https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/grasslands/ Grassland biome. Read all the latest scientific research on the grassland biome, including articles on grassland animals and the effect of global warming on the grasslands. en-us Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:42:16 EDT Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:42:16 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/grasslands/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260420014735.htm Scientists have discovered that moringa seeds can help pull microplastics out of water, rivaling standard chemical treatments. The plant-based extract causes plastic particles to clump together, making them easier to filter away. In some conditions, it even outperformed conventional chemicals. This low-cost, natural solution could be a game-changer for cleaner drinking water, especially in smaller communities. Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:56:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260420014735.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260413232421.htm For years, water managers have been puzzled as the Colorado River kept delivering less water than expected—even when snowpack levels looked promising. New research reveals the missing piece: spring rain, or rather, the lack of it. Warmer, drier springs mean plants are soaking up more snowmelt before it can reach rivers, fueled by sunny skies that boost growth and evaporation. In fact, this shift explains nearly 70% of the shortfall, tying the mystery directly to the long-running Millennium drought. Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:30:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260413232421.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260413043135.htm Africa’s forests have undergone a shocking reversal, switching from carbon absorbers to carbon emitters after 2010. Researchers found that heavy deforestation in tropical regions has led to massive biomass losses, far outweighing any gains from regrowth elsewhere. This change could seriously undermine global efforts to slow climate change. Scientists warn that protecting forests is now more urgent than ever. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:40:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260413043135.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260311213435.htm Decades of data from over 80,000 great tits reveal that extreme weather can shape the fate of baby birds. Cold snaps soon after hatching and heavy rain later in development shrink nestling body mass and reduce survival odds. But moderate warm spells can actually help chicks grow by boosting insect activity and feeding opportunities. Birds that breed earlier in the season seem better protected from these weather shocks. Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:34:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260311213435.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260304184229.htm Ocean temperatures may be quietly protecting the world from a global drought catastrophe. By analyzing more than a century of climate data, researchers discovered that droughts rarely spread across the planet at the same time, affecting only about 1.8%–6.5% of global land simultaneously—far less than earlier estimates. The reason lies largely in shifting ocean patterns such as El Niño and La Niña, which create a patchwork of drought conditions across continents instead of one massive worldwide dry spell. Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:51:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260304184229.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030644.htm K’gari’s iconic lakes have existed for tens of thousands of years—but they haven’t always been full. New research shows that about 7,500 years ago, during a time of high rainfall, several of the island’s deepest lakes mysteriously vanished. Scientists believe changing wind patterns may have redirected rain away from the island. As the climate shifts again, the lakes’ long-term survival is no longer guaranteed. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:27:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260226042454.htm Antarctica’s Hektoria Glacier stunned scientists by retreating eight kilometers in just two months, with nearly half of it collapsing in record time. The rapid breakup was driven by a flat, underwater bedrock surface that allowed the glacier to suddenly float and fracture from below. Satellite and seismic data captured the dramatic chain reaction in near real time. The findings raise concerns that much larger glaciers could one day collapse just as quickly. Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:47:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260226042454.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025613.htm Long before agriculture, humans were transforming Europe’s wild landscapes. Advanced simulations show that hunting and fire use by Neanderthals and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers reshaped forests and grasslands in measurable ways. By reducing populations of giant herbivores, people indirectly altered how dense vegetation became. The findings challenge the idea that prehistoric Europe was an untouched natural world. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:14:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025613.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040611.htm Around 1550, life on Rapa Nui began changing in ways long misunderstood. New research reveals that a severe drought, lasting more than a century, dramatically reduced rainfall on the already water-scarce island, reshaping how people lived, worshiped, and organized society. Instead of collapsing, Rapanui communities adapted—shifting rituals, power structures, and sacred spaces in response to climate stress. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:01:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040611.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260131084622.htm Old Indian poems and folk songs are revealing a surprising truth about the land. Scientists found that descriptions of thorny trees and open grasslands in texts written as far back as the 1200s closely match today’s savannas in western India. This suggests these landscapes are ancient and natural—not ruined forests. The discovery could reshape how conservation and tree-planting efforts are planned. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 09:28:51 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260131084622.