Nature & Wildlife
All organisms on Earth are traditionally placed into six kingdoms of life: Animalia (animals), Archaebacteria (bacteria often found in extreme environments, such as hot springs and hydrothermal vents), Eubacteria (true bacteria), Fungi (molds, mushrooms and yeasts), Protista (algae and amoebas) and Plantae (plants).
Nature & Wildlife
Large herbivores—such as bison and elk—have continuously lived in the Yellowstone National Park region for at least 2,300 years, according to a new analysis of chemicals preserved in lake sediments. How have they made their livings and survived for so long?
Nature & Wildlife
From birds to flowers, the majority of the Earth’s species stem from a few evolutionary “explosions,” where new habitats or traits sparked rapid diversification. These bursts, in fact, explain most of the planet’s biodiversity. Some of those new habitats were ignited by glaciers.
Nature & Wildlife
Right now, as you’re probably finalizing your plans for the end-of-the-year holidays, there are some new developments in travel—and family get-togethers—that I think you might find interesting.
Nature & Wildlife
At the end of the year, many of our holiday celebrations revolve around food, such as a Thanksgiving feast or a Christmas dinner. This food-intensive season reminds me of a new concept in nature studies: “nature’s chefs.” In essence, nature’s chefs are organisms that provide food—or the illusion of food—to other organisms.
Conservation
Plastics. It’s almost become an emotionally charged word. Today—no matter how you feel about their use—plastics provide us with both benefits and significant drawbacks. The strengths of plastics include durability, low cost and versatility, which have enabled medical advancements and modern conveniences.
Nature & Wildlife
I like to think of biodiversity as a symphony orchestra, where each note, each instrument—every single part—is needed to make the whole. In the concert called “biodiversity,” then, every species, from microscopic life to towering trees and vast oceans, plays a vital role.
Nature & Wildlife
I grew up in the Midwest. That means that as a child, as the joke goes, I had to decide on a Halloween costume that could incorporate my winter coat.
Conservation
The term “air pollution,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any biological, chemical or physical agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.
Conservation
Around the world, the variety of living things—defined as biodiversity—is declining, as increasing numbers of species face the risk of extinction.
Nature & Wildlife
Sea otters can be a powerful ally in confronting climate change, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. In places where they’re thriving, they can maintain and restore kelp forests and coastal wetlands, strengthening our natural defenses against the worst impacts of a warming world.
Conservation
Conservation is a complex and multifaceted undertaking, requiring the concerted efforts of communities, governments, individuals and organizations to safeguard and manage ecosystems, natural resources and wildlife.
