Ecosystems

Climate

Rising CO₂ levels might not be as good for plants as we thought

A 20-year experiment spots a reversal in the way two kinds of plants take up extra carbon from the atmosphere.

Oceans

Masses of shrimp and krill may play a huge role in mixing oceans

Hoards of migrating shrimp and krill can cause large-scale turbulence in the ocean, a new study suggests.

Animals

Flying insects tell tales of long-distance migrations

Researchers are asking big questions about animal movements and pest control by tracking tiny insects in flight.

Animals

Some frogs may be bouncing back after killer chytrid fungus

Frogs in Panama may be developing defenses against a fatal skin disease, a new study suggests.

Ecosystems

50 years ago, invasive species traveled the Suez Canal

Hundreds of Red Sea species used the Suez Canal to migrate to the Mediterranean Sea, leading to the decline of some native species.

Ecosystems

When bogs burn, the environment takes a hit

Bogs and other peatlands around the world store outsized amounts of carbon. Climate change and agriculture are putting them at risk.

Ecosystems

Pollution regulations help Chesapeake Bay seagrass rebound

Regulations that have reduced nitrogen runoff into the Chesapeake Bay are driving the recovery of underwater vegetation.

Animals

This scratchy hiss is the closest thing yet to caterpillar vocalization

A new way that caterpillars make noise may involve (tiny) teakettle‒style turbulence.

Animals

Ants practice combat triage and nurse their injured

Termite-hunting ants have their own version of combat medicine for injured nest mates.

Plants

Ancient ozone holes may have sterilized forests 252 million years ago

Swaths of barren forest may have led to Earth’s greatest mass extinction.

Ecosystems

Humans are overloading the world’s freshwater bodies with phosphorus

Human activities are driving phosphorus levels in the world’s lakes and other freshwater bodies to a critical point.

Animals

It’s a bad idea for a toad to swallow a bombardier beetle

Toads are tough. But there are some insects even they shouldn’t swallow.