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000259.htm Mountain regions around the world are heating up faster than the lands below them, triggering dramatic shifts in snow, rain, and water supply that could affect over a billion people. A major global review finds that rising temperatures are turning snowfall into rain, shrinking glaciers, and making mountain weather more extreme and unpredictable. These changes threaten water sources for huge populations, including those in China and India, while also increasing risks of floods, ecosystem collapse, and deadly weather events. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:37:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000259.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084206.htm Around 1,000 years ago, a major climate shift reshaped rainfall across the South Pacific, making western islands like Samoa and Tonga drier while eastern islands such as Tahiti became increasingly wet. New evidence from plant waxes preserved in island sediments shows this change coincided with the final major wave of Polynesian expansion eastward. As freshwater became scarcer in the west and more abundant in the east, people may have been pushed to migrate, effectively “chasing the rain” across vast stretches of ocean. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 23:53:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084206.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251211100633.htm New research shows that crops are far more vulnerable when too much rainfall originates from land rather than the ocean. Land-sourced moisture leads to weaker, less reliable rainfall, heightening drought risk. The U.S. Midwest and East Africa are particularly exposed due to soil drying and deforestation. Protecting forests and improving land management could help stabilize rainfall and crop yields. Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:20:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251211100633.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043038.htm Scientists discovered a small protein region that determines whether plants reject or welcome nitrogen-fixing bacteria. By tweaking only two amino acids, they converted a defensive receptor into one that supports symbiosis. Early success in barley hints that cereals may eventually be engineered to fix nitrogen on their own. Such crops could dramatically reduce fertilizer use and emissions. Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:39:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043038.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081933.htm Scientists decoded DNA from millennia-old lentils preserved in volcanic rock silos on Gran Canaria. The findings show that today’s Canary Island lentils largely descend from varieties brought from North Africa around the 200s. These crops survived cultural upheavals because they were so well-suited to the islands’ harsh climate. Their long-standing resilience could make them valuable for future agriculture. Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:49:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081933.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115435.htm UC Davis researchers engineered wheat that encourages soil bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable fertilizer. By boosting a natural compound in the plant, the wheat triggers bacteria to form biofilms that enable nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough could cut fertilizer use, reduce pollution, and increase yields. It also offers huge potential savings for farmers worldwide. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:00:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115435.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251115095918.htm Scientists discovered that a week of full submergence is enough to kill most rice plants, making flooding a far greater threat than previously understood. Intensifying extreme rainfall events may amplify these losses unless vulnerable regions adopt more resilient rice varieties. Sat, 15 Nov 2025 09:59:18 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251115095918.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251109032410.htm In Death Valley’s relentless heat, Tidestromia oblongifolia doesn’t just survive—it thrives. Michigan State University scientists discovered that the plant can quickly adjust its photosynthetic machinery to endure extreme temperatures that would halt most species. Its cells reorganize, its genes switch on protective functions, and it even reshapes its chloroplasts to keep producing energy. The findings could guide the creation of crops capable of withstanding future heat waves. Sun, 09 Nov 2025 04:01:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251109032410.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104094139.htm Even with futuristic geoengineering methods like Stratospheric Aerosol Injection, the fate of wine, coffee, and cacao crops remains uncertain. Scientists found that while this intervention could slightly cool the planet, it cannot stabilize the erratic rainfall and humidity that devastate yields. The findings reveal that only a fraction of major growing regions might benefit, leaving most producers exposed to volatile harvests and economic instability. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:23:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104094139.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205025.htm UIC researchers predict that the Sahara Desert could see up to 75% more rain by the end of this century due to rising global temperatures. Using 40 climate models, the team found widespread precipitation increases across Africa, though some regions may dry out. The results suggest a major rebalancing of the continent’s climate. Scientists stress that adaptation planning is essential to prepare for both wetter and drier futures. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 04:22:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205025.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm Researchers discovered that soil microbes in Kansas carry drought “memories” that affect how plants grow and survive. Native plants showed stronger responses to these microbial legacies than crops like corn, hinting at co-evolution over time. Genetic analysis revealed a key gene tied to drought tolerance, potentially guiding biotech efforts to enhance crop resilience. The work connects ecology, genetics, and agriculture in a novel way. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:47:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075117.htm Researchers in Japan have revealed how some gourds draw pollutants into their fruits. The secret lies in a protein that carries contaminants through the plant sap. By manipulating this protein’s structure, scientists hope to breed crops that resist contamination or serve as natural soil purifiers. This finding bridges food safety and environmental cleanup. