New research from RMBL scientists shows that snow cover plays a critical role in supporting bee populations. 8 of 13 species had higher populations after years with longer snow cover. 📸Photo credit: Michael Stemkovski https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/292/2061/20251887/366095

Our April e-newsletter is here! Link: https://www.rmbl.org/newsletter/april-2026-newsletter/

200- to-1,000-year Snow Anomaly Observed in Colorado Mountains, according to a new analysis at RMBL. Read the press release at https://www.rmbl.org/news-press/media-center/press-releases/. Graph by Dr. Ian Breckheimer on March 23, 2026

Podcast alert❄️🔊 Check out the newly released Vox Unexplainable podcast episode titled "Snow day!", featuring RMBL scientist Dr. Jessica Lundquist, professor of civil & environmental engineering at the University of Washington. UW Civil & Environmental Engineering 🔗Link in bio to listen!

Congrats to RMBL scientist Courtenay Ray and collaborators on their recent publication in the American Journal of Botany! Discover how plant and seed shape influence seed trapping and retention: https://tinyurl.com/24t6cppb Photo: Michael Hensley using the wind tunnel. Credit: Courtenay Ray

Is winter arriving earlier than it used to? After a conversation with John Harte, David Inouye looked at decades of data from the Crested Butte weather station. The trend suggests more winter precipitation is falling earlier in the season by late January. Learn more on our website.

Changes in climate reshape soil ecosystems as well as plant communities, according to new findings by RMBL scientists Jennifer Rudgers, Stephanie Kivlin, Aimée Classen, and Lara Souza (pictured L-R at the RMBL research site). Read the new article in PNAS: https://tinyurl.com/warming-winters-PNAS

Research shows marmot alarm calls aren’t just cute—they’re nonlinear, meaning these furry sentinels dial up the vocal drama to signal danger in surprisingly complex ways. Predators nearby? The sound gets intense. Read more here: royalsocietypublishing.org/rstb/article...

Climate change reshuffles plant communities in unexpected ways. RMBL found warming and cooling change which species appear, but not how related they are. 👉 Species counts don’t tell the full story. #RMBL #ClimateChange #PlantScience Read more here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

What lives on conifer needles? Metagenomics of 67 Rocky Mountain trees uncovered 447 microbial genomes. Communities vary more by location than tree species—revealing a highly adaptive phyllosphere. #Microbiome #ForestEcology #Metagenomics link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Plant metabarcoding upgrade: Adding time + place data boosted bumble bee pollen ID by 77.5%. Clearer bee diets, stronger ecology. 🌿🐝 #Metabarcoding #Pollinators Learn more here: bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

❄️ Snowfall study! W-band radar and snowflake images show high KDP can arise from turbulence, blowing snow, small crystals, and surface dendritic aggregates—not just heavy snowfall. #SnowScience #RadarMeteorology #Cryosphere Learn more Here: acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/...

🌼 New Science study shows that even common, widespread plants like Drummond’s rockcress are at real risk from climate change. Big implications for biodiversity. Read Here: ecology.uga.edu/2025/05/01/s... #ClimateScience #Ecology #Biodiversity #PlantResearch #RMBL #ClimateChange

Beavers aren’t just cute engineers—they’re reshaping mountain rivers in big ways. 🦫💧 A new study used hydrologic models + machine learning to see how beaver ponds boost groundwater. Read here: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...

🐜 Check this study out! It reveals that not all “dominant” ants rule the same way! 💪 The study highlights that dominance in nature is complex, with different species excelling in different ways. 🌿 #RMBLResearch #Ecology #AntScience #ClimateBiology Read here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

🎉 Big congrats to RMBL scientists Reed Benkendorf, Jane Ogilvie, Paul CaraDonna, and collaborators on their new paper in Applications in Plant Sciences! Their work reveals hidden plant–pollinator stories by pairing field data with genomics. Read here: bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

✨ A rare sight in Gothic! A strong geomagnetic storm sent charged solar particles colliding with Earth’s magnetic field, painting our mountain skies with the aurora borealis. 🌌 #RMBL #NorthernLights #AuroraBorealis #ScienceInTheMountains Read more: www.denverpost.com 📸 Ashley Hale & David Inouye

🌼 New research alert! A study led by Kaysee Arrowsmith and co-authored by Berry Brosi reveals that rising temperatures are changing which flowers pollinators choose—reshaping plant-pollinator networks.🌿#ClimateChange #Pollination #MountainScience besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

❄️ Exciting news from RMBL! Anton Kötsche and collaborators published their findings on snowfall microphysics in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics from the 2022–2023 SAIL atmospheric campaign. Congratulations to the team! 🎉 acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/... #RMBL #SnowScience #ClimateResearch

Hello, Bluesky! 👋 We are the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) — one of the world’s leading field stations for ecological and climate research 🏔️ rmbl.org Follow us for field research highlights, scientist stories, and updates from Gothic, Colorado! #Ecology #FieldScience #ClimateResearch