Sargassum seaweed is piling up on Florida’s beaches, and it’s making a dangerous journey for sea turtle hatchlings even riskier.



Every summer, the sand becomes a highway as thousands of tiny turtles burst from their nests and scramble toward the ocean. For most of them, this short sprint is the difference between life and death.



They’ve already beaten the odds just by hatching. Now, they must avoid predators, stay cool under the rising sun, and find the water before their strength runs out.



But this growing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sargassum-seaweed-a-growing-problem-could-become-a-sustainable-solution/">seaweed problem</a> is more than just beach clutter - it’s a new threat that’s slowing them down at a time when every second counts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-smelly-beach-junk">More than just smelly beach junk</h2>



Sargassum seaweed often washes up along Florida’s coast. It’s that brown, leafy stuff that starts to smell after a while. Out in the Atlantic, it floats in huge mats that provide habitat for marine life.



But when too much piles up on shore, sargassum seaweed creates a thick, tangled mess that’s hard for anything small to get through - including baby sea turtles.



Over the past few years, sargassum levels have exploded. Summer beachgoers aren’t the only ones frustrated. 



Sea turtle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-impacts-the-size-of-sea-turtle-hatchlings/">hatchlings</a> are now struggling to cross these growing piles to reach the ocean. It’s not just an inconvenience. It’s a survival threat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-how-turtles-navigate-the-sargassum">Testing how turtles navigate the sargassum</h2>



Until recently, no one had looked closely at how sargassum affects sea turtle hatchlings. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University (<a href="https://www.fau.edu/science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAU</a>) set out to investigate.



The team tested three species common in Florida: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/leatherback-sea-turtles-where-the-worlds-largest-turtles-go-to-eat/">leatherbacks</a>, loggerheads, and green turtles. These are the same turtles that nest on beaches from Boca Raton to Juno Beach.



The researchers built 50-foot (15 meter) crawlways in the sand and placed mats of loose sargassum up to 7.5 inches (19 centimeters) high - roughly the height of a large shoebox on end - at the finish line.



A dim light at the far end mimicked the natural glow over the ocean that hatchlings instinctively head towards. Then the team observed how the turtles responded.



The team measured how long it took for the turtles to reach the water, tracked whether they got flipped over while crawling through the seaweed, and even checked their blood sugar levels to see how much energy they were burning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sargassum-slows-turtles-down">Sargassum slows turtles down </h2>



The results were clear. All three species took much longer to reach the ocean when sargassum was in the way. Leatherbacks were slowed by 54% with lighter sargassum, and 158% with heavier coverage.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loggerhead-turtles-migrate-using-a-secret-thermal-corridor/">Loggerheads</a> saw a 91% delay in light coverage and 175% in heavy seaweed. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reintroduction-of-green-turtles-has-been-a-success-in-the-cayman-islands/">Green turtles</a> slowed by 75% and 159%, respectively.



Some turtles couldn’t even finish the crawl in time. The biggest delay came when hatchlings had to climb over the thick seaweed, which slowed them down to a crawl - literally.



“The longer a hatchling stays on the beach, the more at risk it becomes - not just from predators like birds and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-did-billions-of-crabs-vanish-from-the-bering-sea/">crabs</a>, but also from overheating and dehydration, especially after sunrise,” said Dr. Sarah Milton of the FAU Department of Biological Sciences.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7xqe2C6RR6I?feature=share"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/leatherback-hatchling_sargassum-seaweed-obstacles_FAU_1s.webp" alt="A leatherback hatchling navigates over sargassum on Juno Beach in July 2021. Credit: Abbey M. Appelt, Florida Atlantic University" class="wp-image-1986078"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A leatherback hatchling navigates over sargassum on Juno Beach in July 2021. Click image for video. Credit: Abbey M. Appelt, Florida Atlantic University</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-stuck-and-flipped">Getting stuck and flipped</h2>



The sargassum didn’t just slow the turtles down. It threw them off balance. Hatchlings kept flipping over while trying to climb the mats. In some cases, it happened over and over.



One unlucky turtle flipped more than 20 times in a single trial. Every time that happened, it wasted time and energy, and made hatchlings easy targets for predators.



These juveniles only have a small window to make it to the water before heat and dehydration kick in.



“When sargassum piles are higher - some can be over a meter high on South Florida beaches in the summer and extend for hundreds of meters down the beach - we can expect more failed attempts, particularly when hatchlings have to cross multiple bands of <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sargassum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seaweed</a> just to reach the ocean,” said Milton.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-sign-of-burnout-yet">No sign of burnout - yet</h2>



Even with all that effort, the turtles didn’t show signs of physical exhaustion - at least not in their blood sugar levels. Glucose remained in normal ranges for all three species, no matter how much seaweed they faced. 



Only leatherbacks in the no-crawl control group had noticeably higher glucose, which researchers say shows that crawling itself is demanding - but the sargassum didn’t drain them any faster, at least in the short term.



Still, that doesn’t mean it’s harmless.



“For sea turtle hatchlings, reaching the ocean is already a race against time – and survival. Now, increasingly large mats of sargassum are adding new challenges to this critical journey,” said Milton.



“As these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robot-discovers-surprising-food-source-sargassum-for-deep-ocean-creatures/">seaweed accumulations</a> grow taller and more widespread, they risk blocking hatchlings entirely, draining their limited energy or leaving them stranded. Beyond impeding movement, sargassum may also reduce nesting space and alter incubation conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sargassum-management-and-turtles">Sargassum management and turtles</h2>



Sargassum isn’t going away anytime soon. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-broke-records-for-450-straight-days/">Warmer oceans</a> and nutrient runoff are fueling massive blooms across the Atlantic, and more of it is expected to hit Florida’s shores every year.



This growing issue isn’t just about beach aesthetics. It's quietly making a tough journey even tougher for baby turtles trying to survive their first few minutes of life.



Without changes in how beaches are maintained, these seaweed mats could keep getting in the way - and turtle populations may suffer down the line.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-24-00092.1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Coastal Research</a>.



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Sargassum seaweed is a deadly obstacle course for baby sea turtles

Sargassum seaweed is piling up on Florida’s beaches, and it’s making a dangerous journey for sea turtle hatchlings even riskier. Every summer, the sand becomes a highway as thousands of tiny turtles burst from their nests and scramble toward the ocean. For most of them, this short sprint is the difference between life and death. They’ve already beaten the odds just by hatching. Now, they must avoid predators, stay cool under the rising sun, and find the water before their strength runs out. But this growing seaweed...

A humble yet remarkable tiny water fern has emerged as a surprising yet powerful potential solution in the global fight against food insecurity.



This unassuming plant, known as Azolla, floats on the surface of freshwater bodies. It is gaining attention in the scientific community for its rapid growth and nutrient-rich profile.



Researchers have identified Carolina azolla, a specific freshwater variant, as a particularly promising candidate to help address food insecurity, offering hope for regions struggling with hunger and malnutrition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tiny-fern-with-huge-potential">A tiny fern with huge potential </h2>



Known for its unique properties, including its ability to double in biomass within days, this floating fern has recently been the subject of intensive scientific research to confirm its safety and viability as a food source. 



A comprehensive study from Penn State has thoroughly examined its potential, paving the way for new possibilities in sustainable agriculture and food production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerns-about-toxin-content">Concerns about toxin content </h2>



Initial concerns about the toxin content of Azolla prompted experts at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>, in collaboration with an international team of researchers, to embark on an extensive mission.



The team set out to test the plant for the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-blooms-can-release-neurotoxins-into-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanotoxins</a>. These potent byproducts of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae are often associated with harmful effects and were suspected to be related to the fern.



The researchers discovered that Azolla is completely free of cyanotoxins, thus confirming its safety for consumption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-azolla-could-feed-millions-of-people">Azolla could feed millions of people</h2>



Daniel Winstead, the leading research technologist at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, emphasized the significance of the discovery.



