Environment

Flowers dazzle us with their vibrant colors and sweet scents, but behind this beauty lies a complex reproductive system. At the heart of this system are carpels, the often-overlooked female reproductive organs of flowering plants. These modified leaves play a critical role in ensuring plant survival and...

Cold waves are meteorological phenomena which are characterized by a sudden decrease in temperature that is then extended over a prolonged period of time. Also known as cold snaps or cold spells, there are certain characteristics common to all cold waves, but they can present differently depending on the...

Animals are classified by many different criteria, but the type of food they eat is one of the most significant. Piscivores are animals which feed primarily on fish, deriving their necessary nutrients mainly from this source. While being piscivorous is a commonality in these animals, they are an incredibly...

Trichomes are epidermal appendages in plant organisms. Their function is to protect the plant organism against external factors and to carry out various metabolic processes. The types of trichomes in plants can be classified according to different factors, including the presence of glands, the number...

Like many geographical features, it can be difficult to differentiate between a gulf vs. bay. They are very similar coastal areas, surrounded both by bodies of water and land on either side. There are some notable differences which can lead us to describe one or the other. These differences can be found...

Erosion is the process by which the outermost layer of land is gradually worn away. The land which is worn down is usually in the form of rock or soil. Land erosion is caused by the abrasive action of physical agents which exert force on the geographical material. These agents can be in the form of water,...

Also know as the Peru Current, the Humboldt Current is an oceanic current in the Pacific that extends from Chile to Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands. Its origin lies in the combined effects of the Earth's rotational movement and the centrifugal force exerted by the oceanic water masses of the equatorial...

Tiny but mighty, tardigrades are microscopic creatures that are virtually indestructible. Also known as water bears, tardigrades can withstand extremes that would kill most other living things. These include boiling temperatures, freezing cold, even the vacuum of space. But what makes these creatures so...

Imagine a cell that possesses the amazing capacity to change into any component of the body, healing injuries and fending off disease. This incredible potential is embodied by stem cells, which act as nature's architects. They can be divided in three main types, and each type serves a different purpose...

A cape is a geographical feature that is formed by an extension of land that projects into the interior of the ocean. Such capes have served for years as navigation reference points and as strategic points for the placement of lighthouses. Similarly, they are home to a rich biodiversity of plant and...

Thallophytes are a type of plant organism which some may not immediately recognize as plants. Plants are categorized using various criteria, with one important factor being cellular organization. Cell can be arranged in various ways to carry out the basic processes of nutrition, respiration and reproduction....

Modern air travel connects us across continents, facilitating global trade and tourism. However, this convenience comes at an environmental cost. Airplanes are in fact significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and a major driver of climate change. So, just how much pollution do airplanes...

Fjords are responsible for some of the most beautiful and picturesque sights in the world. Found near the sea, they are coastal features which can vary greatly in form and appearance. They always have steep and rocky slopes, geographical features which are related to fjord formation. They are the result...

Although not well known outside of botanists, monoecious plants are very common across the globe. In fact, they are one of the most numerous types of plants in the world. The reason it is little known is because their categorization is due to their reproductive processes. There are various types of reproduction...

While commonly associated with flowing streams and pristine lakes, the majority of readily accessible freshwater (excluding polar ice caps and glaciers) resides underground as groundwater. Half the world's inhabitants rely on groundwater for primary or secondary water, making them a significant contributor...

Pyrophytic plants are those species of plants that resist and resist the effects of fire. While fires can be devastating, they are also an integral part of certain ecosystems. They are important for nutrient cycling, improving biodiversity and other factors. They are also not new and have been occurring since...

We may have heard of the monsoon season, the time during which wind and heavy rainfall can provide difficulties. For some of us, this means we need to reconsider travel plans. For many communities around the world, it means drastic changes and adaptations to their way of life. Fortunately, it also means...

Plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, serve as the raw material for countless plastic products, from bottles and toys to textiles and medical equipment. Their manufacturing and transportation, however, pose a silent threat. Spills, leaks, and improper disposal lead to nurdles infiltrating waterways, coastlines,...

Atmospheric rivers are currents of concentrated water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere. These meteorological phenomena act on the global distribution of humidity and the regulation of our climate. These currents are capable of transporting enormous amounts of moisture over long distances, significantly influencing...

Allelopathy is a complex phenomenon in the natural world where plants release specialized chemicals, known as allelochemicals, that impact the growth, development, and survival of other organisms in their environment. These interactions can be positive, negative, or neutral, influencing various aspects...

We often confuse the terms jungle and forest, but this is because they are closely related. A jungle is a type of dense forest, usually found in tropical or subtropical regions. This is why we often associate jungles with tropical rainforests since they are one of the densest types of jungle forest. A...

An alluvial plain is a flat landform that is created by the accumulation of sediments. These are sediments carried by river courses, especially common in lower areas where the speed of the current decreases. An alluvial plain may be completely or partially covered by water during periods of flooding. Among...

A polar vortex is a weather phenomenon that is very important in terms of climate regulation in the polar regions of Earth. This phenomenon is characterized by a mass of cold, dense air that circulates in a vortex. This vortex is counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern...

Lithometeors are solid particles suspended in the Earth's atmosphere. These particles, predominantly composed of solids, play a crucial role in shaping various ecological and meteorological processes. From dust to sand and ice crystals, these particles contribute to the dynamic interactions within Earth's...

You may have heard the common idiom or some variation which claims a red sky at night is a sailor's delight, but a red sky at morning is a sailor's warning. This is a piece of conventional wisdom which relates to how the sky can indicate potential weather patterns. Not all conventional wisdom is accurate. Although...

In the realm of fluid dynamics, a thermocline emerges as a distinct layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in temperature with depth. This invisible boundary acts as a barrier, separating warmer, sunlit waters from the cooler, deeper layers. The presence of a thermocline plays a crucial...

