Ecology Archives - State of the Planet

Upcoming Scientific Fieldwork, 2023 and Beyond

Climate School researchers are carrying out fieldwork on every continent and every ocean. A guide to upcoming projects.

by |May 9, 2023

Two Studies Push Upright Ape Origins in Africa Back by 10 Million Years

Analyses of plant remains and other evidence show that the landscapes our ape ancestors evolved in existed much earlier than previously thought.

by |May 2, 2023
green plants planted in rows on sandy soil

How Climate Services Can Support Ecosystem Restoration

Tools that are already being used to support climate-smart agriculture could help to build resiliency in restored ecosystems.

by Ezekiel Maben |April 26, 2023
A woman with blonde hair smiling.

Inside New York’s Concrete Jungle with Amy Karpati

Ecologist and environmental educator Amy Karpati discusses urban ecosystems and paths to restoration in New York City and beyond.

by Bhavya Jha |March 29, 2023
partially constructed wind turbine

The Squeeze on Powering the Open Road

Transitioning to electric vehicles and renewable energy will require us to use limited, difficult-to-attain natural resources. Extracting those minerals has environmental consequences, and we don’t even know if the planetary supply can meet such a vast demand.

by Pearl Gray |March 24, 2023
A forest in India

Using a People-Centered Approach to Design Restoration Projects

A new study proposes a more holistic approach to planning restoration projects that do not “leave people off the map.”

by |March 7, 2023

Ancient Eggshell Fragments Crack Giant Elephant Bird’s Life Secrets

In a region where skeletal fossils are poorly preserved, old eggshells are opening a window into the evolution, diet and distribution of Madagascar’s extinct birds.

by |February 28, 2023
kimono made with bioearth fabric, seen from multiple angles and in motion

Let Them Wear Dirt: Penmai Chongtoua Turns Soil Into Textiles

An artist and alumna of the Climate and Society program, Chongtoua is exploring a variety of ways to wear earth on our bodies. Her work seeks to shape how we view our relationship with the planet.

by |February 14, 2023
people chatting on the deck of a ship

Waters of Long Island Sound: How Local Perspectives Inform Ecological Research

By sharing their day-to-day experiences and deep knowledge of the local environment, fishermen and residents of the Long Island Sound provide crucial information for researchers studying coastal ecosystems health.

by Shangtong Li |February 1, 2023

Human Activity Has Degraded More Than a Third of the Remaining Amazon Rain Forest

A new study finds that an area 10 times the size of the United Kingdom has been affected by some form of human disturbance, contributing to biodiversity loss and carbon emissions.

by |January 26, 2023