One of my favorite facts about rainforests is that they’re cornucopias of life. According to worldrainforestday.org, rainforests contain about 50% of all terrestrial biodiversity. But, how many rainforests are there to be able to harbor such a considerable amount of ecosystems? Well, scientists don’t usually refer to the number of rainforests in the world per …
Introduction What images come to mind when you think of a tropical rainforest? Do you imagine a dense, green forest with tall trees, vines, and flowers? Or do you picture a hot, humid jungle teeming with insects and dangerous animals? Maybe you envision both. Tropical rainforests are located near the Earth’s equator. They are home …
Imagine standing next to one of the tallest and oldest species still alive today–and taller than the tallest dinosaur ever recorded. The Sitka Spruce are some of the oldest trees in America and they reach towards the sky at an impressive 180 feet, about the height of a 17 story building. There are places in America …
Old trees are fascinating because they have seen history unfold. All the ancient trees have been through more than any person alive today, considering the UK’s oldest forests are home to trees that are thousands of years old. But that isn’t the only reason why old trees are so special. The oldest trees are better …
What is the youngest rainforest in the world? Rainforests are the lungs of the earth. Tropical rainforests produce 40% of the Earth’s oxygen. Unfortunately, about half of the world’s tropical forests have disappeared as crops and animal farmland replace trees. In the Amazon, the world’s oldest rainforest, illegal logging destroys 18.7 million acres of rainforest …
If you’re like me and pretty much everyone else, the word “rainforest” tends to conjure up images of lush, green vegetation. The idea that it’s infertile can seem really insane – but it’s true. People who try to grow crops there find out pretty quickly that it’s just not going to go well. The question …
More than 70 percent of the earth’s surface is covered in water, so it’s unsurprising that we have so many different types of bodies of water. Rivers, oceans, lakes, ponds – there are many types to know. And sometimes, understanding the differences can be difficult – especially when most people can’t exactly agree on a …
Nature is full of cycles of all kinds. All parts of nature, big and small, participate in some gradual process of change or renewal, and lake ecosystems are no exception. You may have heard of the water cycle, the rock cycle, or the nitrogen cycle, but there’s another cycle that you may not have heard …
When you think of Qatar, what is the first image that comes to mind? Do you picture vast deserts and plenty of warmth, or do you envision a growing city that is bustling with life and a giant economy day in and day out? If you imagined either one of these scenarios, you are not …
Flamingos are one of my favorite birds. They’re so graceful and their color palette is simply stunning. However, I was recently surprised to find out that not all flamingos are pink. There are several different types of flamingos, each with its unique color scheme. If you’re curious about flamingos and want to learn more about …
The central tap-root of a dandelion grows up to 3 feet long, but for most dandelions, it’s 6 to 12 inches. If you’re like me, you have a love-hate relationship with dandelions. You might know them as puffballs, lion’s tooth, or monk’s head. The bright, yellow blooms are harbingers of springtime, which I yearn for …
The cactus is the king plant of the desert, or any desert environment. Cacti can be seen sprouting up in any region with an arid and hot climate. One consequence of the spread of American civilization in the West was the reclamation of large tracts of desert. But even where modern cities have been established, …
Gardening can be a rewarding and relaxing pasttime. If, like me, you work in a job that keeps you still and sedentary, if you are chained to a desk for the better part of the day, you should take up gardening. It is nice to go into the air and sun and dig your hands …
Bamboo is a great plant to have in your garden but if the roots are not maintained well enough, they may spread extremely quickly and cause damage. If you wish to eliminate the bamboo plant or regulate its roots, the first thing you need to do is determine how long the roots are in the …
Australia forms part of the Oceania Continent. It is characterized by hot, dry conditions, with the massive “Outback” region making up its bulk. However, would you believe that this hot, dry region is also home to some spectacular forests? Below we look at the types of forests found in Australia. The total forested area of …
Alaska, with 424.5 million acres, is the biggest state in the United States. It is so large that you could fit California, Montana, and Texas inside the state and still have land left over. But Alaska isn’t all frozen glaziers and tundra. Thirty-five percent of Alaska is forested. So, what types of forests are in …
The Yukon Territory is an icy, low populated region where you can genuinely appreciate the marvels of mother nature. One of which is that a predominant part of the Yukon is protected forests. The primary part of the Yukon Territory consists of Boreal Forest, which grows in the Northern Hemisphere at latitudes between the Arctic …
Quebec is wealthy in history, culture, and natural beauty. Much of its beauty is attributed to its forests. They have proved to be a tremendous boon to the economy of the villages, towns, and cities that border them. As a hiking enthusiast and lover of the outdoors, I have often considered the forest a second …