biodiversity

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More than 150,000 people called on Biden Administration to Fully Restore Endangered Species Act.

EarthJustice ( 2023, August 21).More than 150,000 people called on Biden Administration to Fully Restore Endangered Species Act. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://earthjustice.org/press/2023/more-than-150000-people-called-on-biden-administration-to-fully-restore-endangered-species-act

 

As of August 21st 2023, more than 150,000 people are calling upon the Biden Administration to restore the endangered species act. We are amidst the sixth major extinction phase, as being able to restore the endangered species is not a matter of a choice or even an option, rather it is a necessity. In order for our future generations to thrive in a healthy world, we must realize the truths and urgency of preventing extinction of certain animals within a biodiverse ecosystem as we are reminded that extinction is permanent. 

 

This ties to environmental science as the ecosystems affected by the mass extinction can be regarded as the science between the animals’ environments and the level of action we are taking in order to save them. Depending on the amount of effort that is given to help a specific ecosystem, we may either face extinction of some of the most well known species or we could learn to adapt and help build on restoring them. My reaction to this was that we need to take every precaution possible in order to help the ecosystems. I was also not aware of the severity of the instance we are facing as we are now in the 6th mass extinction. 

 

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The US has the second-highest number of endangered species. California, Florida, and Arizona lead the nation in threatened creatures.

Paradis, T ( 2023, June 5).The US has the second-highest number of endangered species. California, Florida, and Arizona lead the nation in threatened creatures. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.businessinsider.com/us-second-for-most-number-of-endangered-species-2023-6

This article on endangered species starts off by talking about how the United States of America is ranked second in regards to number of endangered species, as the top states being California first, Florida second, and Arizona third. The main threat seems to be the increase in annual production of crops other than timber. Although there are mainly bad issues within this topics, there are some positives as the global threat to birds has decreased 4.7%. It seems as if the information that is given can almost always be upsetting, however the benefit that comes out of it is that there becomes a sense of urgency to fix the issues. 

 

Those endangered species are a result of many environmental factors as mentioned before, the science behind it is the ability to track the positives and the negatives coming out of this situation. Behind the research shown, there is always a large amount of data being recorded about these specific factors, relating to the environments and their fitness depending on the situation. My reaction to this was that I was surprised how highly we are ranked for most endangered species, as well as how my home state: California, is leading the charge of most endangered species.

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The biodiversity crisis threatens southern ecosystems — and calls on us for solutions

Southern Environmental Law Center ( 2023, February 28).The biodiversity crisis threatens southern ecosystems — and calls on us for solutions. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.southernenvironment.org/news/the-biodiversity-crisis-threatens-southern-ecosystems-and-calls-on-us-for-solutions/

 

The protection of bio-diverse ecosystems is a huge factor in our success in protecting our planet, as it’s constantly addressed as a huge problem. With that in mind, we now begin to look for solutions to our problems, and more specifically in the south. Within the south, they have taken measures to ensure the safety of their endangered species, among the species there 99% of them have been saved due to a law signed in 1973. To ensure this help to continue, they have made note of climate change as well as southern wildlife. To continue to protect wildlife, they have taken vast measures, those including: protected habitats, advocate for imperiled species, support of climate wildlife decisions, and are in support of change that will help. 

This is once again related to environmental science since within the planet, more specifically in the south end of the U.S.A. we are facing a problem with dealing with endangered species in bio-diverse ecosystems. Environmental science can be found to be the study of our environments, this is a key example as we study why we face such issues with endangered species and how to deny the ability of them going extinct. My initial reaction to this information was the question of how we could further help the wildlife in these environments and if there is more that we could do to help if the procedures in place do not work to its full potential.

