marine wildlife – envirobites

How Climate-driven Ocean Changes Affect Right Whale Populations

February 1, 2022January 28, 2022 Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments animal behavior, animal navigation, Behavior Ecology, behavioral ecology, behaviour ecology, climate adaptation, marine biology, marine conservation, marine life, marine science, marine species, marine wildlife, oceanography, Right whales, whales

It is no secret that the world is ever-shifting towards a warmer reality. With conditions changing greatly in the Gulf of Maine, researchers are now exploring how climate-driven changes have been affecting the North Atlantic right whale populations. Sadly, their findings have shone a light towards a worrisome reality – a reality where these whales might be driven into extinction.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

The after-party balloon effect: disastrous consequences of balloon releases

May 28, 2019September 18, 2022 Laura Schifman 7 Comments balloons, balloonsblow, marine wildlife, seabirds

The balloons we have all seen at birthday parties, fairs, weddings, and other festivities do not make a great after-party-guest. Coastal cleanups in over 150 countries over the past 25 years have recorded over 1.2 million balloons that have washed up on shores. Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global concern and seabirds are particularly vulnerable to this pollution which can mistake the floating trash for food. The shocking and worrisome prediction is that by 2050, 99% of all seabird species will ingest marine debris of some sort. How can we prevent this?