Conservation
Silent Skies: Billions of North American Birds Have Vanished
Though waterfowl and raptor populations have made recoveries, bird populations have declined since 1970 across nearly all habitats
Conservation1236 articles archived since 1845
The Last Butterflies?
If the Trump administration weakens the Endangered Species Act, many populations that are already dwindling will disappear
Conservation
A Nobel Economist Cites Growth as Innovation
Paul Romer, an expert in what’s known as endogenous growth theory and winner of the 2018 Nobel prize in economics, speaks to Scientific American about seeing economic growth as increased value, akin to when ingredients in a recipe are used to create a dish worth more than the original raw materials...
Environment
Microplastics in Fresh Water Are Mostly Laundry Lint
Microplastic particles are everywhere, but in freshwater systems, 60 percent of particles are clothing lint from laundry.
Conservation
Drilling Could Cause Extinctions in Alaskan Refuge, Government Plan Says
Oil and gas development could exacerbate the impacts to species in the rapidly warming Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Conservation
Migrating Birds May Be Collateral Damage for a Popular Pesticide
Neonicotinoids may be partly responsible for declines in songbird populations
Evolution
Humpback Whales Swap Songs at Island Hub
At the Kermadec Islands, humpbacks from all over the South Pacific converge and swap songs. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Environment
Food Expiration Dates May Mislead Consumers
Better food labeling could prevent people from throwing away a lot of “expired” food that’s still perfectly edible.
Environment
Farmland Is Also Optimal for Solar Power
The conditions of sunlight, temperature, humidity and wind that make cropland good for agriculture also maximize solar panel efficiency.
Biology
Cholesterol Climbs after Crows Chomp Cheeseburgers
Wild animals that live near humans have higher cholesterol than their rural counterparts—and our food could be to blame. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Natural Disasters
How Hurricanes Influence Spider Aggressiveness
As Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida, consider that feeding style means that aggressive tangle-web spider colonies produce more offspring after severe weather, while docile colonies do better in calm conditions...
EARTH
Don’t Believe the Hype: The Pumice Raft Won’t Save the Great Barrier Reef
The floating shelf of volcanic stone more than twice the size of Manhattan will nonetheless bring a fascinating array of life to the reef
Breaking the Ocean Barrier
When will we take one giant leap to save our seas?
Conservation
“A Complete Enigma”—New Zealand Lizard Declared Extinct 130 Years after Only Sighting
But here’s the good news: new research finds it was actually six different species, and five still exist—for now
The Three Little Pigs and Climate Change
A fable for our time
Conservation
A Once Common Gecko Is Vanishing from Parts of Asia
With millions of tokay geckos trapped each year for use in traditional Chinese medicine, conservationists are calling for international protections
Conservation
Panama Risks Becoming a Broken Link in an Intercontinental Wildlife Route
A survey of nine large mammals found fragmented habitats throughout the country, suggesting the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor is failing...
Japanese Whaling Is Not the Greatest Threat to Whale Conservation
Global outrage should focus on North American fishing and shipping industries as well
What Threatened Lions Can Teach Us about the Circle of Life
On World Lion Day, it’s good to remember that there’s a global connectedness between ecosystems and the biodiversity they support
A Bulwark against Reef Destruction in a Warming World
The island of Bonaire, in the Caribbean Sea, has been protecting its corals for decades
