hunters">Megaraptors: Mysterious hunters</h2>



While T. rex dominated the northern continents, megaraptors thrived in Gondwana, an ancient southern supercontinent that included South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and India. 



With slender heads, long arms, and 35-centimeter claws, these predators took a different evolutionary path.



Morrison’s team traced megaraptors to Asia around 120 million years ago. From there, they spread to Europe, Africa, and the southern continents of Gondwana. Despite this wide distribution, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-extinction-theories-are-challenged-by-new-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a> remain scarce, leaving gaps in the evolutionary timeline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-megaraptor-s-hunting-strategy">Megaraptor’s hunting strategy</h2>



Unlike the bone-crushing jaws of T. rex, megaraptors relied on their massive claws to dispatch prey. In southern Gondwana, they likely targeted juvenile sauropods, while T. rex hunted giants like Triceratops and Edmontosaurus in Laramidia.



Both predator groups reached colossal sizes as temperatures dropped and carcharodontosaurids - another group of large predators - vanished.



Morrison’s team suggests that the extinction of these giants opened the apex predator niche, allowing tyrannosaurids and megaraptors to expand their size.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cold-climates-new-predators">Cold climates, new predators</h2>



Despite the apparent link between cooler climates and bigger dinosaurs, the study found no direct correlation between temperature and body size. 



Instead, Morrison’s team proposes that climatic shifts may have indirectly driven gigantism by reshaping ecosystems and altering prey availability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giants-rose-after-rivals-fell">Giants rose after rivals fell</h2>



By the end of the Cretaceous, T. rex weighed up to nine tonnes, comparable to a large African elephant. Meanwhile, megaraptors stretched over 10 meters in length.



Charlie Scherer, co-author and a UCL Earth Sciences graduate, connects this size surge to the extinction of carcharodontosaurids. 



“They likely grew to such gigantic sizes to replace the equally giant carcharodontosaurid theropods that went extinct about 90 million years ago,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-continents-shaped-predators">Ancient continents shaped predators</h2>



Dr. Mauro Aranciaga Rolando from the Natural Sciences Argentine Museum underscores the role of Gondwana in shaping megaraptor evolution.



As continents drifted apart, megaraptors adapted to diverse environments, evolving into apex predators in Australia and Patagonia.



“While in regions like Asia, megaraptors were eventually replaced by tyrannosaurs, in areas such as Australia and Patagonia, they evolved to become apex predators, dominating their ecosystems,” Rolando said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rise-of-t-rex-and-megaraptors">Rise of T. rex and megaraptors</h2>



Morrison’s study emphasizes that more fossil evidence is essential to refining the evolutionary timeline of megaraptors. 



Regions like Africa and Antarctica, largely unexplored, may hold crucial clues to understanding megaraptor dispersal and gigantism.



For now, the study concludes that T. rex likely evolved as a North American genus, with Asian roots still shrouded in mystery. Meanwhile, megaraptors remain enigmatic, their evolutionary story far from complete.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/epdf/10.1098/rsos.242238" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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T. rex’s ancestors may have walked from Asia to North America

A new study led by UCL researchers has traced the...

Termites are often overlooked in rainforest restoration, where the focus is usually on planting trees. But what if the key to a thriving forest lies not in the canopy above, but in the soil below - and in the insects that crawl through it?



A new study reveals that termites, often seen as pests, might actually be essential allies in helping young rainforests flourish. 



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.caryinstitute.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies</a> and the University of Queensland in Australia have found that these tiny decomposers are missing - or at least lagging behind - in forests that have been replanted, even more than a decade after restoration began.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-need-more-than-trees">Forests need more than trees</h2>



“People tend to think that by just planting a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-species-diversity-makes-forests-more-productive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity of trees</a>, these rainforests will regenerate,” said Baptiste Wijas, a postdoctoral fellow at Cary Institute and visiting academic at the University of Queensland. 



