Eintauchen ins Korallenriff – DW – 25.06.2014
... Korallenriffe gefährdet und was sie ... Seesterne, Schnecken, Spinnen, Fische undMenschen stellen die größten Bedrohungen dar.
stärker als Regenwälder abgeholzt
Seit über 400 Millionen Jahren erwachsen aus Korallen die größten Ökosysteme der Erde: Sie bieten anderen Tieren einen Lebensraum, schützen Strände vor Flutwellen, stabilisieren die Küstenregionen - und bietet den Menschen Nahrung und Einkommen. Kurzum, der Mensch hätte jeden Grund, die Riffe zu schützen. Aber das Gegenteil passiert: der Klimawandel, zerstörerischer Fischfang, Wasserverschmutzung und Tourismus setzen den Korallenriffen zu. Derzeit schrumpfen die Riffe weltweit <anchor>stärker als Regenwälder abgeholzt</anchor> werden, fast ein Fünftel der Riffe ist der aktuellsten Schätzung von 2008 zufolge bereits tot.
Discover | Natural History Museum
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# Science and nature facts, news and stories

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Find answers to your big nature questions. Delve into stories about our research, scientists and the collections we care for. Uncover the history of life on Earth, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.

[![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/electric-eels/electric-eel-electrophorus-knifefish-hero-desktop.jpg.placeholder.1920.1920.png)\
\
WHAT ON EARTH?\
\
**How do electric eels work?** \
\
Electric eels are like living batteries, but how does their amazing electric-shock ability work?](/discover/how-do-electric-eels-work.html)

[![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/electric-eels/electric-eel-electrophorus-knifefish-hero-desktop.jpg.placeholder.1920.1920.png)\
\
WHAT ON EARTH?\
\
**How do electric eels work?** \
\
Electric eels are like living batteries, but how does their amazing electric-shock ability work?](/discover/how-do-electric-eels-work.html)

[![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/garden-highlights/fern-the-diplodocus-in-jurassic-garden-hero-desktop.jpg.placeholder.1920.1920.png)\
\
COLLECTIONS\
\
**Twelve treasures of our gardens** \
\
From hidden highlights to star sights and surprising sounds, explore 12 treasures in our new gardens.](/discover/garden-highlights.html)

[![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/treasures-gallery-highlights/hans-sloane-nautilus-shell-treasures-gallery.jpg.placeholder.1920.1920.png)\
\
COLLECTIONS\
\
**Twelve highlights of our Treasures Gallery** \
\
A royal lion skull, a Moon rock, a famous gorilla, even Darwin’s pigeons: uncover some of the most extraordinary specimens we care for.](/discover/highlights-of-the-treasures-gallery.html)

### Highlights

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/first-birds/archaeopteryx-illustration-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Dinosaurs\
\
\
**What were the first birds like?**\
\
The earliest ancestors of birds looked noticeably different from the creatures familiar to us today, reflecting their dinosaur origins.](/discover/what-were-the-first-birds-like.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/bird-guano-history/guanay-cormorants-peruvian-pelicans-guano-rocks-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Anthropocene\
\
\
**Guano mining: Our deadly obsession with bird poo**\
\
We’ve been using guano for more than 1,500 years, but our demand for it has had a devastating impact on the birds that produce it.](/discover/guano-mining-a-deadly-obsession.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/climate-hope-gen-hope/generation-hope-advisory-board-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Anthropocene\
\
\
**Climate hope, grief and resilience**\
\
Activists and scientists share what brings them climate joy and how they stay motivated in the face of the climate and nature crisis.](/discover/climate-hope-grief-resilience.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/giant-dragonflies/prehistoric-dragonfly-full-width-large.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
What on Earth?\
\
\
**Griffinflies: The earliest flying insects**\
\
With wingspans that stretched a whopping 71 centimetres, these epic insects would have blocked out the Sun as they flew past.](/discover/giant-dragonflies.html)

