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PLANT BIODIVERSITY
Thailand promoted Leucaena trees for fodder and reforestation, but scientists found that the fast-growing species is suppressing the natural regeneration of native forestsThailand's well-intentioned tree planting initiative with Leucaena leucocephala has backfired, with scientists discovering the fast-growing...
‘Harmony of the wild’: IAS officer marvels at elephant's chance encounter with deer herd. Just 240 km from Bengaluru, this lush tiger reserve promises an unforgettable wildlife escapeA heartwarming video from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, shared by IAS officer Supriya Sahu, captured a rare, peaceful encounter between a majest...
Portugal in the 20th century planted millions of Australian eucalyptus trees for the paper industry, but scientists now say the country's forests are more fire-prone and far less biodiverse than native woodlandsPortugal's widespread eucalyptus plantations, established for industry, are now fueling devastating wildfires. These fast-growing trees, im...
Chile in the 1970s planted millions of Monterey pine and eucalyptus trees for timber, but scientists now say many native forests have been replaced, while streams and wildlife have declinedChile's biodiversity hotspot has witnessed a dramatic native forest decline since 1960, replaced by fast-growing pine plantations. Driven b...
Britain in the 1920s planted millions of Sitka spruce trees for timber, but scientists now say the country's forests support far fewer birds, plants, and insects than native woodlandsBritain's vast Sitka spruce plantations, while economically vital, host a surprisingly limited number of species compared to native trees. ...
No cutting trees yet, 200% stronger wood: Japan’s 600-year-old technique for producing wood is a lesson on sustainable forestryDiscover Daisugi, a 600-year-old Japanese tradition offering premium timber without deforestation. This ingenious method, originating in 14...
While trees across Bengaluru fall during heavy monsoon storms, this engineer’s 600-sq-ft rooftop forest of 100+ fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants stands strongBengaluru's monsoon woes are being countered by a remarkable five-storey rooftop forest, cultivated by engineer Venkataraman. This 600-squa...
What’s beneath Switzerland? A massive scan just revealed the hidden landscapeSwitzerland’s new 10-meter resolution sunlight map (swissrad10) tracks solar energy across complex terrain. By measuring shifting shadows f...
PM Modi visits tortoise enclosure, joins Seychelles president in tree plantation ceremonyDuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent trip to Seychelles, he enjoyed an unforgettable experience interacting with giant tortoises. T...
China's rivers and lakes defied a global oxygen crisis across 17 years, and nearly 1,300 sites, and the surprise is that it had nothing to do with slowing down climate changeFreshwater ecosystems worldwide are facing declining oxygen levels, a critical issue for aquatic life. However, a recent study in China rev...
Once known for drought & rejecting girl child, this village is now green haven that celebrates every girl born. All because one father turned his daughter's death into revolutionA father's grief over the loss of his daughter sparked a remarkable movement in a village in Rajasthan. Today, Piplantri celebrates the bir...
More trees do not always mean more birds, and a Japanese study found grassland species fell by over 70% near shelterbelts, showing that restoring habitat can sometimes reduce biodiversityA surprising study reveals that planting trees as windbreaks on farms can devastate bird populations, particularly those needing open grass...
California's coastal sand dunes are becoming history, and the first-ever map shows how 165 years of development and erosion have shrunk a natural shield against storms and rising seasCalifornia's iconic beaches are losing their natural sand dune protectors, with over half disappearing since the Gold Rush due to developme...
Rare wildlife, dense evergreen forests, rich biodiversity: 5 stunning rainforests in India that every nature-lover must visitCelebrating World Rainforest Day, India boasts incredible biodiversity across its lush rainforests. From Arunachal Pradesh's Namdapha to Ke...
Does planting more trees on farmland actually hurt bird populations? Here's what a new study reveals about hidden risks of tree plantingNew research from Japan reveals that planting trees for conservation, while beneficial for some birds, can negatively impact species relian...
Aravalli Biodiversity Park helps Delhi retain 3 million litres of rainwater, reduce flooding: StudyDelhi's Aravalli Biodiversity Park is a vital green lung, retaining nearly three million litres of rainwater annually and significantly red...
600,000 live plants, 1200 tree species, bamboo decor: Entrepreneur says Bengaluru airport 'feels like a different world’Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport Terminal 2 is winning global acclaim. It has been named one of the World's Most Beautiful Airp...
Italy planted Norway spruce across the Alps in the 1930s, a deliberate-but-naive reforestation drive, but 90 years on, plant diversity is 50% lower than in native forestsA 90-year-old reforestation project in Italy's Prealps planted Norway spruce. A new study reveals this decision drastically reduced plant d...
Forget the internet, there's a hidden superhighway under your feet, and it's almost a billion Sun trips longForget the internet, there's a hidden superhighway under your feet, and it's almost a billion Sun trips long and scientists have now mapped...
When the Black Death killed half of Europe in the 1340s, ecologists expected the land to bloom; instead, plant diversity plummeted for 150 years until farming returnedA new study reveals the Black Death's devastating impact on Europe's plant life. The plague's population crash led to a sharp decline in pl...