“That finding suggests that azolla is food safe and has the potential to safely feed millions of people due to its rapid growth while free-floating on shallow fresh water without the need for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-produce-their-own-nitrogen-fertilizer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen fertilizers</a>," said Winstead. 



What truly sets Azolla apart, however, is its remarkable ability to double its biomass in just two days. Additionally, it possesses the unique capability to capture nitrogen directly from the air, enriching its surrounding environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-the-presence-of-cyanotoxins">Investigating the presence of cyanotoxins </h2>



Cyanotoxins are known for their association with severe neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticide-exposure-increases-the-risk-of-parkinsons-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parkinson's disease</a>, alongside liver and kidney failure, muscle paralysis, and a myriad of other serious health complications. 



Upon the revelation that cyanotoxins are absent in Azolla, Winstead expressed his relief and satisfaction.



"I didn't want to be promoting the consumption of a potentially harmful plant. As I was preparing an experimental design, I was contacted by the Azolla Foundation about that organization's interest in our research," said Winstead. 



"I reached out to them and asked if they knew anyone who was looking into azolla's toxicity from cyanotoxins."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eliminating-the-cyanotoxin-concerns">Eliminating the cyanotoxin concerns</h2>



A few weeks later, he received an email from a group of researchers who were investigating the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cyanobacteria-may-shed-new-light-on-the-history-of-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanobacteria</a> and cyanotoxins in the azolla species in question, inviting Winstead to join their study.



“Together, we analyzed the results and concluded that Azolla, and more specifically a cyanobacterium that lives in cavities in the leaves of Azolla, do not produce any of the main cyanotoxins," explained Winstead.



He also explained that the cyanobacterium found in Azolla is Nostoc azollae, an endosymbiont that lives within or on the surface of the plant in a mutually beneficial relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viable-and-sustainable-food-source">Viable and sustainable food source</h2>



Nostoc azollae coexists with Azolla in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/symbiotic-relationship-plant-roots-underground-mycorrhizal-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symbiotic relationship</a>, thriving alongside the plant without producing any harmful toxins.



“More importantly, the known genes required to make these toxins are not even present within the genome of Nostoc azollae,” said Winstead.



With each successive study, the evidence supporting Azolla as a viable and sustainable food source grows. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-potential-of-azolla">Broader potential of Azolla</h2>



Beyond its potential to nourish populations worldwide, Azolla also holds promise as a new source of biofertilizer and biodiesel. It may pave the way for revolutionary advances in sustainable agriculture and energy.



As humanity continues to explore innovative solutions to global challenges, the diminutive Azolla might just hold the key to a greener and more nourished future for all. 



Its potential contribution to a sustainable world makes it an exciting subject for further exploration and investment.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/19/2707" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants</a>.



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Azolla: The tiny fern that could feed the world

A humble yet remarkable tiny water fern has emerged as...

Photosynthesis forms the foundation of life on Earth, yet climate change increasingly threatens this essential process. With advanced tools, scientists can now study how shifts in temperature, humidity, and light impact photosynthesis and, by extension, the future of ecosystems.&nbsp;



For Rakesh Tiwari, a postdoctoral researcher at <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a>'s Department of Ecology and Genetics, uncovering how plants adapt - or fail to adapt - to climate shifts is critical.



“I want to understand how species and ecosystems can function in the future,” said Tiwari, whose research spans tropical forests in Puerto Rico, the Amazon, and even the controlled climate of Uppsala’s Tropical Greenhouse.&nbsp;



Using cutting-edge tools to simulate environmental extremes, Tiwari seeks to understand plants' adaptability to climate challenges and their potential limits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-photosynthesis-under-pressure">Observing photosynthesis under pressure</h2>



In the humid atmosphere of Uppsala’s greenhouse, surrounded by towering palms and dense foliage, Tiwari demonstrates his process using a portable greenhouse gas analyzer, designed to simulate various environmental conditions on leaves.&nbsp;



He places a hibiscus leaf into the instrument’s chamber, exposing it to intensified light and heat. The leaf’s reaction offers clues about how plants process sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to create glucose and oxygen under different stresses.



“Since it's a portable instrument, I can take it to different places and analyze photosynthetic responses to different environmental conditions for plants,” Tiwari explained.&nbsp;



“For example, I can change the temperature and light levels, and measure how this affects the photosynthesis rate.” 



This on-site work parallels studies he’s conducted in natural tropical environments, where he’s observed distinct patterns in how photosynthesis responds to extreme heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-s-foundation-in-the-rainforest">Life's foundation in the rainforest</h2>



In 2017, Tiwari participated in a research project in the Amazon, where he and his colleagues used similar tools to monitor the health of the rainforest’s photosynthesis system.&nbsp;



“We used a similar fluorometer to monitor when the photosystems started to break down. What we saw was a clear pattern. Trees in one of the Amazon's hottest sites are already experiencing air temperature conditions that can affect their photosynthesis machinery.”&nbsp;



The researchers discovered that plants in particularly hot and dry areas of the Amazon were already nearing their heat tolerance, with photosynthesis rates dropping during especially high temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-limits-of-photosynthetic-efficiency">The limits of photosynthetic efficiency</h2>



Global photosynthetic efficiency is strikingly low, typically at most 5%, due in part to a process called photorespiration.&nbsp;



During photorespiration, an enzyme called rubisco mistakenly binds oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, a problem exacerbated by high temperatures. This reduces the plant’s ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">produce energy</a> efficiently.



“Another factor is the small openings, or stomata, in the plant's leaves that regulate carbon dioxide absorption and water exchange,” Tiwari said.&nbsp;



“In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-countries-most-at-risk-from-extreme-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme heat</a>, they can close to save water. This is a survival strategy, but it also reduces their photosynthesis rate. While in some trees, stomata open at higher temperatures to make use of evaporative cooling as a leaf cooling mechanism.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-carbon-storage-nbsp">Implications for carbon storage&nbsp;</h2>



Tiwari’s research at Uppsala, conducted with Bob Muscarella’s team, focuses on understanding temperature-related adaptations in tropical and temperate forests.&nbsp;



His recent findings suggest that temperature sensitivity to photorespiration varies significantly among species, which could inform reforestation strategies aimed at selecting species most resilient to climate change.



“The consequences of such understanding can better inform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> projects. For example, we can understand how vegetation could function in warmer futures and how we can adapt our future conservation and afforestation strategies,” Tiwari noted.



However, Tiwari emphasizes that planting trees alone isn’t sufficient to protect the climate. Preserving mature forests offers unparalleled ecological benefits.&nbsp;



“We cannot recreate the complexity of a mature forest. It does more than just capture carbon; it supports biodiversity, regulates water flows, and provides habitats for countless species,” he said.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-the-foundation-of-life">Preserving the foundation of life</h2>



From October 21 to November 1, the UN biodiversity conference COP16 will be held in Cali, Colombia, where leaders will address global conservation challenges.&nbsp;



Tiwari hopes that conference discussions will focus on preserving natural ecosystems, especially forests, as they are irreplaceable in regulating carbon and supporting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>.



“If we lose biodiversity and forest ecosystems, we lose the planet's best natural carbon capture system,” he said.&nbsp;



“One day there may be technologies that can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but the more we rely on artificial solutions, the more damage we risk causing the planet. These are risks we cannot afford to take.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-innovation-with-natural-solutions">Balancing innovation with natural solutions</h2>



In the face of climate challenges, Tiwari’s research highlights the need for both conservation and innovation. While advanced tools are improving our understanding of photosynthesis, preserving existing ecosystems remains essential for achieving true sustainability. 



“The best way to protect the environment is to preserve the natural systems that already exist,” Tiwari said. His work highlights a balanced approach: technological advances in plant science coupled with committed efforts to maintain natural habitats.



By investigating the intricate ways plants respond to climate shifts, Tiwari’s research emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation in climate action. 



Through both preservation and innovation, the scientific community can work towards sustaining the ecosystems that serve as the foundation of life on Earth.



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The foundation of life is at risk from climate change

Photosynthesis forms the foundation of life on Earth, yet climate...