### News

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/fossil-thylacines/fossil-thylacine-artwork-thylacinids-ancient-australia-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**New species of ancient thylacines are the oldest ever found**\
\
Fossils discovered in northern Australia mark the beginning of a 25-million-year-old family.\
\
12 September 2024](/discover/news/2024/september/new-species-ancient-thylacines-oldest-ever-found.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/flesh-footed-shearwater-name-change/shearwater-name-change-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Scientists propose changing bird’s problematic name**\
\
Researchers have proposed changing the common name of the flesh-footed shearwater.\
\
5 September 2024](/discover/news/2024/september/scientists-propose-changing-birds-problematic-name.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/plastic-waste-map/plastic-pollution-river-waste-clogged-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Almost 70% of all plastic waste is produced by just 20 countries**\
\
Each year, 52 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the environment.\
\
4 September 2024](/discover/news/2024/september/almost-70-of-plastic-waste-produced-by-20-countries.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/soil-impacts/soil-impacts-polluted-ground-plastic-bottle-litter-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Pollution revealed as the greatest threat to healthy soils**\
\
Food security and biodiversity are threatened by the chemicals contaminating our soils.\
\
3 September 2024](/discover/news/2024/september/pollution-revealed-greatest-threat-healthy-soils.html)

[More news](/discover/news.html)

### Dinosaurs

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/jurassic-period/three-allosaurus-in-forest-palaeoart-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Dinosaurs\
\
\
**The Jurassic Period: How did dinosaurs go from basal to bulky?**\
\
By the end of the Jurassic Period, dinosaurs ruled our planet. But how they became such a diverse group remains a mystery.](/discover/the-jurassic-period.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/biggest-dinosaur-discoveries/sinosauropteryx-feathers-biggest-dinosaur-discoveies-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Dinosaurs\
\
\
**The seven greatest dinosaur discoveries of the last 200 years**\
\
The discoveries that changed our understanding of dinosaurs over the past two centuries.](/discover/200-years-of-dinosaur-discoveries.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/ask-a-scientist/paul-barrett-holding-vectipelta-fossil-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Dinosaurs\
\
\
**Your dinosaur questions answered**\
\
Dinosaur expert Professor Paul Barrett answers your questions about the prehistoric reptiles that once ruled our world.](/discover/your-dinosaur-questions-answered.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/big-dinos-listicle/alamosaurus-herd-forest-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Dinosaurs\
\
\
**What was the biggest dinosaur?**\
\
Get to know some of the largest dinosaurs to have ever walked the planet.](/discover/what-is-the-biggest-dinosaur.html)

[Read more](/discover/dinosaurs.html)

![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/dippy-skull/dippy-3d-skull-hti-double.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png)

### Dippy the _Diplodocus_ 3D skull

Rotate, zoom in and explore the features of this popular dinosaur.

[See the skull](/discover/dippy-the-dinosaur-3d-skull.html)

### Anthropocene

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/palm-oil/palm-oil-plantation-rows-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Anthropocene\
\
\
**Palm oil: The controversial ingredient that’s in nearly everything**\
\
Find out the facts about palm oil and its impact on the health of rainforests.](/discover/palm-oil-controversial-ingredient-in-nearly-everything.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/wildlife-overlap/wildlife-overlap-macaques-urban-city-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Human population boom will increase contact with wild animals**\
\
More and more land will be shared between people and wildlife by 2070.\
\
21 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/human-population-boom-will-increase-contact-wild-animals.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/europe-rewilding/europe-rewilding-eurasian-lynx-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Rewilding Scottish Highlands could help UK hit 30x30 conservation goal**\
\
Northern Scotland is among the quarter of Europe that could be suitable for rewilding.\
\
15 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/rewilding-scottish-highlands-could-help-uk-hit-conservation-goal.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/ways-to-help-birds/urban-birds-two-starlings-roof-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Anthropocene\
\
\
**Eleven ways to help birds in towns and cities**\
\
Increasing urbanisation is putting pressure on many birds. Here are 11 top tips for helping your local feathered friends.](/discover/ways-to-help-birds-urban-towns-cities.html)

[Read more](/discover/anthropocene.html)

![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/our-broken-planet-podcast/our-broken-planet-podcast-hti-double.png.placeholder.768.768.png)

### Our Broken Planet: The Podcast

Hear from scientists, activists and people at the forefront of the climate and biodiversity crises.

