Saving Habitat Key to Songbird's Survival. By: Reuben Negron

                                                     (Photo Credit to University of Cincinnati) 
As we all know, many species throughout the world are becoming extinct and endangered as I type this very blog. One species in particular is the Golden-winged Warbler. Once a abundant and harmonious creature, it now struggles to even make its beautiful and harmonious songs heard throughout the world. One important thing to know about this bird is that back about 50 years ago it was on an enormous upswing in regards to population, but since 1966 these birds have been subject to dramatic declines in population and are still unprotected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is completely mind boggling how such a beautiful creature can remain unprotected when the numbers clearly show how much they are truly being affected by us humans. A lot of care should be being taken to ensure the safety of these birds, but currently isn't.

One person who has been studying these Golden-winged Warblers for over 25 years now and is more concerned than ever is a man named Ronald Canterbury. These birds songs were once heard from the Southern Appalachians through several places including Southern Canada. Now the majority of these birds can only be scarcely found in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario. Canterbury is very worried about these birds and says, "If you go to the watch lists, like Audubon or American Bird Conservancy, the Golden-winged Warbler is going to be in the top 5 and sometimes even the No. 1 bird of critical concern in its breeding range." This quote shows how much danger these birds are actually in and how much concern should actually be taken regarding these birds. 

These birds are currently facing two major threats and the most important and obvious being humans. We are mining most of their habitat, in order to level out mountains for easier access to coal. This process is basically moving the warblers out of their habitat where they are able to thrive and causing major population drops. The second major threats to these warblers are their sister species, the Blue-winged Warbler. The major difference between these two birds is that the Blue-winged Warblers are able to thrive in lower elevation habitats and spreading to mountainsides and competing with the Golden-wing Warblers. The only way to save these birds essentially is figure out how many are left and preserve them by any means necessary, because they are such a beautiful creature and deserve at least a fighting chance to survive. 

This topic is quite relevant to our Ecology class because it deals with species competition with one another and how much humans are truly affecting species with their behavior. We must come together as people and see how much of an effect we are not only having on the environment, but the people who live in it as well. Something must be done, sooner rather than later in order to save not only the Golden-winged Warblers, but other species alike. This article was truly eye opening for me and made me realize just how much of an effect humans are having on animals who are basically endangered and how we must make major leas forward protecting the species, which live on earth.

Sources: University of Cincinnati. "Saving habitat key to songbird's survival." ScienceDaily, 26 Mar. 2012. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326113107.htm
Photo: Same website as above, Photo Credit to University of Cincinnati. 

Solution to Global Overfishing By Mark Davin

In recent years there has been a decline in the number of fisheries around the world. The decline in fisheries can be attributed to overfishing to meet the needs of our growing population. A recent study done by the Wildlife Conservation Society has determined that co-management is the key to protecting fisheries around the world. Co-management is an effort of governments, local communities, and conservation organizations to work together to stop overfishing. The study has concluded that co-management has been very successful not only to protect fisheries but to also continue to meet the needs of people around the world. One of the scientists who took part in the study, Dr. Josh Cinner, later went on to say "we found clear evidence of people's ability to overcome the "tragedy of the commons" by making and enforcing their own rules for managing fisheries." The conclusion is that with guidance from organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society, people can manage fisheries with their own rules and not over fish. After surveying fisherman more than half agreed that co-management is successful in maintaining fisheries and improving peoples lives. The researchers also compared co-managed coral reefs against not co-managed coral reefs. The findings showed that co-managed coral reefs were half as likely to be overfished which helps maintain ecosystems.

This topic relates to the course because we have disussed overfishing, tradgedy of the commons and about the importance of maintaning ecosystems. My personal opinion on this topic is that we must make a strong effort to stop overfishing. I believe that co-mamagement is an important step in doing so. It is not easy for everyone around the world to stop overfishing but by working together fisheries and ecosystems can both be resored. If overfishing does not decline than more fisheries will dissappear and entire ecosystems will be destroyed.

