Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the concept of sustainable fishing and proposes 11 “golden rules” that challenge the current flawed approach in fisheries management.&nbsp;



The report, released shortly before <a href="https://www.oceanweek.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brussels’ Ocean Week</a> and ahead of the <a href="https://ocean-climate.org/en/unoc2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN Ocean Conference</a> in Nice, aims to halt the ongoing destruction of the oceans caused by fishing and ensure the restoration of abundant fish populations to sustain future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guiding-principles-of-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">Guiding principles of sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The rules are introduced at a time when scientists have dramatically downgraded their assessment of the ocean's health. The guiding principles underlying the rules aim to revolutionize the way we manage the ocean's exploitation.



According to the first guiding principle, fishing must minimize impacts on marine species and habitats, adapt to climate change, and promote the regeneration of depleted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>.



In addition, fishing must support the health, well-being, and resilience of communities, particularly the most vulnerable, rather than merely benefit corporations that funnel profits to owners and shareholders while others bear the costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-vision-of-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">A new vision of sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers hope their work will serve as the foundation for a complete reform of the current mismanagement of the Earth's largest common resource - the ocean.



The scientists call on policymakers, retailers, fishers, and industry leaders to embrace this new vision and commit to implementing these reforms.



Today, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-fishing-gets-a-boost-from-genomics-roadmap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing</a> is widely recognized as the leading cause of ocean destruction. The authors of the report decided to collaborate after reaching a consensus that the current definition of “sustainable fishing” is dangerously outdated and contributes to the depletion of marine species, destruction of natural habitats and carbon sinks, and the decline of artisanal fishing communities worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdated-concept-of-sustainability-nbsp">Outdated concept of sustainability&nbsp;</h2>



“The current concept of ‘sustainable fishing,’ adopted by governments and private actors since the post-war period is scientifically obsolete,” said lead author Callum Roberts, a professor at the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> and chief scientist at the <a href="https://convexseascapesurvey.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Convex Seascape Survey</a>.&nbsp;



“It relies on a simplistic, productivist theory which assumes that as long as global catch volumes remain below a set limit, anyone can fish just about anything, anywhere, with any method.”



“Can we truly claim that all fishing gear is environmentally and socially equal? We currently label fisheries as sustainable without considering their impact on marine ecosystems or human factors, such as crew safety and rights,” added Jennifer Jacquet, a professor at the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Miami</a>.



The scientists denounce the outdated approach to sustainability, which fails to address key environmental, human, and developmental factors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressing-issues-like-biodiversity-loss-nbsp">Pressing issues like biodiversity loss&nbsp;</h2>



Despite widespread acceptance by industry and consumers, current sustainability standards overlook pressing issues like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> loss and climate change, while supporting high-capital industrial practices that primarily benefit the Global North.&nbsp;



These practices harm ecosystems, threaten artisanal fishing and food security, and jeopardize jobs, while undermining humans' universal right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimizing-environmental-harm">Minimizing environmental harm</h2>



The scientists reached another consensus: fisheries must be managed in a way that minimizes environmental harm while maximizing social benefits, particularly in the context of a rapidly warming planet and growing global hunger.



To address these challenges, a group of leading ocean researchers has developed a visionary approach to ocean exploitation.&nbsp;



This comprehensive, interdisciplinary definition of “fisheries sustainability” incorporates insights from biology, oceanography, social sciences, and economics.



The proposed rules provide a foundation for economic stakeholders and political leaders to transition to a sustainable fishing model that is viable for the long term.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">Rethinking sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The framework envisions a future where fishing ensures abundant fish stocks for humanity’s long-term needs.



“Our work advocates for fisheries that preserve ocean ecosystems’ vital functions, mitigate climate change, guarantee food security and respect human rights,” said Daniel Pauly, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>.



This innovative approach recognizes the ecological, social, and ethical roles of fishing, proposing a systemic and sustainable model that involves market players, policymakers, and legal frameworks.&nbsp;



Roberts emphasized the need for a shift in perspective: “We must view fishing as a privilege rather than a right. Marine life is a public good that should both benefit society and nature, not be the object of a resource race driven by private gains.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ambitious-yet-realistic-proposals-nbsp">Ambitious yet realistic proposals&nbsp;</h2>



The proposals outlined in the report are ambitious yet realistic, with many actions rooted in proven successful practices.



The scientists urge policymakers, retailers, and fisheries managers to acknowledge the failures of current fishing practices and prioritize adopting the proposed golden rules.&nbsp;



Supermarkets, which are responsible for nearly two-thirds of European seafood sales, play a pivotal role in driving this transition. They can influence fishing practices through their sourcing policies, scrutinize “sustainability” labels, and respond to growing consumer concerns about the hidden impacts of their food.



“We are witnessing a growing disconnect between the widespread availability of supposedly sustainable fish products, the collapse of ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-ecosystems-survive-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> and the frequency of reported human rights’ abuses. Supermarkets must stop misleading consumers,” said Pauline Bricault, markets campaign manager at <a href="https://www.bloomassociation.org/en/about-us/the-team-at-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BLOOM</a>.



“Both the IPCC and IPBES have set 2030 as a deadline for critical changes. Industry stakeholders have no more excuses, they must act now.”



The call to action is urgent, with 2030 looming as a critical deadline for implementing necessary changes to avert further damage to ocean ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for global fisheries.



The report, titled “Rethinking sustainability of marine fisheries for a fast-changing planet,” was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44183-024-00078-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Ocean Sustainability</a>.&nbsp;



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‘Sustainable fishing’ must be redefined to halt ocean destruction

Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the concept of sustainable fishing and proposes 11 “golden rules” that challenge the current flawed approach in fisheries management.&nbsp; The report, released shortly before Brussels’ Ocean Week and ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, aims to halt the ongoing destruction of the oceans caused by fishing and ensure the restoration of abundant fish populations to sustain future generations. Guiding principles of sustainable fishing&nbsp; The rules are introduced at a time when scientists have dramatically downgraded their...

In a new study led by <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers University</a>, researchers have discovered that coastal fisheries are surprisingly resilient to marine heat waves. The experts report that prolonged periods of warm <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-hit-a-record-high-this-week-with-the-worst-heat-still-to-come/">ocean temperatures</a> have not had a lasting effect on the fish communities that feed most of the world.



Study lead author Alexa Fredston conducted the research as a postdoctoral associate in the Global Change Research Group, part of the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources in the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS).



“There is an emerging sense that the oceans do have some resilience, and while they are changing in response to climate change, we don’t see evidence that marine heat waves are wiping out fisheries,” said Fredston.



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers analyzed the impacts of 248 marine heat waves on commercially important fish such as flounder and rockfish.&nbsp;



They used data from long-running trawl surveys of continental shelf ecosystems in North America and Europe between 1993 and 2019.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The study showed that, in general, the marine heat waves did not have destructive effects on regional fish communities.&nbsp;



In some cases, the team found that prolonged periods of heat were linked to declines in biomass, which refers to the total quantity of fish in a given area.



<h2 id="h-natural-variability">Natural variability&nbsp;</h2>



Overall, however, the effects of marine heat waves are not distinguishable from the natural variability in these ecosystems, said the researchers.



“The oceans are highly variable, and fish populations vary quite a lot,” said Fredston, who is now an assistant professor of ocean sciences at University of California, Santa Cruz. “Marine heat waves can drive local change, but there have been hundreds of marine heat waves with no lasting impacts.”



<h2 id="h-fish-species-distribution">Fish species distribution&nbsp;</h2>



In addition to looking at biomass, the researchers examined whether marine heat waves have altered the species found in various fish communities. This transition may include the loss of cold water fish and an increase in fish that are associated with warmer temperatures.



In a process ķnown as tropicalization, heat-seeking fish can expand their habitats into temperate waters as the oceans warm.&nbsp;



The results showed that marine heatwaves were not consistently associated with tropicalization or the loss of cold-affiliated species in these ecosystems.



<h2 id="h-resilient-fisheries">Resilient fisheries</h2>



The findings suggest that fish seek refuge by moving to areas with cooler water during marine heat waves, which the researchers defined as periods of more than five days with extreme sea bottom temperatures for that region and season.



On the other hand, the experts identified examples of marine heat waves that did have profound impacts on fish communities. The 2014-2016 marine heat wave in the Northeast Pacific known as “the Blob” is one of the largest on record.



The experts report that while The Blob led to a 22 percent loss of biomass in the Gulf of Alaska, a 2012 marine heat wave in the Northwest Atlantic led to a 70 percent biomass gain.&nbsp;



According to the researchers, these changes were not substantial compared to natural variability in biomass, and similar effects were not seen after most other marine heat waves.



