By Matt McGrath
Environment correspondent, BBC News

Scientists have developed the first global model that analyses the routes taken by marine invasive species.

The researchers examined the movements of cargo ships around the world to identify the hot spots where these aquatic aliens might thrive.

Marine species are taken in with ballast water on freighters and wreak havoc in new locations, driving natives to extinction.

The research is published in the Journal Ecology Letters.

There has been a well-documented boom in global shipping over the past 20 years and this has led to growing numbers of species moving via ballast tanks, or by clinging to hulls.

Some ports such as San Francisco and Chesapeake Bay have reported several exotic new species arriving every year. Economic estimates indicate that marine invaders can have huge impacts that last for decades.

Now, scientists from the UK and Germany have developed a model that might help curb these unwanted visitors. They obtained detailed logs from nearly three million voyages that took place in 2007 and 2008.

Scientists mapped the global routes taken by cargo ships over a two-year period
“Our model combines information such as shipping routes, ship sizes, temperatures and biogeography to come up with local forecasts of invasion probabilities,” said Prof Bernd Blasius from the University of Oldenburg.

While this is a mathematical model, the researchers were able to adjust it by carrying out field observations. They were able to estimate the probability that a species can survive a journey and establish a population in a subsequent port of call.

“It is called ecological roulette,” said Dr Michael Gastner from the University of Bristol.

“The probability of winning from the perspective of the invader is really tiny – but because the number of attempts are now growing with more and bigger ships, you play this roulette so often that you become a likely winner sooner or later,” he added.
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White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern to the central United States at an alarming rate. Since the winter of 2007-2008, millions of insect-eating bats in 19 states and four Canadian provinces have died from this devastating disease. The disease is named for the white fungus, Geomyces destructans, that infects skin of the muzzle, ears, and wings of hibernating bats.

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners continue to play a primary role in WNS research. Studies conducted at NWHC led to the discovery, characterization, and naming of the causative agent (the cold-loving fungus G. destructans), and to the development of standardized criteria for diagnosing the disease. Additionally, scientists at the NWHC have pioneered laboratory techniques for studying impacts of the fungus on hibernating bats.

To determine if bats are affected by white-nose syndrome, scientists look for a characteristic microscopic pattern of skin erosion caused by G. destructans. Field signs of WNS can include visible white fungal growth on the bat’s muzzle and/or wing tissue, but this is not a reliable indicator. Infected bats also often display abnormal behaviors in their hibernation sites (hibernacula), such as movement toward the mouth of caves and daytime flights during winter. These abnormal behaviors may contribute to the untimely consumption of stored fat reserves causing emaciation, a characteristic documented in a portion of the bats that die from WNS.

Current estimates of bat population declines in the northeastern US since the emergence of WNS are approximately 80%. This sudden and widespread mortality associated with WNS is unprecedented in hibernating bats, among which disease outbreaks have not been previously documented. It is unlikely that species of bats affected by WNS will recover quickly because most are long-lived and have only a single pup per year. Consequently, even in the absence of disease, bat populations do not fluctuate widely in numbers over time.

The true ecological consequences of large-scale population reductions currently under way among hibernating bats are not yet known. However, farmers might feel the impact. In temperate regions, bats are primary consumers of insects, and a recent economic analysis indicated that insect suppression services (ecosystem services) provided by bats to U.S. agriculture is valued between 4 to 50 billion dollars per year.

Despite efforts to contain it, WNS continues to spread. Within the last two years, the disease has been confirmed in several central states, including Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. High mortality of bats has not yet been reported at these locations, and it remains to be seen if WNS will develop and manifest in warmer parts of the US or other temperate regions of the world with severity similar to that in the northeastern US. See the map below for WNS occurrences in North America.

Picture and article from US National Wildlife Health Centre. More details here 

This video looks at other research being carried out on Australian bats.

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People and sun power is set to revolutionise the way we get around. At least that’s what the people at Organic Transit, a North Carolina-based developer say. In fact they call this Organic Transit Vehicle “the most efficient vehicle on the planet”.

It combines peddle power with solar energy to create a zero carbon emission mode of transit that will keep both you and the planet healthy.

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For more information link to Organic Transit Website

Almost a fifth of the world’s reptile species are at risk of extinction, according to scientists.

Research led by the Zoological Society of London found that the future of 19% of the world’s reptiles are threatened.

Conservation experts also confirmed that 47% are vulnerable and highlighted the possible extinction of three species.

The figures are based on a random sample of 1,500 of the world’s reptile species.

“It’s essentially an election poll set up – using this sample to give an example of how reptiles are doing as a whole,” explained Dr Monika Bohm, lead author of the study published in the journal Biological Conservation.

The study was made in conjunction with 200 experts from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission.

Reptiles are a group of vertebrates that includes turtles, tortoises, snakes, lizards, crocodiles and amphisbaenians – commonly known as worm lizards. Tuataras, lizard-like animals found only in New Zealand are also included.

There are an estimated 9,500 different reptile species in the world.