[Listen now](/discover/our-broken-planet-podcast.html)

### British wildlife

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/british-wildlife/fact-files/hedgehog/hedgehog-on-road-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
British wildlife\
\
\
**European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)**\
\
Get the facts on this garden favourite.](/discover/hedgehog-erinaceus-europaeus.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/spider-webs/dewy-covered-spider-web-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
British wildlife\
\
\
**Spider webs: not just for Halloween**\
\
Explore seven common styles of spider web and discover the arachnids that make them.](/discover/spider-webs.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/colourful-uk-birds/yellowhammer-emberiza-citrinella-perching-colourful-uk-birds-full-width-feed.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
British wildlife\
\
\
**Bright and beautiful: The UK’s most colourful birds**\
\
From fiery red to electric blue, birds in the UK are a riot of colour.](/discover/most-colourful-birds-in-the-uk.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/our-ponds/pond-with-lily-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
British wildlife\
\
\
**Our ponds are where it’s at**\
\
Find out what wildlife you can see at our ponds and how they support life in our gardens.](/discover/our-ponds.html)

[Read more](/discover/british-wildlife.html)

### What on Earth?

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/argonaut-paper-nautilus/young-female-argonaut-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
What on Earth?\
\
\
**Argonauts: Are these the world’s weirdest octopuses?**\
\
Detachable, autonomous penis arms – need we say more?](/discover/argonauts-worlds-weirdest-octopuses.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/lifting-the-lid-gay-natural-history/two-bottlenose-dolphins-swimming-underwater-shutterstock-top-image.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
What on Earth?\
\
\
**Lifting the lid on gay natural history**\
\
Discover the extraordinary diversity of sex and sexual behaviour in nature.](/discover/gay-natural-history.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/disco-clam-bivalves/disco-clam-ctenoides-ales-light-display-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
What on Earth?\
\
\
**Disco clam: A poster child for weird bivalves**\
\
As soon as you scratch the surface, the weirder and weirder bivalves get.](/discover/disco-clam-poster-child-for-weird-bivalves.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/biggest-birds/male-ostrich-savannah-biggest-bird-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
What on Earth?\
\
\
**What is the biggest bird in the world?**\
\
From the tallest and the heaviest to giant nests and extra-long toes, discover the world’s record-breaking birds.](/discover/what-is-the-biggest-bird-in-the-world.html)

[Read more](/discover/what-on-earth.html)

### Space

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/sun-magnetism/sun-magnetism-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Origin of the Sun’s magnetic field discovered under the star’s surface**\
\
New research into the Sun's magnetism could make solar storms easier to predict.\
\
22 May 2024](/discover/news/2024/may/origin-suns-magnetic-field-discovered-under-stars-surface.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/bennu-sample-museum/bennu-sample-museum-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**‘It’s almost like a dream’: Sample of asteroid Bennu arrives at the Natural History Museum**\
\
Welcome to the next era of natural history collections. \
\
28 November 2023](/discover/news/2023/november/sample-of-asteroid-bennu-arrives-at-natural-history-museum.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Space\
\
\
**What is space junk and why is it a problem?**\
\
Millions of pieces of human-caused debris are orbiting Earth. But are they an issue, and what can we do about them?](/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-pictures/night-sky-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Space\
\
\
**Shooting stars: How to photograph the night sky**\
\
Anyone can capture the majesty of the galaxy with a simple camera. All you need is a dark, clear night and the willingness to have a go.](/discover/shooting-stars-photograph-night-sky.html)

[Read more](/discover/space.html)

