The SciencesSeptember 18, 2015
The "Black Piranha" of Ascension Island
A swarm of triggerfish demonstrates the benefits of mob feeding in the mid-Atlantic
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.
EnvironmentAugust 31, 2015
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
EnvironmentJune 30, 2015
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
EnvironmentJune 26, 2015
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.
EnvironmentJune 19, 2015
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
EnvironmentMay 26, 2015
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".
EvolutionMay 12, 2015
The Richest Reef: A Bagful of New Species
Divers on a research expedition to the Philippines' Coral Triangle uncover a trove marine biodiversity
EnvironmentMay 1, 2015
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.
EnvironmentApril 22, 2015
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.
EnvironmentApril 14, 2015
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.
EnvironmentApril 9, 2015
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.