“But it's worth thinking about, should we actually be putting in other organisms as well, to restore other ecosystem processes that help the forest function? In the context of rainforest regeneration, no one really thinks about it at all.”



That question matters more than ever. As more land is reforested in efforts to combat climate change and restore ecosystems, it’s crucial to understand what makes a forest actually function. 



Decomposers like termites and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-can-think-and-make-smart-decisions-without-a-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> play a critical role in cycling nutrients and carbon. Without them, the soil might lack the resources young trees need to grow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-the-forest-floor">Testing the forest floor</h2>



To understand how well decomposers were rebounding, the research team set up a simple but telling experiment. They placed wooden blocks in three different forest settings in Australia’s Daintree Rainforest. One was a pristine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-microclimates-impact-bird-species-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">old-growth forest</a>. 



The other two were replanted sites - one restored in 2010, the other in 2014 - on land that had been cleared for agriculture decades ago and later abandoned. The replanting was carried out by a nonprofit organization called Rainforest Rescue.



For four years, the team checked on the wooden blocks every six months. They looked for signs of fungi, termites, or both, and tracked how fast the wood was breaking down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-wet-and-wild-challenge">A wet and wild challenge</h2>



The fieldwork was anything but easy. “You’re sweating all the time, and there are plants that want to attack you everywhere,” said Wijas. 



In one year alone, the team faced a series of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather events</a> - drought, floods, fires, and “a zombie cyclone that caught us twice,” said Cary Institute senior scientist Amy Zanne. “It was an epic, biblical year.”



Despite these challenges, the team made a surprising discovery. They expected that termites would be thriving in all the rainforests and that fungi would struggle more in the younger sites. But the results were the opposite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-thrive-while-termites-struggle">Fungi thrive while termites struggle</h2>



Fungi were resilient. They performed almost as well in the replanted forests as in the old-growth site, though they were a bit slower in the youngest forest. 



Termites, however, were another story. While they were present at all three sites, they decomposed wood at a much slower rate in the replanted forests. Even 12 years after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/success-story-reforestation-has-helped-keep-the-eastern-us-relatively-cool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> began, the termite-driven decay lagged behind.



The researchers suggest several possible reasons: termite colonies in the replanted areas may be fewer, smaller, less diverse, or less mature.



That’s a problem, because slow decomposition can mean nutrients and carbon aren’t returning to the soil quickly enough. And that could stunt forest growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-radical-idea-importing-insects">A radical idea: Importing insects</h2>



To fix the problem, the scientists have a bold proposal. They suggest bringing logs from old-growth forests into younger forests to introduce decomposers and give existing ones more to eat.



“A young, regenerating forest doesn’t have a lot of deadwood in it,” Zanne explained. “So if you bring in these logs, you’re giving them some food to tide them over while they wait for parts of trees to start falling down.”



They’re also thinking even bigger: what about transplanting entire termite mounds? “That’s something that no one's really thought about either,” said Wijas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-termites-in-forests">Rethinking termites in forests</h2>



Convincing forest managers to welcome termites into their restoration plans won’t be easy.



“Many people - forest managers included - don’t really like termites,” said Wijas. “But they play an important role in having a healthy forest.”



Zanne pointed out that most termites get a bad rap for no reason. "Only about 3% of termites are known to damage human homes. Very little is known about the other 97%.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-decomposers">More than just decomposers</h2>



In fact, termites might be doing even more good than we think. 



“We think termites might be locking up carbon in their nests,” said Wijas. “When they eat wood, they’re not able to digest all of it, and so the feces they use to build their nests could be quite carbon-rich. They may even lock up more carbon than they emit, but we just don’t know yet.”



Termites may also help trees grow by partnering with nitrogen-fixing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-pass-down-memories-to-future-generations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a>, which convert nitrogen into a form plants can use.



“Termites and fungi are absolutely critical to forest function,” said Zanne. “It would be interesting to see who else returns to the regenerating forests if the termites are there - perhaps ants, lizards, and gliders that eat termites. Right now we just don't have any idea whether these organisms are coming back in these systems.”