### Human evolution

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/northern-europeans/northern-europeans-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Oldest evidence of Homo sapiens in northern Europe discovered**\
\
The first modern humans to live in northern Europe arrived more than 45,000 years ago.\
\
31 January 2024](/discover/news/2024/january/oldest-evidence-homo-sapiens-northern-europe-discovered.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-reconstructions-two-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Human evolution\
\
\
**Homo erectus, our ancient ancestor**\
\
Learn about the longest-surviving human species, which was also the first known to leave Africa.](/discover/homo-erectus-our-ancient-ancestor.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-sapien-model-close-up-hero.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Human evolution\
\
\
**How we became human**\
\
What features make us human? And where, when and why did they evolve?](/discover/how-we-became-human.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/cannibals-europe/cannibals-europe-goughs-cave-skulls-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Oldest evidence of human cannibalism as a funerary practice**\
\
Human bones with cutmarks, breaks and human chewing marks are found across northern Europe. \
\
4 October 2023](/discover/news/2023/october/oldest-evidence-of-human-cannibalism-as-a-funerary-practice.html)

[Read more](/discover/human-evolution.html)

![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/neanderthal/neanderthal-model-hti-double.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png)

### Who were the Neanderthals?

Explore Neanderthal facts, from looks to lifestyle and abilities. These early humans are far more similar to us than once believed.

[Meet your close relative](/discover/who-were-the-neanderthals.html)

### Oceans

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/jellyfish/fried-egg-jellyfish-cotylorhiza-tuberculata-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Oceans\
\
\
**Jellyfish: The smart stinging creatures drifting through our oceans**\
\
Discover the fascinating, gelatinous world of jellyfish, from painful stings to brilliant bioluminescence.](/discover/what-is-a-jellyfish.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/trilobites-prehistoric-oceans/tower-eyed-trilobite-fossil-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Oceans\
\
\
**How trilobites conquered prehistoric oceans**\
\
Trilobites survived for more than 250 million years. But what made them some of the most successful early animals?](/discover/how-trilobites-conquered-prehistoric-oceans.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/sea-cucumbers/leopard-sea-cucumber-cuverian-tubules-defence-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Oceans\
\
\
**Sea cucumbers: Weird and wacky natural recyclers**\
\
From the headless chicken monster to anal teeth, discover the curious world of sea cucumbers.](/discover/what-is-a-sea-cucumber.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/sea-urchins/black-long-spined-sea-urchin-full-width.png.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Oceans\
\
\
**Sea urchins: Strange and spiny wonders of the ocean**\
\
Sea urchins can be found in every ocean on Earth. They’ve been around for 450 million years - but are they now at risk?](/discover/sea-urchins-strange-and-spiny-wonders-of-the-ocean.html)

[Read more](/discover/oceans.html)

### Collections

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/the-making-of-fern/making-of-fern-fern-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Collections\
\
\
**The making of Fern the Diplodocus: Engineering meets natural history**\
\
Our latest attraction stands tall over the new gardens.](/discover/the-making-of-fern-the-diplodocus-engineering-meets-natural-history.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/garden-highlights/fern-the-diplodocus-in-jurassic-garden-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
On display at the Museum\
\
\
Collections\
\
\
**Twelve treasures of our gardens**\
\
From hidden highlights to star sights and surprising sounds, explore 12 treasures in our new gardens.](/discover/garden-highlights.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/timeline-wall/evolution-timeline-cambrian-and-ordovician-rocks-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
On display at the Museum\
\
\
Collections\
\
\
**Our new Evolution Timeline rocks**\
\
Experience the connection between rocks and life in our new Evolution Garden where rocks, fossils, plants and sculpture tell a story of evolution and geological change.](/discover/timeline-wall.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/fossil-preparation/crinoid-fossil-preparation-v2-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Collections\
\
\
**Fossil preparation: How do we get specimens ready for display?**\
\
It takes time, endless patience and skill to transform a fossil into a museum-worthy exhibit.](/discover/fossil-preparation.html)

[Read more](/discover/collections.html)

### Wildlife photography

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/wpy-60-first-look/wpy-first-look-60-stoat-jose-manuel-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**First Look at Wildlife Photographer of the Year 60**\
\
Celebrate the wonder of the natural world with some of the most extraordinary images of our planet.\
\
29 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/first-look-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-60.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/wpy-59-bobcats/WPY-Bobcats-2024-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Wildlife photography\
\
\
**Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Bobcat Bounty**\
\
Killing predators comes with big prize money in the USA. Photographer Karine Aigner goes behind the scenes of contests where hunters win and nature loses.](/discover/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-bobcat-bounty.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/wpy-polar-bear/WPY-polar-bear-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59 People’s Choice winner announced**\
\
Nima Sarikhani’s stunning picture of a sleeping polar bear was crowned 2023's People's Choice.\
\
7 February 2024](/discover/news/2024/february/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-59-peoples-choice-winner-announced.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/wpy-polar-bear/WPY-polar-bear-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Wildlife photography\
\
\
**Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59: People’s Choice shortlist**\
\
Discover this year's shortlisted images and don't forget to vote for your favourite.](/discover/news/2023/november/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-59-peoples-choice.html)

