RenoVous

  Often called the "rainforests of the sea," coral reefs are just as important, supporting over 25% of marine life.  If an area of the Amazon turned white, we would be concerned. But scientists have been fighting for years to make us understand the global red flag of dying reefs. When they collapse, it's not just a loss of biodiversity, it's a loss of human food security and coastal safety. The  Allen Coral Atlas  is powered by Arizona State University, originally conceived by Paul Allen. Teams have mapped reefs across the globe, and continue to monitor for bleaching events.  All it takes is a 2 degree rise in water temperature for the corals to stress react by purging the algae that lives within it. The algae is what produces 90% of the coral's energy through photosynthesis.  Without the algae, the polyps turn clear, so all we see is the skeletal structure.  Without enough energy to eat, the coral will eventually die. Okay, so not fun-filled informati...

  International Day of Biodiversity! This encompasses the vast array of animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms as well as the complex ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is what supports our food, water, clean air, medicine, and protection from natural disasters. This year's theme is "Acting locally for a global impact," focusing on halting and reversing nature loss. But instead, we're getting data centers. There is good news: Six species saved by ecosystem restoration. UN

 The waters of Lake Natron in Tanzania have the ability to mummify animals that die within. Deposits of sodium carbonate - once used by Egyptians - flow into the lake from surrounding hills. This includes Ol Doinyo Lengai, which is the world's only active carbonatite volcano. The magma is rich in alkali elements, and those travel into the waters.  The lake has a pH as high as 10.5 But there is a thriving ecosystem of salt marshes, wetlands, tilapia, and algae.  Lesser flamingos nest here for breeding season.

  When we think about corals, we typically think of tropical waters, but they are actually incredibly diverse and researchers believe they just found a new species in the icy cold waters of the Arctic Ocean. The team from the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census were documenting the depths of the ocean.  On a ROV dive, they came across a field of crinoids, or sea lilies, and there they found the corals living on the stalks. "It really demonstrates coevolution in the deep sea," said Professor Alex Rogers, Principal Investigator at Ocean Census.

  Madagascar has been isolated from Africa and Asia for more than 80 million years - more than 90% of its species are endemic to the island.  But the wildlife is threatened, and the Malagasy people live below the poverty line.  It is currently being examined for conservation status and actions required to protect biodiversity, so I figured we'd get look at some inhabitants. Giraffe weevil Harlequin Mantella Malagasy civet Madagascar Owl Euphorbia iharanae Nepenthes madagascariensis We've seen relatives of these before: Baobabs The Malagasy people have long been distinguished between Highlander and Coastal groups, but there are multiple tribes within the subgroups. The Highlander populations are more Austronesian/Malay-Indonesian ancestry while the Coastal dwellers are more ethnically Bantu. The largest group is the Merina, there in the central plateau. It was their king Radama who fought against French colonization, but the monarchy was ultimately abolished in 1897. Scien...

  The Unrecognized Value of Grasslands They create and stabilize fertile soil as well as provide animal habitat, building materials and food. They store carbon and generate oxygen, but trees are often prioritized in climate change mitigation. Land use conversion threatens these natural pastures, although cultivated fields still dominate modern agriculture. In tropical climates, the grassland is called the savanna.  Short grass regions are called steppes while tall grass regions are called prairies. There are also submarine meadows. Grasses provide nitrogen necessary for animals to build proteins and other important body chemicals. The carnivores then get the nitrogen from those animals. Science

 On March 3, 1973 the UN took a stand to protect Endangered Species throughout the world.  Plant or animal (or fungi), all species are important to the biodiversity of this planet. The WWF would like us to consider, on this day, what we stand to lose if we don't conserve, what a world without nature would be... But I would rather focus on eight species making a comeback. Black-footed ferrets in the Northern Great Plains. Black rhinos in Namibia Greater one-horned rhino in India Humpback whales Mountain gorillas in Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo Snow leopards in Mongolia Swift foxes in Montana Tigers in Nepal WWF Protect the Arctic Refuge

 Under the ground, across the whole planet, is a network of fungal threads called mycelium. These connect different plants, and different species, across a forest floor. They will help plants locate water and will direct nutrients when needed.  Trees can warn one another about infestation so they can produce the chemicals that will protect them.  The plants interact and help one another survive.  It's even been suggested that plants and fungi can identify their spawn, and specifically supply nutrients to make sure they thrive through the network. "It holds the consciousness of nature's connection to all living things." It is much like our own consciousness, the neural networks in our brains that keep our bodies functioning and acting. It is also much like the internet, a superhighway of vital information, the web of life. Mycelium's vast structural network is responsible for creating top soil, decomposing plant debris, and providing nutrients to the plants and t...

  Tropical rainforests cover only 2% of the earth's surface, but they provide habitat and food for nearly half of all living species.  Each year, we lose 78 million hectares through deforestation and climate change.  News reports are indicating we could very well see the Amazon die in our lifetime. The Rainforest Partnership launched in 2007 to help protect the rainforests.  They work with Indigenous Peoples to restore, regenerate, and preserve the lands.  In 2017, they created this day to increase awareness and positive action. We can all support sustainable production and make eco-friendly choices in our everyday lives.  We can donate for tree planting and we can help our local wildlife to sustain global biodiversity. Days of the Year Rainforest Partnership Rainforest Rescue It all starts with appreciating our home, its plants and its animals.

Last week we looked at the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia - this week we're heading inland to Lake Baikal, a massive ancient lake in Siberia along the Mongolian border. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, it is considered the deepest lake in the world and is the largest freshwater lake by volume, containing more water than the North American Great Lakes combined. The lake is covered by a thick layer of ice for several months of the year.  Spring doesn't really hit until May, and the thaw drains through a single river - the Angara. Baikal seals are the only exclusively freshwater species, although they are related to the Arctic ringed seal. Known by the indigenous peoples as nerpa, the seals have been depicted in rock art panels and bones have been found at habitation sites as well as human cemeteries. Many of the species in the lake are endemic, such as the omul fish, which is the most important to the local fisheries.   Many...

Located deep in the rainforest of Honduras, a team of researchers went to explore ancient ruins in what is also known as 'The White City."  They found wildlife thought to be extinct, as well as species new to science. The researchers documented only the third sighting of the Tiny Hawk ( Accipiter superciliosus). The researchers also documented a Pale-faced Bat ( Phylloderma stenops)  which hasn't been reported for over 75 years. They "rediscovered" the False Tree Coral Snake, which hasn't been seen since 1965. They also rediscovered the Tiger Beetle, thought to be extinct. And they found an unfamiliar fish, known as a molly. The study also found the area to be a sort of refuge for vulnerable prey - deer, tapir, and pigs.  With all of their findings, the area is being treated as a conservation priority. Their report can be read in full here:  https://www.conservation.org/stories/biological-treasures-of-the-lost-...