Eulogy for a Crayfish We Hardly Knew
The death knell for the sooty crayfish probably sounded with the introduction of its cousin from the north.
Category: Biodiversity
The Complex Lives of Overwintering Shorebirds
Highly dependent on the tide, shorebirds eat, rest, and play depending on the rise and fall of the waters.
iNaturalist Strikes Out on Its Own
With the help of a $10 million startup grant iNaturalist has separated from the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic Society and become its own independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
How Surrogate Sea Otter Moms Are Helping Populations Recover
It turns out sea otters are better than people at raising sea otters. That could be useful if the U.S. government decides to reintroduce them to their historic range.
Why a Mouse Matters
Salt marsh harvest mice are hard to find, and their fates offer a glimpse at our own coastal society’s future. A reporter tags along on an epic rangewide survey of salties—the Bay Area's own endemic mouse species.
How the DNA We Leave Behind Can Help Conservation
Bits of DNA linger on the forest floor, in the ocean, and even in the air—and these strands have stories to tell, back at the lab. Here's how environmental DNA (aka 'eDNA') is starting to transform how ecologists work in the Bay Area and beyond.
The Bird Nest Detectives
Century-old bird nests help scientists time-travel to San Francisco Bay’s lost plant communities.
Something Fishy Is Happening Inside the Ears of Delta Smelt
Abnormalities in the ear bones of hatchery-reared delta smelt could challenge efforts to save the endangered fish.
In a Changing World, a Biologist Documents the Newt Normal
Droughts, wildfires, and heat waves are putting unprecedented strain on newts. With help, scientists hope, they may be able to persevere.
