Nature's Engineers
Because it changes its environment in ways that help many other plants and animals survive, the beaver is known by this specific ecological term.
What is a keystone species?
To save energy during their 2,500-mile journey, monarchs use these upward currents of warm air to glide.
What are thermals?
This is the scientific name for the underground fungi that create the vast web connecting tree roots.
What are mycorrhizae?
This is the specific term for light produced by a chemical reaction inside a living organism.
What is bioluminescence?
This anatomical feature serves as a rudder for steering, a support for sitting upright, and a tool for signaling danger.
What is the (flat, scaly) tail?
These special proteins in a monarch's antennae help them track the sun's position, acting like this navigational tool.
What is a sun compass?
Scientists gave the forest network this nickname because it functions similarly to the internet.
What is the Wood Wide Web?
Because it produces almost no heat, the light created by deep-sea creatures is given this two-word nickname.
What is "cold light"?
These three materials are the primary components used by beavers to construct walls across moving streams.
What are logs (or trees), stones, and mud?
The monarch population has declined largely because of the loss of this specific plant, which is the only thing their caterpillars eat.
What is milkweed?
This term describes larger, older trees that use the network to send sugar and water to struggling younger trees.
What are mother trees?
These are the two main ingredients—a molecule and an enzyme—needed to create a bioluminescent reaction.
What are luciferin and luciferase?
To protect themselves from predators like wolves and bears, beavers build their homes with these types of entrances.
What are underwater entrances?
Because the butterflies flying south are the great-grandchildren of those that flew north, scientists say they rely on this "magic" natural pull to find their way.
What is instinct?
To protect themselves from pests like beetles, trees use the network to send these types of "warning" signals.
What are chemical signals?
The anglerfish uses this glowing body part to trick curious prey into swimming right toward its mouth.
What is a lure?
In addition to creating habitats for fish and turtles, beaver ponds act as this type of "natural filter" for the ecosystem.
What is a water filter (or a filter that cleans the water)?
Once they reach the mountains of Mexico, monarchs huddle together by the millions in this specific type of fir tree.
What are Oyamel trees?
Contrary to the old belief that trees only compete for sunlight, this discovery proves that a forest is actually this type of community.
What is a cooperative community?
This phenomenon occurs when billions of glowing bacteria gather at the surface, making the ocean look like a glowing white field.
What is the "milky sea" effect?