ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE

Dwarf Dragons Discovered in the Andes

Just when we thought that scientists have found all the species they were going to, a new species of lizard dubbed the dwarf dragon has been discovered in the Andes Mountains of South America.

How One Endangered Species Is Making A Change For the Better—Eating Sweeter Flora Instead

Many endangered species like the Giant Tortoises of the Galápagos islands share a similar fate with the introduction of human beings to their natural landscape. With humans so too come the pets and the plants that invade their space. And more often than not it means that these endangered species either die off or adapt to avoid competition or costly meals. But for some, in very rare conditions, it means that the species can thrive even better than it could on its sparse local sources for food. And in a new study published this week in the Biotropica, researchers say that after a four year study, tracking the movement and foraging behavior of giant tortoises, it appears that they are seeking out sweeter treats of invasive flora and fruits instead of their local fare.

The Energy for a New Crawl—Galápagos Tortoises Feast on Invasive Plants for a New Foraging Technique

When it comes to invasive flora, most conservation ecologists know that the ramifications that come with these primary producers often appear much higher in the food chain. Some animals are unequipped to utilize the plants for food, while others simply find the energy spent foraging for it is far too much for the energy gained. And it’s a dynamic that often leads some species to coevolve. But looking into one of the first Darwinian subjects, Galápagos Giant Tortoises, some researchers have found that the unique species may be getting far more out of the invasive flora than they once thought—enough to even change their foraging behavior altogether.

How to Make Biofuel: Feeding Algae with Wastewater

Feeding Algae with Wastewater, Makng Biofuel As society shifts to wanting more sustainable sources fuels and other products, many groups are looking at different organisms to act as biological factories.

Ottoman War Camel Found in an Austrian Cellar

A team of researchers found an intact skeleton of a war camel while digging in central Europe. This is the very first skeleton that is completely intact in all the archeological research.

A Century of Climate Change—How the Complex Landscape of the Appalachian Forests Will Fare

The tropical rainforests near the equator aren’t the only woodland areas affected by the effects of climate change. The Central Appalachian forests have been experiencing major effects such as heavy rainfall, drought and heat spells as well. And according to a new vulnerability assessment published today by the USDA Forest Service, the complex landscape reveals resilience to climate change in some areas, but also costly vulnerabilities in others.

Bringing Ancient White Seashells Back to Colorful Life

Searching through museum archives can often be quite a lifeless task, especially when you’re sorting through tons of tons of samples of faded white seashells that went extinct millions of years ago. But with a little bit of ingenuity, and whole heap of incentive, some researchers with San Jose State University are bringing life back to these ancient species and giving us a technicolor look as what the seas may have been like 6.6 million years ago.
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