50 Unknown Facts about Nature
1. The trees that are present on Earth now are not similar to the trees that were present 300 million years ago. These trees had the potential to grow very tall, but because of their shallow root systems, they were particularly prone to falling over. Because there were no bacteria at the time to break down these trees, as they fell, they piled up on top of one another. As a result eventually formed coal, which might be seen as either a blessing or a punishment. Source.
2. The number of stars in our galaxy is thought to be between 200 and 400 billion, but there are an estimated 1 trillion trees on Earth. Therefore, like the stars, trees are vital to life and have a lengthy life span. Source.
3. Water makes up about 71% of the earth. About 96.5% of this water is contained in the oceans, and the remaining 2% is held by the ice caps. The leftover water can be found, among other water sources, in rivers, ponds, glaciers, ice caps, lakes, water vapor, and our taps. However, only 1% of the water on earth may be safely consumed by people. Source.
4. The total weight of all the ants on the earth is greater than that of all the people. 100 trillion ants live on the planet, together with nearly 7 billion people. Source.
5. The savannas of Africa are covered with acacia trees, which have a special defense mechanism. The tree boosts tannin production to levels that are harmful to animals when animals like antelopes start to eat its leaves. The tree then releases a cloud of ethylene gas into the air. As a result, it spreads to adjacent trees, causing them to start generating more tannins as well. Source.
6. With just a little pressure, two identical metal pieces will fuse together in outer space. Source.
7. Heat is the environmental factor that causes the most human death. While flooding and tornadoes each claimed 81 lives on average each year, heat-related fatalities averaged 130. So keep in mind that extreme heat might be fatal. Source.
8. The second-largest planet in our solar system, Saturn, could really float in water due to its mostly gaseous and icy composition. Source.
9. The oceans have about 500 feet of salt in them, which is enough to cover all the continents. Source.
10. Do you understand why we keep urging people to recycle? The reason for this is that paper made from trees can be recycled six times. Therefore, consider the amount of paper and trees you may save by recycling! Source.
11. Estimated age of the planet Earth is 4.5 billion years. Source.
12. The blood of the shrimp is colorless, but when it comes into touch with oxygen found in nature, it changes color to blue. Source.
13. The shape of the planet Earth is more akin to that of an oblate spheroid, which resembles a flattened circle. But it is unquestionably not flat. Source.
14. Earthquakes can occur more than 400 miles beneath the planet's surface and can literally be felt on the opposite side of the planet. Source.
15. Caffeine is an all-natural pesticide. Insects that attempt to consume caffeine-containing plants have their neural systems overloaded, which paralyzes or even kills them before they can cause too much harm. While it also has an impact on the central nervous systems of humans, it only serves as a stimulant in our case. Source.
16. The atmospheres of Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn are under such intense pressure that carbon atoms can solidify and become diamonds. Source.
17. The dark matter and dark energy that make up about 96% of the universe are invisible to human senses. The particles that make up these substances, according to scientists, do not interact with ordinary matter or light. Source.
18. You can save your energy costs by up to 25% by carefully placing trees and bushes. In the summer, a shade tree can reduce the temperature inside your home by up to 20 degrees. In addition to offering shade in the summer, they also act as a windbreak in the winter. Source.
19. There are countless viruses on Earth. On the planet, there are an estimated 10 trillion different viruses. That's enough to put one on each of the universe's 100 million stars. Source.
20. Trees slow down and filter the rain as it falls to the Earth, allowing it to sink into the soil more slowly. The rainwater is then slowly released into streams and rivers by trees acting as natural sponges, collecting and filtering it. Additionally, they limit flood damage, reduce stormwater runoff, and stop soil from eroding into our waterways. Source.
21. The reef is home to 1,600 species of fish, 134 species of sharks and rays, 30 species of whales and dolphins, over 400 types of hard coral, 300 species of soft coral, and six species of turtle. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most diversified ecosystems on the earth. Source.
22. On Earth, there are around 400,000 different plant species. Only 200 of such edible plants are consumed by humans worldwide in all civilizations. Source.
23. Do you know hot water freezes more quickly as compared to cold water? Source.
24. The hazardous air, water, and soil, among other forms of pollution, are caused by humans. In consequence, the pollution causes about nine million deaths annually, either directly or indirectly. Source.
