Elisabeth Lang

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Metal Accumulation in Sharks of the Caribbean

May 11, 2021September 16, 2022 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments marine pollution, Sharks

Pollution threatens marine life worldwide. Some of this pollution includes metals that build up in the tissues of marine life, including sharks. People around the world consume shark meat as a part of their diets. Caribbean reef sharks are commonly consumed by people throughout the Caribbean and South America, but a study on metal levels in their tissues had never been done. A team of researchers undertook this study to assess the danger to people and to better identify sources of pollution so that marine pollution can be better managed.

Animal behavior Case Studies Climate Environmental Science

Increasing Temperatures and Decreasing Insect Populations

March 9, 2021September 16, 2022 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments Climate Change, insects, warming

Without insects, we wouldn’t have all of the edible plants that we rely on as important parts of our diets and entire ecosystems would be in trouble. Despite their importance, insects face many threats, including climate change. Through a literature review, a group of scientists found that increasing temperatures due to climate change and the resulting ecosystem changes are a leading cause of insect population declines globally. Some species have disappeared completely. However, different species respond to climate change differently. Monitoring and understanding their responses can help us prevent their loss.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

Penguins and Conservation: How penguins can help us conserve an entire ecosystem

February 9, 2021September 16, 2022 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments Antarctica, Conservation planning

Marine protected areas (MPAs) can be a good way to protect species threatened by human activities and climate change. Antarctica has two MPAs right now, but there are plans for several more in the future. To help decide where these MPAs would be most effective, a group of researchers studied different penguin species. The presence and health of a penguin population shows that the ecosystem has good habitat and food sources, which indicates a healthy ecosystem. Protecting healthy ecosystems within the future MPAs will offer protection for all of the species that live within it.

Environmental Science Remote Environments

Plastic Pollution and Penguins?

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments Antarctica, plastic ocean pollution

Many people may see plastic pollution as a local issue, but did you know that small pieces of plastic have made their way to super remote locations? Plastic pollution has been documented in Antarctica, one of the most remote locations on the planet, for decades. Now though, scientists are finding out that microplastics, which are harmful to marine life, are also making their way to Antarctica. Researchers documented similar levels of microplastics in Antarctica as other, less remote locations globally. While many come from marine industry, we can all help solve the problem by putting less plastic into the environment.

Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science

Blue Carbon and Green Kelp: Kelp forests could reduce carbon emissions

October 9, 2020February 9, 2021 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments blue carbon, Climate Change, kelp forests

Blue carbon is the carbon that is stored within marine ecosystems. It is being used more frequently within global carbon budgets, which are calculated to help us reduce climate change. Historically, only tidal marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds have been used in calculating stored carbon for carbon budgets. A team of researchers from Norway wanted to see if kelp forests could significantly contribute to carbon storage. They studied the kelp forests along Australia’s southern coast and found their storage potential to be similar to that of the other historically used ecosystems. Conserving and restoring kelp forests could therefore increase carbon storage and help reduce climate change.

Ecosystems Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Sharks on Camera: Can Drones Be Used to Prevent Shark Attacks?

September 9, 2020September 8, 2020 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments drones, Sharks

Sharks are an important part of marine ecosystems, but they often have a bad reputation because of an increasing frequency of shark attacks. Traditional methods of deterring sharks are harmful to sharks and other marine animals, so environmental managers are starting to use methods of shark detection to keep beachgoers safe. A team of researchers studied the effectiveness of using drones to detect sharks in an effort to decrease shark attacks.

Animal behavior Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science

Large Carnivores on the Rise

July 13, 2020February 9, 2021 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments animal behavior, humans and wildlife, wolves

Many large carnivores have been increasing in number along with people, which could lead to more conflicts between the carnivores and people. Wolves in particular are starting to make a comeback after their population sizes were reduced due to hunting and loss of prey. It is important to bring wolves back because they play an important role in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem by controlling the population size of their prey. Their reintroduction and increasing population sizes have led to research to figure out how wolves and people can live peacefully together.

Animal behavior Ecosystems

Communication adaptation in a changing environment: Changing language in bottlenose dolphins

May 13, 2020May 12, 2020 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments adaptation, dolphins, noise pollution

Reference: La Manna, G., Rako‐Gospić, N., Sarà, G., Gatti, F., Bonizzoni, S., & Ceccherelli, G. (2020). Whistle variation in Mediterranean

Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science

Coral reefs are in hot water: Could upwelling save the day?

April 13, 2020April 12, 2020 Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments Climate Change, coral bleaching, coral reefs

Coral reefs do best in warm water, but when the water gets too hot, they bleach. Upwelling, which brings cooler water from the deeper parts of the ocean, occurs worldwide, including where coral reefs can be found. With climate change, ocean temperatures are increasing and coral bleaching events are happening more frequently. Could upwelling help protect coral reefs from hot water?

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