species migration
Credit: Simon Fraser University - Communications & Marketing/Flickr
Helping trees migrate north might be essential for their survival
As climate change pushes species northward, trees are struggling to keep up, and some ecologists suggest human intervention might be the only way to save them.
In short:
- As global temperatures rise, tree species face increasing threats from heat and drought, struggling to keep pace with climate shifts.
- Ecologists are exploring “assisted migration,” moving tree species to cooler regions, a controversial strategy due to the risks of introducing non-native species.
- Some argue that doing nothing could be more harmful, as entire ecosystems might collapse without intervention.
Key quote:
“There is also risk in inaction. We have to balance the risk of doing things against losing these species from the ecosystem.”
— Sarah Dalrymple, conservation ecologist, Liverpool John Moores University.
Why this matters:
Assisted migration is a controversial move. Some argue that it's meddling with nature, while others see it as a necessary intervention to preserve our ecosystems. As the climate crisis intensifies, the debate over how best to protect forests is only growing. Read more: Carolyn Ramírez on forest protection.
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Credit: jomme/Flickr
Puerto Rico’s frogs reveal the island’s environmental health
Puerto Rico’s frogs, especially the coquis, are providing vital insights into the health of the island’s ecosystems as scientists use bioacoustics to monitor environmental changes.
In short:
- Puerto Rico’s frogs, particularly the coqui species, are key indicators of ecosystem health, with their presence signaling a thriving environment.
- Scientists use bioacoustics to monitor frog calls, which helps track changes in climate and environmental conditions across the island.
- Research shows that many frog species are migrating to higher elevations due to rising temperatures, impacting the effectiveness of current wildlife reserves.
Key quote:
“Discerning whether 100 detected calls are from one bird in mating season or dozens of less active individuals remains challenging. Estimating population density through bioacoustics is still quite complex.”
— Ben Gottesman, K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at Cornell University
Why this matters:
Understanding frog populations and their movements can help scientists gauge the impact of climate change and guide conservation efforts, ensuring the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem health in Puerto Rico. Read more: The health of wildlife is inseparable from our own.
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Top Story
Credit: M.E. Sanseverino/Flickr
As tree species face decline, ‘assisted migration’ gains popularity in Pacific Northwest
As native trees in the Pacific Northwest die off due to climate changes, the U.S. Forest Service and others are turning to a strategy called “assisted migration.”
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