We might want to start considering a diversity makeover for the simulation game 'Farmville,' making it more environmentally conscious and modeling it to promote biodiverse farming practices.



Why, you ask? Because research has found that adding a dash of plant diversity to agricultural systems can effectively accelerate the carbon consignment potential of the soils.



This is a significant discovery, and is particularly relevant as the agriculture industry strives to decrease its carbon footprint.



Plant diversity could be our very own secret ingredient to sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture and food production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-and-sustainable-agriculture">Plant diversity and sustainable agriculture</h2>



It is no secret that the progress and intensification of farming have taken a toll on our soils - depleting their health and releasing carbon into the atmosphere.



Since a vast portion of our planet is dedicated to farming, it is pertinent that agricultural systems take a leading role in climate change mitigation strategies.



However, there has been a roadblock in these efforts due to our limited knowledge about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-distinguish-between-good-and-bad-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-microbe</a> interactions. A team of researchers at the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/de.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a> set out to investigate.



The study, led by Luiz Domeignoz-Horta, shows that the key to augmenting soil carbon storage lies within our reach by simply increasing plant diversity in agricultural fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-benefits-of-plant-diversity">Potential benefits of plant diversity </h2>



The researchers took their study to Finland, where they launched the TwinWin experiment.



The goal of the research was to explore how varying levels of plant diversity could influence soil's microbial processes, especially when integrated with a staple crop like barley.



Over the course of the study, the experiment tested barley grown alone and alongside eight different plant species - each carefully selected for their prospective benefits to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-soils-produce-a-symphony-of-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil health</a> and resilience.



These species included nitrogen-fixing and deep-rooting varieties. The plants were chosen to enhance nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-for-better-carbon-storage">Plant diversity for better carbon storage</h2>



The focus of the experiment was on microbial carbon use efficiency - a measure of how effectively microbes transform carbon inputs into fresh biomass without releasing it as carbon dioxide.



The scientists gauged microbial growth, soil respiration, and community dynamics through molecular sequencing and stable isotope tracking. The team kept a keen eye on the movement of carbon within the soil microbial communities.



"We found that higher plant diversity fostered stronger positive interactions between microbes in the rhizosphere - the area around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autophagy-what-makes-plant-roots-grow-faster-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant roots</a> - which ultimately improved the community carbon use efficiency," said Domeignoz-Horta.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-green-avalanche">The green avalanche</h2>



Moreover, a higher variety of plants positively impacted overall plant biomass production without causing a drop in barley yields, demonstrating that this practice can maintain crop output while enhancing soil carbon retention. 



It is clear that plant diversity plays a crucial role in influencing microbial physiology, promoting healthier ecosystems and offering an eco-friendly solution to agricultural carbon sequestration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-light-for-carbon-farming">Green light for "carbon farming"</h2>



While implementing plant diversity in farming systems could be labor-intensive for small-scale farmers, they remain key stakeholders in sustainable farming.



"Nevertheless, our results suggest that with the right policy support, encouraging diverse crop mixtures could become a key component of ‘carbon farming,’ helping to sequester more carbon in soils while maintaining agricultural productivity," said Domeignoz-Horta.



"This could pave the way for new climate-resilient farming practices that benefit both the environment and farmers."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-path-forward-for-sustainable-agriculture">A path forward for sustainable agriculture</h2>



The findings from the TwinWin experiment highlight the untapped potential of plant diversity in agriculture. 



By enhancing microbial interactions and improving soil carbon storage, diverse crop mixtures can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. 



However, realizing this potential requires a shift in farming practices and broader policy support to encourage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-footprint-a-new-frontier-in-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable</a>, biodiversity-focused approaches. 



With increased awareness and commitment from stakeholders, plant diversity could redefine the future of agriculture, offering a resilient, eco-friendly solution that benefits both farmers and the planet. 



The research suggests that the path to a more sustainable future starts with embracing the natural synergy between plants and soil and harnessing the power of biodiversity to build healthier ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52449-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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How plant diversity can help combat climate change

We might want to start considering a diversity makeover for...

Ever wonder why some farmers keep planting different crops or allowing wildflowers to flourish on the periphery of their field? It's not just to create a pretty scene. 



Planting diverse crops involves something as intricate and invisible as bacteria and as immense and palpable as carbon storage and climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-has-a-carbon-issue">Agriculture has a carbon issue</h2>



A large portion of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere originates from the soil. Plowing, tilling, and harvesting release carbon from the ground and send it skywards. 



Despite the well-intentioned green thumb, agriculture finds itself in the red. About 40% of the world's land is used for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-diversity-darkspots-need-urgent-attention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farming</a>, making these practices a not-so-small matter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-biodiversity-and-carbon-storage">Plant biodiversity and carbon storage</h2>



A new study suggests that letting many different plants grow in one field can help keep carbon in the ground.



Isn't that something? The answer could be as simple as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-in-dry-landscapes-have-surprising-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planting a variety of crops</a> or even letting those lovely wildflowers stay.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roots-of-the-matter">Roots of the matter</h2>



Leading the charge on this novel idea is Luiz Domeignoz-Horta and a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a>. They conducted a brilliant experiment in Finland called the TwinWin experiment.



Here's the setup: barren fields were sowed with barley. Alongside the barley, different fields had up to a total of eight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/islands-are-home-to-one-third-of-all-known-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different plant species</a>.



Why these additional plants? The answer lies in the roots. Some of these plants are nitrogen-fixing, and some have deep roots. Both of these qualities help improve soil health, leading to more carbon storage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-footprint-of-diverse-plants">Carbon footprint of diverse plants</h2>



The researchers had a specific measure in mind to gauge the effectiveness of microbial action – carbon use efficiency. They kept tabs on this by monitoring microbial growth, soil respiration, and community dynamics.



So what did it all mean? It turns out that a greater variety of plants lead to healthier microbe interaction in the soil around the roots. This not only means more efficient carbon use but also better soil health overall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-plants-reduced-carbon">Bigger plants, reduced carbon</h2>



Plant diversity also increased the overall plant biomass production. This means that even as carbon was reduced, crop yields were not. So, farmers can potentially keep this practice going without losing income.



The findings put in perspective the importance of identity, or rather diversity. By increasing diversity, we can have healthier ecosystems that are more resilient to changes.



But it's not just about the environments. This practice is a sustainable way for the agricultural sector to do its part in tackling climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-in-modern-farming">Plant diversity in modern farming</h2>



Adopting diverse planting strategies on a practical level entails planning, understanding soil conditions, and selecting compatible plant species. 



Farmers face challenges like learning which crops complement each other, how to fit this into crop rotation systems, and the initial costs of changing traditional methodologies. 



However, extension services and agricultural advisories are increasingly offering support to ease this transition, providing guidance on species selection suited to local conditions and tips for managing these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteraceae-is-the-worlds-most-diverse-flowering-plant-family/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse systems</a>. 



As more practitioners adopt these biodiverse systems, collective knowledge grows, and best practices circulate more widely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-agricultural-future">Sustainable agricultural future</h2>



With the growing body of research backing plant biodiversity's role in carbon sequestration, the potential policy implications are profound. 



Governments and international organizations might consider incentivizing these practices through subsidies or grants, encouraging farmers to incorporate diverse planting more widely. 



Such measures not only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promote biodiversity, leading to more resilient ecosystems. 



Policymakers face the task of balancing immediate economic concerns with long-term environmental goals, yet the evidence suggests that these approaches could yield both financial and ecological dividends, supporting a sustainable agricultural future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implementation-of-plant-diversity">Implementation of plant diversity</h2>



Plant diversity might sound good on paper and look great in the lab, but applying it on the field (especially for small-scale farmers) can be quite an endeavor. The additional work and cost could present significant challenges.



“The implementation of plant diversity in farming systems is labor-intensive, particularly for small-scale farmers who are the key to sustainability,” noted Domeignoz-Horta.



