Climate
5 things to know about the climate-saving benefits of tree planting
A recent analysis of the benefits of massive efforts to plant more trees triggered a firestorm of controversy.
By Susan Milius
Ecosystems
Articles on ecosystems
More Stories in Ecosystems
-
EarthEarthworms lose weight in soils polluted with microplastics
Bits of plastic pollution in the ground caused earthworms to lose weight. That could hurt the worms’ ability to make soil healthy, and may explain why plants were stunted.
-
EcosystemsScientists Say: Wetland
Wetlands are land areas that are flooded with water some or all of the time. They’re more than just wet, though. They filter water, shelter young animals and much more.
-
EcosystemsWarming pushes lobsters and other species to seek cooler homes
Plants and animals are moving toward the poles, changing timing of important events and more — all in response to climate change.
-
EcosystemsPhotographing wildflowers and other ways you can help fight climate change
Citizen scientists can help with climate and conservation research by counting birds, taking pictures of flowers and deciphering old weather records.
-
EnvironmentLife on Earth is mostly green
A new survey of life on Earth finds that plants and microbes dominate. But even though humans are in the minority, they still play a major role.
-
ClimateDisappearing sea ice could disrupt Arctic’s food web
When sea ice goes missing in the Arctic, every part of the ecosystem feels the effects.
-
AnimalsAnimal graveyard found in deeply buried Antarctic lake
Mud from Antarctica’s Lake Mercer surprised scientists with what appeared to be the carcasses of tiny animals. A neighboring lake had only microbes.
-
EcosystemsScientists Say: Niche
An organism’s niche is the role it fills in the community it lives in.
-
PlantsRare-plant hunters race against time to save at-risk species
One in five plants is at risk of extinction. Meet the rare plant hunters who rappel down cliffs and trek through forests to save them.