[Read more](/discover/wildlife-photography.html)

### Latest videos

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/bird-pee/bird-poop-on-red-car-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)![](/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/png-icons/youtube_icon_thumbnail.png)\
\
What on Earth?\
\
\
**Do birds pee?**\
\
What are those milky white splatters – are they pee or poo?](/discover/do-birds-pee.html)
- [![](/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/png-icons/youtube_icon_thumbnail.png)![](/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/placeholders/youtube-thumbnail-placeholder.320.180.png)\
\
Collections\
\
\
**Our LGBTQ+ video tour**\
\
Take a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum and explore the astonishing diversity of the natural world.](/discover/our-lgbtq-video-tour.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/new-iow-iguanodon/megan-jacobs-compton-bay-isle-of-wight-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)![](/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/png-icons/youtube_icon_thumbnail.png)\
\
Dinosaurs\
\
\
**What happens when you find a dinosaur?**\
\
If you know what you’re looking at, little bits of bone can add up to something big.](/discover/what-happens-when-you-find-a-dinosaur.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/dinosaur-island-iow/dinosaur-island-feed-image-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)![](/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/png-icons/youtube_icon_thumbnail.png)\
\
Dinosaurs\
\
\
**The Isle of Wight: Welcome to Dinosaur Island**\
\
Discover a treasure trove of fossils just off Britain’s south coast.](/discover/isle-of-wight-dinosaur-island.html)