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:09:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251030075117.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002920.htm Global scientists warn that humanity is on the verge of crossing irreversible climate thresholds, with coral reefs already at their tipping point and polar ice sheets possibly beyond recovery. The Global Tipping Points Report 2025 reveals how rising temperatures could trigger a cascade of system collapses, from the Amazon rainforest turning to savanna to the potential shutdown of the Atlantic Ocean circulation. Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:26:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224841.htm Fungi’s evolutionary roots stretch far deeper than once believed — up to 1.4 billion years ago, long before plants or animals appeared. Using advanced molecular dating and gene transfer analysis, researchers reconstructed fungi’s ancient lineage, revealing they were crucial in shaping Earth’s first soils and ecosystems. Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:11:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224841.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091548.htm Coccolithophores, tiny planktonic architects of Earth’s climate, capture carbon, produce oxygen, and leave behind geological records that chronicle our planet’s history. European scientists are uniting to honor them with International Coccolithophore Day on October 10. Their global collaboration highlights groundbreaking research into how these microscopic organisms link ocean chemistry, climate regulation, and carbon storage. The initiative aims to raise awareness that even the smallest ocean dwellers have planetary impact. Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:54:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091548.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092208.htm Fungi may have shaped Earth’s landscapes long before plants appeared. By combining rare gene transfers with fossil evidence, researchers have traced fungal origins back nearly a billion years earlier than expected. These ancient fungi may have partnered with algae, recycling nutrients, breaking down rock, and creating primitive soils. Far from being silent background players, fungi were ecosystem engineers that prepared Earth’s surface for plants, fundamentally altering the course of life’s history. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:53:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092208.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031507.htm Plants are spreading across the globe faster than ever, largely due to human activity, and new research shows that the very same traits that make plants thrive in their native lands also drive their success abroad. A study of nearly 4,000 European species reveals that tall, adaptable, nutrient-loving generalists dominate both at home and in foreign ecosystems. Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:41:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031507.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250906155053.htm A sweeping new study reveals that humanity has already pushed 60% of Earth’s land outside its safe biosphere zone, with 38% in a high-risk state. By analyzing centuries of data, researchers mapped how human demands on biomass—from farming to energy production—have destabilized ecosystems worldwide. Europe, Asia, and North America show the deepest disruptions, reflecting centuries of land-use change. Sat, 06 Sep 2025 21:24:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250906155053.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250905112306.htm Seagrass, a vital coastal ecosystem, may be one of the planet’s best natural carbon sponges—but its fate depends on how we manage nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. While moderate nutrient input can supercharge seagrass growth and boost carbon storage, too much—especially nitrogen—fuels phytoplankton that block sunlight and devastate seagrass beds. Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:44:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250905112306.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250814094654.htm Chemical evidence from a stalagmite in Mexico has revealed that the Classic Maya civilization’s decline coincided with repeated severe wet-season droughts, including one that lasted 13 years. These prolonged droughts corresponded with halted monument construction and political disruption at key Maya sites, suggesting that climate stress played a major role in the collapse. The findings demonstrate how stalagmites offer unmatched precision for linking environmental change to historical events. Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:44:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250814094654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083616.htm Extreme heat waves and cold spells on the Great Lakes have more than doubled since the late 1990s, coinciding with a major El Niño event. Using advanced ocean-style modeling adapted for the lakes, researchers traced temperature trends back to 1940, revealing alarming potential impacts on billion-dollar fishing industries, fragile ecosystems, and drinking water quality. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 06:11:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083616.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250809100914.htm Scientists used machine learning to reveal how glaciers erode the land at varying speeds, shaped by climate, geology, and heat. The findings help guide global planning from environmental management to nuclear waste storage. Sat, 09 Aug 2025 10:09:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250809100914.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045655.htm Scientists have discovered that pairing bread wheat with a special soil fungus can significantly enhance its nutritional value. This partnership leads to bigger grains rich in zinc and phosphorus—without increasing anti-nutrients that block absorption. As a result, the wheat becomes a healthier option for human diets. Researchers believe this fungal strategy could offer a natural, sustainable way to fortify global crops with essential nutrients. Wed, 23 Jul 2025 05:54:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045655.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031220.htm Clear-cutting forests doesn’t just raise flood risk — it can supercharge it. UBC researchers found that in certain watersheds, floods became up to 18 times more frequent and over twice as severe after clear-cutting, with these effects lasting more than four decades. The surprise? Terrain details like which direction a slope faces played a huge role in flood behavior. Conventional models miss these dynamics, which could mean we've been underestimating the danger for decades — especially as climate change accelerates extreme weather. Sat, 19 Jul 2025 09:15:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031220.