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Ecosystems

Rainforest biotic pump

Rainforests are ‘worth more alive than dead,’ according to science — and economics

Environment

Earth’s rainforests are astonishingly biodiverse ecosystems that can drive the climates of faraway continents, but they’re disappearing in the name of the kind of economic development that values rainforests more when logged, mined, or turned into farmland. A new book argues that the world’s rainforests are most valuable when kept intact.

A sand mining operation in Rangkasbitung, Indonesia. A global building boom has driven soaring demand for sand for concrete and land reclamation, much of it illegal and damaging to ecosystems and communities.

A global sand grab is wrecking ecosystems and communities around the world

Environment
Prairie dogs

How the prairie dog could help restore the ancient grasslands of Mexico and the American West

Environment
Havana Harbor has remained extremely polluted for decades as Cuba has lacked the money and technology to clean it up, but normalized relations relations with Washington could help change that.

Change in US-Cuba relations presents big risks — and rewards — for Cuba’s environment

Environment
Emilio Basilius of the Coral Reef Research Foundation holds up one of the hundreds of samples of marine organisms for the National Cancer Institute in the US.

Which Indo-Pacific island’s waters are host to potentially cancer-fighting molecules?

Geo Quiz
Healthy corals use chemical signals, or smells, to attract fish. New research has found that corals also send out "distress" signals when they're in trouble.

Coral reefs can communicate with fish, and many of them are crying for help

Environment

With corals in trouble around the world, researchers are examining the role of smell in telling fish to come to a healthy reef or stay away. That may help scientists find ways to manipulate the smells to help damaged reefs recover.

Parrotfish

Saving this fish is crucial to the survival of the Caribbean coral reefs

Global Scan

Caribbean coral reefs provide food, create jobs and draw millions of tourists every year, but they are disappearing. Parrotfish are one key to their survival. Parents in China have a way to ensure success for their children: pay to get them into the army. And ISIS militants in Iraq want to head to Rome next, all in today’s Global Scan.

Parrotfish

Saving this fish is crucial to the survival of the Caribbean coral reefs

Global Scan

Caribbean coral reefs provide food, create jobs and draw millions of tourists every year, but they are disappearing. Parrotfish are one key to their survival. Parents in China have a way to ensure success for their children: pay to get them into the army. And ISIS militants in Iraq want to head to Rome next, all in today’s Global Scan.

After 500 or so years, beavers have mysteriously returned to England

Environment

Beavers were hunted to extinction hundreds of years ago in England. Now, they have shown up there — in the midst of a contentious debate over whether to reintroduce them in the wild.

After 500 or so years, beavers have mysteriously returned to England

Environment

Beavers were hunted to extinction hundreds of years ago in England. Now, they have shown up there — in the midst of a contentious debate over whether to reintroduce them in the wild.