Sunday, October 24, 2021

envirobites

environmental science research for everyone

envirobites

Case Studies

Animal behavior Case Studies Climate Environmental Science 

Increasing Temperatures and Decreasing Insect Populations

Elisabeth Lang 0 Comments , ,

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.

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Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science 

Helping a vulnerable rabbit species hop along with non-invasive genetic sampling

Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments , ,

Many species face harsh challenges to persist in a human modified world. In order to design and implement conservation plans to support these imperiled species, we need to study wild populations. Advancements in genetics have made it easier to monitor wild populations and obtain relevant data to make informed choices regarding management and conservation policies. Check out this ebite to learn more about the conservation genetics of the New England cottontail rabbits.

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Case Studies 

The red eared invaders spread across Bulgaria

Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments ,

Red-eared sliders are freshwater turtles that are recognized as one of the world’s most invasive species. Millions of turtles were introduced globally via the pet market in the 1990s. Because of that, many turtles have established populations outside of their native ranges in the United States. Check out this ebite to learn more about the turtles first arrival and continuing spread in Bulgaria.

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Case Studies Environmental Science 

Where Categorizing Hurricanes Falls Short

Rohini Shivamoggi 0 Comments , , ,

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating hurricanes in history, leading to over 1800 fatalities and tying Hurricane Harvey as the costliest hurricane on record. But at the time Katrina made landfall, it was “only” ranked as Category 3 by the Saffir-Simpson scale, which goes up to Category 5. So why did Katrina, at only Category 3, cause so much more destruction than most Category 5 storms? And what does that tell us about what the Saffir-Simpson scale is missing?

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Case Studies Environmental Science 

Will climate change bring cultural change?

Connor Rosenblatt 0 Comments , , , ,

Sometimes science isn’t enough to protect a species. Sometimes, culture is necessary. People are likely to care most about protecting species they find culturally important. But are these culturally important species the most threatened due to climate change? A case study from Costa Rica offers some insights into this question.

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Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science 

Let the games begin! Having fun and playing games can improve the lives of people and wildlife.

Connor Rosenblatt 0 Comments , , ,

With environmental conditions deteriorating across the globe, there’s no time to stop and play games. Except for when the solutions to these problems can be found by playing games. Find out how researchers, conservationists, and farmers in France all played a game to improve land management in a wet grassland.

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Case Studies Environmental Science 

Using genetics to reveal how coffee agriculture affects a forest dwelling rodent

Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments , , , ,

Strong conservation plans are enriched by data that show which features of the habitat are important for wildlife. DNA analyses can reveal how landscape features join or separate populations without necessarily needing the observational data collected from studying animals moving in the wild. These methods can be helpful for conservation policies for elusive or understudied species. Read on to find out how coffee plantations affect an elusive forest dwelling rodent.

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Case Studies Cities Climate Science through time 

California Electrification – what buildings, the grid, and the environment need in an age of energy transition and climate change

Jessica Wright 0 Comments

A team of energy scientists from California tackle the big question of what will electricity demand look like in a changing climate? By analyzing the evolution of the electric grid to supply an increasing demand under the state’s climate action plan AND the increasing demand to make people comfortable in a variable and changing climate, these researchers have given imperative insight into the future of California electrification.

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