Clues from Ancient Maya Reveal Lasting Impact on Environment
Synthesizing old and new data, researchers were the first to show the full extent of the “Mayacene” as a microcosm of the early anthropocene, a period when human activity began greatly affecting environmental conditions.
Plaguing Paradise
Smelly piles of seaweed are ruining holidays. Globs of sargassum seaweed have landed on Caribbean beaches this year, forming piles that are sometimes metres deep.
Nature’s Last Refuge In Peril
An Arctic voyage through the awe-inspiring Northwest Passage shows that, with oil drilling in the far north on the way, rapid action is needed to protect the region…
Plankton Graveyards Revealed in First Digital Map of Seafloor
A new digital map of the composition of the seafloor reveals “microfossil” graveyards off the coast of Australia, as well as other complex deep-ocean geology.
‘Overshoot Day’ 2015: Earth is Now Officially in the Red
Today is Earth Overshoot Day: that annual moment when humankind’s use of natural resources exceeds the planet’s ability to produce and replenish them. A call for action.
Seagrass Thrives Surprisingly Well in Toxic Sediments, But Still Dies All Over The World
New studies of seagrasses reveal that they are surprisingly good at detoxifying themselves when growing in toxic seabed. But if seagrasses are stressed by their environment, they lose the ability and die. All over the world seagrasses are increasingly stressed.
Preventing Ecocide in South China Sea
Land reclamation in the South China Sea could be damaging irreplaceable reef ecosystems, threatening the food security of millions. It’s time for a treaty, says leading scientist.
On an Unspoiled Caribbean Isle, Grand Plans for Big Tourist Port
The Caribbean’s largest uninhabited island is under siege. East Caicos is a tropical jewel, the largest uninhabitated island in the Caribbean and home to rare birds and pristine turtle-nesting beaches. But plans for a giant port for cruise and cargo ships could change it forever.
A Little Fish with Big Impact In Trouble on U.S. West Coast
Scientists are concerned that officials waited too long to order a ban on U.S. Pacific sardine fishing that goes into effect July 1. The dire state of the sardine population is a cautionary tale about overharvesting these and other forage fish that are a critical part of the marine food web.