“We found that these negative impacts are unpredictable and that other heat waves had no strong impacts,” said study co-author Malin Pinsky, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources and director of the Global Change Research Group at SEBS. “This means that each heat wave that hits is like rolling the dice: Will it be a bad one or not? We don't know until it happens.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06449-y">Nature</a>.



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Coastal fisheries quickly bounce back from marine heat waves

In a new study led by Rutgers University, researchers have...

An international team of scientists from more than a dozen institutions, including <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers University</a>, has turned to evidence from the last Ice Age to predict how rising sea levels will impact coastal ecosystems.



The study reveals that if global average <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-linked-to-vision-impairment/">temperatures</a> rise beyond a certain threshold, the world could once again experience the rapid pace of sea level rise and coastal habitat retreat that occurred at the end of the Last Ice Age.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-ancient-coastal-habitats">Ancient coastal habitats&nbsp;</h2>



In a paper published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06448-z">Nature</a>, the experts describe how ancient coastal habitats adapted as the last glacial period ended more than 10,000 years ago.&nbsp;



The team analyzed the ocean sediments of ancient shorelines from a time when melting ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere drove a rapid rise across the oceans.



The goal was to gain a better understanding of how coastal ecosystems were transformed, and to more accurately predict what changes can be expected in the coming decades with projected sea level rise.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-a-rising-threat">A rising threat</h2>



“Every ton of carbon dioxide humankind emits turns up the global thermostat, which in turn increases the pace of global sea level rise,” said study co-author Professor Robert Kopp.&nbsp;



“The faster the oceans rise, the greater the threat to tidal marshes, mangroves and coral reefs around the world. For example, in our analysis, most tidal marshes are likely to be able to keep up with sea level rise under 1.5 degrees Celsius [2.7 degrees Fahrenheit] of warming, but two-thirds are unlikely to be able to keep up with 2 degrees Celsius [3.6 degrees Fahrenheit] of warming."



<h2 id="h-paris-agreement">Paris Agreement&nbsp;</h2>



According to Professor Kopp, the temperature ranges examined in the study are significant because they relate directly to the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015.



The Paris Agreement established a goal to limit the increase of global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by substantially reducing carbon emissions worldwide. The ultimate goal of the treaty is to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The results of the study show that higher global temperatures will trigger a rise in sea levels that will lead to instability and profound changes to coastal ecosystems, including tidal marshes, mangrove forests, coral reefs and coral islands.



“Mangroves and tidal marshes act as a buffer between the ocean and the land – they absorb the impact of wave action, prevent erosion and are crucial for biodiversity of fisheries and coastal plants,” said study lead author Neil Saintilan of Macquarie University. “When the plants become water-logged due to higher sea levels, they start to flounder.”



In the worst-case scenarios, these coastal habitats, will shrink - and in some cases wash away - as they have in the distant past, according to the study.



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



“This new paper provides evidence from geological history that, without mitigation and under current projections, tidal marshes will not have the capacity to adjust,” said Professor Judith Weis, an expert on tidal marshes.&nbsp;



“For many tidal marshes in New Jersey, this is not a prediction but a description of the present situation, in which sea level is rising faster than the marshes can increase their elevation. This makes it even more vital to reduce climate change as rapidly as possible.”



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The Last Ice Age shows how rising sea levels will transform coastal habitats

An international team of scientists from more than a dozen...

When we imagine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-were-going-strong-when-the-deadly-asteroid-struck/">dinosaurs</a>, iconic species like Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops often come to mind. Yet, during the reign of dinosaurs in North America, they had quite different relatives ruling territories in Europe.



<h2 id="h-the-late-cretaceous-european-archipelago">The Late Cretaceous European Archipelago</h2>



During the Late Cretaceous period (100 to 66 million years ago), Europe was a massive archipelago dotted with both big and tiny islands, submerged in what is known as the Late Cretaceous European Archipelago.&nbsp;



The species of dinosaurs living on these islands greatly differed from their counterparts on larger land masses, often being notably smaller in size. This includes not just the carnivorous theropods, but also the armored ankylosaurs, the elongated sauropods, the duck-billed hadrosaurs, and the rhabdodontids.



<h2 id="h-the-rhabdodontidae-family">The Rhabdodontidae family</h2>



The Rhabdodontidae family stands out as one of the most notable European dinosaur clusters.&nbsp;



This family is often associated with the frequently observed medium-sized herbivores of that period. Characteristically, rhabdodontids measured somewhere between two and six meters in length.&nbsp;



Now, an international team of researchers from the <a href="https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/">University of Tübingen</a> in Germany, <a href="https://www.elte.hu/en/">Eötvös Loránd&nbsp;University</a> (ELTE)&nbsp;in Hungary, and the <a href="http://www.unibuc.ro/">University of Bucharest</a> in Romania has investigated in more detail this peculiar group of dinosaurs.



<h2 id="h-new-details-about-rhabdodontids">New details about rhabdodontids</h2>



“They were probably habitually bipedal herbivores, characterized by a rather stocky build, with strong hind limbs, short forelimbs, a long tail, and a comparatively large, triangular skull that tapers anteriorly and ends in a narrow snout,” said lead author Felix Augustin, a doctoral student in Vertebrate Paleontology at Tübingen.



“They had a relatively robust skull with strong jaws, large teeth and a pointy beak that was covered in keratin, demonstrating that these dinosaurs were well-adapted to eating tough plants.”&nbsp;



Evidence from some fossil findings suggests that they might have been social creatures, often found in groups.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-distribution">Distribution&nbsp;</h2>



Although they most likely faced an earlier extinction in Western Europe, around 69 million years ago, potentially due to shifts in their plant diet, their presence persisted in Eastern Europe, lasting till the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago.



Rhabdodontid fossils present a unique trait – they have solely been discovered in Europe and specifically in strata dating between 86 and 66 million years, suggesting that these creatures were exclusive to the Late Cretaceous European Archipelago.



As of now, this group is represented by nine distinct species distributed across five European nations: France, Spain, Austria, Hungary, and Romania.



“The first rhabdodontid species was scientifically named more than 150 years ago and the last one as recently as November 2022, so, although the group looks back to a long research history, we still have much to learn about it,” Augustin explained.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-many-features-remain-a-mystery">Many features remain a mystery&nbsp;</h2>



“Generally, our portraying of the world of dinosaurs is heavily biased towards the well-known North-American and Asian dinosaur faunas.”



Europe’s Late Cretaceous period is not as rich in dinosaur fossils as North America or Asia. To date, a full skeletal structure of a rhabdodontid remains elusive.&nbsp;



Despite their prevalence in Europe during the Upper Cretaceous, many of their features, such as their precise body dimensions, movement patterns, and dietary habits, remain a mystery.



“In the past decades, a wealth of new, and often well-preserved, rhabdodontid fossils has been discovered throughout Europe, the majority of which still remains to be studied," said Augustin.



"A joint research project is currently underway to study the available fossil material in order to gain new insights into the evolution and lifestyle of these fascinating yet still poorly known dinosaurs."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.3897/fr.26.108967">Fossil Record</a>.



Image Credit: Peter Nickolaus



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Scientists shed new light on Europe’s enigmatic dinosaurs

When we imagine dinosaurs, iconic species like Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops...

A recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06448-z">Nature</a> has raised alarming concerns about the survival of the world’s coastal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-wetlands-can-become-too-salty-for-some-resident-plants/">wetlands</a> and coral reef islands in the face of rising sea levels caused by climate change.&nbsp;



An international team of researchers found that the ability of marshes and other low-lying coastal areas to survive depends significantly on whether global warming can be limited to less than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, as outlined by the Paris Agreement.



<h2 id="h-moving-towards-a-tipping-point">Moving towards a tipping point</h2>



“Coastal ecosystems exist where our oceans meet the land, including mangroves, coastal marshes and the fringes of sandy coral islands – the low-lying areas flooded and drained by tidal salt water,” said study lead author Professor Neil Saintilan from Sydney’s <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/">Macquarie University</a>.



“Our research shows these coastal habitats can likely adapt to some degree of rising sea levels but will reach a tipping point beyond sea-level rises triggered by more than 1.5 to 2°C of global warming."



“Without mitigation, relative sea-level rises under current climate change projections will exceed the capacity of coastal habitats such as mangroves and tidal marshes to adjust, leading to instability and profound changes to coastal ecosystems.”



