All articles tagged with #habitat restoration
The Iberian lynx has made a remarkable recovery from the brink of extinction, with its population growing from 62 to 2000 individuals due to extensive conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and breeding programs. The species' status has been upgraded from endangered to vulnerable, though ongoing threats remain.
The return of sea otters to a tidal estuary near Monterey, California has helped curb erosion by preying on striped shore crabs that damage marsh grass pickleweed, which holds the dirt in place. The otters' voracious appetites have slowed erosion to natural levels, as shown by a new study analyzing historic erosion rates dating back to the 1930s. This research provides clear evidence of the sea otters' impact on ecosystem stability and their role in preserving marshland habitats.
The Catalina Island Conservancy in California is considering a controversial plan to shoot all the deer on Santa Catalina Island in order to save the native plants and restore the island's ecosystem. The introduction of deer for ranching, hunting, and filming purposes has led to the destruction of native flora, soil erosion, and the proliferation of flammable nonnative plants. The conservancy believes that eliminating the deer is the only way to protect the island's unique biodiversity, but the plan has faced opposition from residents and animal lovers who view it as inhumane.
The Catalina Island Conservancy, a nonprofit that owns 88 percent of Catalina Island, is proposing to shoot deer from helicopters in order to save the island's native plants and restore its habitat. The island's deer population, introduced for hunting and ranching purposes, has caused significant damage to the ecosystem, leading to soil erosion and the proliferation of flammable shrubs and grasses. While the conservancy believes this is the only viable solution, the plan has sparked outrage among residents and animal lovers who oppose the killing of deer. The conservancy is awaiting approval from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the project.
Humphrey Herington, owner of a nursery in Australia, discovered that the culprit eating his seedlings was a koala, a species not known for such behavior. Herington, who grows plants to restore koala habitats, named the koala Claude and moved him to a different location, but Claude returned a few days later. The incident highlights concerns about food shortages for koalas, prompting Herington to build a koala-proof fence around his nursery. The destroyed seedlings cost the nursery around $3,800, but Herington is more "impressed" than angry and hopes to address the underlying issue of food scarcity for koalas.