wetlands
Credit: Joshua J. Cotten/Unsplash
Osprey nests in Chesapeake Bay face new challenges
Ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay are facing breeding issues, possibly linked to a decline in their primary food source, Atlantic menhaden.
In short:
- Researchers found that ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay have a lower reproductive rate, with many nests failing to produce young, possibly due to a lack of Atlantic menhaden.
- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is studying the potential impact of commercial menhaden harvesting on osprey breeding and fish populations in the Chesapeake Bay.
- While some scientists suggest food scarcity is affecting ospreys, the overall population is not in immediate danger due to their long lifespan and ability to withstand temporary reproductive dips.
Key quote:
“A high proportion of failures after hatching and a larger proportion of one-chick broods is a clear sign of food stress.”
— Bryan Watts, director of the Center for Conservation Biology
Why this matters:
Ospreys rely on fish as their main food source, making them indicators of fish abundance. Their breeding success can signal changes in fish populations and ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and local fisheries.
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Newsletter
Credit: Timothy O. Roberts/Big Stock Photo
Mapping wetlands in Maui aims to protect sensitive areas
Maui County has nearly finished mapping wetlands to mitigate flooding, enhance wildlife habitat, and provide other environmental benefits.
In short:
- The mapping, nearly complete, spans Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, identifying 52,000 tracts of potential wetlands.
- Some homeowners oppose the map due to fears of property devaluation and increased regulations.
- The initiative stems from a 2022 ordinance aiming to prevent further loss of wetlands and increase resilience to climate change.
Key quote:
“What we did with our county ordinance is that we stipulated that it only had to meet two of the three requirements out of the recognition that there’s lots of wetlands that we have lost and just because a place is dry doesn’t mean it couldn’t be restored to a wetland.”
— Kelly King, former County Council member
Why this matters:
Wetlands are crucial for biodiversity, flood control, and carbon sequestration. Protecting and restoring them helps combat climate change and supports ecological balance.
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Credit: Elly Kelders/Unsplash
Texans turn to Europe to thwart methane gas terminals
In an innovative cross-continental alliance, Texas residents are partnering with Europeans to block the construction of environmentally harmful liquefied natural gas export terminals on their native wetlands.
In short:
- Texas residents are collaborating with European activists to discourage the construction of LNG terminals in South Texas that threaten local ecosystems and community health.
- These terminals would significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from 46 million cars annually.
- Activists aim to influence European energy policy by highlighting the social and environmental costs of importing fracked gas from the U.S.
Key quote:
"We’re going to try everything we can, and yell at any company, bank or investor who is involved."
— Bekah Hinojosa, co-founder of South Texas Environmental Justice Network
Why this matters:
While LNG terminals can create jobs and stimulate economic activity in the short term, some argue that the long-term benefits may not outweigh the potential costs and risks, particularly if the terminals contribute to environmental degradation or compromise public safety.
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Credit: Rebecca Humann/Pixabay
Debate intensifies over Superior's proposed gas plant
A proposed $700 million gas plant in Superior, Wisconsin, is causing division among locals, with some seeing it as a job creator and others worrying about environmental and cultural impacts.
In short:
- The Nemadji Trail Energy Center faces criticism for potential environmental damage and disregard for tribal lands.
- Recent city council decisions reflect growing opposition, questioning the project's alignment with community and environmental values.
- The project, still lacking several permits, also clashes with state and federal renewable energy goals.
Key quote:
“It provides extraordinary benefits as an undeveloped wetland. It is adjacent to a river and I generally believe, and I believe my opinion is shared by many members of the community, that waterfront — especially undeveloped waterfront — is best left undeveloped for public use.”
— Jim Paine, mayor of Superior
Why this matters:
Critics of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center raise concerns about potential harm to public health and the environment, including harmful emissions, noise pollution, and impacts on local property values. The project is expected to produce 2.7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, albeit with a reduction of about 964,000 tons per year by displacing coal plants. Locating NTEC near tribal lands and a historic Ojibwe burial ground adds to the complexity, with tribes fearing the disturbance of their ancestors' remains and environmental damage
As Pittsburgh touted its environmental progress in 2018, a massive petrochemical makeover was taking place in the surrounding region. Tribes and environmental groups argued against a future of pipelines and plastic production.
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Turning mud into marshland in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay's scientists are pioneering marshland restoration techniques to preserve critical habitats and protect against coastal erosion.
In short:
- San Francisco Bay is in dire need of over 545 million tonnes of dirt by 2100 to save its marshlands from rising sea levels.
- The US Army Corps of Engineers is testing a "shallow placement" method, allowing tides to distribute dredged sediment, aiming for a less invasive restoration.
- This project is crucial for endangered species like the Ridgway’s rail, and if successful, could redefine ecological restoration efforts in the area.
Why this matters:
Marshlands act as natural buffers, absorbing storm surges and high tides, thereby reducing the risk of flooding to coastal communities. By restoring these areas, the Bay Area enhances its natural defenses against the increasing threat of sea level rise and extreme weather events associated with climate change.
Related: In California, salt taints soil, threatening food security.
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Credit: Christian Ostrosky/Flickr
Argentina's wetlands under threat from new development projects
In Argentina's Paraná delta, known as "Earth's fourth lung," the push for luxury real estate threatens the region's diverse ecosystems and local communities, with private interests prioritizing spas and helipads over environmental and social health.
In short:
- The Paraná delta, a vital environmental and biological reservoir, faces severe threats from overdevelopment, including habitat destruction and pollution.
- Real estate developers are displacing local communities and altering the landscape with luxury homes and gated communities, impacting traditional livelihoods.
- Efforts to protect these wetlands are hampered by stalled legislation in Congress, reflecting a broader undervaluing of wetlands by society and political interests.
Key quote:
"We are the fourth lung of the world. Our delta gives oxygen to the planet, but today, they are damaging it terribly."
— Juan Carlos García, islander and descendant of the Indigenous Guaraní people
Why this matters:
The ongoing conflict in the Paraná delta serves as a microcosm of global environmental challenges, underscoring the need for sustainable development practices that consider health outcomes and preserve ecological integrity. We are reminded once again that in the battle for environmental conservation, "victories" are seldom permanent and forever subject to the politics of the moment.
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Opinion
Photo by Krystian Piątek on Unsplash
Margaret Renkl: What happens when we don’t drain the swamps
A Supreme Court decision last year made it much harder to protect wetlands in the United States.
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