Our rainforests are the oldest ecosystems on Earth. Some of them have been around for more than 70 million years. Despite covering only 6% of the Earth´s surface rainforests contain the majority of animal and plant species of our world. Just to give you an impression of how diverse rainforests actually are: You can find …
Puerto Rico is quite famous for doing bioluminescence tours there. I spend a couple of days in Vieques, an island easy to reach from the mainland. Together with a friend of mine we have booked a Kayak Tour to see Mosquito Bay’s bioluminescence. When we started paddling in the water, the sky was almost dark. …
We have a lot of senses in common with other animals. 1 However, some senses are completely closed to human perception. Magnetoreception, or the perception of a magnetic field, is one example. In Ecology class last semester, I learned that ants can use our planet’s magnetic field to find their way back to the nest. …
Magnetoreception: The Uses of Earth’s Magnetic Field Read More »
Water is the source of all life. About two-thirds of our bodies are made up of it. 1 Humans can only survive for a few days without water. 2 It covers 71% of our Earth´s surface. 3 Water is abundant on our blue planet. However, its rarely found on other planets in our solar system. …
In my hostel in Martinique, two geckos are sitting innocently behind the fridge. When I took a glance, the larger of the two was always there. He only moved a few centimetres during the day. Sometimes he lay with his head in one direction, for a while, then in the other. I was wondering: What …
Inspired by this beautiful rainbow I saw at a waterfall in Dominica, a Caribbean Island, I decided to write a Christmas post about rainbows. The origin of rainbows is shrouded in legend in various cultures. The ancient Greeks believed that rainbows represent the goddess, Iris. In Chinese culture, a rainbow is an interface between earth …
I sometimes feel like the things we see often are the ones we rarely question. We are so used to seeing blue skies that we don’t ask ourselves why it isn’t green or pink. When we see a beautiful sunset, we are fascinated by its aesthetics. We probably don’t wonder why this ball of fire, …
I’ve only seen sea turtles once in my life, but it has been an incredible experience. It was on a beach in Guadeloupe called Malendure, which is well known for sea turtles because the seaweed they eat can be found there. I didn´t have to wait long for my luck in the water until the …
Scientists believe that the eruption of Indonesia’s Toba supervolcano around 74000 years ago caused a global cooling of 3-5 degrees Celsius for several years, as well as a massive loss of plants and wildlife. 1 Researchers talk about a volcanic winter. 2 Can this also happen during the eruption of other supervolcanos? And how can …
Supervolcano Eruption: Could It Trigger a Volcanic Winter? Read More »
Guadeloupe is the proud owner of an active volcano called La Soufrière. It´s the highest point of the island and a popular hiking destination. The trail first leads through a magnificent piece of rainforest then up to a steep track where you can climb up to the top of the volcano. You have to be …
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