“Nevertheless, our results suggest that with the right policy support, encouraging diverse crop mixtures could become a key component of ‘carbon farming,’ helping to sequester more carbon in soils while maintaining agricultural productivity."



According to Domeignoz-Horta, this could pave the way for new climate-resilient farming practices that benefit both the environment and farmers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study</h2>



As we face the challenges of excess carbon and climate change, solutions like diverse plants offer hope. They offer a path to sustainable, resilient agricultural practices that benefit our environment and farmers alike. 



These are solutions that do not demand radical technological interventions or substantial policy upheavals. Instead, they ask us to return to our roots and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-plants-genus-spread-farther-grow-faster-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">embrace diversity</a>. Not just for the sake of a colorful landscape but for a healthier, more sustainable world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52449-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Planting diverse crops traps carbon and boosts soil health

Ever wonder why some farmers keep planting different crops or...

Salt marshes are nature’s coastal defenders, and are gaining recognition as an essential line of protection against rising seas and increasingly intense storms.



As images of coastal homes being swept away become a more familiar sight, the impacts of climate change are undeniable. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-marshes-as-a-sustainable-solution">Salt marshes as a sustainable solution </h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) investigated the role that salt marshes play in protecting coastlines. 



The study, led by graduate student Ernie I. H. Lee and Professor Heidi Nepf, reveals that salt marshes are a cost-effective and sustainable solution for coastal defense.



"Each year, coastal storms threaten hundreds of millions of people, disrupt transportation networks, and produce billions of dollars in damage. In 2022, in the United States alone, coastal storms have resulted in economic losses over $165 billion," noted the study authors.



"These costs are projected to increase with sea level rise and with more frequent and more severe storms promoted by climate change."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-effective-coastal-protection">Cost-effective coastal protection </h2>



The research indicates that implementing measures to protect and enhance salt marshes in front of protective seawalls can protect some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/self-repairing-oyster-reefs-will-help-protect-coastlines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastlines</a>, and the cost is surprisingly reasonable.



According to Professor Nepf, protecting coastal marshes is not just something that would be nice to do, but is actually economically justifiable.



The researchers discovered that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fighting-coastal-erosion-electricity-turns-sand-into-a-sea-wall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seawall</a> behind the salt marsh can be significantly lower due to the marshes' wave dampening effects. This saves on construction costs while offering the same protection from storms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-marshes-big-impact">Small marshes, big impact</h2>



The study highlights that even a small marsh can make a difference. This is encouraging news for places where it was thought preserving smaller marshes wasn't worth the cost.



“One of the other exciting things that the study really brings to light is that you don’t need a huge marsh to get a good effect. It could be a relatively short marsh, just tens of meters wide, that can give you benefit," said Professor Nepf. “We show that it can make enough of a difference to be financially viable."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-marshes-to-the-rescue">Urban marshes to the rescue</h2>



While the benefits of natural marshes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marshes-protect-shorelines-against-inclement-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mitigating storm damage</a> are well-known, this study differs in its focus. 



According to Lee, the study emphasizes the solution's viability in urban settings, where space for marshland is constrained and seawalls are prevalent.



The MIT researchers developed a model that factored in the morphology of various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-coastal-salt-marshes-are-keeping-pace-with-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salt marsh</a> plants rather than relying on an empirical drag coefficient. 



They assessed the plant species' influence and changes in morphology across seasons without requiring field measurements for each condition.



The team based the cost-benefit analysis on a simple premise: how much of the seawall height could be reduced if a given amount of marsh accompanied it? This practical metric provided a concrete value to quantify the benefits of salt marshes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-real-world-example">A real-world example</h2>



Nepf and Lee validated their simulations using real-world examples. They studied local salt marshes in Salem, Massachusetts, where restoration projects are underway.



Their model showed a healthy salt marsh could replace an additional 1.7 meters of seawall height, maintaining the safety of pedestrians from wave overtopping.



Collating data for modeling a marsh is a labor-intensive process. To mitigate this, Lee developed a method using drone imaging and machine learning to enhance mapping.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantifying-the-value-of-ecosystem-services">Quantifying the value of ecosystem services</h2>



The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs released guidelines for assessing the value of ecosystem services in federal project planning. Professor Nepf said they lack specific methods for quantifying value.



The study addressed this gap by providing practical tools to translate the wave attenuation capabilities of marshes into economic value.



The study also complements the Federal Emergency Management Agency's toolkit for benefit-cost analysis of environmental services.



As Lee notes, this is one of the applications policymakers can consider to quantify the environmental service values of marshes.



To facilitate this process, the software that environmental engineers apply to specific sites is available online for free on GitHub. "It’s a one-dimensional model accessible by a standard consulting firm,” said Professor Nepf.



Salt marshes represent a win-win situation for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-based-solutions-improve-coastal-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal defense</a>. They provide an environmental benefit and a cost-effective solution.



"This paper presents a practical tool for translating the wave attenuation capabilities of marshes into economic values, which could assist decision-makers in the adaptation of marshes for nature-based coastal defense, " said Xiaxia Zhang, a professor at Shenzen University in China.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01753-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



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Salt marshes are enormously valuable for coastal protection

Salt marshes are nature’s coastal defenders, and are gaining recognition...

When you walk past a garden, it is easy to appreciate the burst of colors and fragrant aroma of blooming flowers.



Beyond their visual appeal, gardens offer a peaceful retreat for people seeking a connection with nature. 



Gardens do more than please our senses. According to a recent study, they serve as lifelines for vital pollinators, especially when farmland nectar is scarce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-gardens-in-nature">The role of gardens in nature</h2>



Researchers at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> uncovered an interesting phenomenon. They discovered that gardens aren’t just decorative spaces. They are essential sources of nourishment for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-are-not-just-attracted-to-plants-by-scent-but-also-by-humidity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>.



These natural patches provide an abundance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybees-carrying-nectar-avoid-overheating-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nectar</a> - a vital pollinator lifeline during early spring and late summer when there is less farmland nectar.



During these crucial times, gardens meet 50% to 95% of a pollinator’s nectar needs. This highlights the importance of gardens in rural and urban areas. They help maintain healthy populations of bees, flies, butterflies, and other pollinators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-gardens-good-for-pollinators">Why are gardens good for pollinators?</h2>



Study lead author Dr. Thomas Timberlake is a senior research associate in Bristol’s&nbsp;School of Biological Sciences.



"It’s well known that gardens and urban areas can be great places for pollinators like bees, flies, and butterflies. In fact, past research shows that cities often have more types and numbers of pollinators than farming areas," said Dr. Timberlake. 



"There's also evidence that pollinator populations are healthier in rural areas when they're close to small towns or villages, so we know gardens are good for pollinators, but we don't fully understand why."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gardens-a-steady-source-of-nectar">Gardens: A steady source of nectar</h2>



The team set out to explore what makes gardens vital havens for pollinators. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-majority-of-global-farmland-is-at-risk-of-pesticide-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Farmland</a> offers high quantities of nectar but lacks stability and continuity. 



Gardens contribute less than 15 percent of the total nectar in rural areas, but their constant supply makes them invaluable pollinator food sources.



In the UK, more than 90 percent of farmland lies within one kilometer of a garden, which greatly extends the reach of the benefits that gardens have to offer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individuals-can-make-a-difference">Individuals can make a difference </h2>



The study drives home a message of responsibility and hope. 



"Many people feel powerless when it comes to fighting biodiversity loss, thinking it's too big of a problem to tackle on their own. But our study shows that individual citizens can make a big difference," said Dr. Timberlake.



By maintaining a pollinator-friendly garden with flowers blooming throughout the year, especially in early spring and late summer, anyone can support pollinators.



This individual effort resonates beyond the gardens' fences and benefits ecosystems at large.



“People can support pollinators in their gardens and surrounding farmland by simply making sure their garden has pollinator-friendly flowers blooming throughout the year - especially in early spring and late summer, when pollinators are hungriest,” noted Dr. Timberlake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-pollinator-conservation">The future of pollinator conservation</h2>



The team aims to explore specific plants that fill the nectar void during seasonal hunger gaps, and if gardens should be incorporated into future environmental stewardship programs.