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250709091658.htm Climate change is silently sapping the nutrients from our food. A pioneering study finds that rising CO2 and higher temperatures are not only reshaping how crops grow but are also degrading their nutritional value especially in vital leafy greens like kale and spinach. This shift could spell trouble for global health, particularly in communities already facing nutritional stress. Researchers warn that while crops may grow faster, they may also become less nourishing, with fewer minerals, proteins, and antioxidants raising concerns about obesity, weakened immunity, and chronic diseases. Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:16:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250709091658.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706225819.htm Kenyan fig trees can literally turn parts of themselves to stone, using microbes to convert internal crystals into limestone-like deposits that lock away carbon, sweeten surrounding soils, and still yield fruit—hinting at a delicious new weapon in the climate-change arsenal. Sun, 06 Jul 2025 23:54:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706225819.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250704032913.htm Preserving strips of native vegetation beside avocado orchards gives insects a buffet of wild pollen when blossoms are scarce, doubling their plant menu and boosting their resilience. Using cutting-edge eDNA metabarcoding, Curtin scientists revealed how this botanical diversity underpins pollination, a service vital to 75% of crops and our brunch-worthy avocados. Their findings urge farmers to weave natural habitat back into farmland to secure food supplies for a swelling global population. Fri, 04 Jul 2025 04:13:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250704032913.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231806.htm Beneath the forest floor lies an overlooked secret: many plants grow a second set of roots far deeper than expected sometimes over three feet down tapping into hidden nutrient stores and potentially locking away carbon. A new study using deep-soil data from NEON reveals that these "bimodal" rooting systems are more common than previously believed and may play a powerful role in stabilizing ecosystems and fighting climate change. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:18:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231806.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620031102.htm Fierce, fast summer rainstorms are on the rise in the Alps, and a 2 C temperature increase could double their frequency. A new study from researchers at the University of Lausanne and the University of Padova used data from nearly 300 Alpine weather stations to model this unsettling future. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 03:11:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620031102.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154722.htm California Central Valley, which is known for the agriculture that produces much of the nation's fruits, vegetables and nuts, is a major contributor to a growing dust problem that has profound implications for people's health, safety and well-being. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:47:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154719.htm New research shows that the presence of solar panels in Colorado's grasslands may reduce water stress, improve soil moisture levels and -- particularly during dry years -- increase plant growth by about 20% or more compared to open fields. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:47:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154719.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123947.htm Laboratory could improve crop resilience In a discovery three decades in the making, scientists have acquired detailed knowledge about the internal structures and mode of regulation for a specialized protein and are proceeding to develop tools that can capitalize on its ability to help plants combat a wide range of diseases. The work, which exploits a natural process where plant cells die on purpose to help the host plant stay healthy, is expected to have wide applications in the agricultural sector, offering new ways to protect major food crops from a variety of devastating diseases, the scientists said. Fri, 30 May 2025 12:39:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123947.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529155413.htm Hurricane Ida wreaked an estimated $75 billion in total damages and was responsible for 112 fatalities -- including 32 in New Jersey and 16 in New York state. Yet the hurricane could have been even worse in the Big Apple, find scientists. Thu, 29 May 2025 15:54:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529155413.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145725.htm Forest-based agroforestry can restore forests, promote livelihoods, and combat climate change, but emerging agroforestry initiatives focusing only on tree planting is leading to missed opportunities to support beneficial outcomes of forest management, scientists found. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:57:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145725.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124740.htm A professor of crop sciences and of plant biology describes research efforts to 'future-proof' the crops that are essential to feeding a hungry world in a changing climate. Long, who has spent decades studying the process of photosynthesis and finding ways to improve it, provides an overview of key scientific findings that offer a ray of hope. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:47:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124740.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124729.htm Scientists have pioneered a new way to breed climate-resilient crops faster by combining plant genebank data with climate and DNA analysis. The method, tested on sorghum, could speed up global efforts to secure food supplies in a changing climate. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:47:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124729.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180914.htm Researchers found that digestion in hawks and owls can alter the results of isotopic analysis in pellets and droppings. Tue, 27 May 2025 18:09:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180914.