Ecuador's booming shrimp industry is driving deforestation of vital mangrove ecosystems, impacting shellfish gatherers and local communities. Despite regulations, mangrove clearing and pollution from farms continue, with weak enforcement and limited political will hindering conservation efforts.
Ecosystems are often described using functional language, implying they have purposes they can fail to perform. This essay argues that ecosystems lack intrinsic ends and cannot truly "break down," challenging the "ecosystem services" framework and advocating for clearer thinking about environmental crises.
Marine heatwaves have tripled since the early 1990s, signaling the ocean's strain from absorbing over 90% of Earth's excess heat. The Earth's energy imbalance, a key climate change indicator, has doubled, leading to rising temperatures, melting ice, and intensified weather extremes. Monitoring systems are under threat, just as clarity is most needed.
Nigerian biologist Iroro Tanshi rediscovered the short-tailed roundleaf bat, believed extinct since the 1970s, in Nigeria's Afi mountain wildlife sanctuary. Her work combats deforestation, hunting, and wildfires threatening bat populations.
In Saiden, Meghalaya, India, millions of niangtaser cicadas emerge every four years, a phenomenon that villagers synchronize with the FIFA World Cup. This natural spectacle, deeply woven into the village's culture and economy, faces threats from deforestation and overharvesting.
The Miyawaki method, pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, is transforming small urban plots into dense native forests globally. This approach focuses on ecological restoration, creating diverse habitats and improving environmental conditions in cities.
Ukrainian troops have retreated from the settlement of Stary Karavan to fallback positions in the Olkhivskiye forests within the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), according to military expert Andrey Marochko. Marochko stated that Ukrainian forces are now excessively using drones in this section.
The US Secretary of Agriculture aims to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, threatening 58m acres of national forests. The former National Park Service director argues against this, citing broad public support, ecological importance, and the rule's protection of undisturbed wildlands, which are crucial for biodiversity, water quality, and public enjoyment.
Mangrove forests, crucial for carbon storage and coastal protection, are experiencing a global comeback since 2010, driven by legal protections, public awareness, and natural regeneration, despite past decades of decline.
An expedition to Puncak Jaya in West Papua, Indonesia, reveals the drastic shrinkage of the 'eternity glaciers', with the largest losing 95% of its area since 2002, highlighting imminent planetary destruction due to climate change.
Russia's First Secretary Nikolay Lomakin stated that water diplomacy can unite Eurasia, offering expertise in reforestation and technology sharing. He highlighted the critical role of forests in water supply and biodiversity, noting the severe water challenges in Central Asia due to rising temperatures and declining glaciers.
On Biodiversity Day, the UN highlights the critical role of local communities and traditional knowledge in conservation efforts, emphasizing that grassroots actions are vital for global ecological and socio-economic resilience.
Top oil and gas companies are making billions in 'unearned war profits' due to the Iran conflict and soaring oil prices. Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, and Aramco reported massive profit surges, while consumers face higher energy bills. This crisis may accelerate the shift to green energy.
The 2025 forest health survey reveals that four out of five trees in German forests are not fully healthy. Oak trees are particularly affected, with half showing significantly thinned crowns due to hot, dry summers and pest infestations. Reforestation efforts are underway, focusing on diverse native and non-native species to improve resilience.
German forests remain in poor condition, with only one in five trees healthy, according to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Despite unfavorable weather, the situation has stabilized, attributed to long-term forest conversion efforts. Minister Alois Rainer emphasized the economic importance of forests and pledged support for converting to climate-resilient mixed forests.
German forests are stabilizing but still show high levels of damage from heat, drought, and pests. Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer reported no further deterioration compared to 2024, though trees haven't recovered from the 2018-2020 "drought years." Oak and pine trees show significant damage.
Families turn to dirty fuels such as firewood, bringing fears over air pollution and fragility of energy transitionIn the ramshackle lanes of a south Delhi slum, Afshana Khatoon crouched wearily on her haunches and began lighting a small pile of firewood.She had only just returned from six hours spent trudging through the urban forests and dry parks of India’s capital looking for kindling to turn into a makeshift stove. As the unforgiving summer heat soared above 40C, she had walked for miles, piling the sticks and fallen branches into a bundle on her head while sweat ran down her face. Continue reading...
A new analysis of fossilised koala skulls and bones has revealed an extinct species of koala lived in WA until a few thousand years ago.
The U.S. Forest Service reduced vegetation management by nearly 1.5 million acres in 2025 compared to 2024, with prescribed burns falling by half. The agency lost 16% of its workforce amid Trump administration cuts, raising concerns among fire experts who warn that reduced controlled burning fuels extreme wildfires. A case in point: the Teakettle Experimental Forest in California burned in one day last August after planned prescribed burns were delayed.
Scientists found seagrass meadows affected by sewage had far fewer small invertebrates, like crabs.
Scientists found seagrass meadows affected by sewage had far fewer small invertebrates, like crabs.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared a video on Instagram showing two bears entering the Royal Spring Golf Course in Srinagar and running away with a flag.
A habitat-destroying invasive species is taking over Vanuatu's forests, but one village is fighting back and earning an income for its people at the same time.