### All articles

- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/fossil-thylacines/fossil-thylacine-artwork-thylacinids-ancient-australia-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**New species of ancient thylacines are the oldest ever found**\
\
Fossils discovered in northern Australia mark the beginning of a 25-million-year-old family.\
\
12 September 2024](/discover/news/2024/september/new-species-ancient-thylacines-oldest-ever-found.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/flesh-footed-shearwater-name-change/shearwater-name-change-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Scientists propose changing bird’s problematic name**\
\
Researchers have proposed changing the common name of the flesh-footed shearwater.\
\
5 September 2024](/discover/news/2024/september/scientists-propose-changing-birds-problematic-name.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/plastic-waste-map/plastic-pollution-river-waste-clogged-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Almost 70% of all plastic waste is produced by just 20 countries**\
\
Each year, 52 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the environment.\
\
4 September 2024](/discover/news/2024/september/almost-70-of-plastic-waste-produced-by-20-countries.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/soil-impacts/soil-impacts-polluted-ground-plastic-bottle-litter-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Pollution revealed as the greatest threat to healthy soils**\
\
Food security and biodiversity are threatened by the chemicals contaminating our soils.\
\
3 September 2024](/discover/news/2024/september/pollution-revealed-greatest-threat-healthy-soils.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/first-birds/archaeopteryx-illustration-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Dinosaurs\
\
\
**What were the first birds like?**\
\
The earliest ancestors of birds looked noticeably different from the creatures familiar to us today, reflecting their dinosaur origins.](/discover/what-were-the-first-birds-like.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/fish-conservation/fish-conservation-guam-coral-reef-fish-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Artificial intelligence could help to predict how endangered species are**\
\
The power of machine learning could be used to protect threatened fishes.\
\
30 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/artificial-intelligence-could-help-predict-how-endangered-species-are.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/wpy-60-first-look/wpy-first-look-60-stoat-jose-manuel-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**First Look at Wildlife Photographer of the Year 60**\
\
Celebrate the wonder of the natural world with some of the most extraordinary images of our planet.\
\
29 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/first-look-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-60.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/dinosaur-chewing/dinosaur-chewing-lambeosaurus-reconstruction-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Plant-eating dinosaurs evolved backup teeth to eat tough food**\
\
Some of Earth’s most successful herbivores may have had hundreds of thousands of teeth in their lifetime.\
\
27 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/plant-eating-dinosaurs-evolved-backup-teeth-eat-tough-food.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/climate-hope-gen-hope/generation-hope-advisory-board-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Anthropocene\
\
\
**Climate hope, grief and resilience**\
\
Activists and scientists share what brings them climate joy and how they stay motivated in the face of the climate and nature crisis.](/discover/climate-hope-grief-resilience.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/bird-guano-history/guanay-cormorants-peruvian-pelicans-guano-rocks-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Anthropocene\
\
\
**Guano mining: Our deadly obsession with bird poo**\
\
We’ve been using guano for more than 1,500 years, but our demand for it has had a devastating impact on the birds that produce it.](/discover/guano-mining-a-deadly-obsession.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/wildlife-overlap/wildlife-overlap-macaques-urban-city-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Human population boom will increase contact with wild animals**\
\
More and more land will be shared between people and wildlife by 2070.\
\
21 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/human-population-boom-will-increase-contact-wild-animals.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/tropical-beetles/tropical-beetles-rove-beetle-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Tropical beetles unknown to science at higher risk of extinction**\
\
Humans are having a devastating effect on biodiversity, but the impacts might be worse than we thought.\
\
20 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/tropical-beetles-unknown-to-science-at-higher-risk-of-extinction.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/dodo-active-fast/dodo-behaviour-reconstruction-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Dodos were fast, active birds that roamed their forested island home**\
\
Despite their fame, astonishingly little is known about these large, flightless birds.\
\
16 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/dodos-were-fast-active-birds-that-roamed-their-forested-island-home.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/europe-rewilding/europe-rewilding-eurasian-lynx-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Rewilding Scottish Highlands could help UK hit 30x30 conservation goal**\
\
Northern Scotland is among the quarter of Europe that could be suitable for rewilding.\
\
15 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/rewilding-scottish-highlands-could-help-uk-hit-conservation-goal.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/dinosaur-asteroid/dinosaur-asteroid-earth-meteor-strike-art-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**Dinosaur-killing Chicxulub asteroid came from the edge of the solar system**\
\
The prime suspect in the extinction of the dinosaurs was no ordinary asteroid.\
\
15 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/dinosaur-killing-chicxulub-asteroid-came-from-edge-solar-system.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/fossil-walrus/fossil-walrus-ontocetus-posti-artwork-full-width-pr.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
News\
\
\
**New species of extinct walrus discovered from UK fossils**\
\
The jawbone of _Ontocetus posti_ helps to reveal how the animals became specialised suction feeders.\
\
13 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/new-species-extinct-walrus-discovered-uk-fossils.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/skink-evolution/skink-evolution-crocodile-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Things just got weird: skinks provide a window onto how evolution works**\
\
The social skinks are helping scientists answer fundamental questions about evolution.\
\
12 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/skinks-provide-a-window-onto-how-evolution-works.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/palm-oil/palm-oil-plantation-rows-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Anthropocene\
\
\
**Palm oil: The controversial ingredient that’s in nearly everything**\
\
Find out the facts about palm oil and its impact on the health of rainforests.](/discover/palm-oil-controversial-ingredient-in-nearly-everything.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/early-mammals/early-mammals-dryolestes-haldanodon-art-full-width-pr.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Early mammals lived for longer than their modern relatives**\
\
Tiny teeth are revealing the roots of the modern mammal lifestyle.\
\
7 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/early-mammals-lived-for-longer-than-their-modern-relatives.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/new-lungfish/lungfish-devonian-fossil-art-full-width-shutterstock.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Fossil hunter discovers new species of 210-million-year-old lungfish**\
\
Ferganoceratodus edwardsi suggests that many ancient lungfish are more closely related than first thought.\
\
6 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/fossil-hunter-discovers-new-species-210-million-year-old-lungfish.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/plant-prickles/plant-prickle-genetics-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**Scientists genetically remove prickles from flowering plants**\
\
Genetically removing the prickles from crops could have huge benefits for agriculture.\
\
2 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/scientists-genetically-remove-prickles-from-flowering-plants.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/airseq/air-sequencing-airseq-device-field-full-width-nhm.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
Science news\
\
\
**New technology protects crops by testing the air for the DNA of plant diseases**\
\
Plant infections can now be detected in our crops before they’re even visible.\
\
2 August 2024](/discover/news/2024/august/new-technology-protects-crops-testing-air-dna-plant-diseases.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/giant-dragonflies/prehistoric-dragonfly-full-width-large.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
What on Earth?\
\
\
**Griffinflies: The earliest flying insects**\
\
With wingspans that stretched a whopping 71 centimetres, these epic insects would have blocked out the Sun as they flew past.](/discover/giant-dragonflies.html)
- [![](/content/dam/nhmwww/visit/events/one-off-events/Jana-Winderen-recording-the-Thames-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png)\
\
**Meet the artist unveiling the mysteries under the water’s surface**\
\
Sound artist Jana Winderen talks about her experiences recording underwater noises and exploring sound pollution in our waters.](/discover/meet-the-artist-unveiling-the-mysteries-under-the-waters-surface.html)

