Case Studies – envirobites

Conservation areas are vital to maintaining biodiversity, and as a result, it’s important to know which conversation areas humans are most likely to visit. Looking at publicly available social media data, researchers analyzed how many people posted on Twitter and Flickr in over 12,000 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) across the globe. Understanding how many people visit what areas is important for funding, and eco-tourism, but also to see which areas may have higher threats with so many visitors.

Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science

Can we increase agricultural production without threatening biodiversity?

June 3, 2019 Lindsay Green-Gavrielidis 0 Comments agriculture, biodiversity, Conservation, crop production, land management, land use

The world population is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. This increase in population will put pressure on agriculture to produce more food. Many studies have reported that land-use changes, such as cutting down forest to make new farmland, can lead to a loss in the number of species living in an area, known as the biodiversity. It is important to maintain biodiversity because it supports healthy ecosystems and ultimately a healthy planet. A recent analysis of previously published scientific articles suggests that when farming efforts are intensified, agricultural production increases but the number of species supported by the farm decrease. This means that increasing agricultural production comes at a cost.

Case Studies Cities Climate Human Exposure and Public Health

Science by Bicycle: A novel study of urban heat

May 29, 2019June 1, 2019 Andrew Trlica 0 Comments meteorology, urban climate, urban heat island, urban landscapes

A new study used a bicycle-mounted temperature sensor to measure heat extremes across urban Madison, WI — and investigate options for keeping cities cool.

Case Studies Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science

Islands and Alleles: How genetics can help protect endangered species

May 16, 2019May 17, 2019 Sarah Shainker 0 Comments Climate, Conservation, Ecology, ecology and society, ecosystems, environmental science, genetics, invasive species, islands

When talking about diversity in the natural world, we often think of the bright colors and bold patterns of fish gliding among a reef, or the variety of flying, creeping, and crawling critters found in the layers of a rainforest canopy. However, diversity even within a single species is an important indicator of a population’s health and stability. This type of diversity can be invisible to us when contained in the form of genes that control which traits organisms possess. In this study, scientists helped us to see the invisible diversity of an endangered skink and learn how to more effectively conserve this diversity.

Case Studies Climate Environmental Science Science through time

Spring flowers are arriving earlier

May 6, 2019 Lindsay Green-Gavrielidis 0 Comments Climate Change, phenology, spring flowering, Trees

In recent decades, trees and plants have begun to flower earlier in the spring. Many studies have shown that this advancement in timing is due to climate change, particularly increases in air temperature. However, these studies have generally been conducted in small areas. A recent study conducted across Europe reports that the timing of spring flowering and other events in 16 tree species has been advancing. More importantly, the timing of flowering trees in warmer and cooler regions of Europe is becoming more similar, which has wide spread ecological consequences.

Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science

Using Genetics to Inform Conservation: Spring-Run Chinook Salmon in the Klamath-Trinity River Basin

May 5, 2019May 20, 2019 Maddie Halloran 0 Comments California, Chinook, genetics, Restoration, salmon

The same species of Chinook salmon in the Klamath-Trinity basin return to the river each year in two groups: the fall-run and the spring-run. Spring-run Chinook in the Klamath River have drastically declined from historical levels, and are at much lower abundances than fall-run Chinook there. A key genetic difference between these two runs may determine how they are protected (and hopefully restored) under the Endangered Species Act. Read on to learn more!

Case Studies Environmental Science

The human-leopard conflict in India… who are the victims?

April 23, 2019April 24, 2019 Laura Schifman 0 Comments BSC4052, Conservation, human-leopard conflic, India, leopards

Conflicts between humans and leopards in India have increased in frequency over the past few decades, due to habitat fragmentation and a decrease in human tolerance towards wildlife. To assess the long-term effects of this conflict, researchers studied two distinct regions in India to track the opinions of local communities on leopards. The researchers compared local sentiment about leopards to records and found that local opinions are related to distance from leopard habitat and history of attacks: the region in which humans live in closest proximity to the leopards’ habitat (Pauri), has had many more attacks and people hold much more negative views towards leopards.

Case Studies Environmental Science Science through time

Global monitoring shows regulated atmospheric pollutants are not decreasing

April 19, 2019April 22, 2019 Lindsay Green-Gavrielidis 0 Comments air quality, chemical pollutants, man-made chemicals, public health

PFAS and VMS are man-made chemicals that have been used for decades in products that we all use on a daily basis, including personal care products, cookware, and food packing. However, there is growing evidence that these chemicals, which are widespread throughout the globe, can have negative impacts on living organisms and human health. A recent study compared concentrations of these chemicals in the atmosphere at sites across the world from 2009 to 2015. Their findings suggest that there has been a significant increase in PFAS in the atmosphere over this time period, while certain types of VMS chemicals also increased. Future monitoring efforts across the globe are necessary to determine the changes in these chemicals in the air we breathe.

Case Studies Environmental Science

Tiny Doctors: Cleaner Shrimp Heal Wounds and Aid in Sustainable Fish Production

April 8, 2019April 20, 2019 Laine Farber 0 Comments aquaculture, environmental science, fisheries, Sustainability

Throw out the antibiotics and bring in the shrimp! In a recent study, researchers at the Center for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture found cleaner shrimp to be an effective biologic control in preventing parasitic infestations in farm-raised fish.

Case Studies Climate Environmental Science

Frostbitten toads: Are cane toads adapting to the cold as they move northwards in Florida?

March 5, 2019March 5, 2019 Kevin Aviles Rodriguez 0 Comments Climate Change, Ecology, invasive species

How might animals respond to global climate change? A new study evaluates the northbound expansion of cane toads in Florida. Toads in northern Florida are tolerating freezing temperatures that are colder than they have previously been able to live in. Read on to find out how the cane toads tolerate freezing and what this teaches us about how other animals might respond to global climate change.

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