If scientists find that gardens benefit pollinators more than just in farmland habitats, it paves the way for more pollinator-friendly gardens in rural areas. With millions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gardeners-can-make-small-changes-to-benefit-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gardeners</a> in the UK, the potential for individual action is massive.



"For the 27 million gardeners in the UK, this study highlights just how important their gardens can be in helping to reverse the decline of pollinators," said Dr. Timberlake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-gardens-and-pollinator-conservation">Urban gardens and pollinator conservation</h2>



With urban areas expanding, gardens are essential for pollinator conservation. In cities with scarce natural habitats, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-gardens-provide-a-reliable-food-supply-for-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban gardens</a> provide green spaces that support biodiversity.



Research indicates that pollinators thrive in urban environments with gardens filled with flowering plants that offer nectar throughout the year.



These green pockets are stepping stones for pollinators, helping species like bees and butterflies traverse the concrete landscape.



By promoting the creation of pollinator-friendly gardens, urban residents contribute to building a network of habitats that enhance the beauty of their surroundings while ensuring the survival of pollinators.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1523" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Gardens help pollinators survive seasonal food shortages

When you walk past a garden, it is easy to...

Delicious,Pistachios,In,Bowl,On,Wooden,Table

The pistachio is often a snack mindlessly munched on while watching TV. The nut has a new trick up its shell causing scientists to see it in a new light. A recent study revealed an impressive new feature of this petite powerhouse. Pistachios may support and enhance vision and overall eye health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pistachios-and-eyes">Pistachios and eyes</h2>



Researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at <a href="https://nutrition.tufts.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a> discovered these tasty nuts contain lutein, a plant pigment that benefits the eyes.



The study pinpointed that a daily helping of pistachios significantly impacts macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a key factor in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ai-could-protect-millions-of-people-from-vision-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eye health</a>.



Do eyes need lutein? The short answer is, yes. Eyes are exposed to harsh visible light and need lutein to guard against potential damage, particularly during aging. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crunchy-findings">Crunchy findings</h2>



The Tufts' study took healthy middle-aged to older adults and added 2 ounces (about 56.7 grams) of pistachios to their daily diet. 



After 12 weeks, the pistachios significantly bumped up MPOD. This is a positive sign of healthy eyes and could reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 



AMD is a common ailment for many older adults and leads to significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-plays-crucial-role-vision-human-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vision</a> loss.



Many people grapple with numerous health concerns as they age. A national poll by the <a href="https://www.afb.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Foundation for the Blind</a> showed Americans dread vision loss. These results might provide a new ray of hope.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pistachios-improve-eye-health">Pistachios improve eye health</h2>



Once a person cracks open a pistachio, they unlock numerous benefits. Study participants saw a noticeable rise in MPOD levels in just 6 weeks of pistachio consumption. 



These benefits stayed throughout the 12-week study.



“Our findings indicate that pistachios are not only a nutritious snack, but they may also provide significant benefits for eye health,” said Dr. Tammy Scott, a research and clinical neuropsychologist and lead author of the study. 



“This is especially important as people age and face higher risks of vision impairment.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lutein-eye-s-best-friend">Lutein: Eye’s best friend</h2>



Lutein in pistachios defends eyes. It wards off harmful blue light and doubles as an antioxidant. 



Researchers found that eating pistachios nearly doubled the daily intake of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapes-provide-a-dietary-shield-to-protect-eye-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lutein</a>, which is generally low in most American diets.



Scott explained the participants who had low lutein saw a quick enhancement in their blood lutein levels in six weeks by adding 2 ounces of pistachios to their diet daily.



“By simply incorporating a handful of pistachios into your diet, you can improve your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-carrots-and-colorful-veggies-really-can-improve-your-eyesight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intake of lutein</a>, which is crucial for protecting your eyes,” Scott said.



This dietary adjustment provided a crucial boost to eye health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brilliance-of-pistachios">Brilliance of pistachios</h2>



Pistachios are good for the eyes and packed with nutrients that support overall health.



They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins like Vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium, making them a great snack for vegetarians and vegans. 



The healthy fats improve cholesterol levels and support heart health. Pistachios have a low glycemic index and are a smart choice for those watching their sugar intake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainability-and-pistachios">Sustainability and pistachios</h2>



Pistachios are not only nutritious but also environmentally friendly. They need less water than other nuts and thrive in dry climates, reducing the need for irrigation. 



Pistachio orchards also support biodiversity by promoting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-rich-tree-diversity-adapt-better-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse ecosystems</a>. Pistachios are a great superfood choice for consumers who want to make sustainable dietary decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pistachios-beyond-the-eyes">Pistachios beyond the eyes</h2>



While researchers celebrate the vision-enhancing capacities of lutein in the study from Tufts University, it also has broader health benefits.



“Lutein crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, a co-investigator in the study.



Studies suggest higher lutein levels could be linked to better cognitive abilities including memory and processing speed.



Next time someone reaches out for a snack, they should give that bag of pistachios a second glance. These nuts could do more for overall health than people realize. 



This includes bolstering vision and supporting brain health and makes pistachios a valuable addition to a healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-blue-light-from-smartphones-may-accelerate-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyle</a>.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002231662401099X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Nutrition</a>. 



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Eating pistachios daily proven to boost eyesight and overall health

The pistachio is often a snack mindlessly munched on while...

A,Cutting-edge,Robotic,Arm,Operates,In,A,Vertical,Hydroponic,Indoor

Photosynthesis is the foundation of all life on Earth, and the reason that we exist. However, because its efficiency rate of converting light energy into chemical energy is only 1%, there's room for improvement. That's where a brilliant new invention called "electro-agriculture" comes in.



Some talented bioengineers suggest an alternative to photosynthesis which promises much improved energy conversion through electro-agriculture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electro-agriculture-for-food-production">Electro-agriculture for food production</h2>



What if plants could be genetically modified to "consume" an organic molecule produced by a solar-powered chemical reaction that converts CO2 more efficiently than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-microalgae-show-photosynthesis-is-possible-in-near-darkness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>?



The idea is that with electro-agriculture, our reliance on land will decrease drastically. Imagine this: a 94% reduction in land needed for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-and-agriculture-are-locked-in-a-destructive-feedback-loop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a> if all food in the US were produced using this method.



This could even solve the tricky problem of food production in space. With less dependence on sunlight and traditional agricultural fields, we’re looking at a future of multi-story buildings growing our food using electro-agriculture principles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harvesting-sunshine-via-electro-agriculture">Harvesting sunshine via electro-agriculture</h2>



The soul and stature of this head-turning proposal are scientists Robert Jinkerson from <a href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California</a>, Riverside and Feng Jiao from <a href="https://washu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University</a> in St. Louis.



Jinkerson, a biological engineer, talks about moving agriculture to the next phase of technology, one that steps away from nature and takes advantage of controlled indoor environments through electro-agriculture.



Solar panels would be placed on or close to these multi-story buildings. These panels would absorb the sun's radiation, powering a chemical reaction between CO2 and water, and producing acetate which is central in electro-agriculture.



Acetate, a molecule similar to the main component in vinegar, would then be used as food for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-carbon-footprint-urban-farms-and-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydroponically grown plants</a>. 



And, why just plants? Acetate is also consumed naturally by food-producing organisms like mushrooms, yeast, and algae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vinegar-for-plants">Vinegar for plants</h2>



Jiao, an electrochemist, tells us that this new process already has an efficiency of about 4%. That's a four-fold increase compared to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>. 



And the smaller CO2 footprint associated with electro-agriculture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-food-day-fighting-global-hunger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food production</a>? How would the plants eat the acetate? 



The scientists are exploiting a metabolic pathway that sprouting plants use to break down food, turning it back on for full-grown plants to consume acetate as a source of energy, which is the gist of electro-agriculture.



