#ecosystems

All articles tagged with "ecosystems"

Plants Can Absorb Nutrients Directly From Dust on Their Leaves, Study Finds

Field experiments in Israel suggest that plants in dust-rich environments can take up minerals through their leaves, revealing an underappreciated pathway for nutrition in nutrient-poor ecosystems.

Key Takeaways

Researchers used volcanic dust to show nutrients were absorbed through leaves, not roots.
Dusted shrubs showed higher shoot levels of iron, manganese, nickel, and copper.

DT Editorial Team·May 21, 2026·via refractor.io

Australia’s New Ecosystem Maps Put Human Pressure Into Sharper Focus

New national datasets from University of Queensland researchers map ecosystem disturbance across Australia and highlight areas still relatively free of human pressure.

Key Takeaways

Researchers produced two new national datasets for Australia.
The maps show ecosystem disturbance and the extent of human pressures.

DT Editorial Team·Apr 3, 2026·via phys.org