<h2 id="h-sea-level-rise">Sea-level rise&nbsp;</h2>



The experts found that coastal marshes, mangroves, and reef islands are unlikely to keep up with sea-level rise rates that exceed 7 millimeters (about one quarter of an inch) per year.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, such rates are anticipated by the year 2100 in most parts of the world if there are no substantial efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;



Regions along the Gulf Coast are already experiencing higher sea-level rise rates. Earlier research from <a href="https://tulane.edu/">Tulane University</a> indicated that the existing rate of sea-level rise could submerge marshlands in Louisiana and potentially other Gulf Coast areas within the next 50 years.



<h2 id="h-no-way-to-escape">No way to escape</h2>



"Mangroves and other tidal plants have to get oxygen down to their roots to survive, and so that phase of the tide when water drains right out is really important,” said Professor Saintilan.



“When the plants become water-logged due to higher sea levels, they start to flounder. At Sydney Olympic Park, we’ve seen whole patches of mangroves die when water can’t drain out properly.”



“This sort of death would be devastating for many natural mangrove forests across Asia which are restricted in their capacity to retreat from rising seas due to land development and human habitation."



<h2 id="h-some-of-the-world-s-most-valuable-ecosystems">Some of the world’s most valuable ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



Study co-author Torbjörn Törnqvist, a professor in Tulane’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, emphasized the global significance of these ecosystems.&nbsp;



“Collectively, these are among the most valuable ecosystems on the planet. For example, the world’s fisheries depend to a significant extent on the health of coastal wetlands and coral reefs,” said Professor Törnqvist.



The findings of the study are closely aligned with the most recent sea-level projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published in 2021.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-potential-for-widespread-collapse">Potential for widespread collapse&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers discovered that if global warming stays below 2 °C compared to pre-industrial temperatures, many of the world’s coastal ecosystems will likely survive along the shorelines by 2100.&nbsp;



However, higher levels of warming will probably result in widespread collapse. Professor Törnqvist highlighted the critical role of the Paris Agreement in this context.&nbsp;



“This shows the importance of the Paris Agreement that aims to keep warming within 2 °C and ideally 1.5 °C,” he said. “Clearly, this would make a huge difference for coastal ecosystems. However, right now we are on track for 2.4 to 3.5 °C of warming by the end of this century, so a change of course is desperately needed. And this would have to happen very quickly.”



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Even if global warming is limited to 1.5 °C, some coastal regions will lose the majority of their wetlands by the end of the century. The coastlines of Louisiana and Texas are particularly vulnerable.&nbsp;



The recent surge of record-breaking heat across much of the world indicates that this level of warming could be achieved in just a few years.



The study included contributions from researchers at other Australian universities and co-authors from Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and the United States.



Professor Törnqvist’s role in the research primarily involved developing innovative methods to assess wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise in the geologic past. His work was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation.



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Coastal wetlands are inching closer to extinction as the world heats up

A recent study published in the journal Nature has raised...

In the northern region of Yellowstone National Park, a historically large bison herd is causing an unexpected hindrance to the recovery of quaking aspen saplings. This crucial species in the American West ecosystem is trying to bounce back from decades of over-browsing by elk.&nbsp;



The discovery was made by a research team led by Luke Painter of <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a>. The study follows up on a paper Painter published five years ago in the journal Ecosphere, which indicated that the reintroduction of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eastern-wolves-and-grey-wolves-evolved-separately/">wolves</a> in Yellowstone had sparked a recovery of aspen both within and outside the park.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



“I’ve studied the response of aspen in northern Yellowstone to the reduction in elk after the wolves were brought back and found that during this time, bison increased and have begun to affect aspen," said Painter. "Now we’re showing strong evidence of a previously unreported behavior of bison bulls breaking aspen saplings.”



Painter noted that while some saplings were tall enough to avoid being browsed by elk and therefore had a higher chance of growing into trees, bison were breaking them off at lower heights. Additionally, other saplings were killed when bison scraped off the bark with their horns.



<h2 id="h-aspen-recovery">Aspen recovery&nbsp;</h2>



The quaking aspen predominantly reproduces through root sprouts, a process known as suckering, and aspen stands often consist of a single organism connected by a common root system. Fire stimulates aspen reproduction from both roots and seeds.&nbsp;



Throughout much of the 20th century, aspen sprouts were unable to grow into trees due to consumption by elk during winter.&nbsp;



However, with the reintroduction of wolves and an increase in the population of other large predators like grizzly bears and cougars, elk numbers in northern Yellowstone decreased, providing relief to the aspen.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-new-twist-in-the-story">New twist in the story</h2>



“Some young aspen began growing into saplings – young trees taller than 2 meters – which was an indication they were no longer being consumed by elk and were likely to grow into mature trees,” said Painter.&nbsp;



“It was a trophic cascade that changed the Yellowstone ecosystem, creating conditions that could bring it closer to what it was historically, with more aspen, willow, and beaver, which depend on these plants. But the tremendous increase in bison over the last two decades has added a new turn to the story.”



<h2 id="h-bison-behavior">Bison behavior&nbsp;</h2>



Painter added that bison have long been known to exert significant effects on their environment, including removing and suppressing shrubs and trees by eating, trampling, and breaking them.&nbsp;



With the considerable increase in bison numbers in northern Yellowstone over the past 20 years, their impact on plants has also escalated. In areas with large bison populations, such as the iconic Lamar Valley, the bison are preventing some aspen stands from replacing their dying trees.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers examined a random sampling of plots in 87 randomly selected aspen stands, revealing that 18 percent of saplings had been broken.&nbsp;



Although they may resprout from their base, the lost height of the saplings and the vulnerability of new sprouts to being consumed by bison or other herbivores are concerning, note the researchers.



Painter and his colleagues, Robert Beschta and William Ripple from the OSU College of Forestry, found multiple lines of evidence to attribute the breakage to bison.&nbsp;



“Most broken saplings were in areas of high bison density and low elk density, and they were broken in summer when elk wouldn’t have been foraging on them,” Painter said.&nbsp;



“Plus we directly observed bison breaking aspen saplings. The purpose of the behavior doesn’t seem to be about accessing food, and we observed only bulls engaging in this behavior, so it may be related to displays of aggression.”



<h2 id="h-rising-bison-numbers">Rising bison numbers</h2>



The management of Yellowstone bison involves an agreement with the state of Montana that requires bison to remain in or very near the park. Bison that stray are either killed, captured, or hazed back into the park, primarily due to the risk of brucellosis - a bacterial infection that poses a threat to Montana’s cattle industry.&nbsp;



Although elk also carry brucellosis and have transmitted it to cattle, the same restrictions are not applied to them. Consequently, unlike other wildlife, bison are not permitted to disperse to other areas as their numbers and density increase.



<h2 id="h-overlapping-conservation-goals">Overlapping conservation goals</h2>



Painter noted that the conservation of bison in Yellowstone, whose numbers drastically declined nationally due to over-hunting in the 1800s, is a significant success story. Similarly, the recovery of aspen and other deciduous woody plants that began with the comeback of the park’s large predators is also a success.&nbsp;



“Thus, one important conservation goal is affecting another important conservation goal,” he said. “Researchers are only beginning to understand how these conservation goals have overlapped and affected each other. We reported a piece of this complex puzzle, describing and quantifying one way that bison shape their habitat by suppressing trees.”



This study highlights the complex and interconnected nature of ecosystems and the challenges that arise in managing and conserving them.&nbsp;



The findings emphasize the need for a better understanding of the interactions between different species and their environment to develop effective conservation strategies.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10369">Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Bull stampede: Bison behavior hinders aspen recovery in Yellowstone

In the northern region of Yellowstone National Park, a historically...

Man,Eating,Meat,With,Salad

Researchers have unveiled a staggering figure from a recent study. A mere 12% of Americans are responsible for over half of all beef consumption in the U.S. every day.



This finding, now published in the respected journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients">Nutrients</a>, might be the key to shaping our understanding of beef consumption patterns. This knowledge can subsequently guide consumer groups and government bodies in creating educational messaging to highlight the detrimental health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cowspiracy-film-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental repercussions</a> of beef consumption.



The 12% segment of the population, predominantly men or individuals between the ages of 50 and 65, consume what researchers have termed an "outsized" quantity of beef daily. To provide a context, the latest <a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a> recommend only 4 ounces per day of meat, poultry, and eggs combined for those consuming a daily intake of 2200 calories.



