Stories by Steven Bedard

Steven Bedard is senior science editor at the California Academy of Sciences. A former field biologist who spent the early 90s chasing spotted owls and northern goshawks through the woods, he now writes and produces media about science instead of actually doing the research--it's way easier. Having written about archaeology, astrophysics, sleep science, genetic disorders and renewable energy, he's found a happier place covering stories about evolution, ecology and sustainability from his home base in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Look for his wide-eyed observations from a number of strange and beautiful locations above and below sea level. Follow Steven Bedard on Twitter @sevenbedard

The Sciences

The "Black Piranha" of Ascension Island

A swarm of triggerfish demonstrates the benefits of mob feeding in the mid-Atlantic

September 18, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Unusual Abundance of Ascension Island

For a location that’s so difficult to reach, it’s astonishing how many speices have managed to make the journey

August 31, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Richest Reef: Time to Call It a Day

Of the course of nearly 1,200 scientific dives conducted on an expedition to the Philippines' Verde Island Passage, a team from the California Academy of Sciences discovered approximately 100 new species...

June 30, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Richest Reef: To Collect or Not to Collect?

Scientific divers aren’t looking to simply fill their collecting bags—they’re seeking scientific value, data that furthers their understanding of a place or process.

June 26, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Richest Reef: Where Have All the Predators Gone?

In the most biologically diverse marine ecosystem on the planet, fishing has wiped out apex predators like barracuda, grouper and sharks

June 19, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Richest Reef: Deep Diving into the Twilight Zone

A team of deep divers plunges into the “twilight zone,” a little-explored region of depth between 200 and 500 feet below the surface, with two goals: "catch fish" and "stay alive"...

May 26, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Evolution

The Richest Reef: A Bagful of New Species

Divers on a research expedition to the Philippines' Coral Triangle uncover a trove marine biodiversity

May 12, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Richest Reef: A Symbiotic Society

Editor's Note: "The Richest Reef" follows members of a scientific dive team as they attempt to pinpoint the center of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystem in the world...

May 1, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Richest Reef: Life in Layers

Editor's Note: "The Richest Reef" follows members of a scientific dive team as they attempt to pinpoint the center of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystem in the world...

April 22, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Richest Reef: No Such Thing as Packing Light

Editor's Note: "The Richest Reef" follows members of a scientific dive team as they attempt to pinpoint the center of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystem in the world...

April 14, 2015 — Steven Bedard

Sustainability

The Richest Reef: Exploring the Most Diverse Marine Ecoystem on Earth

Editor's Note: "The Richest Reef" follows members of a scientific dive team as they attempt to pinpoint the center of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystem in the world...

April 9, 2015 — Steven Bedard