Flora

The World

Where the Forest Ends

Forty million people live in and near Indonesia’s carbon-rich forests and peatlands, and while their lives are tied to the land, they often have little say in what happens to it. In Teluk Kabung, Riau province, decisions made in the capital Jakarta have helped wipe out the natural forest surrounding the village, destroying its coconut-based economy, and pushing the endangered Sumatran tiger closer to people.

The World’s Largest Known Organism In Trouble

Famous tree-lined French Canal du Midi in danger of losing all its trees

Environment

Acai ‘super-fruit’ not so great

Health & Medicine

Ranching beetles, fighting invasive species

Chocolate lovers for the environment

Farmers in Mexico have been clearing their ecologically important cacao farms. Chocolate lovers are trying to help them bring the cacao back.

Colombians reclaim their land

Millions of Colombians have been forced off their land in the country’s long civil war. Now some of those people are getting their land back.

The World’s Largest Known Organism In Trouble

The world’s largest and possibly oldest living organism is Pando, a Quaking Aspen clone living in Utah. Best guesses place it at 80,000 years old but over grazing from deer and elk are threatening its existence now.

Mango Diplomacy With Pakistan Hits Road Blocks

Global Politics

Two years ago, Hillary Clinton and Pakistani diplomats were heralding the start of “mango diplomacy”: getting Pakistani mangoes onto American tables. But as Odette Yousef reports, mango diplomacy is getting tied up in red tape.

Dying Yellow Cedars

Scientists solve a century old mystery when they discover what is killing yellow cedar trees in the Pacific Northwest.