Conservation – envirobites

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Biologists go the distance for the safe release of migratory birds

June 4, 2023June 4, 2023 Brandi Pessman 0 Comments birds, Conservation, flight, migration

Migrating birds have embarked on treacherous voyages for hundreds of thousands of years. Yet, habitat loss and climate change might be their biggest challenge. With many species on the brink of extinction, conservation programs aim to return and sustain wild populations of the world’s most vulnerable species. Captive breeding programs must select the fittest birds to survive such a perilous flight. Researchers find that sharper wing tips might improve survival during the first migration. There’s no time for winging it.

Animal behavior Ecosystems Environmental Science

Commuting to… pollinate? How bees are choosing fragmented sites to forage

May 25, 2023May 28, 2023 Lauren Otolski 0 Comments bees, Conservation, fragmentation, pollinators

Like social bees, solitary bees are important pollinators. How do they choose where to forage when their habitat is broken up?

A sparse forest, with smaller plants in the foreground and tall trees in the background. A fire burns in the trees, sending up smoke.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

After the Smoke Clears: How Fires Affect Wildlife Populations

June 7, 2022June 7, 2022 Lauren Otolski 0 Comments Conservation, wildfires, wildlife

Fires are an essential part of many ecosystems. How do they impact the animals which live there?

Environmental Science

Predicting Wildfire Hazards: How It Works and Why It Matters

June 7, 2022January 30, 2023 Julia Bebout 0 Comments Conservation, remote sensing, wildfires

By using remote sensing at the Haard forest in Germany, researchers have shown that predicting wildfire hazards could be practical for large forests all around the world.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

New genetic insights provide hope for the vaquita porpoise

May 15, 2022May 13, 2022 Brianne Palmer 0 Comments Conservation, endangered species, fishing, genetics, vaquita

Vaquita porpoises have long been considered one of the most endangered species in the world. They are small sea mammals

A school of fish swims through the ocean.

Animal behavior Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science

The Potential of Parasites

April 9, 2022April 9, 2022 Lauren Otolski 0 Comments Climate Change, Conservation, genetics, Parasites, population ecology

Although parasites have a negative reputation, they can be a valuable conservation tool. Their diversity means they can be used in many applications, and this range of known potential purposes will only increase with further exploration. This article explores how parasites have been used to better understand habitat fragmentation, invasive species movement, harvested species overexploitation, and even climate change!

Animal behavior Case Studies Ecosystems Environmental Science

For elk reintroduced in the Missouri Ozarks, love is in the air

February 13, 2022March 12, 2022 Sam Schurkamp 0 Comments biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology, endangered species, reintroduction

Habitat loss and overhunting decimated local elk populations in the 1800s. Now, researchers are finding new ways to return them to their native land.

Animal behavior Climate Ecosystems Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health Toxicology

The “Heartbreaking” Effect of Algal Blooms – Heart disease and the Southern Sea Otter

February 4, 2021September 12, 2022 Brianne Palmer 0 Comments Conservation, health, marine pollution, ocean health, Pollution, toxins

Our favorite hand-holding marine mammals, sea otters, are threatened by environmental toxins. Chemicals produced by algae blooms move up the food chain and cause a multitude of diseases in top predators. A new study documented how algae blooms cause heart disease in sea otters, what this means for our own seafood consumption, and proposes solutions to our pollution.

Environmental Science

The Issues of Using Militarization to Mitigate Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade

January 13, 2021September 16, 2022 Jessica Espinosa 0 Comments Conservation, endangered species, illegal trade, militarization, mitigation, poaching

Original Paper: Duffy, R., Massé, F., Smidt, E., Marijnen, E., Büscher, B., Verweijen, J., Ramutsindela, M., Simlai, T., Joanny, L.

Cities Climate Environmental Science

How to strike harmony between clean energy and nature-based tourism

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020 Jessica Wright 0 Comments Clean Energy, Conservation, ecotourism

Iceland is a beautiful country and my vacation there was one of my favorites! However, there is some tension in the country balancing clean energy development and maintaining the pristine natural areas that draw tourists annually. Authors of this paper explore how these two conflicting interests can work together and help to promote renewable energy production.

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