“We're trying to turn this pathway back on in adult plants and reawaken their native ability to utilize acetate,” says Jinkerson. 



“It's analogous to lactose intolerance in humans -- as babies we can digest lactose in milk, but for many people that pathway is turned off when they grow up. It's kind of the same idea, only for plants.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-implications">Environmental implications</h2>



The transformation from traditional agricultural practices to electro-agriculture is not just about feeding more people efficiently; it carries profound potential benefits for the environment. 



Conventional farming methods often lead to significant deforestation, which is a major contributor to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity loss and climate change</a>.



By drastically reducing the amount of land required for crop production, electro-agriculture presents an opportunity to reverse some of the ecological damage caused by clearing land for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-footprint-a-new-frontier-in-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a>. 



Moreover, with its reduced reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, which can contaminate waterways and impact aquatic ecosystems, this innovative approach offers a promising alternative towards more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-food-systems-are-gaining-momentum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable food</a> production methods.



Embracing electro-agriculture could facilitate the gradual restoration of natural habitats, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to a more resilient planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-electro-agriculture">Future of electro-agriculture</h2>



Despite the huge potential of electro-agriculture, significant challenges remain. One key issue is the initial setup cost and maintenance of solar-powered chemical reactors, as well as the infrastructure needed to support large-scale indoor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-adopt-regenerative-agriculture-better-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farming facilities</a>.



Additionally, there is a need for further research to understand the long-term impacts on plant physiology when relying on acetate as a primary energy source. 



The genetic modification of plants to reinstate certain metabolic pathways could also face regulatory and public acceptance hurdles.



Furthermore, while current efficiency outpaces traditional photosynthesis, there is always room for improvement as technology advances. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimpse-into-the-future">Glimpse into the future</h2>



While the research is still in initial stages focusing on tomatoes and lettuce, there are plans of expanding it to staple high-calorie crops like sweet potatoes, cassava, and grains. 



The scientists have already succeeded in engineering plants that can use acetate in addition to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/details-photosynthesis-water-viewed-atomic-level-cryo-microscope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>.



“For plants, we're still in the research-and-development phase of trying to get them to utilize acetate as their carbon source, because plants have not evolved to grow this way, but we’re making progress,” says Jinkerson. 



“Mushrooms and yeast and algae, however, can be grown like this today, so I think that those applications could be commercialized first, and plants will come later down the line.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance">Study significance</h2>



The scientists, undoubtedly, are keen on refining the acetate production method to make the carbon-fixation system even more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-practices-boost-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">efficient</a>. 



“This is just the first step for this research, and I think there's a hope that its efficiency and cost will be significantly improved in the near future,” says Jiao.



To sum it all up, electro-agriculture is an exciting frontier in food production technology. If successful, it promises to be an environmentally friendly and space-efficient method that could revolutionize the concept of food production itself.



Jinkerson and Jiao remain optimistic, positioned at the forefront of electro-agriculture, and stress the importance of continued interdisciplinary collaboration.



As their research progresses, they envision not only overcoming these challenges but also refining electro-agriculture into a universally sustainable, accessible, and adaptable method of food production.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/joule/fulltext/S2542-4351(24)00429-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joule</a>.



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'Electro-agriculture' grows food in the dark with 94% less land required

Photosynthesis is the foundation of all life on Earth, and...

Are global forest fires becoming more frequent and more intense? According to a new study, the answer is a resounding yes. 



The research reveals that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from forest fires have risen by 60% worldwide since 2001.



In some northern boreal forests, which are acutely sensitive to climate variances, CO2 emissions have almost tripled during this time frame.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surge-in-forest-fire-emissions">Surge in forest fire emissions</h2>



The research explores the concept of "pyromes," a term used to denote regions witnessing similar forest fire patterns due to comparable environmental, human, and climatic influences.



The aim was to identify the key elements fueling the surge in forest fire activities of late.



One startling discovery was that emissions from fires in one of the largest pyromes, stretching across <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-is-the-leading-cause-of-wildfires-in-boreal-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boreal forests</a> in Eurasia and North America, saw a 50% hike from 2001 to 2023.



This increase was not exclusive to this region, and was also present across extratropical forests globally - contributing to the CO2 output by half a billion tons per year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-climate-change-influences-forest-fires">How climate change influences forest fires</h2>



The study links escalating emissions to a surge in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-caused-the-devastating-2020-fire-season-in-california/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fire-prone</a> weather, such as heatwaves and droughts, and an uptick in forest growth leading to an abundance of combustible vegetation. 



Both of these circumstances are amplified by the swift warming in the high northern latitudes - a trend that’s occurring twice as fast as the global average.



This research, led by Dr Matthew Jones at the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of East Anglia</a> (UEA), highlights not just the growing scale of forest wildfires over the past two decades but also their intensifying severity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgency-for-net-zero-emissions">Urgency for net zero emissions</h2>



The international team included scientists from the UK, the Netherlands, the US, Brazil, and Spain. The experts caution that unless the primary culprits of climate change like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-carbon-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuel emissions</a> are addressed, forest fires will continue to proliferate.



"Surging forest fires globally, both in extent and severity, have led to a dramatic rise in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/canadian-fires-have-released-a-billion-tons-of-carbon-dioxide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon emissions</a>. We’re seeing startling shifts in global fire geography, largely explained by escalating climate change impacts in the world’s boreal forests," said Dr. Jones. 



"To protect these critical ecosystems from escalating wildfire threats, we must keep global warming at bay, emphasizing the urgency to move towards net-zero emissions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-carbon-storage-and-wildfires">Global carbon storage and wildfires</h2>



Forests play a significant role in global carbon storage, reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5-degrees-celsius-would-save-billions-of-lives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a> rates by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.



This makes forests instrumental in achieving international climate targets. Schemes like reforestation and afforestation are aimed at negating human-induced CO2 emissions in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize.



But the effectiveness of these initiatives hinges on permanent carbon storage in forests - a prospect that is increasingly threatened by wildfires.



Extratropical fires are now emitting half a billion tons more CO2 than they were two decades ago. The potential long-term effects are dependent on the capacity of our forests to recover.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-impact-of-rising-wildfire-severity">Hidden impact of rising wildfire severity</h2>



Increased emissions from forest fires stand in stark contrast with the reduced burning witnessed in the world’s tropical savannahs during the same period.



Forest fires burn with more severity and release larger amounts of harmful smoke into the atmosphere compared to savannah grassland fires, posing significant threats to people living nearby and even distant communities affected by declining air quality caused by smoke.



“Our work shows that fires are increasingly happening where we don’t want them to - in forests, where they present the greatest threat to people and to vital carbon stores," noted Dr. Jones, debunking the prevailing narrative that overall falling annual area burned globally means a declining wildfire impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-and-mitigating-wildfires">Managing and mitigating wildfires</h2>



Machine learning was key to understanding shifting global fire geography. This technology grouped the world’s forest ecoregions into 12 distinct pyromes, making it easier to isolate the effects of climate change from other influencers like land use.



The research provides a fresh perspective on effective strategies for mitigating wildfires and protecting forests. 



“We need substantial financing to support strategic programs for forest management, stakeholder involvement and public education," said Dr. Jones. "The focus should be on a proactive approach, like managing fuel loads at places of highest potential fire risk during favorable fire weather.”



The study received support from the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), European Commission Horizon 2020 programme, and the European Space Agency.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.ado6828" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Global CO2 emissions from forest fires have surged by 60 percent

Are global forest fires becoming more frequent and more intense?...

A recent study has revealed that plants worldwide are absorbing significantly more carbon dioxide (CO2) than scientists had estimated before.&nbsp;



The research shows that terrestrial plants absorb about 31% more CO2 than earlier calculations suggested.&nbsp;



These findings are expected to enhance Earth system models used to predict climate changes and emphasize the crucial role of natural carbon sequestration in reducing greenhouse gas levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estimates-of-plant-co2-uptake">Estimates of plant CO2 uptake</h2>



The amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> that plants remove from the atmosphere through photosynthesis is referred to as Terrestrial Gross Primary Production, or GPP. 



