Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Filtered by: Earth & Environment
Speed of environmental change frames relative ecological risk in climate change and climate intervention scenarios
We show that considering the speed of temperature change helps place different scenarios of climate change and climate intervention in context to relative ecological risk.
Studying animal seed dispersal and forest regeneration: where cutting-edge modelling techniques meet intensive field-based research
Behind every large-scale ecological model is the indispensable fieldwork of numerous experts on the ground. Here, we dive into the collective research effort behind our latest paper – highlighting four datasets on frugivory, animal behaviour, gut passage time of seeds, and forest restoration.
Reducing supply risk of critical materials for clean energy via foreign direct investment
Our study provides a comprehensive overview of how Foreign Direct Investment influences the supply security of critical materials necessary for the clean energy transition.
Groundwater arsenic removal by a bioinspired porous membrane
Arsenic is one of the most toxic elements on earth, and a class 1 carcinogenic. The natural occurrence of arsenic in groundwaters is recognized as the major source of human exposure to this element. The problem of As contamination of water is therefore a major issue in different areas of the world.
Secrets of the mantle underworld revealed by magmatic rocks on the Philippine Sea, Earth’s fastest tectonic plate
Earth’s mantle is a complex region of mixing and dynamic flow. Now in a paper published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment, Qian et al. analyzes basaltic magma on a fast-moving tectonic plate to map distinct rock chemistry regions within the mantle and show their Deep Time longevity.
Micro and nanoplastics detected in farmed mussels: are we eating over-seasoned food?
Micro- and nanoplastics in the environment are a major problem to manage nowadays. We detected the presence of micro, but especially of nanoplastics in mussels: one of the most consumed foods globally. These data are a benchmark to show how plastic contamination rapidly spreads, reaching our tables.
Bedrock erosion in a 180 m deeply incised gorge
What happens when a rapid, sediment laden flow (hyperconcentrated flow) is forced through a
narrow and deeply incised bedrock gorge?
Shock-proofing conservation: are community forests in Madagascar resilient to a political crisis and its aftermath?
We explored the impacts of the 2009-2014 Madagascar political crisis and its aftermath on the performance of community managed forests and protected areas. In under-resourced nations like Madagascar, community forests need external support to avoid forest clearing and associated biodiversity loss.
