Ecoclimax

Image credit: National Geographic, "North America in the Age of Dinosaurs" During the Mesozoic Era, North America was home to an astonishing variety of dinosaurs. From the towering, herbivorous sauropods to the swift, birdlike theropods , this was a time of immense biodiversity shaped by shifting continents, evolving plants, and changing climates. One of the most fascinating features of the late Cretaceous period was the Western Interior Seaway , a vast inland sea that, at its peak, stretched nearly 1,000 miles wide. This waterway divided North America into two distinct landmasses—Laramidia and Appalachia—each hosting unique ecosystems. Predators like Tyrannosaurus rex dominated the west, while species such as Deinonychus thrived in the east. The lush landscapes were shaped by newly evolved flowering plants , including early ancestors of today’s magnolias, roses, and oaks. These plants provided food for herbivorous dinosaurs such as Triceratops and Hadrosaurus , while...

Energy powers our modern lives, from lighting homes to fueling industries, but the methods of generating it often come with significant risks. How do the different energy sources stack up when it comes to safety? This infographic below created by the VisualcCapitalist team illustrates the death rates per TWh for various energy sources.     Nuclear Power: Surprisingly Safe When people hear “nuclear energy,” events like Chornobyl and Fukushima might come to mind. But the truth is, even with those incidents, nuclear energy remains the safest power source per terawatt-hour (TWh) produced. Studies show just 90 deaths per 1,000 TWh from atomic energy, making it far less deadly than fossil fuels. What contributes to nuclear safety? Strict regulations, advancements in reactor designs, and the relatively small number of accidents globally make nuclear power a reliable option. If scaled responsibly, it could be key to addressing climate change while maintaining safety. Renewable...

The map below illustrates the density of native palm species in the United States. As a side note, while palm trees can grow outside of this area, they will not be found in the wild outside of this zone. Source: bonap.org   Fourteen species of palms, belonging to nine genera, are native to the U.S.. Only one occurs in the West; the others are naturally distributed in the southeastern and southern States - from North Carolina through Florida and the Gulf Coast into Texas and as far inland as Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. Some of them cover extensive areas. The greatest number of species occurs in Florida. The total of 14 is a relatively large representation since the southern tip of Florida is the only essentially tropical portion of our country. In addition, 2 Old World palms, the coconut and the date, have become naturalized; that is, in many areas where they have escaped from cultivation, the climate and soil have proved so suitable for their growth that they appear to...