Typhoon Ulysses, also known as Typhoon Vamco, hit the Philippines in November 2020, causing extensive damage in coastal communities on Luzon Island. The typhoon triggered landslides, caused rivers to overflow, and brought heavy rain and winds of up to 155 kilometers per hour. The flooding disrupted the country’s public transport system, and many residents were forced to evacuate their homes,…
Prehistoric sharks, such as the megalodon and Helicoprion, continue to fascinate the public, and scientists are still learning about unique species through fossils, according to an article by World Atlas. Sharks have been around for over 400 million years, with their evolution determined by factors such as water temperature, sea level, and food availability. Different species evolved unique features, such…
Natural selection is the biological process through which traits that enable an organism to thrive in its environment are passed on to the next generation, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction. Different species have adapted to their environment through traits such as camouflage, thermoregulation, and specialized diets. Human activity has influenced natural selection by changing the environment and impacting…
Deforestation continues to occur at an alarming rate, with roughly 10 million hectares of forest lost each year due to factors like agricultural expansion, logging, mining and urbanization. The removal of trees is contributing significantly to climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, but when they are cut down, the carbon stored in them is released into the atmosphere. Deforestation affects…
Biodiversity is essential for sustainable food production, with diverse ecosystems better able to withstand environmental challenges and produce more nutritious crops, according to a recent study conducted by an international team of scientists. Soil microorganisms and invertebrates can increase the availability of nutrients for crops, boosting their nutritional content, while diversity that includes companion planting and crop rotation can protect…
Rising sea levels are a major threat to coastal communities worldwide, caused primarily by global warming and the melting of ice caps and glaciers. The consequences include flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion that can damage homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, and affect economic activity. To mitigate the impact, measures such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building sea walls, planting and revitalizing…
Habitat loss and fragmentation are driving biodiversity loss compounding the devastating effects of climate change. Conservationists and scientists are working together to come up with new strategies to safeguard vulnerable habitats and prevent species extinction. Some innovative approaches that experts suggest to protect endangered habitats include: rewilding, restoring an area of land to its natural state by reintroducing lost species…
Conservation efforts have led to a significant increase in sea turtle populations in recent years, despite their numbers drastically decreasing in the last century due to human activities such as hunting, egg harvesting, and habitat destruction. Six out of seven sea turtle species are currently listed as endangered or critically endangered. Conservation efforts include nesting beach protection, reducing bycatch in…
Yellowstone National Park has seen a surge in wildlife sightings in recent years due to a significant increase in visitors, the park’s conservation efforts and the animals’ growing acclimation to human presence. Those intending to visit Yellowstone National Park should plan to visit Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, the lower section of the Yellowstone River, and the Madison River to get…
A new nature reserve, the Andes Nature Reserve for Endangered Species, has been established in South America’s Andes Mountains, covering an area of over 500 square miles. It includes high-altitude forests, wetlands and grasslands, and is home to a diverse range of endangered plant and animal species, such as the Andean condor, the spectacled bear and the Amazon river dolphin….