Source: Wildlife Conservation Society. "One solution to global overfishing found." ScienceDaily, 19 Mar. 2012. Web. 26 Mar. 2012

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120319163807.htm

Image:

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=505&tbm=isch&tbnid=OjJZfYMl5x0GdM:&imgrefurl=http://www.oceanleadership.org/2011/bipartisan-group-of-senators-announce-formation-of-oceans-caucus/&docid=QCOTuSLzLznfUM&imgurl=http://www.oceanleadership.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/nwhi_-_french_frigate_shoals_reef_-_many_fish.jpg&w=3000&h=2001&ei=V_9wT9nNL4rC2wXrjvmCDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=794&vpy=184&dur=22386&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=68&ty=100&sig=105108756972097580874&page=1&tbnh=148&tbnw=197&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0

Warming Antarctica Brings Changes to Penguins Breeding Cycles

By Kaitlyn Buscone

Warming in the Western Antarctica Peninsula
(Image 1)

Adelie and Chinstrap Penguins
(Image 2)

Antarctica is the home to many different species of penguins. Recent climate changes though are threatening the breeding cycles of three of these dominant penguin species, the Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins. Every year these three species migrate to the West Antarctic Peninsula to breed. However, because of global warming, the peninsula is disappearing and the warmer temperatures are causing the penguins to have to migrate and begin the breeding cycle much earlier than ever before. The climate change is having a significant impact on both the chinstrap and the Adelie penguins, who need the icy waters and seem to be unable to adapt to their warming surroundings.  Their populations are declining in numbers. In contrast to this, the gentoo penguin’s numbers are actually increasing because they prefer areas with less sea ice and adapt much more easily to the changes taking place around them. The gentoo’s are showing up to breeding grounds much earlier than the other two species and taking over the nesting areas before the others arrive.  This issue of directly relates to our course because it is yet another example of how global warming is causing significant climate issues which are affecting the environments of many species. In this case, the decline in the chinstrap and Adelie populations is leading to an imbalance in the variation of species in Antarctica especially because the gentoo population is actually rising as a result of this warming.  When there is an imbalance of species in any ecosystem this leads to problems such as collapsing food webs. I believe that this issue is a serious issue because although it would be difficult to reverse the damage that has already been done to Antarctica and the penguin populations, humans need to prevent any further damage to the environment by doing everything in our power to stop global warming.  If global warming does not slow down, many parts of Antarctica and all of the life there is in serious danger of becoming wiped out.

Souce: Stony Brook University (2012, March 21). Warming Antarctic brings changes to penguin breeding cycles. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 26, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2012/03/120321123758.htm      
Image 1: http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20090121/305938main_Antarctica_temps.jpg
Image 2: http://simpleclimate.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/copa-adelie-colony-icebergs.jpg

Overfishing in the Mediterranean

By Sarah Daily

http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/44102     

    

          For centuries now the Mediterranean Sea has played a major role in trade and commerce throughout the world. However because of this constant exploitation, the resources and ecosystems in the sea have been wiped out. An international study was conducted involving hundreds of dives throughout the Mediterranean over a span of three years. Researchers found that the ecosystems in well-enforced marine reserves were the healthiest. Once this was discovered, the scientists studied the vegetation and animal life in ecosystems of heavy protection and no protection. They found that the fish and animals were able to recover quicker than the plants and vegetation. A head scientist of this international study, Enrich Sala, stated "the protections of the marine ecosystems is a necessity as well as a business in which everyone wins." Calling this system a "business" is directly related to the possible income of potential marine reserves as well as the creation of jobs and tourism revenue. He announced that in Spain's Medes Marine Reserve, which is contained to one square kilometer, that a revenue of 10 million euros is generated. This number is twenty times the amount that would be generated through fishing. 

           Overfishing throughout all of the world has been detrimental to ecosystems for centuries. Although there are still cases, the restrictions being placed on fishing is saving the marine life. If one animal becomes extinct in an ecosystem, the entire marine life in that ecosystem is effected. Because of this, the overfishing needs to be put to an end. Of course, this takes a world wide initiative, which could be incredibly difficult. This article makes an intriguing point to those who think that by fishing these oceans, the Mediterranean in particular, they are gaining as much revenue as possible. However the lead scientist in this experiment showed how that is not the case, where there is more possibility for income by maintaining the marine reserves.       