As the search continues for ways to speed up rainforest recovery, termites may prove to be unlikely but vital allies. The next time we think about rebuilding a forest, we might want to think beyond trees—and start thinking about termites too.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://ecoevorxiv.org/repository/view/7974/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>.



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Termites play an unexpected role in rainforest revival

Termites are often overlooked in rainforest restoration, where the focus...

Crops with genetically enhanced root systems could potentially help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The idea seems simple: grow crops with bigger roots that can store more carbon dioxide under the soil. 



But can this actually help with the fight against climate change? A new study says yes - but with some caveats.



In a new report from researchers at the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a>, scientists explain how genetically enhanced crops with larger root systems could become a practical way to remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 



The researchers, based at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the School of Global Policy and Strategy, also explored how this method compares to other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-based-carbon-dioxide-removal-may-not-be-effective/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon removal</a> strategies. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-need-rapid-carbon-removal">Why we need rapid carbon removal</h2>



According to estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world must remove between five and 16 billion tons of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-carbon-dioxide-makes-crops-grow-bigger-but-less-nutritious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> every year to have a shot at keeping the climate stable. That’s in addition to reducing how much we emit in the first place. 



If we don’t act fast, the world could see widespread disasters, including severe storms, failing crops, worsening disease outbreaks and flooding due to rising sea levels. 



So far, however, there hasn’t been much research on how fast carbon removal methods could realistically scale up in the real world and help to bring the climate back into balance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-carbon-enhanced-crops">A closer look at carbon-enhanced crops</h2>



That’s where carbon-enhanced crops come in. These genetically modified plants have larger root systems designed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rises-wetlands-store-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">store more carbon in the soil</a>. 



The researchers ran a detailed analysis of how much carbon these crops could help remove if widely adopted. They found that, within a period of 13 years of rollout, these crops could remove between 0.9 and 1.2 gigatons of CO2 annually.



That’s about seven times the total amount of carbon offsets that are currently supplied to the global market.



“There is a consensus in the scientific community that we will have to scale CDR [carbon dioxide removal] substantially to reach net zero - on top of drastically reducing our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>,” said lead author Daniela Faggiani-Dias.



“Yet, research on how CDR can realistically scale - considering not only technical limits, but also scale-up speed and feasible pathways - is very thin. And this is what is new about our study."



“We provide a detailed analysis of the CDR scaling challenge and propose a framework to estimate how quickly and to what extent emerging, highly uncertain technologies might scale. 



According to Faggiani-Dias, even though the analysis focuses on carbon-enhanced crops, the framework is generalizable across CDR approaches and helps to surface key uncertainties in scale-up potential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-past-technological-advances">Learning from past technological advances</h2>



The team looked to the past to understand how fast new technologies typically spread. They studied how other agricultural advances - like hybrids, pesticides, fertilizers, and crop rotation - caught on over time.



One of the most relevant comparisons was with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gene-modification-can-create-better-tomatoes-eggplants-but-should-we-do-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic modification</a>. Like carbon-enhanced crops, genetically modified crops promised benefits to farmers and the agricultural supply chain. But the rollout wasn’t smooth.



In countries that allowed genetically modified crops, it took about 11 years to go from early adoption to widespread use. Even then, only 13% of the world’s farmland currently grows these types of crops. Regulations and public concerns have slowed wider acceptance. 



The researchers say carbon-enhanced crops could face the same hurdles unless there are strong incentives, such as carbon credits, for countries that use them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-crops-may-be-the-fastest-fix">Why crops may be the fastest fix</h2>



Compared to other carbon removal strategies - such as storing carbon in rock or filtering it from air or oceans - enhanced crops have a head start. They can be adopted using existing farm infrastructure and technologies.



Farmers are already familiar with trying new crop techniques, and there's a built-in industry ready to support new seed technologies. Plus, the soil is often depleted of carbon, making it a good place to store more.



