A Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix) in South Africa. (Credit: Daniel J. Field)
Many of the birds we see only in the tropics today once lived as far north as Canada and Russia. A warmer climate millions of years ago gave them free reign over more northern habitats, before gradual climatic shifts pushed them southwards, a new study shows.
Now, the climate is
changing again, but birds may not be able to adapt fast enough this time
around.
"We've illustrated the extent to which suitabl ...read more
Heavy rains and flooding through the winter and spring have left fields across the Midwest too wet to plant. (Credit: Matauw/Shutterstock)
Every spring, farmers across the
Midwest take to the fields to plant their crops. Here, corn and soybeans will reign
supreme over tens of millions of acres, as soon as conditions are right to
plant. Not too wet, not too dry – just right.
But the U.S. had an exceptionally wet winter this year. And it kept raining in the spring. April turned to May, ...read more
New research into the genetic backstory of ancient French grapevines reveals that some varieties cultivated today haven't changed for centuries. (Credit: Victor Grigas/Wikimedia Commons)
Consider this the next time you toast a friend and wish them long life: The wine swishing around your glass may have come from grapevines with very long-lived lineages indeed. Researchers analyzing genetic material from ancient grape seeds turned up evidence of varieties almost unchanged for nearly 2,000 yea ...read more
Coming Soon! “The Field Guide to Citizen Science,” from the experts at SciStarter , published by Timber Press.
Citizen science is the public involvement in the discovery of new scientific knowledge. A citizen science project can involve one person or millions of people collaborating towards a common goal. The citizen science movement is approachable and inclusive, making it an excellent option for people looking for ways to get involved and make a differenc ...read more
Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography are working with Antarctic tour operators like Hurtigruten to enable vacationers to serve as citizen scientists with the FjordPhyto citizen science project. Travelers collect samples of phytoplankton from Antarctic fjords in an effort to understand the base of the food web, helping scientists learn how one of the most fertile ocean regions in the world may be changing.
Human Impact in Remote Areas
You would think that the most remote c ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine