#Marine ecosytem

[environmentday]

How can tourism fix its plastic problem?

With tourism numbers almost back to pre-pandemic levels, the contribution the industry makes to global plastic pollution is also on the rise.

With eight of 10 tourists visits being to the coast they are significant contributors to the 8 million tonnes of plastic that enters the ocean each year.

This UNEP article explores the issue and what can be done to address the problem.

#tourism industry #plastic industry #plastic debris #beaches #Marine ecosytem #environmental polluants #environmental pollution #united nations environment programme

[alphynix]

Almost-Living Fossils Month #02 -- The Saber-Toothed “Herring”

First appearing in the mid-Cretaceous, about 113 million years ago, Enchodus was a small-to-medium-sized genus of predatory fish. Different species ranged from a few centimeters to up to 1.5m in length (4′11″), with Enchodus gladiolus here being an averaged-sized example at about 60cm long (2′).

The most distinctive feature of these fish were the enlarged fang-like teeth in both their upper and lower jaws, over 6cm (2.4″) long in the largest individuals, which may have been a specialization for feeding on soft-bodied cephalopods.

Despite having been nicknamed “saber-toothed herrings”, they weren’t actually closely related to herrings at all, instead being part of the aulopiformes -- a group also containing modern lizardfish, lancetfish, and a different type of sabertooth fish.

Fossils of various Enchodus species have been found all over the world, and they seem to have been very common and important members of ancient marine ecosytems, occupying mid-level carnivore niches and in turn being eaten by other predators. Their remains have been identified within the preserved stomach contents of marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs and mosasaurs, as well as sharks and hesperornithean birds.

These toothy fish survived through the end-Cretaceous mass extinction and continued their success for almost 30 million years into the Cenozoic, with the last known fossils dating to just 37 million years ago in the Late Eocene. They probably didn’t survive much longer beyond that date, since there was an extinction event at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary (~34 mya), a period of sudden cooling that affected many marine animals at the time.

#almost living fossils month #science illustration #paleontology #paleoart #palaeoblr #enchodus #enchodontidae #saber-toothed herring #aulopiformes #actinopterygii #fish #art

[thegrandimago]

Restoring natural landscapes damaged by human exploitation can be one of the most effective and cheapest ways to combat the climate crisis while also boosting dwindling wildlife populations, a scientific study finds.

If a third of the planet’s most degraded areas were restored, and protection was thrown around areas still in good condition, that would store carbon equating to half of all human caused greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution.

The changes would prevent about 70% of predicted species extinctions, according to the research, which is published in the journal Nature.

Scientists from Brazil, Australia and Europe identified scores of places around the world where such interventions would be most effective, from tropical forests to coastal wetlands and upland peat. Many of them were in developing countries, but there were hotspots on every continent.

“We were surprised by the magnitude of what we found – the huge difference that restoration can make,” said Bernardo Strassburg, of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, and the lead author of the study. “Most of the priority areas are concentrated in developing countries, which can be a challenge but also means they are often more cost-effective to restore.”

Only about 1% of the finance devoted to the global climate crisis goes to nature restoration, but the study found that such “nature-based solutions” were among the cheapest ways of absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the additional benefits being the protection of wildlife.

Restoring nature did not have to be at the expense of agriculture and food production, Strassburg said. “If restoration is not properly planned it could lead to a risk to agriculture and the food sector, but if done properly it can increase agricultural productivity. We can produce enough food for the world and restore 55% of our current farmland, with sustainable intensification of farming.”

The study also says that planting trees, the “nature-based solution” that has received most support to date, is not always an appropriate way of preserving biodiversity and storing carbon. Peatlands, wetlands and savannahs also provide habitats for a wealth of unique species, and can store vast amounts of carbon when well looked after. Strassburg said: “If you plant trees in areas where forests did not previously exist it will mitigate climate change but at the expense of biodiversity.”

Nathalie Pettorelli, a senior research fellow at the Zoological Society of London, who was not involved in the research, said: “This paper provides further scientific evidence that ecological restoration is a sensible and financially viable solution to address the global climate and biodiversity crises. How ecosystems will be restored is however as important as where and how much will be restored. Ensuring that the best science is used to make decisions about how to restore each local ecosystem will be key.”

Three-quarters of all vegetated land on the planet now bears a human imprint. But some scientists have a target of restoring 15% of ecosytems around the world.

Alexander Lees, senior lecturer in biodiversity at Manchester Metropolitan University, who was also not involved with the study, said: “[This] analysis indicates that we can take massive strides towards mitigating the loss of species and increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide by restoring just 15% of converted lands. The global community needs to commit to this pact to give back to nature post-haste – it’s the deal of the century, and like most good deals available for a limited time only.”

The study focused on land, but the oceans also offer vast benefits linked to biodiversity and opportunities for absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating climate change, said Richard Unsworth, senior lecturer in marine biology at Swansea University, and director of Project Seagrass, which restores vital marine habitats.

Unsworth said: “Marine habitat restoration is also vital for our planet and arguably more urgent given the rapid degradation and loss of marine ecosystems. We need restored ocean habitats such as seagrass and oysters to help promote biodiversity but also to help secure future food supply through fisheries, and lock up carbon from our atmosphere.”

#science #nature #biodiversity #conservation #environment #climate change #endangered species #habitat restoration #wildlife #carbon footprint #carbon offsets #carbon sequestration #carbon dioxide #greenhouse gases #global warming #climatology #climate crisis #rewilding #extinction #environmental solutions #environmental sustainability #environmental stewardship

[tropicbynatasha]

Did you know? Around 14,000 tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers into the ocean worldwide each year.* 🌊 Why is this bad? Because sunscreens often contain toxic chemical ingredients that pollute and threaten the ocean's ecosytem. Oxybenzone is one such ingredient commonly found in suncare products which has been linked to bleaching of coral, at least 10% of coral reefs across the globe are at risk of exposure to this!** 🌊 What can you do? Switch your chemical sunscreen for a mineral one: Our range of 100% mineral sunscreens offer broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and are free from toxic ingredients, which means they pose no threat to marine life 🌊 How can you tell if your sunscreen is chemical or mineral? Check the ingredients list on your sunscreen for: ❌ Oxybenzone ❌ Octinoxate ❌ 4-methylbenzylidene camphor ❌ Octocrylene Or DM us to ask us for advice. We're always happy to help! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx8OGluFX6U/?igshid=1pvji33h8mihc

[sciencespies]

New species extinction target proposed for global nature rescue plan

https://sciencespies.com/nature/new-species-extinction-target-proposed-for-global-nature-rescue-plan/

New species extinction target proposed for global nature rescue plan

The 10-year plan for conserving biodiversity adopted as part of the International Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) failed to reach its targets for 2020. A scientist from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) proposes therefore a prominent political target to give discussions of species conservation more vigor. Together with a group of experts from other research institutions, he proposes to limit species extinctions to 20 per year. This is reported in Science.

The 2-degree target of the Paris Agreement aims to make climate policy focus on the measures needed to stop climate change. But such a target does not exist for species conservation. “Humankind depends on biodiversity,” says Professor Mark Rounsevell, Head of the Land Use Change and Climate Research Group of the Atmospheric Environmental Research Division of KIT’s Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research. “Without the services provided by ecosystems, such as crop pollination by insects, we lack the fundamental basis of our life support system. Politics needs a clear target to conserve biological diversity in order to maintain the supply of ecosytem services.” In the opinion of Rounsevell and a group of other researchers, their demand to lower species extinctions to 20 per year over the next 100 years is easy to communicate and measure. The scientists would like to see this target included in the CBD that will be newly negotiated next year. The last 20 so-called Aichi biodiversity targets agreed upon by the CBD signatories covered worldwide protection of ecosystems and support of sustainability, among others.

The proposal of Rounsevell and other experts is based on existing studies of the stress limit of our planet. In addition to ocean acidification, air pollution, or freshwater consumption, loss of biodiversity is a major factor that might irrevocably endanger the stability of worldwide ecosystems. When exceeding a certain threshold value, researchers expect long-term negative impacts on the environment. To prevent these, species extinction should not exceed more than ten times the background (i.e. prehistorical) rates. “With presently about two million species described, this corresponds to about 20 extinct species per year,” Rounsevell says. “This includes all fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates as well as all ecosystem types, whether terrestrial, freshwater, or marine.” In the longer term (beyond 100 years) the ambition should be to return extinctions to background rates.

Necessary Measures Will Improve the Overall State

As the species extinction rate has increased continuously to date, far-reaching political measures would be required to reach the target of the biodiversity researchers. This would positively affect the overall state of ecosystems. The 2-degree target in climate protection works in a similar way. Although temperature is just one of several factors used to represent the complex climate system, the measures required to reach this target will improve climate protection in general. A reduced temperature increase will indirectly affect the rise of the sea level or the occurrence of weather extremes, such as storms or strong rainfall.

Potential action options proposed by Rounsevell and the group of researchers based on recommendations by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) include extension of nature protection areas, increased funding of species protection, further development of ecolabels, or strict prosecution of wildlife trade. As biodiversity varies greatly at the regional level, Rounsevell considers it important to adapt political measures to local and regional conditions. “Each country has to develop its own catalog of measures and to take responsibility for reaching the target,” the environmental researcher says. Success of the new approach to species protection should be monitored continuously. “To find out how the rate of species extinction will develop, large-scale monitoring projects will be required,” Rounsevell says. If the efforts to protect biodiversity are successful, then the the number of extinct species per year can be reduced to lower values later on.

