Case Studies – envirobites

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.

Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science

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

March 9, 2021March 9, 2021 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments conservation genetics, new england, rabbits

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.

Case Studies

The red eared invaders spread across Bulgaria

February 3, 2021February 3, 2021 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments invasive species, turtles

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.

Case Studies Climate Environmental Science

Waste-to-Energy or Wasted Energy?

January 18, 2021January 18, 2021 Mary Davis 0 Comments renewables, Waste-to-energy

What happens with our waste? Out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Despite our best efforts, and maybe a few new year’s resolutions, a lot

Case Studies Environmental Science

Where Categorizing Hurricanes Falls Short

December 12, 2020December 12, 2020 Rohini Shivamoggi 0 Comments flooding, hurricanes, sand dunes, storm surge

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?

Case Studies Environmental Science

Kitty Conundrum Cleared Up: Scientists Create Cat Food that Reduces Allergy Symptoms

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 Laine Farber 0 Comments animals

Citation: Ebenezer Satyaraj, Harold James Wedner, Jean Bousquet. Keep the cat, change the care pathway: A transformational approach to managing

Case Studies Environmental Science

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

August 5, 2020August 5, 2020 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments coffee, conservation biology, conservation genetics, land management, land use and land cover

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.

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

July 16, 2020July 16, 2020 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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