Environment Content

Fish ‘Beauty Salons’ Offer Insight into How Microbes Move Within Reefs

Katherine E Kerlin — June 05, 2025 - 9:05am

Where do you go when you’re a fish and you need a skincare treatment? Coral reefs contain natural “beauty salons,” lively social hubs of activity where fish “clients” swim up and wait to be serviced by smaller fish cleaners. The little cleaners dart under and around their much bigger clients — even entering their mouths — cleaning their scales of bacteria and parasites like a team of car washers servicing a Buick. Sometimes cleaners even rub against their clients, providing a soothing massage.

4 Gorillas Reintroduced to the Wild in DRC

Katherine E Kerlin — May 29, 2025 - 10:21am

Four critically endangered female eastern lowland gorillas rescued from the illegal wildlife trade were reintroduced to the wild in Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of the Congo last December. Continued monitoring shows the gorillas are healthy and appear to be transitioning well.

City-Dwelling Monarch Butterflies Stay Put

Andy Fell — May 28, 2025 - 10:00am

Monarch butterflies are famous for their annual migrations, but not all migrate. In recent years, more and more monarchs have been living and breeding year-round in ��Ƶ’s Bay Area, thanks in part to the growing presence of non-native milkweeds in urban gardens.

Course Inspires Next Generation of ��Ƶ Naturalists

Jocelyn C Anderson — May 27, 2025 - 8:30am

Students who complete “Wild Davis,” an UC Davis course in wildlife conservation and habitat restoration, can earn ��Ƶ Naturalist Certification.

Extreme Weather Cycles Change Underwater Light at Tahoe

Katherine E Kerlin — May 21, 2025 - 9:00am

Large shifts in UV radiation at Lake Tahoe are associated with wet and dry climate extremes, finds a UC Davis study.

Native Turtles Return to Yosemite After Removal of Invasive Bullfrogs

Katherine E Kerlin — May 20, 2025 - 9:00am

After invasive American bullfrogs croak, native turtles return to Yosemite, finds a UC Davis study.

��Ƶ Risks Billions in Economic Losses Without Water Supply Action

Katherine E Kerlin — May 14, 2025 - 2:28pm

A new economic analysis by UC professors shows the high cost of inaction on ��Ƶ’s perpetual water supply challenges. It estimates that the state could lose enough water each year to supply up to 9 million households — with economic losses totaling between $3.4 and $14.5 billion per year, depending on the severity of the scenario.

How One Word Could Strip the Endangered Species Act

Katherine E Kerlin — May 13, 2025 - 12:31pm

A rule change proposed by the Trump administration could green-light the destruction of protected species' habitats and gut the Endangered Species Act, write an ecologist and law professor.

Helping Birds and Floating Solar Energy Coexist

Katherine E Kerlin — May 12, 2025 - 2:00am

How might floating solar energy projects impact wild birds and vice versa? A UC Davis paper outlines key considerations for a growing floating solar industry.

Sulfur Runoff Amplifies Mercury Concentrations in Florida Everglades

Katherine E Kerlin — May 08, 2025 - 10:26am

Sulfur from sugarcane crops is flowing into wetlands in the Florida Everglades, creating toxic methylmercury, which accumulates in fish, a UC Davis study finds.