Kiska, Canada's last captive orca, died this week at Marineland after twelve years of isolation. Find out why animals rights groups want Marineland prosecuted, and how Kiska's story reflects changing attitudes toward our treatment of animals.
Category: Conservation
Discoveries related to conserving habitats and ecosystems to combat the extinction crisis.
Biodiversity Conference Commits to Protect 30% of Natural World
A UN biodiversity conference called COP15 has ended with a deal involving 196 countries. Find out why environmentalists are hailing it as a landmark agreement, and what it will take to put its terms in place.
Reforestation Plans Require More than Saying “Plant More Trees”
Reforestation plans play a central role in global strategies to solve the climate crisis. Find out why simply getting millions of saplings into the ground doesn’t deliver long-term success.
Ecosystem Stability Determined by Two Simple Factors
Ecosystem stability has three phases, a bit like ice, water and steam. Find out how a new study explains how ecologists could predict these phases by gathering only two simple pieces of information.
Monarch Butterfly Added to Engangered Species List
Monarch Butterfly populations have been devasted over the last past few decades. Find out why the IUCN had added these iconic pollinators to the endangered species list and how scientists are working to save them from extinction.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Aggravated by Climate Crisis
Human-wildlife conflict is becoming an increasing concern as human activity encroaches on natural habitats due to climate change. Find out how a new study involving elephants shows how we can plan for and minimize these tensions in the future.
Safeguarding Biodiversity Means Conserving 44% of Earth’s Land
Safeguarding biodiversity is crucial for the survival of Humanity and the entire ecosphere. Find out why new research calls for governments to increase global land conservation from 17% to 44% if we're serious about preserving Earth's ecosystems.
Proposed Anthropocene Epoch Seeks Formal Approval
A proposed Anthropocene epoch will be reviewed this month and possibly approved by the end of this year. Find out which sites are contending to be the epoch's "golden spike" and the prospects of its final approval.
Diet-Size Relationship in Animals Disturbed by Humans
The diet-size relationship is a universal principle in the animal kingdom that dates back millions of years. Find out how human activity is disturbing that principle's balance and the implications for species extinction.
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History – A Review
The Sixth Extinction’ by Elizabeth Kolbert is an overview of past and present mass extinctions. Discover why many scientists believe that humans are causing a new era of mass extinction today. (5:30 min read)