Biodiversity

A river can look clean and still be unhealthy. Scientists assess river health by measuring dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nutrients and other water-quality indicators, while also studying aquatic organisms and river habitats. Because…

Ganpati Visarjan is a deeply meaningful religious tradition, but the materials used in modern idol making can create environmental problems when they enter rivers, lakes and ponds. Plaster of Paris, synthetic paints, plastic and thermocol…

Nestled beside the vast waters of the Hirakud Reservoir, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Odisha’s remarkable landscapes where forests, wetlands and wildlife exist in close connection. Spread across a rich dry deciduous ecosystem, the…

Quantum biology examines how specific quantum phenomena contribute to biological processes. Electron tunnelling is an established part of molecular electron-transfer reactions, while quantum mechanical effects are fundamental to…

Magnetoreception is the ability of animals to detect and use Earth's magnetic field as a source of directional information. It has been documented in birds, sea turtles, insects, fish and other animals, but the precise biological mechanism…

Vultures are more than scavengers feeding on animal carcasses; they are important components of healthy ecosystems. By rapidly removing dead animals, they contribute to nutrient cycling and influence the availability of carrion to other…

Animal dung is far more than biological waste. Once deposited, it becomes a temporary ecosystem supporting dung beetles, flies, mites, nematodes, fungi and diverse microorganisms. These organisms break down organic matter, recycle…

Rivers do more than carry water to the sea. They transport sediment, nutrients and freshwater that help sustain deltas, wetlands and coastal ecosystems. When dams, water diversion and other human activities reduce this natural flow, the…

When a species disappears, the impact can extend far beyond the loss of a single organism. Species are connected through food webs, pollination, seed dispersal, competition and other ecological relationships. The disappearance of an…

Hidden beneath the Atlantic Ocean lies one of Earth's most powerful climate engines—the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This vast network of ocean currents transports heat, regulates rainfall and supports marine…