Story Source:

Materials provided by Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

#Nature

#Nature

[fishingkayakbrisbane-blog]

A Beginners Guide To Bass Fishing

Fish is good for you and many people enjoy it, but from catching it to cooking it can take some work. You will sometimes struggle, but there are ways to overcome all obstacles in fishing. Read on for some valuable advice.

Whenever you are fishing out of a boat, try and keep the floor as dry as possible. Slips and falls can quickly put an end to the perfect fishing trip. It is even more dangerous when one considers the number of hooks and sharp objects around. Use a mop or dry cloth to dry the floor before heading out on the water, and dry the floor regularly throughout the day.

Pay attention to the weather forecast before you venture out fishing. Always make sure you check the weather, because you never want to find yourself out fishing unprepared. If it starts raining or gets very windy, you could get stuck out on your boat and not know how to get back to safety. To be safe, check the weather before going out, and better yet, bring a weather radio with you.

Never throw anything into the water, and this is especially true of old fishing line. While all litter will hurt the ecosytem, fishing line is especially detrimental. It can tangle up your fellow fisherman, but even worse is that it can tangle or kill the fish or even other wildlife like birds.

If you are practicing catch and release, then don't fight when reeling in fish. In many cases, the fight injures or exhausts the fish. Just cut the line if you can't reel a fish in so as to avoid killing it during the fight.

Anyone fishing would be wise to look at the weather report before embarking on a fishing trip. The weather has a great impact on the behavior of fish so make sure you are prepared for any situation that may arise. This will also allow you to dress appropriately for the day.

If you catch a large fish which turns around during the reel in time frame, let it go. Your line would be too short for pump and reel. Next time you should be more patient before pulling in the fish.

When you go fishing you should focus more on the actual experience of being out on the water and spending time with nature. You should never focus too hard on how many fish you will catch because that number is a variable and can change all the time regardless of your level of expertise.

When fishing, it is very important to keep noise to a minimum. Believe it or not, fish are extremely sensitive to noise. If you are sitting on the side of a lake or pond fishing, keep your voice level low and do not have a radio beside you blaring music or the ballgame. If you are fishing from a boat, refrain from banging around inside of your boat and from tossing your anchor noisily overboard.

Plan your fishing breaks for around noontime. Fish aren't likely to strike your bait at noon, and it's hot and uncomfortable on the open water. Take this time to enjoy your lunch, and then get back to your fishing when the sun is not so bright.

Once you have hooked a fish and it starts getting closer to your boat, drop your rod and reel. It should be at waist level. In case the fish swims under your boat, place the tip of your rod in the water and follow the fish. Watch the fish if you can and wait until it gets tired. When it is tired it will roll to its side.

Dress in layers. Many good fishing trips can last all day long, and even on shorter trips, the temperature can change drastically. By wearing many light layers of clothing, you will give yourself plenty of options. With some minor adjustments, you can make yourself comfortable, no matter what the current temperature is.

Take advantage of any natural currents you can find. You should follow any currents that are strong enough to be seen or felt. Placing a lure there and giving it a soft jerk at regular intervals will make it look more alluring to any passing fish. Fish are more likely to notice your lure.

If you are salt water fishing, make sure that your fishing line can handle a higher pound testing weight. The testing weight helps to determine the load that the line can handle. In salt water, your fish will be larger than they are in fresh water and therefore, a higher pound testing weight is necessary.

No matter where you fish, always leave your surroundings as clean as they were when you arrived. Never toss trash, fish hooks, used fishing line or any other waste in the water or on the shoreline. This not only demonstrates respect for your fellow anglers, but it protects the wildlife who inhabit the area.

Never throw fishing line into the water. Fishing line is not visible to the naked eye, and therefore it is easy for fish, turtles, birds, and other marine animals to get tangled in it. This can lead to injury, up to and including death. When you change out your line, always be careful to put it in a place where it will not get blown overboard by even the strongest of winds.

Stake out where the veteran people fish in your area and how they fish. While many will not directly give you the details of their favorite fishing locations, pay attention to fishermen returning to the same spot over and over, as well as variations in their casting, lures and bait. These veterans have learned how best to fish these locations, and they provide the best training you can get. Learn by example.

Fishing is fun and should never be frustrating, and with the advice you've learned here you should be ready to start enjoying your fishing trips again. There isn't anything wrong with wanting to be successful with fishing, so try to learn all you can to ensure that success.