<h2 id="h-studying-beef-consumption-in-the-u-s">Studying beef consumption in the U.S.</h2>



The study's methodology was meticulous and vast. Researchers from <a href="https://tulane.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tulane University</a> and the <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill</a> analyzed data extracted from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which documented the meals of over 10,000 adults within a day.



It's pertinent to note that our global food system is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, generating a colossal 17 billion tons annually. This figure represents approximately one-third of all greenhouse gases resulting from human activities. The beef industry, in particular, has a hefty carbon footprint. It is responsible for emissions that are 8-10 times higher than those of chicken and astonishingly, more than 50 times higher than beans.



<a href="https://sph.tulane.edu/sbps/diego-rose">Professor Diego Rose</a> from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, who was the senior author of the study, provided insight into the rationale behind the research. “We focused on beef due to its pronounced impact on the environment, coupled with its high saturated fat content, which is detrimental to health.”



Prof. Rose highlighted the objective of the study. He says it aimed "to assist in tailoring educational programs or awareness campaigns for those consuming excessive amounts of beef."



<h2>Small percentage drives overall demand</h2>



As climate change increasingly dominates global discussions, with awareness and concern at an all-time high, this study’s findings become ever more relevant. What stood out for Professor Rose and his colleagues was the realization that such a significant portion of beef consumption was driven by a small percentage of the population. 



While this could be seen as a positive – imagine the impact if this 12% reduced their beef intake – Rose also highlighted a concern: “On the other hand, those 12% may be most resistant to change.”



Intriguingly, the study also discovered a correlation between awareness of USDA’s MyPlate food guidance system and reduced beef consumption. <a href="https://www.globalfoodresearchprogram.org/team/amelia-willits-smith/">Amelia Willits-Smith</a>, lead author and a post-doctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, suggested, "Exposure to dietary guidelines might be instrumental in altering eating habits."



<h2>Primary sources of beef consumption</h2>



Furthermore, the study identified the primary sources of beef in a typical American diet. While almost a third originates from pure cuts like steaks or briskets, six out of the top ten sources are from mixed dishes such as burgers, burritos, and spaghetti with meat sauce. Willits-Smith pointed out a simple solution, “If you’re getting a burrito, opt for chicken instead of beef.”



A silver lining emerged in the study's demographic findings. Those below the age of 29 and above 66 were least inclined towards excessive beef consumption. 



For Rose, this indicated a potential shift in the younger generation’s priorities. “There's hope in the younger generation because it's their planet they're set to inherit,” he commented. “I’ve observed their keen interest in understanding how diet impacts the environment and their role in it.”



In addition to Rose and Willits-Smith, the research team included Dr. Keelia O’Malley and Harmonii Odinga from Tulane University.



This extensive study not only sheds light on the eating habits of a significant segment of the American populace but also underscores the pressing need to address the environmental and health implications of our dietary choices.



<h2>The environmental impact of the beef industry</h2>



The beef industry stands as one of the most environmentally demanding sectors in the global food system. Its impact on our planet is multi-faceted, from deforestation to greenhouse gas emissions. Let's delve into the significant ways the beef industry affects our environment.



<h3>Beef consumption causes deforestation</h3>



Beef production and consumption is a primary driver for deforestation, especially in the Amazon rainforest. Ranchers clear vast areas of forest to create pastures for cattle grazing. 



This deforestation not only destroys biodiversity-rich habitats but also releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas stored in trees.



<h3>Greenhouse gas emissions</h3>



Cattle produce methane during digestion, a process known as enteric fermentation. Methane is over 25 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. The beef industry, thus, significantly contributes to global warming.



<h3>Water consumption</h3>



Raising cattle demands a lot of water. It takes roughly 1,800 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef. This encompasses water for the cattle to drink, irrigate the crops they eat, and process the meat. In water-scarce regions, this intensive usage exacerbates local water shortages.



<h3>Land use</h3>



Beef production occupies more land than any other meat production. Large swaths of land are required for grazing and growing feed crops, often leading to habitat loss for many species.



<h3>Pollution</h3>



Runoff from beef farms, laden with pesticides, fertilizers, and manure, often finds its way into rivers and oceans. This runoff can create "dead zones," areas where the oxygen levels are too low to support most marine life, disrupting aquatic ecosystems.



<h3>Overgrazing</h3>



Cattle can strain the land they graze on, leading to soil degradation. Overgrazing strips the soil of its vegetation, exposing it to erosion and reducing its ability to store carbon, thereby further contributing to climate change.



In summary, while beef consumption remains high as a staple in many diets worldwide, its production comes with a hefty environmental price tag. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, it's crucial to recognize the impact of our dietary choices and consider sustainable alternatives.



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12% of Americans are responsible for over half of all U.S. beef consumption

Researchers have unveiled a staggering figure from a recent study....

A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.wcs.org/">Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)</a> has found that, in order to curb climate change, a simple yet surprising approach could be protecting elephants, gorillas, and other large-bodied <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loss-of-fruit-eating-animals-will-endanger-the-atlantic-forest/">fruit-eating animals</a> like tapirs or hornbills. The overhunting of these species reduces the ability of forests to sequester carbon.



These frequently hunted animals, many of which are at risk due to both illegal and commercial hunting practices, are primarily fruit eaters that spread large seeds. Such seeds come from tree species known for their high carbon storage capacities.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-empty-forests">Empty forests</h2>



According to the researchers, the disappearance of these significant frugivores – including primates, hornbills and toucans – alters the forest composition over time. This leads to an increase in trees that rely on wind dispersal or have small seeds. These trees typically have lower wood density and, consequently, store less carbon.



“Many tropical forests have been described as ‘empty’ owing to loss of animals, often as a result of unsustainable subsistence or market hunting," said lead author Elizabeth Bennett, the Vice President of Species Conservation at WCS.&nbsp;



"Such hunting is known to have detrimental effects on target species, broader biodiversity, and the livelihoods and well-being of local communities."&nbsp;



“Less appreciated is the adverse impact of defaunation on the capacity of tropical forests to sequester and store carbon, which has implications for climate change.”



<h2 id="h-loss-of-large-frugivores">Loss of large frugivores&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers point out that in regions like the Neotropics, the loss of large primates and tapirs, responsible for dispersing seeds from large-seeded trees with denser wood, is estimated to cause long-term reductions in above-ground tree biomass.&nbsp;



This reduction ranges from an average of three to six percent. In extreme cases, it could reach nearly 40 percent. 



In places such as central Thailand, trees relying on seed dispersal by sizable frugivores represent almost a third of the total carbon biomass.



<h2 id="h-restoration-efforts">Restoration efforts&nbsp;</h2>



Interestingly, current restoration efforts to counteract emissions usually involve planting seeds and seedlings of mostly small-seeded, largely second-growth species. Reforestation projects often overlook large-seeded species dispersed by animals.



Once these animals become extinct or severely reduced, repopulating them becomes challenging, particularly without their primary food sources. This factor further impedes the restored forests’ potential to capture and store carbon efficiently.



<h2 id="h-ecologically-intact-forests">Ecologically intact forests</h2>



The study also highlights the critical role of ecologically intact forests. Such forests, which are vast, uninterrupted by significant human-induced damages, and home to diverse wildlife, are vital. They estimate to remove around 3.6 billion tons of CO2 annually.



“Animals have a vital role in maintaining the integrity of such forests; those forests with their full complement of faunal species, at healthy population densities, sequester and store more carbon than those that have lost components of their fauna," said co-author John Robinson.



"Maintaining intact faunas is therefore a critical component of any strategy to conserve forests to address climate change."



<h2 id="h-beyond-forest-dynamics">Beyond forest dynamics</h2>



Additionally, hunting’s detrimental effects on climate go beyond forest dynamics. Hunting causes the loss of carbon stored in the bodies of wildlife.



For instance, an adult forest elephant holds approximately 720 kg (1,587 pounds) of carbon (2.64 tons of CO2e). Thus, the tragic loss of 11,000 elephants from 2004 to 2012 in a single Gabonese national park equates to a loss of 7,920 tons of carbon storage or 29,040 tons of CO2e.



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The study emphasizes that markets like <a href="https://www.un-redd.org/">REDD+ (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation)</a> already recognize the carbon sequestration and storage capacities of forests.&nbsp;



However, these markets primarily focus on the trees’ carbon and thus on preventing deforestation and forest degradation.&nbsp;



Given that the loss of large fauna can reduce forest carbon content, there is a chance to enhance the carbon storage value of intact fauna. This can strengthen biodiversity evaluations by showcasing the complete ecological integrity of protected fauna.



