Scientists once believed that having many different plant species in grasslands kept food supplies steady. The idea was that if some plants struggled, others would thrive, balancing things out. But new research shows this doesn’t always work when climate change and human activity push ecosystems to
The limestone caves that run across northwestern Cambodia are still a mystery. A recent field trip to the province of Battambang revealed several animals that science has never seen before. Among them are a bright turquoise pit viper, a snake that can glide through the air, new kinds of geckos, tiny
The planet is home to roughly ten million living kinds, from tiny fungi to giant whales. Every day, people around the world tap their phones and add a picture of something they spot to a free app that gathers this information. About six million people use it each month, giving scientists fresh data
Scientists have looked beyond the usual parks and reserves to find other lands that could help wildlife survive. They called these places “Other Effective Area‑Based Conservation Measures” or OECMs. The idea is that some areas, even if not officially protected, still play a key role in keeping speci
The martagon lily, a rare flower that grows under trees in Europe and Asia, was studied in three Polish woodlands. Researchers visited Wolski Forest, Mount Chełm, and Hrabeński Forest between 2018 and 2023. In each place they laid out ten plots of 100 square metres to record plant diversity and meas
Scientists used a powerful X‑ray machine in Germany to scan over two thousand ants from museums and private collections. The device, a synchrotron particle accelerator, captured detailed images of each insect’s body in a single week. Normally, doing the same work would take years with older technolo
In the high mountains of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, people have lived for generations by turning to nature’s gifts for health. The area is a patchwork of cultures, each with its own stories about how animals can help cure sickness. Yet scientists have only just begun to listen. Researchers are now tra
Climate change has been a hot topic for years, with many people saying it's causing animals and plants to die out at an alarming rate. But a new report from the UK Royal Society shakes things up. It says that extinction rates haven't gone up much in the last 200 years. In fact, for bugs and plants,
Longwood Gardens is not just a pretty place. Behind the beautiful plants, there's a lot of science at work. This science helps protect plants that are in danger of disappearing forever. Longwood Gardens is like a big, safe home for these plants. They grow them, study them, and even keep seeds in a s
Dr. Toby Kiers, a leading evolutionary biologist, has been awarded the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. This honor is often called the "Nobel Prize for the Environment. " At the same time, her non-profit organization, SPUN, is launching a new project called "Underground Advocat
