Search Results for: grassland

Archaeology

A Siberian cave contains clues about two epic Neandertal treks

Stone tools and DNA illuminate an earlier and a later journey eastward across Asia.

Climate

5 things to know about fighting climate change by planting trees

One group’s idea of planting vast swaths of trees to curb climate change exaggerates the proposal’s power to trap carbon, some argue.

Ecosystems

Will Australia’s forests bounce back after devastating fires?

Intense bushfires that have blazed down Australia’s eastern coast could have long-lasting effects on the continent’s unique plants and animals.

Humans

DNA indicates how ancient migrations shaped South Asian languages and farming

Farming in the region may have sprung up locally, while herders from afar sparked language changes.

Ecosystems

Planting trees could buy more time to fight climate change than thought

Earth has nearly a billion hectares suitable for new forests to start trapping carbon, a study finds.

Plants

Some plants use hairy roots and acid to access nutrients in rock

Shrubs in mountainous areas of Brazil have specialized roots that secrete chemicals to extract phosphorus from rock.

Archaeology

Excavations show hunter-gatherers lived in the Amazon more than 10,000 years ago

Early foragers may have laid the foundation for farming’s ascent in South America’s tropical forests.

Animals

Hippo poop cycles silicon through the East African environment

By chowing down on grass and then excreting into rivers and lakes, hippos play a big role in transporting a nutrient crucial to the food web.

Genetics

DNA reveals early mating between Asian herders and European farmers

A new genetic analysis could upend assumptions about the origins of Indo-European languages.

Life

We’ve lost 3 billion birds since 1970 in North America

Scientists estimated the change in total number of individual birds since 1970. They found profound losses spread among rare and common birds alike.

Life

Connecting our dwindling natural habitats could help preserve plant diversity

As pristine habitats shrink worldwide, a massive, 18-year experiment suggests that linking up what's left with natural corridors could help ecosystems retain plant diversity.

Animals

‘Epic Yellowstone’ captures the thriving ecosystem of the world-famous park

A new documentary series about Yellowstone displays the dynamic, dramatic and exciting ecosystem that thrives within the park’s gates.