New Threat to Birds Posed by Invasive Pythons in Florida

Limpkin eggs. (Credit: Don Hurlbert, Smithsonian)

Burmese pythons seem to be causing a lot of trouble lately for the Florida Everglades They are native to southern Asia, but they have made their way into the everglades. They were first recorded in 1979. People believe they either escaped, or were brought over as pets. These Burmese pythons have rapidly grown.Studies estimate there are tens of thousands of them. Previous studies have been conducted that shows the pythons out competing native species for habitats and resources. However, this most recent study shows that they are also eating native wildlife. Smithsonian scientists uncovered this new threat. The snakes have been known to eat over 25 species of birds in the everglades. However, until these finding they were never recorded to be eating actual bird eggs. Smithsonian institution is working with the national park to observe the digestive tracks of the pythons. The above picture compares a normal egg, to two eggs that have been eaten by the pythons. These findings pose a new challenge for the Everglades. The pythons are extremely hard to control.


Why is this a problem? This shows that the pythons do not sit and wait for prey. They take advantage of any opportunities and have the ability to go after any native species at any time they desire. According to Carla Dove, lead author of the study, the snakes could potentially affect the native birds breeding. Scientists collected a 14 pound male python to study its eating patterns. Shortly after it was caught, it regurgitated 10 eggs, which were later found out to be Limpkin eggs (shown above). It seems to be fascinating that the Burmese pythons eat eggs because their bodies do not seem to be quite adapted to it. Other species of snakes eat birds, but these snakes have blade-like extensions in their esophogas so they can easily crush the egg. Burmese pythons do not have these extensions. Carla Dove says they do not know how frequently pythons are consuming bird eggs, more research will need to be done.


Invasive species is a very prevalent topic in ecology. They pose as a huge threat to ecosystems. Especially in this case. This invasive species, the Burmese python, is dominating native species in many different aspects. They are taking over the land, the resources, and causing negative affects to breeding. They embody all the aspects of an invasive species. They have spread rapidly, and lack any real competition.I think it is interesting how dominant they have become. I believe the Florida Everglades are in a state of crisis. They cannot control the growing population of the pythons and new threats are frequently occurring. It is very dangerous the pythons are now eating eggs because this can potentially lead to extinction of native species.


Written by Antonia Edwards


Source : http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120405224845.htm

Why Are Alaska Polar Bears Losing Their Fur?

Polar bears in Alaska are suffering from fur loss and skin lesions. Nine out of thirty-three polar bears that were examined during routine field studies near Barrow (Alaska’s northernmost city) during late March/early April were found to have alopecia (fur loss) and other skin lesions. This combination of diseases is rare to find in that many bears in such a small period of time. During summer 2011, 60 seals were found dead (another 75 seals diseased) due to a mysterious illness. The polar bears typically prey on these seals. Similar symptoms that the seals and the polar bears that are affected both show are labored breathing and fatigue. Scientists are trying to figure out whether or not the disease that the seals had is related to these symptoms that the polar bears are showing. Until the study is concluded, the cause is still unknown.

This relates to this course because it demonstrates how an ecosystem works. The polar bear is the predator and the seals are the prey. It shows how animals depend on each other in order to survive and how diseases could get transferred from a prey to a predator.

 I think that this is part of life. But it is also horrible. I think that if the scientists figure out what is causing the disease in seals, they will also figure out what is causing the hair loss and skin lesions in the polar bears. I’m willing to bet that this is related to the grasshopper effect. Barrow is the most northern city in North America. Pollutants transported due to the grasshopper effect end up here. Exposure to pollutants that the seals are not used to are probably causing this disease in the seals that is being transferred to the polar bears. Ecosystems aren’t meant to be completely healthy, but when I see stories like this where a disease is causing a lot of health problems it shows how important it is that the general public is aware of local problems that could cause bigger problems in places very far away from them.

