Biology

UBC earth scientist offers gardening tip

By Patty Wellborn on April 18, 2019

Miranda Hart digs dirt. The biology professor in UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences is a researcher and naturalist who has dedicated her career to studying microbes in soil. Specifically, she investigates how soil biodiversity helps ecosystems function, and what happens when we destroy this life in our soils.

Posted in | Tagged ,

UBC experts discuss Earth Day relevant research. Photo credit: Lael Parrott

Experts Advisory: Earth Day, 49 years later

By Christine Zeindler on April 17, 2019

Almost 50 years ago, millions gathered to protest the negative impacts of industry and development on the world. Since then, the tradition has continued with Earth Day, a global celebration that is recognized by more than one billion people in 192 countries. It is a day of civic and political action to focus on environmental issues such as biodiversity, sustainability, pollution, climate change and clean energy.

Posted in | Tagged , , , , ,

During photosynthesis, plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere. At the same time, the decomposition of dead plant tissue by soil organisms, including bacteria, fungi, earthworms, ants and others, produce CO2 and release it back into the atmosphere.

UBC researchers explore an often ignored source of greenhouse gas

By Nathan Skolski on February 21, 2019

In a new study from UBC’s Okanagan campus, researchers have discovered a surprising new source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emmissions—bicarbonates hidden in the lake water used to irrigate local orchards.

Posted in , | Tagged , ,

When it comes to freshwater availability, more than 75 per cent of the world’s total water supply is found in only three countries—China, Canada and Russia.

Think big—at least when it comes to global conservation

By Nathan Skolski on February 8, 2019

According to a group of international researchers, the potential contributions large countries have to protect the environment are being overlooked.

Posted in , | Tagged , ,

Is it a bobcat or a lynx? Even experts, when using publicly-submitted images, have trouble telling the two wildcats apart. Photo credit: James Gagnon.

Copy cats: When is a bobcat not a bobcat?

By Patty Wellborn on January 23, 2019

When is a bobcat not a bobcat?

Posted in , | Tagged , , ,

Lonesome George was the famed last representative of a giant tortoise species once found on the Galapagos island of Pinta

Giant tortoise provides insights into longevity and age-related disease

By Nathan Skolski on December 11, 2018

Ever since Darwin’s first steps on the Galapagos Islands, understanding the adaptations that offer the giant tortoise its extended lifespan has been a tantalizing scientific pursuit.

Posted in | Tagged , ,

UBC Okanagan Professor Soheil Mahmoud (second from left) teaches students in a small lavender field on the Okanagan campus.

UBC researchers dig to get to the root of lavender’s secrets

By Patty Wellborn on October 11, 2018

A team of researchers, including UBC’s Soheil Mahmoud, have recently sequenced the genome of lavender.

Posted in | Tagged , ,

Miranda Hart, associate professor of biology in the Irving K Barber School of Arts and Sciences.

UBC researcher wonders where the women are

By Patty Wellborn on August 29, 2018

After an in-depth study, a UBC Okanagan researcher says almost every aspect of two top science journals continue to under-represent women—from published articles to photos, feature profiles and even advertisements.

Posted in | Tagged , ,

Lavender is known for its purple colour and pleasant aroma.

New study discovers gene that makes lavender smell sweet

By Nathan Skolski on August 7, 2018

For many, summer isn’t complete without fields of purple and the sweet smell of lavender.

Posted in , | Tagged , ,

An American pika in North Cascades National Park (Photo credit: Andrew Veale)

Pikas in peril

By Patty Wellborn on June 20, 2018

UBC researchers have determined that the American pika, long cast as a sentinel mammal for the impacts of climate change, maybe in more trouble than once thought.

Posted in , | Tagged , ,

UBC Okanagan Events

Older posts
View More Events

Archives