Tag Archives: PNAS
Ocean anoxia more likely consequence than cause of Permian-Triassic mass extinction
When it comes to explaining Earth’s mass extinctions some scientists point to space. They could be close – but perhaps should consider pointing to the sky instead.
Carbon storage facilities have low risk of causing CO2 poisoning
As more and more countries around the world struggle to meet their carbon emission reduction targets, they are looking for all kinds of solutions to work around the problem. One of those is carbon capture and storage (CCS). This atmospheric … Continue reading
Biodiversity feedback: loss of amphibian species further increases threat of deadly fungus infections
Worldwide amphibians are the most threatened class in the animal kingdom. In recent years Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a fungal pathogen, has caused havoc among many species of frogs, toads and salamanders, decreasing populations and wiping out others.
Climate change may release around 3 percent of 2,000+ Gt instable soil carbon from Arctic tundra over this century – as CO2 and methane
Here´s why finding out the Gulfstream could be quite stable wouldn´t necessarily be such good news: under continued warming, the positive feedback of increased tundra peat soil CO2 and methane emissions far outweighs the negative feedback of ‘taiga creep’ and … Continue reading
Structural evolution takes place at the million years timescale
What Himalayan glaciers really do: melting – for last 40 years
Do you remember that flawed Himalayan glacier melting prediction? Here’s what is truly going on in the world’s highest mountain range – and yes, these figures are science-derived.
The forest fire feedback, Yellowstone’s case: ecosystem shift by 2050
Climate change could cause the forests of the world’s oldest national park, Yellowstone, in the Eastern Rocky Mountains, to shift to a gras and shrub ecosystem, US scientists warn. It could happen in four decades, and will likely not be … Continue reading
In case of CCD the pest could be worse than the pesticide: P450 enzymes help bees survive chemicals that kill parasite
Usually when we want to get rid of an insect or other arthropod we spray it with something nasty. And that is indeed what beekeepers do to kill varroa destructor, a mite that infects beehives and contributes to Colony Collapse … Continue reading
Empirical evidence raises climate-induced extinction risk for 2100 from 10 to 14 percent
Extrapolation of witnessed species decline shows mean biodiversity loss predictions under continued climate change within the 21st century may be on the conservative side.