Collin Blinder

1 week ago | phys.org | Collin Blinder |Sadie Harley |Robert Egan

Tipping points are the death of ecosystems. So scientists watch as warning signs gradually worsen until an ecosystem reaches the point of no return, when animal populations suddenly collapse. While tipping points can sometimes be predicted, what comes next is often shrouded in mystery, stymieing efforts to prevent the impending disaster or prepare for what's to come.

2 weeks ago | news.ucsc.edu | Collin Blinder

A new model developed by UC Santa Cruz and NOAA researchers can forecast what happens to ecosystems after they cross tipping points, helping scientists plan interventions before irreversible damage occurs. Unlike existing methods, this approach works with limited data and doesn’t require detailed knowledge of every species, making it applicable to many different ecosystems.

1 month ago | phys.org | Collin Blinder |Lisa Lock |Robert Egan

As global temperatures rise, many species are scrambling to adapt—or risk extinction. Scientists refer to these animals as "species on the move," but new research suggests the scientific community may be overlooking the wide variety of ways these species are adapting.

1 month ago | news.ucsc.edu | Collin Blinder

Most studies focus on a single climate adaptation strategy, potentially overlooking how species use multiple approaches to survive. The authors propose a new framework that encourages researchers to study both spatial and temporal adaptations together for a more complete understanding. They recommend improved data sharing, expanded surveys, and advanced analytical tools to better capture and interpret species’ diverse responses to climate change.

1 month ago | news.ucsc.edu | Collin Blinder

A team of scientists, artists, engineers, and students have joined forces at UC Santa Cruz to help promote the use of stored rainwater as a resource for growing food close to home. Backed by a $100,000 grant from the university’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience (CCCR), UC Santa Cruz cosmologist Alexie Leauthaud-Harnett is leading a multi-year project to study the agricultural potential of rainwater harvesting.