[Read more](/discover/read-more.html)

![Natural History Museum logo](/content/dam/nhmwww/press-office/nhm-logo-white.svg)

### [The Natural History Museum](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/)

**Cromwell Road**

**London SW7 5BD**

**[Map](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Natural+History+Museum/@51.4967183,-0.1785559,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x4876055d2a62ace7:0xf1f051390954c55!4m5!3m4!1s0x48760542e6182f3f:0x7bb7e385c39764c4!8m2!3d51.496715!4d-0.1763672?hl=en)**

[See our opening hours](/visit.html)

### [The Natural History Museum at Tring](/visit/tring.html)

**Akeman Street**

**Tring**

**Hertfordshire HP23 6AP**

[Map](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Natural+History+Museum+at+Tring/@51.7907453,-0.6634277,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48765bdea86d0a7d:0x169a990130daab9a!8m2!3d51.790742!4d-0.661239?hl=en)

[See our opening hours](/visit/tring.html)

## [Visit](/visit.html)

- [What's on](/visit/whats-on.html)
- [Galleries and Museum map](/visit/galleries-and-museum-map.html)
- [Access](/visit/access-at-south-kensington.html)

## [Discover](/discover.html)

- [News](/discover/news.html)
- [Anthropocene](/discover/anthropocene.html)
- [British wildlife](/discover/british-wildlife.html)
- [Collections](/discover/collections.html)
- [Dinosaurs](/discover/dinosaurs.html)
- [Human evolution](/discover/human-evolution.html)
- [Oceans](/discover/oceans.html)
- [Space](/discover/space.html)
- [What on Earth?](/discover/what-on-earth.html)
- [Video](/discover/video.html)

## [For schools](/schools.html)

- [Visiting South Kensington](/schools/school-visits-at-south-kensington.html)
- [Visiting Tring](/visit/tring/school-visits-at-tring.html)
- [Learning resources](/schools/teaching-resources.html)

## [Careers](/about-us/careers.html)

- [Current vacancies](https://jobs.nhm.ac.uk/)

## [Join and support](/support-us.html)

- [Membership](/support-us/membership.html)
- [Gift membership](/support-us/membership/gift-membership.html)
- [Make a donation](/support-us/give.html)
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## [Take part](/take-part.html)

- [Volunteer](/take-part/volunteer.html)
- [Citizen science](/take-part/monitor-and-encourage-nature/community-science.html)
- [Identify UK nature](/take-part/identify-nature.html)
- [Centre for UK Biodiversity](/take-part/centre-for-uk-nature.html)

## [About us](/about-us.html)

- [News](/discover/news.html)
- [Press office](/press-office.html)
- [Governance](/about-us/governance.html)
- [Contact us](/contact-us.html)

## [Online shop](https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/)

## [Our science](/our-science.html)

- [Research](/our-science/research.html)
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## [Business services](/business-services.html)

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## Legal

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