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125022.htm Planting flower strips in a field with at least two species can increase the number of natural enemies of pests by 70 percent. The more flower species, the better the effect, according to a new meta-analysis. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:50:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125022.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124607.htm Hurricane winds are a major contributor to storm-related losses for people living in the southeastern coastal states. As the global temperature continues to rise, scientists predict that hurricanes will get more destructive -- packing higher winds and torrential rainfall. A new study projects that wind losses for homeowners in the Southeastern coastal states could be 76 percent higher by the year 2060 and 102 percent higher by 2100. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:46:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124607.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121254.htm Photovoltaic systems are increasingly being installed not only on roofs but also on open land. This does not always meet with citizens' approval. What is known as agrivoltaics (Agri-PV), however, is viewed more favorably, as researchers have now been able to show. In this case, the solar cells are installed in spaces used for agriculture -- such as on pastures or as a canopy over grapevines. According to a survey of almost 2,000 people, this form enjoys much higher acceptance than normal solar parks. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:12:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121254.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131556.htm People have assumed climate change solutions that sequester carbon from the air into soils will also benefit crop yields. But a new study finds that most regenerative farming practices to build soil organic carbon -- such as planting cover crops, leaving stems and leaves on the ground and not tilling -- actually reduce yields in many situations. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:15:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131556.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131545.htm Fertilizer might be stronger than we thought. A new international study found that fertilizer can help plants survive short-term periods of extreme drought, findings which could have implications for agriculture and food systems in a world facing climate stressors. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:15:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131545.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516133220.htm In the natural world -- where predators pounce, prey flee, and group members feed and sleep in solidarity -- animal behavior is glorious in its variety. Now, new research suggests there may be an underlying architecture that orders the movements of animals as they go about their very different lives. And it's more widespread than previously imagined. Fri, 16 May 2025 13:32:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516133220.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132116.htm The Amazon rainforest may be able to survive long-term drought caused by climate change, but adjusting to a drier, warmer world would exact a heavy toll, a study suggests. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:21:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132116.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131830.htm Natural ecosystems comprise groups of species capable of living in the specific conditions of a biological system. However, if we visit a specific natural area, we will not find all the species capable of living in it. The proportion of species that could live in a specific location but do not do so is known as dark diversity, a concept coined in 2011. Research has now discovered that this dark diversity increases in regions with greater human activity. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:18:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131830.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131745.htm A new study shows that seagrass ecosystems along the northern half of Florida's Gulf Coast have remained relatively healthy and undisturbed for the last several thousand years. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:17:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131745.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514164325.htm Scientists are using artificial intelligence to determine which genes collectively govern nitrogen use efficiency in plants such as corn, with the goal of helping farmers improve their crop yields and minimize the cost of nitrogen fertilizers. Wed, 14 May 2025 16:43:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514164325.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120052.htm Before Homo sapiens arrived, Europe's forests were not dense and dark but shaped by open and light-rich woodland landscapes. Researchers have analyzed 917 native forest plant species in Central and Western Europe and found that more than 80 percent prefer high-light conditions -- environments traditionally created by large herbivores. Wed, 14 May 2025 12:00:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120052.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512202042.htm Stifling heat and sticky air often make summertime in the city uncomfortable. Due to the heat island effect, urban areas are significantly warmer than nearby rural areas, even at night. This, combined with more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change, often render the city an unpleasant environment in the summer. Urbanization and climate change modify the thermal environment of urban areas, with an expectation that urban disasters from extremely hot weather and heavy rainfall will only become more severe. Mitigating potential damage involves reducing the intensity of the heat island effect and adapting to climate change. Motivated by this problem, a team of researchers set out to investigate how the reduction in urban heat release could help mitigate and control the rapid development of thunderstorms and local rainfall. Mon, 12 May 2025 20:20:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512202042.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105541.htm El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is known to have a significant impact on climate across the Pacific, including Hawai'i, and adjacent continents. However, atmospheric scientists have now revealed that the Pacific Meridional Mode (PMM), another climate pattern that operates in the eastern Pacific Ocean, plays a major role in the variability of rainfall in Hawai'i. Mon, 12 May 2025 10:55:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105541.htm