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US government is funding kills of endangered animals, activists say

Perkins, T ( 2023, August 31).US government is funding kills of endangered animals, activists say. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/31/government-agencies-accused-kill-endangered-animal

 

This article jumps right in as it shows how the US federal Government has been accused of protecting endangered species while also forming groups to kill those species, which can lead to their extinction. The people had begun to form petitions to stop the killings however, to their best efforts, it has yet to be done. The extinction is noted to not be an abstraction rather it is presented as clear to the public. In order for the idea of killings to stop to come into effect, we need to place a greater level of enforcement of the law of stopping the killings, leading to it having a greater impact. 

 

This is related to environmental science as it begins to describe the endangered species in these specific environments. The science behind it is the ability to record the deaths of these species and ways to protect them moving forward. My initial reaction was that this is horrible and something we need to put to an end almost immediately. Within the topic of environmental science, one key thing I have learned is the study of environments and how well they are able to survive in them. With that being said, if these animals can not survive with hunting and other environmental factors, we can do our part in attempting to eliminate what is causing these impacts. 

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Over One-third of Biodiversity in the United States is at Risk of Disappearing

NatureServe ( 2023, February 6). Over One-third of Biodiversity in the United States is at Risk of Disappearing. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.natureserve.org/news-releases/over-one-third-biodiversity-united-states-risk-disappearing

The article starts off by talking about how we are amidst a time period where mass amounts of species within an biodiversity ecosystem are becoming extinct. Within the report Biodiversity in focus, it is made clear that 34% of plants, 40% of animals are at risk of extinction, and that 41% of those ecosystems are at risk of collapsing. They then shift their focus to the fact that 2/5ths of the ocean are in trouble, as we need to begin to find the urgency to do what we 

can before there is no time left. Ecosystems to make note of when it comes to endangerment, the wetlands seem to be a high focal point for what is in danger. The main threats to biodiversity include the following: habitat degradation, invasive species, dams, as well as climate change are at fault for the severity of the problems faced by biodiversity. 

 

This is related to environmental science as this involves all types of ecosystems. The study of biodiversity is relevant to environmental science as you begin to measure the amount of different animals and how well they are able to thrive in that specific ecosystem. My reaction to this information about the health of our ecosystems was that we need to find ways to adapt to the changes that have been made in order for there to be a better outcome. With biodiversity in mind, if we are not able to learn how to conserve the animals there as well as find ways to maintain and boost them and their health, then we could see more animals go extinct. 

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The state of the largest coral reefs in the world.

Very famous and important coral reefs, such as The Great Barrier Reef, The Coral Triangle, Florida’s Coral Reef, The Hawaiian Reefs, and The Red Sea Coral Reef, are in great danger due to tourism and climate change, all caused by humans. Specifically to the Great Barrier Reef, overfishing and climate change are leaving it in danger. For the Coral Triangle, it is ocean acidification and cyanide fishing. For Florida and The Red Sea, its high temperatures and, Hawaii, the biggest cause is tourism.

 

This article is related to environmental science because it shows the danger that a vital part of the ecosystem faces. All of these popular reefs, and honestly many others too, are at a great risk of extinction and death for many reasons. The main cause of all coral reef danger is humans. The burning of fossil fuels, tourism, and different kinds of fishing. These coral reefs are all vital to the environment underwater, and without reefs, so many animals and other organisms will be at risk too. It is so much deeper than just a loss of some coral. I think that it is really sad to know that humans are the cause of almost all of the issues here. I know that we can make a change, but no one is really thinking about it or doing anything, so it makes me really sad. I think we need to collectively make a change together, in order to fix this.

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Reefs made from trees could help restore biodiversity, study finds.

Sunken trees are creating coral reefs that are able to help grow ocean biodiversity. Scientists are creating these artificial reefs created from trees. This is because climate change has caused a loss of half the existing coral reefs. After six months, it was found that these artificial reefs were a new home for algae and more than 15 sessile organisms. They also gave a home for fish- up to 3 times more than in areas without any reefs. Although this is a small start, it still is better than nothing.

