Tag

Ecological Change

All articles tagged with #ecological change

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

Chum salmon's alarming migration signals dire consequences for humanity

Chum salmon, an anadromous species, are breeding in the Arctic due to unprecedented warming of the waters caused by climate change. The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, making it conducive for salmon to spawn in large numbers. While the increased salmon counts may provide food for other species, scientists are concerned about the overall ecological change, including melting ice and increased vegetation, which can lead to soil degradation and the release of planet-heating methane. Researchers are placing sensors in the Arctic to monitor water temperature and assess the impact of the expanding salmon presence.

via WION|

#arctic #chum-salmon #climate-change

environment2 years ago•3 min saved

"Rare Bamboo's Spectacular Bloom: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Event with Ecological Consequences"

A rare flowering event of a bamboo species in Japan, Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis, occurs once every 120 years, leading to the death of the plants and potential ecological changes. Researchers have discovered that the flowering culms do not produce viable seeds, indicating a lack of reliable sexual regeneration. This could result in the transformation of dense bamboo fields into grasslands, impacting the ecology and economy of the area. The loss of bamboo can also lead to soil erosion and changes in topography. Measures such as fertilizer applications and replanting can help protect the habitat during regeneration, but the aggressive management of the spreading bamboo may be necessary. Further research is needed to understand the limited seed production and the long-term viability of this bamboo species.

via Phys.org|

#bamboo-flowering #ecological-change #environment

science-and-environment2 years ago•3 min saved

Permafrost Meltdown: Unleashing Time-Traveling Pathogens

Scientists warn that ancient pathogens trapped in melting permafrost could escape and become dominant species, potentially causing the next pandemic and wiping out crucial microbes. Computer simulations showed that about three percent of virus-like pathogens released from the ice became dominant, posing risks to human health and ecological change. The melting permafrost has already revived ancient viruses, and while they are not considered a risk to humans, other viruses exposed by melting ice could be disastrous and lead to new pandemics. The release of even a small percentage of pathogens could have substantial consequences due to the sheer number of ancient microbes regularly released into modern communities.

via Daily Mail|

#ecological-change #microbes #pandemic