How do you forecast eruptions at volcanoes that sit ‘on the cusp’ for decades?
Some volcanoes take their time -- experiencing protracted, years-long periods of unrest before eventually erupting. This makes it difficult to forecast when they pose...
Hotter, wetter, dryer: Uptick in extreme weather, temps
Researchers have analyzed seasonal changes in water and energy balances over the Appalachian region. They forecast up to a 10-degree jump in average temperature,...
Microbiologists provide framework for assessing ecological diversity
Microbiologists have developed a mathematical framework for quantitatively assessing ecological diversity in an ecological community whether deterministic or stochastic. A recent study examines the...
Houseplants ability to survive drought can provide useful knowledge for the climate change era
It has long been known that some plants tolerate drought better than others. As some of the first to do so in the past...
The limits of rainforest growth
How much carbon dioxide can tropical rainforests absorb? Investigations indicate that the absorption capacity is severely limited by the phosphorus content of the soil.
‘Mega-fires’ may be too extreme even for a bird that loves fire
Fire is a natural part of western forests, but the changing nature of fire in many parts of North America may pose challenges for...
Climate change could shrink oyster habitat in California
Changes to dissolved oxygen levels, water temperature, and salinity could have an even greater impact than ocean acidification on oyster growth in estuaries and...
Strange coral spawning improving Great Barrier Reef’s resilience
A phenomenon that makes coral spawn more than once a year is improving the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. The discovery was made...
Discovery of non-blooming orchid on Japanese subtropical islands
A group of scientists has discovered a new orchid species on Japan's subtropical islands of Amami-Oshima and Tokunoshima that bears fruit without once opening...
Road verges provide refuge for pollinators
Roadside verges provide a vital refuge for pollinators -- but they must be managed better, new research shows.




















