Ecology

Hard Coral or Macroalgae? Coral Reefs May Have Another Option

Most of the time coral reef communities are discussed, it seems the focus is whether they’re dominated by hard coral…

Biology Climate Change Ecology Human impacts

The Kelp in the Coal Mine: can kelps act as an indicator for climate change?

Many scientific studies have shown that kelp species are sensitive and vulnerable to climate change. Some scientists think of them…

Biochemistry Biological oceanography Coastal Management Conservation Ecology Human impacts

Paradise Loss: How humans are impacting coastal reef communities

Humans are drawn to beautiful beaches and warm water, and with us come the conveniences of modern day civilization. While…

Biology Ecology Fisheries

All Food Does NOT Come from the Sun

Excerpt: We’re taught at a young age that all food comes from the sun via photosynthesis. But, does it really?…

Biology Conservation Ecology Evolution Genetics genomics

Ain’t no killing the killifish (for now): on the virtues of genetic diversity

Atlantic killifish are spared extinction in the face of pollution thanks to their remarkable genetic diversity.

Book Review Coastal Management Conservation Ecology

Mangrove Takeover Impacting Salt Marshes

Mangroves are encroaching on salt marsh habitats worldwide, but what does this change in plant community mean for the plants,…

Behavior Biological oceanography Biology Climate Change Developmental Biology Ecology Genetics geochemistry Geology Microbiology Ocean Acidification Paleoceanography Volcanoes

Sharkcano, a melting pot for biology

No, a Sharkcano is not a volcano that erupts sharks. IT IS WAY COOLER THAN THAT! It is a submarine…

Biology Climate Change Ecology Sea Ice

Frozen Food: how ice algae support Arctic ecosystems

It may seem like a harsh place to grow, but algae inhabit the under side of Arctic ice. As it…

Ecology Ocean Exploration Science Communication

Polarized: What makes the North Pole the ideal location for Santa and his crew?

Location, location, location. He may not need to be in the best school district, or have an easy commute to…

Biology Climate Change Ecology

Kelp Deforestation: warming oceans are paving the way for seaweed eaters

As oceans heat up, tropical fish have started migrating to colder, temperate waters. The change in scenery from corals to…

Biology Conservation Coral deep sea Ecology Ocean Exploration Science Communication

Giving Thanks for the Ocean: The gratitude of the writers

Today is the day after Thanksgiving, but I think the spirit of gratitude should live on. Many of the other…

Biology deep sea Ecology

When Pigs Get Crabs: A Story of Symbiosis

Excerpt: The deep sea is not an easy place to live. Cold, dark, and featureless, it doesn’t provide a lot…

Behavior Book Review Climate Change Ecology Invasive Species

With A Little Help From My Friend: Unexpected benefits of invasive species?

Invasive species are widely talked about as unequivocally bad influences on ecosystems, but oftentimes their interactions are more complex. Click…

Conservation Ecology Fisheries Hazards Human impacts Plastic Pollution Sea Turtles

Let’s Ghost Fishing for Halloween!

Ghost fishing is ghastly because it creates underwater graveyards for wildlife. The authors covered here wrote a new review of…

Behavior Biology Ecology Natural History

Costume Age: some crabs are too young to start dressing up

Well, it’s that time of year again where hoards of costumed kids roam the streets in search of candy. While…

Ecology Human impacts Noise Survey

Oil rigs, the food trucks of the sea?

We humans don't always take time to assess how we impact other environments; more often we survey before we enter…

Coastal Management Conservation Ecology

The long and winding Eel migration

A glimpse of the thousands' mile migration of the European eel shows it's anything but straightforward.

Behavior Book Review Coral Ecology Evolution Parasitism Seagrass

Grunts and Gnathiids: One Fish’s Daily Migration to Escape Parasites?

Animals move for a number of reasons. The French grunt leaves the coral reefs at night for seagrass. A group…

Biology Ecology Physiology

Lobster Poop: Way More Interesting Than You’ve Ever Imagined

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably never ever given any thought to lobsters and their poop. In contrast, the…

Climate Change Coral Ecology Evolution Microbiology Natural History

Speed dating: how finding that special symbiosis saved some coral from climate change

Choosing the right symbiont might be a coral's ticket to cheating global warming.