Shellfish Diplomacy
By trading shellfish for water rights, two ancient Peruvian cultures seem to have avoided war.
Sep 25, 2017 | 700 words, about 3 minutes
South America
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Article list
The Fish that Smells like Money
A tiny anchovy could be a silver bullet for malnutrition in Peru—if only we would let it.
May 17, 2017 | 1,000 words, about 5 minutes
Tiny Zombie Worms Are the Beavers of the Deep
These deep-sea worms carve habitats out of whale bone.
May 15, 2017 | 450 words, about 2 minutes
Brazil Gets Lit
Artificial lighting is spreading across the country, with unknown effects on its wildlife.
May 3, 2017 | 600 words, about 3 minutes
Forget Fiberglass, This Surfing Champion Rides Reeds
An ancient Peruvian tradition of building and paddling reed boats is kept alive by a small group of fishermen, including Juninho Urcia, a champion surfer in his 20s.
Dec 13, 2016 | 5 min 15 sec
Making a More Perfect Penguin
A long-term study shows the subtle hand of natural selection on Argentina’s Magellanic penguins.
Nov 29, 2016 | 550 words, about 2 minutes
Book Review: Ed Ricketts from Cannery Row to Sitka, Alaska
Writers, relatives, and biologists reflect on the words and work of an iconic coastal character.
Aug 12, 2016 | 550 words, about 2 minutes
Old Coast, New Coast: Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo Bay, a cornerstone of Rio since early colonial days, still looks lovely on the surface. The lead up to the 2016 Summer Olympics, however, has revealed a thoroughly modern Brazilian beach.
Jul 22, 2016 | 400 words, about 2 minutes