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Domestication is a spectrum, especially for botanical crops. Regardless of where a plant is on that spectrum, it nevertheless has a wild origin. Understanding those origins can not only help us understand the plants better, but also our history as a species as well as open the door to future possibi…
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Domestication is a spectrum, especially for botanical crops. Regardless of where a plant is on that spectrum, it nevertheless has a wild origin. Understanding those origins can not only help us understand the plants better, but also our history as a species as well as open the door to future possibi…
229

This month’s open thread. Note that the Nenana Ice challenge break up date graph has been updated, and the Yukon river ice break up is imminent (or may have already happened! [Update – it already had]). Please stay focused on climate issues.
The post Unforced variations: May 2025 first appeared on R…
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Sedges are a complex group of plants in the family Cyperaceae. Within this family lies the genus Carex, which boasts ~2000 species found in all kinds of habitats. From specialists to generalists, there seems to be no lifestyle the sedges have not experimented with. But how did all this sedge diversi…
109

Last week, Amazon Conservation Co-Founder Dr. Adrian Forsyth joined our Peruvian sister organization, Conservación Amazónica-ACCA, for a special event to celebrate the launch of the Spanish edition of his book, Tropical Nature (Naturaleza Tropical), which transforms the ecological complexity of trop…
225

Fish make hanging motionless in the water column look effortless, and scientists had long assumed hovering was a type of rest. Now, a new study reveals that fish use nearly twice as much energy when hovering in place compared to resting. The study, led by scientists at the University of California S…
111

What do witch hazel seeds and a speeding bullet have in common? Acceleration! Join me and Justin Jorge as we explore the ecomechanics of seed dispersal in Loropetalum chinense, Hamamelis virginiana and Fortunearia sinensis. This episode was produced in part by Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Tho…
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Over multiple generations of CMIP models Arctic sea ice trend predictions have gone from much too stable to about right. Why? The diagnostics highlighted in our model-observations comparison page are currently all temperature based, and show overall that climate models have being doing well on these…
228

Say "old growth" and we all too often picture ancient forests with large, gnarly trees. However, forests aren't the only habitat types that can reach old growth status. Prairies, savannas, and woodlands can be old growth too and it is vital that we both protect and learn from them as they are one of…
109

Any organism that ephemeral gravel puddles home must be ready to deal with extremes. That is what makes snorkelwort (Gratiola amphiantha) and its aquatic neighbors so darn cool. It's what also makes it so very rare. Join me and Anna Wyngaarden as we take a deep dive into how she is trying to solve s…
230

The world of aquatic plants is incredibly diverse, yet our ties to land make it difficult to fully appreciate these organisms. Their glory and splendor is best observed in their underwater realm. This is why aquascaping is such an incredible hobby. Planted aquariums provide you with a unique view of…
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Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys) produces no leaves nor any chlorophyl. It “eats” fungi and can be found growing in many areas around the globe. It flowers in spring, fall, and summer and noby really knows if it is a single species or many. Despite its uniqueness, relatively little scientific attention…
109

This episode celebrates moths as pollinators. We ignore or even malign moths at our own peril. Dr. Stephen Robertson joins us to talk about how even crop pests can act as important pollinators. From their bewildering numbers to the ways they interact with daytime pollinators, Dr. Robertson will open…
122

The High Arctic is not a place you go looking for forests today. It is extremely harsh, cold, and nearly void of most forms of plant life. However, that has not always been the case. The Eocene Epoch was a period where Earth was much hotter than it is today and forests flourished at the poles. This …
102

Imagine diving into clear blue water. Schools of fish dart past. Coral fans sway gently with the current. And then you see it—a net, tattered and tangled, drifting like a shadow.  Silent. Suspended. Deadly. This is ghost gear. And it’s one of the most lethal forms of plastic pollution in the ocean. …
431

Imagine diving into clear blue water. Schools of fish dart past. Coral fans sway gently with the current. And then you see it—a net, tattered and tangled, drifting like a shadow.  Silent. Suspended. Deadly. This is ghost gear. And it’s one of the most lethal forms of plastic pollution in the ocean. …
223

Knowing what we don't know can be as important as knowing what we do. Even highly charismatic plants like orchids harbor many mysteries in need of investigation. Join me and Dr. Adam Karrenmans as we discuss his new book "Demystifying Orchid Pollination" and learn why paying attention to nature at a…
211

Sometimes the differences between species are vast (e.g., a maple and an oak) but other times they are subtle to the point of requiring a trained eye and essentially learning a new language. So-called cryptic species are extremely challenging to understand, but that is why spending time in the field…
151

Restoring healthy wetlands isn't an easy task. Often times, altered hydrologic cycles means wetlands no long act like they once did. Nevertheless, the many ecological and cultural benefits of functioning wetlands means that wetland restoration is certainly worth the time, money, and effort. Join me …
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Plants ARE habitat and that doesn't stop when they die. Countless species of microbes, fungi, arthropods, and more not only take up residence in dead plant material but also require it to complete their lifecycle. My guest today is Dr. Amy Zanne and she spends a lot of time thinking about the things…
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What wetland scene would be complete without a few cattails? The genus Typha is synonymous with wetlands yet as you will hear in this episode, we know so little about them. Joining us is Dr. Pam Geddes from Northeastern Illinois University to talk to us about her work on cattail invasion ecology. Wh…
121

The Irish Sea is one of the UK’s most economically and ecologically important marine regions. Supporting everything from biodiversity and renewable energy to fisheries and coastal communities, it is under increasing pressure from pollution, climate change, and intensive human use. At the forefront o…
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At the Alliance for the Great Lakes, we believe that impact doesn’t always come from the spotlight—it comes from showing up, speaking out, and staying the course.  Every year at our […]
The post Meet the 2025 Wavemaker Honorees  appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.
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As summer kicks into high gear on the Fourth of July, Netflix is releasing a new series highlighting the beauty, importance and diversity of shark species around the globe. Set to be released on July 4, All the Sharks is the first series where shark lovers travel the world to photograph as many shar…