Environment

Dorchester County, in South Carolina, was worried about the risk posed by Zika. So officials recently ordered that a pesticide be sprayed from planes. Local beehives have been devastated.

The reef structure covers more than 2,000 square miles north of the Great Barrier Reef. What might live there and even what it looks like up close, is still largely a mystery.

There's new and detailed data on the impact of genetically modified crops on pesticide use. Those crops replaced insecticides, and, at first, some herbicides. But herbicide use has rebounded.

The Pioneer Fire in the Idaho backcountry has been burning since July, but it exploded in size this week during hot, dry weather. Smoke from the blaze has created a monstrous cloud visible from space.

The president warns that climate change can undermine decades-long conservation efforts. He spoke at an annual summit that brings people together to discuss how to keep Lake Tahoe blue.

A census of African savanna elephants in 15 countries between 2007 and 2014 found the population decreased by 144,000 animals.

Minnesota's governor has ordered new restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which have been blamed for killing bees. Many details of the plan, however, remain to be worked out.