News

Research

The Power of Code: No Fish Too Small

A new study documents how researchers use network analysis to determine the relationship between the genetic diversity of a cryptobenthic fish and its habitat.

A barrel sponge in the ocean

Research

Vital Seagrasses in Gulf of Mexico Are Retreating Amid Rapid Sea Level Rise

At the Gulf Coast, rising sea levels are linked to a loss of valuable seagrass habitats in Texas, new research has found.

Two scientists stand in shin-deep coastal waters peering into a box at a sample

Podcast

Heartbeat of the Estuary

Philip Souza’s research is focused on the sounds that fish along the Texas Gulf Coast make to attract mates or defend territory.

A scientist in a boat wearing headphones and dangles a microphone in the water

Announcements

Philanthropic Gift Establishes Historic UT Commitment to Monitoring Texas’ Natural Resources

A transformative donation allows for the expansion of a Texas Field Station Network to study biodiversity and sustainability.

A young man in a hat holding equipment leads a group of students down a creek at a Hill Country-based field station

Research

Movin’ on Up

Climate change causes mangroves to encroach on salt marshes, prompting scientists to assess distribution and data gaps.

A mangrove forest stands at the edge of the coast, with dense clusters of short, shrub-like trees.

Research

‘We’re All Asgardians’: New Clues about the Origin of Complex Life

All complex life, a.k.a. eukaryotes, trace their roots to a common Asgard archaean ancestor.

An evolutionary tree shows how eukaryotes are related to Asgard archaea

Research

When Weather Whiplash Becomes the New Normal

Estuaries face increasing climate-induced changes. An 8-year study found droughts and floods shift phytoplankton from diatoms to cyanobacteria, impacting ecosystems.

Torrents of water surge through a once-dry landscape, turning it into a scene of extreme flooding.

Announcements

Saving the Last Rookery Island in Aransas Bay

NOAA awarded $4M to restore Deadman Island in Aransas Bay, vital for colonial waterbirds and local nature tourism.

Snowy Egrets, with their elegant white plumage and striking yellow feet, stand on a tree branch at the rookery island in Aransas Bay.

Research

Positive Feedback Loop Suggested for Ocean Acidification and Global Warming

Research shows ocean acidification disrupts nitrogen cycling by slowing nitrification and increasing nitrous oxide emissions, worsening global warming impacts.

Charles Bay showcases a serene and expansive body of water, bordered by lush greenery.

Accolades

NSF Awards Graduate Research Fellowships to 23 UT Natural Sciences Students

Dozens of graduate and undergraduate students of UT Austin's College of Natural Sciences were honored this year by the National Science Foundation.

Graduate students sit and stand in rows in a library setting