This process represents the largest transfer of carbon between land and the atmosphere and is typically measured in petagrams of carbon per year (one petagram equals one billion metric tons).&nbsp;



Previously, scientists estimated that GPP was around 120 petagrams per year, a figure established 40 years ago.&nbsp;



However, the new study, led by researchers at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> with support from the Department of Energy (DOE)’s <a href="https://www.ornl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oak Ridge National Laboratory</a> (ORNL), has revised this estimate to 157 petagrams per year. This represents a major shift in our understanding of global carbon uptake by plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-photosynthesis-on-a-large-scale">Measuring photosynthesis on a large scale</h2>



The research team developed an innovative model that uses carbonyl sulfide (OCS) as a proxy to estimate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revealing-the-secrets-of-photosynthesis-through-pep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> on a large scale. OCS follows a similar path as CO2 through plant leaves, moving into chloroplasts - the sites where photosynthesis takes place. 



Unlike CO2, OCS is easier to track and measure, making it a suitable indicator of photosynthesis. The team showed that OCS is particularly effective for estimating photosynthesis over extensive areas and long periods, making it a reliable proxy for determining global GPP.



Researchers utilized plant data from multiple sources, including the <a href="https://leafweb.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeafWeb</a> database established by ORNL, which gathers data on photosynthetic traits from researchers worldwide. 



Instead of relying solely on satellite data - which can be less accurate due to interference from clouds, especially in tropical regions - the team validated their findings using high-resolution data from environmental monitoring towers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-models-with-new-insights">Improving models with new insights</h2>



A critical factor in updating the GPP estimate was a better understanding of mesophyll diffusion, the process by which OCS and CO2 move from the air through plant leaves into chloroplasts.&nbsp;



This process determines how efficiently plants conduct photosynthesis and how they might respond to changing environmental conditions.&nbsp;



Lianhong Gu, a co-author of the study and a photosynthesis expert at ORNL, played a key role in developing the mesophyll conductance model, which tracks the diffusion of OCS in leaves and its relationship to photosynthesis.



“Figuring out how much CO2 plants fix each year is a conundrum that scientists have been working on for a while,” Gu said.&nbsp;



“The original estimate of 120 petagrams per year was established in the 1980s, and it stuck as we tried to figure out a new approach. It’s important that we get a good handle on global GPP since that initial land carbon uptake affects the rest of our representations of Earth’s carbon cycle.”



The study’s improved understanding of mesophyll diffusion enables more accurate modeling of photosynthesis at a global scale, providing a clearer picture of how plants contribute to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-air-pollution-could-greatly-boost-carbon-sequestration-by-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon sequestration</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-rainforests-in-carbon-sequestration">Role of rainforests in carbon sequestration</h2>



The study revealed that pan-tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainforests</a> played a significant role in the updated estimates, showing that these forests absorb far more carbon than previous estimates had indicated. 



This finding was corroborated by ground-based measurements, suggesting that rainforests serve as a more crucial natural carbon sink than previously thought when relying on satellite data alone. This discovery underscores the importance of rainforests in global carbon management and climate regulation.



“Nailing down our estimates of GPP with reliable global-scale observations is a critical step in improving our predictions of future CO2 in the atmosphere, and the consequences for global climate,” said Peter Thornton, lead for the Earth Systems Science Section at ORNL.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-accurate-climate-predictions">Making accurate climate predictions</h2>



Understanding how much carbon can be stored in land ecosystems, especially in forests with their dense biomass, is vital for making accurate predictions about future climate change.&nbsp;



By refining estimates of global GPP, this research will help reduce uncertainties in climate models, particularly those that forecast the response of tropical forests to changing climate conditions.&nbsp;



These insights are especially valuable for initiatives like the DOE’s <a href="https://ess.science.energy.gov/ngee-tropics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Next Generation Ecosystem Experiments in the Tropics</a>, which aim to improve predictions about how tropical forests will respond to climate change.



“We have to make sure the fundamental processes in the carbon cycle are properly represented in our larger-scale models,” Gu explained.&nbsp;



“For those Earth-scale simulations to work well, they need to represent the best understanding of the processes at work. This work represents a major step forward in terms of providing a definitive number.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-impact-of-rising-co2-levels-nbsp">Climate impact of rising CO2 levels&nbsp;</h2>



The study's results emphasize the importance of including detailed processes like mesophyll conductance in models of photosynthesis, offering a more accurate understanding of how terrestrial ecosystems sequester carbon.&nbsp;



With this refined knowledge, scientists can better predict the impact of rising CO2 levels on global climates and improve strategies for mitigating the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> through natural carbon sinks like forests.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08050-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Plants absorb 31% more CO2 than previously estimated

A recent study has revealed that plants worldwide are absorbing...

A team of Australian researchers has identified a new species of extinct sawfly from an exceptionally well-preserved fossil found in central New South Wales (NSW). 



This fossil, estimated to be between 11 and 16 million years old from the Miocene Period, is the first of its kind discovered in Australia and only the second globally.&nbsp;



The find was made in 2018 by a group of paleontologists exploring McGraths Flat, a fossil-rich site that has since yielded numerous other detailed fossils.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-sawflies">What are sawflies?</h2>



Despite their name, sawflies belong to the wasp family rather than the fly family. In Australia, spitfires are the most familiar group of sawflies.&nbsp;



The name “sawfly” comes from their saw-like ovipositor, which they use to lay eggs. While they might be mistaken for flies, they differ due to their lack of a characteristic “wasp waist.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-naming-new-sawfly-species">Naming new sawfly species</h2>



With approval from the Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council, the research team named the new species Baladi warru using Wiradjuri words. “Baladi” translates to “saw” and “warru” means “wasp,” a name that honors the Traditional Owners of the land where the fossil was discovered.



The research team, which included scientists from <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSIRO</a>, the <a href="https://www.canberra.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Canberra</a>, the Australian Museum, and the Queensland Museum, studied the fossil’s wing venation and other preserved features. 



The analysis allowed them to determine its place in the scientific classification of sawflies, describing it as a new species.&nbsp;



“We looked at the fossil and its morphology and then put this information together with molecular and morphological data from a wide sample of current sawfly species. This helped us decipher the fossil's placement in the sawfly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammalian-tree-of-life-traces-evolution-of-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree of life</a>,” explained lead author Juanita Rodriguez, a research scientist at CSIRO.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-sawfly-origins">Tracing sawfly origins</h2>



The study of this fossil provided critical insights into the evolutionary history of sawflies. Using the fossil’s age and position within the broader sawfly lineage, the researchers concluded that sawflies originated during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extraordinary-dinosaur-fossils-discovered-from-the-end-of-cretaceous-era/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous</a> Period, about 100 million years ago. 



This timeline indicates that their ancient ancestors lived on the supercontinent Gondwana, which eventually split into present-day continents. As Gondwana broke apart, sawflies spread across regions that would become Australia and South America.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-reveals-ancient-plant-interactions">Pollen reveals ancient plant interactions</h2>



The fossilized sawfly also revealed details about ancient ecosystems. The researchers identified pollen grains on the head of the sawfly, indicating it had visited a flowering Quintinia plant before fossilization.&nbsp;



This evidence allowed the team to reconstruct interactions between species in the Miocene environment of McGraths Flat.



“When we examined the fossil, we identified pollen grains on the sawfly's head which revealed it had visited a flowering Quintinia plant. This helped our team trace complex species interactions in the palaeoenvironment of McGraths Flat,” Rodriguez said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sawfly-diet-and-adaptations">Sawfly diet and adaptations</h2>



This fossil discovery also sheds light on the feeding habits and adaptability of ancient sawflies.&nbsp;



“This find has helped us in understanding the incredible ability of sawflies to feed on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-milkweed-beetle-safely-feed-on-a-toxic-plant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toxic plants</a>,” said co-author Michael Frese, a paleontologist at the University of Canberra. 



