Male frogs in the Brazilian rainforest establish two-frog harems, and they stay loyal to their mates. Mating in the animal world can take different (and sometimes, weird) forms. There’s almost a continuum between polygamy (the practice of having multiple mates) and monogamy (having one mate). Polygamy is generally associated with an earlier stage of evolution, […]
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Renewable energy is expanding fast in the United Kingdom, slashing carbon emissions and electricity costs across the board, according to recently published government figures. Carbon emissions from UK electricity production dropped by more than a third during the coronavirus lockdown, as the expansion of renewables continues. The carbon intensity of the energy grid reached 21 […]
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Elephant trails may lead the way to better conservation approaches. “Think of elephants as engineers of the forests,” said Melissa J. Remis, professor and head of anthropology at Purdue University, who is best known for her work in ecology and behavior of western gorillas and their ecosystems. “Elephants shape the landscape in many ways that […]
Continue ReadingBy Douglas Broom Its waving fronds carpet the seafloor and shelter thousands of sea creatures. But seagrass is more than a haven for marine wildlife – researchers say it could play a major role in slowing climate change. Seagrass – also known as eelgrass – covers just 0.2% of the seabed, yet it accounts for […]
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This summer beavers have been granted “permanent right to remain” in their river home in east Devon, the first legalised reintroduction of an extinct British mammal. White storks reintroduced on the Knepp estate in West Sussex as part of another rewilding initiative have raised chicks and taken to the skies. Meanwhile, a major grant will […]
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Once considered extinct, the Burmese roofed turtle was brought back from the brink by an ambitious conservation program. The captive population is now approaching 1,000 turtles, and the species appears to be in little danger of biological extinction. Scientists have now published descriptions and photos of the hatchlings of this little-known river turtle. Once considered […]
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Before the first Polynesian settlers arrived roughly 1,500 years ago, the Hawaiian Islands were ruled from the sky. Not a single land-dwelling reptile or mammal called the archipelago home – just winged insects, one variety of bat, and a truly vast array of birds. While Hawaii is still flush with life today, many of those […]
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Since lockdown, public interest in growing fruit and vegetables at home has soared. Seed packets are flying off shelves and allotment waiting lists are swelling, with one council receiving a 300% increase in applications. Fear of food shortages will have motivated some, but others with more time on their hands at home will have been […]
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Children living in urban areas with a higher percentage of green space have higher intelligence and fewer behavioral problems, according to a new study. The findings bring yet another piece of evidence regarding the importance of green areas for children’s cognitive development. A group of researchers from Belgium assessed the intelligence of over 600 children […]
Continue ReadingAugust 22 is Earth Overshoot Day, which marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. This results from massive consumption of ecological resources and accumulation of waste. A large portion of this comes from heavy industry and the way we build our […]
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