COVID-19: Bats are Not the Problem, The Wildlife Market Is
“The need for public education about bats, including their positive and negative impacts, is urgent and vital to their conservation.” (Zhao 2020)
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Environmental Science
As Oceans Change, HABs Invade
Global ocean temperatures are currently rising and have been for decades. Scientists are working to discover how this changing climate affects species around the world, from the very large to the very small. This includes phytoplankton, the microscopic marine algae that live in most bodies of water around the globe and produce half the world’s oxygen. But some of these species are toxic, and can cause harm to human and wildlife alike if they are able to grow out of control. Though a number of studies have been undertaken to try and understand more about these harmful algal blooms, much is still unknown about their growth. A group of scientists were interested in how changing ocean temperatures affected the geographic ranges of harmful algal blooms over time in order to better predict blooms in the future.
Read MoreCoral reefs are in hot water: Could upwelling save the day?
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?
Read MoreMislabeling Mayhem: Traces of Endangered Shark Species Found in Pet Food and Make-up
There’s power behind every purchase we make. Companies make and sell products based on consumer demand, and we as consumers have a right to know what we are putting our dollars behind. Recently, a study has identified trace levels of threatened shark species in various pet food and cosmetic brands. While this alone is troubling, what’s more concerning is that these products have failed to include shark products on the ingredient label.
Read MoreManatees Might Not Be Vegetarian, and Other Fun Facts about My Favorite Animal
Breaking News: the world’s most soothing swimmer MIGHT NOT BE WHAT IT SEEMS.
Read MoreA humble sponge in Indonesia may be creating cancer medicine
Collaborators in the United States and Indonesia knew that an Indo-Pacific sea dwelling sponge produced medicinally important chemicals – they now report that those products may also treat cancer.
Read MoreSeeking Common Ground…Using Earthworms
Nearly everyone on earth has seen an earthworm squirming on the sidewalk after a rainstorm but are we all seeing the same species? A group of researchers wants to understand the similarities in urban earthworm populations in cities around the world. If there are the same species on opposite sides of the ocean, what does this mean for biodiversity within the urban ecosystems many of us call home?
Read MoreInvader in red: the impacts of the red-eared slider turtle across the globe
I’ve always been a big fan of animals. I love visiting pet shops and looking at all the cool animals. However, movement of animals via the pet trade has resulted in the introduction of exotic wildlife to many ecosystems globally. A particularly widespread invader is the red-eared slider turtle. Read on to find out how these invaders in red have spread and whether policy has been effective in controlling them.
Read MoreSound the Alarm: Traffic noise increases predation threat to prairie dog colonies
Humans are noisy, especially in cities. Traffic noise may challenge the ability of prairie dogs to detect predators and warn other prairie dogs. Prairie dogs increase vigilance and flight response when our noise may mask the sounds of predators.
Read MoreWhat is Earth’s tree carrying capacity and how might it mitigate climate change?
Author: Samantha E Andres ARTICLE: Bastin, Jean-Francois, et al. “The global tree restoration potential.” Science 365.6448 (2019): 76-79. DOI: 10.1126/science.aax0848
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