“Reptiles can really be important in natural food webs: they’re really important as predators as well as prey,” said Dr Bohm.

“The risk is – if you lose a really important food source you can change food webs quite dramatically.”

Although some species, including the tuatara, have survived relatively unchanged for millions of years, Dr Bohm pointed out that reptiles can often be “indicators” of environmental problems.

“Reptiles are often associated with extreme habitats and tough environmental conditions, so it is easy to assume that they will be fine in our changing world,” she said.

“However, many species are very highly specialised in terms of habitat use and the climatic conditions they require for day to day functioning. This makes them particularly sensitive to environmental changes.”
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Japanese whalers are in the news again with the Japanese government pouring money into a dying industry.

Take some time out and have a look at these awesome creatures and wonder why the Japanese continue to slaughter them. Is it just a ‘face saving’ thing?

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WASHINGTON – from the Society for the Conservation of Biology. Elephant poaching and ivory smuggling in Africa are at their highest levels in more than a decade, according to a 2012 report from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The illegal trade in ivory, fueled in part by demand in Asia for ivory-made religious products, threatens the survival of elephant populations across the African continent.

In a statement on the use of ivory for religious objects, the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) has called for conservation biologists to work closely with religious leaders in Asia to raise awareness of the ethical and ecological issues behind the trade in ivory, and engage them in discussing the use of substitute materials that are most readily available and sustainable from both environmental as well as religious perspectives.

In an October 2012 cover story on “blood ivory”, National Geographic magazine shed light on the link between religion and the ivory trade, which involves the brutal removal of ivory from African elephants and the subsequent sale of ivory products such as religious artifacts and trinkets in Asia. Those who use the products for worship or other religious purposes are often unaware of the link between the decline of the African elephant and the ivory trade.

“SCB is concerned at the alarming rate at which elephants are dying as a result of illegal poaching activities to supply the ivory trade,” said conservation biologist Stephen M. Awoyemi, a member of SCB’s Religion and Conservation Biology Working Group. “Their decline is also problematic for their habitats in which they serve as ecosystem engineers and key seed dispersers. Population decline from the killing of elephants and other large animals will impact the long-term prospects for forest regeneration and healthy ecosystems,” he added.

African elephants are listed as “Vulnerable” to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. If poaching continues unabated, scientists predict that the African elephant could be driven to extinction across most of its range by 2020. Researchers have estimated that the continent’s remaining 470,000 elephants are declining at an annual rate of eight percent.

The ivory trade involves violence against elephants and the people that protect them, disrupts social harmony, and threatens the livelihoods of local communities.

“The malevolence of the ivory trade violates the principles and values of good stewardship and respect for all life, which is the foundation of all global religions,” Awoyemi said. “Furthermore, the demand for ivory in Asia lies in contradiction to the respect bestowed specifically on the elephant in Asian culture. The Asian elephant is closely related to the African elephant and is a national symbol of Thailand.”
SCB is encouraged that religious leaders and groups have spoken against ivory smuggling and the brutal massacre of the African elephant. The Religion and Conservation Research Collaborative (RCRC), part of SCB’s Religion and Conservation Biology Working Group, has reached out to Buddhist and Catholic religious leaders in Asia to encourage them to positively influence the survival of the African elephant.
For more information, please refer to the position statement by the Religion and Conservation Research Collaborative of SCB’s Religion and Conservation Biology Working Group.

The Society for Conservation Biology is an international professional organization dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity.

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Contact: Nathan Spillman
nspillman@conbio.org
202 413-7115 (m)
202-234-4311 x100 (office)
www.conbio.org

Quietly, globally, billions of bees are dying, threatening our crops and food. But in 48 hours the European Union could move to ban the most poisonous pesticides, and pave the way to a global ban that would save bees from extinction.

Four EU countries have begun banning these poisons, and some bee populations are already recovering. Days ago the official European food safety watchdog stated for the first time that certain pesticides are fatally harming bees. Now legal experts and European politicians are calling for an immediate ban. But Bayer and other giant pesticide producers are lobbying hard to keep them on the market. If we build a huge swarm of public outrage now, we can push the European Commission to put our health and our environment before the profit of a few.

We know our voices count! Last year, our 1.2 million strong petition forced US authorities to open a formal consultation on pesticides — now if we reach 2 million, we can persuade the EU to get rid of these crazy poisons and pave the way for a ban worldwide. Sign the urgent petition and send this to everyone — Avaaz and leading MEPs will deliver our message ahead of this week’s key meeting in Brussels:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/hours_to_save_the_bees/?bKbgfab&v=21428

Bees don’t just make honey, they are vital to life on earth, every year pollinating 90% of plants and crops — with an estimated $40bn value and over one-third of the food supply in many countries. Without immediate action to save bees, many of our favourite fruits, vegetables, and nuts could vanish from our shelves.

