Tag: wildfires

ScienceenvironmentOct 6, 2026

New Zealand Native Plant Seeds May Survive Wildfires

Recent research indicates that certain New Zealand native plant seeds, specifically mākaka and kōwhai, possess a surprising resilience to wildfire heat. Scientists tested various seeds in laboratory conditions to simulate soil temperatures during fire events. While some native species perished, the ability of mākaka and kōwhai to withstand temperatures up to 80°C suggests a potential for natural regeneration. This discovery is vital as New Zealand faces an increasing frequency of wildfires due to changing climate conditions.

New Zealandwildfiresnative plantsbotanyconservation

ScienceenvironmentOct 6, 2026

Wildfire smoke affects animals in unique ways: Smoke ecology

As wildfires grow increasingly severe, scientists are turning their attention to an often-overlooked hazard: the vast clouds of smoke that drift hundreds or thousands of miles away from the actual flames. Researchers like Olivia Sanderfoot of Cornell University are pioneering a new field known as smoke ecology to understand how this toxic haze impacts wildlife. While direct fire destroys habitats rapidly, smoke blankets much wider geographic regions. This poses severe respiratory and behavioral challenges to animals, particularly birds whose navigation and daily foraging are heavily disrupted by polluted air.

wildfiressmoke ecologybirdswildlife healthconservation