planted

After the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, scientists planted sunflowers to pull radioactive material from contaminated water and soil; the flowers actually absorbed radioactive isotopes

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After the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, scientists planted sunflowers to pull radioactive material from contaminated water and soil; the flowers actually absorbed radioactive isotopes

After the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, scientists explored an unusual way of dealing with radioactive contamination by using plants to absorb radionuclides from the environment. Sunflowers emerged as a promising candidate because their roots can take up certain radioactive elements, including cesium and strontium, from contaminated water. Experiments near Chernobyl showed that sunflowers could remove … Read more

In 1910, Oregon planted European beachgrass to stabilize shifting dunes; it spread along the coast, reshaped the landscape and squeezed open sandy habitat used by native wildlife

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In 1910, Oregon planted European beachgrass to stabilize shifting dunes; it spread along the coast, reshaped the landscape and squeezed open sandy habitat used by native wildlife

European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) is now well established in the Oregon dunes In 1910, Oregon introduced European beachgrass near Coos Bay to stabilise its shifting dunes. The plant trapped moving sand and helped hold the dunes in place as it was meant to. But as the beachgrass spread, it changed the coastal landscape and reduced … Read more

China expanded planted forests by about 35,000 sq km; 20 years of data show carbon uptake began declining within 15 years in 80% of areas

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China expanded planted forests by about 35,000 sq km; 20 years of data show carbon uptake began declining within 15 years in 80% of areas

Representative Image of the Yellow River Basin with expanding planted forests across dryland regions, viewed from above (AI Generated Image) China’s Yellow River Basin has gained roughly 35,000 square kilometres of planted forest over the past three decades, but a study of nearly 20 years of monitoring data suggests some of those forests begin losing … Read more

Nearly 20 years after Dreyer’s Ice Cream CEO T. Gary Rogers bought 151 acres in Napa, his family discovered an 1887 winery hidden on the property; they planted vineyards, built a home, and the estate now asks $35 million

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Nearly 20 years after Dreyer’s Ice Cream CEO T. Gary Rogers bought 151 acres in Napa, his family discovered an 1887 winery hidden on the property; they planted vineyards, built a home, and the estate now asks $35 million

A vineyard property in Napa Valley, featuring an 1887 winery that Ellen DeGeneres once had her eyes on, is on the market. The 151-acre property in St Helena, California, is listed for $35 million, according to a report by Mansion Global. The seller is artist Matt Rogers, the son of the late T. Gary Rogers, … Read more

Nearly 4,000 New York City students planted more than 100,000 beachgrass stalks across 2.25 acres at Coney Island Creek Park to rebuild protective dunes and help protect 50,000+ people from flooding

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Nearly 4,000 New York City students planted more than 100,000 beachgrass stalks across 2.25 acres at Coney Island Creek Park to rebuild protective dunes and help protect 50,000+ people from flooding

Nearly 4,000 public school students, more than 200 teachers and hundreds of community members have worked with NWF Nearly 4,000 New York City public school students have taken part in an effort to restore protective dunes at Coney Island Creek Park in Brooklyn. Since 2022, students, teachers and community members have planted more than 100,000 … Read more

Ugandan communities planted 4,053 trees beside one of Africa’s great rainforests; now the new forest is rebuilding a damaged wildlife buffer

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Ugandan communities planted 4,053 trees beside one of Africa's great rainforests; now the new forest is rebuilding a damaged wildlife buffer

Like Impenetrable Forest. Image Credit: Ron Van Oers/Wikipedia Communities living beside Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have planted 4,053 agroforestry trees across 40 hectares of land, beginning the restoration of a damaged buffer zone around one of Africa’s most important rainforest landscapes. The work aims to improve habitat, support local livelihoods and reduce pressure on … Read more

Denmark planted trees for carbon storage, but 21 years later natural forests proved more diverse while plantations captured carbon faster

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Denmark planted trees for carbon storage, but 21 years later natural forests proved more diverse while plantations captured carbon faster

Denmark’s long-running effort to create forests on former farmland has revealed a striking trade-off between carbon storage and biodiversity. After 21 years, scientists compared naturally regenerated forests with areas deliberately planted with trees. Plantations accumulated tree biomass and captured carbon faster, while naturally colonised forests developed greater diversity and more varied ecological structures. The University … Read more

Terrorists planted a bomb beneath the Twin Towers years before 9/11. How a charred van brought down the conspirators

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For three decades, the Twin Towers were among the most recognisable structures, not only in New York but in the world. They rose above Lower Manhattan and became a symbol of the city. Years before 9/11, the 1993 bombing was the Twin Towers’ first encounter with terror. (US govt/AP) This, though, also made them a … Read more

Uruguay planted eucalyptus and pine forests across grasslands; 20 years later, scientists found rivers were carrying much less water

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Uruguay planted eucalyptus and pine forests across grasslands; 20 years later, scientists found rivers were carrying much less water

Across Uruguay, large areas of traditional grassland have been converted into managed forests, particularly plantations of fast-growing trees such as eucalyptus and pine. The change can bring economic benefits through timber production, but it also alters how water moves through the landscape. A 20-year paired-watershed study in northern Uruguay provides one of the clearest long-term … Read more

Brazil planted vast eucalyptus forests for pulp; 45 years later scientists found groundwater had fallen by 4.5 metres

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Brazil planted vast eucalyptus forests for pulp; 45 years later scientists found groundwater had fallen by 4.5 metres

Brazil’s eucalyptus industry was built on a simple promise: grow trees quickly, harvest them for pulp and create a renewable supply for the global paper industry. Over decades, however, the enormous plantations have transformed landscapes across parts of the country, raising concerns about what happens to water beneath the trees. In one eucalyptus-growing region of … Read more