“Explicitly valuing wildlife for its role in the sequestration and storage of carbon in tropical forests, and creating a market for intact faunal assemblages, can potentially generate significant revenues for forest and hunting management," said Bennett.



"Such a market is one way to pay for the multi-faceted programs needed to conserve forests with their full complement of large faunal species, while also ensuring the nutritional health and well-being of local communities in carbon-friendly ways."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002262">PLoS Biology</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Simple climate solution: Stop hunting elephants and fruit-eating animals

A recent study led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)...

Whale sharks have been fascinating aquatic enthusiasts and marine biologists for years. Their massive size, unique patterns, and slow movement make them one of the most intriguing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-45000-marine-species-are-endangered-by-human-impacts/">marine animals</a>.&nbsp;



However, these same characteristics also make them one of the most vulnerable, and their numbers are declining at an alarming rate. <a href="https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-whale-shark-day/">International Whale Shark Day</a> has been created to celebrate these magnificent creatures and to increase awareness about the urgent need to protect and conserve them.



"These gentle giants fascinate aquatic enthusiasts and marine biologists alike, yet it is up to us to make sure that their numbers increase and their futures are protected. This is what International Whale Shark Day is all about," states the official press release for the event.



<h2 id="h-a-closer-look-at-the-whale-shark">A closer look at the whale shark</h2>



Despite their name, whale sharks are indeed sharks, not whales. They are the biggest living species of shark on our planet, growing up to 14 meters in length and weighing an average of 12 tons. Interestingly, their teeth are quite small, measuring only six millimeters in length.



"One of the most fascinating facts about whale sharks is that they all have a unique pattern. The skin of a whale shark is fully unique, just like the fingerprint of a human. This gives researchers the ability to run visual analytics on a whale shark so that they can identify and track it correctly," the press release explains.



Unfortunately, their preference for roaming seas with around a 50-meter depth, despite being able to dive up to 1,000 meters, and their slow swimming speed of approximately five kilometers per hour, make them highly vulnerable to getting caught in fishing nets and ship collisions.



<h2 id="h-a-day-to-raise-awareness">A day to raise awareness</h2>



International Whale Shark Day, started in 2012, aims to raise awareness of the dangers these animals face. The whale shark has been hunted to vulnerability for its highly prized fins and meat, resulting in its reclassification by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2016 from a vulnerable species to an endangered one.



"In fact, in 2016, the whale shark was reclassified by the IUCN, moving from a vulnerable species to an endangered one, which is incredibly worrying," the press release notes.



According to some estimates, there are only tens of thousands of these sharks left across the globe. Hunting plays a significant role in their decline, but there are also cases of whale sharks colliding with boats and getting trapped in fishing gear. In some parts of Asia, products made from whale sharks are in very high demand.



<h2 id="h-more-about-whale-sharks">More about whale sharks</h2>



Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are indeed one of the most awe-inspiring creatures in the ocean. They belong to the group of fish known as carpet sharks, and despite their immense size, they are known to be gentle and pose no threat to humans.



<h3 id="h-physical-characteristics">Physical characteristics</h3>



The whale shark is the largest living fish species, and the largest living non-mammalian vertebrate. It holds many records for its size. The average size of an adult whale shark is about 39 feet.



The whale shark has a distinctive light-grey or brown color with white spots and stripes which are unique to each individual. Their skin is remarkably thick, up to 10 cm in some places, and is very tough. They have a pair of dorsal fins and pectoral fins. Their heads are wide and flat with a rounded snout and small eyes at the front corners.



<h3 id="h-feeding-habits">Feeding habits</h3>



Whale sharks primarily feed on plankton, krill, and small fish. Despite their enormous size, they have very small teeth which they do not use for eating. Instead, they feed by opening their mouths wide and filtering the water for food, a method known as filter feeding.&nbsp;



These sharks have specialized filter pads in their gills to trap and filter out food particles from the water. They can process more than 6,000 liters of water each hour.



<h3 id="h-habitat-and-migration">Habitat and migration</h3>



Whale sharks are found in open waters of the tropical oceans and are rarely found in waters below 21°C (70°F). They prefer warm waters and are usually found on the surface.&nbsp;



These sharks are known to be highly migratory creatures. Although they are usually solitary, they occasionally gather in large numbers at feeding sites.



<h3 id="h-reproduction">Reproduction</h3>



The reproduction of whale sharks is still somewhat of a mystery. They are ovoviviparous, meaning that the female produces eggs but the eggs hatch inside the female's body. She then gives birth to live young.&nbsp;



A female captured in 1996 was found to have 300 pups inside her, which is the largest litter size ever recorded for any shark.



<h3 id="h-conservation-status">Conservation status</h3>



The whale shark is currently listed as endangered by the IUCN. The primary threats to whale sharks are human-related, including accidental capture in fishing gear, boat strikes, and targeted hunting for their fins, skin, and meat. In some parts of the world, whale sharks are hunted for their liver oil, which is used to waterproof boats and as a supplement in animal feed.



Efforts are being made worldwide to protect these magnificent creatures, including the creation of marine protected areas, the implementation of fishing regulations, and the promotion of ecotourism.&nbsp;



International Whale Shark Day is a crucial initiative in this regard, serving as a global reminder of the importance of protecting and conserving the world's largest fish.



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International Whale Shark Day: Protecting the gentle giants of the sea

Whale sharks have been fascinating aquatic enthusiasts and marine biologists...

Ever since a peculiar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meteor-shower-hiding-asteroids/">meteor</a> was observed plummeting towards Earth, astrophysicist Avi Loeb became committed to uncovering its true nature, investigating whether it was an alien artifact from another world that had made its way to the Pacific.



Recently, Loeb, a distinguished astrophysicist from <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a>, together with his dedicated group of researchers, announced progress in their quest.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-tiny-metal-spheres">Tiny metal spheres</h2>



In a mission undertaken in June near Papua New Guinea, they recovered what they believe are pieces of this enigmatic meteor. On Tuesday, Loeb communicated to the media that preliminary examinations suggest the tiny metal pieces might be alien artifacts, originating from beyond our solar system.



While it remains inconclusive whether these metallic spheres are artificial or natural in origin, Loeb is steadfast in his belief that these samples are unlike any metal alloy known to us.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-historic-discovery">Historic discovery&nbsp;</h2>



“This is a historic discovery because it represents the first time that humans put their hand on materials from a large object that arrived to Earth from outside the solar system,” Loeb said on <a href="https://medium.com/">Medium</a>, his platform of choice for detailing the research and exploration. “The success of the expedition illustrates the value of taking risks in science despite all odds as an opportunity for discovering new knowledge.”



Loeb and his colleagues collaborated with <a href="https://www.eyos-expeditions.com/">EYOS Expeditions</a> for this mission. With the financial backing of entrepreneur Charles Hoskinson, amounting to $1.5 million, they set sail on the Silver Star towards Papa New Guinea in order to retrieve fragments of a unique meteorite, labeled IM1, which entered our atmosphere in 2014.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-alien-origin-of-the-artifacts">Alien origin of the artifacts</h2>



This event went under the radar until 2019, when Loeb, together with Amir Siraj, a then-undergraduate at Harvard, stumbled upon data captured by U.S. government sensors. The genuine origin of the meteor, however, was only publicly recognized in 2022 by experts from the <a href="https://www.spacecom.mil/">U.S. Space Command</a>, who confirmed it to be from another solar system.



This acknowledgment was a pivotal moment for Loeb, who is also the brains behind the <a href="https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/galileo">Galileo Project</a> at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. This initiative is focused on the methodical pursuit of possible alien technologies.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-hundreds-of-microscopic-spheres">Hundreds of microscopic spheres&nbsp;</h2>



Not long after the Space Command’s announcement, Loeb and his team were conducting an extensive search off the Manus Island coast, using a magnet-laden sled from their ship to probe the ocean floor.



The team’s patience and diligence were rewarded as they managed to collect over 700 microscopic spheres, detectable only under a microscope. “This is a historic discovery, marking the first time that humans hold materials from a large interstellar object,” Hoskinson said.



<h2 id="h-the-oumuamua-comet">The Oumuamua comet</h2>



Interestingly, this isn’t the first time when Loeb has speculated about potential extraterrestrial artifacts. In 2017, the Oumuamua comet, with its odd form and trajectory, puzzled a large number of scientists.&nbsp;



Loeb proposed a captivating theory that this elongated object, reminiscent of a cigar, might be utilizing solar energy as a “light sail” akin to how sails utilize wind on Earth. He even postulated that this comet could be an extraterrestrial vessel. A later study, however, credited its unusual orbit to a common phenomenon observed in icy comets.



