Articles

A pair of old wooden cabins with vegetation growing through and around them.

Study: 25% of Europe Could Be Rewilded

Caitlin Dempsey

A study found that about 25% of Europe could benefit from rewilding, the process of restoring natural ecosystems and wildlife.

Redwood trees with sprouts growing from the base of the trees in a forest.

Regional Changes in Forest Carbon Storage

Caitlin Dempsey

Global forests have absorbed carbon steadily for 30 years, but deforestation and climate change have affected absorption rates across different biomes.

A view of cactus.

The Last U.S. Stand of the Key Largo Tree Cactus Has Vanished

Caitlin Dempsey

The Key Largo tree cactus is now extinct in Florida, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal species to climate change and sea level rise.

A snow covered landscape taken from space.

Slope Steepness and the Formation of Single-sided River Tributaries

Caitlin Dempsey

Steep slopes cause water to flow more quickly, increasing erosion and carving channels that eventually form tributaries.

Satellite image of the Northwest Passage area of Canada.

Shifting Sea Ice is Making Sailing Ships Through the Northwest Passage More Difficult

Caitlin Dempsey

Southward drifting ice is clogging the Northwest Passage, shortening the shipping season despite Arctic sea ice decline.

A satellite image showing wispy thin streaks of new sea ice.

Nilas: Understanding the Early Stages of Sea Ice Formation

Caitlin Dempsey

Early sea ice forms as frazil crystals, which merge into thin, streaky layers called nilas, influenced by winds and ocean currents in polar regions.

Wind mills on yellow grassy rolling hills in the bright sunshine.

Role of GIS in Renewable Energy Planning

Mark Altaweel

Researchers use GIS and climate models to map optimal renewable energy sources, addressing challenges of dynamic energy potentials.

Cropped view of a man wearing a white t-shirt reading a street map.

Learn How to Read a Map

Caitlin Dempsey

Map reading is the skill of interpreting and understanding the geographic details and information shown on a map.

A scene of a 17th century map where the country is in the shape of a lion.

Zoomorphic Maps: Imagining Maps as Animals

Rebecca Maxwell

These zoomorphic maps were designed as propaganda tools, with each one depicting the world in a way that reflected the message the cartographer intended to convey.

A chestnut-backed chickadee on a redwood branch.

Number of “Dees” in a Chickadee’s Alarm Call is Related to the Danger Level of Nearby Predators

Caitlin Dempsey

The number of "dees" in a chickadee's alarm call correlates with the size and threat level of the predator.

The Earth can be divided into two main systems: the geosphere and the biosphere. Image: USGS, public domain.

What are the Earth System’s Four Spheres?

Caitlin Dempsey

The systems of the earth can be divided into two main areas: geosphere and biosphere.

Using Seals to Track Ocean Currents

Caitlin Dempsey

By tagging seals with specialized sensors, researchers can map Antarctic ocean currents, heat distribution, and assess the health of marine ecosystems.

A black and white dragonfly resting on a blade of grass.

Tracking Mercury With Dragonflies

Caitlin Dempsey

Published research mapped mercury levels in dragonfly larvae from 73 U.S. parks, revealing how the metal accumulates in the environment.

A photo of an ashen area with steam coming out of a geyser.

Hydrothermal Explosions

Caitlin Dempsey

Hydrothermal explosions are dramatic, natural events that occur when superheated water and steam are suddenly released from beneath the Earth's surface.

Tourists with cameras photography a grizzly bear crossing the road.

The Recreational Value of Nature and Wildlife

Mark Altaweel

Measuring the economic benefits of wildlife and outdoor areas supports conservation with tools like the NPS Visitor Spending Effects.

Gravity wave clouds over a forest on a bright sunny day.

How Undular Bores Show Up in the Clouds

Caitlin Dempsey

Undular bores create distinctive wave-like cloud patterns, such as morning glory clouds, by pushing warm air upward.

A giant sequoia tree at Yosemite National Park's Mariposa Grove of Big Trees.

Geography of Giant Sequoias

Elizabeth Borneman

Giant sequoias are one of the longest lived tree species, with the oldest giant sequoia living an estimated 3,400 years.

A lizard clinging upright on a steep rock with dried grass behind it.

Urbanization is Shortening the Legs of Western Fence Lizards

Caitlin Dempsey

Western fence lizards have adapted to manmade surfaces in urban areas by developing shorter limbs and toes.

An American robin on a tree branch.

Most Abundant Landbird in the United States and Canada

Caitlin Dempsey

The American robin has the largest population among all landbirds in the United States and Canada.

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

Which States Have the Highest Percentage of Water Area?

Caitlin Dempsey

Water shapes U.S. states' geography and ecosystems. Which states have the highest and lowest percentages of area covered by perennial water?

The Diomedes Islands mark the closest point between Russia and the United States.

These Two Countries are Separated by 2.4 Miles and 21 Hours

Caitlin Dempsey

There exists a geographic point where two of the largest countries in the world are only separated by a 2.4 miles but are 21 hours apart.

A fox squirrel lying with legs stretched in the grass.

Why Do Squirrels Lie Flat?

Caitlin Dempsey

There are several reasons for why squirrels will lie flat on the ground, a patio railing, or tree branch.

The color of water is a by product of how light is absorbed. Mangrove islands bespeckle the bay in upper Lostman's River. Photo: Paul Nelson, U.S. Geological Survey. Public domain.

How Mapping Mangrove Species Can Help With Coastal Erosion Mitigation

Mark Altaweel

Species-specific mangrove maps aid conservation by targeting protection efforts and resources against storm surges and coastal erosion.

Screenshot from QGIS showing a satellite image of a beach with red dots and triangles for types of nesting sites.

How to Find the URL to an ArcGIS Online Web Map and Add it to QGIS

Caitlin Dempsey

Learn how to find URLs for older feature and map servers hosted on ArcGIS Online so they can be added to QGIS.

A yellowed map of the Philadelphia area from the 1800s.

Chorology and Chorography

Caitlin Dempsey

Chorology examines places and regions, often known as regional geography, while chorography focuses on describing or mapping those regions.

Screenshot of a raster file geodatabase in QGIS.

How to Use Esri File Geodatabases in QGIS

Caitlin Dempsey

Learn how to load both Esri vector and raster file geodatabases in QGIS.