Biodiversity

"Federal biologists on Tuesday proposed the first open ocean habitat protections for the endangered leatherback sea turtle along the West Coast, an action that could affect future development of offshore renewable energy, aquaculture and desalination plants."

"Due to human activities, the world's animal and plant species are disappearing at a rate some experts put at 1,000 times the natural progression, the United Nations said January 1, marking 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity."

"A team of international scientists has made a major breakthrough in the fight to save tasmanian devils from extinction."

This season marks the 110th year for the Audubon Society's Christmas bird count, which has been the basis of hundreds of scientific publications about changing bird ranges linked to global warming and habitat change.

"The Obama administration said Wednesday it is going forward with a contentious plan to round up about 2,500 wild horses in Nevada."

When plants are eaten -- especially by insects -- they emit a number of signals that might be seen as howls of alarm, and exhibit responses seemingly meant to stop the carnage. Whether or not this troubles vegans, it fascinates scientists.

"A record number of endangered manatees died in Florida waters this year, according to the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission."

"A growing worldwide trade in exotic plants and animals, fueled by a fascination with the rare and beautiful, often wreaks havoc on Florida's native plants and animals and costs the nation billions each year."

"The fight to keep invasive Asian carp from the Great Lakes reached the nation's highest court Monday as Michigan's attorney general sued Illinois, asking for the closing of two shipping locks near Chicago in perhaps a last-ditch effort to save the region's $7 billion fishing industry."