Aug 3, 2021

New report: State of the science on western wildfires, forests and climate change

The Cedar Creek fire burns in Washington’s Methow Valley in late July 2021. Lucky Jim Bluff, near Mazama, is seen behind.

Exceptionally hot and dry weather this summer has fueled dozens of wildfires across the western U.S., spewing smoke across the country and threatening to register yet another record-breaking year. More than a century of fire exclusion has created dense forests packed with excess trees and brush that ignite and spread fires quickly under increasingly warm and dry conditions. Scientists largely agree that reducing these fuels is needed to make our forests and surrounding communities more resilient to wildfires and climate change.

New 3D images of shark intestines show they function like Nikola Tesla’s valve

Contrary to what popular media portrays, we actually don’t know much about what sharks eat. Even less is known about how they digest their food, and the role they play in the larger ocean ecosystem. For more than a century, researchers have relied on flat sketches of sharks’ digestive systems to discern how they function — and how what they eat and excrete impacts other species in the ocean.

Citizen scientists and the fight against the Asian giant hornet

Hornets the size of golf balls may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, but unfortunately as one Marysville, Washington resident learned, they are real and living right here in western Washington. On June 4, the first Asian giant hornet of 2021 was reported to officials in Snohomish County. The sighting was the farthest south this invasive species has been reported since it was first discovered in 2019 in British Columbia.

Air pollution from wildfires impacts ability to observe birds

As smoky air becomes more common during Washington’s wildfire season, many wildlife enthusiasts wonder: What happens to the birds? Few studies have looked at wildfire smoke impacts on animals, let alone birds. And as Washington and the larger West Coast continue to experience more massive wildfires and smoke-filled air, understanding how birds are affected by smoke — and how air pollution may influence our ability to detect birds — are important factors for bird conservation.

Crow science for kids (and adults!)

Chances are good that no matter where you live in the U.S., you’re somewhat familiar with crows. Perhaps you’ve seen them perching on a telephone pole, flying overhead, or raiding garbage. You can also likely recognize their caws. But have you ever noticed a crow letting ants crawl all over it, or sprawled out on the ground with its wings and mouth open on a hot day?