Other strategies would potentially require the establishment of entirely new industries before they could be successfully implemented at scale. This could take years to test and verify, considering that some of these strategies are still in their infancy.



That’s why crops with enhanced roots are seen as one of the fastest and most realistic tools for carbon removal - although they would still not be effective enough on their own.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crops-are-only-part-of-the-solution">Crops are only part of the solution</h2>



Faggiani-Dias emphasized that this approach is just one piece of the climate solution puzzle. She noted that the benefit of carbon-enhanced crops could be significant, but not enough on its own. 



According to Faggiani-Dias, these efforts should be seen as just one component of a broader strategy to decarbonize the global economy.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adc31b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Genetically enhanced crops could help fight climate change

Crops with genetically enhanced root systems could potentially help remove...

Food allergies have become increasingly common, affecting roughly one in 13 children, as reported by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). With such a rise, scientists continue to explore how maternal diets might influence allergy risk in infants. 



Recent research in Finland sheds light on a surprising connection between avocado consumption during pregnancy and reduced food allergy risk in infants.



A study involving 2,272 mother-child pairs, conducted over nearly a decade, uncovered a striking finding. Infants whose mothers consumed avocados during pregnancy had a 43.6% lower chance of developing food allergies by 12 months. 



The study accounted for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-omega-3-deficiency-is-rising-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">variables</a> such as maternal age, smoking status, and education - yet the link remained consistent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avocados-lower-allergy-risk">Avocados lower allergy risk</h2>



For years, researchers have explored how specific dietary patterns during pregnancy might influence infant allergy risk. However, individual foods like avocados have not received the same level of scrutiny. 



The Finnish study aimed to fill that gap. The team utilized an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess maternal avocado intake during the first and third trimesters. 



Participants who reported any avocado <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-production-more-difficult-climate-change-plant-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> were classified as consumers, while those who did not became non-consumers.



The analysis revealed a significant contrast. Among non-consumers, 4.2% of infants developed food allergies. In comparison, only 2.4% of infants whose mothers consumed avocados experienced the same outcome.



The reduction in allergy risk remained significant even after adjusting for various maternal health factors .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avocado-research-offers-hope">Avocado research offers hope</h2>



“As a caregiver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control,” said Sari Hantunen, senior lecturer at the <a href="https://www.uef.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Eastern Finland</a>.



“There is no cure for food allergy, but promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are in development as well as emerging research such as this."



”Based on these findings, it’s encouraging to know that eating avocados may provide even more value to maternal and children’s health, beyond the benefits that have already been established through scientific research.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-avocado-and-allergy">Tracking avocado and allergy</h2>



The Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo) provided a rich dataset for analysis. Researchers recruited pregnant women during routine first-trimester appointments at <a href="https://pshyvinvointialue.fi/web/en/kuopio-university-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kuopio University Hospital</a>. Data collection continued until November 2022, capturing dietary intake throughout the first and third trimesters.



Mothers completed FFQs that detailed food consumption over the past three months. The FFQ specifically assessed avocado intake, classifying participants as consumers or non-consumers.



After birth, researchers tracked infants to assess allergic outcomes, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-therapy-may-help-reduce-peanut-allergies-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> allergies, eczema, rhinitis, and wheezing. Even after adjusting for variables like maternal age, smoking, and breastfeeding duration, the data maintained its significance. 



Infants of non-consumers showed a 4.2% allergy rate, while those of avocado consumers showed a 2.4% rate .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-choose-avocados">Who choose avocados?</h2>



Avocado consumers shared common traits that distinguished them from non-consumers. They tended to be older and more educated. They also reported longer breastfeeding durations and higher diet quality scores.



These women generally had lower BMI levels in the first trimester and were less likely to undergo caesarean deliveries. Researchers noted that these trends might reflect broader health-conscious behaviors rather than avocado <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> alone .



Avocados pack essential nutrients that may benefit both maternal and infant health. Each serving provides 9.25 grams of dietary fiber, supporting gut health and potentially influencing immune responses.



