- You’ve probably heard about keystone species. But what about a keystone molecule? Molly Herring writes in Quanta Magazine about the profound impact rare compounds, termed “keystone molecules,” can have on ecological interactions.
“The biological world is awash in chemical signals…If the message is powerful enough, the impact can ripple out across an ecosystem.”
“’One small, simple molecule can be tying together these seemingly unrelated species and whole ecosystem processes,’ said study author Patrick Krug, a marine biologist at California State University, Los Angeles.” - What do you see below? No, it’s not an abstract painting. It’s a map.
A new study from UFZ reveals that there is hidden order to the chaos of a forest. These distinct patterns shape how different forests grow, creating the conditions for thousands of species to thrive side by side. In tropical forests, animals spread seeds far from parent trees, reducing competition between the same species. In temperate forests, trees tend to cluster together, benefiting from underground fungal networks that help protect young saplings.
So what do you think, is this the map of a tropical or a temperate forest?
- After a U.S. Senate Committee hearing this week, just a few swing votes could make or break the so-called “Fix Our Forests Act” (H.R. 471). This logging bill, disguised as wildfire “management,” enables industrial deforestation in the name of fire prevention by giving loggers a way to bypass critical environmental protections.
Help defend our forests by signing and sharing our petition to put your support on the record. We’ve done a social post about this too
- Remote/Northern Virgina | Join ACT! for the next Climate Friendly Friday on March 14 at 7:00 PM ET, featuring Doug Tallamy, renowned environmentalist, entomologist, and author of Bringing Nature Home and Nature’s Best Hope. Doug will inspire us to create Homegrown National Parks by transforming our own yards into thriving ecosystems.
Join live via Zoom or attend our on-campus watch party for an immersive experience. Be in the first 20 to RSVP for the in-person party and receive a free packet of native plant seeds to start your own green space! - Providence | Got prickly pear cacti on your mind? The 2025 Living Landscapes Learning series by Prickly Ed’s Cactus Patch brings together local experts to reimagine our own outdoor spaces in ways that boost biodiversity, absorb carbon, and connect us to nature. Through science, design, and creativity, these fun and practical workshops help transform our own spaces into thriving, eco-friendly havens.
Learn more and register. Next workshop March 14