When waves hit vegetated dunes, waterlogged areas form in front of plants, making for sand that’s easier to wash away. But you still need plants to form dunes in the first place.
plants
Posted inNews
Mosses Play Key Roles in Ecosystems from Tropics to Tundra
A global survey of mosses growing on soil found that the somewhat underappreciated plants cover a vast area and perform tasks such as sequestering carbon.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Plants Leave Chemical Fingerprints on an Ozone-Depleting Gas
A first-of-its-kind study suggests that isotope analysis could be used to pinpoint sources and sinks of atmospheric methyl chloride.
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Harpy Eagles Concentrate Precious Nutrients in the Amazon
Amazon soils are usually low in the nutrients that plants covet, but harpy eagles can create local hot spots with their poop and prey.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Greening of Loess Plateau Increases Water Yield
Vegetation restoration over the Chinese Loess Plateau can enhance atmospheric moisture convergence, increasing the precipitation enough to compensate for the vegetation water consumption.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Carbon Sink Models Need Nitrogen
If terrestrial biosphere models don’t include nitrogen, they will overestimate carbon sequestration.
Posted inNews
Cities Are Rethinking What Kinds of Trees They’re Planting
U.S. cities are losing some 36 million trees every year, but hardier species can restore their canopies.
Posted inNews
As the Arctic Warms, These Rivers Are Slowing Down
The Arctic is warming up, but instead of large rivers migrating faster, they’re actually slowing down because of shrubification.
Posted inNews
Gardens Are Good for the Neighborhood
A new study highlights the benefits of urban gardens for their human caretakers and local ecosystems.