Forest & environment

### Excerpt > Forests are not passive participants in the atmosphere. Trees continuously release **biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs)** such as isoprene and terpenes, which undergo chemical reactions in the air. These compounds…

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…

India's latest Environmental Performance Index ranking offers a serious warning about the country's environmental challenges. Ranked 176th among 177 countries, India records particularly weak performance in environmental health, air quality…

Earthquakes occur when enormous stresses within the Earth's crust are suddenly released, sending seismic waves through the planet. Using sensitive instruments called seismometers, scientists can detect these waves, locate an earthquake's…

Ecosystems rarely collapse without warning. Long before forests decline, lakes become polluted or coral reefs disappear, nature often shows subtle signs that its resilience is weakening. Today, scientists are using satellite observations,…

Ocean acidification is one of the least visible yet most significant consequences of climate change. As the oceans absorb increasing amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, seawater chemistry changes, making it harder for corals,…

Earth's magnetic field is an invisible force that quietly protects life every moment of every day. Generated by the movement of molten iron deep within the planet's outer core, it shields Earth from harmful solar radiation, preserves the…

A lake turning bright green may appear harmless, but it often signals a growing environmental crisis. Triggered by excessive nutrients, warming temperatures and pollution, harmful algal blooms are becoming increasingly common in freshwater…

Healthy soil is much more than the foundation for agriculture—it is one of Earth's largest natural carbon banks. Beneath every field lies a vibrant community of microbes that stores carbon, recycles nutrients and helps the soil retain…