Nevertheless, Loeb’s curiosity remained unwavering. While reviewing data from the <a href="https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/">Center for Near Earth Object Studies</a> at NASA, he, alongside Siraj, unearthed information about IM1, initially detected in 2014. Given its remarkable velocity – twice faster than nearly all the stars in the vicinity of the sun - the researchers deduced its interstellar origin in an article published in the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ac8eac/pdf">Astrophysical Journal</a>.



<h2 id="h-unique-elemental-composition">Unique elemental composition</h2>



Moreover, recent evaluations have disclosed that some of these retrieved spheres boast a unique elemental composition, unparalleled in our solar system. Dubbed as the “BeLaU” composition due to its Beryllium, Lanthanum, and Uranium content, this alloy is distinct from any known to Earth or its neighboring planets.



Further analysis is underway across renowned institutions, including <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a>, <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/">University of California, Berkeley</a>, the <a href="https://www.bruker.com/">Bruker Corporation</a>, and the <a href="https://www.unitech.ac.pg/">University of Technology</a> in Papua New Guinea.



Loeb and his colleagues plan to soon publish a <a href="https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/~loeb/Interstellar_Expedition.pdf">scientific paper</a> detailing their findings, while Rob McCallum from EYOS commented on the expedition’s success, hinting at potential future endeavors.&nbsp;



“The findings demonstrate the success of the first exploratory expedition and pave the way for a second expedition to seek more data,” McCallum said. “We love to enable our clients’ projects anywhere on Earth, but this one is out of this world.”



Image Credit: Avi Loeb



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Harvard scientist finds alien artifacts at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean

Ever since a peculiar meteor was observed plummeting towards Earth,...

Astronomers have cracked a perplexing cosmic mystery with the aid of an impressive observational campaign involving 12 ground and space-based telescopes, including three facilities of the <a href="https://www.eso.org/">European Southern Observatory</a> (ESO).&nbsp;



The experts have unraveled the bizarre behavior of a pulsar, a rapidly rotating dead star, which has been switching between two brightness modes almost incessantly - a phenomenon that has, until now, been an enigma.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-extraordinary-cosmic-events">Extraordinary cosmic events&nbsp;</h2>



The study revealed that the sudden ejections of matter from the pulsar over extremely short durations are the cause of these peculiar switches.



Study lead author Maria Cristina Baglio is a researcher at New York University Abu Dhabi, affiliated with the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF).



“We have witnessed extraordinary cosmic events where enormous amounts of matter, similar to cosmic cannonballs, are launched into space within a very brief time span of tens of seconds from a small, dense celestial object rotating at incredibly high speeds,” explained Baglio.



<h2 id="h-peculiar-type-of-pulsar">Peculiar type of pulsar</h2>



Pulsars are fast-spinning, magnetic, dead stars that project a beam of electromagnetic radiation into space.&nbsp;



As they rotate, this beam sweeps across the universe - much like a lighthouse beam scanning its surroundings - and is detected by astronomers as it intersects Earth's line of sight. This results in the star appearing to pulse in brightness when observed from our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-planet-discovered-with-an-ocean-not-far-from-earth/">planet</a>.



PSR J1023+0038, or J1023 for short, is a peculiar type of pulsar exhibiting strange behavior. Situated approximately 4500 light-years away in the Sextans constellation, it orbits another star closely.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-puzzling-behavior">Puzzling behavior&nbsp;</h2>



Over the past decade, the pulsar has been actively extracting matter from its companion, causing it to accumulate in a disc around the pulsar before gradually falling towards it.



Once this accumulation process commenced, the sweeping beam virtually disappeared, and the pulsar began continuously switching between two modes. In the "high" mode, the pulsar emits bright X-rays, ultraviolet, and visible light, while in the "low" mode, it is dimmer at these frequencies and produces more radio waves.&nbsp;



The pulsar can remain in each mode for several seconds or minutes before transitioning to the other mode in just a few seconds - a phenomenon that has confounded astronomers until now.



"Our unprecedented observing campaign to understand this pulsar’s behavior involved a dozen cutting-edge ground-based and space-borne telescopes," said co-lead author Francesco Coti Zelati, a researcher at the Institute of Space Sciences in Barcelona.



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The project included the ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and New Technology Telescope (NTT), which detected visible and near-infrared light, as well as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).&nbsp;



During two nights in June 2021, the telescopes observed the system transitioning over 280 times between its high and low modes.



<h2 id="h-what-the-study-revealed">What the study revealed&nbsp;</h2>



“We have discovered that the mode switching stems from an intricate interplay between the pulsar wind, a flow of high-energy particles blowing away from the pulsar, and matter flowing towards the pulsar,” explained Coti Zelati, who is also affiliated with INAF.



In the low mode, matter flowing towards the pulsar is ejected in a narrow jet perpendicular to the disc. Gradually, this matter accumulates closer to the pulsar, where it is bombarded by the wind emanating from the pulsating star, causing the matter to heat up.



The system then transitions to a high mode, glowing intensely in the X-ray, ultraviolet, and visible light. Eventually, blobs of this heated matter are expelled by the pulsar via the jet. With less hot matter in the disc, the system's brightness diminishes, reverting back to the low mode.



<h2 id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



While this discovery has demystified the strange behavior of J1023, there is still much to be learned from studying this unique system, and ESO’s telescopes will continue to aid astronomers in observing this unusual pulsar.



Specifically, the ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently being constructed in Chile, will provide an unparalleled view of J1023’s switching mechanisms.



“The ELT will allow us to gain key insights into how the abundance, distribution, dynamics, and energetics of the inflowing matter around the pulsar are affected by the mode switching behavior,” said Sergio Campana, research director at the INAF Brera Observatory.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202346418">Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a>.



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Cosmic mystery solved: The puzzling behavior of a pulsar

Astronomers have cracked a perplexing cosmic mystery with the aid...

Silhouette,Of,A,Big,Mighty,Oak,Against,Blue,Moon"elements,Of

On the night of August 30, 2023, the biggest and brightest full moon of the year - the "blue supermoon" - will make its glorious appearance in the night sky. The term "blue supermoon" is not just a poetic label; it captures a rare convergence of three distinct lunar phenomena.&nbsp;



As explained by Gordon Johnston from NASA's <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/">Solar System Exploration</a>, the upcoming full moon is a merger of a supermoon and a blue moon that is in alignment with the Hindu festival Rakhi Purnima.



<h2 id="h-saturn-will-dance-with-the-supermoon">Saturn will dance with the supermoon</h2>



On August 30th, as the Earth-based longitude shows the moon in perfect opposition to the Sun, it will light up the night at 9:36 PM EDT.&nbsp;



The ringed planet Saturn, a few days from its brightest stance for the year, will gracefully accompany our rare blue supermoon.&nbsp;



Observers can look for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/megastorms-on-saturn-are-larger-than-the-earth-and-last-for-hundreds-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn</a> five degrees to the upper right of the Moon as evening twilight ceases at 8:42 PM. The duo will then appear to dance, with Saturn swinging clockwise around the Moon throughout the evening, according to <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>.



<h2 id="h-what-makes-this-blue-moon-super">What makes this blue moon super?</h2>



But why is this moon termed "super"? The supermoon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/august-will-host-two-supermoons-including-a-rare-blue-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phenomenon</a> refers to the moon's closeness to Earth during its full phase, making it appear more substantial and brighter.&nbsp;



Various publications have different criteria for designating a moon as "super," but both of August 2023's full moons meet these requirements.



<h2 id="h-second-full-moon-of-the-month">Second full moon of the month</h2>



Diving into the "blue" of the blue supermoon, it's not about the color. Instead, it references this being the second full moon of August.&nbsp;



This terminology can be traced back to a 1946 Sky &amp; Telescope magazine definition. Intriguingly, the more aged definition from the 1500s designated the third full moon of a four-moon season as the Blue Moon.&nbsp;



By that criteria, the blue status would belong to the full moon of August 2024. For those curious about witnessing a truly blue-tinted moon, history did record such a spectacle, which can be discovered in-depth on <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/07jul_bluemoon.html">NASA's site</a>.



<h2 id="h-rakhi-purnima">Rakhi Purnima</h2>



Synced with this lunar event is Rakhi Purnima or Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival celebrating the unbreakable bond between siblings. The ritual involves sisters tying a rakhi (a cotton bracelet) around their brothers' wrists and receiving gifts in return. This act symbolizes the enduring bond and mutual protection between them.



