Category: Ecology
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How coronavirus taught us a gentle lesson?
The COVID-19 pandemic is easily the most defining aspect of 2020, altering lives and reshaping livelihoods globally. However, one of the few positive chapters in the COVID story is how the pandemic-induced lockdown showed us an improving environment the world over. According to a study published recently, as all types of “social, economic, industrial and…
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Why do wildfires turn the skies orange-red?
News about the wildfires in San Francisco, U.S. dominated headlines in the first weeks of September 2020. The fires were raging, and the damage that went along with it was huge. And then, one morning, residents of the famed San Francisco Bay Area woke up to skies that were orange and red. Not apocalypse While…
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COVID and new kind of pollution
The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. While healthcare workers, governments and people continue to fight the coronavirus, a new environmental problem has emerged and has been crying for attention – pandemic-related pollution, especially those concerning medical and plastic waste. The increased use of masks, gloves and PPE (Personal protective equipment) during the pandemic has…
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How climate change could impact chocolate production?
Chocolate aficionados will perhaps say chocolate is the most endearing invention by humans. We eat it when we are happy and when we are sad; when we celebrate something and when we want to cheer ourselves up. Basically, we don’t need a reason to bite into this delight. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say…
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Why particulate matter matters?
Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of minute solid and liquid particles suspended in air, which contributes to pollution. PM consists of a variety of components such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, metal, and liquid droplets. These particles are everywhere – indoors and outdoors – in your home, school, on the road and in parks.…
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Why does California experience forest fires quite often?
A heatwave is a period of prolonged abnormally high surface temperatures relative to those normally expected. Classifying a heatwave varies from country to country. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) defines heatwaves as fire or more consecutive days during which the daily maximum temperature surpasses the average maximum temperature by 5 or more. California’s climate: Wildfires…
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What are wildfires and why are they becoming more frequent and intense across the world?
Californian forests are up in flames again. Over 600 wildfires have burned down more than 1.25 million acres in Northern and Central California since August 15. The massive fires were set off by a lightning siege of over 12,000 strikes. High temperatures and strong winds have made the situation even worse. Wildfires have also been…
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Why Fireflies use bioluminescence?
Fireflies are winged beetles with light-producing organs called photic organs located in the lower part of their abdomen Bioluminescence in fireflies serves several purposes – to attract mates, to lure prey and in larvae, the light serves as a warning to predators not to eat them because they contain distasteful toxic chemicals. Firefly light is…
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Why Comb Jellies use bioluminescence?
Comb Jellies are fascinating creatures that have special features- rows of ‘comb’ with hair-like structures called cilia, evenly spaced around their bodies. The organism uses these cilia like oars to swim in the water. Comb jellies are known for generating dramatic rainbows of colours along the comb-rows while swimming. But that’s not bioluminescence- it occurs…
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Why fungi use bioluminescence?
More than 70 species of mushrooms are bioluminescent. Some of them light up only at night. As the temperature drops when the sun sets, the fungi begin to glow. Scientists believe fungi such as mushrooms, glow in order to attract insects. Insects are drawn to the mushrooms, which crawl around them. They pick up the…