Ecosystems

Microbes

This giant bacterium lives up to its name

The newly discovered Thiomargarita magnifica is about the size of your eyelash and is surprisingly complex.

Plants

Catnip’s insect-repelling powers grow as Puss chews on it

Damaging the leaves boosts the plant’s chemical defenses — and their appeal to cats.

Animals

Palm-size marsupials may face extinction from wild ‘house’ cats

After surviving Australian bushfires, the Kangaroo Island dunnart is losing ground as it's targeted by hungry predators.

Animals

‘Mystery monkey’ could mean its parent’s species may be in trouble

Changes to monkeys’ habitats — including some forest loss to oil palm plantations — might explain why this animal’s parents mated.

Plants

Some redwood leaves make food while others drink water

The two types of leaves grow at different heights in trees at dry versus wet areas. They may help redwoods adapt to climate change.

Animals

Orcas can take down the largest animal on the planet

For the first time, scientists observed that orcas can kill blue whales by using the same hunting techniques that have worked on other large whales.

Plants

More than 9,000 tree species may be waiting to be discovered

Scientists estimated how many tree species are on Earth, an important step for forest conservation and protecting biodiversity.

Ecosystems

Scientists Say: Decay

This word can refer to rotting flesh or the transformation of radioactive atoms.

Environment

Recycling a climate-warming gas could make ‘greener’ farmed fish

Instead of warming the climate, methane gas can be collected to help farmers. Along the way, it may also save some fish.

Animals

Rewilding returns lost species to strengthen ecosystems

Restoring the missing species can help undo human-caused problems by aiding forests, slowing climate change and reducing wildfires.

Ecosystems

Secret forest fungi partner with plants — and help the climate

Forest fungi are far more than mere mushrooms. They explore. They move nutrients and messages between plants. They can even help fight climate change.

Earth

Analyze This: Nutrients from sewage may harm coastal ecosystems

A new model suggests that 58 percent of coral reefs and 88 percent of seagrass beds are exposed to excess nitrogen from wastewater.