“They eat the leaves of Myrtaceae - a family of woody plants that includes eucalypts - because they have mouthparts with which they can separate toxic oils or a chemical detoxification system inside their gut when feeding on myrtaceous leaves. This enables the larvae, sometimes called spitfires, to use the oils as a defensive weapon.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-past-and-present-ecosystems">Linking past and present ecosystems</h2>



Though Baladi warru has been extinct for millions of years, its discovery provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of sawflies and their role as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>. 



This ancient species helps explain how sawflies adapted to various environments and dietary sources over time, informing current understandings of their distribution across Australia and the Americas.



“In terms of the bigger picture, our work is helping researchers make sense of their current distribution across Australia and the Americas,” said Frese.&nbsp;



“Although this particular species, Baladi warru, has been extinct for millions of years, it provides information on native pollinators so we can understand their evolution and impact in the present.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/syen.12653" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Systematic Entomology.</a>



.



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Extinct sawfly reveals how insects have co-evolved with plants

A team of Australian researchers has identified a new species...

Everyone loves trees. If you don't, you should! Trees are nature's stalwart allies -- providing shade, natural beauty, and most importantly, working tirelessly to purify our air. 



However, recent findings prompt us to ponder if some trees might, in their unique way, contribute to air pollution. Could that oak tree you so admire in your yard be a part of the problem?



Tom Sharkey, an esteemed scientists at <a href="https://msu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State University</a>, has been studying this interesting possibility. Recently, Sharkey posed a thought-provoking question: "Should we cut down all the oak trees?" 



Don't worry, he's not serious about chopping them down. Instead, he's highlighting a complex issue uncovered by his latest research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isoprene-oak-trees-and-climate-change">Isoprene, oak trees, and climate change</h2>



At the center of this discussion is a compound called isoprene. Many people haven't heard of it, but it's important in both plant biology and environmental science. 



Isoprene is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-diversity-takes-a-hard-hit-near-offshore-platforms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrocarbon</a> that trees like oaks and poplars release, especially during photosynthesis. It helps plants deal with stress like high temperatures and insect attacks, acting like a natural defense.



"Working with Tom, you realize plants really do emit a lot of isoprene," says Mohammad Mostofa, an assistant professor in Sharkey's lab. But this emission has a downside. 



While isoprene makes plants more resilient, it can also react with pollutants like nitrogen oxides -- from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">car exhausts</a> and industrial activities -- to form <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decline-in-ozone-depleting-chemicals-is-an-encouraging-trend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ground-level ozone</a> and fine particulate matter. These pollutants can lead to health problems like respiratory issues. 



The Environmental Protection Agency (<a href="https://www.epa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPA</a>) notes that exposure to ground-level ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, and throat irritation, and can worsen conditions like bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-temperatures-and-isoprene-production">Rising temperatures and isoprene production</h2>



Sharkey and his team published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. They wanted to understand how rising temperatures and increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide levels</a> affect how much isoprene plants produce. 



"We were looking for a regulation point in isoprene's biosynthesis pathway under high carbon dioxide," explains Abira Sahu, the lead author and a postdoctoral research associate in Sharkey's group. "Scientists have been trying to find this for a long time, and finally, we have the answer."



Their experiments with poplar plants showed that while higher carbon dioxide levels can reduce isoprene production, increased temperatures have a stronger effect in boosting it. 



"By the time you're at 95 degrees Fahrenheit -- 35 degrees Celsius -- there's basically no CO₂ suppression. Isoprene is pouring out like crazy," Sharkey explained.



In fact, when a leaf experienced a temperature rise of 10 degrees Celsius, its isoprene emission increased more than tenfold. 



This suggests that as the planet warms, plants could emit significantly more isoprene, potentially making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-and-bushes-near-highways-improve-air-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air quality</a> problems worse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isoprene-as-an-environmental-dilemma">Isoprene as an environmental dilemma</h2>



This discovery presents a tricky situation. On one hand, isoprene helps plants survive environmental stresses, which is important as climate change brings more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-predicts-global-warmings-impact-on-extreme-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather</a>. 



On the other hand, increased isoprene emissions can worsen air pollution, posing health risks to people and animals.



"Do we want plants to make more isoprene so they're more resilient, or do we want them making less so it's not making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-profoundly-impairs-childrens-cognitive-abilities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollution</a> worse? What's the right balance?" Sharkey asks. 



These are tough questions without easy answers. The relationship between plant emissions and air quality is more complicated than we thought, and it requires careful consideration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-solutions">Searching for solutions</h2>



One possible solution is to be more selective about the types of trees we plant, especially in cities. 



Michigan State University, with over 20,000 trees, could set an example by planting fewer isoprene-emitting species like oaks and poplars, and choosing trees that emit less isoprene, such as certain maples or pines.



"We could be doing a better job," says Mostofa. By carefully choosing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-struggling-to-breathe-store-co2-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree species</a>, communities can help reduce isoprene emissions without losing the benefits that trees provide. 



This approach would involve cooperation between scientists, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-too-many-trees-could-spoil-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban planners</a>, and policymakers to make informed decisions.



But Sharkey has another idea. "My suggestion is that we should do a better job controlling nitrogen oxide pollution," he posits. 



By reducing emissions from vehicles, power plants, and industrial processes, we can lower the amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrous-oxide-emissions-have-increased-at-an-unprecedented-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen oxides</a> that react with isoprene. 



Tackling the problem from both sides -- reducing pollution sources and managing tree types -- could be more effective.



Public awareness and policy changes are key to addressing this issue. Educating communities about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-relocating-in-a-race-against-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different tree species</a> impact air quality can lead to better choices in urban planning. 



Policymakers can also support efforts to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and encourage research into plants that are both resilient and low in isoprene emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-picture">The bigger picture</h2>



Isoprene emissions have global implications -- it's the second most emitted hydrocarbon on Earth, after methane emissions from human activities. 



While methane has been widely studied because of its impact on climate change, isoprene hasn't received as much attention. 



However, isoprene contributes to the formation of secondary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aerosol-formation-earths-lower-atmosphere-soas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic aerosols</a>, which affect cloud formation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate patterns</a>. These aerosols can influence the Earth's climate system in significant ways.



Understanding the role of isoprene in our atmosphere is essential as we develop strategies to fight climate change. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



Sharkey’s findings show the need for ongoing research. As climate change continues to alter natural processes, we must keep learning and adapting. 



"The more we understand, the more effectively we can answer these fundamental questions," Sharkey says. 



Future studies might explore ways to reduce isoprene emissions without harming plant resilience or find plant varieties that emit less isoprene but still thrive.



Combining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-sleap-creating-new-plants-that-help-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant biology</a>, atmospheric science, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-plastics-treaty-tackles-the-pollution-problem-directly-at-the-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental policy</a> will be crucial in developing strategies to manage isoprene emissions and their impact on air quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-isoprene-and-our-warming-world">Trees, isoprene, and our warming world</h2>



To sum it all up, the relationship between trees, pollution, and climate change is complex. It's not about cutting down all the oaks or poplars, but about finding solutions that balance the benefits and drawbacks of isoprene emissions. 



With continued research, smart urban planning, and effective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-composition-of-us-air-pollution-has-changed-over-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution control</a>, we can aim for a future where our forests stay healthy and our air is clean.



Tom Sharkey and his team at Michigan State University are leading the way in understanding these complex interactions. 



Sarathi Weraduwage, a former postdoctoral researcher in Sharkey's lab and now an assistant professor at Bishop's University in Quebec, also contributed to the research. 



Their work emphasizes the importance of looking deeper into how our environment works. By balancing the roles of trees as both helpers and potential polluters, we can develop strategies that support both nature and human health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2309536120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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“Should we cut down all the oak trees?” Strange question, serious concept

Everyone loves trees. If you don't, you should! Trees are...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-astrobiology">Implications for astrobiology</h2>



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-significance">Scientific significance</h2>



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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