Gabel, David. "Overfishing the Mediterranean." Environmental News Network. PLoS One; 8  Mar. 2012; Web; 18 Mar. 2012. 

The Endangerment of Cross-River Gorillas by Maureen Shetler

An endangered species is a population that is threatened by the environment because of changes, and is at risk of becoming extinct.  Many nations are creating laws to protect these species and the habitats in which they live, but only a few of the endangered species are able to obtain legal protection.  Laws to prevent hunting and deforestation are among the legislation being passed.  Within the last one hundred fifty years, the rate of extinction has greatly increased.

Cross River gorillas, only found between Nigeria and Cameroon, are one on the worlds most endangered species according to the IUCN Primate Specialist Group.  Roughly three hundred Cross River gorillas are still in the wild. The main cause of their decrease in numbers is the large amount of hunting and deforestation within their habitat.  A large population of humans surrounds them.  Conservationists are working to protect the gorillas through the Takamanda National Park.  The gorillas now have a better habitat to live in, and there are over fifty percent more gorillas.  The population is growing back after so many years. 

This is related to ecology because these species are a part of our biosphere.  We have a responsibility to take care of the world around us.  Entire ecosystems will be destroyed if preventative steps are not taken.  Entire ecosystems will become unstable, and food webs will be completely devastated.  The gorillas are just one of several species who face the dangers of extinction.

It is important that humans are more aware of what is going on in the world around them, and that these laws are observed and followed.  Entire ecosystems could be destroyed, and biodiversity will decrease if people do not know how to take preventative steps.  More laws should be created to cease the hunting of endangered species, and more research should be done in order to legally protect all of the endangered species.  The Cross River gorillas were lucky in that they were put in a more suitable habitat, millions more however, will continue to suffer.  

Sources:

Endangered Species. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2012, from Science Daily website:

             http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/e/endangered_species.htm

Haluzan, N. (2012, February 2). Endangered animals – Cross River Gorilla. Retrieved

            February 21, 2012, from Ecological Problems website: 

http://ecological-problems.blogspot.com/2012/02/endangered-animals-cross-river-gorilla.html

Photo Credit:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/photography/Gorilla%20Album/WWFImgFullitem4340.jpg

Solar Energy? Wind Energy? Seaweed Energy! Seaweed is seen as only an annoyance when people are trying to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. Its slimey and smelly and only ruins beautiful beach days. Despite all this, recent research has looked into using microalgae (seaweed) as a source for fuel. Researchers from Tel Aviv University are performing a study to find new ways to harvest and produce seaweed. Seaweed can be produced more rapidly than any land crop and there would be no valuable land wasted. The seaweed can be produced along coastlines. Although some many malicious side affects occur from an explosion of biomass on land, the researchers think that the biomass in a marine environment would actually solve existing environmental problems. While solving some problems, the use of seaweed for energy would reduce ecological footprints across the globe, therefore increasing the amount of nonrenewable energy sources. Also, there would be no degradation of natural ecosystems as seen with deforestation. This topic actually plays a role in my everyday life at home. I live right near the ocean on the south shore of Long Island. There is a water treatment plant that has been dumping sewage into the back bays of Long Island. The sewage creates massive algal blooms in the spring once the water is warm enough to support plant life. Right near my house, the seaweed amasses all spring and summer and does not move. At the end of the summer, there is a massive area of all seaweed about five feet deep. Because it sits there for so long, it begins to produce harmful toxins that are transmitted through the air. My whole town smells horrible with the correct wind, getting to the point that going outside is almost unbearable. The Army Corps of Engineers dredged Jones Inlet about four years ago hoping that it would help with the seaweed problem, although it only made it worse. They came back about eighteen months ago and have temporarily solved the problem-(we will see how well they did in only a couple weeks though). -Mike Gallagher

Just to the right and above the “Ball Park” is where the seaweed gets trapped. You can see how the area is almost shelled out and keeps the seaweed in. http://hugrealestate.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/Point_Lookout_Picture.jpg Source: American Friends of Tel Aviv University. "Is Seaweed the Future of Biofuel?." ScienceDaily, 5 Mar. 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.