Biodiversity and Conservation Archives

Ladybirds and Other Natural Pesticides

April 30, 2021May 3, 2021 Science Connectedgardening

Aphids in your garden? Ladybirds, or ladybugs in your garden are natural pesticides. Photos and tips for chemical-free gardening.

Biodiversity and Conservation Botany Ecology Environment

Organic Gardening and Alternatives to Pesticides

March 25, 2021June 6, 2021 Science Connectedbirds, garden, insects, plants

Gardens inevitably attract insect pests. How can you use organic gardening techniques to protect your plants from pests and maintain a garden that is safe for pollinators and other animals?

Biodiversity and Conservation Botany Ecology Zoology

Make Your Garden a Powerhouse for Pollinators

February 23, 2021June 30, 2021 Science Connectedbees, garden, news article, pollinators

Home gardens are by far the biggest source of food for pollinating insects, including bees and wasps, in cities and towns.

A team of researchers led by professor Brian Fields hypothesizes that a supernova about 65 light-years away may have contributed to the ozone depletion and subsequent mass extinction of the late Devonian Period, 359 million years ago. Pictured is a simulation of a nearby supernova colliding with and compressing the solar wind. Earth's orbit, the blue dashed circle, and the Sun, red dot, are shown for scale. (Graphic courtesy Jesse Miller)

Astronomy and Astrophysics Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Did exploding stars cause this mass extinction?

September 28, 2020April 7, 2021 Science Connectedsupernova

Researchers at the University of Illinois think supernova explosions triggered the end-Devonian mass extinction 359 million years ago.

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Zoology

Can Coronavirus Infect Non-Human Animals?

September 1, 2020June 7, 2021 Science Connectedanimals, coronavirus, COVID-19, endangered species, primates

A new study suggests that many endangered and threatened species, particularly primates, could be susceptible to the novel coronavirus.

Biodiversity and Conservation Environment Zoology

Urban Gardens a Haven for Pollinators

August 5, 2020July 15, 2021 Science Connectedbees, insects, pollinators, urban gardening

Insect-friendly urban gardens show great promise to be havens for bees and other pollinators, securing their future and allowing them to thrive.

Black Birders: Deja Perkins, a graduate student using citizen science to research birds, is one of the organizers of Black Birders Week. (Credit: North Carolina State University)

Biodiversity and Conservation Citizen Science Diversity in Science Ornithology SciStarter Blog Zoology

Black Birders, Scientists Push for Equality

June 25, 2020June 24, 2020 Science Connectedbirds, citizen science projects, diversity

Black Birders Week helped show the world that Black scientists exist in the great outdoors. Now, participants hope to keep the conversation going.

Biodiversity and Conservation Book Reviews SciStarter Blog

Book Review: Never Home Alone

May 13, 2020April 2, 2021 Science Connectedecology, insects, microbes

Never Home Alone is a 256 page deep dive into the mind of a chatty biologist. Every chapter focuses on a distinct use-case for biodiversity preservation.

Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology Zoology

Megabiota, Largest Life, Vital to Biosphere

March 18, 2020September 2, 2021 Science Connectedclimate change, conservation, extinction

By Mackenzie Myers @kenzwrites Large organisms such as whales, elephants, and redwoods are often featured in awe-inspiring nature documentaries, but they’re more than just oohs and ahs. Their existence or extinction could make or break the planet as we know it. Megabiota—the largest plants and animals—are more likely than smaller organisms to go extinct as a result of climate change. And the rest of us could be in big trouble if they do, according to a recent study. The charisma conundrum Think of successful conservation campaigns. Which animals are deemed…

Biodiversity and Conservation Climate Change Environment

Extreme Wildfires’ Effects on Australian Forests

February 17, 2020April 21, 2021 Science ConnectedAustralia, climate change, fire, global warming, wildfires, wildlife

Australian forests, accustomed to and dependent on natural fire regimes, are suffering in the new extreme wildfires fueled by climate change.