The Sciences
A Flower and a Way of Life in Peril
Prized—and increasingly rare—bouquets of an enchanting flower from Brazil’s mountainous heartland pit collectors against conservationists
Conservation1217 articles archived since 1845
The Sciences
Seed-Scattering Birds May Help Trees Cope with Climate Change
A new review paper emphasizes the crucial role birds play in helping trees colonize new habitats—especially in the face of a changing climate. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Environment
Higher Temperatures May Doom Many Trees
Warmer air causes trees to use food faster, starving while drought also dries them out
Environment
When Marijuana Kills: Rat Bait at Illegal Pot Farms Is Needlessly Poisoning Larger Animals
New studies reveal the pesticides are especially harming already-endangered Pacific fishers
Environment
Plastic Pollution Perturbs Oyster Offspring
Laboratory tests suggest that when the shellfish suck in tiny plastic particles, their reproductive success suffers. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Heavy: Caspian Turtles Are Polluted by Toxic Lead, Mercury and Cadmium
The heavy metals could cause low sperm counts, infertile eggs and other health problems
The Sciences
Slaughter of the Song Birds
Songbirds are a culinary delicacy in Cyprus—but catching and eating them is illegal. Even so, the practice is on the rise and could be threatening rare species
The Sciences
Sweet Song Gives Away New Bird Species
The newly discovered Himalayan forest thrush looks a great deal like the alpine thrush, but its far silkier song stylings gave it away as a potential new species.
The Sciences
Mali's Desert Elephants Face Extinction in 3 Years
Sixteen animals have been killed so far this month, adding to more than 80 slaughtered in 2015
Environment
Sleeping Sickness Parasite Susceptible to Extinction Because It Hasn't Had Sex in 10,000 Years
Evolution is a good thing, even for parasites.
The Sciences
How a Supreme Court Decision Affects Your Electricity Bill
A 6-2 ruling upholds a regulation that requires utilities to pay more to customers who conserve power during times of peak demand
Environment
Think Manatees are Recovered? Look Farther South
Manatees in Belize face increasing threats from development—and potentially from the U.S.
Environment
The Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Just Got 25 Percent Closer to Extinction
With the death of Vietnam’s beloved Cu Rua, only three of these turtles remain on the planet
The Sciences
Sharks Head Straight Home by Smell
Sharks that could smell headed straight back home when taken a few miles away whereas some that had their senses of smell blocked took slower, more erratic paths to their old haunts...
Environment
2015: Deadliest Year Ever for Rhinos
Poaching dropped slightly in South Africa but rose in other countries
Environment
Invasive Goldenrod is Killing Europe's Ants and Butterflies
The North American plant may look pretty, but it’s also pretty deadly in places where it doesn’t belong
The Sciences
Sociable Chimps Get Richer Gut Microbiomes
When food is plentiful and chimps are more chummy, they harbor an increased number of different bacterial species in their bellies.
Environment
How Hunger for Shrimp and Slavery Destroy Mangroves [Excerpt]
Shrimp demand satisfied with slave labor is also driving an environmental disaster in Southeast Asia
Environment
The Surprising (and Mostly Legal) Trade in "Mermaid Ivory"
It’s not what you think it is. It’s also not always what sellers or buyers might think
Mind & Brain
City Swans May Tolerate Humans Due to Gene Variant
More members of an urban swan population that lets humans get near have a particular genetic variant than do a rural swan group that tends to take off when humans approach.
