Ecology

An international team of scientists has documented nearly 800 species, many previously unknown, living nearly 4,000 meters below the Pacific Ocean's surface. Their five-year study in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone also tested the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining, finding significant local reductions in animal numbers and diversity. The findings, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, provide crucial data for regulating future extraction of critical metals.

2 Mwezi wa pili, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

A new study reveals that SAR11, the most abundant bacteria in the world's oceans, may be hindered by their own adaptations to nutrient-poor environments. Under stress, these microbes experience cellular failures that limit their growth, potentially affecting ocean ecosystems amid climate change. Researchers from the University of Southern California highlight this as a key weakness in these dominant lifeforms.

Daily Maverick introduces Notes from a Small Planet, a new series exploring ecological consciousness through influential thinkers. The inaugural piece draws on astrophysicist Carl Sagan's reflections from NASA's Voyager 1 mission. It highlights humanity's responsibility to cherish Earth amid environmental challenges.

11 Mwezi wa kwanza, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Scientists have identified a previously unknown nematode species in the Great Salt Lake, marking only the third animal group able to survive its extreme salinity. Named Diplolaimelloides woaabi with input from Indigenous elders, the worm appears endemic to the lake. The discovery raises questions about its origins and potential role in monitoring the lake's health.