In the Russian republic of Kalmykia, the encroaching desert has transformed the landscape. “Nature,” one farmer said, “is forcing us to leave.”
Tag: Deserts
Drought and Abundance in the Mesopotamian Marshes
Once vengefully drained by Saddam Hussein, the wetlands in southeastern Iraq have since been partially restored. Now the region and its isolated settlements face a new set of challenges.
Glimpses of Sudan’s Forgotten Pyramids
Desecrated by plunderers, threatened by floodwaters and largely overshadowed by their Egyptian counterparts, Sudan’s ancient archaeological sites may finally be poised to receive broader recognition.
The Skin-Deep Physics of Sidewinder Snakes
A close-up on snake skin helped scientists work out what might help certain snakes navigate sandy surfaces.
Aided by Modern Ingenuity, a Taste of Ancient Judean Dates
The harvest of the much-extolled but long-lost Judean dates was something of a scientific miracle. The fruit sprouted from seeds 2,000 years old.
‘If You’re Not Sweating’ in This Town, ‘There’s Something Wrong’
In Marble Bar, which claims to be Australia’s hottest town, the temperature hit at least 113 degrees on 32 days this summer. Some residents worry that “there’s got to be a point where you actually start to cook.”
Football’s Longest Drive: 1,000 Miles Across Australia
For Indigenous Australians in isolated towns, “bush footy” is more religion than sport. Neither distance, the police nor even death can keep teams from competing.
How Many Humps on a Camel? In Kazakhstan, It’s Complicated
To diversify away from oil, Kazakhstan is supporting an ancient form of camel hybridization. Hump variations abound.
They Go to the Desert to Hunt for Truffles. But ISIS Is Hunting Them.
The militants are targeting Iraqis who venture into the wild to search for the delicacy, demanding ransom for those they don’t simply kill.