Ecosystems

Ecosystems

A robotic fish could help mangroves grow

Reforested mangroves don’t always grow well. To figure out why, two teens built a robotic mudskipper to measure the mud.

Environment

‘Boot camp’ teaches rare animals how to go wild

Animals raised in captivity cannot safely re-enter the wilds without first understanding how to find food and avoid becoming a predator’s lunch. Scientists are helping some species learn this.

Oceans

Small swimmers may play huge role in churning the seas

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

Plants

Scientists Say: Invasive species

These are foreign species that are causing problems for native organisms and ecosystems.

Ecosystems

Exploring the mysteries of Cuba’s coral reefs

Researchers are studying the mysterious lives of creatures in and near Cuba’s coral reefs. What they learn could help protect ocean life globally.

Ecosystems

Migrating crabs take their eggs to the sea

Cuba’s colorful land crabs connect swamp and sea with their yearly mass migrations. Protecting their routes can help other animals too.

Genetics

Can DNA editing save endangered species?

Scientists may be able to help endangered species by changing the genes of a whole population of wild animals. But some question whether that is wise.

Plants

Blooms on ‘chocolate’ tree are crazy-hard to pollinate

The cacao trees must be pollinated or those seeds that give us chocolate will never form. The rub: The trees’ flowers challenge all but some of the tiniest pollen-moving insects.

Ecosystems

Here’s why scientists have been fertilizing the Arctic

For more than 30 years, scientists have been fertilizing small parcels of Arctic tundra. Here’s what happens when you push an ecosystem to the brink.

Ecosystems

Scientists Say: Bog

Bogs are a type of wetland in which partially decayed plants sink down and form peat.

Plants

Earthworm invaders may be stressing out some maples

Worms are great for soil when ecosystems have evolved with them. But in earthworm-free places, like parts of the U.S. Upper Midwest, they can cause problems for plants and animals.

Oceans

Expedition finds South Pacific plastic patch bigger than India

A giant, floating ‘garbage patch’ in the South Pacific off Chile’s coast is mostly tiny bits of plastic.