For those who follow traditional solar and lunar calendars, this full moon signifies various important timings. In the Chinese calendar, it marks the middle of the seventh month, while in the Islamic calendar, it's Safar.&nbsp;



Jewish observers will note this full moon during Elul, a significant time of introspection and preparation for the forthcoming High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.



While celestial attire is recommended for full moon viewing, it's also a great time to cherish family ties, release resentments, and wish for a prosperous year ahead.



<h2 id="h-upcoming-lunar-events">Upcoming lunar events</h2>



Looking forward as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-will-soon-vanish-during-the-summer/">summer</a> transitions into fall, the periods of daylight will decrease rapidly, reaching a turning point at the autumn equinox.&nbsp;



No significant meteor showers are anticipated in this lunar cycle, but there will be other starry sights. The evening sky of August 30 will showcase Vega, a luminary of the Summer Triangle and one of the brightest in our sky, shining from a distance of 25 light-years away.



August's second full moon stands out among 2023's lunar events. It's not only the third supermoon of the year but also the closest. At a mere 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) from Earth, it trumps even the August 1 full moon by a slim margin of 115 miles.



On September 29, be on the lookout for the Harvest Moon, which will be the final supermoon of 2023.



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-harvest-moon">More about the Harvest Moon</h2>



August's Harvest Moon holds special significance in various cultures due to its association with the harvest season. Here are some pieces of folklore and traditions surrounding the Harvest Moon:



<h3 id="h-bright-nights">Bright nights</h3>



The Harvest Moon rises at roughly the same time for several nights in a row, which means that there is no prolonged darkness between sunset and moonrise.&nbsp;



This phenomenon provided farmers with extended periods of light, allowing them to work late into the evening to harvest their crops.



<h3 id="h-symbol-of-abundance">Symbol of abundance</h3>



In many cultures, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvest-moon-marks-the-arrival-of-autumn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvest</a> Moon is seen as a symbol of abundance, prosperity, and completion. It's a time to celebrate the bounty of the earth and to give thanks for the food that will sustain people through the winter.



<h3 id="h-festivals">Festivals</h3>



Many cultures hold festivals or celebrations during the time of the Harvest Moon. For instance, in East Asia, the Mid-Autumn Festival (or Moon Festival) is celebrated with mooncakes, lanterns, and family gatherings.



<h3 id="h-romance">Romance</h3>



The bright and large appearance of the Harvest Moon has also given it romantic connotations. In literature and popular culture, it's often depicted as a perfect backdrop for lovers, symbolizing warmth and hope.



<h3 id="h-the-unexplained">The unexplained</h3>



Full moons have often been linked in folklore to strange or unexplained behavior, both in humans and animals. Some believe that full moons can lead to more erratic behavior, though scientific evidence is limited.



<h2>More about blue moons</h2>



A "blue moon" is a term that has historical, cultural, and astronomical significance. Let me break down the various aspects of the concept:



<h3>Definition</h3>



The older definition of a blue moon is the third of four full moons in a single season. Typically, there are only three full moons in each season, but occasionally there's a fourth. When this happens, the third is termed a "blue moon."



Most people today understand the term "blue moon" to mean the second of two full moons in a calendar month with two full moons. As mentioned above, this understanding gained popularity due to an error in an article in "Sky &amp; Telescope" magazine in 1946. This definition became widespread especially after it was used in the popular radio program "StarDate" in the 1980s and then again in 1999 on the Trivial Pursuit game.



<h3>Frequency</h3>



Blue moons (by the modern definition) occur approximately once every 2.7 years. This is because the lunar month (the time it takes for the moon to cycle through all of its phases) is about 29.5 days, while most calendar months are longer.



<h3>Color</h3>



The term "blue moon" has nothing to do with the moon's actual color. However, on very rare occasions, the moon can appear blue in color, usually due to atmospheric conditions. 



For instance, if there have been volcanic eruptions or forest fires that release particles into the atmosphere, these particles can scatter red light and make the moon appear blue.



<h3>Origin</h3>



The term has been in use for hundreds of years and evolved over time. The phrase "once in a blue moon" to indicate a rare event dates back at least 400 years.



"Blue Moon" is a classic song written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934. Numerous artists have covered it, making it a staple in American music.



<h3>Astronomical details</h3>



The moon's cycle from new moon to new moon, called a synodic month, is about 29.5 days. Our calendar months (except February) are longer than this, which is why it's possible to fit two full moons in one month.



<h3>Other moons</h3>



The term "blue moon" is just one of many that describe various full moon phenomena. Others include:



Harvest Moon: The full moon closest to the autumn equinox.



Supermoon: When the full moon occurs at the same time the moon is nearest Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear larger.



Blood Moon: Refers to the red appearance the moon takes on during a total lunar eclipse.



Remember, irrespective of the definition or the rarity, a blue moon is still just a full moon in astronomical terms, and it doesn't have any particular physical significance. It's the cultural and historical aspects that make it special.



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Tonight's rare "Blue Supermoon" will be the biggest and brightest of the year

On the night of August 30, 2023, the biggest and...

Aerial,View,Of,Deforestation.,Rainforest,Being,Removed,To,Make,Way

In a potentially alarming revelation for our planet's climate, a new study led by Rutgers University suggests that vast swaths of the Amazonian lowland rainforest could gradually transform into dry, grassy savannas. 



These lowland regions of the Amazon play a pivotal role in absorbing carbon dioxide, thereby serving as natural buffers against the escalating threats of climate change.



Published in the esteemed scientific journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2301255120">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, the study presents a nuanced understanding of the phenomenon referred to as "double-stress." This involves a cycle of alternating flooding during wet seasons and droughts in dry periods. These sequences of events can stifle the growth of forest trees and instead promote the proliferation of short-lived grass species.



<h2 id="h-how-rainforests-become-savannas">How rainforests become savannas</h2>



Caio Mattos took the lead on this research while pursuing his doctoral studies at the <a href="https://sas.rutgers.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences</a>’ Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. He remarked, “Because predictions of future climate indicate a drier climate for the tropics, knowing where and how today’s forests will become savannas will help us predict how the carbon cycle may change, exacerbating warming." 



Mattos’ research also posits that multiple areas in the Amazon, which were once believed to be immune to such changes, now face a tangible risk of transitioning towards a more savanna-like state.



The implications of this are profound. The Amazon rainforest serves as one of Earth's most vital carbon sinks. It safeguards an estimated 123 billion tons of carbon both above and below the ground, as stated by the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA). This critical process of "savannization" means that the Amazon's carbon-absorbing potential could be severely diminished.



Shedding light on the coexistence of forests and savannas under similar climatic conditions, the research explains that forests flourish in areas that are either consistently flooded or consistently drought-ridden. This equilibrium is threatened as projections predict a drier future climate. 



This change would cause certain areas of the Amazon, which have hitherto been perennially flooded, to experience dry periods. Consequently, this would subject the core regions of Amazonia to the aforementioned double-stress or savanna-like conditions.



Professor Ying Fan Reinfelder of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences highlighted the significance of the study. He noted, “This study demonstrates the power of hydrology in explaining the structure and function of vegetation ecosystems."



<h2>Hydrological shifts create savannas</h2>



In a call to the broader scientific community, Reinfelder further emphasized the need for global change research to concentrate more intently on hydrological shifts.



It's crucial to note that a forest is characterized by its dominant tree population and thick canopy. A savanna is a blend of woodland and grassland where tree spacing allows sunlight to boost grass growth. 



Oceans and forests are the planet's primary carbon sinks, capturing carbon during photosynthesis. In contrast, savannas, despite being important for biodiversity, store significantly less carbon on a per-acre basis.



The looming threats of deforestation at the Amazon's fringes, driven by population pressures and climate change, have been well-documented over the years. However, Mattos' research offers fresh insights into potential transformations within the Amazon's interior. 



He explained, “We found that flooding is key. In some parts of the landscape, groundwater fluctuates between being too shallow – drowning tree roots – and too deep – depriving roots of water. This double stress is only tolerated by savanna plant species.”



<h2>Hydrology plays a key role</h2>



To glean these insights, the team relied on hydrology, studying land-based water properties. They employed intricate computer modeling to simulate the Amazon's current water cycles. They then projected these models onto a future climate scenario for the years 2090-2100 using data from the IPCC's Hadley Center Model. 



The comparison was stark. It revealed that areas like the floodplain forests in Amazonas and along the Madeira and Upper Negro rivers, known for their rich biodiversity, are likely to be impacted. Additionally, expansive peatlands in Peru, which are effective carbon absorbers, might undergo changes. These changes would result in the release of more carbon dioxide and accelerating global warming.