Deep ocean currents are driven by a thermohaline circulation, a phenomenon that regulates the global distribution of heat and nutrients in the world's oceans. This complex system of marine currents arises from variations in water temperature and salinity, factors that affect its density. In the polar regions,...

Rime ice is a meteorological phenomenon that is defined as the direct formation of a layer of ice on exposed surfaces such as tree branches, leaves and grass. It occurs due to the freezing of water vapor in the air. This process is influenced by specific atmospheric conditions of humidity and near-freezing...

A river delta is a geographical feature that forms at the mouth of river systems, given its distinctive landform properties thanks to a dynamic sedimentation processes. Deltaic systems give rise to the formation of intricate channels and sandbanks. This creates regions rich in biodiversity, thanks to the...

Also known as the cell membrane, the plasma membrane is a structural component of all cells. Its main purpose is to act as a barrier, separating the interior cellular components from the extracellular space. It also has many other functions, such as maintaining the electrochemical gradient and transportation...

The meteorological phenomenon known as dew can occur in the morning or at night. It is something which can be very evocative, often being mentioned in arts and literature. Despite often being given spiritual connotations, dew plays a very important role in the water balance of ecosystems. Defined as the condensation...

Glacial erosion – a relentless geological process – has shaped the land across vast swathes of our planet. From the Himalayas' towering peaks to Patagonia's expansive plains, its signature remains etched in U-shaped valleys, polished rock surfaces, and dramatic glacial landforms. Understanding this powerful...

Also known as temperature inversion, thermal inversion is a meteorological phenomenon that changes the normal behavior of atmospheric temperature. We may already know that the temperature in the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere is usually lower than that of the layers below. If we consider air, it usually...

The halocline is zone within a body of water which has a highly pronounced salinity gradient. It is characterized by having an abrupt change of salinity as we go deeper into the body of water, creating distinct transition zones which affect water density and stratification. Since these characteristics...

Hydrometeors are atmospheric phenomena related to the presence of water in the atmosphere, whether in liquid or solid form. While this encompasses precipitation, they differ in terms of overall concept. Since hydrometeors encompass all forms of atmospheric water, this means they include everything from clouds...

The upper layer of a forest or jungle formed by branches and leaves where the treetops intertwine is known as the tree canopy. More than simply a referential term, tree canopies are unique ecosystems in which only certain types of life can thrive. In addition to providing habitat to the various plant and...

A snowfield is an accumulation of snow that persists throughout the year, even during warmer periods and the absence of snowfall. The snow falls on top of ice, partly why it is able to remain even in these more temperate periods. While some may see them simply as a field of snow, these geographic features...

Imagine a wall of water, taller than buildings, surging across the land with a deafening roar. This is the raw, untamed power of a tsunami, a natural phenomenon that has captivated and terrified humankind for centuries. These colossal waves, born from the depths of the ocean, can devastate coastlines,...

Also known as a dry storm, the virga weather phenomenon occurs when a visible amount of precipitation can be seen falling from the sky, but it does not reach the ground. This meteorological phenomenon can be seen with reactively regularity, but not many people are aware of it. It is particularly common...

Clouds have long been a source of fascination for humans. Their ever-changing shapes and patterns have inspired artists, poets, and scientists for centuries. But beyond their aesthetic appeal, clouds play a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate. Clouds are complex and dynamic systems, and accurately...

A sea of clouds is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in various mountainous regions around the world. One famous example can be seen in Tenerife where visitors flock every year. This meteorological phenomenon occurs thanks to the confluence of trade winds, mountain ranges and occasional thermal...

Also known as graupel, snow pellets are a variation of snow where water droplets attach to snowflakes or ice crystals. Snow itself is a type of precipitation where frozen ice crystals in the atmosphere fall to the ground. Snowflakes have various shapes and can connect with multiple flakes at a time....

Of the many different types of poisonous frogs, some are deadly. Their poison is so strong that it is often used by indigenous communities as a dart poison to kill much larger animals. These frogs did not create their poison to help these communities hunt, but they did so for self-preservation. This is...

Snow manifests itself in the form of ice crystals that fall from the clouds as a form of precipitation. While this may sound like a relatively simple meteorological phenomenon, it require a complex network of environmental events to form. It is also different from other types of frozen precipitation such...

In biology, the female reproductive organs of plants are collectively known as the gynoecium. It is one of the most important parts of a flower since it is essential for reproduction of the plant to continue its species. At thedailyECO, we explain in detail what are the gynoecium parts of a flower? We provide...

Prokaryotic cells are cells of living organism which lack a true nucleus. They are often discussed on comparison to eukaryotic cells which do have a true nucleus. This lack of a nucleus is very important for the functioning of the organism. Each organism has specific needs and carries out particular responses...

Basidiomycetes, commonly known as basidiomycota, are a diverse and fascinating group of fungi that encompass a wide range of familiar and well-known species. In fact, basidiomycetes represent the largest and most diverse division of fungi, accounting for approximately 30% of all known fungal species. Their ecological...

The cytoskeleton is a network of filaments that is part of the cytoplasm. Its characteristics are flexibility, firmness and a three-dimensional shape. Its function is the support, motility and regulation of biochemical processes in the cell. The structure is divided into microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate...

Cytoplasm is a vital component of cells, but it is important to know it is not an organelle. Its function is important to organelles as it holds these cellular structures in place within the cell. Cytoplasm is composed of complex network of proteins known as the cytoskeleton and cytosol, the latter being...

An atoll is a coral island that is characterized by having a ring shape, enclosing an interior lagoon that is connected to the ocean. Atolls are formed by the accumulation of corals at the base of the island that provide an ideal environment for their growth. After a long period of time, the island sinks...