Source: http://news.discovery.com/earth/why-are-alaska-polar-bears-losing-their-fur-120410.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1

Imported Goods bring Invasive Species and Disease

According to Science Daily, the United States imports goods worth more than $500 billion dollars each year.  We import everything from food, to animals, to cars.  When we import things like food, like vegetables, fruits or meat, it comes from thousands of miles away.  Non-native plants and animals commonly find a way to make its way onto U.S. soil and become a problem.  These may come as an accident, possibly hidden on the boat that it came in on, or mixed in with a pile of food.  Sometimes animals are taken from foreign lands, and let free into the wild here, becoming invasive the species around it.  When a non-native species of plant or animal are introduced in the environment, it can possibly take over and dominate the native species or bring in disease that native species aren't used to.  One group ventured to say that 70% of the invasive species in the US came from imported plants.  Many of the plants travel all around the country, mainly to California and Florida where they may grow and thrive.
The authors go on to say that more strict standards need to be set at inspection stations to decrease the chance of bringing in more invasive species.  Importing specifically harmful plants should be banned or held more in check.  Plants or animals that bring disease into the country could hurt the native species and in turn could be hurting the people.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120409133928.htm

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is no doubt a breath taking wonder of nature. The Barrier reef is home to more than four hundred different types of coral and hundreds more fish and other wild life. This is all in jeopardy of dying out because the rising sea temperatures.

The rising sea temperatures are a direct effect of global warming. The increase in the burning of fossil fuels has resulted in the increase of Carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. How does the effect the Great Barrier Reef? About 25 percent of the world’s Carbon Dioxide molecules are absorbed by the ocean. The Great Barrier Reef is not invincible and this is becoming very clear. In the past decade the Great Barrier Reefs have experienced the two warmest temperatures 5 year periods in the history of the earth. The increasing sea temperature has started taking its toll on the fragile and highly specialized ecosystem. The reef which is the biggest coral reef in the world is starting to succumb to the rising temperatures. These rising temperatures have resulted in the bleaching of the coral which means the coral is dead. Another result of the rising temperature is the slowing of expansion of the reef. This is hazardous to the ecosystem because the lack of new organisms means the fewer organisms there is to absorb the Carbon dioxide. This is a problem because the coral all have the ability to absorb a certain level of CO2 but not a lot if the water becomes denser with CO2 than the coral die out and the ecosystem around the coral die as well because they are a major keystone species in this ecosystem. The dying off of the coral reef means the dying off of the species that rely on it as a means of their survival as well. This highly diversified community will continue to diminish if the sea temperatures continue to rise due to the burning of fossil fuels.

This is important for us to understand because in ecology we study how our actions affect the world we live in. This is a direct result of humans burning fossil fuels at a pace were the earth can’t maintain its balance. Our ecological footprint is too much for the earth to keep up with. The earth cannot replenish its resources fast enough to deal with the addition of Carbon Dioxide in to the atmosphere at the high levels we produce. In class we have learned ways to reduce our ecological footprint for scenarios just like this. This case only confirms that the material we learn in class is truly realistic tools and problems the earth faces every day because of humans and our manipulation of the environment for our convenience.

I believe that if this problem does not improve it will be too late to fix or reverse the damages   that we have caused to the Great Barrier Reef. In class I learned that this area is a big tourist attraction. This would hurt us in the place that hurts the most, our economy. I think that we need to protect this ecosystem for economic security. Not only does this hurt our wallets but it is a source of protection of erosion of Austria’s coast line as well. I believe that this increase in sea temperature is more serious than we think and we have to act now if we want to save this amazing ecosystem.

Sources:

"Great Barrier Reef Wild Life." BBC News. BBC. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/places/Great_Barrier_Reef>.

"Ocean Acidification Hits Great Barrier Reef: Scientific American." Science News, Articles and Information. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ocean-acidification-hits-great-barrier-reef>.

"Ocean Acidification Hits Great Barrier Reef: Scientific American." Science News, Articles and Information. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ocean-acidification-hits-great-barrier-reef>.

"Working Together Today for a Healthier Reef Tomorrow..." Impacts of Rising Sea Temperatures on the Reef. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/outlook-for-the-reef/climate-change/how-climate-change-can-affect-the-reef/rising-sea-temperatures>

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