News by Subject Earth Science

The extraordinary ability of animals to rapidly evolve in response to predators has been demonstrated via genetic sequencing of a waterflea population across nearly two decades.

Sea-level rise threatens to produce more frequent and severe flooding in coastal regions and is expected to cause trillions of dollars in damages globally if no action is taken to mitigate the issue. However, communities trying to fight sea-level rise could inadvertently make flooding worse for their neighbors, according to a new study from researchers at UT Arlington and the Stanford Natural Capital Project published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

New research from Binghamton University, State University of New York suggests that the demographic collapse at the core of the Easter Island myth didn't really happen.

Researchers led by a UMass Lowell environmental science professor say mercury measurements in a Massachusetts forest indicate the toxic element is deposited in forests across the globe in much greater quantities than previously understood.

Rapid snowmelt can be dangerous, and understanding its drivers is important for understanding the world under the influence of climate change.

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat today released the first official draft of a new Global Biodiversity Framework to guide actions worldwide through 2030 to preserve and protect Nature and its essential services to people.

Coastal wetlands - such as salt marshes - provide even more flood protection than previously thought, reducing risks to lives and homes in estuaries, a new study reveals. Research showed that wetlands that grow in estuaries can reduce water levels by up to 2 metres and provide protection far inland. This saved up to $38 (£27) million in avoided flood damage costs per estuary during a large storm thanks to the wetlands' role.