The study also benefited from the contributions of researchers Marina Hirota and Bernardo Flores from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, Rafael Oliveira from the University of Campinas, Brazil, Gonzalo Miguez-Macho from the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Yadu Pokhrel from Michigan State University.



<h2>More about the Amazon rainforest</h2>



Nestled in South America, the Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as 'Earth's Lungs', stands as a testament to nature's grandeur and biodiversity. Stretching over nine countries and covering approximately 5.5 million square kilometers, it represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests. Yet, despite its global significance, it's facing unprecedented challenges.



<h3>A hotspot of biodiversity</h3>



The Amazon Rainforest is an ecological marvel. It's home to a staggering variety of wildlife, with estimates suggesting that 10% of the known species in the world reside here. From the jaguars and pink dolphins to the myriad of insect species, the forest thrums with life.



This richness extends to flora too. The forest houses approximately 40,000 plant species, including 16,000 native tree types. The dense canopy, the emergent layer towering above, and the forest floor each host distinct habitats.



<h3>An environmental powerhouse</h3>



The Amazon plays a pivotal role in regulating the Earth's climate. The forest's trees and plants absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide, making it a critical carbon sink. The Amazon River, the lifeline of the forest, discharges about 20% of the world's freshwater into the oceans.



Moreover, the forest influences rainfall patterns across the globe. Trees release water vapor into the atmosphere, which contributes to the global weather system.



<h3>Threats looming over</h3>



Despite its significance, the Amazon Rainforest is under grave threats on multiple fronts.



Deforestation: For cattle ranching, logging, and agriculture (notably soybean farming), large swathes of the forest are cleared annually. This not only leads to loss of habitat but also releases the stored carbon into the atmosphere.



Climate Change: A warmer climate impacts the delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem, leading to dryer conditions, increased vulnerability to fires, and further loss of biodiversity.



Mining and Oil Drilling: These activities introduce toxins into the environment and lead to forest clearing, posing significant threats to both the indigenous communities and the local ecosystems.



<h3>Indigenous communities: The forest's custodians</h3>



The Amazon is home to nearly 400 indigenous groups, many of whom live in voluntary isolation. Their lives are intricately tied to the forest, relying on it for sustenance, medicine, and spirituality. 



However, encroachment on their territories, often for logging or mining, threatens their way of life and the forest they've protected for generations.



<h3>A path forward</h3>



Efforts to save the Amazon Rainforest have never been more urgent. Several initiatives are underway.



Conservation and Reforestation: National parks and reserves are being established, and reforestation efforts are gaining momentum.



Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting methods that do not require deforestation, such as agroforestry, can allow for productivity without compromising the forest's integrity.



Empowering Indigenous Communities: Recognizing their rights, territories, and traditional knowledge can be pivotal in conservation strategies.



In essence, the Amazon Rainforest stands at the crossroads of ecological preservation and human advancement. The decisions made today will shape the fate of this irreplaceable treasure, which not only sustains the local communities but also underpins the health of our global environment.



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Amazon's rainforests are at risk of transforming into dry, grassy savannas

In a potentially alarming revelation for our planet's climate, a...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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Closeup,Of,Fresh,Green,The,Napier,Bush,Grass,As,Animal

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.



Qeshm is separated from the Iranian coast by the Clarence Strait, also known as Khuran.&nbsp;The Hara Forest Protected Area is a network of shallow waterways and forest located between the island and the mainland. This protected region is home to sea turtles, snakes, and more than 150 species of migrating birds.



Qeshm is famous for its wide range of&nbsp;ecotourist&nbsp;attractions, such as the&nbsp;Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5 percent of the world birds and 25 percent of Iran's native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-hummingbirds-avoid-sexual-harassment-by-looking-like-males/">birds</a> annually migrate to the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran.



Tourists are also drawn to the island to see an age-old Portuguese&nbsp;fort, historic mosques, the&nbsp;Seyyed Mozaffar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bibi Maryam&nbsp;shrines, and the "Valley of Stars."



The average temperature on the island is 81 degress and the region is often hot and humid. From June to August, the island is described as being oppressively hot. The ideal time to visit is during the winter season. 



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique.&nbsp;



"Inhambane Bay is a deep inlet into which the small Mutamba River flows," says ESA. "On one side of the bay lies the historical city of Inhambane, capital of the Inhambane Province, while the sister city of Maxixe, the economic capital of Inhambane, sits across from it. The province is the second largest grower of cashews, after Nampula, and it also produces coconut and citrus fruits."



The beaches of Barra and Tofo are popular with tourists. There are also coral reefs along the long coastline of Inhambane, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.



"Mozambique’s extensive coastline heightens the country’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones that develop in the Indian Ocean as well as storm surge flooding," says ESA.



"More than half of the population lives in low lying coastal areas, putting communities at risk. Inhambane Bay was dangerously close to where Cyclone Idai made landfall in 2019 causing widespread destruction to the country."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features the Kangerlussuaq Glacier, one of the largest tidewater outlet glaciers in Greenland. The glacier is located on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet.



As human-induced climate change continues to drive up temperatures, global ice loss is accelerating at an alarming rate. ESA reports that, over the past decade alone, 3.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from the Greenland ice sheet. This is enough to cover the UK with meltwater 15 meters deep.



Based on satellite imagery, researchers determined that Kangerlussuaq entered a new phase of rapid retreat and acceleration in 2017. In their study, published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2019.00123/full">Frontiers in Earth Science</a>,&nbsp; the experts report that the glacier's ice front is now at its most retreated position since the early 20th century.



"Given Kangerlussuaq’s previous impacts on both the magnitude and pattern of ice sheet wide mass loss, we predict that its new phase of retreat, acceleration and thinning will markedly enhance the south-east region’s contribution to increasing discharge from the ice sheet," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"More broadly, accurate forecasting of the ice sheet’s contribution to sea level rise will require a deeper understanding of, and responses to, these non-linear ice dynamic processes."



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the complex relationship between ocean and climate. ESA's Climate Change Initiative will help us understand how oceans influence the climate and how climate change is impacting the oceans.&nbsp;



"Earth’s oceans are huge heat stores, soaking up 93% of the excess heat from human activity over the past 70 years. Ocean currents redistribute heat around the planet, from the Equator to the poles. Where this ocean heat goes influences weather patterns and regional climate," explains ESA.



"As well as absorbing heat, oceans are a natural carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. This has led to the acidification of ocean water, threating marine life."



The amount of heat and carbon dioxide soaked up by the ocean depends on specific variables, including phytoplankton, temperatures, waves, salinity, and ice cover. Satellites can be used to measure these variables from space.



"From their unique vantage point, satellites provide key information for understanding the complexities of our planet and monitoring environmental issues," says ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Ocean heat influences regional climate

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the importance of monitoring the shape of the sea surface, which is constantly changing. These observations have many applications, such as ship routing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-modem-ocean-is-a-tough-place-for-whales-to-survive/">ocean</a> current forecasting, and debris tracking.



"A project supported by the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities recently investigated a new technique to measure sea surface topography very precisely," reports ESA.



"The technique involves looking at satellite navigation (GNSS) signals that have been reflected off of the sea surface at very low angles. At these so-called grazing angles, waves and surface roughness have very little impact on the reflection process; the sea surface acts as a very smooth mirror."



Estel Cardellach is the principal investigator at the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia, who first submitted the idea for the project.



“In a mirror-like reflection the phase of the signal can be tracked – it is continuous," said Cardellach. "Different surface heights result in different phase measurements. It gives a very precise measurement of the surface altitude at a few centimetres’ precision.”



The researchers developed a GNSS receiver and set up an experiment in the Balaeric Islands to collect signals from the receiver that were reflected off the sea surface. Ultimately, these signals will provide improved measurements of the shape of the sea surface.



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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Aerial,Photo,Of,River,In,Amazon,Rainforest,Jungle,In,Peru

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center</a> describes how scientists are using autonomous sound sensors to monitor deforestation in the Amazon. By recording soundscapes, the experts can determine which animals are present through their distinct sounds.&nbsp;



Using this method, sounds can be used as scientific measurements to analyze the effects of deforestation. The researchers will gain a better understanding of how the acoustics of a forest can be used to measure its health.&nbsp;



"From space, parts of the Amazon rainforest that have previously been logged or burned may look lush and green, like a place buzzing with activity and full of sounds. But inside the rainforest, the animal life may tell a different story, of a harsh environment and a quieter soundscape," says NASA.



Video Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monitoring deforestation in the Amazon through sounds

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