Additionally, avocados contain 2.6 mg of vitamin E, an antioxidant linked to immune function, and 0.93 mg of zinc, which plays a role in immune development. Lutein, a carotenoid crucial for eye health, also features prominently in avocados.



The nutrient profile aligns well with dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet, previously associated with lower allergy risks in offspring. While the study focused solely on avocados, researchers suggest that other nutrient-dense foods may offer similar protective effects .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consuming-avocados-for-allergy-prevention">Consuming avocados for allergy prevention</h2>



The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that pregnant women consume 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Avocados, with their nutrient density, count as a full cup per serving.



For toddlers aged 12-23 months, the guidelines suggest 2/3 to 1 cup of vegetables each day. With its rich nutrient profile, a single avocado serves as a practical choice to meet these recommendations without the need for supplements.



Despite the promising findings, the study did not identify any significant links between avocado consumption and other allergic conditions like rhinitis, eczema, or wheezing. 



The focus on food allergies yielded notable results, but the other conditions showed no significant differences between consumers and non-consumers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-research">Expanding the research</h2>



The researchers caution against overgeneralizing the findings. While avocados may contribute to reduced food allergy risk, the mechanisms remain unclear. 



Further studies could clarify whether specific nutrients within avocados influence immune development and whether similar effects extend to other foods .



The study opens doors for future research that could extend beyond infancy. Tracking infants beyond the first year of life may provide insights into how early dietary exposures shape allergy risk throughout childhood.



Additionally, examining other nutrient-dense foods with similar profiles, such as nuts, seeds, or leafy greens, could help determine whether the observed effects result from specific nutrients or broader dietary patterns. 



Understanding these connections could refine dietary recommendations for pregnant women, offering clearer guidance on foods that may reduce allergy risk in infants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-nutritional-choice-with-potential">A nutritional choice with potential</h2>



As food allergies continue to rise, identifying preventive strategies during pregnancy remains a critical focus. This Finnish study suggests that avocados, with their nutrient-rich profile, may play a role in reducing food allergy risk in infants.



While the study does not establish causality, it highlights the potential impact of nutrient-dense foods during pregnancy - a time when maternal diet can leave lasting imprints on infant health. 



Further research will clarify whether these findings hold across diverse populations and whether other foods offer similar benefits.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-025-03968-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pediatric Research</a>.



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Eating avocados during pregnancy reduces baby's allergy risk

Food allergies have become increasingly common, affecting roughly one in...

A new investigation at a high‑Andean temple reveals that the distant ancestors of the Inca wielded psychoactive plants as a political tool. 



Archaeologists have uncovered bone tubes still coated with traces of mind‑altering snuff, showing that Chavín lords used controlled visions to cement their rule almost three millennia ago.



The discovery comes from a project led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a>, <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a>, and partner institutions across South America. 



The experts analyzed artifacts from Chavín de Huántar, a vast ceremonial center that sits 10,000 feet above sea level in the Peruvian Andes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-use-of-psychoactive-plants">Ancient use of psychoactive plants</h2>



Inside narrow passageways and hidden rooms, the team found small hollow bones carved into elegant inhalation tubes. 



Chemical testing detected nicotine from wild tobacco relatives and residue from vilca beans, whose potent compounds are related to DMT.



Microscopic work confirmed plant particles embedded in the ancient surfaces. The date of the deposits makes this the oldest direct evidence for psychoactive plant use yet known in the high Andes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rituals-shaped-social-order">Rituals shaped social order</h2>



The placement of the tubes mattered. They were sealed within private chambers that could hold only a handful of people. That setting implies exclusive ceremonies, not widespread communal feasts.



The evidence matches a broader pattern of Chavín architecture, which funnels visitors through labyrinths toward dimly lit sanctuaries where sights, sounds, and fragrances overwhelm the senses.