Recent years have seen a steep and disturbing global decline in bee populations — some bee species are already extinct and some US species are at just 4% of their previous numbers. Scientists have been scrambling for answers and now the European Food Safety Authority is saying that toxic chemicals called neonicotinoid pesticides could be responsible for the bee deaths. France, Italy, Slovenia and even Germany, where the main manufacturer Bayer is based, have banned one of these bee-killing pesticides. But Bayer continues to export its poison across the world.

Now the issue is coming to a boil. EU parliamentarians are stepping up their pressure on the European Commission and key governments to push new legislation to ban the deadly pesticides, and we can offer them the public support they need to counter the powerful pesticide lobby. Sign the urgent petition to Europe’s leaders, then forward this email widely:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/hours_to_save_the_bees/?bKbgfab&v=21428

Our world is beset with threats to what makes it habitable, and to what fills it with wonder. The Avaaz community comes together to defend both — large or small. Whether winning a battle to keep the International Whaling Commission from sanctioning the murder of these giants, or saving bees, the tiny creatures upon which so much depends, we will come together and stand up for the world we all want.

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SOURCES

Pesticides pose danger to bees (European Voice)
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2013/january/pesticides-pose-danger-to-bees/76158.aspx

Crop pesticides are ‘killing our bees’ – says MEP (Public Service Europe)
http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/3007/crop-pesticides-are-killing-our-bees-says-mep#ixzz2JGICse6a

Death knell for nerve agent pesticides in move to save bees (Independent)
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/death-knell-for-nerve-agent-pesticides-in-move-to-save-bees-8454443.html

Give Bees a Chance! (The Greens European Free Alliance)
http://www.greens-efa.eu/give-bees-a-chance-9012.html

FILM IN-PRODUCTION WILL TELL WHY IN THE PAST CENTURY MORE THAN 90% OF OUR SEED VARIETIES HAVE DISAPPEARED FROM FARMERS FIELDS AND HOW A NEW MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE ARE BRINGING THEM BACK.

Portland, OR – The filmmakers behind  Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us?and Real Dirt on Farmer John are running a Kickstarter Campaign for their new documentary film SEED: The Untold Story. The campaign has sprouted past their $50,000 goal thanks to over 900 backers who are helping to make the film possible by pledging anywhere from $1 to $2,500 dollars to the production of the film. SEED’s Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign ends on January 25th, 2013. With just under a week left, the campaign is striving to reach a “stretch” goal of $75,000 to fund editing costs, a composer for the musical score, and an animation budget for the film.

SEED: The Untold Story will be the final film in the filmmaker’s Biodiversity Triology. It will investigate the incredible loss of seed diversity in the past century by uncovering the dramatic story of seeds: the foundations of our food and the basis of life on earth.

SEED unveils a David and Goliath battle for the future of our seeds. Since 1903, 93% of our food seed varieties have disappeared from farmers fields. SEED examines how five chemical corporations have taken control of seeds through patents and genetic modification. By ceasing to make available seed varieties that are part of the shared commons, they are creating a world where the remaining seed stock is quickly becoming commodified, copyrighted and owned.

Entertaining and engaging, SEED follows a cast of unlikely heroes working tirelessly to preserve agricultural diversity as well as the rich knowledge held by indigenous cultures. These farmers, scientists, and seed collectors such as Gary Paul Nabhan, Bill McDorman, Vandana Shiva, Harald Hoven, Native American Emigdio Ballon and Winona LaDuke are the visionaries and caretakers of many of the world’s remaining seeds. On an absorbing journey from farms to seed banks to the wild frontier, audiences will witness a brave new movement as these heroes struggle to create a vibrant web of biodiversity and resilience.

Through SEED, audiences will witness the beginnings of a new movement. In numerous agricultural centers around the world, SEED will follow farmers taking back their rights to seed, food and their land. SEED will inspire local communities to reverse an impending global food crisis by reclaiming seeds that can be freely dispersed, and adapted to their own conditions and culture.

Says SEED co-director Jon Betz, “The unique thing about Kickstarter is that we’re going public with our ideas much earlier. So there’s a dialogue right away, and this encourages us to form a community with our audience while we’re still out there making the film. It’s exciting, and for us, it changes the way we can make our films. All sorts of amazing connections come out of the woodwork. And with GMO labelling just on the ballot in California, I think we’re now at a tipping point in this country for change when it comes to seeds and the way we grow our food.”

SEED is produced by Collective Eye Films, a Portland, OR non-profit film production and distribution company. The filmmaker’s plan to finish SEED by early 2014. The film will then be launched via film festivals, Community Screenings, on DVD and online. The filmmakers goal is for SEED to reveal the awe, wonder and hidden beauty of seeds and unearth the resilience and power that all seeds have to sustain, enliven and enrich our humanity. They hope to ignite the imagination of audiences, inspiring them to be part of a new movement to help sustain seed diversity.

To learn more about SEED: The Untold Story and support the film’s Kickstarter campaign visit www.seedthemovie.com

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Contact:

Jon Betz ( 503.232.5345 )

Email: seedproject@collectiveeye.org

Twitter: @seeduntoldstory

Figures from the South African government indicate that poaching for rhinoceros has increased markedly in the last year.

More information from the BBC here: