Rhodes University, South Africa (January 2023) - DNA in the water shows South African scientists where to find a rare pipefish

Title:

DNA in the water shows South African scientists where to find a rare pipefish

 

By:

Georgia May Nester

PhD candidate, Curtin University

&

Louw Claassens

Research Associate of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University

 

Published:

Rhodes University, 27 January 2023

https://www.ru.ac.za/latestnews/dnainthewatershowssouthafricanscientistswheretofindararepipefish.html

 

From the article:

Keeping track of the world’s wildlife populations is fundamental to conservation efforts in the face of the continued deterioration of global biodiversity.  

 

But some species are harder to study than others. Some aquatic species, for instance, elude detection because they are extremely rare and sparsely distributed.  

 

One especially elusive example is the estuarine pipefish (Syngnathus watermeyeri). 

 

Iraq’s archaeological treasures face looming threat of climate change [Arab News, 2022]

Title:

Iraq’s archaeological treasures face looming threat of climate change

 

Author:

Rebecca Anne Proctor

 

Published:

Arab News, 31 July 2022

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2132221/middle-east

 

From the article:

* Dust storms, rising temperatures and salinity are damaging artifacts and excavation sites, undermining conservation efforts 

 

* Extreme weather events are harming the country’s natural heritage, including the once verdant southern marshland

Marine Ecologist Surprised To Find “Critically Endangered” Giant Sea Bass Thriving in Mexican Waters [SciTechDaily, August 2021]

Title:

Marine Ecologist Surprised To Find “Critically Endangered” Giant Sea Bass Thriving in Mexican Waters

 

Author:

Arturo Ramírez-Valdez

Researcher, University of California San Diego

 

Published:

SciTechDaily, 9 August 2021

https://scitechdaily.com/marine-ecologist-surprised-to-find-critically-endangered-giant-sea-bass-thriving-in-mexican-waters/

 

From the article:

I am a marine ecologist, and I study how international borders pose challenges for conservation and management efforts in the marine environment. Although there are no walls or fences in the ocean, borders still act as stark barriers for a variety of things.  

 

Giant sea bass live off the west coast of North America in both Mexican and U.S. waters. I have found that large differences in regulation and research effort between the two countries has led to a significant misunderstanding of giant sea bass population health.

 

Controversial forestry experiment will be largest-ever in United States [Nature, May 2021]

Title:

Controversial forestry experiment will be largest-ever in United States 

 

Author:

Jeff Tollefson

 

Published:

Nature, 20 May 2021

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01256-9

 

From thw article:

At the Elliott State Forest in Oregon, researchers will explore how best to balance timber production with conservation.

 

Small creature, big role: Disappearing butterflies [CGTN, May 2021]

Title:

Small creature, big role: Disappearing butterflies

 

Published:

CGTN, 14 May 2021

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-14/Small-creature-big-role-Disappearing-butterflies-10fA69f3ck0/index.html

 

From the article:

Seemingly small and ephemerally beautiful, butterflies play a significant role in balancing the ecosystem. They are hardworking pollinators, supporting plant life and agriculture. Three-fourths of flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. Some scientists estimate that one-third of what we eat exists because of the work done by birds and bats, and by bees, butterflies and other insects. However, many pollinator species are facing extinction.  

 

Scientists have identified 26 Australian butterfly species and subspecies at greatest risk of extinction within 20 years. The unique Australian fritillary faces a 94 percent likelihood of extinction.

 

Leatherback Sea Turtle Meat and Eggs Consumption: Evaluation of Public Health Significance in Grenada, West Indies [Scholarly Article - World Journal of Agriculture and Soil Science, 2021]

Title:

Leatherback Sea Turtle Meat and Eggs Consumption: Evaluation of Public Health Significance in Grenada, West Indies

Authors:

Caitlin Birky, Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, St George's University, Grenada, West Indies

&

Satesh Bidaisee, Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, St George's University, Grenada, West Indies

& 

Siriluk Pichainarongk, Kasetsart University, Thailand

Published:

World Journal of Agriculture and Soil Science, 26 February 2021

https://irispublishers.com/wjass/pdf/WJASS.MS.ID.000640.pdf

Abstract:

The Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is known for traveling large distances and are at risk of being captured by fishermen. There are conservation efforts to protect the specie and health risks of ingesting or handling Leatherback sea turtle meat or eggs. This study applied a cross section approach using a survey and interview to assess consumption of leatherback sea turtle meat and eggs. In total 51 people were interviewed, 39 men and 12 women. 37% (19/51) reported that they had ingested turtle meat in the past, and 100% of them ate it fully cooked. 13% (7/51) ingested sea turtle eggs and 85% of time both turtle meat and eggs were fully cooked. The main reason described for the consumption was culture and accessibility of turtles although the practice is illegal. This study confirmed the practice of leatherback turtle meat and eggs consumption and identified reasons for this practice. 

Chicago Living Corridors Webinar (9 December 2020) on Ecology of Illinois Dragonflies, by Marla Garrison (McHernry County College)

Webinar title:

Ecology and Illinois Dragonflies

 

Speaker:

Marla Garrison

Instructor of biology at McHenry County College

 

Published:

Chicago Living Corridors, 14 December 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grCZn_aAEjU

 

Duration:

1:23:53

Webinar description:

The aquatic insect order Odonata includes the dragonflies and damselflies - remarkable insects strongly tied to the wetlands and waterways in which they breed and develop. Their aquatic niches and habitat requirements in northern Illinois are under constant threat from human development which alters the hydrology of the systems upon which they rely. 

 

This webinar will: 

* provide an overview of their complex life cycle and natural history; 

* consider the specific needs of, and stressors on, local species; 

* evaluate critical areas for conservation within the Chicago Living Corridors map; and, 

* offer suggestions for how citizen scientists and private landowners can become involved in the monitoring and conservation of these essential creatures.

Note from blog owner:

Excellent presentation & beautiful photos!

Researchers Argue That Earth Is In The Midst Of A Modern, Human-Made, Sixth Extinction [Forbes, 14 June 2020]

Title:
Researchers Argue That Earth Is In The Midst Of A Modern, Human-Made, Sixth Extinction

Author:
David Bressan

Published:
Forbes, 14 June 2020
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2020/06/14/researchers-argue-that-earth-is-in-the-midst-of-a-modern-man-made-sixth-extinction/#386e0fae2f44

From the article:
Researchers argue that the Earth is in the midst of a modern, human-made, sixth extinction.

A newly published study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science evaluated the extinction risk of 29,374 land-based vertebrates.