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IMAGE: Manipulator arm on the HyBIS hybrid remotely operated vehicle collecting crust samples from the Rio Grande Rise view more
Credit: Bramley Murton
The abundant biological and mineral diversity of the Rio Grande Rise, a seamount in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean about 1,500 km from the coast of Brazil, is probably due to a great extent to little-known microscopic creatures.
Researchers affiliated with the University of São Paulo s Oceanographic Institute (IO-USP), collaborating with colleagues at the UK s National Oceanography Center, investigated the microorganisms inhabiting the seamount s ferromanganese crusts and concluded that bacteria and archaea are probably responsible for maintaining the abundant local life, besides being involved in the process of biomineralization that forms the metals present in the crusts.
Jordan s worsening water crisis a warning for the world scienceblog.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scienceblog.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Global targets to improve the welfare of people across the planet will have mixed impacts on the world s forests, according to new research.
The United Nations 17 key areas for global development - known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - range from tackling poverty, hunger and sanitation to promoting clean energy, economic growth and reducing inequality.
Many of these goals, such as improved peace and justice, good health and wellbeing, and quality education, will have a positive impact on the Earth s natural forests.
But others, including creating new roads, industry and infrastructure, are likely to have detrimental consequences.
The research, led by the University of Leeds, reviewed a wide range of existing academic papers into the UN s global goals.
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IMAGE: Photographs showing a non-invaded area [left] and an area invaded by Urochloa brizantha [palisade grass, right] / Gabriella Damasceno) view more
Credit: Gabriella Damasceno
Invasive alien species, defined as animals and plants that breed and disperse in a landscape beyond their native range, have negative environmental, social, and economic impacts. One example among many is the forage grass genus Brachiaria, originally African and introduced to Brazil to form cattle pasture. It has become a major threat to the survival of native species and biodiversity at several spatial scales.
Complete eradication of invasive species is often impracticable. Attempts to do so have had undesirable consequences and even been damaging because merely withdrawing an invasive species does not restore the original environment, as in the areas of Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) invaded by pines. Instead of eradication, therefore, the goal should be continuous management, acc
Climate for Change
Into The Dark premieres at Glasgow Science Centre’s first digital science festival and features researchers from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and number of other scientific groups on board the R/V Helmer
Ever wonder what scientists do in the dark? Then don t miss Glasgow Science Centre s UK premiere of a new documentary that explores how researchers monitor climate change in the bleak polar seas – and how it is affecting marine life. By Colin Cardwell LOOKING out across an expanse of black sea in the chill darkness of winter, the myriad twinkling lights of marine traffic inspire a sense of a reassurance: ships taking people where they need to be, bringing us the essentials and small luxuries of life.