Native plants help damaged landscapes by stabilizing soil, fighting invasive species and sheltering pollinators. Two horticulture experts explain what they’re doing to help develop new seed sources.
Roads require de-icing strategies in northern regions, but this practice has negative effects on aquatic biodiversity.
Although it has been considerably less studied than other environmental problems, salinization presents major challenges for biodiversity in freshwater and coastal areas.
Fires are often set to clear land near roads in the Amazon.
Johannes Myburgh / AFP via Getty Images
Nearly 95% of deforestation in the Amazon occurs within 3.5 miles of a road or near a river. Brazil’s plans to ramp up exports may be on a collision course with the forest.
An old-growth tree that was cut in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest.
Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Protecting old and mature trees is the simplest and least expensive way to pull carbon out of the atmosphere – but proposed logging projects threaten mature stands across the US.
Samango monkey choosing to use a pole bridge instead of a ladder bridge.
Birthe Linden
Researchers encourage citizen scientists to contribute to datasets on animal deaths caused by infrastructure. This will inform efforts to reduce the human impact on biodiversity.
The quality of asphalt binder — the glue that holds roads together — influences their condition. Binder made from Alberta bitumen is low in waxes and could extend pavement lifespan.
Tackling climate change is a budget priority, but will we see the major investment in cycling infrastructure and public transport that is one obvious solution?
Fresh grizzly bear tracks in Yellowstone National Park.
Jacob W. Frank, NPS/Flickr
Parks and refuges are important for conservation, but without connections, they’re like islands. Linking them by protecting land in between makes it possible for wildlife to move over bigger areas.
Tourists cross a hanging bridge in the treetops of Costa Rica’s Monteverde cloud forest.
Matthew Williams-Ellis/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Tourism revenues account for almost 10% of Costa Rica’s gross domestic product. New research shows that charismatic wildlife is necessary but not sufficient to attract ecotourists.
Lavinia Perumal, University of Cape Town; Mark New, University of Cape Town; Matthias Jonas, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) et Wei Liu, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
The presence of roads, even inside protected areas, may pose a significant threat to species.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison driving a hydrogen-fuelled car in Melbourne.
AAP Image/Pool, William West
Alaska is warming faster than any other U.S. state, and that’s causing problems, a team of bridge engineers and social scientists explains. The infrastructure bill in Congress would offer some help.