“Taking psychoactives was not just about seeing visions. It was part of a tightly controlled ritual, likely reserved for a select few, reinforcing the social hierarchy,” said Daniel Contreras, an anthropological archaeologist at the University of Florida and a co‑author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chavin-rituals-meant-to-stun">Chavín rituals meant to stun</h2>



Stone corridors at Chavín already distort light and echo footsteps. Researchers have also recovered giant trumpets fashioned from imported conch shells. 



The deep blasts of those horns, amplified by the tunnels, would have rattled bone. Add intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-presence-hallucinations-impact-on-social-perception/">hallucinations</a>, and followers might have felt a raw presence of gods or spirits.



“The supernatural world isn’t necessarily friendly, but it’s powerful,” Contreras said. “These rituals, often enhanced by psychoactives, were compelling, transformative experiences that reinforced belief systems and social structures.”



By staging such events, leaders wrapped their authority in cosmic mystery. Participants emerged convinced that rank and building labor served a higher design. 



Craftspeople who carved the monumental granite slabs and farmers who fed the workforce likely saw themselves as part of a living myth, not as servants under duress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-belief-used-for-power">Belief used for power</h2>



“One of the ways that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wealth-inequality-began-shaping-human-societies-10000-years-ago/">inequality</a> was justified or naturalized was through ideology - through the creation of impressive ceremonial experiences that made people believe this whole project was a good idea,” Contreras said.



The snuff tubes thus fit a larger strategy. Earlier Andean settlements show few signs of strict hierarchy. By Chavín times, around 800 BCE, society had acquired priests, skilled artisans, and regional trade routes. 



Control over sacred knowledge, including plant lore, helped elites turn soft power into hard architecture and coordinated labor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychoactive-plant-mixture">Psychoactive plant mixture</h2>



Vilca beans grow in lowland forests far from Chavín’s icy heights. Their presence points to long‑distance exchange networks and to careful botanical skill.



When roasted, mixed with lime, and inhaled, the powder produces vivid visions, rapid heartbeat, and disorientation. 



Wild tobaccos add <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nicotine-pouches-are-a-new-dangerous-trend-among-teens/">nicotine</a>’s stimulant rush and sharp aroma. Combined, these plants could propel users into what seemed another realm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-invisible-details-to-light">Bringing invisible details to light</h2>



Contreras has worked at the site for nearly 30 years in a project directed by Stanford archaeologist John Rick.



Their excavations have mapped hidden galleries, sculpted stone icons, and water channels that once gurgled beneath temple floors. The new chemical analyses bring invisible details to light, showing not only what people did but also what they felt.



“It’s exciting that ongoing excavations can be combined with cutting‑edge archaeological science techniques to get us closer to understanding what it was like to live at this site,” Contreras said.



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



The Chavín phenomenon spread a shared artistic style and worldview up and down the Peruvian coast and sierra. Later Andean states inherited its taste for grand plazas, stone imagery, and elite ritual.



By demonstrating the intentional use of psychoactive plants in tightly managed settings, the study bridges the gap between small egalitarian hamlets and the vast empires that eventually ruled the Cordillera.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-modern-glimpse-of-ancient-minds">A modern glimpse of ancient minds</h2>



Today, visitors to Chavín de Huántar walk through restored corridors where carved fangs and staring eyes still pierce the dim light. 



Knowing that select priests once knelt here, inhaled potent smoke, and proclaimed cosmic truths changes how we read those walls.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeologists-find-hallucinogenic-seeds-in-ancient-bones-black-henbane/">bone</a> tubes, simple yet sophisticated, remind us that chemistry, belief, and social order have long been intertwined. In the high Andes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-reveals-common-altered-states-of-consciousness/">altered consciousness</a> was more than a personal journey - it was statecraft written in breath and stone.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2425125122">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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How psychoactive plants helped build an ancient empire

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Marijuana has intrigued people for decades, especially as more places allow it for medical or recreational use. Many see it as a natural product with relaxing properties, yet scientists have been eager to uncover how it might alter the body in subtle ways.



