Why do trees need sunlight? An environmental scientist explains photosynthesis

Trees – and all plants – harvest sunlight to gain the energy they need to live and grow.

Rebekah Stein, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Quinnipiac University • conversation
March 11, 2024 ~6 min

How scientists are helping plants get the most out of photosynthesis

Plants aren’t always as good at photosynthesis as you might think. Our research project wants to help them.

Stefan Schillberg, Executive Director, Fraunhofer IME • conversation
Jan. 3, 2024 ~7 min


A layered lake is a little like Earth’s early oceans − and lets researchers explore how oxygen built up in our atmosphere billions of years ago

An unusual lake with distinct layers of low-oxygen and high-iron water lets researchers investigate conditions like those in the early Earth’s oceans.

Elizabeth Swanner, Associate Professor of Geology, Iowa State University • conversation
Oct. 23, 2023 ~11 min

Climate change threatens spring wildflowers by speeding up the time when trees leaf out above them

Many beloved wildflowers bloom in early spring, while trees are still bare and the flowers have access to sunlight. Climate change is throwing trees and wildflowers out of sync.

Tara K. Miller, PhD Candidate in Biology, Boston University • conversation
March 14, 2023 ~9 min

Do humans really need other species?

People wouldn’t last long without the countless other species we depend on for survival.

Tom Langen, Professor of Biology, Clarkson University • conversation
Aug. 29, 2022 ~9 min

Trees aren't a climate change cure-all – 2 new studies on the life and death of trees in a warming world show why

More carbon dioxide in the air doesn’t necessarily mean more growth for trees, and the increasing risk of wildfires and drought has major consequences, as an interactive map shows.

William R.L. Anderegg, Associate Professor of Ecology, School Of Biological Sciences, University of Utah • conversation
May 12, 2022 ~8 min

Redwood trees have two types of leaves, scientists find – a trait that could help them survive in a changing climate

New research shows that coast redwood trees have a surprising adaptation that helps then thrive in both wet and dry environments.

Alana Chin, Postdoctoral Fellow in Plant Ecology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich • conversation
April 13, 2022 ~10 min

Arctic greening won’t save the climate – here’s why

The growing season on the tundra is starting earlier as the planet warms, but the plants aren’t sequestering more carbon, a new study finds.

Donatella Zona, Associate Professor of Biology, San Diego State University • conversation
March 29, 2022 ~7 min


Curious Kids: what do plants do all day?

Though you might not think so to look at them, plants have a busy day.

Paul Ashton, Head of Biology, Edge Hill University • conversation
Feb. 2, 2022 ~5 min

Why do plants grow straight?

Plants need light to feed themselves, so they grow in ways that help them collect as much of it as they can. Sometimes that’s straight up, but not always.

Beronda L. Montgomery, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Assistant Vice President of Research & Innovation, Michigan State University • conversation
Jan. 17, 2022 ~4 min

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