wildlife
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: Acton Crawford/Unsplash
Western wildlife's epic journey highlights survival and challenge
Mule deer, pronghorn, and elk make complex and perilous migrations across Western landscapes, a journey crucial for their survival amid increasing human encroachments and environmental challenges.
In short:
- Infrastructure improvements like wildlife overpasses have significantly reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions in Wyoming, saving lives of both animals and humans.
- Despite facing obstacles such as roads, subdivisions, and industrial developments, migrating ungulates like deer 255 and 665 manage to travel hundreds of miles, maintaining healthy populations.
- Conservation efforts are underway, but they face resistance from lawmakers and landowners, hindering the protection of crucial migratory routes.
Key quote:
"I am significantly concerned about mule deer."
— Brian Nesvik, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Why this matters:
As urban sprawl continues to eat away at natural habitats, animals find their traditional migration routes obstructed by highways, cities, and farmland. This fragmentation of landscapes forces them into closer quarters with humans, leading to increased conflicts, road fatalities, and diminished genetic diversity as populations become isolated. Climate change compounds these issues, altering the availability of food, water, and suitable habitats.
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Newsletter
Credit: Jeremy Hynes/Unsplash
Biden boosts wildlife protection efforts previously dialed back
The Biden administration has reinstated protections for at-risk animals and plants, a pivot from previous policies.
In short:
- The administration's finalized rules enhance the Endangered Species Act, allowing for more robust protection of species threatened by climate change and other factors.
- The rules prohibit economic considerations from influencing decisions on species protection, addressing a key concern among environmentalists.
- Critics, particularly from industry and Republican ranks, argue that these protections could hamper economic activities and are gearing up for legal challenges.
Key quote:
"As species face new and daunting challenges, including climate change, degraded and fragmented habitat, invasive species, and wildlife disease, the Endangered Species Act is more important than ever to conserve and recover imperiled species now and for generations to come.”
— Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Why this matters:
The process of listing a species as endangered or threatened under the ESA involves scientific assessment of its status and threats. However, politics can significantly influence this process and the implementation of protections. Case in point: in 2018, lawmakers wanted the EPA to ignore impacts of pesticides on endangered species.
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Bats' crucial role in our food supply under threat
A new report highlights how bats, essential for the production of many popular foods and drinks, face increasing dangers.
In short:
- Bats contribute significantly to human food systems by pollinating crops like avocados and agave and controlling pests.
- The increasing demand for agave-based spirits like mezcal in the US is threatening the survival of agave plants and their bat pollinators.
- Conservation efforts, such as planting agave along bats' migratory paths and educating farmers about the benefits of bats, are crucial for their survival.
Key quote:
“It’s a big problem for agaves endemic to Mexico, and for the bats and all the biodiversity around the ecosystems where the agaves grow.”
— Diana Pinzón, forestry engineer who works with small-scale mezcal producers
Why this matters:
Bats, often misunderstood creatures of the night, play an indispensable role in ecosystems around the world as well as in agriculture. These nocturnal mammals serve as pollinators, pest controllers and seed dispersers, making them critical to the health of many environments.
Joe Roman argues that we need to change how we relate to wildlife, putting their health, and our own, before commercial interests.
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Newsletter
Credit: Jay Ruzesky/Unsplash
Arctic wildlife faces dire challenges amid record heat and ecosystem changes
The Arctic's rapid warming is causing significant shifts in ecosystems, posing severe threats to the region's wildlife.
In short:
- Arctic species are struggling to adapt to the dramatic changes in their habitats due to climate change.
- The loss of sea ice is affecting a wide range of species, from walruses to migratory birds.
- The rapid pace of these environmental changes is outstripping the ability of many species to adapt.
Key quote:
“Species can adapt over time, but they don’t have time, and ecosystems are really complicated. I’m not clear which species will prevail and where.”
— Joel Clement, Arctic climate and policy expert
Why this matters:
This situation in the Arctic is a reminder of the broader impacts of climate change on global biodiversity. It highlights the urgent need for effective climate action to mitigate these changes and protect vulnerable species.
Read: Shorebird egg theft is becoming a big problem in the Arctic. And climate change is behind it.
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Credit: Ondrej Machart/Unsplash
Australian wildlife adapts unusual cooling methods amid extreme heat
In response to rising temperatures, Australian native animals like kangaroos are adopting unique behaviors to stay cool.
In short:
- Kangaroos in Western Australia have been observed using saliva to cool down their bodies during heatwaves.
- Wildlife experts express concern over the impact of prolonged extreme temperatures on native species.
- Reptiles can better handle the heat, but mammals and birds face significant challenges during extended hot periods.
Key quote:
“Eventually, none of the behavioural or physiological tactics that animals have will protect them any longer and they'll start dying … it is a severe problem.”
— Bill Bateman, wildlife ecologist
Why this matters:
This adaptation by kangaroos underscores the need for conservation efforts and public awareness to help protect native species from the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves.
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Finding balance in solar power development and wildlife preservation
As the U.S. forges ahead with solar energy expansion, a complex challenge emerges: how to balance this growth with the protection of vital wildlife habitats.
In short:
- Solar energy expansion in the U.S. risks habitat loss for wildlife, with millions of acres potentially fenced off for solar panels.
- While some solar developments implement wildlife-friendly practices, such as permeable fences and wildlife corridors, these measures are often overlooked due to regulatory patchworks and lack of research.
- A case study in Arizona explores coexistence strategies, including tracking wildlife interaction with solar farms and designing installations to minimize habitat disruption.
Key quote:
"We’re faced with two truths: We have a climate change crisis, but we also have a biodiversity crisis,"
— Meaghan Gade, program manager at the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.
Why this matters:
As the U.S. accelerates toward renewable energy, balancing environmental preservation with sustainable development becomes crucial. This article highlights the intersection of two critical global challenges: combating climate change and protecting biodiversity, emphasizing the need for thoughtful, integrated solutions for a sustainable future.
Derrick J. Jackson: Solving the climate crisis will help both ‘sacrifice zones’ and ‘cute’ puffins.
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