Researchers tracked the cannabis habits of more than 1,000 U.S. adults over roughly two decades. The team included epidemiologist Lifang Hou from <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a>, who analyzed blood samples at two points to search for signs that cannabis use may shift genetic markers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-marijuana-alters-dna">How marijuana alters DNA</h2>



The epigenome includes chemical modifications on DNA that can affect how genes work. These modifications, such as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/npp2012112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA methylation</a>, do not alter the underlying genetic code but can change how active certain sections of DNA are.



Studies have suggested that environmental factors like diet or toxins can impact these epigenetic markers. New findings now propose that cannabis use may leave an imprint, too.



“We observed associations between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers across time,” explained Hou. The markers appeared in people who reported using cannabis in the short term as well as across many years.



While these associations are intriguing, the study does not confirm that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-during-pregnancy-rewires-the-fetal-brain/">cannabis</a> is the direct cause. The researchers emphasize that other behaviors or factors could be partly responsible for the patterns seen in those genetic switches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-response-to-cannabis-and-tobacco">Genetic response to cannabis and tobacco</h2>



One of the most striking findings was a consistent methylation marker that has already been linked to tobacco use. The same signal appeared in cannabis users, hinting that the body may respond to both substances in a similar way at the genetic level.



This overlap raises questions about whether cannabis and tobacco trigger the same biological pathways or if the presence of smoke itself is responsible for the epigenetic shift. 



More studies could help clarify whether these changes stem from the substances themselves or the act of inhalation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-these-markers-predict-health-risks">Could these markers predict health risks?</h2>



Some of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-plant-can-cause-severe-burns-and-dna-damage/">DNA</a> changes tied to cannabis use were previously linked to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. While this doesn’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship, it shows a pattern worth paying attention to.



If future research confirms these links, doctors might someday use these markers as early warning signs. They could help flag individuals who may be more vulnerable to certain mental health issues based on their cannabis use history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marijuana-and-dna-methylation">Marijuana and DNA methylation</h2>



DNA methylation patterns have been linked to a variety of health conditions. Shifting these patterns might change how the body manages cell growth, hormones, and even how it responds to infections.



Scientists have hinted that these modifications could affect neurological processes, too. 



Cannabis has long been studied for its possible connections to mental health, so these DNA changes may be relevant to conditions that involve the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cautious-interpretation">Cautious interpretation</h2>



“This research has provided novel insights into the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors,” said epidemiologist Drew Nannini from Northwestern University. 



Future research may pinpoint which specific traits or disorders, if any, are most influenced by cannabis-linked epigenetic shifts.



Experts also note that the study relied on self-reported cannabis use. Some participants might have been reluctant to share full details, although confidentiality was maintained to encourage honest responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marijuana-use-and-dna-changes">Marijuana use and DNA changes</h2>



A substantial segment of U.S. adults, <a href="https://library.samhsa.gov/product/results-2019-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-key-substance-use-and-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">around 49 percent</a>, try marijuana at least once. For frequent or daily users, scientists are interested in whether these epigenetic signs might grow more pronounced over time.



Observing blood samples taken years apart gave the team a way to compare recent users and those who had used cannabis longer. By tracking the same people, they could see how DNA methylation changed along with reported usage levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-effects-over-time">Different effects over time</h2>



The number of methylation markers linked to cannabis changed between the two sample points. At year 15, the team found 53 associated markers, while at year 20, that number jumped to 148.



This suggests that some of the epigenetic effects may accumulate with continued use or become more detectable with age. It also opens the possibility that long-term cannabis exposure may affect the body differently than short-term use.



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



Some experts suggest that more research in different groups is needed to see if these associations appear consistently. 



Larger investigations could help determine whether these epigenetic changes are reversible if someone reduces or stops using marijuana.



Many scientists want to see if these markers correlate with specific outcomes, such as mental health shifts or immune function. It may take time to unravel whether the observed epigenetic changes translate into noticeable health effects.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-02106-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Psychiatry</a>.



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20-year study of 1,000 adults reveals how marijuana alters DNA

Marijuana has intrigued people for decades, especially as more places...

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