 

This article is related to environmental science because these artificial reefs are a start to solving the problem of coral reefs dying off. Coral reefs are known to be home to a quarter of all ocean life- so half of the reefs dying since the 1950s, has affected ocean life and biodiversity vastly. If these reefs end up working out, all organisms underwater will be affected. Each species depends on one another to survive, so giving some of them a home helps keep things running. I think that this is a great start to a solution to the death of the reefs, as it is giving home to fish, bacteria, and algae. If people are not going to change their actions, such as the burning of fossil fuels, and high levels of tourism, then this is one of the ways we can move forward, so I think it is really important to pursue. 

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Pristine seas to document the coral reefs of niue-the “rock of polynesia,” An ocean protection success story.

In Alofi, Niue on July 5, 2023, National Geographic Pristine Seas, with the Governments of Niue and Tofia Niue, embarked on an underwater journey in the R/V Argo to explore the coral reefs and sea life down there. They did this to discover what needs to be done in order to expand the life of sealife, specifically coral reefs.They were able to make 236 dives, 11 deep-water camera deployments, survey more than 300 species of fish, 60 species of algae, and 121 species of coral. Through doing all of this, they are trying to protect the ocean’s biodiversity from different threats.

 

This article is related to environmental science because it is a good example of how different groups and humans are trying to solve the decreasing ocean biodiversity, and lengthen the lives of Coral Reefs. Alofi has one of the largest elevated coral atolls, and the oceans there are under protection of the Marine Spatial Management Plan. This is what more countries around the world should be doing, as there is a high increase of tourism, climate change, and just less ocean care in general. Ocean biodiversity and coral reef life is at risk, and in the area that is being explored by this group, ocean biodiversity is very high. I think that other countries need to follow in the footsteps of this one, as I think it will really make a difference. If we get enough coverage and protection plans, I think life under the sea has a better and longer chance. 

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Hawaii’s coral reefs are in peril. What researchers are doing to restore coral ecosystems and preserve biodiversity

Coral reefs in Hawaii are currently in danger, and dying quickly. This is happening due to the mass coral bleaching events that ruin the color, but most importantly climate change. The burning of fossil fuels creates a large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is then absorbed into the ocean. This is causing ocean acidification because it lowers the pH of the ocean. If the coral reefs die, so do those who depend on them. 

 

This article is related to environmental science because the coral reefs are not only being affected by carbon emissions, but also they are an important factor for survival for many of the sea life. The more burning of fossil fuels and increase of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the more the coral reefs are at risk. The ocean is one of the biggest absorbents of carbon dioxide, so if something does not change in the way fossil fuels are burned or in any way carbon is getting into the atmosphere, the coral reefs are headed for extinction. I think that this is incredibly sad to learn, because many people do not seem to think about all of the sea life being affected by fossil fuels. So many animals and other organisms live in these reefs, and have adapted to having them as a vital source, so knowing the path reefs could be on, is very sad. I think there needs to be a big change in order to save the coral reefs, and it needs to happen soon.  

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Coral reefs host millions of bacteria, revealing earth’s hidden biodiversity

Some researchers were able to discover that coral reefs across the Pacific Ocean host many more bacteria than previously thought. There are up to three million bacteria, revealing to researchers just how truly diverse Coral Reefs and the ocean truly are. In fact, in just a small fraction of the Pacific Ocean, scientists found more than 540,000 bacterial varieties living on just three types of organisms. This was ultimately found to be a relief, as these bacteria help parts of the coral reef and now scientists are able to keep this in mind with research and other experiments that have to do with ocean biodiversity.

 

This article is related to environmental science, because of the biodiversity that was revealed in the coral reefs. In order to have functioning ecosystems and environments, biodiversity is vital. Each one of the organisms that make up this biodiversity, comes together somehow to what the environment is and how it functions. Each one of these organisms is vital to its survival, so without biodiversity, the environment becomes weaker. I think that it is great that all of this bacteria was revealed, because with so much going on right now in nature- extinctions, natural disasters, etc- the thought of having biodiverse coral reefs is relieving. Coral Reefs are home to many different sea life, so I am happy that the little ecosystem and habitats down there are biodiverse with bacteria.