25. A coast redwood in California that is more than 360 feet (110 meters) tall is the tallest tree in the world. In the USA, Bristlecone pines that are 4,600 years old are the oldest trees in the world. Source.
26. NASA estimates that the energy released by solar flares is comparable to millions of atomic bombs with a 100-megaton yield detonating simultaneously. It's fortunate that the atmosphere of the Earth shields us from their radiation. Source.
27. Tremors and earthquakes are a normal feature of the planet's geography. Although they can be measured, it might be challenging to anticipate them. Source.
28. When compared to a world that adheres to the World Health Organization's criteria for safe particulate pollution exposure, air pollution reduces the average lifespan globally by more than two years. Source.
29. The temperature of the sun's surface and the center of the Earth are the same within the bounds of uncertainty. Source.
30. The aurora borealis can be observed from many locations across the world, unlike other natural wonders. Many tourists journey to these polar regions in the aim of witnessing nature's breathtaking—yet highly unpredictable—dancing light display. Source.
31. Packaging makes up about one-third of an average landfill. Source.
32. Sunflowers extract metal compounds from the soil's depths and transfer them to the stem, leaves, and flower head, just like many other hyperaccumulating plants. Source.
33. Victoria Falls, which spans over 5,600 feet and rises 354 feet, is a tremendous natural wonder. It is among the largest waterfalls in the world. Source.
34. The majority of the oxygen in our atmosphere is really created by tiny marine critters called phytoplankton: between 50 and 85 percent. Source.
35. Salmon and sea turtles are two examples of creatures that can detect the Earth's magnetic field and use it as a navigational aid. Source.
36. A mature tree can remove and store more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year while also releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. More than 18,000 tonnes of air pollutants are filtered out of Chicago each year by trees. Source.
37. According to the USGS, a typical cumulus cloud can weigh up to a million pounds. That weighs nearly the same as the largest jet in the world when it is fully loaded with both cargo and passengers. Source.
38. An owl has long, tube-shaped eyes. They are unable to turn or move their eyes as a result of their shape. Instead, they can move their heads 360 degrees to see everything around them. Source.
39. The only bird that can see blue is an owl. Source.
40. Around 2.9 x 1029 microorganisms live in the sediments that support the Earth's oceans; these creatures can be found up to 2.5 km beneath the surface of the water. Compared to life on land, most of this deep subseafloor biosphere grows very slowly; it is estimated that cells divide once every 10 to 1000 years. Source.
41. The Victoria Falls Rainforest, which is situated on the Zimbabwean side of the falls, is the only spot on earth where it rains every day of the year. Up to 540 million cubic meters of water can rush over the edge of the falls per minute during the height of flood season. Source.
42. When you direct a laser beam at a stream of moving water, a remarkable phenomenon known as "total internal reflection" takes place. Source.
43. Do you know that the flavor of beetles is identical to that of an apple, and the flavor of insects is identical to that of fried pigs? Source.
44. On Earth, a day only seems to last as long as a full year. In actuality, our planet revolves around the sun in a full revolution every 365.25 days and turns on its axis once every 24 hours. On Venus, however, the rotation is substantially slower, taking up to 243 Earth days for one complete rotation of the planet's axis. Source.
45. Recent research has revealed that plants that are physically harmed or experiencing a drought may actually scream' for assistance. Although certain animals and plants may be able to hear those ultrasonic squeals, humans are unable to do so due to their high frequency. Although some have hypothesized that insects may hear the cries and avoid unhealthy plants to lay their eggs on, the cause of these alleged squeals is unknown. Source.
46. Do you know dolphins can talk to each other? Yes they can talk over the phone along with recognizing voices. Source.
47. Do you know Vitamin B12 allows the rain drops to ascend? Source.
48. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which contains roughly 100 million tonnes of rubbish and waste, is a huge floating patch of trash in the Pacific Ocean that will shock and sadden you. It is double the size of North America's continent! Source.
49. Do you know the earth's environmental administrators are fungi? Without them, the forest's entire ecosystem would be covered in layers of decay. Along with breaking down dead stuff, they also disintegrate rocks and even aid in absorbing radiation and oil spills. Source.
50. The only source for aspirin in the beginning was the skin of the willow tree. Source.